As one of the few remaining descendants of the early Chinese settlers, Rosie shares the fascinating story of her great-grandfather, Charles Henry Wong Gye, who initially worked as a storekeeper in Lawrence and later as a special constable and interpreter for the Chinese goldminers, based in Clyde. To learn more about her Chinese heritage, Rosie traveled to Guangzhou to visit Charles Henry Wong Gye’s ancestral village. She also reflects on the impact of the Chinese Poll Tax on her father and grandfather. A the end of this first interview, Rosie talks about the highs and lows of establishing their Legacy Vineyard in Earnscleugh. In the second interview, Rosie talks about growing up in Clyde and her teaching career. The third interview details her wonderful experiences of teaching abroad.

Interviewer: Carolyn Squires
Interview Dates:
Aug 2022
June 2023

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Heritage Central Otago acknowledges the generous support from the following organisations.

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