A child refugee who grew up to be Australian of the Year, Dr John Yu, is one of many Chinese Australians who helped shape modern society.
Smuggled out of Nanking in a laundry basket, Dr Yu arrived in Sydney in 1937 – celebrating his third birthday as his passenger-liner cruised through Sydney heads.
It was a difficult time for new arrivals in Australia following the introduction of the Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 (commonly known as the White Australia Policy).
Growing up in a “privileged family”, Dr Yu escaped the discrimination experienced by many Chinese Australians.
“I have never ever remembered any discrimination against me being Chinese,” he says.
“Australia provided me with refuge at a time when we needed it… I’ve always felt a real need and a real obligation to give something back to a country that’s given me everything.”
As a paediatrician, Dr Yu had plenty to give, fusing his passion for paediatrics and art to establish the Westmead Children’s Hospital, where stark white walls give way to authentic artworks to create a “total healing environment”.
In 1996 he was named Australian of the Year – the first Asian Australian to receive the honour.
But Dr Yu is adamant that, first and foremost, he is an Australian.
“Australian is the proper noun, Chinese is the adjective,” he says.
“But my Chinese-ness, to some extent, has influenced the way I think… Perhaps the way I feel.”
Dr Yu is one among many Chinese Australians to leave their mark on the nation.
Stories of gold miners, merchants, cabinet-makers and diplomats spanning two centuries are now on show at the Museum of Sydney.
Photographs, family heirlooms and personal accounts feature in the exhibition, illuminating the pioneers who helped shape the political, cultural and social scene of 19th-century Sydney.
Celestial City: Sydney’s Chinese Story runs until October.
