Australian South Sea Islanders commemorate 30 years since being formally recognised, ABC News Nesia Daily, 26 August 2024
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the day the Australian government gave formal recognition and acknowledgement of “blackbirding” and designated Australian South Sea Islanders as a unique minority group.
From 1863, around 62,000 people were kidnapped or taken from the South Sea Islands to work in Queensland’s agricultural industries in a process known as blackbirding.
By 1908, these same people faced compulsory “repatriation” to the islands under the White Australia Policy and the Pacific Island Labourers Act of 1901.
Those who remained often suffered harsh treatment and discrimination.
“This dark history involves the controlled movement of people, exploitation, and discrimination,” said Imelda Miller, the curator behind a new exhibition at the Queensland Museum, Say Our Name: Australian South Sea Islanders.
“Once called ‘the forgotten people’ and seen as marginalised, Australian South Sea Islanders have a unique cultural identity and we are a proud community who are still here today,” Ms Miller told Nesia Daily.
“As we reflect on the 30th Anniversary of the National Recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders as a distinct cultural group, I’m honoured to provide a platform for community voices and stories to be shared, celebrated, and preserved for generations to come.”
Former Australian Test captain and proud South Sea Islander man Mal Meninga shared his own message on the significance of the day.
“It is a special community … it comes from a terrible history,” he told Nesia Daily.
“It’s very worthy of celebration, it’s great acknowledgement and recognition of the Australian South Sea Islander community, in particular the contribution it made to Queensland’s history, and certainly northern New South Wales’ history, and the sugar industry.
“Yeah, [I’m a] very proud Australian South Sea Islander, and its fantastic we got that recognition.”
‘To keep our community strong’
For Robert Mann, of Australian South Sea Islander and Darumbal heritage, it’s a historical moment for his community but also for him and the younger generation “coming through”.
“The importance of growing up in that 30 years, what has that taught me?”
“[How] can I use that going forward in the next 30 years to keep our community strong, keep it visible to the wider people of the community? But also for our own generations to come, and that they would be proud in who they are and [know] why recognition was fought for in the first place.”
Logan Bobongi of Wakka Wakka and South Sea Islander descent said August 25 was one of her favourite days of the year.
“I’m a bit younger than 30 years … but it’s really great to celebrate our culture,” she told Nesia Daily.
“We have our own unique stories, our own unique recipes, our own unique music. The way we laugh is different to a lot of the people here in Australia.
“So it’s really cool to have that recognised by the national government, and it’s really cool to celebrate. Recognition Day is one of my favourite days of the year.”
See also: Australian South Sea Islanders commemorate 30 years since recognition
