Lawrence Chinese Descendants Reunion 2021

Main

DescriptionA summary of Day Two of the Lawrence Chinese Descendants Reunion at Lawrence on 24th October, 2021 as written by facilitator Adrienne Shaw (5th generation).

Day Two commenced with an early drive from Dunedin to Lawrence, with everyone assembling at the Lawrence Cemetery. Many came with umbrellas at the ready, as the threat of rain was looming.

Once proceedings were underway, and following a general welcome, an outline was given of the Chinese Headstone project.

Dr Anne Marie Sohler- Snoddy, a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow from the University of Otago, outlined the recent exhumations in the Chinese section of the cemetery. She spoke of research findings that had shed light on the Chinese childhood diets of fish and the Tuapeka diet of meat and vegetables.

The unveilings of the Wong Seque and Chow Shim Headstones, and of the Sam Yek Mong and Chow Tie Memorials were very moving. Family members unveiled each monument to their ancestors and spoke from their heart.

The Chow Shim family, adhering to Chinese tradition, placed, wine, bread, fruit, and flowers at the foot of the headstone. Alan McCord spoke to his forebear, “This is for you Great-Grandfather from your descendants. It’s been a long time, now we can all have a drink with you; for the birth of Chow Shim, for the life of Chow Shim, for the spirit of Chow Shim.”

It was then a short walk up the rise to the newly erected Memorial Kiosk in the Chinese Section. Adrienne Shaw spoke about the motivation for the project and some of the obstacles faced on the journey to its completion.

Malcolm Wong, from the Chinese Heritage Poll Tax Trust, the major funder of the project, unveiled the Kiosk.

On the move again through the Cemetery, the resting places of the following were acknowledged - Jane Fook You, Agnes Chow Chie, Jane McCauley, Martha Smeaton, William Sing Lee, the Mong children and Edward Mong.

Tribute was paid to Monsignor Patrick O’Leary’s Tomb which was restored by Peter Cummings. Seán Brosnahan read the plaque in Irish.

The Seque children’s headstone, acknowledging the lives of Elizabeth, and of Robert and Mary Ann who died as infants, was unveiled by Leo, a young Seque boy.

The largest landmark in the cemetery is Sam Chew Lain’s Mausoleum. This Gothic tomb sits prominently in the Presbyterian section. It is the resting place of both Sam Chew Lain and his wife, Amelia Newbiggins Lain (nee Peacock).

It was 118 years ago when Sam Chew Lain was buried here. In the intervening years the mausoleum had suffered deterioration and damage by vandals. None of the pinnacles remained in situ, the stained-glass windows had been smashed, the door was missing and the roof was not intact.

This historic edifice, designed by architect John A. Burnside, is now under consideration for Category 1 Heritage status.

All those gathered were able to admire the fruits of its recent restoration which has brought it back to its former glory.

Robin Miller from Origin Consultants, described the technical challenges of the restoration process. Teresa Chan, from Otago Southland Chinese Association, outlined the Association’s support for the project and ceremoniously removed the red ribbon from the Tomb door. Malcolm Wong, representing the Otago Community Trust and the Chinese Heritage Poll Tax Trust, unveiled the newly erected sign.

It was an impressive finale to the morning’s unveilings, and, despite the intermittent raindrops, imbued everyone with the wonderful spirit of respect that their ancestors have now rightfully received.

Lunch was in Lawrence at the local cafes. A time to rest and refuel before heading to the Lawrence Chinese Camp for the afternoon’s activities.

Descendants were given a Welcome by Rachel Gemmill, a Chow Tie descendant and LCC Trustee.

Adrienne Shaw then provided some background to the motivation and the logistics involved in erecting what was about to be unveiled, the first Chinese ANZAC Memorial in all of Australasia.

The names of 16 Chinese ANZACS who either served in WW1, WW2, or in later combat, have been inscribed on the Memorial which was draped in a red cloth and tied with 16 ribbons around it.

A family representative for each ANZAC then came forward, as their ancestor’s name was called, to untie a ribbon.

Tim Nicholls, a Seque descendant who served in Afghanistan, then read The Ode of Remembrance. ANZAC poppies, which had been handed out to everyone earlier, were then laid at the foot of the Memorial followed by the Last Post. It was a very moving unveiling ceremony, and the crowd’s silence during the Last Post was heavy with reflection that brought many a tear in the eye.

Professor Richard Walter, a specialist in Anthropology and Archaeology at Otago University and a retired LCC Trustee, gave an informative talk about the archaeological digs that have occurred at the Chinese Camp. He spoke of the knowledge gleaned from his digs regarding life at the Camp. He also touched on his vision of one day being able to provide camp visitors with a 3D virtual reality experience of how the Chinese Camp once was. He presented his address standing on the site of Sam and Amelia Chew Lain’s boarding house.

On the day, the Lawrence Chinese Camp Trust was represented formally by Rachel Gemmill and also present, but not officially introduced to descendants, were Trustees Debra Murray and Phil Marshall. Trustees Denise Ng, Geoff Blackmore, Geoff Davidson, and Roger Cotton were unable to attend.

Rachel Gemmill concluded the afternoon with a few words on what the Trust has planned for the Camp. These plans were also laid out in the Joss House for viewing. She spoke on the work needed to be done to restore the Hotel and the difficulties presented by the asbestos in the building. She also touched on the future of the stables, and the ambitions for a Visitors Centre in the Hotel with the aim of education and promotion of historical values. She noted that all of the plans would take quite some time to complete.

Adrienne brought the Reunion to a close and in thanking everyone for their attendance, she said that over the two days, she had walked 15000 steps, but made new friends and brought the Chinese Camp alive with descendants returning to their Ancestral home, for the first time ever!

Image

Adrienne Shaw leads Descendants

Seán Brosnahan gives Irish Blessing at Catholic Tomb

Rev Lisa Barlow gives blessing at Tomb Opening

Teresa Chan unveils Lain Tomb

Malcolm Wong Sam Chew Lains Tomb

Malcolm Wong addresses Crowd at Sam Chew Lains Tomb

Teresa Chan addresses crowd Sam Chew Lain Tomb

Robin Miller addresses crowd outside Sam Chew Lain Tomb

Adrienne Shaw addresses Crowd at Seque Grave

Descendant speaks at Jane McCauley's Grave

Adrienne Shaw speaks at Jane McCauley Grave

Agnes Chow Chie Descendant addresses Crowd

Adrienne Shaw addresses Crowd at Agnes Chow Chie Grave

Chinese Descendants Move to Sam Chew Lain Tomb

Malcolm Wong addresses Crowd at New Kiosk

Crowd views new Kiosk

Adrienne Shaw unveils Chinese Section Kiosk

Crowd listens to speakers at Kiosk Unveiling

Adrienne Shaw speaks of New Kiosk

Descendants inspect newly unveiled Headstones

Andy Tie unveils Chow Tie Memorial

Andy Tie addresses Crowd

Mong Descendant speaks at Unveiling of Sam Yek Mong Memorial

Lawrence Chinese Descendants Reunion 2021

Details

Date24 October 2021Location^[1]

Connections

SubjectsPeople and FamiliesGoldminingHistoric Lawrence Chinese CampChinesePlaceLawrence Lawrence CemeteryLawrence Chinese CampCollectionGoldmining

Start typing here to find a location	Latitude	Longitude	Zoom	Actions

loading google map....

Save Cancel