General News
1 July, 2023
History of Chinese Families in Warracknabeal
Submitted by Leslie Stephan Following the visit by Leon Toy as Guest Speaker at a previous Historical Society Meeting, interest was sparked about the history of Chinese families who made Warracknabeal their home. At the most recent Historical...
Submitted by Leslie Stephan
Following the visit by Leon Toy as Guest Speaker at a previous Historical Society Meeting, interest was sparked about the history of Chinese families who made Warracknabeal their home.
At the most recent Historical Society Meeting, member Jenny Taylor read an article telling us about the Chinese who moved into the Wimmera and Mallee from the goldfields when gold to run out. Several market gardens were established here with the creek providing the water supply. Older residents recall at least 10 different gardens around Warracknabeal.
To add to the topic, Leon Toy has donated several items that belonged to his grandfather. These include a hat, a cane tray used for sorting seeds, a box that seeds were stored in and several cane baskets. Leon also included a couple of lanterns from his Restaurant. These were all on display at the Meeting and will be ultimately placed on a Chinese vegetable trolley that is already in the Museum.
Evelyn McColl brought to the Meeting a couple of Chinese items from the Historical Centre. They had been donated by Loma Tong. They included a 3 piece tea set and a translucent rice bowl.
Historical Society members are now compiling a book recording any history involving the Chinese community in Warracknabeal.