2020 Warrnambool Chinese families and their place in Australia’s Chinese history

From the Artso family who served in both World Wars to the Chinese who cultivated market gardens, the Warrnambool area has a surprisingly rich Chinese history. Using this local history as a starting point, this lecture will explore Australia’s long Chinese history and challenge you to think about the point at which Australia’s Chinese history simply becomes Australian history.

This lecture given to the Warrnambool branch of the University of the Third Age was researched and presented from my desk in locked down Melbourne! It was wonderful to have the opportunity to delve into the rich Chinese history of a rural Victorian town without a goldrushes history.

Warrnambool Physical Culture Club: The Pioneer Club of the Sandow system, c.1910s. George Ringold Artso (1883-1955), son of William Ah Chow and Martha Hammond, stands in the second row from the top on the far right.
(Courtesy: Geoff Artso, https://chia.chinesemuseum.com.au/objects/D003823.htm)

3 thoughts on “2020 Warrnambool Chinese families and their place in Australia’s Chinese history”

  1. Andy Cumming's avatar

    Hi Sophie, just wondering how to read a copy of this lecture. I am trying to get some information on the “Chinese Ford” that was built on the lower Merri river at Dennington. I am led to believe the ford was created to back up the river for irrigation of Chinese market gardens or a rose farm sometime after the end of the gold rush around Ballarat.

    Thanks

    Andy Cumming

    1. sophiecouchman's avatar

      I’ve not published a copy of this lecture but I have been meaning to just post it on this site. I didn’t come across the ‘Chinese ford’ you mention but I would not be surprised to find that there was one. Chinese miners and market gardeners were known to be inventive with their use and manipulation of water. You might find something of interest in Joanna Boileau’s book ‘Chinese Market Gardening in Australia and New Zealand’ how Chinese market gardening practices.

      1. Anna Cumming's avatar

        Thanks for getting back to me Sophie, i will keep investigating.
        Cheers
        Andy C

        Andy & Anna Cumming
        Wangoom Vic 3279

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