Digging for knowledge on early Chinese settlers

Local archaeologist and Southern Cross University Honours student Theresa Gilroy has launched a study into Chinese archaeological sites in far north-eastern NSW.

The study has three stages, interviews with local knowledge holders, site visits and map generation.

As part of the first stage, Theresa is calling for people with knowledge of Chinese activities, artefacts and structures to contact her on 66 841 498 or by email at tgilro.10@scu.edu.au. Written accounts can also be sent to her at the School of Environmental Science and Management, PO Box 157, Lismore, 2480.

Theresa is particularly keen to hear from senior members of the community who have memories of Chinese people from the first half of the 20th century, or who remember stories told to them by friends and family members.

“Much of this information has never been recorded,” said Theresa. “We are in danger of losing this knowledge if we don’t document it soon.”

As well as asking people to contact her directly she also encourages friends and family of senior citizens to question them about any memories they have about Chinese people and places. This information can be written down or recorded and submitted as an email attachment.

Participants will not be identified in the study unless they request to be. All participants will receive a copy of the study’s results. This information and GPS site recordings will be used to generate maps that indicate the location and time frame of Chinese sites in far north-eastern NSW.

Theresa hopes that her study will increase the community’s awareness of our Chinese history.

“Most people are not aware of the extent of Chinese involvement in the health, nutrition and infrastructure of our region,” she said.

Last year Theresa identified the existence of 94 sites in the region which she classified into five main phases – pastoral, mining, market gardening, banana growing and permanent family. Site types include stone terraces, wells and causeways, and wooden houses, sheds and stores.

“Chinese people were active in the region from the late 1840s, first appearing as pastoral workers on newly established sheep and cattle properties. They were used as an alternative to convict labour when deportation was halted in 1848,” Theresa said.

“Then thousands of Chinese men migrated to the upper Clarence in the 1850s in search of gold. There were at least six Chinese mining settlements, referred to as Chinatowns.

“During this time they built extensive stone and wooden structures, for the washing of alluvial gold. They operated a large water wheel that was turned by man-power much like a giant mouse wheel, and at Tooloom, west of Kyogle, they constructed a ‘race’ for diverting river water, that was 20 miles long.

“Chinese men were also sand mining at Evans Head in the 1870s and had their camp at ‘Chinamans Beach’.”

Theresa is conducting research that may indicate that Chinese involvement in sand mining was much more widespread than this, and that they may have had a sand mining camp on the northern side of Belongil Creek, near Byron Bay.

“As the gold strikes ended, market gardens were established on the outskirts of many towns. Murwillumbah had several gardens, and at North Lismore they extended as far as the racecourse,” Theresa said.

Last year Theresa identified the location of a market garden in Byron Bay. She is particularly keen to find anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of the Alstonville Chinese market garden.

“Chinese fruiterers from Sydney first established banana farms on the north coast in 1916, due to a prohibitive tariff imposed on imported bananas by the NSW State Government,” she said.

“I have classified these farms as ‘complexes’, as they contain a variety of archaeological evidence spread over a wide area. As well as remnants of communal houses, packing sheds, stables and cook houses, these banana farm complexes contain stone terraces, wells, dams and even a tramway used to transport bananas from the field to the packing shed.

“In some instances Chinese people even built the infrastructure needed to transport their produce, with a road being built at ‘Chinamans Hill’, a causeway at Wilsons Creek and a road and wharf at Bogatville.

“Most Chinese men eventually returned home to China, partly due to racist legislation that would not allow them to bring their wives into the country. However, some did stay and I have classified this era as the permanent family phase.

“Better known Chinese families in the region include those associated with the Tongs store in Murwillumbah, and the Kwong Sings store in Casino. Probably the best known person of Chinese descent from our area is ‘Wake Up’ Jeff Fatt, of the Wiggles fame.”

Theresa is receiving ongoing assistance from historians and historical societies throughout far north-eastern NSW. She would particularly like to acknowledge Frank Mills who has extensively researched banana growing, Robyn Howell who has provided a wealth of information on Chinese mining sites, and Joanna Boileau who recently published ‘Families of Fortune’ a book about the Chinese history of the Tweed.

Photo: Theresa Gilroy, searching for the region's Chinese history.