History Lecture: Scottish Emigration to Australia (1800s-1900s)

Introduction

• Focus on the Scottish emigration to Australia during the 1800s and 1900s.
• Exploration of the impact and experiences of Scots in Australia.

Economic Impact

• Scots emigrated for better lives.
• Brought skills like stonemasonry, joinery, and engineering.
• Professionals such as lawyers, doctors, and teachers found work.

Farming Influence

• Scots brought farming skills from Scotland to Australia.
• Attracted by cheap or free land opportunities.
• John McArthur, from a Scottish family, introduced the merino sheep industry.

Alcohol and Mining Industry

• Scots contributed to the establishment of breweries and winemaking.
• Utilized mining skills: involvement in coal and gold mining.

Political Contributions

• Scots were active in Australian politics:
  • Andrew Fisher became Prime Minister of Australia and leader of the Australian Labor Party.
  • Governors of New South Wales with Scottish origins included John Hunter and Lachlan Macquarie.
  • Thomas Brisbane, a notable Scottish figure, had a city named after him.

Social and Cultural Impact

• Scottish names used for many places in Australia.
• Missionary work and religious influence:
  • Establishment of churches, particularly Presbyterian.
• Formation of Scottish organizations:
  • Burns clubs, Caledonian clubs, Highland Games, and Shinty.

Relations with Native Australians

• Scots often had poor relations with native Australians (referred to as Aborigines by Scots):
  • Conflicts over land, often sacred to natives.
  • Irony noted by Professor Tom Devane: Scots displaced by Highland Clearances did similar to natives in Australia.

Controversies Involving Scots

• Angus McMullen implicated in the killing of up to 180 Aboriginal people.
• Native Institution controversy:
  • European settlers, including Scots, took native Australian children to teach them different languages and religions.
  • Efforts led to worsening relations.