In early 1992 the United Trades and Labor Council's (SA Unions) Arts Program was approached by trade union organisers and Lobethal community residents to undertake an Art and Working Life exploration of European refugee immigrant workers of the Onkaparinga region.

Through the entire project the SA Unions formed a strategic partnership with the Migration Museum. This relationship has ensured that details of historical accuracy have been maintained. In addition, the Migration Museum has supported the SA Unions Art Officer and visual artist with crucial resources necessary for this project to be realised.

Following success with funding submissions to the Australia Council's Community Cultural Development Board and the SA Department for the Arts and the SA Country Arts Trust, writer, Catherine Murphy undertook the task of researching the lives of these workers and their connections with an emerging 1940-1990's multicultural Australia. This project's primary goal was to develop, through means of participation of locals in all aspects of the project, a growth of community cultural development, hence our methodology was focused upon creative interaction. Through creative development workshops, community members worked with Catherine Murphy in interviewing surviving refugee migrants. Florence Peitsch, visual artist, workshop co-ordinated facilitated the creation of interpretative art works of these stories. The ensuing touring exhibition and publication are testimony to the active participants in the community.

The SA Unions acknowledges that this project was the first to examine the experiences of the Woodside Migrant Hostel and through our arts resources we are uncovering both a trail of lost or destroyed official documentation and inspiring private collections.

All involved in this project hope our exploratory work of these experiences is inspirational and provides others with the desire to journey further.

Lylie Fisher
United Trades and Labor Council's Art Officer
Project Co-ordinator