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Textile Banners

Making Multicultural Australia - http://www.multiculturalaustralia.gov.au

Japanese Banner

Keiko Hiki, Fusae Simpson, Noriko Shibata and the Australian Japan Society, 1986

Mount Fuji, the sacred mountain of Japan, dominates the banner.

Surrounding it are images reflecting life in the old country

• the pine tree, a symbol of long life

• the bullet train, epitomising modern Japan

• the national flower of Japan – the cherry blossom

Community Banners Collection,

Migration Museum, Adelaide

Polish Banner

J. Szockinski, Maria Kropinski and the Polish Community, 1986

This Banner tells the story of Mr.

Twardowski, a famous magician who lived in Krakow in the sixteenth century.

He sold his soul to the devil to gain riches and knowledge, and in exchange, was eventually taken to hell.

He prayed to Mary to save him.

She took mercy on him and ordered the devil to leave him on the moon, where he still sits today.

By passing on stories like this in the national language, Polish immigrants have been able to maintain their culture in their new land.

Community Banners Collection,

Migration Museum, Adelaide

Latvian Banner

Anna Ancans, 1986

The turbulence of war in Latvia is symbolized by the red and yellow flash. Feelings of fear and oppression are evoked by the woman in traditional costume standing behind barbed wire.

The boats and sun represent the journey to the new land. The contrast among the images portrays the memories and dreams of Latvians who came to

Australia.

Community Banners Collection,

Migration Museum, Adelaide.

Indian banner

Moti Somers, 1986

Decorated with traditional Indian designs, the animals symbolise immigration to Australia from India and the transfer of ideas to the new land.

The images on the banner are also a reminder that while adjusting to life in their new country, Indian people retain their cultural traditions.

Community Banners Collection,

Migration Museum, Adelaide.

Lebanese Banner

Lorna Hamood, Sueanne Badawee, Mae Andury, Shadia Andury and the South Australian Lebanese Druse

Association, 1986

The mountains, village and fertile valley are typical of the Lebanese landscape.

Other Lebanese images are the cedar tree

– arza, the brass mortar and pestle – hewin, and the traditional drum – durbakee. The area’s aniquity is symbolised by the Baalbeck ruins, the culture by figures in traditional dress.

The link with Australia is the boat.

Community Banners Collection, Migration Museum, Adelaide.

Cornish banner

Carolyn Faull, 1986

Images of Cornwall and South

Australia reveal the links between the old and new country.

The engine house is a reminder of the transfer of mining techniques.

The miner and his wife are represented in traditional costume while the reference to Bendigo relates to the South Australian

Cornish who were among the first diggers on the Victorian goldfields.

Community Banners Collection,

Migration Museum, Adelaide.

Kangaroo Island Settlers

designed by: Ros Johnsson, Merril Hansen, Christine Ley

The history and landscapes of

Kangaroo Island, the first official

British settlement in South

Australia, are worked in wool.

Community Banners Collection,

Migration Museum, Adelaide.

• made by: Josie Markus, Jean

Tonkin, June Mole, Joan Noble,

Jean Schaefer, Nancy Waller, Rita

Kenyon, Jean Jamieson, Tina

Cinzio, Margaret Smyth, Stella

Pillar, Thelma Buick, Marjorie

Roberts, Jean Barrett, Mollie

McArdle, Rhonda Fryar, Clarice

Duffy, Shirley Wetherall, Evelyn

Wallace: 1994.

Fijian Banner

The Fijian Association of South Australia, 1993

The tapa etching in the top corner contains images of particular symbolic value to Fijians.

• The tabua, whale’s tooth, represents culture; the bure, traditional house, coconut tree and island, depict the

State; the cross, religion.

The central image, the outrigger canoe, or takia, symbolises the journey from the old country to the new.

The bright colours and the open book represent the expectations of Fijians coming to Australia, of better opportunities, education and adventure.

Community Banners Collection,

Migration Museum, Adelaide.

Scandinavian Banner

Dirk James and Lise Jams, 1991

The different landscapes evoke memories of life in Scandinavian countries.

The snowcapped mountains are a feature common to Finland, Norway and Iceland.

The pine forest and fjord relate to

Sweden, the fields to regions of

Denmark.

The link between these countries – all have a strong seafaring tradition – is highlighted by the fishing boat.

The birch tree found throughout

Scandinavia and the Australian gum tree link memories of life in the old lands with dreams of the future in the new.

Community Banners Collection,

Migration Museum, Adelaide.

These images are free for your use for educational purposes, however not for publication.

For more copyright information go to www.multiculturalaustralia.gov.au

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