Tiger Lil's in Perth

I was having a read of Eurasian Sensations post titled Asian-themed bars win big at 2009 Australian Bar Awards in October last year when I remembered the local Asian-themed bar, that I despised.  Now I'm finally getting to partially post, what I wanted to post back then.  (It's funny how when it comes to blogs my memory is really good but in the real world I tend to forget most things within a couple of mins.)

Tiger Lil's is a really popular Asian-themed bar in Perth and I've been heaps of times after work.  But a lot of things bug me about the place.  I mean you walk in and everywhere is a 'feast' for your senses.  From the ceiling with it's array of Asian umbrellas and Chinese lanterns, to the Balinese and Thai sculptures scattered about, buddhas, the incense-smelling air, Monkey Magic playing on the tv screens and the conical Asian hat given to you while you wait for your food.  The crowd is mostly white, check the photos on their webpage.  There's also a radio advertisement telling you, in the "Confucius say"-accent, how "Tiger Lil's woks" - woks=rocks, get it?

But the best I've saved for last, it's logo.

That there is how you show appreciation, love and respect for Asian culture.  I'm sure there's plenty of this type of respect in the eastern states too.  Let me know (using the Contact Me link at the top of the page) if you come across any other noteworthy ones.

Know Your Asian Australians

Over the next few weeks I will be posting some interviews that I've had with prominent Asian Australians.  The interviews are meant to be light and to give everyone a more personal insight into the interviewee and what makes them tick, with a heavy emphasis on their Asian-Australianess where applicable.

Rather than relying on conventional forms of media (eg television and newspapers, both English and Asian language) for views on issues, we should be approaching AA's directly.

A good example is during the Billy Sing controversy, we never actually got to hear from those in the acting industry.  All we needed was one or two in the industry to give us their views and Geoff Davis' claims would have been refuted and he would have been exposed for the lazy,arrogant bumpkin that he is.

I actually did attempt to get something out of Kylie Kwong, because she is a third-gen Australian, and from watching her tv shows I gathered that identity was important to her.  Or maybe that was all an act for the cameras? "Oh look she's Choinese, she's sooo authentic".  I only got the standard answer from her PA and I posted the response.  Now some people may disagree with me for doing this (yes I did get emails), saying that "hey she's one of the few successful Chinese-Australians chefs, why are you attacking her (shock horror)?" and "why are you doing it publicly?"

Well, why shouldn't I?  Because she is successful, I should leave her alone?  Isn't this part of our problem, that we're afraid to speak up or afraid of the consequences if we do speak up?  Now to be frank, I'm not here to make friends so that means nothing is off limits and I will do my best to keep both Asian and non-Asian bastards honest, whoever they may be.  I do not proclaim to represent all Asian Australians either, just myself.

Maybe the next time something like this happens, we will be able to put enough pressure on the AA and force/encourage them to air their views instead of keeping their mouth shut.

Being Asian Australian by race is not enough.  You need to be true to yourself and true to your identity, and that means being true to your "community".  Otherwise you're just one of THEM (oriental Australians - there're plenty out there).

Anyway, hope you enjoy and get something out of the interviews.

Wesa Chau - Young Victorian of the Year 2010 

 Annette Shun Wah

Jimmy Pham - founder of KOTO

New Asian Australian Mag!

I'd like to point everyone in the direction of a new AA production called Slanted Magazine.  Slanted Magazine is a continuation of the former Hello! online magazine.  The site was officially launched last Monday (sorry, me wasn't 'ere) and already has a number of interesting articles written from an AA perspective.  Currently all articles are written by a couple of friends, who met up for coffee one day and blah blah, no need to listen to me dribble on, read their About Us as it's heaps more interesting.

It's launch is a welcome addition to the online smorgasbord of AA ezines, including Peril Magazine and....well, that's all there is really.

I'm really excited to see more AA stories and experiences.  This actually encourages me to clean up my own site (and not just by changing the blogger theme) and put a bit more effort and opinion into my posts.

Their most recent post is about Monkey Magic, which I friggin' enjoyed watching to death back in the day.  I almost had a heart attack when I found out they were doing reruns years later on Recovery(a crap ABC show for the different people).  The first Pigsy was my fav character, what a horny bugger he was!  I can't believe the article mentions Under One Roof too, that would've on been during my high school days!

They also have a facebook page.  I'm adding the feed to my Down Under Blogs sidebar.

PS Courting Red is a dating service (started up by some members of Slanted) whose main aim is to match Asians with... Asians!  I read about an agency in America years ago that did this and was wondering if there was anything like it in Oz. And here it is!  Though, it is in the eastern states which is probably why I hadn't heard about it earlier. 
(ignore their Asian to non-Asian service, aren't there enough yellow fever agencies around?)

I get an opportunity to post this cute pic from AM Revolutions too! - yeah it's an Asian American couple, but don't Asian Australians and Asian Americans all look same?

Kung Flu Fighters

I saw this on The Worst of Perth and then after a little bit of searching, I found that this is actually legit gear, from Australia. It's called the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Program for pharmacies and get this, is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.  Tax money well spent.

Check out the main site here

So...where do I start with this one?
Chinky font - check
Some Kung Fu shit - check
Dragon - check
Dragon lady - hey you missed one.

All this chinky text is giving me a massive headache.  I can't wait to get my hands on the Kung Flu Board Game though...

Asian ANZACs

All information on this page will be transferred to another site: Chinese Anzacs http://chineseanzacs.blogspot.com/


I will no longer be updating this page.
 
This page will list all the Asian ANZACs who I can find photos, stories or articles of. This is only the tip of the iceberg, there are A LOT more. Please check back regularly as it will constantly be updated, hopefully I will be able to link the photos up to stories. I will also put the medals and ranks in later, and it'll look scrappy from time to time but it will be cleaned up.

Monument in Darling harbour
Introduction - to be added
The monument comprises a 10-metre high sculpture with 380 light rods that spiral around a column. The structure symbolises water and the Chinese belief that relationships of reciprocity do not end with death.




Parliament speech

Boer War
Introduction - to be added

WW1
Introduction - to be added

Amoy, Thomas 3rd Light Horse Regiment Picture source	He's somewhere in this pic
Foo (Ford), Ernest Arthur Picture source
Foo, Walter Denman 2nd Light Horse Regiment Picture source
Freame, Harry	Pic to come
Gooey, William 13th Light Horse Regiment	Pic to come
Gum, Raymond Frank 9th Light Horse Regiment	Pic to come
Hong, Thomas 10th Light Horse Regiment	Pic to come
Hoyling (Hoy Ling), Harry Pic 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
James, Harry Colonel 6th Light Horse Regiment	Pic to come
Kew-Ming, Leslie Sergeant, MM ADU Post	Pic to come
Kong Meng, George 8th Australian Light Horse George was initially denied entry into the AIF because his father was Chinese. His brother somehow managed to get in. Read his letter to the Argus Newspaper re Recruiting Stupidity The Kong Meng Family Picture source
Kong Meng, Herbert Sergeant	Pic to come
Langtip, Bertie Allen 4th Light Horse Regiment	Pic to come
Langtip, Ernest Walter 4th Light Horse Regiment	Pic to come
Langtip, Henry "Harry Staff Sergeant 4th Light Horse Regiment	Pic to come
Langtip, Leslie Oliver Corporal, DCM 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment Leslie received a military good conduct medal for bravery during the charge on Damascus. He knocked out a Turkish gun which was defending the gates. Read the recommendation here. Leslie and his brothers enlisted together, embarked together, served together and returned together. One of them is said to have king-hit Lawrence(of Arabia) for mistreating a Turkish prisoner. Picture source
Loo Long, William Corporal, MM and Bar ADU Post	Pic to come
Ping, Julian Edward William 11th Light Horse Regiment	Pic to come
Poon, Hunter(This guy has the best name) Corporal 15th Battalion Hunter was the first Australian of Chinese heritage (he is 3/4 Chinese) to play first-class cricket Wikipedia Entry
Quong Tart, Arthur Son of Mei Quong Tart	Pic to come
Sam, George Flood Sergeant, MM Five of the seven sons of the Sam family served in the AIF. The fifth son signed up using a different name.	Pic to come
Sam, Henry Herbert	Pic to come
Sam, James Francis	Pic to come
Sam, Norman	Pic to come
Shang, James Caleb DCM & Bar, MM Caleb is the most highly decorated Chinese Australian of WW1. The DCM was awarded for numerous acts of gallantry, one of which included attacking and accounting for snipers in broad daylight. The bar was awarded for volunteering to man a post, defending it until it was blown up, and then acting as ammunition runner. ADB Entry Wikipedia Entry
Sing, Billy DCM, Belgian Cross aka "The Assassin" Wikipedia Entry Pic 1, Pic 2, Pic 3, Pic 4
Sing, George Reuben Imperial Camel Corps Brigade	Pic to come
Tongway (Tong Way), Hedley	Pic to come
Tongway (Tong Way), Samuel J Airminded Article
Young, William Picture source
Yum, George Henry 1st Light Horse Regiment	Pic to come

WW2
Introduction - to be added

Ah Chee, Alex RNZAF Kiwi Pic source
Ahyee, C.A. Corporal WAAAF (Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force) Picture source
Anguey, Bob Pic source
Anguey, Phyllis Senior Sister RAAF Nursing Service	Pic to come
Chan, George Sergeant RNZAF	Pic to come
Chan, Kow Kow was killed during the first bombing raid of Darwin.	Pic to come
Cheong, Tom P/O 43 Squadron Wireless Air Gunner RAAF He flew, making convoy runs and bombing raids and laying mines in New Guinea. Tom received an OAM in 2006 for commemorating Chinese Australian War Veterans.  Tom planned, supervised and inspired the monument built in Darling Harbour in memory of all Chinese Australian servicemen and servicewomen. (Source)
Chow, Mai Merchant Navyman Mai was killed during the first bombing raid of Darwin.	Pic to come
Choy, H. Hong Sergeant 6th Division Corps Signals Pic 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Choy, Valda Olive Intelligence WAAAF	Pic to come
Fore, Eileen WAAF Kiwi	Pic to come
Fore, Jimmy Wanganui Home Guard Kiwi	Pic to come
Fore, Teresa WAAF Kiwi	Pic to come
Goon, Bertram Robert Pic source
Goon, Eric William Pic source
Goon, Ernest Leonard Pic source
Goon, Jack Article here
Goon, Norman Geoffrey Pic source
Kong, Charlie Article and audio clips here
Land (or Lang), 1940-08. PTE. LAND AND SON. (OR LANG). FIRST CHINESE TO ENLIST IN THE A.I.F. for WWII - They are obviously mixed. Pic source
Lee, Daniel Chan 7RMT Royal Military Transport Kiwi and also his brothers Willie and Harry Article here
Lee, Donald Pic source
Lee, Harry Pic 1, 2
Lee, J. (right)
Lee, Wellington OAM, OBE Wellington has also served as the Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne Pic source, 2
Liu, Bo OAM
Lee, Willie RNZAF Kiwi Willie's plane crashed in England and his grave can be seen at Shropshire Cemetery	Pic to come
Lock, Billy  (left) Pic 1, 2
Nomchong, Lionel
Nomchong, Norman	Pic to come
Quan, Kate (Kathleen) WAAAF Kate served in the WAAAF and later worked with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration in China
Quay (Kee or Key), Stanley Wing Corporal 2/3rd Battalion Mentioned in dispatches, see here. Also served in Korean War (see below)	Pic to come
See, Frederick Wong (first ABC to serve in RAAF) Pic 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Sing, Arthur John Gunner 2 Mountain Battery, Royal Australian Artillery He was killed in action on 31 March 1944 in New Guinea, at the age of 31. Pic source
Sue, Jack Wong
Yen, Wong Aircraftman RAAF Source
Yep, Thomas Tung Flight Officer, bomb aimer RAAF Pic source
Yin, Charles Sergeant N-Force Kiwi	Pic to come

Korean War
Introduction - To be added

Quay (Kee or Key), Stanley Wing Company Sergeant Major 3RAR Stanley also served in the Second World War Pic 1, 2

Vietnam War

Introduction - To be added

Long, China Pic source

Random Photos








PICTURE STORY OF A "CHINESE VILLAGE" IN AN AUSTRALIAN SETTING SOMEWHERE IN CENTRAL AUSTRALIA. ..  There are plenty of pictures in this series, just go to Trove and search for Chinese Village.




Members of Chinese Labour Company in Central Australia drilling on the Parade Ground. These men were formerly seamen serving in ships plying between Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore, and are now volunteers in the Australian Army.


PORT HEDLAND, AUSTRALIA. 1943-05-02. CHANG SEE YAW OF THE CHINESE LABOUR CORPS AT HEADQUARTERS, "A" COMPANY, 19TH AUSTRALIAN GARRISON BATTALION. HE SAW SERVICE IN FRANCE DURING 1914 TO 1918 WAR AND SPEAKS FLUENT FRENCH.



PERTH, AUSTRALIA. 1943-03-30. SERGEANT OF CHINESE LABOUR CORPS AT 3RD AUSTRALIAN CORPS HEADQUARTERS.



PERTH, AUSTRALIA. 1943-03-30. LAUNDRYMEN OF THE CHINESE LABOUR CORPS AT 3RD AUSTRALIAN CORPS HEADQUARTERS.



A Chinese labourer attached to the 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company, resting with his pack, near Contalmaison, during the British retirement before the big German offensive, which commenced on 21 March 1918. Note the boxes to his right.  - I wonder if the story that Beneath Hill 60 is based on had Chinese labourers doing all the digging? =P



Eight members of the Chinese Labour Corps at a railway yard with three unidentified staff of the 2nd Australian Light Railway Operating Company. The soldier second from the left is a corporal. Large numbers of labourers went from Britain to France to work on roads and railways.  -The Asians here are most likely British and not Australian.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

William Poy (born in Chiltern, NSW) - his daughter was the Governor-General of Canada

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

the tiger's mouth

Australian Light Horse Studies Centre
Chinese Australian ANZACs - Chinese Light Horsemen - Embarkation roll A-Z

Australian Chinese Ex-Services National Reunion (ACESNR)

Dinki-di: The Contributions of Chinese Immigrants and Australians of Chinese Descent to Australia’s Defence Forces and War Efforts, 1899–1988, Morah Loh and Judith Winternitz

Dinkum Aliens: Chinese New Zealanders in World War II – Manying Ip

Dinkum Aliens

Mapping Our ANZACs

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Big White Lie: Chinese Australians in White Australia – John Fitzgerald

Blood on Borneo – Jack Wong Sue

A Matter of Honour – Documentary – Jack Wong Sue

Gallipoli Sniper - The Life of Billy Sing - John Hamilton

Two Sides of a Coin - Hunter Poon Biography

SBS Documentary – The Chinese Diggers – Teck Tan.  Last shown late 1980’s? I rang SBS and they don’t have it on their database anymore so it was shown a while back.

SBS Documentary – Not Forgotten – features the Story of Victor Lepp.  Last shown Nov 2008?

Gong for Chinese Diggers

Forgotten Soldiers of the Australian Army

Join the Asian ANZACs facebook page.