www.monumentaustralia.org.au

Chinese Victims of Buckland RiotPrint Page Print this page

28-November-2021
28-November-2021

Photographs supplied by Chris McLaughlin

The monument commemorates the Chinese settlers who were killed in the Buckland Riot in July 1857. The precise number of  fatalities is unknown. 

The large community of Chinese (it was estimated to number 3000 at its peak in 1857) led to an anti-Chinese riot. Chinese fled from the area and Robert O`Hara Burke (of Burke and Wills fame), who was working as a policeman at Beechworth, was sent to the diggings to restore order. As the easy gold disappeared the town moved firstly to reef mining and later to dredging until by the early years of the twentieth century it had outlived its usefulness. The village was eventually removed.

This significant race riot has been compared to the Eureka Stockade uprising in size and intensity. Over 750 miner’s tents were destroyed, stores belonging to the Chinese were burnt down and looted and the newly erected Chinese Temple “Joss House” was reduced to ashes. Many details of this event are still debated as court records have mysteriously disappeared from the Beechworth Court House.

 

Location

Address:Buckland Valley Road, Buckland Cemetery, Buckland, 3740
State:VIC
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -36.824756
Long: 146.852134
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
View Google Map

Details

Monument Type:Monument
Monument Theme:People
Sub-Theme:Tragedy
Actual Event Start Date:04-July-1857
Actual Event End Date:04-July-1857

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Sunday 9th November, 2008
Front Inscription
[ Inscription in Mandarin ]
Back Inscription

This memorial was erected on 9th November 2008 by The See Yup Society of Victoria to the memory of our early Chinese settlers who were killed in the unfortunate Buckland Riot of July 4th 1857.

It is to commemorate their energy, travails, courage and their sacrifices in paving the way for future generations of Australian Chinese.

It is hoped that these future generations will remember them fondly with pride and respect.

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au