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state library of queensland
Traditional African dance at the Africa Day Celebrations. Photo by Dean Saffron.

Many voices

Queensland boasts a culturally and linguistically diverse society. State Library is committed to collaboration across communities and collects materials that reflect and document this diversity and cultural heritage.

The collections showcased here represent a small selection of the culturally diverse communities with materials held in the John Oxley Library.  

Andronicus Family photographs, ca. 1910 - 1939

In the early 1900s many young Greek men migrated to Australia in search of a better life for their families and loved ones back home. In this collection of digital copies taken from original photographs, we can begin to appreciate how Greek men and their families settled into life, living and working in many Queensland towns and cities. The Andronicus family owned the Golden Gate Cafe and American Bar on Enderslie Street, Winton ca. 1910, and Cafe Mimosa on Kent Street in Maryborough between 1923 and 1940. [Acc 32173] View more photographs showcased in Meet me at the Paragon, an exhibition which explored Greek migration, families, and their influence on the café culture in Queensland.
Irene Andronicus and her daughters with Mr and Mrs Cassimatis, Cunnamulla, ca. 1940s

Images of Chinese Protesters in Brisbane, 2009

In October 2009, members of the Chinese community in Brisbane staged a protest on the 60th anniversary of Communist rule in China. It was staged in Brisbane’s Reddacliff Place in George Street in the city. A peaceful protest, the banners and signs spoke out against Communist oppression, showing evidence of deceased Falun Gong members. The photographs were taken by the State Library of Queensland’s Senior photographer Reiner Irmer. [Acc 27035]
Protester participates in a peaceful protest, demonstrating against the Chinese Government’s Communist rule, 2009

Vietnamese Community Photographs, 2005

Members of the Vietnamese Community celebrated with various events to commemorate the arrival of the first refugees in Queensland after 9 August 1975. The events included a multi-faith service, dinner with the Governor of Queensland and the inauguration of the office of the Vietnamese Women’s Association of Queensland.
Vietnamese community

Brisbane South Sudanese photographs and protest rally, 2010

A collection comprising 28 photographs and portraits of the South Sudanese community in Brisbane in 2010 during the South Sudan Independence Day event, and street demonstration relating to the South Sudanese independence referendum.
Portrait of two South Sudanese women taken taken on South Sudan Independence Day, July 2011.

Storylines - Q 150 digital stories

In 2009 Queensland celebrated 150 years since becoming separated from the colony of New South Wales. To commemorate the sesquicentenary year State Library of Queensland commissioned 'Storylines - Q150 Digital Stories Project'. The stories captured on film revealed a variety of Queensland people and their experiences, including those with culturally diverse stories to share. We encourage you to engage with the stories that make up the complete collection.
Nadejda Lazarenko was born in Russia. While she was still a child, her family moved to Harbin in China, where her father worked as an engineer. She talks about the hardships faced in Harbin before and during World War II and her impressions on coming to Australia in 1952.

More information

Explore more of the Library's collections and resources including eresources, databases and online publications supporting language, culture and diversity. They can be accessed on the catalogue using your current membership card.