When Australians reflect on the early foundations of this nation, the stories of British settlers, convicts and gold rush adventurers often take centre stage. Less visible, yet no less significant, are the contributions of Chinese migrants, individuals who arrived in the young colonies not only as labourers and servants but as determined pioneers who helped shape the development of regions like Albany in Western Australia.

​

Though the Chinese have long been present in Australia's history, their story in the west, particularly in Albany, is often overshadowed by narratives from the eastern colonies. Yet, as this article explores, their presence was both impactful and enduring.

​

Chinese migration to Australia began in earnest during the 19th century, spurred by global movements of labour, colonial economic demands and British imperial expansion. While in the eastern colonies, Chinese arrivals were often associated with the goldfields in Western Australia, their arrival was more calculated and state driven. In the 1830s, as Albany transitioned from being a penal outpost of New South Wales to an independent colony, its economy was built largely by landed gentry and self sufficient settlers. These early settlers often brought their own servants and workers. However, many of these labourers either deserted their posts or ended contracts early due to poor conditions, isolation, or lack of long term incentives. The colony soon found itself facing a severe labour shortage. Regular, dependable farm labourers were scarce and the need for a low cost, reliable workforce was growing urgent.

​

​The logical solution for colonial administrators was to tap into labour pools within the vast British Empire. In this context, the proximity and affordability of labour from India and China made these nations prime sources of indentured workers. By the mid 19th century, the political climate made such ventures easier. In 1841, Hong Kong was ceded to Britain and in 1858, the British Crown took control of India, further consolidating imperial networks. For Western Australia, these developments offered a new source of labour that could be recruited, transported and governed with relative ease.

​

In 1847, Governor Frederick Irwin authorised the first official importation of Chinese labourers to Western Australia. A small vessel, the Champion was dispatched to Singapore, where Chinese workers, referred to as “coolies” at the time, were contracted for a three year period. They were promised modest pay, board and lodging and had the cost of basic necessities like bedding deducted from their first year’s wages. The government described these workers as a “very valuable class of labourers… athletic, sober, industrious and satisfied with modest remuneration.”

But the plan was not without flaws.

​

While the young colony desperately needed farm labourers, many of the Chinese men brought over were domestic servants or artisans, unaccustomed to Australian rural life. Cultural misunderstandings and language barriers further complicated their integration. The Chinese workers, recognising their unsuitability for certain tasks, began refusing work that did not match their skills or expectations. Despite this, some settlers welcomed the newcomers. In a letter dated September 18, 1848, Government Resident Henry Camfield reported:

 

“I then apply to Mrs. Hassell... she is willing to engage two Chinese for her husband at the rate of one pound fifteen shillings a month, with board and lodging and with the understanding that they will not be sent into the country.”
Another was assigned to Archdeacon John Wollaston, who lived in town. These men were placed into households where they could serve as cooks, gardeners, and general domestic help.

​

Despite initial resistance from some in the colony, Chinese labour eventually became established in places like Kendenup, where the Hassell estate employed around 40 Chinese workers. These men contributed largely in the domestic and agriculture areas, cooking, tending gardens and maintaining household operations. Though they rarely worked as field hands, their presence freed up others to focus on expansion and infrastructure.

​

Government records provide us with glimpses into the lives and deaths of these workers and of a Ah Sing, who died in 1890 of natural causes and Ah Hook, who died in 1894, Ah See who died at Kendenup after being thrown from a horse, yet YAT BU who survived a gunshot wound at Kendenup, later expressed gratitude to his treating doctor by sending an exquisite Chinese tea set years later. These small records suggest not only the presence of these workers but also their humanity, relationships and cultural pride.

​

Perhaps the most detailed personal account of a Chinese worker comes from Archdeacon John Wollaston, who employed a man named Achuim. Wollaston wrote: ​“Have taken one of the Chinese servants brought by the Champion and dismissed our charwoman. As yet find him a great acquisition, although our communication at present is all by signs, he not speaking a word of English. The expenses one half.”  And later: “Our Chinaman Achuim proves an excellent servant, and we have never experienced such help as we now enjoy. He has picked up some English words, such as bread, water, lamp, etc. which he repeats over and over to himself. When he has learned the new word he never blunders afterwards. He can dig in the garden, is a capital barber, and does all our downstairs work. He has learned how to set the table and keeps everything very clean. His figure is exactly like that seen on a china cup or firescreen. He has a long pigatil generally twisted around his shaved head. John, my son is trying to teach him his alphabet and some names of things in daily use and is himself learning the Chinese terms for them. Mr Camfield has taken another one of these poor foreigners and the two friends are happy in being near each other."