Chinese immigration to Australia grew significantly with the gold rushes of the 1850s and 1860s, many lured from the impoverished areas of southern China by the potential wealth of the Australian goldfields. Once the 1860s Snowy Mountains rush at Kiandra waned, many of the Chinese returned to the coast where they took up residence in local towns including Pambula, Merimbula, Wolumla and Bega. Described as industrious and hard-working, they turned their attention towards, among other occupations, market gardening. 

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At Pambula, their gardens were initially located on the corner of the Princes Highway and Sandy Lane on the Flats. However, after being affected by the frequent flooding, they moved to the spot now occupied by the Colonial Motor Inn. There they grew an assortment of fruits and vegetables that they peddled from house to house, using small handcarts or baskets suspended from wooden yokes such as the one pictured here. A small timber house and a number of sheds stood within the gardens, and it was there that a number of the local Chinamen lived. Among those who are known to have lived in Pambula at various times were Willy, Wey Lee, Ah Kee, Ching Pong, Ah Tin Gut, Joe Ah Yup and Lamby. 

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© Angela George. All rights reserved.

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