HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT IND 191 APRIL 2026 | Page 10

HAWKESBURY HISTORY

with Michelle Nichols & Jonathan Auld

Quong Tart and his visits to the Hawkesbury

Mei Quong Tart was a prominent nineteenth century and successful Sydney businessman and merchant, community leader and philanthropist. He was a prosperous entrepreneur and treated his employees fairly and with care, which was unusual for the time.

Hailing from China, he was born in the Canton Province in 1850 and came to Australia with his uncle when he was about nine years old in 1859. His uncle was conveying a contingent of labourers to the Braidwood goldfields. Known as Quong Tart, he eventually lived with Robert Percy Simpson and the Simpson family in the Braidwood area, spoke English and converted to Christianity. By the time he was a young man, he was considerably wealthy through a gold claim share, and lived at Bells Creek near Araluen.

While living in the Southern Tablelands, Quong Tart was involved in many sporting and cultural events and was well regarded in the community. He became naturalized in 1871 as he wanted to acquire land. He was on the local school board and also became a Freemason. In

Newspaper clipping regarding visit to Windsor. Courtesy TROVE.

Quong Tart with wife Margaret and their young family ca. 1899- 1900. Courtesy State Library of NSW.

1881, he returned to China to visit family and he returned to China a total of three times.

On his return, he opened a tea and silk store in Sydney, followed by a successful tea emporium. He was a big celebrity, ahead of his time. Later, he established a number of thriving restaurants in the city, with his employees provided sick leave with pay, long before it was legislated. He regularly hosted free dinners at his tearooms for the disadvantaged as well as extending invitations for the average members of the community.

Although opium was recognised for its medicinal qualities and“ one of the most powerful and useful drugs known to science” however, when incorrectly used, it is one of the most addictive substances known to man.

Quong Tart recognised the destructive effects of opium and the impact of addiction and campaigned widely for restrictions on opium imports in New South Wales and Victoria. Particularly with the widespread issues of addiction in Chinatown Sydney and throughout the country. He corresponded with Windsor Municipal Council in 1894,“ enlisting the support … for the suppression of the opium traffic” and the Council responded with a sympathetic reply. He consistently lobbied politicians to ban the importation of

the drug however the Opium Proclamation

1905 was passed to prohibit the importation of opium for nonmedical purposes.

In 1886, he married Margaret Scarlett and the couple had two sons and four daughters, residing in the exclusive Ashfield. This was still a time where the Chinese community were a minority and their rights were restricted.

Well known in Sydney through his restaurants and goodwill, Quong Tart was also a popular speaker at functions where he often sung Scottish ballads, recited Robbie Burns poetry and sometimes wore a kilt and sporran. He never forgot the Scottish connection through his relationship with his adopted family, the Simpson’ s, and was fascinated with Scottish culture. Quong Tart was also appreciated by Beijing’ s Chinese Imperial Court and was“ honoured with high distinctions” for his exertions. He was also a notable cricket player and an exceptional sportsman.

Quong Tart was a compassionate and generous person,“ regardless of creed or country”. With the patronage of Lord and Lady Carrington, the Governor of NSW and other influential citizens, he often organised charitable dinners for those less fortunate. He regularly provided banquets and entertainment to the various needy institutions in Sydney, including a huge feast in Windsor. In 1886 Quong Tart and other officials treated the patients of the Windsor Asylum to a large get together with food and entertainment, with a good time reportedly was had by all and“ undertook many other efforts to alleviate the plight of Sydney’ s poor.” As well as a“ cultural benefactor”.

In 1897 he visited Richmond and having heard about two of the oldest residents residing in the Hawkesbury, he arranged to have two large cakes sent to them. The elderly inhabitants were Mrs Search of Richmond and Thomas John of Comleroy Road, both aged 97 years. The Windsor and Richmond Gazette newspaper noted that Quong Tart had

Quong Tart 1850-1903, Carte de visite album. Courtesy State Library of NSW.

said,“ that the young people could look after themselves- the old needed all their care and attention.”

Following his visit, he organised the two large cakes, appropriately adorned to be delivered to the elderly residents. After sending the cakes he found out about another elderly resident, Mrs Horton from Pitt Town aged 97, so he sent another cake to the Gazette newspaper office, for her. The cakes were on display at the Richmond School of Arts for the following week.

Quong Tart had a significant impact on the community at large in New South Wales and he was considered a popular personality. During the late nineteenth century, long before it was popular, Quong Tart“ was integral in creating bridges between the Chinese and European interests in Australia”. He died in 1903, aged in his early 50s, his generosity and benevolence were not forgotten in the Hawkesbury. Following his very sizeable and public funeral, he was buried at Rookwood Cemetery.

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