Liam McNally
An Eynesbury film-maker and musician has been awarded money from the City of Melbourne 2023 Annual Arts Grant program to stage a live show documenting the immigration of post war migrants to Australia, through the Bonegilla migrant camp.
Simon Reich was inspired to create his 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.
Mr Reich said one in 20 Australians have a “direct link” to the camp.
The multimedia show runs for 1.5 hours and features filmed interviews with people from various European countries, migrants own photos and videos, and a soundtrack of live string quartet and piano music.
Mr Reich said the show is “nothing like a dry and dusty history lesson”.
“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,” he said.
“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 continuing hostility towards migrants, this project shows that Australia still has a lot to learn about what happened in the past.”
The show will run in across December seven, eight and nine at the Melbourne Museum Theatre. More information can be found online.
Details: www.bonegillamigrants.com.au
