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357:, who had been aware of the temple for some time, gained funding to begin investigative work. In 1977 the area was surveyed, as the Fong On family had offered the temple to the Trust to ensure its preservation. At about the same time cataloging of the remaining artefacts in the temple began. The temple was transferred to the Trust in 1980 and conservation work on the buildings began. It is now interpreted as a place museum.
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Chinese were not allowed to own land, many entered into leases with
Europeans and began farming. They grew fruit and vegetables to supply nearby towns and pioneered the growing of maize in north Queensland, which became an important commercial crop. Chinatown grew to service Chinese people in and around Atherton and by 1897 was a thriving residential and commercial centre.
342:. During the nineteen twenties, most of the inhabitants of Chinatown and the surrounding farms moved south or to nearby coastal towns. Many of the buildings in Chinatown were demolished and removed, some being reused locally. A caretaker remained at the temple which was used by a few old men who remained in the township.
331:, a feasting hall, kitchen and store. It had living quarters for a caretaker and provided accommodation for those visiting the temple from the outlying district. During the 1900s, when Chinatown was at the height of its importance, the temple was a social and spiritual centre for over a thousand people.
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in 1956 blew away the pagoda, which was replaced by a lean-to. Damage also occurred from water leakage. In the 1960s artefacts were removed from the temple, including the image of Hou Wang and other gods. Some of these artefacts have since been returned. The temple was used intermittently for worship
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They arrived in the
Atherton area in the early 1880s, working with European timber getters, and set up a camp on the opposite side of Piebald Creek to the tiny European settlement of Prior's Pocket. In 1885, this area was surveyed and officially named Atherton. Land sales took place and although the
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In the 1890s, it was decided to build a temple to serve what was now quite a large community. Funds were collected and furnishings were ordered from China. In 1903, the temple was constructed of local cedar and black bean timber and corrugated iron. Brick was the material usually chosen for temples
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was one of many small settlements that developed in
Australia during the nineteenth century as homes for the Chinese sojourners who arrived in great numbers to work on the goldfields. Most of these Chinese were males who came from poor areas in south west China and intended to work here until they
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Paths edged with upturned bottles, an indentation which indicates the position of the pig roasting pit and archaeological remains survive. Artefacts which were placed in temporary storage are being replaced in the temple as they are conserved. These include carvings, carved banners and the temple
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similar to the one in the temple and evidence of
Chinese notices and graffiti survive on the unpainted walls. Behind the hall are two small buildings which contained a store and kitchen. Both are timber framed and clad, unpainted inside with earth floors. The kitchen has a galvanised fire recess.
319:. They were regarded with suspicion and hostility by Europeans, who they greatly outnumbered, and were barred from working on newly discovered mineral fields. Because of this, and as the Palmer River field was faded in importance, most Chinese moved south looking for other means to make a living.
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and is the only surviving timber and iron temple in
Queensland. The temple contains a substantial number of original artifacts. Most were made in China during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially for this temple. They include a clapperless bell manufactured about 1895 and numerous
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On the left side of the building as one faces the altar, a door provides access to the adjacent community hall. This is a plainer, more functional building and contains a bedroom for the caretaker, and a room for meetings and ceremonial banquets. There is a
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had gathered enough capital to assure their financial security on their return home. For mutual support and to maintain contacts with their homeland, they lived and worked together, creating such
Chinatowns within European settlements, or on their fringes.
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The interior of the temple is lined with unpainted cedar and is decorated with carvings, painted metal wall panels and temple furnishings which were imported from China. Much of the carving is embellished with vermilion and gold paint.
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on 21 October 1992. The temple's restoration was completed on 15 September 2002, and it now includes an art gallery and interpretation centre. The temple and gallery are open to the public six days a week, (closed
Mondays).
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in
Australia and the painting of the front wall to resemble this material suggests that the community would have preferred brick, had it been readily available. The temple complex consisted of a temple dedicated to the god
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As a temple complex which serviced a major
Chinese settlement and farming community on the Atherton Tablelands, it is important in demonstrating the role which the Chinese played in the development of north Queensland.
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at
Atherton using local materials for construction and furnishings ordered especially from China. It provided a social and spiritual focus for over a thousand people in the township and the surrounding area.
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carving, hall, store/s / storeroom / storehouse, kitchen/kitchen house, residential accommodation – staff quarters, objects (movable) – religion/worship, temple, furniture/fittings, fence/wall –perimeter
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The buildings are marked off from the street by an ornamental picket fence and gate which have been reconstructed from photographs and archaeological investigation. The temple building is fronted by a
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and Kalantis have been substituted for these no longer common timbers where reconstruction work was necessary for conservation. Both of these timbers are very close to the original in appearance.
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It is the only surviving timber and iron temple in Queensland; is the only temple outside China known to be dedicated to Hou Wang and contains a substantial number of original artefacts.
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consisting of the upper section of the original roof mounted on a new base. Inside, the space is divided into an entrance area separated by doors from the area which contains the
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268:, Australia. Built in 1903, it is one of the oldest original Chinese temples in Australasia. It is also known as Hou Wang Miau, Atherton Joss House and Atherton Chinese Temple.
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site and alignment for the buildings. The complex consists of a temple, hall, kitchen and store constructed of corrugated iron and local timbers in a traditional Chinese form.
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intricately carved timber panels. It was once the socio-religious focus for over 1,000 Chinese residents who worked as timber cutters, market gardeners and maize growers.
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It has the potential to contribute to an understanding of Queensland's history by demonstrating aspects of the lifestyle and beliefs of Chinese sojourners in Queensland.
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until the early 1970s and contains objects connected with this later use. The land on which the temple stands was purchased in 1965 by several local Chinese families.
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to rise from the large burner below. It is glazed to keep out rain and is supported on posts which display a deliberate irregularity to symbolize human imperfection.
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It has a special association with the Chinese community of Atherton who made an important contribution to the development of agriculture in the area.
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It has a special association with the Chinese community of Atherton who made an important contribution to the development of agriculture in the area.
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It has aesthetic qualities which are valued by the community and reflects the cultural traditions that the Chinese brought with them to Australia.
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The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.
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The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.
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Grimwade, Gordon (1995), "Of Gods, Timber and Maize: Cultural Heritage Management at Cedar Camp Atherton Chinatown, Queensland", in
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The temple complex is situated in an open, grassed area which is the site of the former Chinatown. Its positioning suggests that
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Chinese diggers flocked to north Queensland in the 1870s in large numbers following the discovery of gold on the
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The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Queensland's history.
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Although some repairs were carried out, without a community to support it, the temple fell into disrepair. A
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and a heavenly well. This is a section of raised pagoda roof which is designed to admit light and to allow
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The temple and the land it stands on was purchased by a group of Chinese families, who donated it to the
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The place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland's cultural heritage.
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The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.
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The buildings are raised on hardwood stumps. Structural members are made of black bean (
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It is one of only two or three temples outside China known to be dedicated to
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bell on its stand. There are also substantial archaeological collections.
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Historical structure in Atherton, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia
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The Atherton Chinese Temple was built in 1903 by the community of the
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Grimwade, Gordon (2003), "Rediscovering Atherton Chinatown", in
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on 8 October 2014). The geo-coordinates were computed from the
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Histories of the Chinese in Australasia and the South Pacific
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The place is important because of its aesthetic significance.
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on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria:
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Religious buildings and structures completed in 1903
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Much of these two buildings has been reconstructed.
130:Hou Wang Miau, Atherton Chinese Temple, Joss House
732:Chinese temple returns from the dead (ABC Online)
206:Location of Atherton Chinese Temple in Queensland
762:Buildings and structures in Far North Queensland
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644:This Knowledge article incorporates text from
545:List of National Trust properties in Australia
436:The Atherton Chinese Temple was listed on the
369:Interior of the Joss House in Atherton, 1929
812:Tourist attractions in Far North Queensland
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665:"Queensland heritage register boundaries"
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256:and now museum at Herberton Road,
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817:1903 establishments in Australia
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610:"Hou Wang Miau (entry 600010)"
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35:Atherton Chinese Temple, 2010
752:National Trust of Queensland
747:Queensland Heritage Register
615:Queensland Heritage Register
438:Queensland Heritage Register
377:was used to select the most
355:National Trust of Queensland
285:Queensland Heritage Register
281:National Trust of Queensland
252:is a heritage-listed former
120:Queensland Heritage Register
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164:1903–1970s (historical)
24:Atherton Chinese Temple
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283:. It was added to the
209:Show map of Queensland
169:Significant components
802:Museums in Queensland
767:Temples in Queensland
722:at Wikimedia Commons
680:on 15 October 2014).
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237:Show map of Australia
757:Atherton, Queensland
82:17.2787°S 145.4715°E
670:State of Queensland
652:State of Queensland
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305:Atherton Chinatown
159:Significant period
151:Reference no.
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361:Description
315:and on the
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73:145°28′17″E
61:Coordinates
56:, Australia
741:Categories
551:References
406:clerestory
379:auspicious
317:Hodgkinson
266:Queensland
143:Designated
70:17°16′43″S
54:Queensland
422:Red Penda
298:Chinatown
678:archived
660:archived
622:1 August
505:See also
375:geomancy
329:Hou Wang
273:Hou Wang
258:Atherton
46:Atherton
41:Location
394:incense
347:cyclone
292:History
672:under
654:under
386:pagoda
254:temple
154:600010
390:altar
106:Built
624:2014
248:The
135:Type
109:1903
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