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C-BERSS EX-PRESS
June 2002
Issue 2, Vol 5
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All Newsletters : June 2002 : Maltese History ... in the Making
Maltese History ... in the Making
Professional interviewer John Bannister took on the job of conducting structured personal interviews with the ten Maltese former child migrants who had volunteered to participate in the Oral History Project. With each interview lasting between two and three hours, the edited result was 20 hours of taped histories which were then transcribed for formal hand-over to the State Library and Information Service of Western Australia. (Each story self contained in its own separate package—one for the library and one for each of the participants).
C-BERS Counsellor Michael Anderson (a history buff by heart) helped to instigate and organise the project.
The formal hand-over at the Alexander Library Theatre on 19 April 2002 emphasised the contribution of former child migrants to the Australian way of life far more than the hardships they may have endured along the way.
Professor David Plowman, himself a former child migrant, commented on the contribution made by the men who had told their stories to their own country, to themselves and to Australia.
Premier Geoff Gallop and Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs said the oral histories represented an important historical experience so that those living today and in future generations could learn from the lessons of the past. For those who had contributed their stories, the Premier said, “Your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will know more about you than most other members of the community know about their own forbears”.
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