Epilogue

This is the last in the series of stories about the history of the Chinese in the Waranga area.  The history stretches back 170 years to when the first Chinese arrived in the local area, probably in 1854.  Since then, Chinese immigrants and their descendants have made a significant contribution to the area’s history and development.

Some things do not change much.  Back in the days when there were thousands of Chinese miners on the Victorian goldfields, they generally got bad press from the local newpapers.  Today, it is also rare to read a positive story about China.  Stories are usually laced with words like aggression, human rights violations, quest for world domination and overpopulation. 

The negative attitude often taken by the press today comes despite the fact that China is our most important trading partner.  This provides many benefits to both Australia and China.  A significant part of the Australian population (5.5.%, or over a million people) is of Chinese origin.  They contribute significantly to Australian economy and society in many ways.

China Today

While some people in Australia resent the fact that China seems to be doing things regarded as threatening e.g. expanding influence in the Pacific region, this is really no different to what the British and French did in the 18th and 19th centuries in our part of the world.  

The average Chinese person has the same sort of concerns that we all have - providing the basic necessities for their families, giving the next generation a chance to improve themselves through a comprehensive education program and building a sense of community.

If you want to read a good book about life in China today (albeit written 20 years ago) you would do well to read Peter Hessler’s “River Town – Two Years on the Yangtse”.  Hessler and his colleague spent two years working with the American Peace Corps, teaching English to prospective teachers in a college in the small city (pop 200,000) of Fuling.

Being the only two Westerners in the city, they experienced some of the same prejudice that the Chinese encountered when they came to our area in the 1850s, simply because they were perceived to be different.  This changed over time.  Perhaps the Americans were unusual in their desire to learn as much as they could, including the local dialect of the language.  This was appreciated by the locals, and they were fortunate to make many good friends during their time in Fuling.  The human connection was valued by all.

Conclusion  

The Chinese immigrants to this area taught us some important lessons.  In the frenzy that was the gold rush, they were clearly very patient and hard-working - much more so than their European counterparts, according to many commentators.  They were generally very law-abiding citizens, and far less likely to be involved in alcohol-fuelled violence.  

It seems that greater significance was placed on the importance of spirituality and religion in their lives, matters most attended to daily.  Part of the role of any religion is to suggest ways in which people should better live their lives.  Care and compassion for fellow human beings, especially those worse off than yourself, is one area that was highlighted by the actions of this group of new arrivals.

The Chinese immigrants also played a significant role in many local industries, particularly the pastoral industry (as shepherds and hutkeepers) and as market gardeners.  This was at a time when it was hard to get the European immigrants to commit to these important jobs.

Many of the Chinese went back to their home villages, given the importance of extended family and their strong connections to the part of China where they were born.  The desire to return home may also have been, in part, a response to the poor treatment they had received from European migrants and colonial governments.

Those who stayed were absorbed into the Australian community, and along with their descendants and later arrivals have made significant contributions in a whole range of fields of endeavour – agriculture, retail, manufacturing, education, religion, the arts, health and food to name a few. 

An indexed compilation of the Chinese stories featured in the Waranga News over the last two years is available free of charge to download from the website of the Rushworth Historical and Preservation Society, with thanks to Nick Buzza.