Great Territory Lifestyle. A Territory Government InitiativeThe Territory’s Strong Chinese Community
People of Chinese heritage have made a remarkable contribution to the prosperity and development of the Territory’s towns and cities. This Chinese heritage is celebrated and is on display in our architecture, events and festivals, and the cultural make up of our population.
Large numbers of Chinese arrived in the Territory in the 1870’s in search of gold and merchant opportunities. While many went to the goldfields, others stayed in towns and cities and became gardeners, tradesman and business people. In fact Darwin is proud to boast having Australia’s first Lord Mayor of Chinese descent.
Today there are Darwin people whose ancestors were among those first Chinese, five or six generations ago. The Territory is looking forward to the development of a new and modern Chinatown in Darwin’s central business district.
There are a number of Chinese community groups in the Territory that aim to preserve and celebrate the influence on Chinese culture in our society. The importance of the Chinese community and its cultural influence to our society is highly valued by the Territory Government, and that is why recently through its Office of Multicultural Affairs the government has assisted the Chinese community through providing:
- $2550 to the Chung Wah Society for senior citizen projects $6050 to the Chung Wah Society for an Alice Spring Lion Dance group
- $34 500 to the Chung Wah Society for Chinese Community Support Services
- $48 000 to the Chung Wah Society for facility maintenance and enhancement $20 000 to the Hakka Association of the NT for history research and documentation
Recognising, valuing and celebrating the role of Chinese culture in our community is a great part of our Territory lifestyle.
For more information go to www.multicultural.nt.gov.au
