Asian Studies Program

Chinese Australia

In or Out? The Chinese in Australia.

by Jill Wilson

Introduction

This subject sampler explores the experiences of the Chinese migrating to Australia in the nineteeth century. It also asks you to think about contemporary attitudes to migration. It assumes that you have some prior knowledge of the 'White Australia Policy'. Your responses will be evauated through this rubric.

Web Activities

Chinese on the Goldfields

  1. 'Their unusual clothing and long pigtails (queues) made them seem more strange'(on the goldfields)'. To what extent do you think migrants should try to fit in with the 'mainstream' culture?
  2. What are some contemporary examples of cultural practices which are controversial?

The Afghan lands in 1888, Chinese refused entry

  1. How does this incident relate to recent examples of attempted immigration to Australia?
  2. Select the words in this passage that indicate strong feelings. Write them down.
  3. What do you think causes people to become so stirred up about immigration sometimes?

Poon Gooey Incident

  1. How was Mr Poon Gooey and his family affected by the application of the 'Immigration Restriction Act'?
  2. How do you react to the government's argument about the need to apply the Act strictly? Give reasons for your answer.

Kwong Sue Duk: Businessman and Herbalist

  1. What do you think life would have been like for Kwong?

White Australia Dictation test

  1. See if you can do the dictation test. Now try it on someone you know.
  2. Use these experiences and your own thoughts to list five qualities or attributes which you think are important in a migrant.
  3. Compare your list with that of someone else.

Notable Chinese protest their poor treatment

  1. How do you feel about the arguments put forward by the Chinese in this document?
  2. Australia is a rich and large country. What should our attitude be to those escaping starvation or war who would like to migrate to Australia.

Cartoon, from Images of the Chinese in the 19th-century Australian popular press, by Ross Woodrow, University of Newcastle

  1. What images of Chinese are portrayed here?
  2. What images of Australia are portrayed here?
  3. To what extent do you think that attitudes to migrants have changed in Australia?

Conclusion

By now you should have a better idea how events that occurred a long time ago have echoes in contemporary Australian society. You can check your responses to the Subject sampler against the rubric if you would like to evaluate your learning. You may wish to go on and explore the Webquest which also relates to this theme.