Post by NZBC on Jun 8, 2013 16:42:36 GMT 12
Meeting some of the “Drivers” of the Dunedin Chinese Garden .........
by Jocelyn Gee
Peter Chin: Former Mayor of Dunedin and Chairman of Dunedin Garden Trust
While, the NZ Chinese community have greatly admired and claimed Peter Chin as one of their own, he says that ethnicity was not relevant in his election as Mayor of Dunedin: after all, his predecessor was of Indian
descent. Rather, he sees his commitment to community as the prime factor for his election. The six year period as Mayor of Dunedin was preceded by 9 years as a Councillor and years of community involvement. In recognition for his services to local and community affairs , he was awarded Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2003.
Peter’s grandfather, Chin Bing Kwong, came out of Tai Shan - Sui Poi village in 1906, brought out his
son Chin Moon Ock in 1920 and they owned laundry businesses. He in turn brought out his wife in 1940. In 1941 Peter was born, the only son, but the eldest of 6 siblings. Peter and his siblings helped, as tradition dictated, in the family fish and chip shop from 1949. This did not deter him from joiningextra activities at Otago Boys’ High school and Otago University where he developed, and has a continuing interest in singing and the Thespians and the beginnings of community in-volvement.
Despite Peter's father being approached by families with a view of a match for marriage, he states he
found his own wife, Noleen. Noleen had come out from Bak Shek village with her family when 16 years old. Their children: Janice Orr– a lawyer, have 3 children, and live in Hong Kong.Anthony, an IT Analyst, have 2 children, lives in London, Denis, an architect, married to Bronwyn [nee Sue] have 3 children, lives in Wellington, and Nigel, a lawyer, is engaged and lives in Singapore.
Peter believes he was the first Chinese lawyer in New Zealand, being admitted to the Bar in 1964 – he
remains a consultant for Webb Farry Law firm. In his recent retirement he has withdrawn from many of his community commitments.
New Zealand Chinese can rightly be impressed with the Chinese Garden, due in large part to Peter Chin and although he has passed the role of The Chinese Garden Trust Chairman to Malcolm Wong, my feeling is that
he will,after getting over the relief of relinquishing the early starts and responsibilities of a city, continue to be involved in his city and community
.
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^http://www.tungjung.org.nz/images/stories/newsletters/2011/Autumn_issue_2011.pdf
by Jocelyn Gee
Peter Chin: Former Mayor of Dunedin and Chairman of Dunedin Garden Trust
While, the NZ Chinese community have greatly admired and claimed Peter Chin as one of their own, he says that ethnicity was not relevant in his election as Mayor of Dunedin: after all, his predecessor was of Indian
descent. Rather, he sees his commitment to community as the prime factor for his election. The six year period as Mayor of Dunedin was preceded by 9 years as a Councillor and years of community involvement. In recognition for his services to local and community affairs , he was awarded Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2003.
Peter’s grandfather, Chin Bing Kwong, came out of Tai Shan - Sui Poi village in 1906, brought out his
son Chin Moon Ock in 1920 and they owned laundry businesses. He in turn brought out his wife in 1940. In 1941 Peter was born, the only son, but the eldest of 6 siblings. Peter and his siblings helped, as tradition dictated, in the family fish and chip shop from 1949. This did not deter him from joiningextra activities at Otago Boys’ High school and Otago University where he developed, and has a continuing interest in singing and the Thespians and the beginnings of community in-volvement.
Despite Peter's father being approached by families with a view of a match for marriage, he states he
found his own wife, Noleen. Noleen had come out from Bak Shek village with her family when 16 years old. Their children: Janice Orr– a lawyer, have 3 children, and live in Hong Kong.Anthony, an IT Analyst, have 2 children, lives in London, Denis, an architect, married to Bronwyn [nee Sue] have 3 children, lives in Wellington, and Nigel, a lawyer, is engaged and lives in Singapore.
Peter believes he was the first Chinese lawyer in New Zealand, being admitted to the Bar in 1964 – he
remains a consultant for Webb Farry Law firm. In his recent retirement he has withdrawn from many of his community commitments.
New Zealand Chinese can rightly be impressed with the Chinese Garden, due in large part to Peter Chin and although he has passed the role of The Chinese Garden Trust Chairman to Malcolm Wong, my feeling is that
he will,after getting over the relief of relinquishing the early starts and responsibilities of a city, continue to be involved in his city and community
.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^http://www.tungjung.org.nz/images/stories/newsletters/2011/Autumn_issue_2011.pdf