Maurice Kwok Cheng Leong was a well-respected Chinese Australian, whose contribution towards the Chinese Australian community in Australia is well documented.

During the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-45), Maurice joined the Chinese Resistance, smuggling supplies behind enemy lines, and travelled to Australia to raise funds for the Chinese war effort.

He was also an active member of Melbourne’s See Yup Society. In 2008, Maurice conducted a guided tour of the See Yup Temple that shared details of his project focusing on the 13,000 ancestral tablets in the temple's three memorial halls.

The Museum is grateful for Maurice’s 30 years of support of the Museum as both a founding Board Member and donor. It was a great honour to assist Maurice’s family in organising his 100^th birthday celebration at the Museum on 19 September 2019.

Maurice was one of our community’s most venerable leaders dedicating his life to the history, heritage and welfare of the Chinese Australian Community.

Maurice passed away at the age of 103. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this time of loss.

MKL as student, c.1933

1972: L-R Eunice Leong’s mother Mrs Mabel Chinn (b. 4 January 1884), Eunice Leong, Maurice Leong & mother Ms Lee Kwok Yin (b. 4 April 1899).

MKL receives See Yup Temple tablet restoration and documentation Heritage Award from Minister Liz Beattie, 2007