Australia’s Multicultural History
ACT 1
Narrator: The immigration history of Australia began with the initial human
migration to the continent around 50,000 years ago, when the ancestors of
Australian Aborigines arrived on the continent by way of the islands of Maritime
Southeast Asia and New Guinea.
[play Didgeridoo music] – Aboriginal people dancing onto stage.
[music stops; Aboriginal people freeze]
Narrator: During the early 17th century, the continent of Australia experienced
its first coastal landings and exploration by European explorers. European
settlement finally began on January 26th, 1788 with the arrival of the First Fleet
in Botany Bay, led by Captain Arthur Phillip.
[play British national anthem (8-25sec)] – Capt Phillip and 2 convicts arrive by
boat. During this time Aboriginal people begin moving again by grouping
together and looking and pointing at the British arrival.
[music stops; Capt Phillip approaches the Aboriginal people and freezes as he
begins to speak]
Narrator: Bartering between the British and Aboriginal people occurred as a
way to try mutually benefit both groups; with the Aboriginal people offering
native food and knowledge of the land, while Captain Phillip offered…
Captain Phillip: We would like to offer you these items as a way of showing our
appreciation for your assistance. Firstly we have tools [convict brings tools to
the Aboriginal people], we also have animals [convict leads over a sheep
(onesie)], we have an arrangement of food [convict takes over a gift basket]
and finally we have brought you One Direction.
[play One Direction – Live While We’re Young] – Band members ‘dance’ on
stage and begin singing. During this time Aboriginal people show disinterest
and walk off stage with Capt Phillip pleading after them.
[music cuts] Singer: I don’t think we have any fans here yet. [band walks off
stage]
Narrator: I don’t think that was exactly historically accurate… So, anyway,
where was I. The land was gradually established with settlements and by 1815
the population began to grow rapidly as free settlers began to arrive from
Britain and Ireland, attracted by the prospect of making a new life.
[play ‘A Whole New World’] – British couple arrives and dances towards a
homestead prop
[play Irish jig music] Irish couple arrives and dances towards their homestead
prop.
Both men begin to start farming the land while the women nurse babies. As
narrator introduces gold, British farmer moves to having a pickaxe and digging
at a rock.
Narrator: The lands of Australia continued to prosper, but in 1851 the first
discoveries of gold were made.
British Farmer: Gold!!! [holds up gold nugget and then continues digging]
Narrator: This caused a huge increase in the migration of people hoping to
strike it rich. Over the next 10 years Australia’s population more than doubled
as people from other parts of the world began arriving, including people from
North America [American’s enter and begin mining], China [Chinese people
enter and begin mining] and continental European countries such as Germany,
France, Italy, Poland and Hungary [each enters and begins mining].
[play ‘We Built This City] – All miners singing clip. Miners throw sacks of gold
over their shoulders and walk off stage.
End of Act 1.
ACT 2
Narrator: Australia continued to prosper and in 1901 became a federated
country, further increasing Australia’s status in the world. Australia was looked
upon for assistance during World War One beginning in 1914 and during World
War Two in 1939, resulting in many Australian lives being lost.
[play the Last Post] – 2 soldiers stand to attention saluting the crowd.
Narrator: After World War Two the Australian government believed it a priority
to increase the country’s population due to the perceived threat of an invasion.
In 1947 a program was established that would bring 12,000 people every year
from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.
Ship corner pulls to side of stage. [boat foghorn sounds] People begin to walk
on stage and group in the middle.
Immigrant 1: That boat trip took forever!
Immigrant 2: Yes, but we have now finally made it here to Australia.
Immigrant 1: Australia, our new home.
[play I Still Call Australia Home] – immigrants singing ‘I now call Australia
home.” Walk off stage arms linked.
Narrator: In 1958 the Migration Act was introduced, removing elements of the
White Australia Policy which was established during the formation of Australia
becoming a federation. This new act allowed people from non-European
countries to now migrate to Australia, but focused on what those people could
contribute to Australia and if it could be shown that they could integrate into
Australian society.
Customs officer sets up. Spiros approaches.
Customs Officer: Name please.
Spiros: Spiros Mendelli.
Customs Officer: Occupation.
Spiros: Bricklayer.
Customs Officer: Come through please (waves Spiros through). Next please.
Mohammad approaches.
Customs Officer: Name please.
Mohammad: Mohammad Al-Habir
Customs Officer: Occupation.
Mohammad: Carpenter.
Customs Officer: Come through please (waves Mohammad through). Next
please.
Gabriel approaches.
Customs Officer: Name please.
Gabriel: Gabriel Moncrief.
Customs Officer: Occupation.
Gabriel: Surfer.
Customs Officer: Sorry, but you don’t have any skills that make you an
acceptable migrating citizen.
Customs Officer closes his book and walks off stage. Gabriel walks off dejected
in the opposite direction.
Narrator: During the 1970s, the Whitlam Government began the process of
abandoning the White Australia Policy completely. This allowed people of all
ethnic backgrounds to now migrate to Australia.
Al Grassby: Australia now opens its arms and welcomes people of all countries
from around the world. We will now plan for our future and part of that future
is being a multicultural Australia.
[play I Am Australian] - All actors from the performance take stage and begin
shaking hands and hugging each other]
Narrator: Now Australia is recognised as one of the most multicultural countries
in the world. It has been through the blood, sweat and hardwork of migrating
people that has made our country what it is today. This song links the pride of
being Australian with our acknowledgement of the working class migrants that
helped build our country.
[play Advance Australia Fair]
Role
Aboriginal Dancer
Aboriginal Dancer
Aboriginal Dancer
Aboriginal Dancer
Capt Phillip
Convict/Spiros
Convict/CustomsOfficer
Sheep
One Direction
One Direction
One Direction
One Direction
British/Gabriel
British Miner
Irish
Irish Miner
America Miner
Chinese Miner
German Miner
French Miner
Italian Miner
Polish Miner
Hungarian Miner
Mohammad
Soldier/Al Grassby
Soldier
Immigrant 1
Immigrant 2
Narrator 1
Narrator 2
Actions
dancing
dancing
dancing
dancing
Acting/speaking
Acting/speaking
Acting/speaking
Baaaaah.
Singing/Speaking
Singing
Singing
Singing
Acting/speaking/dancing
Singing/dancing
Acting/dancing
Singing/dancing
Singing
Singing
Singing
Singing
Singing
Singing
Singing
speaking
Acting/speaking
Acting
Speaking/Singing
Speaking/Singing
Speaking
Speaking
Person
Connor
Georgia
Matthew
Reuben
Savahna
Jack
Shireena
Rebecca
Ella
Dylan
Nachos
Margie
Ruby
Jaxon
Tabea
Macca
Israel
Peter
Artur
Nikita
Daniel
Tom
Krystal
Jackson
Molli
Leon
Taylor
Evie
Sam
Haylee
We’ve travelled the world, we now are free,
We’ve come from far over the sea,
Our bones are weary from how far we’ve roamed,
But we now call Australia home.