The mysterious door – Chung Wah Association Hall

Our office has recently relocated and every morning I walk past a beautiful doorway on James Street with a shop on either side. This doorway is actually the entrance to the Chung Wah Association Hall just a stones throw from the official Chinatown area within Roe Street, James Street and Nick’s Lane. Do you ever walk past an interesting doorway and wonder what is inside?

The Chung Wah Association was formed in 1909 for social, educational and political purposes. After a series of government measures to restrict Chinese immigration to Western Australia and to make it more difficult for the Chinese community to run businesses, it was decided to set up an official association to represent themselves.

                                               Chung Wah Hall

In 1910, the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Edward Stone, laid the foundation stone for Chung Wah Association Hall, during which he lectured the Chinese community about their responsibilities to become loyal subjects of the British Crown and to stop any habits of which he didn’t approve.

When it opened on Chinese New Year 1911, the hall contained two large shops for lease, a spacious meeting room, a committee room, two large kitchens, and a special kitchen for festival days. The opening was followed by a banquet for the 260 members of the Association. In the following years, the Association held social functions in Chung Wah Association Hall, and it was soon the centre for Chinese literature and education. However, as business declined due to the Great Depression and immigration became ever-more restrictive, the Association’s membership began to decline.

Ping Chang, Phillip Quon, Len Chiew inside J & S Chiew & Co Produce Merchants, 99-101 James Street, Perth. Image from State Library of Western Australia 005343D

In 1971, Chung Wah Association Hall, then in a dilapidated condition, was substantially renovated. This included the ground floor of Chung Wah Association Hall being converted into a restaurant, the Golden Eagle, one of many Chinese restaurants to open in Perth at this time. 

It was not until after 1965 that more Chinese people could freely enter Western Australia and the Association’s numbers grew once more. Today it remains a key centre for the Chinese community in Perth, offering a range of services, including lessons in Chinese languages.