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Post by mugenpower168 on Sept 22, 2011 4:12:16 GMT -5
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Post by douglaslam on Sept 23, 2011 6:15:37 GMT -5
Wing On is a listed company in Hong Kong, and the Kwok family is part of the establishment. From time to time we do read of the family in the gossips page of the popular press. I knew nothing of the extended family until now. A very interesting saga of this best known family from Chuk Sau Yuen.
Nice work!!
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Post by douglaslam on Oct 20, 2011 0:15:57 GMT -5
Following on the Kwok / Gock family web link , I went looking for the house that the Gock family lived and children born in , early last century. It was a simple task because 8 Mary Street is just round the corner from Chungshan Society. I did this on the same day that I attended the re-opening ceremony of the Chungshan club house. Here it is the house as it stands today. Open the web link, and you can spot the difference. This part of the inner city, next to Central Station, is called Surry Hills. In the past it was a run down part of town. It was popular with the Chinese restaurant and factory workers, either as owner / occupier or rental accommodation. In the 1960s, a semi or terraced house could be had for a few thousand dollars. ( Or in pre-decimal currency days, a thousand pounds or two. ) Now, it is becoming fashionable as boutique ad. agencies, legal firms, architect offices and the like. Value of the properties had shot through the roof. I have heard stories of Chinese families being coerced to sell to developers by strong-arm tactics. I think the house is falling into neglect a little. The Kwok / Gock family of Wing On Company is always associated with the success stories of overseas Chinese from Chungshan. Given its social history significance, I think the house deserved better.
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Post by mugenpower168 on Oct 21, 2011 3:58:26 GMT -5
Is the building owned by the Kwoks? If not, I really doubt the owner would know about its history.
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Post by douglaslam on Oct 21, 2011 6:27:40 GMT -5
The house has changed hands many times. At one stage, it was owned by the actor Graham Blundell.
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Post by Brad Powe on Mar 21, 2012 8:03:14 GMT -5
I too am a Gok/Gwok/Kwok descendant; my great-great-grandfather was known as Ah Poo at the time of his arrival in NSW (pre-1862). After his marriage to Emma Ann Lowe in the Shoalhaven district in 1876, he became known as George Ah Poo, and later as George Harper.
In the mid-1880s, George and Emma moved to Parramatta with their children, where he and his eldest son Bertie ran a market garden on the Windsor Road. Family lore always asserted that we were related to the Wing On corporation founders.
On the 'Kwocky' website, you state that -
"Gock Lok soon determined the streets of Melbourne were not paved with gold and being unable to speak English, found it difficult to find work. Not to be deterred, he headed north to Sydney and managed to find work at one of the Chinese market gardens on the outskirts of the city."
Do you know if this market garden was in the Parramatta district, and indeed if it was Ah Poo's? I'd also be interested to learn if anyone has seen a Gok/Gwok /Kwok family tree covering the mid-1800s. _____________________________________
I will be speaking about my family's story at -
Hunters Hill RSL Hall, corner of Alexandra and Ady Streets, Hunters Hill, (for the 'Vienna Cottage' National Trust Committee) 2:30 - 4:00pm on Sunday 25 March Entry is $10.00 per person, refreshments provided
AND
Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney, (for the Chinese Heritage Association of Australia) 2:00 - 4:00pm on Saturday 19 May Cost: $10 non-members, $7 members (includes afternoon tea) Bookings: Kathie Blunt phone 0438 211339, email: dblunt@bigpond.net.au
Regards,
Brad Powe
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Post by helen on Mar 23, 2012 0:03:41 GMT -5
Hi Brad - good luck with the presentation. People are always eager to hear of our past history. Pity I'm in Auckland
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