Queensland reflects on its slavery past Brian Courtice on the site of a mass grave of South Sea Islanders at his property near Bundaberg. Photo: Bundaberg News-Mail There's a little-known chapter of Queensland's past that some would prefer remain consigned to the history books. 150 years ago, just as slavery was drawing to a close in the United States, Australia entered the trade, beginning a 43-year practice of capturing South Sea Islanders to use as labourers on sugar plantations near Bundaberg. About 60,000 young men and women from Pacific Island nations were captured to help build one of Queensland's key industries. Chief David Richard Fandanumata speaks at the dedication of gravesites on the Courtice farm. Photo: Max Fleet, Bundaberg News-Mail About 15,000 perished, largely from starvation. Those still alive in 1906 were deported as part of the White Australia policy. Unlike many, former Bundaberg politicians Brian Courtice does not believe the little-known chapter of Australian history should be swept under the rug. "It was on their sweat and toil that the sugar industry in Queensland was developed - it is tied directly to the history of Queensland," he said. Mr Courtice has made it his mission for the past 20 years to ensure South Sea Islanders' contribution to Queensland's early development get appropriate recognition. "It is front and centre in 19th century history and the biggest part of that has been airbrushed," he said. Not anymore. On Friday, Mr Courtice's push to have the South Sea Islander slave trade recognised culminated in a ceremony marking the 150th anniversary at his property Sunnyside, where 29 of the enslaved workers' bodies were found earlier this year in a mass grave. The find led to Mr Courtice's property being heritage listed. "It's important because in other words these people haven't died in vain," he said. It brings dignity and respect for people who were brought from another land against their will, who died lonely deaths and were buried in unmarked graves. Dignitaries from Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands attended the ceremony and Mr Courtice now hopes to forge greater ties with Queensland's Pacific Island neighbours. He is in the process of establishing a committee that would fund young people from Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu coming to Queensland to be taught skills in practical trades, which they could then use to better their homelands. "I think it's something we can do to turn a tragedy 150 years ago into something meaningful," he said. It is virtually unknown, when it should be in our high school curriculum. We have an obligation to tell the truth. There's thousands buried in Bundaberg. The 150th anniversary of the arrival of South Sea Islanders in Queensland is also being commemorated this weekend at Brisbane's State Library of Queensland as part of the exhibition Memories from a Forgotten People: 150 years of Australian South Sea Islander contributions to Queensland. An array of speakers will talk about the era at a free event on Saturday between 10am and 3pm. Booking are essential.