Carlson, Bridget Rachel (1997) Immigrant placemaking in colonial Australia : the Italian-speaking settlers of Daylesford. PhD thesis, Victoria University of Technology.

Abstract

The Italian-speaking settlers of nineteenth century Daylesford were among the first sizeable group of non-English speakers to contest the prevailing Anglo-centricism and to help pave the way towards Australia's multicultural future. The examination of this group interweaves the particular histories of fifteen families with thematic chapters which: define the nature of the emigrant community and the reasons for departure from the homeland; relate the journey to the ports of Melbourne and Sydney as a rite of passage to settlement; describe the early experiences of the Italian speakers as miners and labourers; explore their drift into traditional occupations as farmers and business people in the Daylesford community; and examine their family life and attempts to reconstruct a European life-style in Australia while recognising a growing commitment to an 'Australian' way of life.

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