Community
22 February, 2022
Re-Tracing Chinese Pioneers
A new award-winning exhibition at the Cairns Museum explores our region’s rich Chinese heritage.
The “Rediscovering the Buk Ti” touring exhibition offers a fascinating experience for visitors using panels and banners to create pathways through stories and time.
In the course of their research, Ingham Family History Association (IFHA) rediscovered a Temple in Halifax. The Buk Ti Goong (temple) is named after the deity Buk Ti, which translates as Temple of the Northern God.
In addition to the Buk Ti temple, the exhibition also includes displays which recount tales of hardship, resilience, success, and fame.
The life of Yet Foy (Yip Hoy) is one such story.After his wife died in 1904, the Croydon baker decided to raise his seven children closer to the coast. They moved from Croydon to Normanton, and finally settled at Ingham.
His sons, William, George, Jack and Charlie were successful in business as the Yet Foy Bros. Having established a Butcher’s shop at Normanton, they later opened a Baker’s shop in Ingham.
The Yet Foy brothers were renowned for their horsemanship and interest in horse-racing. When the bakery closed, William became a horse-trainer and his son, Bill (Benno), worked as an apprenticed jockey.
After a successful career at Ingham, Benno went south and continued his impressive career on the Brisbane racetracks. It is said he rode a total of 500 winners during his career, often with multiple wins in a single race meeting.
Benno wasn’t the only Yet Foy descendant to don the silks. His cousin, Jack Wilson won the Cairns Premiership 25 years in a row. A memorial race is named in his honour and his ashes are buried at the 800-metre mark at Cannon Park.
The IFHA received the 2021 Gallery and Museum Achievement Award for Projects - Organisations Volunteer Run and the Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s Major Community Event Australia Day Award 2022.
“Rediscovering the Buk Ti” is presented by the Cairns Museum in partnership with the Cairns and District Chinese Association Inc. (CADCAI).
The exhibition opens at Cairns Museum on Saturday 19 February.
The Museum is located on the Corner of Lake and Shields Streets and is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday. Entry is $15 Adults, $12 Concession, $6 Children, $30 Family (2 adults and 2 children)
