James Chung Gon arrived with a shilling in his pocket but le

[helen]

James Chung Gon arrived with a shilling in his pocket but left his mark on Launceston

At just 18 years old, James Chung Gon arrived in Australia to try his luck on the goldfields of Bendigo.

Legend has it all he had to his name was a shilling in his pocket upon arrival in 1873, but he turned it into a fortune.

After witnessing discrimination on the mainland, James — who was originally from China's Guandong Province — moved to Tasmania on April 16, 1878.

There he soon joined a community of Chinese tin miners in Thomas Plains, now Weldborough, 117 kilometres north-east of Launceston.

Records show James and a friend found a rich seam of tin at South Mount Cameron and he used the proceeds to buy 81 hectares at Turners Marsh to establish an orchard.

He later moved to Launceston to become a grocer, businessman and philanthropist, living to the ripe age of 97.

With his wife Mei Ying Lee, known as Mary, the couple had 12 children, and the Chung Gons became a well-known family in the island state.

Auspicious date for big occasion
To celebrate his legacy, 110 descendants travelled to Launceston to attend a family reunion on April 15 and 16.

"When I chose the date for the reunion I was not aware of this auspicious date," great-granddaughter Mia Jones said.

www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-03/chung-gon-family-reunion-celebrates-australian-chinese-history/102268280

[douglaslam]

Hi Helen,

Last November I went to Launceston for a five day Dragon's Tails Conference www.dragontails.org.au/ It was the happiest days long event I ever attended. There were presentations by historians, researchers , academics and lay persons like myself just for the ride. The gathering of over 70 attendees was a showcase of scholarship, tales of historical significance of Chinese tin miners in late 19th. and early 20th. century. We had a day long field excursion to old tin mining towns and cemeteries.It was a cold and wet day.

We had behind the scenes look at museums' storage of artifacts not seen in North America or even China. Replica of a temple within the art gallery was worth the cost of the trip alone. All exhibits were handed over to the art gallery by temple keepers for preservation by the 1930s as the dwindling Chinese miners hastened the demise of the small temples dotted throughout the remote small townships in north eastern Tasmania. The temple keepers had the foresight and saw the writing on the wall. It was overpowering on entry into the gallery and be greeted by the sight of a replica temple with its signage and couplets. It was unforgettable.

Of course, the Chungon family was not forgotten. My companions and I did a road trip and stopped at Weldborough for long hours on our own and talked with the local hotel keeper. We went to what was once the Chungon flagship store of a large family business which is now a Spanish restaurant, I think. Throughout the conference we have had two dinners together, one was included in the package. Each was a memorable happy event. The conference was not about the presentation of dry, dreary academic research papers. It's more about personal experiences. At intervals we all mingled well; there was so much goodwill and warmth. And I met so many people I befriended online beforehand. It was heartwarming to see many people who so proudly claimed Chinese heritage, came to the conference and be seen. It was humbling in a way.

It's a biennial event and the next one is mooted for Christmas Island, Glen Innes in my home state or Darwin. Nothing definite yet, I wouldn't miss it for the world.

---------------------------------

Jon Addison in the video clip is our behind the scenes tour guide of the art gallery and museum. He was ably assisted by one of the tin miner's descendant on our field excursion. To a traditionalist like myself, the temple inside the Victoria Gallery takes the cake. It hit me like a ton of bricks. It's worth revisiting one day. The Chung Gon name is now more often just Chungon only.

[helen]

Hi Douglas - good to hear that you enjoyed the conference. It was in Wellington last year but I didn't get there. Pity - as i believe that they are great events. Are you still bus driving? When is your next trip home?

[douglaslam]

Helen,

I am still working full time. In April 2020 during the height of the pandemic, we, the older over seventy workers were given indefinite home leave to stay safe. We were on base pay, but no one was complaining. Unbelievable, why retired! All up it was about 10 months leave with pay. You can't beat that.

Then, it was Omicron, and hard lockdown! The work was easy and we didn't lose money. In fact, we were given up to three extra days off each week on full pay on standby at home.

It's my call to retire or not and due to shortages of staff, my service is very much in demand. I stay on because my aging mother-in-law, who lives with us, fractured her back disc last Sept. She was in intense pain, couldn't eat and lost much weight and muscle mass. My wife couldn't leave her and go travel with me. I might as well work on. It beats on a fixed retirement super and there is so much overtime if I so choose.

In fact, I am on two months leave now. After many attempts over weeks, I finally got my online application for a China visa submitted last Sunday. I now have to wait for a face to face presentation of documents on May 29, and wait some more for endorsement. I just can't book my passage until I have my visa at hand. I am not sure how expensive my flight would be. I am wasting days, weeks waiting.

Helen, join us for the next Conference. I ask myself why did I not go to previous ones?

[helen]

Hi Douglas - Here in NZ we have the chance to get free flights to HK. But you have to be a Cathay Pacific customer. Are there going to be any offers in Austalia? All taxes, fees, and surcharges are at the cost of the traveler.


flights.cathaypacific.com/en_US/offers/HKIA-exclusive-ticket-offer.html

I'm tempted to try - but unsure of what will happen after I get the ticket - if I'm lucky.

[helen]

Sounds like your China trip should be good. Are you going for yourself - or do you have things/ people things to deal with? After L C passed away, I haven't felt the need to go back. I have just signed up for Cathay Pacific HK reip - let's see how I go. Check the Australian ones - if there are any. NZ has just over 400 free tickets. Good luck for your visa.

[douglaslam]

Helen,

I knew of the offer by CX but I am not interested because there are sure to be terms and conditions. I just want my visa then plan my next step.

You remember forum member kaluosima from Peru or Carlos to us? I helped him ten or more years ago in linking up to his family in China? He is now settling down in Shenzhen and holding a responsible position with one of the major high-tech firms there. I saw him on each of my past trips in China; he joined me on field excursions and feasting where possible. Lo and behold, he is tying the knot with a young lass from a neighbouring province working in Guangdong. It's one of life's surprises and certainly a turning point for him when he placed that plead for help on this forum about a decade ago. The wedding is to take place in November; his mother and sister will fly in from Peru. I am very keen to apply for leave again to attend the wedding. That means I'll be doing two trips to China this year if things go to plan. It's possible a few people may want to join me for a recreational trip.

[helen]

Carlos is lucky - to get married and living in Shenzhen - congratulations to him. 2 trips to China - that will be good - hopefully you can pland the trips like before and enjoy yourself.