Flowers and the Wide Sea - Sojourners (episode 1) (1-Year Access)

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Sojourners traces the first wave of Chinese migrants, who in the nineteenth century were driven by famine, war or simply poverty to leave their villages and come to Australia as shepherds. In the 1850s thousands more arrived to seek their fortunes in the goldfields. Some stayed to establish trading companies, restaurants, laundries and market gardens. However, in spite of their contribution to the emerging nation, anti-Chinese feeling ran high. After Federation in 1901, the first Act of the new parliament restricted immigration. The day of the sojourners was over.

(1994, 2 x 55 mins) A Film Australia National Interest Program.

© National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.