Community Heritage Grant: See Yup Society
The See Yup Temple in Melbourne is the oldest Temple in Australia with its contents dating back to the mid-1850s.
Michael Lam (President, See Yup Temple Recovery Project) and Dr Sophie Couchman (Project Manager) inspecting the details of the See Yup’s dragon head. Photographer: Robert French, Museums Victoria.
Michael Lam (President, See Yup Temple Recovery Project) and Dr Sophie Couchman (Project Manager) inspecting the details of the See Yup’s dragon head. Photographer: Robert French, Museums Victoria.
In February 2024, the Temple was damaged by fire. While the structure survived, approximately 200 objects now require restoration, but there are no funds available to employ professional conservators.
Temple caretakers assembling the temporary altar for Kwan Tai in the 1901 Hall
Temple caretakers assembling the temporary altar for Kwan Tai in the 1901 Hall
In November 2025, the See Yup Society received a Community Heritage Grant (CHG). The grant will fund a training project for the Society in partnership with Chinese Australian Family Historians of Victoria and Grimwade Conservation Services (GCS).
Associate Professor Nicole Tse undertaking some test cleaning of a plaque while Michael Lam looks on
Associate Professor Nicole Tse undertaking some test cleaning of a plaque while Michael Lam looks on
Senior staff from GCS will support two conservation students with Chinese language skills to consult with the Temple custodians and develop culturally and spiritually appropriate training, to restore and continue to care for these valuable collection items.
The See Yup Society was devastated by a recent fire at our temple. We are therefore particularly grateful to receive this CHG funding. This grant will enable us to train our temple caretakers and volunteers to undertake basic treatments of temple items damaged in the recent fire and also give us the tools to professionally care for our objects, in a spiritually and culturally appropriate manner, moving forward.
We are particularly pleased to be able to partner and provide experience to emerging conservators with Chinese-language skills from the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation.
Early visit of GCS students to the See Yup Temple. They are examining a Temple donation plaque.
Early visit of GCS students to the See Yup Temple. They are examining a Temple donation plaque.
A Temple caretaker dressing Kwan Tai's horse, who is covered in paper prayers, after his move to the new location in the 1901 hall.
A Temple caretaker dressing Kwan Tai's horse, who is covered in paper prayers, after his move to the new location in the 1901 hall.
Two GCS students assembling custom-made acid-free boxes for the collection of Eight Immoral banners.
Two GCS students assembling custom-made acid-free boxes for the collection of Eight Immoral banners.
The CHG program is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts; National Library of Australia; National Archives of Australia; National Film and Sound Archive; and National Museum of Australia.
Learn more about Community Heritage Grants and how they support community organisations who care for nationally significant collections.
Applications for 2026 Community Heritage Grants open on Tuesday 3 March.
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