Skip to main content

Home

Main navigation

  • Explore the collection
    • Search the collection: RecordSearch
      • What's in the collection
      • Defence and war service records
      • First Australians
      • Immigration and citizenship
      • Cabinet
      • Intelligence and security
      • Prime ministers
      • Search for people
      • Visit our other websites
      • #ArchivesAtHome
      • Stories from the archives
  • Help with your research
      • Getting started
      • What's in the collection
      • Using the collection
      • International movement records
      • Research centres
      • Research guides
      • Research grants and scholarships
      • Research agents
      • Ask us about the collection
  • Students and teachers
      • School visits
      • Learning resources
      • Competitions and special programs
  • Information management
      • Getting started
      • Building trust in the public record
      • Public release schedule
      • Ask for advice
      • Information governance
      • Build data interoperability
      • Check-up survey
      • Legislation
      • Manage information assets
      • GAIN Australia
      • Standards
      • Metadata
      • Records authorities
      • Learning and skills
  • Visit us
      • Events and exhibitions
      • Research centres
      • Our locations
      • Cafe Constitution
      • Venue hire
      • Contact us
  • About us
      • What we do
      • Support us
      • Employment
      • Who we are
      • Partnerships
      • Volunteer
      • Our services
      • Members
      • Media and publications
      • Contact us
  • Toggle search
  • Toggle menu

Offscreen Menu

Menu

MAIN MENU

  • Explore the collection
    • What's in the collection
    • Defence and war service records
    • First Australians
    • Immigration and citizenship
    • Cabinet
    • Intelligence and security
    • Prime ministers
    • Search for people
    • Visit our other websites
    • #ArchivesAtHome
    • Stories from the archives
  • Help with your research
    • Getting started
    • What's in the collection
    • Using the collection
    • International movement records
    • Research centres
    • Research guides
    • Research grants and scholarships
    • Research agents
    • Ask us about the collection
  • Students and teachers
    • School visits
    • Learning resources
    • Competitions and special programs
  • Information management
    • Getting started
    • Building trust in the public record
    • Public release schedule
    • Ask for advice
    • Information governance
    • Build data interoperability
    • Check-up survey
    • Legislation
    • Manage information assets
    • GAIN Australia
    • Standards
    • Metadata
    • Records authorities
    • Learning and skills
  • Visit us
    • Events and exhibitions
    • Research centres
    • Our locations
    • Cafe Constitution
    • Venue hire
    • Contact us
  • About us
    • What we do
    • Support us
    • Employment
    • Who we are
    • Partnerships
    • Volunteer
    • Our services
    • Members
    • Media and publications
    • Contact us

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.

Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives.

A room with desk and chairs and cataloged books shelved on bookcases around the room.

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Learning resource themes
  3. Society and culture
  4. Migration and multiculturalism
  5. Support for new migrants – Footscray Settlement and Language Centre

Support for new migrants – Footscray Settlement and Language Centre

This is a photograph of migrants receiving support at the International Club of Victoria.

Details

Learning resource record

Creator:

Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs [I], Central Office

Date:

1981

Citation:

A12111, 2/1981/43A/10

Keywords:

  • migration
  • Malcolm Fraser

About this record

This photograph shows migrants being assisted at the Footscray Settlement and Language Centre.

Educational value

  • The Footscray Settlement and Language Centre was located in Footscray, five kilometres from the Melbourne CBD. It provided a range of services to newly arrived migrants. Today, Footscray has a population of 13,000 people, approximately 60 per cent of whom were born in another country.
  • In 1977 the Coalition government, under Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, recognised that migrants arriving in a new country had special needs and, in order to maintain social cohesion, it was essential that their transition be properly supported. It commissioned a review of post-arrival programs and services available to migrants, to be chaired by Frank Galbally QC. The 1978 ‘Galbally Report’, published in 10 different languages, found that services available to new migrants were inadequate and that stronger service provision was required.
  • The Galbally Report recommended the establishment of migrant resource centres, which would provide a range of services: post-arrival accommodation, assistance with accessing doctors, translating and interpreting, English lessons, and assistance in getting qualifications recognised in Australia. Migrant resource centres were operated by representatives of locally based ethnic communities, and supported by volunteers from a range of cultural backgrounds. The centres’ services specifically targeted non-English speaking migrants who would have greater needs adjusting to life in Australia.
  • By the late 1970s, the Australian Government no longer expected migrants to assimilate into the British-based culture that once dominated Australia. The term ‘multiculturalism‘ was used to emphasise the value of all cultures to the Australian identity.
  • The government established a number of initiatives during this period. In 1977 the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) television channel was launched to provide programs in a range of languages and to represent a range of cultures. New language-education programs were implemented in schools, so students could learn about the value of cultural diversity.
  • Migrant resource centres still operate throughout Australia today. They provide a range of services—including assistance with settlement, welfare, advocacy, and individual support and referral assistance. The aim of the centres is to support migrants and refugees so they are able to participate in the Australian community while maintaining their individual culture and heritage.

Related themes

Theme

British migrant tradesman shakes hands with Prime Minister Ben Chifley.

Migration and multiculturalism

Migration has been central to Australia’s identity, prosperity and security. Explore Australia’s migration history since 1901, including the challenges and cultural contributions of our migrants.

Need help with your research?

Learn how to interpret primary sources, use our collection and more.

Get help

Acknowledgement of Country

The National Archives of Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, their cultures and Elders past, present and emerging.

Connect with us

  • Facebook Facebook
  • Twitter Twitter
  • YouTube YouTube
  • Instagram Instagram

Subscribe to our newsletter

Site map

  • Contact us

    • +61 2 6212 3600
    • archives@naa.gov.au
    • ABN: 36 889 228 992
  • For researchers

    • RecordSearch
    • What's in the collection
    • Using the collection
    • Ask us a question about our records
    • Getting started with your research
    • Research guides
    • Grants and scholarships
    • Our other websites
  • For government

    • Agency Service Centre
    • Check-up survey
    • Building trust in the public record policy
    • Getting started with information management
    • Information governance
    • Records authorities

    For students & teachers

    • School programs
    • Plan a school visit
    • Competitions and special programs
    • Learning resources
  • Shop

    • Browse our products

    Visit us

    • Admission to the Archives is free
    • Events and exhibitions
    • Research centres
    • Our locations
  • About us

    • What we do
    • Our organisation
    • Our services
    • Our history
    • Partnerships
    • Work for us
National Archives of Australia
  • Privacy
  • Freedom of information
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility
National Archives of Australia