By Johanna Kijas and Volunteers of Tweed River Regional Museum
For more than a year, volunteers and Council staff have worked with historian Dr Jo Kijas to research stories, conduct and transcribe interviews and photograph those interviewed and their treasured possessions to produce "The Other Side of the World: International Migration to the Tweed 1940s to 1960s".
The project has significant funding from Arts NSW, Tweed Shire Council and the NSW Migration Heritage Centre.
Those working on the project sought out and documented the stories and belongings of over 40 people of 11 different nationalities who came to the Shire as international migrants after World War II.
Included are the tales of individuals and families who came to the Tweed from the South Sea Islands, China, India, England, southern European nations such as Greece and Italy, and many others.
Senior Museum Curator Sally Watterson said the personal stories put our Shire in the context of Australia, and relate our history to that of the rest of the world.
"What makes the project even more resonant is the trust shown by the storytellers in bringing their remarkable tales of travel and life-making to take their place among the many stories of the Tweed".
The book contains many moving, funny, poignant and sometimes sad tales of adjusting to life in a foreign land.
"The Other Side of the World" was officially launched by former Deputy Prime Minister Doug Anthony on 23 June at Stokers Siding/Dunbible Memorial Hall.
Copies of the book can be purchased at the Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads branches of Tweed River Regional Museum, Museum Head Office in the Coolamon Cultural Centre, and Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah Civic Centres.