The Great Walk from Robe - a Belated Apology from Victorian Government

Transcript of the radio feature in English here It took more than one and a half centuries for the Victorian Premier and opposition party leader to finally apologise for imposing a discriminating tax on Chinese migrants in the mid 19th century. It was during the Gold Rush era that the Victorian government singled out Chinese migrants and imposed a poll tax on them. Many Chinese migrants who avoided paying this tax chose to land in Robe, South Australia, and trekked for 500 kilometres to the Victorian goldfields. Some of them were robbed, humiliated or died during the tough long walk. The apology from the Premier came after a group of walkers re-enacted the journey starting in Robe, and arriving in Melbourne via Bendigo and Ballarat after a 20-day trek. Aaron Wan, SBS's Cantonese producer joined the group for two days. During this journey, Aaron spoke to many walkers, the organisers and Chinese descendants about the hardships and discrimination Chinese people had endured. The walk re-enactment was also an opportunity to highlight the contributions the Chinese community has made to Australia. Now let Aaron take you on this journey to share the experiences of those early pioneering Chinese immigrants.

Premier Daniel Andrews (L) congratulates Adrian Hem, whose great-grandfather was among the first Chinese gold miners disembarking in Robe, South Australia Source: SBS/Aaron Wan

SBS RADIO 1 Source: SBS