The See Yup Society Temple, a cornerstone of Victoria’s cultural heritage, is embarking on a significant conservation journey to secure its future after a devastating fire earlier this year.

In February this year, during Lunar New Year, the See Yup Society Temple in South Melbourne was the victim of a tragic accidental fire that caused massive damage to the Victorian Heritage Registered site.

The See Yup Society Temple was erected in 1866 for the See Yup Society, as the principal centre of worship and death registry of the Cantonese in Victoria. See Yup means four towns of Canton. The See Yup Society Temple in South Melbourne was the most important centre of Chinese worship in Victoria in the nineteenth century and integral with the turbulent history of the Chinese people in Victoria in that era. The building group is unique in Victoria as an historical document and architecturally important as an outstanding work by architect George Wharton.

The 2024 fire caused significant damage to the wooden structures and collection items that have survived over a century of use and worship by the Victorian Chinese community. This damage was caused not only by the flames of the fire, but the associated heat and smoke on the predominantly wooden building and objects.

Since February, a team of heritage experts ranging from Chinese-Australian historians, materials conservation specialists and students, built heritage consultants, and more, have been working with the See Yup Society and Heritage Victoria to stabilise the building and objects. As well as develop a plan for the long term conservation and reconstruction of the site and objects. The Victorian Government have provided a sum of $60,000 to the Society to begin works and undergo a significant exploratory conservation assessment to fully understand the extent of the damage and repairs needed across the site.

Fire damage to the interior of the Temple. Source: Sophie Couchman

This is not the first time the temple has faced significant challenges. Directly after the fire, the National Trust offered its support to the See Yup Temple Society, providing access to our archival records of the site in the hopes they could assist with the restoration work. The National Trust classified the temple in 1966 at the level of State significance (B0582). Within our records was a story of the See Yup Society Temple’s first major restoration appeal which took place in the 1970s. At a time when the temple was in a state of disrepair and had no heritage protections, assistance through funding from the State and Federal Governments, and a National Trust Restoration Appeal, were able to support the community to finance major works to restore the building and safeguard its continued use as a place of worship.

Today, the National Trust is once again stepping in to support the See Yup Society Temple. In October this year, the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Board approved another restoration appeal for the See Yup Society Temple, to support fundraising efforts for the repair and restoration of the building and collection. With limited state and local government grants available for major works to public and publicly beneficial heritage buildings, the restoration appeal will play a critical role in securing the funds needed for repairs and preservation.

The National Trust’s Restoration Appeals program facilitates fundraising for public and semi-public heritage buildings through its Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. This means donations over $2 to restoration appeal are tax-deductible. All funds are managed and overseen by heritage professionals to ensure the temple’s future is safeguarded.

The See Yup Society is now accepting donations to support the recovery and conservation of this cultural landmark.

Donate here: https://www.givenow.com.au/seeyuptemplerecovery