Asian Studies Program

Chinese Australia

Stories

It is easy to lose sight of the individual people whose lives contribute to the broader history of the Chinese in Australia at the time of Federation. At this time there were almost 35,000 Chinese in the Australian colonies. Each of these individuals to varying degrees has played a role in the development of Australia. This page explores the lives of some of these people - both ordinary and famous. If you have a story you would like to add we welcome your contribution.

Businesspeople and Businesses
The Guo Brothers and the Yong An Company (Cantonese: The Kwok Family and the Wing On Company)
- John Fitzgerald, Asian Studies, La Trobe University
Set Sydney and Shanghai, 1901-present.

Kwong Sue Duk and His Family
- Rosalie Holian, Kwong Sue Duk Association
Set Northern Territory and Victoria, 1880-1930.

Wing Hing Long: From Store to Museum
- Golden Threads Project website
Set Tingha, northern New South Wales, 1870-2000. Story located on Golden Threads website

Leong Har: Successful Banana Merchant
- Sophie Couchman, Asian Studies, La Trobe University
Set Melbourne, 1900-1920.

Chun Yut
- Pauline Rule, Board of Studies
Set Beechworth (Victoria) and Melbourne, 1860-1890.


Workers and Professionals

Three Generations of the Zheng Family - Zheng Ri, Zheng Jaile and Zheng Tieqiao
- John Fitzgerald, Asian Studies, La Trobe University

Set China, Queensland and Sydney, 1900-1980.

Father James Cheong (1872-1941): Priest and Scholar
- Revd Dr Colin Holden, Archives, St Peter's Eastern Hill Church, East Melbourne
Set Melbourne, Hong Kong and Britain, 1870-1940.

William Ah Ket - Building Bridges between Occident and Orient in Australia, 1900-1936
- Toylaan Ah Ket, independant researcher
Set Melbourne, 1876-1936

Dispersing Obscurity: The Alloo Family from Australia to New Zealand from 1868
- Jenny Alloo
Set Ballarat, New Zealand, 1856-1889. Story located on website of 'Chinese in Australasia and the Pacific: Old and New Migrations and Cultural Change' Conference held NZ in 1998.

Fred Wong: Humanity, Justice and Equality
- Julie Chong
Set Sydney, 1906-present.


Sportspeople

'China Blue': The Wally Koochew Story
- Tony De Bolfo, Carlton Football Club Historical Committee

Set Melbourne, 1880-1930.


Women and Families
Lewshing family
- Patrica Foord
Set Tasmania, Victoria, 1850s-present.
Miss Gladys Sym Choon (history)
- Miss Gladys Sym Choon & Emporium
Set Adelaide, 1890s-present.
Chung-gon family
- Ai-Lin Chung-Gon
Set Tasmania, 1860s-present.
Mrs Lup Mun: A Valued Member of the Community
- Sophie Couchman, Asian Studies, La Trobe University
Set Melbourne, 1900-1930.

Mrs Tong and Her Family: A Difficult Time to Raise a Family
- Sophie Couchman, Asian Studies, La Trobe University
Set Melbourne, Bendigo (Victoria), Geraldton (Western Australia) and China, 1900-1960.

The Chinn Family and the Oriental Orchestra: A New Stream of Chinese Music
- based on account by Wang Zheng-Ting
Set Sydney and Melbourne, 1900-1950.

Tasmanian Tin Miners, Addicts and Merchants
- Helene Chung Martin, Monash Asia Institute
Set Tasmania, 1880-1980.

How the Family of Pan Thomas Ah Shin Became Settlers Rather than Sojourners
- Jocelyn Groom
Set Bendigo, Buckland, King River Valley, 1848-1998. Story located on website of 'Chinese in Australiasia and the Pacific: Old and New Migrations and Cultural Change' Conference held NZ in 1998.


Children

Miss Suey Land and Ron Wong Loy: The Children of Little Bourke Street and the Entertainment Industry
- Sophie Couchman, Asian Studies, La Trobe University
Set Melbourne, 1850-1920.

Two languages, Two cultures, Two homes
- Kate Bagnall, Department of History, University of New South Wales
Set New South Wales, 1890-1920.