How has the construction of the Scheme influenced the cultural development of Australia? Provide insights into the cultural development of the area, where did people come from and why, what government initiatives existed for immigration to Australia related to the Scheme?
Influence of the Cultural Development of Australia
Out of the 100,000 workers, two thirds were migrants who came from over 40 different countries post World War II. Due to this, the Scheme has had a significant effect on the cultural development of Australia, and forged the title of Australia as a 'multi-cultural nation'. When the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electricity Authority was established in 1949, there was a dramatic shortage of skilled citizens, equipment and materials required for construction due to World War II. Three needs were to be met in order for this construction to succeed: Displaced Persons from post-war refugee camps in Europe, Austrlians and assisted migrants, also usually from Europe. As a result of this, the Snowy Authority began a recruitment campaign overseas, with a main target of Europeans. Migrants with engineering or construction skills and experience were targeted or migrants escaping their war-torn Countries in Europe to start a new life. The seek for workers was advertised in the press, newspapers and radios. The advertisements and posters appealed to the foreigners by promising sunshine, a bright future and an assited package.170,000 Displaced Persons from Europe, came to Australia between 1947 and 1952 and represented one thing to the Australian Government- manual labour. Anyone ages 15 and over who was accepted was required to sign a contract agreeing to work for two years in positions nominated by the Australian Government, they also had to be healthy and politically acceptable. Migrants with skills in tunnelling, geology, surveying, hydrology and transmission-line installation were highly sought after. An example of a ship taking 1200 people from Europe to Australia contained 302 Germans, 20 Displaced Germans, 274 Yugoslavians, 186 Polish, 103 Russian, 74 Latvian, 73 Hungarian, 56 Chzech, 14 Estonian, 14 Ukrainian, 9 Bulgarian, 9 Spanish, 5 Austrian and 10 descirbed as 'stateless', demonstrated that such a diverse group of refugees, survivors and former combatants had anything in common, it was their commitment to a new life. As all nationalities were to work together, they established comradeship that saw former enemies and allies working together. Due to the influx of people in the region, seven townships were established to house the men, women and families who came to assist in the construction.
Migrants came far and wide from countries including:
Specific jobs on the Snowy attracted different nationalities. Most of the early arrivals were placed in either investigation or construction, due to the fact that the tunnels were not ready to be built yet. Here is a breakdown:
-Masonry Work (Tunnelling and building retaining walls)- Italians
-Carpenters, mechanics and electricians- Germans (Germans were often skilled tradesmen and brought with them their traditional carpenters outfits).
-Mining and semi- skilled tradesmen- Yugoslavs
-Early jobs (Investigation or construction)- Poles, Ukrainians and people from the Baltic States (Early Displaced Persons).
-Hyrdrography (including long hours of skiing)- Czechs as well as a small number of professional surveyor recruits from Germany, New Zealand and South Africa.
-Construction on dams and roads as dozer driver and grader operators- Australians preferred this work over underground work.
-Plant operators and construction workers- Irish
-Installation of transmission lines- It was suggested that Southern Italians and Spaniards do this work as they were smaller in stature, hence more acrobatic.
Out of the 100,000 workers, two thirds were migrants who came from over 40 different countries post World War II. Due to this, the Scheme has had a significant effect on the cultural development of Australia, and forged the title of Australia as a 'multi-cultural nation'. When the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electricity Authority was established in 1949, there was a dramatic shortage of skilled citizens, equipment and materials required for construction due to World War II. Three needs were to be met in order for this construction to succeed: Displaced Persons from post-war refugee camps in Europe, Austrlians and assisted migrants, also usually from Europe. As a result of this, the Snowy Authority began a recruitment campaign overseas, with a main target of Europeans. Migrants with engineering or construction skills and experience were targeted or migrants escaping their war-torn Countries in Europe to start a new life. The seek for workers was advertised in the press, newspapers and radios. The advertisements and posters appealed to the foreigners by promising sunshine, a bright future and an assited package.170,000 Displaced Persons from Europe, came to Australia between 1947 and 1952 and represented one thing to the Australian Government- manual labour. Anyone ages 15 and over who was accepted was required to sign a contract agreeing to work for two years in positions nominated by the Australian Government, they also had to be healthy and politically acceptable. Migrants with skills in tunnelling, geology, surveying, hydrology and transmission-line installation were highly sought after. An example of a ship taking 1200 people from Europe to Australia contained 302 Germans, 20 Displaced Germans, 274 Yugoslavians, 186 Polish, 103 Russian, 74 Latvian, 73 Hungarian, 56 Chzech, 14 Estonian, 14 Ukrainian, 9 Bulgarian, 9 Spanish, 5 Austrian and 10 descirbed as 'stateless', demonstrated that such a diverse group of refugees, survivors and former combatants had anything in common, it was their commitment to a new life. As all nationalities were to work together, they established comradeship that saw former enemies and allies working together. Due to the influx of people in the region, seven townships were established to house the men, women and families who came to assist in the construction.
Migrants came far and wide from countries including:
Specific jobs on the Snowy attracted different nationalities. Most of the early arrivals were placed in either investigation or construction, due to the fact that the tunnels were not ready to be built yet. Here is a breakdown:
-Masonry Work (Tunnelling and building retaining walls)- Italians
-Carpenters, mechanics and electricians- Germans (Germans were often skilled tradesmen and brought with them their traditional carpenters outfits).
-Mining and semi- skilled tradesmen- Yugoslavs
-Early jobs (Investigation or construction)- Poles, Ukrainians and people from the Baltic States (Early Displaced Persons).
-Hyrdrography (including long hours of skiing)- Czechs as well as a small number of professional surveyor recruits from Germany, New Zealand and South Africa.
-Construction on dams and roads as dozer driver and grader operators- Australians preferred this work over underground work.
-Plant operators and construction workers- Irish
-Installation of transmission lines- It was suggested that Southern Italians and Spaniards do this work as they were smaller in stature, hence more acrobatic.
Throughout the 1950's and into the 1960's, Australia's immigration policy reflected the ideal of assimilation and 'New Australians; were to fit in with the current Anglo-Celtic customs in Australia. At the time, Immigration Minister Harold Holt highlighted the idea of building a 'truly British nation on this side of the world' by insisting migrants follow these customs. Between 1948 and 1983 (during and post construction), British and Irish migrants received citizenship rights post first years of residency in Australia. Other nationalities were to be 'naturalised', as processing involving swearing allegiance to the British Monarch.
When the construction was completed in 1974, many of the foreign workers dispersed to new jobs around Australia, or even back overseas, however a majority stayed to live their new life as Australians, starting families who are a significant part of the Australian population today.
Despite being encouraged to follow the ideal of assimilation, migrants did not abandon their cultural beliefs and customs. An example of this is the removal of the communist Yugoslav flag by the anti-communist workers from the avenue of flags.
The Snowy Hydro Scheme is portrayed as the start of multiculturalism in Australia as a result of the intense nature and success of the cultural mix.
The success of this Scheme's construction is a reflection of the people who worked through dangerous and difficult conditions, in a unique and foreign environment, working together to build one of the most impressive and extensive projects in the world.
For reference see interactive reference list
When the construction was completed in 1974, many of the foreign workers dispersed to new jobs around Australia, or even back overseas, however a majority stayed to live their new life as Australians, starting families who are a significant part of the Australian population today.
Despite being encouraged to follow the ideal of assimilation, migrants did not abandon their cultural beliefs and customs. An example of this is the removal of the communist Yugoslav flag by the anti-communist workers from the avenue of flags.
The Snowy Hydro Scheme is portrayed as the start of multiculturalism in Australia as a result of the intense nature and success of the cultural mix.
The success of this Scheme's construction is a reflection of the people who worked through dangerous and difficult conditions, in a unique and foreign environment, working together to build one of the most impressive and extensive projects in the world.
For reference see interactive reference list