On Sunday 18th April 2021, the Museum was thrilled to launch its new book, ‘For Honour and Country’, which contributes to the historical records of Victorian Chinese Australians who enlisted and fought for Australia in WWII and commemorates their service.

On the day, we were honoured to host WW2 surviving veterans Eunice Joyce Chinn, Hamilton Chan, Wellington Lee as well as many family members of veterans on the day.

After some moving speeches, particularly one from Major General Darryl Low Choy, the first Chinese Australian to reach the rank of Major General in the Australian Army Reserve, who told the story of the discrimination his own father faced when trying to enlist, the book was officially launched by the Hon. Shaun Leane MP, Minister for Veterans.

The occasion was set to the back drop of our acclaimed Chinese Anzacs exhibition, which had been updated to include Victorian soldiers of Chinese heritage who served in WWII.

It was simply wonderful to see veterans and veteran’s families mingling and enjoying reading and viewing aspects of this exhibition, including some of their very own memorabilia which they had kindly donated or loaned to the Museum for the exhibition.

Image: Eunice Leong, one of the five living Victorian Chinese Australian veterans from World War II visiting the exhibition.

Image: The Minister with one of the five living WWII Chinese Australian veterans, Eunice Joyce Chinn (md. Leong) (middle).  

Image: The Minister is launching the book. Left to right: Minister Hon. Shane Leane MP; Mr Bill Au, Chairman of the Museum of Chinese Australian History; Ms Jane Grover, CEO of Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) (Event sponsor); Darryl Low-Choy AM, MBE, RFD, PhD (Retd), the first Chinese Australian Major General in Australia.  

Image: The book authors. Left to Right: Adil Soh-Lim, Edmond Chiu. 

Image: The Minister officially launching the book on Sunday 18 April with guest speakers. Left to right: Darryl Low-Choy AM, MBE, RFD, PhD (Retd), the first Chinese Australian Major General in Australia; Minister Hon. Shane Leane MP; Ms Jane Grover, CEO of Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) (Event sponsor); Dr Vanda Fortunato, Chairperson of Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT).  

To top things off, the book “For Honour and Country” proved very popular and sold out on the day! Thanks to the book’s authors, Professor Edmond Chiu and Adil Soh-Lim, who signed each and every book sold on the day!

Our gratitude goes to the Victoria Government for supporting the book and Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust for sponsoring the launch event. It was a very special occasion.

Click here to purchase a copy.

Banner Image: Minister Hon. Shane Leane MP; Mr Bill Au, Chairman of the Museum of Chinese Australian History; Ms Jane Grover, CEO of Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) (Event sponsor); Darryl Low-Choy AM, MBE, RFD, PhD (Retd), the first Chinese Australian Major General in Australia.