Guest Presenter: Patrick Skene 

Join us for the first meeting of 2025 for the Chinese-Australian Research Interest Group. At this meeting we will welcome new Group Lead Hilda Maclean and hear from guest presenter Patrick Skeene.

Our guest presenter, Patrick,is the author of Celestial Footy: The Story of Chinese Heritage Aussie Rules published in 2023

Since the Miners versus Market Gardeners ‘Celestial football match’ on the Victorian goldfields in 1892, Chinese-Australians have embraced Australian Rules football and been among its most enthusiastic followers. In Celestial Footy, Patrick Skene chronicles the participation and passion of Chinese-heritage immigrants and their descendants in Australia’s beloved national game. Celebrating the pioneers, such as Wally Koochew and Les Kew Ming, to the modern-day champions Les Fong, Ling Jong and Darcy Vescio, the book draws on independent interviews and archival researched conducted by the author to shine a spotlight on the broad range of characters who have excelled in Australian Rules football and passed on their love of the game through the generations. (Amazon Review)

During the session Hilda will also Introduce new meeting segments

• Spotlight on records
• Useful websites
• DNA discoveries

In this meeting the spotlight on records will look at Hospital records.

The meeting will finish with an open Q&A and problem solving segmen t and a Preview of next meeting

Come along and join us as we research our Chinese Australian ancestors and related topics in a collaborative, friendly and engaging research group. 

Make sure you have your questions ready and also be ready to assist others if you are able to as this is the basis of what all SAG Groups are about - people helping other people with ideas and suggestions about their family research. 

Skill level:  All, beginners welcome    

Leads: Hilda Maclean

Photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash