General stores were a vital part of the regional communities that developed throughout Australia in the 19th century. They were the link between their communities and the metropolis and to overseas markets. Chinese immigrants were a dominant part of this retail trade across the country. By 1901 there were 800 people of Chinese descent working in NSW shops - a statistic that suggests the existence of several hundred 'Chinese stores' in the state.

Wong Sat and Amelia Wong were married in 1864. Seven of their 10 children were born there. Both Amelia and Sat had migrated to Australia in the 1850s. Amelia arrived with her family from Manchester where they had a drapery business. Like many other Chinese men Sat made his way to Australia alone and in search of gold. He too made his way to the Bathurst area. Again like many other Chinese migrants, Sat moved from mining into trade - possibly as a butcher, shopkeeper or carrier.

Sat and Amelia were selling supplies to Chinese and European customers in the gold mining town of Tuena from 1864 to 1875. In that year the family moved south to the Fullerton/Bolong area near Crookwell where they continued to trade and farm on a rented property. In 1879 Sat was naturalised which allowed him to purchase land. Several hundred acres were bought in 1880 and a small wooden store was built on the property. Built on a sheep farm well away from link roads, the rudimentary wooden building was a 'convenience store' supplying local families on the properties and occasional travellers with a vast array of goods from foodstuffs to clothing, school needs to farm supplies. Where city and large country department stores were utilising sophisticated display techniques the Wong store had a functional set of shelves. Most goods were stored in boxes or cupboards to be brought out upon request. Like other general stores, the Wongs' business also served an important economic function as a provider of credit for families waiting for returns on their wool clip or harvest. The Wongs became highly respected members of the local community. The store traded until Sat's death in 1916

The shop stock dates from c. 1864-1916.

Assorted shop stock, textile / metal / wood / paper / leather, used in the Wong family store, Bolong via Crookwell, New South Wales, Australia, c. 1864-1916.

The Wong store sold a wide variety of items. The following items represent a sample of household non-food groceries, utensils and hardware items: one tin of German made violin strings 'Ein Bund Violin Saiten Beste Qualitat' now empty, two bread baking tins; one small tin salt shaker (hand made and soldered); one tin scoop possibly used to dispense store produce (mass produced); one tin grater (mass produced); one tin jelly mould (mass produced); one tin jug (hand made and soldered); one small tin jug (hand made and soldered); one knife sharpening board with 'The Wellington' brand; one full tin of John Oakey and Sons Ltd London' knife polish; one packet of 'Silver Star' starch; one empty Epsom Salt wooden box; one leather and metal wood handled knife sharpening strop 'Combination Strop' in box; three wooden keg taps; one cotton flour bag full of wooden pegs; one wooden box 'Dandy Chalk Crayons' with 31 cardboard boxes of crayons inside; one wooden box 'Hudson's Extract of Soap' now empty; one eliptical stone rolling pin; three 'Murdoch's' folding wire and canvas coat hangers; one brown paper packet of large nails; two acorn ended coat hooks; one red flask of gun powder 'No 5 grain'; one cardboard box of 'Eley Bros' shotgun cartridge cases; two wooden boxes of slate pencils, two slates; nine pens 'Eagle Brand'; two tins of coacholine 'Charles Markell and Co Sydney'; one tin hand pump (possibly blacksmith made); two metal heel plates 'John Crowley and Co Sheffield'; one brown paper pack of blue tacks; one 'Hair Cutter' razor and handle in paper label and instructions; one pair of wooden chop sticks; one tin of 'Cobra' black boot polish; three large metal pegs/nails; two packets of 'Blakeys Protectors' for shoes; one box marked 'Henry Boker Remshied Germany Tools' with two pairs of tweezers inside; one glass lamp shade 'La Bastie Glass USA'; one metal staple press 'McGill patent Single Stroke London'; one full box of 'Eagle Brand Staple Binders'; one empty tin of 'Cedar' coloured floor oil varnish stain 'William Docker Sydney and London', one full container 'Chamberlain Dugong Eradicator' stain remover; four oval headed spanners on wire loop; one metal tin opening blade; one wooden handle; one meatcleaver; one blacksmith made tin jug with cork stopper; two ceramic inkpots; one stoneware mixing bowl; horse livery ; knife sharpener; frying pan with suspension ring.

Made: 1864 - 1916

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1864 - 1916