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From Canton to Parramatta

Life for Chinese labourers in Australia before the 1850s. Image from National Museum of Australia

Life for Chinese labourers in Australia before the 1850s. Image from National Museum of Australia 

The history of Chinese Australians provides a unique chapter in the history of Australia. The earliest contact with Australia appears of searching the Australian coastline for sandalwood and sea cucumbers. During Australian Gold Rush, large number of Australians made their way to Australia.

Before the 1850s, Chinese labourers faced harsh conditions and physical hardship in Australia. While in Australia, Chinese labourers would walk along a winding country road in search of work and cleared bushland for farming.

According to 2011 census Chinese ancestry make up four percent of Australian population. Mak Sai Ying is the earliest known Chinese immigrant to arrive in Sydney.

Chinese settlement plays an important part in the unique heritage of New South Wales. Read stories of Chinese who called Parramatta their home.

Chinese people and culture in Parramatta
Lunar New Year - 2021 Year of the Ox
Mak Sai Ying aka John Shying
Chinese Settlement in New South Wales
Rosa Chinesis – China Rose in Parramatta
The ‘White Australia’ Policy
Lee Gumbuk Sing (Ah Sing- Ah Lee) The Cheapest Grocer on Earth
George Tin Sing
Lunar New Year - Year of the Dragon
Lunar New Year 2022 - Year of the Tiger
Lunar New Year - Year of the Snake
Sing Choy – Market Gardener, Green Grocer & Interpreter
George (Guoc) Ah Poo
Chinese Australian Religion
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year around the world
Korean New Year
Vietnamese New Year
Lunar New Year - Year of the Rat
Lunar New Year – Year of the Dog
How to research Australian Chinese family history
All Saints Anglican Cemetery and Unmarked Graves – Parramatta
The Chinese Merchants’ Association
Cheng Fan-Cheong/ Ah Hing /Henry Fine
Chinese Australians in Rookwood Cemetery
Ming Bowl 3D Scan
Macquarie Street Asylum and the Chinese Community
Chinese Death Rites
 

The City of Parramatta respectfully recognises the traditional owners of the land and waters of Parramatta, the Darug peoples.
Sensitivity notice: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this website may contain images and voices of deceased ancestors.

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