Australian South Sea Islander community celebrated at the Ekka

Published Wednesday, 14 August, 2024 at 02:30 PM

Minister for Child Safety, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Charis Mullen

  • A special display at the Ekka honours the Australian South Sea Islander community’s history and contribution to Queensland
  • The community is celebrating 30 years of recognition by the Australian Government and 24 years by the Queensland Government
  • The Queensland Government has committed $1.45 million to improve recognition and services for Australian South Sea Islander people

The Queensland Government is honouring Australian South Sea Islanders with a special display at the Ekka.

The exhibition explores Australian South Sea Islanders’ history and contribution to the state’s agricultural industry, and their journey to recognition by the Australian and Queensland governments, while celebrating the present-day community.

Australian South Sea Islanders are the direct descendants of people brought over from the Pacific Islands, primarily Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, between 1863 and 1904 to work as indentured labourers in primary industries.

The Federal Government recognised the Australian South Sea Islander community as a distinct cultural group in 1994, while the Queensland Government’s recognition followed in 2000.

The Queensland Government has committed $1.45 million over four years and an ongoing $170,000 per year to strengthen recognition of, and services to, Australian South Sea Islander people.

Multicultural Affairs Queensland (MAQ) has worked closely with the Queensland United Australian South Sea Islander Council since its establishment in 2019.

Together they are designing and delivering a research project into the lived experience, including current levels of disadvantage, of Australian South Sea Islander people in Queensland.

James Cook University was appointed earlier this year to conduct the 12-month research project.

The Australian South Sea Islander exhibition is located in the Royal International Convention Centre (near the Multicultural Music Stage) at the Ekka.


Quotes attributable to Minister for Multicultural Affairs Charis Mullen:

“More than 7000 Australians identify as having Australian South Sea Islander heritage. Of those, more than 75 per cent are Queenslanders.

“The Queensland Government officially recognised Australian South Sea Islanders as a distinct cultural group in 2000.

“Our responsibility is to ensure recognition continues and is passed on to future generations.

“We honour the histories and lived experiences of Queensland’s South Sea Islander community.

“Today, the community makes a tremendous contribution to our economic, social, political and cultural life, for which we are grateful.”

Further information:

 ENDS