Collections & Research Collections Museum Collections The Museum Collection Main Collection The Chinese Museum is a significant repository of artefacts, which mainly comprise objects, textiles, documents and images, related to the history of Chinese people in Australia and their descendants. Its main collection covers various themes, including the Gold Rush, Chinese Families, Community and Identity, and Chinese Traditions and Creative Arts. Through this collection, the Museum conducts research, exhibitions, tours, and educational programs that explore Australia's Chinese history and heritage. Gold Rush Arrival of Chinese Immigrants in Little Bourke Street Collections Number: 1985.7.33 Donor: Spencer Scott Sandilands Gallery Newspaper clipping titled 'Arrival of Chinese Immigrants in Little Bourke St, Melbourne', The Australian News, 27 September 1866. Chinese Family Wedding Photo of Frank Shinn Goon and Ada Elizabeth Mahlook Collections Number: 2011.12.10 Donor: Fay Anderson From left to right, the fourth person is Frank Shinn Goon (groom), and the fifth is Ada Elizabeth Mahlook (bride). Ada Goon married Frank Shum Goon, a prominent herbalist in the late 19th century. He primarily practiced in Ballarat but also held clinics on Exhibition Street in Melbourne, seeing patients monthly. Together, Frank and Ada had eight children, six of whom served in World War II. Roy Goon was particularly noted for his service in the Australian Air Force. Chinese herbalism played a crucial role in the health of the Chinese and Chinese Australian communities before World War II, providing effective care where other treatments often fell short. This photograph was donated by Fay Anderson, Ada Goon's granddaughter. Community and Identify Chinese Mission Church, 1920s Collections Number: 2006.1.3 Photographer: Samuel Him, 56 Madeline St, Carlton. Donor: White Anna This black-and-white photograph captures a three-storey brick building situated at the corner of Little Bourke Street and Croft Alley. On the left, you can see T.C. Ching & Bros Furniture Manufacturers, while the right side features the Chinese Mission Church. A horse and cart are parked outside T.C. Ching's, and a crowd has gathered at the entrance of the church. Founded in 1905 by the Church of Christ of Victoria Department, the Church of Christ Chinese Mission on Queensberry Street in Carlton has long been a vital part of the Chinese Australian community. The photograph was passed down to Anna White from her parents, Amy Kathleen Cecilia Young (née Lum) and William Moo Tong Young, who likely attended the Chinese Mission Church during their time living on A'Beckett Street in the city. Chinese Tradition Female Samfu Set Collections Number: 2011.10.02 Late Qing Dynasty (1890-1893) Donor：David Tongway A female blue silk jacket features wide sleeves and a right-side fastening, complemented by a raised collar. The sleeves, collar, side fastening, and hem are trimmed with black satin. The blue silk fabric is intricately woven with floral designs, butterflies, and spheres, and it includes four small jade buttons. Accompanying the jacket are a pair of wide dark purple trousers, lined with light blue cotton. The silk fabric displays a similar interwoven pattern of floral designs, butterflies, and spheres, and is also trimmed with black satin to match the jacket. Each trouser leg has a strip of blue silk lining at the bottom. This style of jacket and trousers is characteristic of informal late Qing dynasty Han Chinese dress. Mary Tong Way (née Kong) was raised by Chinese missionaries in Hong Kong before moving to Ballarat, Victoria, to marry John Tong Way in an arranged marriage in 1893. Though she had a limited understanding of European customs and spoke very little English, she quickly began learning the language from women at the local Presbyterian Church. She also set aside her Chinese clothing and adopted European dress, which she maintained for the rest of her life in Australia. John Tong Way served as a catechist to the Chinese community in Ballarat and became Superintendent of the Chinese Mission in 1903, later being ordained in 1905 at St. Andrews Kirk in Ballarat. These garments were purchased by Mary Tong Way in Hong Kong and brought to Australia. They were donated by her grandson, David Tongway. Additional collection items may also be viewed through the Victorian Collections website. The Museum’s photographic collection, along with images from other public collections, are shown online through the Chinese-Australian Historical Images in Australia (CHIA) website The content remains publicly accessible as a valuable resource for researchers, academics, and individual interested in researching their family history. The CHIA website has been archived and is currently not updated. To request permission to publish material from the Museum of Chinese Australian History Collections, please complete the request form and send the completed copy to [email protected]. Object Donation: The Museum welcomes donations of objects that contribute to the history of Chinese people in Australia. The Museum’s Collections Policy stipulates that we acquire and care for objects that focus strongly on the history and contributions of Australians with Chinese ancestry ranging from their arrivals in the early 1800s through to the present. Objects should be in good condition and also have clear provenance with donors as lawful owners of the objects. Accepting donations into the collections is guided by our Collections Policy and their significance to our cumulative history. Our long-term obligation to care for and store our collections as well as our limited storage space influence this selective process. Not all offers of donation are accepted and may be respectfully declined. Famille Rose Cermic Begonia Shaped Plate with Mythical Figure Patterns Late Qing Dynasty (1840-1912) Collections Number: 1999.8.15 Donor: Pearl Fischer If you have an object that you would like the Museum to consider for its collection, please complete the object donation form and send the completed copy to [email protected] or by mail to Chinese Museum, 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia. Manage Cookie Preferences