A HISTORIAN says he leapt at the opportunity to document the lifestyle and hardships of the Chinese living in Rutherglen and Wahgunyah during the 19th century.
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Dr Barry McGowan, a visiting fellow from Australian National University, last night launched his book, Tracking the Dragon, in Rutherglen.
The book was commissioned by the Rutherglen Historical Society and the Wahgunyah History Group.
Among the guests at the launch were descendants of those who are included in the book.
“The history of the Chinese in the Rutherglen and Wahgunyah area is an untold story,” Dr McGowan said.
“Hopefully my study redresses that situation.
“I leapt at this opportunity because it fits in well with what I have written previously about the Chinese in gold mining communities.”
Tracking the Dragon paints a picture of the Chinese labourers and immigrants who arrived in the region, their interaction with the local European and Aboriginal inhabitants, and their contribution to industries including mining, viticulture, farming, stores and market gardens.
“There was a lot of loneliness for the Chinese, but more interaction than there was during their time on the minefields,” Dr McGowan said.
Copies of the book cost $40 and are available from the Rutherglen Historical Society and the Wahgunyah History Group.
