Post by NZBC on Sept 6, 2013 19:08:58 GMT 12
Who was Bill McWong??
At the Dunedin Arts Festival in October 2012, the painting of a mural with prominent people from Otago was commis-sioned by the Dunedin City Council. Malcolm Wong from the Dunedin Chinese community was asked to name a promi-nent Chinese person to be in the mural. That person was William Wong of Dunedin and the artist who painted it was Dan Mills of Wellington. The following is the story of William Wong as told by his daughter Carolyn King:
Our dad was very proud of the fact that he was one of the two Chinese commission officers of the NZ Armed Forces in World War two. During these years, he made many lifelong friends, and was the start of his family’s true “Kiwi” values and lifestyle.
Mr Mills had already had already researched dad’s background and wanted to use the photo of dad beside the airplane that was featured in an Otago Daily Times newspaper article a few years back. The mural which features others also eg. Janet Frame, author, has brightened up the walkway and is there for the Dunedin residents and tourists to view.
The following caption was written with the painting.
William Chui Wai Wong, 218221 Pte 1 Otago, 431870 P/O RNZAF.
Known as Private Bill McWong served in the 2nd Scottish and 1st Otago Regiments.
Then transferred to the RNZAF and graduated to Pilot Officer, flying Harvard and Kitty Hawk planes.
The resulting lifelong friendships were the start of his family’s assimilation and acceptance of being a Kiwi. Through his Fruit and Greengrocery business and many community interests Bill was a well respected gentleman.
Bill married Ivy Lowe in 1948 and they have four children, He and his brother were typical of a generation for whom hopes of higher education were dashed by Depression and war; they took great pride in the achievements of their chil-dren and grandchildren. In their retirement, both men have also made good use of their talents and their Chinese edu-cation.
They taught the Chinese language to local Chinese children in after-school classes, sponsored by the Chinese Associ-ation. When James Ng published Alexander Don's catalogue of Chinese in New Zealand from 1883 to 1913 (as Windows on a Chinese Past, Vol 4, 1993), Bill and George transcribed the names of people, families and villages from Chinese into English. George's interest in the history of Chinese in New Zealand, and especially his careful docu-mentation of those from Gualing led one grateful historian to label him the "Rev Don of our later times".
George is a keen supporter of the Chinese Association, and was also a trustee for the Dunedin Chinese Garden. In 2007 George was awarded the Queen's Service Medal.
The more outgoing Bill was amused to gain a role in a 1988 Disney film, The Rescue, playing a North Korean pilot, and has also appeared in TV advertisements. Always energetic, Bill has helped organise Chinese sports tournaments, given assistance to writers on Chinese subjects and helped with the restoration of Chinese gravestones in Otago. He also put great energy into the development of the Otago Settlers Museum's display of local Chinese history.
Anzac Day is a good time for recalling not just our military heroes but also those who simply served their country. An-zac Day is also Bill's birthday who has since passed away. Their families will be honouring these two men and their achievements over the years.
Otago Daily Times
Published Tungjung Association Wellington newsletter
At the Dunedin Arts Festival in October 2012, the painting of a mural with prominent people from Otago was commis-sioned by the Dunedin City Council. Malcolm Wong from the Dunedin Chinese community was asked to name a promi-nent Chinese person to be in the mural. That person was William Wong of Dunedin and the artist who painted it was Dan Mills of Wellington. The following is the story of William Wong as told by his daughter Carolyn King:
Our dad was very proud of the fact that he was one of the two Chinese commission officers of the NZ Armed Forces in World War two. During these years, he made many lifelong friends, and was the start of his family’s true “Kiwi” values and lifestyle.
Mr Mills had already had already researched dad’s background and wanted to use the photo of dad beside the airplane that was featured in an Otago Daily Times newspaper article a few years back. The mural which features others also eg. Janet Frame, author, has brightened up the walkway and is there for the Dunedin residents and tourists to view.
The following caption was written with the painting.
William Chui Wai Wong, 218221 Pte 1 Otago, 431870 P/O RNZAF.
Known as Private Bill McWong served in the 2nd Scottish and 1st Otago Regiments.
Then transferred to the RNZAF and graduated to Pilot Officer, flying Harvard and Kitty Hawk planes.
The resulting lifelong friendships were the start of his family’s assimilation and acceptance of being a Kiwi. Through his Fruit and Greengrocery business and many community interests Bill was a well respected gentleman.
Bill married Ivy Lowe in 1948 and they have four children, He and his brother were typical of a generation for whom hopes of higher education were dashed by Depression and war; they took great pride in the achievements of their chil-dren and grandchildren. In their retirement, both men have also made good use of their talents and their Chinese edu-cation.
They taught the Chinese language to local Chinese children in after-school classes, sponsored by the Chinese Associ-ation. When James Ng published Alexander Don's catalogue of Chinese in New Zealand from 1883 to 1913 (as Windows on a Chinese Past, Vol 4, 1993), Bill and George transcribed the names of people, families and villages from Chinese into English. George's interest in the history of Chinese in New Zealand, and especially his careful docu-mentation of those from Gualing led one grateful historian to label him the "Rev Don of our later times".
George is a keen supporter of the Chinese Association, and was also a trustee for the Dunedin Chinese Garden. In 2007 George was awarded the Queen's Service Medal.
The more outgoing Bill was amused to gain a role in a 1988 Disney film, The Rescue, playing a North Korean pilot, and has also appeared in TV advertisements. Always energetic, Bill has helped organise Chinese sports tournaments, given assistance to writers on Chinese subjects and helped with the restoration of Chinese gravestones in Otago. He also put great energy into the development of the Otago Settlers Museum's display of local Chinese history.
Anzac Day is a good time for recalling not just our military heroes but also those who simply served their country. An-zac Day is also Bill's birthday who has since passed away. Their families will be honouring these two men and their achievements over the years.
Otago Daily Times
Published Tungjung Association Wellington newsletter