Once Upon A Time In Punchbowl

[icyfroth]

Who'll be watching it tonight?

Once Upon a Time in Punchbowl begins in the 1970s when large numbers of Lebanese migrants flooded into Australia. Many were traumatised by civil war; all were desperate to build a better future. Over the coming decades, these new Australians struggled to establish a life in their adopted country. Domestic and global events were against them. The Gulf War, September 11 and the Bali bombings, all alienated them from some of their fellow Australians. The traditional Lebanese family unit was fragmenting under the pressure and a small minority turned to crime. Things reached a terrible climax when these tensions, inflamed by the media, erupted in the Cronulla Riots.

Once Upon a Time in Punchbowl is the inside story, told by those on the ground, of the succession of challenges that beset the Lebanese community, a community which is, ultimately proud and resilient.

Once Upon a Time in Punchbowl is a Northern Pictures and SBS production.

8.30pm on Thursday 19 June SBS ONE

Me. I'll be watching it for sure.

[lloydslights]

If I'm able, I will watch as well.  It will be interesting to see the views of the reporting team.

My first marital home was a Lakemba townhouse.  Moved out mid 70's to a 1/4 acre block for extra space.  The huge mosque was just being completed.  I had no knowledge of tensions in those years.  I just admired anybody that could move to a foreign country with a different language.

DEB

[cherples]

It's a shame they use such emotive language.

Australia has never been flooded by refugees from anywhere.