Australia In Colour (Series 1) Season 1 Episode 4 Populate or Perish

Australia In Colour is a historical documentary TV show that tells the story of life in Australia during the 20th century through colored archival footage, photographs, and expert commentary. In season 1 episode 4, named Populate or Perish, the show explores the Australian government's post-World War II immigration policy and how it changed the country forever.

The episode starts by setting the scene of Australia in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The country had come out of the war relatively unscathed, but its population was only 7 million, and the government was worried about its ability to defend the nation in case of another global conflict. They realized that they needed more people, but Australian-born citizens were not keen on large families, due in part to the rising cost of living and the birth control pill.

As a result, the government sought to attract immigrants from Europe to bolster the population, ideally those with skills that could contribute to the economy. The episode then delves into the different waves of migration that occurred in the following years, starting with the 1947 Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, which allowed British citizens to emigrate to Australia for a small fee. This scheme was quite successful, but it failed to attract more than a trickle of immigrants from other parts of the world.

To make up for this shortfall, the government launched a series of initiatives aimed at attracting more migrants, including the Ten Pound Pom scheme, which allowed British citizens to emigrate to Australia for just £10, and the Australian-American Fulbright scheme, which had a particular focus on skilled immigrants. By the mid-1950s, the Australian population had increased by over 30% to almost 10 million people, with migrants making up the majority of the increase.

Throughout the episode, the show portrays the different experiences of migrants. Some arrived with high hopes and were greeted warmly by the local population, while others struggled to adapt to their new home. The documentary explores the reasons behind this, including the cultural differences between the migrants and the locals and the lack of support provided by the government. It also highlights some of the xenophobic attitudes that existed towards migrants at the time, particularly towards those from non-English speaking countries.

The episode then turns its attention to the long-term impact of migration on Australia. The influx of people from all over the world had a profound effect on the country's culture and society. Today, over a third of Australians were born overseas or have an overseas-born parent, and the multiethnic and multicultural nature of Australian society is one of its defining characteristics.

Australia In Colour's Populate or Perish episode is a fascinating look at one of the most significant events in Australia's history. The show does an excellent job of presenting the challenges and opportunities presented by mass migration, and viewers will come away with a deeper understanding of how immigration has shaped modern Australian society. Overall, if you are a fan of historical documentaries, Australia In Colour is a must-watch show, and the Populate or Perish episode is one of its strongest entries.