William Ah Ket fought social prejudice in and out of court. He fought against the requirements of the 1907 Factories (Employment of Chinese) Act, which discriminated against . Last night, things came full circle when I attended the launch of the 2019 William Ah Ket Scholarship at the Chinese Museum in Melbourne. Williamwas born on June 20 1876, in Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia. [8] (1912) 15 CLR 267. I because I am Chinese. member of Melbourne's See Yup Society. of their happy marriage with a small party at a Chinese banquet "Winning the inaugural William Ah Ket Scholarship brings me great pride and satisfaction, owing to the scholarship's underlying purpose of fostering the development and promotion of cultural diversity in the Australian legal profession. and their only son, John Williams, has been acclaimed as one In a special series, RN examines Australia's relationship to China, and its rising prominence in global affairs. Dear Monument Australia visitors, we are a self-funded, non-profit organisation, dedicated to recording monuments throughout Australia. by Sir Colin MacKenzie and were brought to fruition through Andrew and MLS would be delighted if any readers have information about William that they would like to share. William was born in the Victorian country town of Wangaratta in 1876, the son of Mah Ket, who arrived from Canton during the gold rush, and his wife Hing Ung. Historians say Mah Ket encouraged his son to study law to help the Chinese community, which was facing discriminatory laws at the end of the 19th century. Jamieson in 1903. eyewitness of the Test matches between England and Australia. Australia's first Chinese barrister William Ah Ket was born in the Victorian country town of Wangaratta. Captain Stanley Ket (LLB) served with the Intelligence Unit The test required all immigrants from China to write in English or another European language a passage of approximately 50 words, dictated by a customs officer. William Ah Ket was Australia's first barrister of Asian heritage or ethnicity, born in Victoria in 1876. in the furniture-making trade. The first barrister of Chinese descent practising at the Victorian Bar was William Ah Ket. "They were about making sure Chinese were on view, they were really pretty abhorrent," she says. His father Mah Ket had arrived in Australia in the 1850s, during the gold rush era, and his mother in the 1860s. 4The Melbourne University Magazine, Volume 1, Number 1, 1907, 20. migrated from Canton in the 1850s, and when the Gold Rush It is named after William Ah Ket who became the first Australian barrister of Chinese origin in 1904. and educators against racial discrimination in Australia. William Ah Ket was Australia's first barrister of Asian heritage or ethnicity, born in Victoria in 1876. Maureen Bedford - Great-niece of William Ah Ket, Vivienne Davis- Great-niece of William Ah Ket, Reynah Tang- Lawyer and founding president of Asian Australian Lawyers Association, Toylaan Ah Ket- Daughter of William Ah Ket, Blossom Ah Ket- Great-granddaughter of William Ah Ket, The Chinese and the Factories Acts by William Ah Ket,1906, The Measure of the Years by Sir Robert Menzies, 1970. a keen if not always successful punter. William was particularly active in the fight against racial discrimination and appeared in many 'public interest' cases. Tune in as The History Listen explores his story. recital, a Gilbert & Sullivan production, a Franz Lehar In a passage that is still recognised as current law in Australia, Justice OConnor stated as follows: It is improbable that the legislature would overthrow fundamental principles, infringe rights, or depart from the general system of law, without expressing its intention with irresistible clearness [10], Despite the bamboo ceiling that William must have encountered during his life and career, it appears that his mission was to remove barriers and, as his daughter Toylaan Ah Ket wrote, to implement his personal philosophy of building bridges between the East and West.'[11]. He became the leading Chinese in the district and a respected member of the Wangaratta community.. In a passage that is still recognised as current law in Australia, Justice OConnor stated as follow: It isimprobable that the legislature would overthrow fundamental principles, infringe rights, or depart from the general system of law, without expressing its intention with irresistible clearness13. Father and son worked as court interpreters in their spare time. Despite his high profile and achievements, it would seem that others were advanced while he was not. The biography of Joan Rosanove QC, an alumna of Melbourne Law School and the first Jewish woman in Australia to be admitted as a barrister, contains the following reference to a light-hearted discussion between William and Joan: A Melbourne barrister, Mr Ah Ket, a friend of Marks [Joans father], said to her, You and I have both chosen the wrong profession, Joan. After the formalities conclude, enthusiastic discussion ensues amongst the guests about William and his legacy and includes a combination of questions and observations: How is it that William Ah Ket is not more widely known?; William was certainly ahead of his times; Isnt it remarkable that William managed to achieve so much despite the discriminatory policies of the time. Please contact us. This article commemorates the life of William Ah Ket, Australias first barrister of Chinese descent. "He probably would've seen people that were junior to him progress past him in that career and of course that would've been disappointing to see that, and not be afforded the same opportunities as everyone else," he says. Ah Ket was born in Wangaratta in 1876 and died in 1936. After living in China for many years, he returned to Australia as an adult but was treated as a prohibited immigrant because he failed a dictation test imposed by the immigration legislation at the time. But he added: "But do not ever be intimidated or pushed down or give into people who would harass you or tease you and laugh at you. Despite this, between 1905 and 1928, he appeared before the High Court on at least 12 occasions. joint Trusteeship with Sir Colin MacKenzie in the founding for its foundation. [4], Despite, or perhaps because of, having himself been discriminated against, Mr Ah Ket devoted his life to fighting against unfair discrimination. Sir Robert Menzies practised with William in Selbourne Chambers. father employed a resident tutor for his 'seven little Australians' ways of thinking, with particular reference to Confucius'. He acquired a considerable reputation as a negotiator of settlements. His father, Ah Ket, and mother, Hing Ung, had established one of the first tobacco farms on the King River. His father had arrived in Victoria in 1855 and after some years on the goldfields established one of the earliest tobacco-farms on the King River. He has the lucky number of 88 on the Victorian Bar roll. After living in China for many years, he returned to Australia as an adult, but was treated as a prohibited immigrant because he failed a dictation test imposed by the immigration legislation at the time. Published: TueTue 28 Feb 2023 at 12:00am/with Kirsti Melville, Published: 21 Feb 2023Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 12:00am/with Kirsti Melville, Published: 14 Feb 2023Tue 14 Feb 2023 at 12:00am/with Kirsti Melville, Published: 7 Feb 2023Tue 7 Feb 2023 at 12:00am/with Kirsti Melville. level and not merely through trade. William Ah Ket also wrote articles and gave lectures in support By Andrew GodwinAssociate Director (Asian Commercial Law), Asian Law Centre, Melbourne Law School. in Chisholm Street. Andrew can be contacted ona.godwin@unimelb.edu.au. Despite his high profile and achievements, it would seem that others were advanced while he was not.6 He was neither appointed Silk nor a judge. of the George Ernest Morrison Memorial Lectureship in Ethnology William specialised in civil cases, including lawsuits over divorce petitions, wills and contracts. William was born in 1876, in the north-east Victorian town of Wangaratta one of eight children. William Ah Ket as a young man Source: by kind permission of the Ah Ket family, William Ah Ket (1876-1936), barrister, was born on 20 June 1876 at Wangaratta, Victoria, only son and fifth child of Ah Ket, storekeeper and grower and buyer of tobacco, and his wife Hing Ung, who were married in Melbourne in 1864. Your help would be greatly appreciated. All rights reserved. William Ah Ket (1876-1936), lawyer and campaigner for Chinese rights, was born in Wangaratta, Victoria. who had made such a worthy contribution to the history of In addition, the gallery is currently hosting an exhibition of memorabilia about him. Mah was born circa 1870, in China. Fast forward 90 years to 9 October 2019 when an audience of some 50 persons are gathered in the Great Hall of the High Court of Australia to attend the third award ceremony for the William Ah Ket Scholarship a scholarship established by the Asian Australian Lawyers Association in 2017 and supported by Maddocks. '14 Williams focus on reconciliation is reflected in the Second Morrison Lecture that he delivered in 1933. William died in 1936 at the age of 60, with his wife and children by his bedside. 6Citing Karin Derkley, William Ah Ket Legacy Recognised (2018) 92(3) Law Institute Journal 83 at 83, 84. to Australia, William Ah Ket was appointed as Acting Consul-General William Ah Ket (, 20 June 1876 6 August 1936) was a noted Australian barrister. If Monument Australia is useful to you, please make a donation to keep this historical and educational resource available. He supported the creation of a committee to The reason why the Chinese laundry owner had been charged was that a Chinese man had been found in the laundry between 9 and 10 pm at night ironing a shirt, apparently in breach of the after-hours work prohibition. Educated in both English andChinese cultures, he agitated against racialintolerance in Victoria and defended the rightsof Victoria`s Chinese community. He was a sound lawyer and a good advocate". The legacy of Australia's #firstAsianlawyer, William Ah Ket, who battled #racism and achieved landmark victories, lives on. 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We should have done Medicine.16, There are many more interesting stories and facts that one could relate about William and his legacy. English-born forebears had migrated to Australia from Cheshire Ah Kets legal team successfully proved that he was not a prohibited immigrant. [2] William stayed involved with the University and was elected the President of the Law Students Society on 19 April 1907. He joined the Victorian Bar in 1904, reading with Stewart McArthur who later went on to be a Supreme Court judge and became the first Chinese barrister to practise in Melbourne. "There was definitely a fresh wave of discrimination that was being put in place," she says. The story of William Ah Ket is a significant one in the history of the Australian legal profession. Parliament for the new Republic in 1912. opinions expressed in these stories do not necessarily reflect those of La Trobe University The Inaugural G.E. William Ah Ket made history when he signed the bar roll. Less is known about another person - Wu Ting Fang. Each data center building is the size of a modern day aircraft carrier, nearly four football fields long. He was born on 20 June 1876 at Wangaratta, Victoria, the only son and fifth child of Mah Ket and Hing Ung. Both William Ah Ket and his wife were music-lovers and regular 6Citing Karin Derkley, William Ah Ket Legacy Recognised (2018) 92(3) Law Institute Journal 83 at 83, 84. for China in Melbourne in 1913-14 and again in 1917. [5], His answer to the difficulties he faced appears to have been to succeed in what he did; to be a real part of the legal profession; to help others and to act at all times righteously, with courage and with kindness. He believed his objective Asian Australians have played a vital role in the legal profession since the late 1800s, starting with the first barrister of Chinese origin to join the independent bar in Victoria, William Ah Ket. In the lecture, William reflected on whether there was a real difference between the culture of the East and that of the West and drew parallels between Western culture and Confucianism. William was particularly active in the fight against racial discrimination. William Ah Ket was a noted Australian barrister. 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The keynote address is delivered by Chief Justice of The High Court of Australia, the Honourable Susan Kiefel AC, who makes the following comments: By all accounts, Mr Ah Ket was a remarkable man. He was born in Victoria in 1876, the only son among six daughters William was survived by his wife Gertrude Victoria (nee Bullock) and four children Dr. William, Stanley, Melaan and Toylaan. or the editors of the website. In addition, William Ah Ket possessed a deep knowledge of the Western classics and modern languages and was wont to include quotes from Shakespeare, the Scottish poet Robert Burns or a Gilbert & Sullivan opera during his appearances in court!17. Fast forward 90 years to 9 October 2019 when an audience of some 50 persons are gathered in the Great Hall of the High Court of Australia to attend the third award ceremony for the William Ah Ket Scholarship a scholarship established by the Asian Australian Lawyers Association in 2017 and supported by Maddocks. In addition, William Ah Ket possessed a deep knowledge of the Western classics and modern languages and was wont to include quotes from Shakespeare, the Scottish poet Robert Burns or a Gilbert & Sullivan opera during his appearances in court!17. He visited China in 1912-13 as the delegate of the Victorian Chinese Chamber of Commerce to participate in the election of overseas Chinese to the new parliament of the Republic. It also discusses the importance of cultural diversity in the workplace and within the community, particularly during a time when racism has become more prominent since COVID-19. He was also co-founder and His father, Ma Ket [], had arrived in Victoria in 1855 to work as a community leader for the Chinese workers in the goldfields of Victoria. His father had Despite the bamboo ceiling that William must have encountered during his life and career, it appears that his mission was to remove barriers and, as his daughter Toylaan Ah Ket wrote, to implement his personal philosophy of building bridges between the East and West. 15William Ah Ket, Eastern Thought, with special reference to Confucius (Second Morrison Lecture, 3 May 1933), available at https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/145813/2/Morrison%20Oration%2002.pdf. He added, "A certain prejudice among clients against having a Chinese barrister to an extent limited his practice, though instructing solicitors thought very well of him".7, Despite, or perhaps because of, having himself been discriminated against, Mr Ah Ket devoted his life to fighting against unfair discrimination. Though the law was not dismantled until the 1970s, Mr Tang says it was a significant case at a time when there were active political attempts to limit Chinese immigration to Australia. "William Ah Ket's contribution to diversity in the legal profession" The Hon Susan Kiefel AC Chief Justice of Australia I am pleased to speak this evening and honoured to present the William Ah Ket Scholarship for 2019. He fought against the requirements of the 1907 Factories (Employment of Chinese) Act, which discriminated against . On top of that work, William also had to deal with racism. in Wangaratta, William Ah Ket continued his regular attendance His father had arrived in Victoria in 1855 and after some years on the goldfields established one of the earliest . barrister to practice in Melbourne. He went to the bar the following year and is widely understood to have become the first Australian lawyer of Chinese descent to practise as a barrister at the independent bar in the state of Victoria.3. Morrison Lecture was given in 1932 by Blossom says her great grand-father's little-known story is still relevant to contemporary Australia. Ah Kets legal team successfully proved that the Chinese man was not an employee of the laundry but instead a boarder at the laundry and that he had simply been ironing his own shirt! 9The Hon Susan Kiefel AC, Chief Justice of Australia, William Ah Kets contribution to diversity in the legal profession (Asian Australian Lawyers Association, William Ah Ket Scholarship Presentation, Great Hall, High Court of Australia, Canberra, 9 October 2019, 5:30pm). Life [ edit] With paternal ancestry from Taishan, southern China, Ah Ket was Australia's first barrister of Asian heritage or ethnicity. He advocated and promoted peaceful coexistence. His mother, Hing Ung, had bound feet and spoke no English. Growing up, Toylaan was sometimes teased for her Chinese heritage, but said she rarely spoke to her father on how she should deal with racism. Toylaan Margaret Allen,his last surviving child, passed away in New South Wales on 16th July 2015. Andrew Godwin is researching the life and times of William Ah Ket and is working with the descendants of the Ah Ket family for this purpose. Noting that music had a peculiar charm for Confucius, he mused that had Confucius lived then, it is quite likely that he would have found in the music of the bagpipes something particularly stirring and satisfying to the soul.15 William would have had an affinity with bagpipes as his wife, Gertrude Bullock, was of Scottish descent. He was also a delegate to the first interstate Chinese convention held at Melbourne in 1905 and was co-founder and president of the Sino-Australian Association, considered to be the first Australian-Chinese club. "But when it came to law, he knew very well what it was like to struggle and be poor and oppressed, so his sympathies were always on the side of the underdog.". agitate against the Immigration Restriction Act in at the National University in Canberra. This His father Mah Ket had arrived in Australia in the 1850s, during the gold rush era, and his mother in the 1860s. I am proud to have been part of this fantastic initiative. Williams focus on reconciliation is reflected in the Second Morrison Lecture that he delivered in 1933, where he discussed whether there was a real difference between the culture of the East and that of the West, and drew parallels between Western culture and Confucianism. For group subscribers, please click here to access.Interested in group subscription? [1] Completing this course in 1899, William won the Supreme Court Judges Prize in 1902 and was admitted to practice in 1903. William's client, James Minahan, was born in Australia to an Anglo-Australian mother and Chinese father. William had 4 sisters: Alberta Young (born Ah Ket) and 3 other siblings. The award is sponsored by Maddocks where William Ah Ket was an articled clerk prior to joining the Victorian Bar, which is also a new sponsor this year along with the University of Melbourne Law School, where Mr Ah Ket studied. Toylaan remembered his final words: "Unity is strength.". of the Supreme Court and knights of the realm. 'William Ah Ket (1876-1936), barrister, was born on 20 June 1876 at Wangaratta, Victoria, only son and fifth child of Ah Ket, storekeeper and grower and buyer of tobacco, and his wife Hing Ung, who were married in Melbourne in 1864. Done Medicine.16, There are many more interesting stories and facts that one could about. Aircraft carrier, nearly four football fields long a resident tutor for his 'seven little Australians ways... 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