Summary

Black and white digital photograph of Jan Aziz lying on the grass in a park in Victoria, 1960s.

Jan Nevzad Aziz known as 'Johnny', a Turkish Cypriot from a small place called Anicola, Cyprus. He left for Australia in 1949 at the age of 21. When he first arrived in Perth, there was little work so he came to Melbourne where he worked as a boiler maker. After some time of living in Winchelsea, near Geelong, he met his wife, Adine Erwin. Before marrying Adine, Johnny was baptised as a Christian. After the birth of their first child they moved to Geelong, raising five children. In1968 Jan started his own business Aziz Engineering, retiring in 1998. He was president of the Turkish Club where he helped new Turkish migrants in Australia to learn English and find accommodation.

Description of Content

Man lying on the grass in a park.

Physical Description

Black and white digital photograph.

Significance

Statement of Historical Significance:
Muslims in Australia are an under represented cohort in both the museum's collections and Australian history more broadly. As an-ever growing faith in Australia, it is important to trace the migration and settlement of Muslim Australians across time in order to help provide a historical, social and cultural context for Muslim Australians today. This collection is the key outcome for the collaboration between the Museum and Dr Dzavid Haveric, MV research associate, who has published a seminal history of Muslims in Australia. This collection is the result of his research and community interviews.

More Information