Review of Sophie Couchman, John Fitzgerald and Paul Macgregor (eds), 'After the Rush: Regulation, Participation and Chinese Communities in Australia 1860-1940', A Special Edition of 'Otherland', Volume 9, Melbourne, 2004, ISBN 0 646 44352 6 (1327 7804), pb, 24 pp, $29.95.

Abstract

This special edition of the 'Otherland Literary Journal' is drawn from a conference held in 2000 as part of the Chinese Heritage of Australian Federation project (<a href="http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/">www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/</a>). It marks, refreshingly and with inspiration, the growing interest in Chinese-Australian history and the innovative directions in which scholars and community members are heading. The introduction by Asian-American studies scholar, Adam McKeow, sets the tone, with his emphasis on 'the synthesis of local, national and transnational perspectives' and his recognition of the texturing and different insights provided through combining generalized overviews with in-depth encounters with 'individuals, families, communities and institutions'. These, he argues, are new directions that are taking the history of the Chinese in Australia away from a myopic focus on either racism and the administration of the White Australia Policy or the resilience and significance of Chinese community histories. The new directions are clearly there in the contributions. There are three groupings in the collection, under the titles 'Regulation', 'Participation' and 'Communities and cultures'.