The impact of Scots emigrants on australia Flashcards
Entrepreneurs
Robert Campbell from Greenock played such an important role in developing Australian trade that he was known
as The Father of Australian Commerce
Transport
Scots dominated many shipping firms in Australia. One of the most famous was the company of Mollwraith McEacharn. Malcolm McEacharn moved to Australia and set up the first transportation of refrigerated meat to Britain. The company also had a very successful trade in emigrants to Australia and other cargo
Industry
Scots were important in the development of the wine. sugar and whaling industries. For example, Samuel McWilliam developed vineyards in six regions across three states
Many of the pioneers of the sugar industry were Scots ( they contributed to the sugar boom of the 1880s Queensland.
Banking
The Australian banking system was heavily
influenced by the Scottish system. Over a quarter of the Governors of the Bank of New South Wales by 1900 were Scots.
Culture
Although less “Scottish” than Scottish Canadians in terms of music and the arts. Scottish Australians have been important contributors to australian identity. australia’s national song. “waltzing Matilda” was written by a Scot. Scots were also heavily involved in writing and publishing poetry
Farming
Scots made a major impact in the development of farming in Australia. In particular, they had the skills to develop sheep farming and Scottish investment was used to set up huge sheep farms in New
South Wales and Victoria. A Scot, John MacArthur introduced the first merino sheep to Australia.
Religion
Most Scottish immigrants were presbyterian and contributed to the religious development of Australia through the development of the Church of Scotland. The “Kirk” was a familiar place of worship for Scots Immigrants
Mining
A considerable number of Scots came to Australia to invest in mining. The Scots’ involvement in coal mining can be seen from the 1840s in New South Wales, with James and Alexander Brown emploving manv fellow Scots in their mine. Also, many Scots came for the Gold Rush and some gold camps had a distinctive
Scottish character.
Places
Many places names in Australia were derived from Scotland. For example, Perth
Education
The Church of Scotland played an important role in developing education in Australia. In Victoria there was a large number of Presbyterian secondary schools and Melbourne Academy was known as the
“Scotch College’. In New Sauth Wales there
were 42 parish schools by 1850.
Scots also influenced the school curriculum. Alexander Morrison, headmaster of Melbourne Academy, changed the curriculum to be in line with his old Scottish school, Elgin Academy, by introducing subjects like science and modern languages.
Native Societies
Because of their expansion of farming land Scots came into increasing conflict with the native Aboriginal people of Australia, who found their traditional way of life disrupted. For example, the Hornet Bank massacre
of 1857 William Fraser killed at least 100 Aboriginal people in retaliation for an attack on his family home which had killed 8 of his own family.
A few Scots sought good relations, learned the native language and even married Aboriginal women. In New South Wales surnames like Cameron and Campbell exist in the Aborigine communities.
Politics
Scots had a considerable impact on
politics in Australia. For example, Malcolm
- McEacham became Mayor of Melbourne in 1897 and held the post for three years. He was later elected as a member of the
Australian Parliament in 1901.
main topics (12)
- Entrepreneurs
- Industry
- Banking
- Transport
- Culture
- Farming
- Religion
- Places
- Mining
- Education
- Politics
- Native societies
