“I had my twenty first birthday in London, and the entire of Hobart knew as a result of they despatched again photographs and studies,” Mei Ling, now 84, advised SBS Chinese language.
When Mei Ling was born in 1940, a neighborhood Tasmanian newspaper revealed an image of her and her mom, calling her “a valuable Chinese language-Australian toddler”. Supply: SBS / Nicole Gong
The eye she obtained stemmed from the repute of her āgōng (Mandarin, which means grandfather), James Chung Gon, one of many early settlers to reach in Australia within the 1870s.
His endeavours made him a distinguished determine in Launceston, incomes recognition past his lifetime.
The Chung Gon household
He initially labored within the tin mines at Branxholm however then labored in different industries, akin to timber-cutting and vegetable farming.
James on one in all his tractors, working the bottom. Supply: Equipped / chung-gon.com by Ai Lin Chung Gon
Collectively along with his good friend, Frank Walker, he discovered a wealthy seam of tin in a creek at South Mount Cameron. James walked the 122km to Launceston to register the declare whereas Walker guarded the positioning.
The couple then settled in Australia and had 12 youngsters, one in all whom was adopted.
A bunch portrait of the Chung Gon household together with James Chung Gon (third from R) and his spouse Mei (Mary) Ying Lee (third from L). Supply: Equipped / chung-gon.com by Ai Lin Chung Gon
In line with Census data, in 1891, one yr earlier than Mary got here to Australia, there have been 939 Chinese language residents in Tasmania, of which solely eight had been Chinese language ladies.
James lived an extended and fulfilling life, reaching the exceptional age of 97, nonetheless he by no means re-married after Mary’s dying.
James Chung Gon handed away on 23 February 1952, aged 97. Native newspapers reported the information. Supply: Equipped / Adrian Mar
‘Outdated Vauxhall experience’ to go to grandfather
“It took three hours to get there and no seat belts, simply three youngsters at the back of an previous Vauxhall,” she recalled.
L: James and Mei Ling within the Nineteen Forties.R: James with grandchildren, Mei Ling, Kwokky & child Bobby (L to R), in Hobart in 1946. Supply: Equipped
After arriving in Launceston, the household would go to the Chung Gon Grocer’s on Elizabeth Road, the place James lived within the residence above the store.
“We would stroll via the fruit store and āgōng could be sitting there on his large armchair and in entrance of him could be the Chinese language checkers or snakes (and ladders), prepared for us to play,” she stated.
He had this moustache and he at all times insisted on a kiss.
Mei Ling Chung Gon, granddaughter of James Chung Gon
On Sunday, Mei Ling and her āgōng would stroll down Elizabeth Road to the Gateway Baptist Church, the place James was a lay preacher.
He at all times had a seat within the entrance pew and promptly went to sleep. I would be so embarrassed.
Mei Ling Chung Gon
One in every of James Chung Gon’s greengrocer’s outlets in Launceston. Supply: Equipped / chung-gon.com by Ai Lin Chung Gon
Along with the grocery store, Mei Ling’s household would additionally go to the market backyard on the Excessive Road run by her uncles.
“I can bear in mind all of the previous Chinese language in Excessive Road there,” she stated.
They’d be sitting there smoking on these kerosene tins … All of them spoke Chinese language and had gold tooth.
Mei Ling Chung Gon
Like many ladies in China in that period, Mary had sure ft. Her sneakers at the moment are displayed within the Queen Victoria Museum. Supply: Equipped / Mia Jones
Visits to the ancestral village in China
Throughout their temporary two-day go to, Mei Ling stated she had had the chance to fulfill her cousin and his spouse.
Mei Ling Chung Gon visited their ancestral village in China in 2019, the place she met her cousin. Supply: Equipped / Mia Jones
As a gesture of connection and respect, the visiting household signed their names in a small temple at her cousin’s residence.
Reflecting on the journey, Mei Ling shared that her brother had beforehand visited the village years in the past and had gifted her cousin with a cap.
He [my cousin] nonetheless had the cap my brother gave him. He was so pleased with it.
Mei Ling Chung Gon
In 2009, Mei Ling’s youthful brother, Bob Chung Gon, visited their household village along with his daughter, Anita Su Ming Chung Gon, the place they’d been given, “essentially the most fantastic reception from our family.”
Some pictures of Bob Chung Gon’s journey to their household village in China in 2009. Supply: Equipped / chung-gon.com by Ai Lin Chung Gon
“Heat memorable communication continued for a while seemingly unimpeded by the language barrier,” he wrote in a letter to James Yang, who helped them organise their China journey.
Our 44 hours in Guandong Province was a extremely overwhelming, emotional whirlwind expertise and Anita and I loved each minute of it.
Bob Chung Gon, grandson of James Chung Gon
The following technology
Mia Jones, Mei Ling’s daughter, was one of many essential organisers of the reunion.
Mia Jones (L) and her mom, Mei Ling Chung Gon (R), in Melbourne. Supply: SBS / Nicole Gong
They created a 3.2-metre-long household tree spanning six generations, marked with vibrant colors as an instance household connections.
“Once we regarded on the household tree, you can see precisely the place all people fitted in, and it was wonderful,” Mia stated.
The household tree of the Chung Gon household, spanning six generations. Supply: Equipped / Mia Jones
Mia stated that on the second day of the reunion celebration, they took a bus tour to locations of significance to the Chung Gons, together with the farm at Turners Marsh owned by James and the Queen Victoria Museum, the place household memorabilia is exhibited.
“It was actually beautiful for members of the family who had by no means had the chance to go there, to really have that have,” she stated.
Generally I overlook how important the Chung Gon household is inside Tasmania … whenever you say the identify Chung Gon, folks know, folks join.
Mia Jones, James’ great-granddaughter
Mei Ling Chung Gon and her descendants outdoors the Chung Gon home in Turners Marsh through the bus tour in April 2023 (essential) and the unique home (inset). Supply: Equipped / Mia Jones/Adrian Mar
Mia stated she believed that the reunion served not solely as a celebration for the older generations but in addition as a chance for the subsequent technology of Chung Gon descendants to attach with their household historical past.
“Regardless that they might not look Chinese language, they know they’re.”
