A BEECHWORTH historian and author delivered an intriguing account of her research into Beechworth Chinese history as an invited guest speaker at a Friends of the Burke Museum event on Sunday.
Vivienne McWaters in conversation with Friend's president Dr Kate Sutherland shared her knowledge of the 19th Century Chinese and their contribution to Beechworth's development where her talk captivated an audience of 30 people.
Dr Sutherland said the enthusiastic speaker about her discoveries showed a deep respect for the Chinese people with their achievements in Beechworth under difficult circumstances.
"The degree to which the 19th century Chinese contributed to the development of the town – parades, the old hospital, the Benevolent Asylum, exhibitions and the welfare of people had been incredible," she said.
"Viv has gathered an enormous amount of data about a group of people who have largely been neglected but who contributed to Beechworth and its early development."
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Vivienne's fascination with Chinese history began when she penned 'The Little Canton' more than two decades ago that tells the history of how the Spring Creek Chinese miners were significantly discriminated against during that time.
The historian's interest for her latest book, 'The Peculiar Strangers', sparked more than 30 years ago when her daughter, young at the time, had arrived home with a small glass jar similar to a vase found among broken Chinese traditional china in a nearby paddock close to her home.
Vivien then started digging and a vast variety of objects were unearthed while her research amassed volumes of documentation.
"Had Viv not unearthed the artefacts and other information through detailed research, we may never have come to know much of what she has come to record," Dr Sutherland said.
"We are much richer for her decades–long uncovering of the lives of the 19th century Chinese of Beechworth."
Dr Sutherland said Viv is an invaluable resource as an expert in the field of her research.
"I think people would have gone away thinking about Viv's commitment and enthusiasm, given she has been absorbed by the subject matter for decades," she said.
"The audience would have noted Viv's absolute pleasure in sharing what she knows and she has to be one of our local treasures."
With her own Chinese ancestory, Beechworth's Kathryn Chivers had been delighted to find people interested in the town's Chinese history.
"Viv has a wealth of knowledge from her discoveries," she said.
"If it hadn't been for Viv as well as other researchers, we wouldn't have the information in the Burke Museum and the history would have been long forgotten," she said.
"People were surprised to learn where the Chinese community had lived."
