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.

A young African boy holds a red, black and yellow flag. The boy is seen between several other African flags.

Africa Day Celebration

Organised by the Central Queensland African Association Inc., Rockhampton, the festival celebrates the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity.

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Three women are shown working at a delicatessen stall in a pavilion with a red roof. Red, white, and green flags hang above.

Australian Italian Festival

The Australian Italian Festival is an annual event held over two days in the Ingham community in North Queensland.

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Andronicus Family photographs, ca. 1910 - 1939

In the early 1900s young Greek men migrated to Australia in search of a better life for their families and loved ones. 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]

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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 staged a protest in Reddacliff Place, George Street Brisbane on the 60th anniversary of Communist rule in China. A peaceful protest, the banners and signs spoke out against Communist oppression. Photographs by Reiner Irmer. [Acc 27035]

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Protester participates in a peaceful protest, demonstrating against the Chinese Government’s Communist rule, 2009

Vietnamese Community Photographs, 2005

Members of the Vietnamese Community celebrate the arrival of the first refugees in Queensland after 9 August 1975. 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.

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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.

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Portrait of two South Sudanese women taken taken on South Sudan Independence Day, July 2011.

Elizabeth’s story

Elizabeth returns to Kosavo in Albania, the country of her birth only to find the old family land and village destroyed.

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Portrait of Tony Miller's family originally from Asia Minor

Retire to inspire

A narrated digital story revealing the settled life of former refugee Tony Miller. Tony settled in West End, Brisbane and had a varied career after the family had to flee from Asia Minor.

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Brisbane crowds enjoy Greek culture and dancing as part of the Paniyiri Greek Festival which is one of Queensland’s largest multicultural festivals held in Brisbane each year. Image 29879 – 0006-0036

Paniyiri Greek Festival Photographs and Moving Images, 2015

The Greek Paniyiri Festival was first conducted in Brisbane at Musgrave Park in 1976. Paniyiri, which in Greek means festival or fair is traditionally held to celebrate saints' days and to mark other special days or events in villages throughout Greece. The Peter Fischmann collection of photographs features the event in Brisbane, 23 – 24 May.

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Storylines - Q 150 digital stories

In 2009 Queensland celebrated 150 years of separation from New South Wales. To commemorate the sesquicentenary, State Library of Queensland commissioned 'Storylines - Q150 Digital Stories Project'.

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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.