Historical information

His Excellency, Hwang Hon Cheng, from Peking, China, visited Australia from 1906 -1907 as Chinese Commissioner in response to an urgent petition from well respected Chinese business leaders, The 1906 Petition was sent to the Chinese Ambassador in Britain requesting the appointment of a Chinese Consular Representative in Australia to ease the escalating Discrimination and address the Immigration Restrictions in Australia. Hwang Hon Cheng visited Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne , Adelaide and Hobart and after reviewing his recommendations Britain agreed to the appointment of the first Chinese Consul-General to Australia.
In 1908 Mr Leong Lan Fun, Taotal of Swatow was appointed Consul-General for the Commonwealth with his headquarters in Melbourne.

Significance

Animosity, suspicion and misunderstanding had existed between Chinese and European settlers since the Gold Rush of 1850’s.
Language, customs, frugality and mostly their ability to obtain profit from crops seen as uneconomical by Europeans eg parsley, garlic and salad vegetables. Many of the Chinese workers did not purchase land instead their main aim was to obtain enough money for their family and return to China. There were a few still managing market gardens around East Bentleigh until the 1950’s, by which time they were highly regarded by the general community.

Physical description

A large photograph of His Excellency the Chinese Commissioner , Hwang Hong Cheng, in a wooden frame c1906

Inscriptions & markings

His Excellency the Chinese Commissioner / Hwang Hong Cheng,