Maryborough and the Shang family history

 

Juanita  and Keith Shang

Keith Shang and his wife Juanita are well known in Maryborough.  Along with their daughter Joanne Olsen they have been the family historians. In keeping with our theme of Chinese contributions to our community Keith and his family are standouts in that area. 

Joanne has written a family history of Christina Wilkie Hing (1855-1935), born in Edinburgh, Scotland, who in 1872 travelled to Maryborough in Australia and married George Hing (1840-1930), a man of Chinese descent.

Research by Keith and Joanne has found, although the family was involved in the North of Queensland, Maryborough is interwoven in this history.

“Keith’s mother’s grandfather, his great-grandfather George Mo Ung came from Huang Shan to Australia about 1857. He was employed as a cook in the town of Maryborough, Queensland. Keith’s mother’s grandmother, his great grandmother Christina Wilkie at the age of seventeen came to Australia from Edinburgh, Scotland on the ship “Polmaise” on a free passage. The boat landed in Maryborough, Queensland on September 12th, 1872” explains Joanne.

Joanne’s research has found Christina was married on October 27th 1872 just 7 weeks and 3 days after her arrival in Maryborough to George Hing . “His name was listed as George Hing and his signature was written in Chinese, as he could not sign in English. Translations of his signature say his name was Zuo Zhi Ying. He was also called Mo Hung or Mo Ung. He was listed as a cook,” Joanne clarifies.

 

Christina and George Hing

Keith found an article in the local newspaper which states:

“On October 27, 1872 married at “Dovedale” Mr George Hing and Miss Christina Wilkie a bonnie lassie from Scotland.”

“After the birth of George and Christina’s first child Eliza on August 16th 1873 the couple moved to live in Charters Towers in North Queensland” continues Joanne.

Joanne has found that “Keith’s father’s father, Lee Wah Shang was born in China probably Canton. He left Hong Kong in 1875 and I suspect he landed in Townsville. He married Mary Jane Noon in Rockhampton where Sidney, Keith’s  father was born on July 1st 1891. He was the fifth child of thirteen children. Mary Jane Noon was born in Gayndah, Queensland on June 7th 1867 and died in Cairns on June 22nd 1945. Her mother and father emigrated from Warwickshire, England.”

Sidney Shang (Keith’s father) 1911

Keith was the middle child of seven children to Sidney and Laura Shang. Keith tells as an adult he and his family lived in Mackay for eighteen years when a position as Pay Clerk 4^th class came up in Maryborough. “I was promoted to this position in about October 1975,”states Keith.

Keith left Juanita and the family in Mackay. It was a very wet year and every time he wrote home he would say how much rain Maryborough had received. Juanita was able to sell the house and they moved to Maryborough on the June long weekend 1976.

Keith states “When we came to Maryborough we worshipped in the Methodist Hall in Alice Street. The church had been closed the year before as it was considered too dangerous for worship. At Union June 1977, we transferred to St Stephens Uniting Church, previously the Presbyterian Church. This gave us the opportunity of meeting many more friends. I became an Elder at Union and still hold that position today. I have taken a very active part over the years having been to most of the council meetings. In March 1987, we closed several churches. I was given the task of disposing all the surplus furniture. It was suggested we have morning tea after the service so we could get to know each other. I took on the responsibility of buying the tea, coffee and biscuits. I am still doing that job today, 20 years later. I wonder how many packets of biscuits and bags of tea I have bought. I generally go to the shop with my little bag of coins to pay for these.”

Keith’s father Sidney served with the 12^th Battalion in the Western Front. On his return he did not speak about his experiences. Joanne is currently researching where he was for the three years he was overseas. She is writing a book on his service. Research has been carried out on the Chinese Anzacs who served  in the Australian Imperial Force during the World War 1 but there is still not a lot known about their contribution. Keith’s uncle, Sidney's brother; Caleb,  is the most decorated Chinese ANZAC and served with the 47^th Battalion. Their flag can be found in  St Paul’s Church Maryborough.  We look forward to the publication of this book. 

More information can be found in the local history files in the Maryborough Library.

Do you know any Australian-Chinese who participated in World War 1?

Published with consent from Juanita and Keith Shang and Joanne Olsen.

References

Olsen, J., & Shang, K. (2013). With his gold in a little velvet bag : the story of a Chinaman and a bonnie lassie from Edinburgh. Lindfield N.S.W. Joanna Olsen

Tags: #Chinesehistory #Worldwar1 #Frasercoastlibraries #Maryborough