An Eynesbury film-maker and musician is staging a live show documenting the immigration of post war migrants to Australia, through the Bonegilla migrant camp.
Simon Reich was inspired to create his “deeply personal” show, Bonegilla – The Migrant’s Journey after learning about his father’s experience of immigrating to Australia from war-torn Berlin.
Mr Reich’s father was one of 500,000 people who passed through the Bonegilla migrant camp, which was outside Wodonga in Victoria’s North-East.
Reich said the show is the culmination of many years of research and interviews and takes the form of a 1.5 hour multimedia performance featuring first hand interviews with people from various European countries, migrant’s own photographs and videos, sound design, a string quartet by members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and live grand piano live music.
“This show is nothing like a dry and dusty history lesson,” he said.
“It is a multimedia presentation, and the migrants tell of their war experiences, why they wanted to travel to the other side of the world and how they fared in their new adopted country.
“At times it’s tragic, disheartening and racist, but ultimately, it’s a feel-good story of gutsy and inspirational people who created the backbone of Australian society.
“With war in Ukraine and Israel and continuing hostility towards migrants, this project shows that Australia and the world still has a lot to learn about what happened in the past.”
The shows will be held on December 7 and 8.
Details: www.bonegillamigrants.com.au
