17/05/2026
Why does the 2026 Census Matter for Australian South Sea Islanders 🌺 and why it’s important to finding your family and Blackbird.
The Queensland Government’s 2021 Census snapshot recorded only 5,562 Australian South Sea Islanders in Queensland — but our communities know our story is much bigger than a number.
Many of our people hold multiple identities — Australian South Sea Islander, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander and other cultural backgrounds. You do not have to choose one part of yourself over another.
At Blackbird – Finding Family, we see every day how important identity, reconnection and visibility are for our families. Our work focuses on helping people gather family history, reconnect across generations, share stories, and strengthen cultural connections between Australia and our Melanesian communities across the Pacific.
Identifying on the Census matters because it helps make our communities visible.
That visibility supports:
🌊 family reconnection work
🌿 community programs on the ground
🤝 future opportunities for our young people
📖 stronger recognition of our history and contributions
Importantly, this also supports the long-standing advocacy and policy work being led by QUASSIC and Australian South Sea Islander community leaders, who continue working to ensure our people are recognised, counted and heard.
A must read is their powerful report, Research into the Lived Experiences of Australian South Sea Islander People. Queensland United Australian South Sea Islander Council Inc - Quassic Inc
Every person who identifies helps tell a fuller story of who we are today.
In 2026, we encourage our families to proudly identify as Australian South Sea Islander — alongside all the identities that make us who we are.
Our stories matter. Our families matter. Being counted matters. Let us know if you will identify.. I will be 🌺
