In this report I will be talking about Greek migrants arriving in Australia during the 19th and 20th centuries. I will also be talking about Humanitarian migrants and their contributions to Australia. In the 1850’s during the gold rush 146 Greeks migrated to Victoria to mine for gold. Some of these people moved back to Greece while others stayed in Victoria or moved to other places around Australia finding jobs in factories, local restaurants or cafes, hoping for a new life. Many Greeks also migrated to Australia after WWII when Australia introduced the post war migration policy. Greek Care (2015) estimated that the majority of Greeks came to Australia between 1945 and 1982. 0.42% of Australia’s Population are from Greece …show more content…
After WWII Greece plunged into poverty, which caused deep divisions. Many also migrated after the war because they were communist insurgents and they were fearful of persecution. Origins, Immigrant Communities in Victoria (2015) estimated that after WWII and during the civil war in Greece 160,000 Greeks migrated to Australia, mostly to Victoria. Some migrants also moved to Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.
In Australia there was also a post war migration policy, which was aimed at increasing the population of Australia after WWII. As a result of this policy many Greeks migrated to Australia hoping for a better life and future for themselves and their family. Greek Care (2015) estimated that the majority of Greeks came to Australia between 1945 and 1982. The pull factors of Greek Migration to Australia in the 19th and 20th Centuries were to get a better life and future, some also came to get better economic opportunities or a better job.
After WWII Australia introduced a post war migration policy which was aimed to increase the population of Australia. By 1947 12,500 people born in Greece migrated to Australia. During this period many Greeks came to Australia by boat. During the late 1960’s many migrants arrived in Australia by plane but some still came by …show more content…
They have made many significant contributions to the wider community like food, hospitality, manufacturing, small business and politics.
Greek migration has helped make Australia a rich multicultural country by introducing food, language, religion, cafes, education, business, art, sport clubs and politics. Greeks have not only helped Australia’s multiculturalism, but they have become an established member of Australian society. Even though they have become a part of Australian society they have also sustained their strong culture and religious identity.
Greek architecture has widely affected Australia, especially Melbourne as there have been many buildings like temples based mainly on Ancient Greek architecture. They have also played a large role in politics with many men and women who were politicians and assisted in law making. When Greeks migrated to Australia they brought with them some of their many traditions, beliefs, ideas and knowledge. One of these included making wine from grapes and olive oil from olives. Greeks have also opened up many restaurants, clubs and delis selling things like Greek dishes, such as spanakopita, souvlaki; herbs, cheeses and