An Invasion of Green-stained Farm Workers from Outer Space(s)? Or a Rural Community Struggling with Issues of Itinerancy?

Authors

  • Robyn Henderson Qneensland University of Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47381/aijre.v15i1.507

Keywords:

racism, itinerant workers, community capacity, seasonal work

Abstract

This paper investigates stories that are told in a North Queensland rural community about the arrival of itinerant farm workers for the winter harvesting season. Permanent residents often represent this annual event as an invasion of the community by
undesirable people who break the law, exacerbate racial tensions and take jobs from locals. Such stories are also heard in the community's schools where significant numbers of itinerant children enrol during the hO/vesting season. In the face of sometimes hostile reception from permanent residents of the community, many itinerant families work hard to 'fit in', trying to ensure positive experiences for their children. This paper explores some of the stories that circulate and examines the way that
negative perceptions of itinerant families tend  to restrict the community's capacity to recognise the benefits that families could contribute to community life.

Author Biography

Robyn Henderson, Qneensland University of Technology

Robyn Henderson is a Lecturer in primary literacy and language in the School of Cultural and Language Studies at the Queensland University of Technology. Her main research interests are in the areas of diversity and disadvantage.

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Published

01-03-2005

How to Cite

Henderson, R. (2005). An Invasion of Green-stained Farm Workers from Outer Space(s)? Or a Rural Community Struggling with Issues of Itinerancy?. Australian and International Journal of Rural Education, 15(1), 3–16. https://doi.org/10.47381/aijre.v15i1.507

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2005): Education in Rural Australia

Section

JOURNAL PAPERS

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Robyn Henderson

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