This series of over 100 interviews is part pf the National Library's Maltese-Australian Folklife and Social History Project. The main interviewer for the project is Dr Barry York, a specialist in Australian immigration history. After nearly two decades' experience in the field, he believes he has developed a methodology that suits the postwar migrant groups: 'There are five basic fields of enquiry', he said. 'Firstly, the experience of the homeland. The migrant's life did not begin with disembarkation in Australia. Then there are the reasons for emigration and the choice of Australia as a destination. The experience of the voyage can also be captured by oral history. Fourthly, there's the whole area of settlement experiences: work, play, family, community involvement, and so on. And finally there's the question of ethnic identity: how does the interviewee regard himself or herself today?' (National Library of Australia Gateways 52, August 2001 http://www.nla.gov.au/ntwkpubs/gw/52/p21a01.html )
Only those interviews relating to literary figures have been individually indexed.
Interview with Albert Marshall, Maltese Writer, Poet and Migrant of 1981
Barry York
(interviewer),
1992
Z1099135
1992
single work
interview
Interview with Manwel Nicholas-Borg, Maltese Poet and Migrant of the 1950s
Barry York
(interviewer),
1991
Z1099217
1991
single work
interview
Nicholas-Borg talks about his family background, childhood in Malta, reasons for migrating, early impressions of Australia and first jobs. He considers the advantages and disadvantages of life in Australia and discusses the Maltese Literature Group. Nicholas-Borg then reads 'If he was born in Australia' in both Maltese and English, 'A Journey into Dreamtime' and 'Smile' in English, three haikus in Maltese and English, 'The flying Doctor' in Maltese and 'Mirage' in Maltese and English, and finally 'Right Mata dim Biddle' in Maltese followed by an explanation. He talks about the writing of his poems and the poetic nature of Maltese culture, discusses the changing nature of Australia and the acceptance of people of foreign origin, his interest in poetry and his first poem written in 1939 on the Union Jack.
Interview with Frank Zammit, Maltese Writer, Poet, Community Leader and Migrant of 1965
Barry York
(interviewer),
1992
Z1111837
1992
single work
interview
Zammit talks about his family background, childhood and education in Malta, coming to Australia in 1965, education and employment in Australia, travelling back to Malta and early difficulties with living in Australia. He then reads some of his poetry and talks about it.
Interview with Manwel Cassar, Maltese Poet, Artist and Migrant of the 1950s
Barry York
(interviewer),
1992
Z1111840
1992
single work
interview
Interview with Joe Barbara, Maltese Writer, Poet, Translator and Migrant of 1974
Barry York
(interviewer),
1992
Z1111843
1992
single work
interview
Interview with Josephine Cassar, Maltese Poet and Migrant of the 1950s
Barry York
(interviewer),
1992
Z1111846
1992
single work
interview
Interview with Rigu Bovingdon, Maltese Writer, Poet and Migrant of the 1950s
Barry York
(interviewer),
1992
Z1111854
1992
single work
interview
Interview with Barry York, Writer and Historian
Joan Hayes
(interviewer),
1994
Z1111880
1994
single work
interview
York talks about his migration from England to Australia with parents in 1954, homelessness, life in Brunswick from 1956 to 1982, childhood and teenage years, Blues music, school experiences, Television, Maltese relatives in Melbourne, professional wrestling, university education, student rebellion, Maoism, work experiences, blacklisting by Education Dept., ethnic history, Australian history and multiculturalism
Interview with Josephine Cassar, Maltese Poet and Migrant of the 1950s [sound recording]
Barry York
(interviewer),
1992
Z1281205
1992
single work
interview
