Name/Title
1994 Telecom Chinese New Year Festival in Chinatown bookletEntry/Object ID
2015.6.35Context
These items were owned by Evelyn Lau (1928-2010) who moved to Australia from Hong Kong when she was 18. She introduced Cantonese and other Chinese cuisines to non-Chinese consumers in Australia via cooking programmes on television, and ran a ‘Celestial Gourmet Club’. She also worked as a tour guide for a company called Travman, and made a number of trips to China from the 1970s and 1980s to explore its history, culture, handicrafts and antiques. Some of the items offered by the donor may be souvenirs she purchased on these trips. Her father, Ming Shek, was American-Chinese and her mother, Irene, an Australian-Chinese (from Wangaratta, Victoria).
Historic: These items were owned by Evelyn Lau (1928-2010) who moved to Australia from Hong Kong when she was 18. She introduced Cantonese and other Chinese cuisines to non-Chinese consumers in Australia via cooking programmes on television, and ran a ‘Celestial Gourmet Club’. She also worked as a tour guide for a company called Travman, and made a number of trips to China from the 1970s and 1980s to explore its history, culture, handicrafts and antiques. Some of the items offered by the donor may be souvenirs she purchased on these trips. Her father, Ming Shek, was American-Chinese and her mother, Irene, an Australian-Chinese (from Wangaratta, Victoria).
Aesthetic: Unknown. Fans and framed letters with calligraphy may have some aesthetic value; undetermined at present. (These seem to be gifts which were presented to Ming Shek, Evelyn Lau’s father.)
Scientific: The language study materials can increase our knowledge and understanding of the organisations in Melbourne providing Chinese language instruction in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, including their methods and activities. Items relating to her tour guiding activities also provide insight into what guided tours to China from Australia in the 1970s and 1980s would have been like, including their content, and audience.
Social: The language study materials will have social value for those who have learnt Cantonese and Mandarin using similar materials or who may have been involved in providing these courses. The personal items such as clothing and also ephemera relating to her cooking classes and tours will have value for those who knew Evelyn Lau and participated in these activities.
Provenance: These items were owned by Evelyn Lau. Geoff Goullet, her partner, is offering them to the Museum. He has informed and consulted members of Evelyn’s family, including Christian Imfeld (Evelyn’s only child) and Christian’s son, Nicholas Imfeld.
Rarity: The Chinese language textbooks are not rare, but are representative of the kinds of Chinese language study materials used in Australia the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. We do not have such contemporary examples in the Museum’s collection. We also do not have examples of receipts and other ephemera relating to the various organisations that ran Chinese language courses such as the See Yup Chinese School and South Yarra Chinese Association.
The ‘Fatman Dollar’ (bearing an image of Yuan Shikai) attached to a chain was produced in various provincial mints from 1914 to 1922, possibly later. Provincial mints were given official sets of dies and as the dies wore out, they were re-engraved, resulting in large numbers of die varieties. It is unknown exactly how many were produced, and survey by the Shanghai Bank estimated that of the 960 million silver dollars in circulation in China in 1924, 750 million were those of Yuan Shih-kai. As a result, these coins are common, yet highly collectable due to their numerous inconsistencies. There are also a number of fakes on the market.
Condition: Most items show some degree of use or wear. The qipaos show some wear and discolouration at the collars and sleeves. Items which were probably purchased as souvenirs, such as the scissor cases with tags, Chinese brushes, and weighing scale are in very good condition and may not have been used.
Interpretive: Chinese language study materials can be used to discuss the teaching and learning of Mandarin and Cantonese in Australia in various periods. Items relating to Evelyn’s cooking lessons and the Celestial Gourmet Club can be used in interpretive displays about Chinese cuisine in Australia.Acquisition
Accession
2015.6Source or Donor
GOULLET & IMFELD Geoff & ChristianAcquisition Method
Unknown