The
Chung-Gon family is familiar name to Launcestonians.
Together with fellow
countrymen such as Ah Caw,Sam Yick, Wah Kee, Ah Youey and Ah Woon,
James Chung-Gon was one of a small number of Chinese merchants active
in the city early this century.
James Chung-Gon was
born in South China in 1855 and came to Australia as a young lad after
hearing about the gold rush.
In Tasmania,
Chung-Gon first worked in a tin mine near Branxholm, then in a market
garden near the goldfields at Leroy. From Leroy he moved into Launceston.
In 1885 he returned to China where he married Mei Ying Lee, known in
Tasmania as Mary.
Upon his return to Tasmania, Chung-Gon
was again briefly involved in tin mining before establishing one of the
first commercial orchards in Northern Tasmania at Turners
Marsh. It was here that most of the 11 Chung-Gon children
were born.
The outbreak of World War I prevented
the family from returning to China where they planned for their children
to be educated. The family instead remained in Launceston
where they became widely known and respected for their long involvement
in business and civic affairs.
Mary Chung-Gon died in Launceston in
1918. James
Chung-Gon died in Launceston in 1952, aged 97 years.
Extracted from "The
Examiner" 14th May,1997. Title - 'Our China
Connection - Immigrants add richness to Launceston culture' - Rhonda
Hamilton, community History Branch,QVMAG). Photos -
from private collections.