News Archive

Gold was the lure for many Chinese coming to Australia. To many Australians the early Chinese came, found their fortune and returned home with full pockets. However this was not the case for the majority of early Chinese. When gold was found in the Swan River Colony, regulations limited Asians from gaining mining permits. There is so much more to the Chinese story prior to and after the discovery of gold.

This talk gives a brief background into the life of the early Chinese in WA and then takes a journey through Karrakatta Cemetery to reveal some untold stories.

About the Speaker

Kaylene Poon is a third generation Australian-born Chinese. Northbridge was her childhood stamping ground, as her parents took over the only Chinese grocery shop in James Street in 1954. Being next door to the Chung Wah Hall meant her father was instrumental in assisting many elderly Chinese living out their final days, far from family and loved ones.

Currently Kaylene is the Local History Officer for the City of Melville, based at the Wireless Hill Museum. She previously worked for the WA Museum at the History (the former Lunatic Asylum) and the Maritime Museums. In 1999 together with the National Trust she assisted in the development of an educational package for secondary and primary students and for a decade offered interactive visits to the Chung Wah and James Street.

Tuesday, 10th October 2017, 7:30pm

Reid Library, Second Floor Conference Room

Doors open 7pm, talk commences 7:30pm Cost: $5 donation (Free for Friends of the Library Members)

Media references

University Library +61 8 6488 7425