'Croatians in Australia' traces the history of Croatian settlement in
Australia from the 1800s to the present. The main focus of the book is Croatian
pioneers - almost without exception single men on arrival - who settled in
Australia by 1890. Ilija Sutalo identifies the communities of Croatian pioneers
living in Australia in the second half of the nineteenth century and describes
their significant contribution to the development of the win, fishing and mining
industries.
The first wave of Croatian migration to Australia was precipitated by the
news of the discovery of gold in 1851. Most of the new arrivals became miners,
working on the goldfields with varying degrees of success. After spending time
on the goldfields some became seamen, labourers, fishermen, publication,
vignerons, farmers and storekeepers.
Croatian pioneers worked and held mining claims together, ran businesses
together, socialised and lived together. Often very resourceful in the quest to
succeed, many Croatian pioneers had more than one occupation.
Between 1891 and 1945 the number of Croatian-born in Australia increased
dramatically, especially the number of Croatian-born women. These settlers were
better organised and founded many Croatian clubs which supported social and
cultural activities.
Large number of Croatian settlers arrived after the Second Word War. They
established Croatian community halls, sporting venues, Catholic parishes,
Croatian language schools and folkloric groups. Dr Ilija Sutalo shows that many
Croatians and their descendants subsequently made significant contributions to
Australian society in sports, arts and politics.
Contents:
Foreword
1. Introduction
2. Geographical and Population Background
3. Patterns of Early Croatian Settlement
4. Pioneer Connections and Communities
5. Pioneers on the Goldfields
6. Pioneer Seamen and Fishermen
7. Pioneers with Hotels, Wineries and Farms
8. Pioneer Business Enterprise
9. Beyond Pioneers 1891-1945
10. Post-Second World War Settlement
Appendix 1: Table of Croation Pioneers in Australia
Appendix 2: Croatian Pioneer Letters
Appendix 3: Croatian Halls and Sporting Venues
Acknowledgements
Notes
Bibliography
Summary in Croatian
Index
