Faded, lost and forgotten – a fascinating history

It has been said and written that the Australian territory of Christmas Island is the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean. Its natural beauty, dramatic coastline and amazing wildlife cannot be overstated. There are so many great nature-based experiences to be had on this very special and unique island.

However, there is another aspect to Christmas Island that tends to be overshadowed by its natural wonders, and yet it is half the story. And that is its historic human experience; the stories of the lives, the hardships and experiences of those earlier men and women who lived and laboured on this speck in the Indian Ocean.

So many old stories and sites of this unique island are faded, lost and forgotten. The information that does exist is scattered across books, documents, archives, and the stories and memories of islanders and ex-islanders.

And, it’s an unfortunate fact that, for whatever reason, historic buildings and sites have not been preserved and valued as they should have been. The island hides well its early and also World War II Japanese occupational history; in some cases, quite literally. The jungle and tropical climate eventually reclaims all that is forgotten and neglected; the old Christmas Island Club, former Mandors’ Quarters and Japanese sites are cases in point. And yet, despite this, there are still gems to be discovered and so many places to explore.

To be able to stand on a spot and know what and who was there before, of events that have passed, enables one to feel the true essence and spirit of place.

My purpose is to gather in one place the hidden treasures of Christmas Island history that might otherwise stay buried: the early photographs, the overlooked stories, the details tucked away in archives, newspaper clippings, books and fading memories. Some of these stories I’ve uncovered and documented here for the first time. Christmas Island is so much more than its crabs and natural beauty, and that broader story deserves to be remembered, told and preserved.

You may leave the island, but it will never leave you.

This is an ongoing project, so whether you have a connection to Christmas Island or simply wish to explore its fascinating past, I hope the information on this website gives you a deeper understanding and appreciation of this unique place.

It’s nice to know too that the Archives has also become a resource for researchers and writers. Read more about its use in research.

Fran Yeoh