AWP-06-Famous Chinese-Australians

In this episode we take a peak at four remarkable Chinese-Australians. These are:Billy Sing the decorated WWI war hero; Helene Chung the journalist and author; Dr Victor Chang the path breaking heart surgeon, whose life was so tragically cut short; and Penny Wong the Australian politician and former Government Minister.

For this episode I recommend Helene Chung’s book Ching Chong China Girl – from fruit shop to foreign correspondent. You can buy a copy by following the links from Helene Chung’s website: http://www.helenechung.com

Music by Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production and Mr Laszlo Montgomery for continued encouragement and advice.

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

AWP-05-The Chinese and the Gold Rush

Ni Hao!

The Gold Rushes of the 1850s bought the first large numbers of Chinese settlers to Australia.  Before 1850 fewer than 50 or so Chinese migrants had come to Australia, but by the early 1860s this number had risen to 40,000. Many came out as bonded labourers having to work long hours mining for gold to pay off their fare.

The Chinese have had a great influence on Australian culture and of course cuisine. On the goldfields, however, they faced discrimination and violence. Two of the most infamous cases were the Lambing Flat Riots and the Buckland Riot.

This month’s recommendation is The Rise and Fall of China by the late Professor Richard Baum. The audio book may be downloaded from: http://www.audible.com/

Also check out:

• Bill Richardson’s article on Gavin Menzies’ claims at: http://www.1421exposed.com/html/imaginography.html

• Laszlo Montgomery’s China Histroy Podcast on the remarkable life of Admiral Zheng He at: http://www.1421exposed.com/html/imaginography.html

 Music by Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/