YUNGABA ACTION GROUP'S ALTERNATIVE

The restoration of Yungaba and launch of a Qld Immigration Museum at Yungaba could be a key plank in Queensland’s 150 year celebrations in 2009.

Leadership from the Queensland government could initiate a private sector fundraising drive - based on the Ellis Island model - where President Reagan asked a migrant-born head of industry to head up a fundraising drive to restore the building and turn it into the country’s most loved and most visited museum.

At the same time, in the coming two years leading up to the 150 year anniversary, a major publicity campaign could be launched across Queensland , called the Queensland Ancestor Story.

This campaign would gather settlement stories and memorabilia documenting the settlement of Queensland and form the core of the Yungaba Immigration Museum collection.

Country towns and communities would be abuzz with remembering and recounting their ancestor’s stories. Just as the Australia All-Over Radio Program is very popular, the Queensland Ancestor Story would generate intense public interest and discussion.

With the future Prime Minister and Treasurer taking up offices in their home city of Brisbane , there is the potential for Queensland to take centre stage in the Federal arena.

Queensland is the only Australian State without an Immigration Museum to honour its ancestors, yet Queensland is the fastest growing Australian State peopled by migration.

Queensland is the only Australian State that ever built a magnificent building to welcome its immigrants.

Who are Queenslanders? Now is the time to answer this question not just for the rest of Australia but also for the world.

Yungaba Immigration Museum provides that answer.

YUNGABA ACTION GROUP'S ALTERNATIVE
Vision Background and Rationale

**CLICK HERE** for the LATEST Pre-feasibility Study Report Contents and Summary

VISION FOR YUNGABA IMMIGRATION MUSEUM

1. Arrival by steamboat/citycat ferry boat at wharf or walk along the river from Southbank
   
2. Arrival at luggage shed – entrance gate, kiosk in grounds
   
3. Living history re-enactment of migrant processing

• Guided tour of grounds and outside of building
• Reception hall & dining room
• Welcome to Queensland in 1900 (optional food)
• Processing including :
• House rules of Yungaba
• Working in Queensland in 1900
• Lectures on life in Queensland in 1900
• Work opportunities
• Dangerous flora & fauna of Queensland
• Cultural differences (mateship, fair play)
• Role of government

      4. Museum exhibition topics

• Qld schools social science syllabus - Immigration
• Push-pull of migration
• Difficulties faced by migrants
• Contributions made by immigrants to Queensland
• Aborigines – traditional owners at Kangaroo Point
• WW1 hospital ward untold Qld ANZAC story
• South Sea Islander repatriation story
• Story Bridge design & construction office
• Other exhibits

      5. Museum exhibition facilities

1. Re-created Immigration Processing and Living Rooms
2. Gardens for events, functions
3. Reception Hall
4. Genealogy centre
5. Theatrette
6. Art gallery
7. Self- or audio-guided visits to exhibits

      6. Wall of memory in garden for quiet remembrance and memorialisation

      7. Gift/souvenir shop featuring mementos, books and Queensland items