Have to say I like Chinese food,dance,festivals and the country, but I was forced to sit through a Chinese opera once by some business associates on a visit to China. I'd rather have teeth pulled!

for Patty, appreciate the "Chinese Museum" is compiling stories... would there be an address to send to?

Either of these sites will give any information needed if someone has a story to tell.

www.medianet.com.au/releases/153609

There are many aspects of the evolving subculture of people with chinese origins in Australia that I like.

The china towns in the city were balanced by 'chinese cafes' and/or 'chinese gardens' in or near most country towns. For many Australians this or a once in a blue moon pub meal would have been their only experience of eating out. These cafes were an institution, cheap, predictable and everywhere. The chinese gardens were often the only place at which country people could get vegetables not grown by themselves or supplied by friends. 

Even now, if you travel around country towns you will often see a greener patch by a creek. If you ask you may find it to be the site of Chinese garden up to 70 or a 100 years ago. They were magical places where the dry country managed to produce all manner of green wealth; the product of knowledge and toil. Their communities respected their contribution but most likely saw them as alien to their culture regardless of the time spent there. This was a hard physical and social landscape. The gardeners and the restrateurs were up to the task.

Gradually through the 20th century, fear of the different or out and out racism subsided. Across the country people of chinese origin ran other businesses, sat for and won seats in government, gradually their neighbours have lost sight of the differences...for there were none substantial both practically and in the context of one Australia.