In early 1992 the United Trades and Labor Council's (SA Unions) Arts Programme 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.

Following success with funding submissions to the Australia Council's Community Cultural Development Board, the SA Department for the Arts and Cultural Development and the SA Country Arts Trust, Writer Catherine Murphy undertook the task of researching the lives of these workers and their connections with the emerging 1940 - 1990's multicultural Australia. This projects' 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 with Florence Peitsch, Artist in Residence explored the oral history text and research established by the writer. These community art participants interpreted the lives of the surviving immigrant workers and freely used metaphor to express the emotions of the stories.

This Exhibition Catalogue presents the viewer with the art works that form the "Boat Load of Dreams" exhibition. It also allows the artists to share their experiences and creative intent. This project is both a celebration of these immigrant workers and also an affirmation of the strengths in communicating through the arts.

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

by Lylie Fisher Artistic Director
Project Co-ordinator