Migrant music-making and dance in postwar Australia

Between 1950 and 1969, Australia’s Department of Immigration published The Good Neighbour, a monthly bulletin aimed at helping European migrants assimilate into Australian society. Music and dance played a central role in how these “New Australians” were represented, offering a unique lens into the cultural politics of assimilation. This project explores how migrant music-making was portrayed in the Australian press during this period and what these activities reveal about the broader cultural landscape of postwar Australia.

Using digitised newspapers, including The Good Neighbour, the research team will create a dynamic map of migrant music-making, tracing where musicians arrived from, where they settled, and how their activities were documented. The project will also build an open-access library of images and primary sources, cross-referencing press coverage to provide a richer understanding of these cultural contributions.

The research aims to challenge existing assumptions about how migrants were represented, moving beyond caricatures of traditional costumes and folkloric performances. By documenting the diversity of migrant music-making, the project celebrates their contributions and sheds light on their role in shaping Australia’s cultural identity.

Collaborating with MDAP, the team will develop data visualisations, mapping tools, and a publicly accessible database. These resources will not only support academic research in history, musicology and beyond, but also engage broader audiences, including community organisations and cultural institutions. Expected outcomes include peer-reviewed articles, public-facing publications, and digital tools that highlight the significance of migrant musicians in Australia’s multicultural history.

This project aligns with broader efforts to make academic research accessible and impactful, fostering new understandings of Australia’s cultural heritage. By uncovering the stories of postwar migrant musicians, it aims to inspire future research and celebrate the diverse roots of Australian multiculturalism.