The Australian South Sea Islander community has played a major role in the economic, cultural and regional development of Queensland. Australian South Sea Islander people provided labour to help build local economies and key industries.

They played a significant role in the sugar industry.

They also contributed to the development of farming and grazing, as well as the maritime industry, pearling, mining, the railways, domestic services and childcare.

Individual Australian South Sea Islanders have excelled in politics, government, religion, sports, art, business, health and education.

They have also served the nation as members of the defence force in times of peace and war. While their work benefited the State as a whole, Australian South Sea Islanders remained in a state of poverty.

Australian South Sea Islanders’ unique spirituality, identity and cultural heritage enrich Queensland’s culturally diverse society. For more than a century, their culture, history and contribution to Queensland had been ignored and denied, yet having experienced so much pressure has given the ASSI people a unique identity. They are a resilient, self-reliant people with a shared history.

Today the Australian South Sea Islander community support structure attracts project funding from a variety of avenues across Australia, to both celebrate and promote their rich history and culture, and to ensure access to services and programs.

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