| The majority of the Chinese who came to the Australian goldfields in the 1850's originated from Canton (Guandong) Province, from an area surrounding the Perl River Delta - the See Yap (four districts of Hoi Ping, San Wei, Toi Shan and Yan Ping) and the Sam Yap (three districts of Nam Hoi, Poon Yee and Soon Tuk). The political and economic life in Canton had been shattered by the introduction of opium, |  |
| European-made goods and political rebellion. Many went as indentured labour
to such far-off places as northern Australia, the west Indies and, after 1848, to the golfields of
California. The Chinese who set out to seek riches, left behind clans and families suffering severe economic deprevation and vicious land feuds between Imperial forces and the rebellious anti-dynastic Taiping and Red Turban secret societies. In Toi Shan where arable land was scarce, feuds resulted in the deaths of over three thousand people in one month alone in 1856. |
| The News of the rich gold strike in Victoria, particulary Bendigo, which was dubbed "Dia Gum San" (The Big Gold Mountain). quickly reached Canton Province through the offices of shipping companies. It is also known that Louey Ah Mouy, who had origianlly come as an indentured carpenter to Melbourne, sent anenthusiastic letter about the goldfields to his family in |  |
| Toi Shan, the district from which many Bendigo Chinese came. Many young Chinese, who lived together with their parents in the traditional Chinese family system, were forced to migrate in order to earn enough money to redeem the debts of their parents and provide for the welfare of the family. It was considered the duty of every Chinese to venerate and promote the welfare of the elders and the clans. Wives and children were left behind as the elders opposed the migration of whole families, partly because of the cost, an also the fear that the son's family and money would be lost to the village. Many Chinese did succeed and returned home with gold or money, others chose to remain in Victoria, but remitted their earnings to China. During 1857, 205,464 ounces of gold were shipped to Canton. these earnings helped poverty stricken families, and also helped to build a railway in the province. It was from these small beginnings on the goldfields that a vibrant Chinese community developed in Bendigo. |
