Australian South Sea Islander
Stories from the South Sea Islander community
Stories from the South Sea Islander community of the Sunshine Coast. For more information see the Descendants of Australian South Sea Islanders (DASSI) website.
Background
Large scale sugar cane production brought the need for labourers. Joseph Dixon employed the first 25 Islanders at Buderim in 1877, and soon others were working in Bli Bli. The bulk of this labour force were Tanna Islanders from Vanuatu. Others were from the Loyalty Islands. With the enactment of the Commonwealth’s Pacific Island Labourers Act 1901, employment of Pacific Islanders ceased, and the deportation of most Pacific Islanders was ordered. It is unclear how many Pacific Islanders were removed from the Sunshine Coast and how many were allowed to stay.
See the earliest record of South Sea Islander cutting cane in 1899 in the film ‘ The Last Crush’ (footage from National Screen and Film Archives).
In 2019, Descendants of South Sea Islanders (DASSI) celebrated 25 years National Recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders.
Celebrating 25 years
Celebrating 25 years of National Recognition of ASSI 2019
Pam Blackman
Pamela's grandmother was taken to Australia in 1894
Rex Eggmolesse
Rex's grandparents were taken from Santo Island in Vanuatu during the blackbirding years
Sonny Byquar
Sonny's family came from Vanuatu and the Solomons
Visit to the Old Place, Bli Bli
The South Sea Islander community gather together for a visit to the old place
George Eggmolesse
George attended the Perwillowen Creek Provisional School