RSL war tribute honours Chinese

AS a boy Jesse Chee dreamed of becoming a soldier and serving his country.  So as soon as he was old enough he applied for the army reserve unit in PNG which was under Australian command.

His application drew the attention of a local journalist who wanted to write a story about an Australian of Asian descent joining the defence force.

The story was never written and Mr Chee never heard whether he had been accepted into the army.
Confused, he asked the journalist who said the top brass in Canberra had told him to shelve the story.
Mr Chee later learned that his application had been rejected while the Australian parliament discussed overturning the White Australia Policy.

Now, more than 40 years later, the Government continues to redress past wrongs. This month Prime Minister Julia Gillard attended the official unveiling of a Chinese war memorial at Sunnybank RSL.

The memorial is one of only three in Australia and is the first time any Australian RSL has dedicated a war memorial to Australian service personnel of Chinese descent.

Mr Chee, who eventually was allowed to join the army, said it meant ``a heck of a lot’’ to receive due recognition for his service.  ``Finally Australia has acknowledged our service as equals,’’ he said.

Ms Gillard said the Anzac spirit embraced people of all backgrounds.

Sunnybank RSL president Robert Lippiatt said the recognition was well over-due but the RSL was committed to strengthening ties with the Chinese community.  He said towards that goal, the RSL had coincided the memorial’s opening with the launch of a bursary to help struggling students achieve their potential.

Source

Read the PM's Speech at the opening here

"But look through the names on the roll of honour and there are Australians of Chinese heritage. Jewish heritage. Indigenous heritage. Lebanese and Afghan heritage. And so many others.

In fact, two of our very greatest soldiers in the First World War were Billy Sing and Caleb Shang.

Just as one of the most daring and resourceful soldiers of the Second World War was Jack Wong Sue.

And beyond those enlisted, there were many more refused enrolment because of their background, and they served in other capacities here at home such as civil defence or simply offered the silent service of uncomplaining loyalty deep in their hearts, putting aside any sense of dismay or offence.".