File:Migrants from Malta and Gozo working in sugar -cane farms in Mackay Queensland 1.jpg

Migrants from Malta and Gozo working in sugar cane farms in Mackay Queensland 1919. The story of our brothers and sisters who emigrated to Australia at the beginning of the 20th century has long been forgotten. It is a story of courage and heroism, the like of which is very uncommon today. It is also the story of the suffering endured by our ancestors who left our island in order to make a living thousands of miles away in Australia, from where they planned to maintain their families financially. It was on September 12, 1916 during the great war when 214 passengers left Malta and Gozo on a ship called "Gange". Their destination was Australia. On their arrival they became the unfortunate victims of local riots against immigration taking place at the time. The trade unions were determined to safeguard the jobs of those Australians who were engaged in fighting in the war, hence their opposition to immigration. in fighting in the war, hence their opposition to immigration. The emigrants arrived in Freemantle on October 21, after a terrifying experience as they met terrible storms on the way, so much so that the ship almost capsized. The rioters prevented them from leaving the ship and after two days waiting, the captain decided to sail towards Melbourne. There they had to undergo a language test, but instead of conducting the test in English, those in charge conducted it in the Dutch language, which meant of course that all of them failed! This was a ploy to prevent the emigrants from disembarking. On November 5, the ship had to set sail again, this time to Sydney. By now, two months had passed since they left Malta. But even in Sydney they were not allowed to leave the ship. A military guard was assigned to the ship to prevent passengers from going ashore. However, about 44 passengers managed to escape by jumping into the sea and swam towards the shore. Most of them were caught and found themselves in a prison cell The authorities were at a loss as to what to do with the Maltese emigrants. Because the ship was registered in France, a decision was taken to send it to Noumea, New Caledonia, a French Colony. The Gange left Sydney Harbour on November 12 heading towards Noumea where at last the Maltese passengers were given accommodation. After lenghty negotiations, these emigrants found themselv es on another ship, the St. Louis, on their way back to Sydney. On their arrival they were transferred on to a very old ship which was anchored at the harbour, and there they waited for three months for another ship which would bring them back to Malta. After many complaints from various people, among whom was Fr William Bonnet, the emigrants were allowed to land ashore in Sydney. This was on March 13, 1917, six months after they had left Malta. In Sydney some of them soon found work with the Lyell Mining Company while others travelled further towards Queensland where they worked