This is the first home page about a Filipino Community in the entire Southern
Hemisphere and has been made possible through the courtesy of
Vicnet.
The First Group of Filipinos.
The White Australia policy on immigration prior to 1970 allowed a very
small trickle of Filipinos to live in Victoria. A small number of Filipino
nursing students was also permitted under the Colombo Plan. It was after
the state visit of the then Australian Prime Minister, Hon. Gough Whitlam,
to the Philippines in 1973 that Filipinos began to come to Australia in
great numbers. Filipino tradesmen and their families were the first biggest
group to migrate under the newly relaxed policy on immigration. Filipinas in
secretarial jobs comprised the next biggest group.
Family Reunion Program Allows More Filipinos.
In 1991 there were 16482 Filipinos in Victoria comprising 1.6 percent of
the total Victorian population. The largest number of Philippine-born arrived
under the 'concessional brothers/sisters and Family Reunion-parents/dependent
children' migration program. Filipinos in computer-related jobs have also
arrived in big number in the last ten years. It is worth noting that Philippine-born
females outnumbered the males by the ratio of 2:1. With their good command
of the English language and great working skills, Filipinos in Victoria
were able to settle down immediately in their new adopted country. Statistics
on 'Birthplace by Proficiency in English of Persons aged 5 years or more
who speak English at home well or very well' showed 95% for Filipinos as
against to 80% of the entire population.
Where Filipinos Live in Victoria.
Filipinos in Victoria are mostly urban based and can be found in different
areas of Metropolitan Melbourne, with the greatest number settling down
in Footscray-Sunshine-St. Albans areas. Those who live in the country,
that is, outside Metropolitan Melbourne are mostly Filipinas married to
Australians. It is not unusual for those Filipinos in the country areas
to travel hundred kilometres or more to gather for social activities.
Cultural Heritage and Identity.
Although the Filipinos in Victoria have successfully settled down in Victoria,
they have not forgotten the country of their origin, the Philippines. They
maintain their cultural heritage and identity in the numerous
organisations they have established. These organisations have been
based on Local Government Areas in Victoria; Regions and Institutions in
the Philippines; Activities such as Educational, Political, Cultural, Media,
Religious, Sports, Welfare, and Work Related activities; and People Centred
such as Community, Elderly, Students, and Women.
Last updated: November 24, 1998