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Several Australian South Sea Islander men loading cane stalks onto wagon in the field

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Australian South Sea Islanders

Australian South Sea Islanders

Australian South Sea Islanders have a compelling heritage etched in the landscapes of Queensland. State Library has a vast array of collections and resources to explore, providing an insight into their history and contribution.

Featured collections

Front cover of the report from the Royal Commission into Pacific Islander labourers to be deported

Royal Commission into the deportation of Pacific Islanders (1906)

This report gave voice to those to be deported from Queensland's cane fields under the White Australia Policy of 1901.

Front page of Acts & Regulations on Kanaka labour

Paper: Acts & Regulations on Kanaka labour in Australia

A government document bringing together all Acts and Regulations pertaining to Pacific Island labourers.

A White Australia: the Kanaka labor question: sugar growing in Queensland

"A White Australia: the Kanaka labor question" booklet

This investigation published by The Herald addressed “a highly important and perplexing question of public policy”.

Australian South Sea Islanders United Council Records, pre-1975

Australian South Sea Islanders United Council records

The ASSIUC was formed in the early 1970s with networks extending from the Tweed to North Queensland.

Journal of Canambie Plantation, 1875-1928.

Journal of Canambie Plantation 1875-1928

The diary kept by Joseph Dixon while he ran his sugar plantation at Buderim includes descriptions of Pacific Island labourers working for him.

Letter from James Arthur, in Malayta, to his wife

James Arthur Papers

James Arthur was working as a recruiter of Pacific Island labourers before he was murdered in Malayta.

Photographs

Refined White Exhibition 2001 photographic materials

Children ride the merry-go-round on Recognition Day at Emmaus College, Rockhampton, 2000.

25 years of Australian South Sea Islander National Recognition

Tai Bobongie, 2018-2019.

Historic photographs

(Two men posed in a studio) Untitled

Videos

Australian South Sea Islander resource guide

A comprehensive list of State Library of Queensland resources related to Australian South Sea Islanders.

PDF · 246 KB

Exhibitions and symposia

South Sea Islanders arriving by ship in Bundaberg, Queensland Negative number: 18058

Australian South Sea Islanders

An online showcase commemorating 150 years since Australian South Sea Islanders arrived in Queensland.

Group of South Sea Islander workers on a property in Cairns

Plantation Voices: Contemporary conversations with Australian South Sea Islanders

The 2019 exhibition Plantation Voices explored Australian South Sea Islander culture and history in Queensland.

Percy and Roy Mooney outside their house in Habana near Mackay, Queensland Image number: 28873-0001-0008

Australian South Sea Islanders discuss their history and contemporary identity in this compelling conversation.

From the blog

The John Oxley blog is a primary tool for sharing knowledge about Queensland's history and knowledge of the past. The Australian South Sea Islander experience unfolded with the establishment of Queensland's sugar industry in the late 1800s.

South Sea Islanders arriving by ship in Bundaberg, Queensland in 1895

Uncovering the story of Australian South Sea Islanders

62,000 South Sea Islanders were recruited for the labour trade in Queensland between 1863 -1903.

Portrait of James Murray of Bundaberg in uniform

Australian South Sea Islanders in WW1

Australian South Sea Islanders enlisted with pride. James Murray of Bundaberg served in the 9th Btn.

South Sea Islander labourers gathered around a drum outside a hut in Innisfail, ca.1902

Australian South Sea Islanders National Recognition Day

Each year, 25th August is Australian South Sea Islanders National Recognition Day.

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South Sea Islander women planting sugar cane by hand at Bingera, Queensland, c.1897.

Australian South Sea Islanders: Flickr

Explore more historic photographs in our Australian South Sea Islander albums on Flickr.

Plantation Voices exhibition, Philip Bacon Heritage Gallery, State Library of Queensland.

Plantation Voices resources

An online portal to a wide variety of resources linked to Australian South Sea Islander history.

Two young South Sea Islander children near Innisfail, Queensland, c.1903.

Australian South Sea Islander education resources

Discover resources developed by education professionals on State Library's Curriculum Connect.