A very special day was held at Ormiston House recently to commemorate the arrival of South Sea Islanders in Queensland. Over 60,000 South Sea Islanders came to work initially on the cotton fields and then moving into sugar cane. Their journeys, which was arduous, were voiced in an emotional re-enactment of a single boys journey, “Story of a boy called Toupay”. Everyone was given a chance to talk about their experiences and the older generation gave emotional accounts of their family histories.
The event was organised by Nasuven Enares and was opened by Councillor Helen Abrahams. Pacific Island food was provided along with traditional Pacific Island dancing.
All images are copyright Lynette Rees Photography 2013, specialising in portraiture and events in the Redlands.