About

The Migration Heritage Project

To define, record, protect and promote migrant heritage in Wollongong and the Illawarra.

The Migration Heritage Project is a community initiative designed to protect and promote the heritage of Illawarra's diverse cultural communities. The project aims to achieve this goal by linking with a wide range of communities, talking about the importance of protecting our heritage and providing the resources that groups and individuals need to record and celebrate their heritage.

Our group

MHP is an independent group, not aligned to any government or business interests, with strong support from the wider community. Our representatives come from cultural organisations and clubs, from local and state government, from service providers and from the University of Wollongong. Membership of MHP is open, however you do not need to be a member of our group to be involved in our work. We received funding from the IMB Community Foundation in 2002 and in-kind support from Wollongong City Council & the University of Wollongong as well as funding and support from the Migration Heritage Centre NSW.

Our goals

One of our priorities is to continue linking with community groups and involving them in workshops demonstrating how to protect and promote their cultural heritage. To help with this process, we have produced a brochure called “Documenting the Migration Heritage of the Illawarra”, as well as an information package and other tools. We are identifying new sources of funding and support, and linking community groups with funding sources for their own projects.

Our newsletter

The “Compass”
The Migration Heritage Project newsletter will keep you informed about our projects, upcoming events, speakers, resources, and funding opportunities.

Our achievements

Since our start in 2001, the MHP group has:

• Curated and exhibited a selection of migration heritage items and stories titled Celebrations: Spirit of Communities. The exhibition was launched at Wollongong City Gallery in 2003, and has since been exhibited at the new Windows Gallery, Telstra Exchange building on upper Crown Street, Wollongong.
• Helped save the remaining buildings of the Fairy Meadow migrant hostel from destruction by working with the University of Wollongong. Known as the Nissen Huts, the buildings are now on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.
• Co-ordinated an excursion day for interested participants to a range of cultural exhibits in the Illawarra to identify themes and approaches to local history.
• Presented a seminar to the Hobart City Council about our work in 2004.
• Attended the National Library Multicultural Documentary Project in 2004.
• Developed and run workshops and resources to help groups and individuals document heritage material.
• Developed a publication documenting the Migration to Wollongong.
• Curated and exhibited the Maltese Community in the Illawarra in September 2006.

We will continue to identify opportunities to expand the awareness of the rich cultural heritage in our area and attract committment to ensure it growth. We would love to hear from anyone who has been involved in heritage projects in the past or is interested in pursuing some element of their own heritage in the future.

Meetings are held in the Wollongong City Council Building and other venues around the city on the first Thursday of each month. The MHP encourages anyone to attend meetings, contribute ideas for developing the project or identifying stories or materials that need to be recorded.

Copyright & Disclaimer

Become a member If Illawarra’s cultural heritage matters to you, you may want to stay in touch with MHP and become a member.   For further information: Migration Heritage Project PO Box 1589 South Coast Mail Centre Wollongong NSW 2521 Email: mhp@1earth.net

Brochure Click to download PDF file (1.5 MB)