In the aftermath of a fire which badly damaged the main Kwan Dai Hall of the See Yup Temple became part of a team of volunteers who began assisting with recovery. In March I was contracted to assist with the coordination of the See Yup Temple Recovery Project. In the coming year I will be focussing on:

• object storage and conservation
• external communications about the temple and the recovery project
• fundraising and grant opportunities
• building a coordinating a team of volunteers to assist with work moving forward

Current See Yup Temple Recovery Activities

Free talk: After the Fire: Recovery Efforts at the See Yup Temple

Tuesday 6 May 2025, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
@Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205

Bookings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/ahf_event/after-the-fire-recovery-efforts-at-the-see-yup-temple/

How do we recover precious heritage objects and why are they significant in the first place? Join us for an evening at the Emerald Hill Library to find out.

On 17 February 2024 a devastating fire, caused by an electrical fault, broke out in the main Kwan Dai Hall at the See Yup Temple in Raglan Street, South Melbourne. Built in 1866, over two hundred objects were recovered from the site of the fire. Thankfully none of the temple Gods were damaged.

News reports of the fire mentioned in passing that the temple was heritage listed. But what does this mean and why should we care?

Join Professional Historian and Curator Dr Sophie Couchman and students from the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation at the University of Melbourne to learn more about recovery efforts after the fire and the work ahead.

Fundraising: Behind the Scenes Tours of the See Yup temple

Sunday 4 May, tours will run on the hour every hour between 10am and 3pm, $20pp
@See Yup Temple, 76 Raglan St, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205

Bookings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/ahf_event/behind-the-scenes-tours-of-the-see-yup-temple/

Opportunity to explore the behind the scenes recovery operations after the devastating fire at the heritage-listed See Yup temple.

After the devastating fire at the See Yup temple on 17 February 2024 over two hundred objects were removed from the site of the fire, some dating back to the previous temple which was constructed in 1856.

Join Professional Historian and Curator Dr. Sophie Couchman on a behind the scenes tour of the temple to see some of these heritage objects up close and learn more about the recovery efforts at the temple. Tour fee will be donated to the See Yup Temple Recovery Appeal.