State Heritage Convention

Mr Enzo Sirna
President, Italo-Australian Welfare and Cultural Centre
"A Multicultural Perspective"

Australia has a wonderfully diverse cultural heritage. The places associated with the history of migration and the contribution of successive migrants to our distinctive cultures and environments, are as integral a part of our shared cultural heritage and we must not forget this.

With the theme of the State Heritage Convention being a 'holistic approach to heritage', the multicultural perspective is indeed very important. As heritage helps us to understand our past, then it is essential that we truly reflect this heritage, shaped by nature and history, to encompass the diversity of natural and cultural places, lifestyles, traditions, objects, people and above all, the inheritance of cultural patrimony passed on from one generation to the next.

When talking about migrant heritage, the focus should not just be on heritage places, as this is only one aspect, but it should also highlight the people and their communities. In understanding the people, their customs, traditions, songs, dances, objects and overall contribution to the development of this State, it will enable us to get a more holistic appreciation of heritage which will have more meaning when we listen to the stories about the land, its people and its values.

The history of migration is an integral part of Australia's heritage and we must not lose sight of this. While many may think that heritage only refers to places such as ancient monuments or grand buildings, we need to create an awareness of all related areas which collectively enrich the fabric of Australia's cultural heritage. Built heritage is as important as natural heritage, but so are the contributions of the people and their communities which must be put into the appropriate perspective. It is therefore important to examine the influence of the migration flow throughout history and how it has significantly contributed in creating a uniqueness about Australian cultural heritage which must be correctly interpreted and conserved.

The history of the Goldfields alone is a wonderful example of important influences and contributions that reflected a very colourful, but immensely rich period of growth for a young State still finding its feet. The events which took place, along with the increased migration flow in this period, are of significant historical importance and have certainly added to the richness of Western Australia's evolving cultural heritage.

In a recent report from the Fremantle Society Inc. called 'Twentieth Century Immigration Through Fremantle', with reference to the gold rushes, it states:

"Immigration into Western Australia was greatly boosted by the gold rushes. The peak year was 1896, with 55,215 arrivals and 19,324 departures. By 1899 however, 20,278 arrived and 20,287 left, a net loss of 9 people. Assisted immigration during this period was miniscule. By 1903, when Fremantle was handling 90% of the State's immigrants and 88% of emigrants, Western Australia had by far the greatest excess of immigrants over emigrants of any State in Australia, and for the previous 10 years had an excess of immigrants over emigrants of 139,131, vastly greater than the nearest other State, New South Wales, with 1,127."

Western Australia's culturally diverse heritage has also been greatly enriched by the many thousands of immigrants who have arrived since World War II. The 1950's and 1960's in particular saw a major influx of migrants coming to Western Australia. If we are serious about a holistic approach to heritage, we must not lose the opportunity to interpret and preserve the cultural link provided by so many of these migrants who have not only contributed to the growth of Western Australia, but have also added value to mainstream society which has benefited by their integration and participation. If we are to truly reflect the multicultural perspective to heritage through the migrant contribution, we must ensure that the stories are captured now, as many of the migrants who are able to contribute to the conservation and interpretation of our cultural heritage are in the aged category and we may miss precious opportunities to have the first hand experiences of their contributions documented.

Serious consideration needs to be given to history of migration, and since the 1970's there has been more interest in what has taken place. It must be recognised that this history has helped shape the fabric of our society and that all communities have played a significant role in the growth and wealth of Australia, and Western Australia in particular. The influence and importance of the cultural heritage links to the various passages of history must be passed on from generation to generation to create a better understanding of our heritage.

What can we do to not only conserve and interpret the significance of migrant heritage, but to create an awareness of its importance and relevance to Australia's cultural heritage as a whole? A former Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, has recognised this relevance by stating that there is nothing more important in Australian history than the story of immigration.

First and foremost, we need to ensure that communities themselves are aware of the importance of their own contributions to the cultural heritage of Western Australia. An awareness needs to be created both for the more established communities and the more recent communities who are now calling Western Australia home. The longer established communities would no doubt have much to contribute, but not many have actually recorded these experiences and contributions. There is therefore a danger that much has been missed through the generations, particularly the opportunities to record oral histories which would give a more accurate reflection of customs, events, activities, traditions and various other influences which have had a major impact on individuals or communities in helping with the growth and development of this State. We do not want the more recently established communities to lose the opportunity to value, conserve and preserve what they currently have so that their stories can also remain as integral a part of our continuously evolving cultural heritage. Above all, they must also appreciate how it all fits into a holistic picture of cultural heritage which provides for a unique Australian society able to appreciate the richness of each other's contributions and making Australia a better place for all.

To help all communities recognise this, appropriate support, direction, guidelines and resources need to be provided. Uniform processes should be set up which will provide for the necessary flexibility and enthusiasm to ensure that the conservation, preservation and interpretation of each community's individual cultural inheritance and patrimony be in keeping with a holistic approach to heritage. This will therefore place a major emphasis on groups such as The National Trust of Australia (WA) to take an important lead role and help provide the necessary support, direction and guidance in helping bring all communities together with the common goal of sharing and appreciating the importance of each other's significant and culturally enriching heritage.

The Australian Heritage Commission has also recognised the importance of Australia's culturally diverse heritage and has recently funded a project to learn more about Australia's migrant heritage. The project focuses primarily on post-World War II migration, but it is an excellent opportunity to assist the various migrant communities to identify places of heritage which are associated with their cultural traditions and activities in Australia. A 'Guide' has been prepared which assists in directing migrant groups in identifying heritage places in Australia, as well as handbook to help the coordinators of these migrant groups. It is hoped that in the recognition of migrant heritage places, it will also give these groups an opportunity to tell stories about their people and customs and how these have been crucial to their own development and establishment as an important element in the fabric of our overall cultural heritage.

With reference to migrant heritage places, in issuing the 'Guide', the Australian Heritage Commission states:

"This heritage is little known or understood, particularly the places associated with the more recent phases of migration since World War II. These places tell the stories of countless migrants - of their experience in arriving and settling in a new country.
Some places continue to hold special significance for migrants and their families: important places associated with worship, commemoration, work, schooling, eating or entertainment, places where significant cultural activities such as festivals are held, and places that recall important people or events."

As previously stated, what is important in recognising migrant heritage places is that they actually give the people of that particular community the opportunity to talk about their experiences, challenges, hardships and struggles, as well as relating the rewards received for the fruit of their work in settling into a new country and creating a guaranteed future for their children and the many generations to follow. This was done through their incredible work ethic and ability to adapt to difficult situations, often having to overcome major language and cultural barriers. These experiences, if related, will give us better understanding of the evolving story of the history of immigration and make current and future generations aware of the overall significance, in a holistic sense, of the richness of our cultural diversity in helping to create the fabric of a multicultural society which is the envy of many other countries. It will make communities more appreciative and understanding of what they have and encourage all to maintain that sense of pride which has been so obvious within these communities.

Many of the migrant heritage places in Western Australia have a story to tell. A stroll through Fremantle or Northbridge would very quickly make you realise this. While some changes have taken place over the years, the influence of the Chinese, Greek, Italian, Vietnamese and other community groups is very obvious. This influence is sometimes taken for granted and we must be careful not to lose the historical significance and the important cultural heritage of the places and people we have at our doorstep. We must ensure that all stories are told and that appropriate measures are taken to correctly conserve and interpret the richness of this contribution.

Let us also not forget the significant contributions made by many migrant groups to the development of this State in regional and rural areas, as well as the history of our 'internees' during World War II. During this period, many Italian men and women who were either new migrants or naturalised Australians were arrested and held in various prisons and camps around Australia. Internees in Western Australia were held in Fremantle Prison, on Rottnest Island, at Kalgoorlie and even in the York gaol.

The National Trust of Australia (WA) wants to play a key role in the development and appreciation of migrant heritage in Western Australia. It has already been involved with community groups in creating an awareness of the importance of this cultural heritage. More recently it has taken on the conservation and interpretation of the Luisini Winery Project which is not only important to the Italian Community, but also significant in highlighting the contribution made by all migrant groups in the various stages of the development of this State.

Ezio Luisini, an Italian migrant who arrived from Umbria in 1908, made his first purchase of land in the Wanneroo area in 1924 for the purpose of building a vineyard. He kept adding to the land and eventually his vineyard had evolved into the largest privately owned vineyard in the Southern Hemisphere. The origins and the operations of the Winery, as well as its contribution in the development of the Wanneroo area, are of immense historical and heritage significance. Its association with the agricultural development of the Wanneroo district, as well as the dominant Italian occupation of the area from the 1920's through to the 1960's makes significant appeal in wanting to conserve this migrant heritage place with its many stories to tell. The Luisini Winery was also important for its social value to the local community as a well known local industry and manufacturer of wine since 1929 and for its association with Ezio Luisini, an important patron of the Italian Community. It was also the first place of employment in Western Australia for many new Italian migrants.

The National Trust of Australia (WA) has involved the Italian Community in the overall conservation and interpretation of the Luisini Winery. This project has been embraced by the Italian Community and it is considered a very important part of the contribution made by Italian migrants to the development of Western Australia and the richness of its cultural heritage.

The multicultural perspective is important in the holistic approach to heritage. We cannot ignore the fact that Australia has a population that includes migrants from about 280 countries and other than English, there are about 240 languages still spoken in homes, with about 120 different religions which are regularly practised. We have a rich cultural heritage, and we must reflect this accordingly.

Let's start now!