The early years Italian Australians

new italy memorial (list of family names)

the number of italians arrived in australia remained small during whole of nineteenth century. voyage costly , complex, no direct shipping link existed between 2 countries until late 1890s. length of voyage on 2 months before opening of suez canal. italian migrants intended leave australia had use german shipping lines called @ ports of genoa , naples no more once month. therefore, other overseas destinations such united states , latin american countries proved more attractive, allowing establishment of migration patterns more , drawing far greater numbers.

nevertheless, victorian gold rush of 1850s attracted thousands of italians , swiss italians australia. drain on labour supply occasioned gold rush caused australia seek workmen europe land use , development of cultivation, both in new south wales , queensland. unfortunately, number of italians joined victorian gold mines obscure, , until 1871 italians did not receive special place in australian census figures. 1881, first year of census figures on italian migrants in states, there 521 italians (representing 0.066% of total population) in new south wales, , 947 (0.10%) in victoria, of whom one-third in melbourne , rest in goldfields. queensland had 250 italians, south australia 141, tasmania 11 , western australia 10. such figures, australian sources, correspond similar figures italian sources.

while italians in australia less 2,000, tended increase, because attracted easy possibility settle in areas capable of intense agricultural exploitation. in regard, must borne in mind again in 1880s italy facing strong economic crisis, going push hundred thousand italians seek better life abroad.

in addition, australian travellers, randolph bedford, visited italy in 1870s , 1880s, admitted convenience of having larger intake of italian workers australia. bedford stated italians adjust australian climate better pale english migrant. job opportunities attracted many british people colonies employed in agriculture, italian peasant, accustomed hard-worker, frugal , sober , immigrant australia soil. many italian immigrants had extensive knowledge of mediterranean-style farming techniques, better suited cultivating australia s harsh interior northern-european methods in use previous arrival.

since 1880s, due socioeconomic situation in italy , abundant opportunities settle in australia farmers, skilled or semi-skilled artisans , labourers, number of italians left australia increased.

in 1881, on 200 foreign immigrants, of whom considerable number italians northern italy, arrived in sydney. survivors marquis de ray s ill-fated attempt @ founding colony, nouvelle france, in new ireland, later became part of germany s new guinea protectorate. many of them took conditional purchase farm of 16 hectares (40 acres) near woodburn in northern rivers district @ subsequently known new italy . mid-1880s, 50 holdings of aggregate area of more 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) under occupation, , italian population of new italy has increased 250. in respect, lyng reports: land poor , heavily timbered , had been passed on local settlers. however, italians set work , great industry , thrift succeeded in clearing of land , making productive…[…]…besides, working on own properties settlers engaged in sugar industry, in timber squaring, grass seed gathering, , other miscellaneous work .

in 1883, commercial treaty between united kingdom , italy signed, allowing italian subjects freedom of entry, travel , residence, , rights acquire , own property , carry on business activities. agreement favoured arrival in australia of many more italians.