CONFLICT: Adopting an Australian Identity
This project presents two immigrants and their journeys to adopting an Australian identity. The two subjects, both of whom are now happily settled in Australia, present unique struggles and perspectives in their respective immigration experiences.
Part 1. Coming to Australia
Photo 1.
The first subject is Natasha. Natasha arrived in Australia on November 9th, 1973. The day before her younger brother, Alex’s, 10th birthday. They immigrated from Greece, and the entire journey took about 26 hours. Natasha and her family came to Australia for two reasons: to re-join the 11 families that had already immigrated to Australia and to get away from the military government ruling Greece at the time.
Natasha holds a picture of herself, her mother and her younger brother. The photo was taken in 1965, and was sent to Australia to family whilst they were in Greece. They were reunited with the photo once they arrived in Australia.
Photo 2.
The second subject is Kim. Kim arrived in Australia on June 6th, 1996. She arrived with her two daughters, aged 3 and 1, as well as her husband at the time. Kim and her family immigrated from Cambodia with reasons similar to many other immigrants, in search of a better quality of life and of better opportunities. Kim and her family lived in Canberra, Australia for 9 years, before moving down to Melbourne, Australia where she and her family currently reside.
Kim holds up a Cambodian passport. It was the last Cambodian identification document that she received.
Part 2. First Impressions
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When asked about how she first felt arriving in Australia, Natasha described that she felt like an “outsider”, even from her own family. Upon arrival, she was shocked to find that most of her cousins did not speak Greek. In fact, they attempted to disassociate from Greek culture to avoid the stigma of being labelled a “wog”. Natasha found it “extremely hard” to fit in Australia, not only from feeling different to her family, but also within her school. Natasha was only one of two other Greek speaking pupils in her year level at Camberwell High.
Natasha holds up a class photo of her in Year 10.
Photo 4.
Kim holds a picture of herself, her two daughters and her husband at the time. The photo was taken in 1996, the year they arrived in Australia.
Part 3. Overcoming Struggles
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Natasha struggled tremendously with making friends and found most of her energy was spent trying to avoid being bullied. Furthermore, she found that the Australian and Greek education systems were very different. Greek schooling used rote learning, whereas Australia encourages a lot of critical thinking. As a result, Natasha’s grades at school suffered. To escape from her undesirable social and schooling life, Natasha turned to reading. A self-proclaimed “bookworm”, it allowed her to “escape” the “constraints and restraints” put on her due to being a part of a migrant family. Natasha would read up to ten books per week.
Natasha is pictured reading a book in her favourite reading spot. She enjoys this spot as it allows her to get her Vitamin D.
Photo 6.
Kim and her husband divorced in 2006. He went back to Cambodia and left her with three young daughters to care for. Kim was already facing the struggles that most immigrants are faced with. A language barrier, no support system, and difficulty finding stable occupation. However, through hard work and determination, Kim managed to keep her family upright and has raised three beautiful and hardworking daughters. Kim says that she has "no regrets" in the lifestyle choices that she has made. To this day, Kim works 7 days a week.
Pictured are Kim's hands, illustrating the effect of non-stop working for 30 years.
Part 4. Finally Belonging
Photo 7.
Natasha says that she didn’t adopt an Australian identity until she had her first child, Jade. Having Jade gave her the opportunity to meet a "community of other mums", who then became her "lifelong friends". After being "socially excluded" for so long, suddenly Natasha could go to the local shops, libraries and parks and bump into someone who she was friendly with every time. Natasha says that having kids “anchored” her to Australia, and allowed her to fully integrate into society.
Pictured is Natasha with her second child, Lucas, and her husband David.
Photo 8.
Kim says that she finally adopted an Australian identity when she purchased her first home. The purchase made her feel a part of the community, and a "permanent" citizen in a way, despite having received her citizenship in 2003. The journey to purchasing a home was a difficult one, and took years of hard work. So Kim is proud of her achievement, particularly given that she immigrated to Australia with little English speaking abilities and became the single mother to three children.
Kim is pictured standing proudly on the front porch of her Melbourne home.
Part 5. Reflection
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Upon reflection, Natasha is incredibly grateful to have settled in Australia. She says that she could “not imagine” having settled anywhere else, and that life would’ve been “very miserable and different” had she and her family not immigrated. Natasha is particularly thankful for the opportunities that Australia has afforded her. Not just in terms of education and occupation, but small things such as allowing her the opportunity to pursue hobbies and learn new things. This differs from Greece, where she feels every action must be motivated by money.
Natasha also “absolutely adore[s]” Australian flora, she is pictured in front of the Australian gumtree in her backyard.
Photo 10.
Kim also feels "incredibly grateful" and happy to have settled in Australia. Despite the various hardships that she has faced, she adamantly believes that Australia is one of the greatest countries that she could have settled in. She specifies her appreciation for the government and the assistance they provide to their citizens. This is in comparison to Cambodia, where she feels is sorely lacking in this regard. However, the separation from her parents mars the happiness that she has found in Australia. Talking to her parents everyday, she misses them and regrets not having been able to spend more time with them as they age.
Kim is pictured in her front garden. She enjoys spending her limited free time tending to the various flowers and vegetables that she grows.
