Tingha’s incredible Chinese heritage will be aired to millions online through the website ‘People’s Network’.
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Three Chinese journalists, sourced by the Chinese Consulate in Sydney, arrived in Tingha on Wednesday.
The crew spent the day speaking with locals about their Chinese descendants and family history.
Stories such as Marie Hunnam’s, who travelled from Tamworth to be interviewed for the documentary, will be broadcast to a huge Chinese audience.
“My great grandfather was Joseph Ong Hai, known as Hong Hay; I was a Hay. Depending on which records you look at he arrived at Tingha in 1852 or 1862.
“He worked at Newstead as a Shepherd. My grandfather was also born at Newstead. As the years went on they ended up at Willowdale.
“They bought land at Willowdale but it was in my great grandmothers name because my great grandfather was not permitted to buy land,” she said.
Tingha’s Patty Shanley, a descendant of James Suey, said research estimated his arrival from China around 1848.
One of the most interesting stories shared on Wednesday, came from Marie Schultz, a descendant of Garn Sing.
“He came out from China as a strong man in the circus. He married a lady from Manilla, her name was Sarah Pigeon and they had 23 children between them.”
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Marie’s grandfather was one of the 23 children, who apparently had up to five names each.
Embracing her family’s rich Chinese heritage, Marie has a house full of ornaments passed down to her.
“Through the years I’ve inherited a lot of Chinese ornaments. I even have a round table made out of timber from the old Joss House in Tingha,” she said.
The Joss House (Chinese temple) was situated on the banks of Copes Creek along Ruby Street.
The journalists were also encouraged to visit the website chenquinjackhistory.com created by Kira Brown.
The website tells the story of Chen Quin Jack, Kira’s great great grandfather who arrived in Australia in the early 1850s to seek his fortune on the goldfields at Ballarat who eventually settled in Tingha.
The documentary will be featured on Australia.people.com.cn in the coming weeks.