The new Gold Trail signage has been designed to attract more Chinese visitors to the area in line with Destination NSW’s vision.

 The delegates taking part in the annual tour of Young’s Chinese landmarks are in Australia to complete an 11 week Australian National University (ANU) university administrators’ course.

Young Visitor Information Centre tourism manager David Newberry said he hoped the group would put their photos of the tour up on social media promoting Young as a great tourist destination to their friends and family back home.  

“A lot of regions would love to have the connection with China that we have,” he said. 

“Young is equal to Ballarat and Victoria with its gold rush history – we just have to start telling the story better and that’s what we’re planning to do.” 

Young’s mayor Stuart Freudenstein welcomed the group at the Lambing Flat Chinese Tribute Gardens – built as an apology for the treatment of the Chinese during the Lambing Flat riots of 1861 - telling them it was a part of Australia’s history we should never forget.

He told them he hoped important events such as the tour could continue to build the bridge of friendship between Australia and China. 

The delegation then toured Blackguard Gully where, in 1861, 2000 to 3000 European miners attacked 500 to 600 Chinese miners camping there.

During the racially motivated assault, the Chinese were bludgeoned, had their tents and belongings burnt, their pigtails cut off and many had their ears partly removed.  

The tour ended with a visit to homestead Currawong Station where James Roberts gave over 1000 Chinese sanctuary after the riot.

ANU Academic Convenor Norman Abjorensen took the tour in place of local historian Kim Johnson, who was away on holidays.

“I told them 150 years ago they would have been run out of town, but today they are welcomed with open arms,” he said.

“A lot of effort has gone into preserving the past, trying to explain it and to make amends for some of the unpleasant parts of it.”

Chinese academic Juliet Zhu of Baotou Teachers’ College said she was happy Australia found it important to remember their shared history and was trying to improve relations with China.

“When China wasn’t so strong, Chinese were treated very badly in foreign countries and we were very sad for them,” she said.

“And we believe since our country was getting stronger and stronger, the Chinese will stand confident in front of the world.” 

Another of the Chinese academics, Weimin Li of Inner Mongolia University, said the group felt “warm hearted” of their visit and at Cr Freudenstein’s welcome. 

“From Norman’s and the mayor’s presentations, we feel they are sincere to accept history and the prosperity of Australia lays heavily on the cooperation of other nations like the Chinese,” he said. 

“The city of Young has preserved the park and sites very well and is setting an example to the world that Australia welcomes all nations.” 

Mr Newberry said the delegation was moved by the experience.

“It’s a very sad event but it’s been turned on its head into something positive,” he said. “We have some fantastic heritage that we can be proud of.”