Hidden in History is a weekly column that unearths the quirky, curious and sometimes eyebrow-raising tales from Shepparton’s past. Provided by the Shepparton Heritage Centre, these articles are rooted in fact — but told with a wink and a sense of humour.
In 1946, the Immigration Advisory Committee floated the idea of mass immigration from Britain and Europe to increase the population of Australia.
Shepparton and its surrounding districts gained considerably from the influx of migrants, many of whom were former enemy soldiers interned near Murchison.
The Italians had already earned a reputation for hard work and were ideally suited to farming, but a great number of the general public voiced their concern over the increase of land acquisitions being made by so-called ‘alien’ farmers.
Australia was still a young country hanging off the bottom of the globe, with many of its residents holding a strong Anglo-Saxon view of ‘their’ nation.
Shepparton Shire voiced its concern with the land acquisition activities of legal aliens, and decided to ask the government for a tightening of the prevailing regulations to prevent indiscriminate sales of land and give returning servicemen the first opportunity to obtain landholdings.
The Shepparton Heritage Centre is always looking for volunteers. If you are interested, contact the centre on 4831 8659.
