Bonegilla – The migrant’s journey

Simon Reich created a podcast about his father, who came through the Bonegilla migrant camp near Albury / Wodonga, and this received a W3 award in the USA and a Webby Awards (International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences) runner up prize in New York. Simon, over the past 7 years, he has now filmed interviews with migrants to Australia, spanning the years 1949-1961. Listening to his award-winning podcast, immerses you in an audio world of the hardships endured by war ravaged migrants and their brave pursuit of a better life in Australia. This has now been expanded to a live show involving interviews with more than 20 migrants played on various large screens around the stage, including interviewee supplied photos and videos. Live music performed by a piano and string quartet will play Simon’s composed soundtrack throughout the performance.

Simon’s hope, with this presentation, is to show similarities between the recent arrivals of war-ravaged refugees and those that arrived here after World War 2.

Simon is also highlighting the futility of war, as the recent Ukraine and Middle East conflicts have shown that nothing has been learnt since 1945.