Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to share with the House the sad news that the Toi Shan Chinese restaurant in my electorate of Bendigo has closed its doors, yesterday being its last day. Why does that matter? Because it is the oldest Chinese restaurant in Australia. It goes back to the early days of the gold rush, when it was called On Loong on Bridge Street. For the last 25 years Toi Shan was owned and operated by Sue and Peter Chee, who bought the business from the Chan family and ran it as most small businesses do. I can remember meeting the many children that they had working there, and, as somebody who grew up in a small-business family, I recall those moments where you help with the cash register, you help with the cooking and you help your parents run the business.

This is a Bendigo icon, and yesterday many people took to social media to share their family stories and connection to Toi Shan. For my own family, this is our Chinese restaurant, and we are now at a loss to think what will be our next family restaurant. Workers shared their stories about how they go down with the billy to get their dim sims and their treat for the week. Families shared their stories about celebrating 90th and 100th birthdays there. It was an institution. Good luck with your retirement, Sue and Peter. You will be missed. Toi Shan will be missed.