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O'Hoy, Jan (1913 - 1980)

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    Claude Pang, Jean and Dorrie Shang, Jan O'Hoy in Bendigo, c. 1937, by Olivers', Bendigo, courtesy of S. Millard (private hands).
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    Frank (Tung Foo) Chinn and Jan O'Hoy (a friend from Bendigo) taken in Melbourne.
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    Shooters holding 1955 pennants. Jan O'Hoy (left), Ming Balintong (right) and friend in foreground with gun., c. 1960, by Unknown creator (see disclaimer)
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Born
1913
Wah Lock Lee, Taishan, Guangdong Province, China
Died
1980
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
Occupation
restauranteur and storekeeper

Details

Jan O'Hoy was born in the village of Wah Lock Lea, Taishan county, Guangdong in 1913. His mother in the village and extended family in Hong Kong cared for him until he was ten. He arrived in Bendigo on a student passport to attend the Central State School with the support of his father, Que O’Hoy, who operated the local general store, Sun Ack Goon.

In 1928 he returned to Hong Kong for a classical Chinese education. While there, he married Thelma Fung Chan, who gave him three children, So Ang, Shee Fat (Graham) and Josephine (So Lun). In 1934, Jan returned to Bendigo where he became highly respected as the manager of Sun Ack Goon and secretary of the Chinese Easter Fair organising committee. In 1954, he purchased the New Dragon Café, which he ran successfully until his death. In 1967, Thelma, who had joined Jan in Bendigo in 1950, died suddenly, and Jan married again to Ng Shui Kui in 1969. His death in 1980 was mourned by many friends.

Sources used to compile this entry: Bendigo Golden Dragon Museum collection; interview with Dennis O'Hoy; interview with Mrs Myrtle Wong; various NAA immigration files.

Prepared by: Amanda Rasmussen, La Trobe University

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Images

Title
Claude Pang, Jean and Dorrie Shang, Jan O'Hoy in Bendigo
Type
Photograph
Date
c. 1937
Place
Australia - Victoria - Bendigo (Sandhurst)
Details
Title
Frank (Tung Foo) Chinn and Jan O'Hoy (a friend from Bendigo) taken in Melbourne
Type
Photograph
Place
Australia - Victoria - Melbourne
Details
Title
Jan O'Hoy, Ming Balintong and friend holding 1955 pennants
Type
Photograph
Date
c. 1960
Place
Australia - Victoria?
Details