Rewind Series 5 Episode 12 – International Communities

In the years after World War II, a wave of new Australians came to our region

They arrived for a fresh start, bringing with them a rich tapestry of culture that helped shape the society we know today

From the shores of Europe to our own, these new communities found a home

The Greek tradition of the blessing of the seas at Newcastle’s Bogey Hole, a powerful ceremony where a cross is tossed into the water for young men to retrieve

In Tuncurry, a similar blessing of the fleet was a prayer to ensure the safety of fishermen and their vessels

These unique traditions continued to flourish

The sounds of Macedonian music filled suburban halls, while the Ukrainian community celebrated with vibrant dancing and intricate folk arts

Groups from Croatia and Latvia also contributing to the vibrant mix, sharing their history with us all

It’s a story of different worlds coming together, proudly captured by NBN News in the 1960’s