“See Yup,” a voice echoes. This means four towns of Canton. Right here stands the See Yup Temple. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of Melbourne’s Chinese community. The See Yup Temple is not just a building. It is a living link to the past.
In 1866, the See Yup Society erected this temple. They wanted a principal center of worship. It also served as a death registry for Cantonese descendants in Victoria. The architect George Wharton designed the temple.
The See Yup Society of Melbourne established itself in 1854. It was a mutual self-help society. They supported people from the See Yup area of Kwangtung province. This is in southern China. In 1855, they occupied wooden lodgings on this very site. They built a temple in 1856. It also acted as the See Yup Society offices.
The current See Yup Temple replaced that building in 1866. It had three buildings. There was a main hall for Guandi. Another hall held the God of Wealth. It also featured the oldest memorial hall. A second memorial hall was added in 1901. Harold Desbrowe Annear designed it.
The Victorian government recognized the See Yup Temple’s significance. They classified it as “Regional” in 1964. This was revised to “State” significance in 1966. In 1978, the temple was added to the Register of the National Estate. This recognized its historical and architectural importance.
Look closely at the inner wall of the See Yup Temple. Two large stone tablets are embedded there. These stelae record the names. They list the organizers, community representatives, and donors. These people rebuilt the See Yup Temple in 1866.
The See Yup Temple even houses a ceremonial dragon head. It paraded at the Federation of Australia in 1901. This dragon head is one of the five oldest surviving imperial dragons in the world.
In 2002, the Kuanyin Pavilion was added. Cheung Sui Fung designed it. He was a senior member of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. A third memorial hall was constructed in 2004.
Sadly, fire damaged the See Yup Temple on 17 February 2024. Smoke billowed from the second floor and roof. The fire was confined to the main Guan Di Temple Building. But the Guan Di altar remained untouched. Many fragile artifacts survived with limited damage. The ancestral halls and other buildings were unaffected.
The Victorian government has awarded a $60,000 grant. This grant will aid in the See Yup Temple’s restoration. The goal is to return the temple to its pre-fire glory by 2026.
The See Yup Temple has reopened every day. It is open from 9 am to 4 pm during the Chinese New Year period. It is open for 24 hours during Lunar New Year’s Eve. A temporary marquee hall has been constructed. This allows the worship of Kwan Tai and Tai Sui. The Kuan Yum Pavilion, God of Fortune hall, and ancestral halls are also open.
The National Trust of Australia has established a Restoration Appeal. This appeal will assist with repairs caused by the fire.
Today, the See Yup Temple stands as a symbol of resilience. It represents the rich heritage of Chinese Australians. It has been a site of worship for nearly 170 years. The See Yup Society has maintained it since that time. It is the oldest continuously operating Chinese temple in Australia.