Help From The Inside

Title

Help From The Inside

Description

Syrian immigrants were often treated differentially (and preferentially) to other ‘Asian races’ in Australia. One of the key expressions of this preference is the fact that after 1907 Syrians were treated as a ‘special case’ and were permitted to bring dependent relatives over to Australia[1].  This special privilege was extended for many reasons, but primarily the relatively balanced gender ratios of the Syrian immigrants, their general identification as Christian, and the paleness of their skin (and therefore their compatibility with the ‘host’ population). Many Syrian immigrants took advantage of this special privilege and used it to bring both family and friends alike into the country.

This collection includes examples of Syrian applications for the admission of friends and relatives as well as an application for the re-entry of a Syrian man’s wife and son after a 7 year absence from the Commonwealth. These documents provide a valuable insight into the workings of the Australian Department of External Affairs as well as the kind of information and evidence Syrian immigrants were required to provide in order to bring friends and family member into the Commonwealth.  Typically, the employment, assets, and a character certificates of the individual wishing to bring friends and/or family into Australia were required as well as the occupation and relationship of each person wishing to enter to the person already residing in Australia. Age, birthplace and present address were also required of all parties involved.



[1] Convy & Monsour, Lebanese Settlement, 12.

Collection Items

Application for entry of the wife and son of Joseph Abood, a hawker from Bundaberg
Alien Immigration Files. Details Abood's attempt to allow entrance of his family with exemption from the Immigration Restriction Act. Includes letters from three people Messrs Macleod (Jeweler), H T Christsen (Merchent) and A E Boston (Butcher)…

Application for Admission of Relatives or Friends to Australia - Gabriel Coupee
The document outlines the personal information of Gabriel Coupee who is applying for five people to enter Australia. It displays his address of residence in Australia, his birthplace, nationality, length of residence in Australia and occupation. It …

Callim Coorey – Application for Admission of Relatives or Friends to Australia
Application submitted by Callim Coorey, a Syrian immigrant who had lived as a self-employed farmer in NSW for five years. His wife and two sons had remained in Mt. Lebanon, Syria, whilst he had come over to establish himself in Australia. The…

Slamen Naklie Coorey – Application for Admission of Relatives or Friends to Australia
An application seeking the admission of relatives to Australia submitted by Slamen Naklie Coorey, a Syrian immigrant who had, by 1929, resided in Sydney for four year. He was employed as a farmer. His wife, three daughters and one son had remained in…

K.M. Keamy (Syrian) Re adm'n. of wife & child
This includes several documents from K.M Keamy's successful submission to get his wife and child readmitted to Australia, including an official letter of acceptance, several letters of recommendation and other documents relevant to this process of…
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