Jan Lingard’s Refugees and Rebels delves into the largely overlooked history of over 5,000 Indonesians—comprising military personnel, merchant sailors, civilians, and political prisoners—who found themselves in Australia during World War II. These individuals were evacuated from the Japanese-occupied Netherlands East Indies and were dispersed across various Australian cities and towns.
The book explores the daily lives of these exiles, their interactions with Australian society, and their evolving political consciousness. A significant focus is on the political internees from the Boven Digoel prison camp, known as the “Digulists,” who brought with them a strong anti-colonial sentiment. Their presence and activism in Australia played a role in fostering support for Indonesian independence among certain Australian circles, including unionists and members of the Communist Party.
Lingard’s narrative is enriched by personal stories, interviews, and archival materials, providing a multifaceted view of this historical episode. The book also examines the Australian government’s complex position—balancing its alliance with the Dutch against emerging sympathies for the Indonesian independence movement.
Overall, Refugees and Rebels offers a significant contribution to the understanding of Australia’s role in Southeast Asian history and the dynamics of wartime migration and political activism.
Jan Lingard
Jan Lingard has had a long career teaching Indonesian at the Australian National University and the University of Sydney.
Her previous publications have been in the field of literary translation. They include˜The Outlaw and Other Stories” and ˜Diverse Lives” (Oxford University Press), and ˜Eyewitness” (Imprint) which was awarded the Victorian Premier’s Prize for Literary Translation in 1997.
In the weeks after his re-election in May 2025, Australian Prime Minister Albanese took the book Refugees and Rebels with him as a gift to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
See also:
Black Armada: Australian Boycott of Dutch shipping WWII
Indonesian Political Prisoners held by the Dutch, freed in Australia
