A work on Australian society with valuable records of Croatian settlers
The book “The Australian People: An Encyclopedia of the Nation, Its People and Their Origins” from 2001, edited by James Jupp, represents one of the most comprehensive reference works on Australian society. With approximately 250 contributors and nearly one million words, this monumental encyclopaedia documents the dramatic history of Australian settlement and describes the rich ethnic and cultural heritage of the nation through the contributions of its people.
The work is profusely illustrated in colour and black-and-white photographs, serving simultaneously as a comprehensive encyclopaedia and a survey of controversial debates about citizenship and multiculturalism. The first edition from 1988 quickly became the standard reference, and for many smaller ethnic groups, the only reliable source of information.
The Croatian Community in Focus
What makes this book particularly valuable for the Croatian community are the descriptions of early Croatian settlement in Australia and their contributions to Australian society. The book documents several key waves of Croatian migration and their impact on Australia’s development.
The First Wave of Croatian Settlement in Victoria
According to the book, the first wave of Croatian migration to Victoria was prompted by news of the discovery of gold in 1851. These early Croatian settlers arrived by ship, usually from England, or deserted from ships on which they had served. By 1854, there were more than 60 Croatian settlers in Victoria.
Most were miners who worked on many goldfields, whilst some became seamen, labourers, fishermen, publicans, café proprietors and shopkeepers. The book particularly highlights the story of Trojan Drvenica (Trojano Darveniza), who deserted a ship in Melbourne in 1860 and subsequently lived with Aborigines in Mooroopna, about 180 miles north of Melbourne. With his savings, he purchased 600 acres of land in Mooroopna which he converted into a vineyard.
Expansion into New South Wales
Between 1860 and 1880, a significant number of Croatians arrived in New South Wales. The book mentions Nikola and Matej Jasprica, natives of Dalmatia who arrived in 1860 in search of gold. Many Croatians settled in Broken Hill, with the earliest arrivals coming soon after the main mineral lode in the area was discovered by the German-born engineer Charles Rasp in 1883.
Pioneers of Western Australia
The book mentions successful Croatian pioneers in the history of Western Australia. Among them was Josip Marian, born in Pitva on the island of Hvar in 1836. He arrived in Melbourne in 1865 and became involved in the fishing industry until 1897 when he left for Western Australia.
One of a significant figure was Vincent Vranjican (Vincent Abbott), who arrived in Australia in 1882. After spending ten years in New South Wales, he moved to Western Australia where he discovered Abbott’s goldfield on the Murchison River.
Community Organisation
The organisational aspect of the Croatian community is also documented. The Croatian Slavonic Society of Western Australia, founded in 1913, is mentioned, as is Vicko Vuković as the first known Croatian settler in Western Australia who arrived from the island of Šipan near Dubrovnik.
There is also the story of Perina Rocchi, a female pioneer who arrived in Australia with her husband Luke on 7 September 1886 from their native island of Vis.
Cultural and Media Aspects
The book does not neglect the cultural and media aspects of the Croatian community. “Hrvatski vjesnik” is highlighted as the most widely read Croatian newspaper in Australia, based in Melbourne and established in 1983. Several radio programmes in Croatian are also mentioned, including those based in Melbourne on SBS and 3ZZZ.
Contemporary Perspective
The work covers Croatian migration from 1970 onwards, including contemporary migration and settlement, political beliefs and the development of trade unions. Special chapters are devoted to Croatian pioneers in the hotel industry and winemaking, Croatian settlers on the Victorian goldfields, seamen and fishermen in Victoria, and culture and the arts.
“The Australian People” represents a significant source of information about Croatian contributions to Australian society. The book not only documents facts but also contextualises the Croatian experience within the broader framework of Australian multicultural history. For the Croatian community in Australia, as well as those interested in the history of the Croatian diaspora, this book represents a fundamental work worth reading and studying to deepen knowledge of these historical facts.
