Description
This is a 29.6 cm x 40.3 cm black-and-white photograph of Chinese-born Michael Xu at a party following his citizenship ceremony. He is smiling and wearing a business shirt with a toy koala clipped to his tie and a broad-rimmed hat with corks on strings. He has a glass of beer in his hand. Other people can be glimpsed in the background.
Educational value
- This asset reflects the enthusiasm with which many migrants embraced Australia, seeing it as their new land of opportunity - Australian citizenship was created on 26 January 1949 by the ‘Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948’ (later renamed the ‘Australian Citizenship Act 1948’); since 1949 more than 3 million migrants have become Australian citizens, with over 70,000 joining them every year; the granting of Australian citizenship to an individual requires certain commitments both from Australia and from the citizen and gives the person rights and responsibilities; not all migrants become citizens, with more than 900,000 opting instead to remain as 'permanent residents'; 'Citizenship Ceremonies' are held across Australia, often hosted by local government councils in a town hall or another building of significance.
- It contains several visual symbols associated with Australia - the iconic cork hat worn by a 'swagman' to keep flies away from his face is widely recognised as a symbol of Australia, particularly the outback; although not worn by Australians today, these hats may still be found in souvenir shops; the koala is known throughout the world as a unique Australian animal; the image of Australian barbeques and men holding glasses of beer has been marketed in tourism campaigns.
- It was taken by photographer William Yang, a third-generation Chinese Australian who was born in north Queensland and moved to Sydney in his 20s - initially a playwright, Yang became a freelance photographer in 1974 specialising in what he terms 'photojournalism'; in 1989, Yang’s work changed from still photography to performance art when he began to present slide projections with music and monologues.
