Interviews with Tongan Migrants 1

Interviews with Tongan Migrants : Initial Impressions and Current Beliefs Relating to Both Australian Society in General, and to our Educational System

The following is an interview with Jean and Steven Prescott, both originally from Pacific Island nations, and now living in the Sydney suburb of Botany.

Jean has been living in Australia for 18 years after coming from New Zealand, to which she emigrated from her native Fiji, after wining a scholarship to attend a New Zealand high school, at the age of 13.

Steven is originally from Tonga, and has been living in Sydney now for 8 years.

They are married and have a one-year-old son named Peter Phillipson Prescott. Jean also has 2 daughters from a previous marriage, Janice, 15 years and Debbie, 17 years.

1. How long have you been here?

For how long did you initially intend to stay?

Jean: 18 years.

For good.

Steven: Since 1983 8 years.

Also for good.

I was the only child eligible to come to Australia as the others were all married. They wanted to come too. My father was experienced in trade and we had greater opportunities than others.

2. What were the reasons for coming here?

What expectations did you have of life here?

Jean: For a better life. Australia is the country of opportunity. You get ahead in all different levels of life freedom, education. You can be your own person.

 

Steven: I had no choice as my parents came and I was the youngest, but when I retire, I would like to go back to Tonga, retire in Tonga.

The luxuries of life attract them (Islanders) to Australia or the United States, but you need to work, work hard to survive. At home you dont need to work.

3. What was your way of life like at home?

How has it changed?

How is it different now?

Jean: Its much better here, being yourself, doing things for yourself. At home it was a laid-back lifestyle. Here you can identify yourself, you take on an identity.

 

Steven: There, it was a relaxing lifestyle. Life was slow. Here, time is of importance. Life is fast, you get up early, education is advanced. 

4. What was your initial reaction on arriving here?

Jean: Shocking! This country is behind other Western countries. The lifestyle is completely different here, hectic, fast, quick, but you change to fit the country, you quickly become accustomed to it. It was a real adventure coming here. I came all alone, but I have a brother here.

 

Steven: My reaction was great!! On my first night here I watched TV and videos all night, ate apples, fruit and icecream. We went shopping here and filled up the freezer and fridge. Then, later I started feeling a bit homesick, homeless, "Where am I?".

5. What were the cultural differences, if any, between life here and at home? Did you experience any problems because of these differences?

Jean: At home, the family lives close by. That is not the case here. Because of this, the family is not as close here.

 

Steven: There is no culture here. In Tonga there was music and dancing. The whole family the extended family celebrated together everyone has extended families. Here, only the immediate family is your family. On Tonga, there were strict rules, girls were not allowed to go out at night, there was respect for your elders, your family, for the nobles, the chiefs, the King, the landlords who own the land and control the people, when you want to buy a block of land for example.

6. What were the language difficulties, if any, you encountered on arrival here? Did these difficulties cause you any problems?

Jean: The Australian accent and people speaking too fast. English is actually the language which is taught in the school system there. All lessons are conducted in English. English is compulsory, all classes in Fijian schools are in English. It is not necessary to read and write in either Indian or Fijian. English is more important, as it is the only way to further yourself. There is no need to be able to read, write or speak Indian. I dont speak, read or write in Indian.

And as for problems, I have experienced racism at job interviews because of my nationality, and I suppose, my English.

 

Steven: The broken English people speak here is very common. We were taught English grammar at school, but this is not the actual, spoken language real English. While I could understand what people were saying to me, I couldnt reply. I was shy to talk as people would laugh, I thought. But Australian is also different to English taught at school. I learnt by listening to my friends, but also experienced racism because of my language problems.

7. Do you know of any support groups for newly-arrived Pacific Islanders? Community groups or churches for instance. If so, did you make any use of these on your arrival here? Do you still?

Jean: I was only 15 when I came. I didnt know of any then, because my brother looked after me. I do know of some now though. I have changed in outlook.

 

Steven: There are church groups. I have got a Christian background so I go to church and to these church groups by myself. I go to Mascot Uniting Church, they have church services in Tongan. Thats where I worship. I also sing in their choir. In the main church choir 60-80 people, and in the group choir with 30 voices or less. Services are at 7.00pm on Thursdays and 11.00am on Sundays. The main church for Tongans is in Ashfield. My uncle coordinates and manages these churches for Tongans.

8. What was your schooling like at home? Detailed description of subjects, levels attained, etc.

Jean: I had my high school education in New Zealand, until Year 11. English, Maths, Science, History and Geography.

There is a scholarship which can be won in Fiji, to study in New Zealand. There are 25 scholarships given out between 2000 pupils. If you pass Year 10 with good marks, you have an opportunity to win one of these to study at high school in New Zealand.

In school in Fiji we had a subject called Culture, every Friday afternoon from 1.30 -3.00pm. This was a subject where you could learn to read or write in Indian or Fijian, or where you could learn some traditional dancing. The European children didnt want to learn Indian/Fijian or traditional dancing so they were given extra sport to do. I went with this group and did extra sport.

It was also important to go to church. We always had to go to church with school.

 

Steven: I left Tonga when I was 16.

On Tonga I did the Higher Leaving (Year 10/age 14/15), English, Maths, Tongan, you had to learn Tongan, Science and Bookkeeping: accounting/commerce.

I did Years 912 at Matraville High in Sydney.

9. What are your expectations of your children schooling/education here? Which levels do you hope will be attained? What do you think, should be gain from an education? What are the important aspects/subjects of an education?

Jean/Steven: We both hope they finish school up to Year 12, but if they dont have the ability to, its no use putting your foot down. You need an education to be successful in life. Education adds the finishing touchto a person.

The girls are both at an age where they change their minds constantly. They are both still unsure as to what career path they would life to follow. Janice (15), is thinking of becoming an astronomer or working for an airline. Debbie (17) would like to work as a bus-driver or go into childcare.

As for Peter Phillipson, we will let him do whatever he wants to do. We would never force him to do something he would not want to do.

But regarding education in general, we feel that education is important to all children for the future. The coming age is a computerised age and a highly competitive one.

10. Can you compare your education with the education your children are receiving in Australian Schools?

Is the education here different to the one you received back at home in the Islands?

What about subjects? Should subjects be chosen according to the particular career path you wish to follow? Or, should education be a general education, covering all facets of learning?

Jean/Steven: Maths and English are definitely the two most important of all the subjects. Regarding a comparison between these subjects though, it was a much harder syllabus back home than here. The syllabus was completely different, the subjects different we had a subject called Living Skills in Fiji, the teaching methods were different different ways of teaching. Also, you had to study a lot harder to get good marks, as it was highly competitive. Teacher respect was also maintained in Tonga. I think that teachers need to respect the students in order to get student respect. We respected our teachers in Tonga, but it was different in school here. Nobody wanted to leave, except for me!

11. Regarding future employment and job prospects, compare these, ie the availability and type of job prospects and employment back at home in the Islands, with opportunities you had here. Did you have more opportunities here?

Jean: I did my HSC in New Zealand, as well as an exam to study nursing in Brisbane. Had I not studied hard at school in Fiji I would not have been able to go to study in New Zealand and then on to Australia. I would have become a housewife and stayed in Fiji, but I wanted more from life. Here, you can keep upgrading yourself, regardless.

 

Steven: If Peter Phillipson decides to leave in Year 10, thats fine with me. I think I should have left in Year 10 as well, instead of doing the HSC. I would have been a lot more enthusiastic, had I left to start an apprenticeship earlier on, after Year 10, instead of wasting two more years doing the HSC. I would have had more opportunities then, as I'm good with my hands. Here, you definitely have more opportunities than at home. Had I stayed in Tonga, I would either have done carpentry, and followed in my fathers footsteps, or I would have become a mechanic.

12. Have you maintained links with the family back at home in the Islands?

Jean: I write and ring them regularly. I did nursing when I first came to Australia, but soon after, started working for Australian Airlines. In September I will have been with Australian Airlines for ten years! Because of this, we can travel fairly cheaply.

 

Steven: I always ring.

We have been back to Tonga, but only once, and for one week, because Jean got sick. But we are intending to go again, either some time this year or next, because none of my family have seen Peter Phillipson yet.