Andrew Wong opens temple to remember Busy Bee’s Kent Wong

The story of the Busy Bee Fish Bar is the stuff of local legend. Now, the tragic loss of its most well known icon has led to a pop-up Buddhist temple in the heart of Bundaberg - and it may just stay. VIDEOS

On Sunday, February 27, a bell will ring in the heart of the Bundaberg CBD.

It’s not the bell that rings for weddings and it’s not the bell that rings once a year to welcome the region’s turtles to nest.

Rather, it’s a bell to awaken the Chinese gods.

Bundaberg martial artist and former Australia’s Got Talent contestant Andrew Wong will sound the bell to mark a year since the death of his dad, Busy Bee Fish Bar’s Kent Wong.

Kent became a local legend in the region for decades after taking over from former owners Douglas and Stella Lung.

Through Kent, the Lungs’ famous double-battered chip recipe lived on and flourished - the iconic fish and chip shop even becoming the star of a short film.

While new owners have since taken on the chip shop, something spiritual will be happening in the shop space just across the road.

“Kent Wong was a true blue Aussie, but he practised traditional Chinese religious beliefs which is Buddhism which is the reason why 38 Targo St, where the memorial will be held, has been made to look like a traditional Chinese shrine,” Andrew told the Bundaberg NewsMail.

Andrew and Kent Wong at Busy Bee a few years back.

“Anybody can come, it doesn’t matter your religion or your beliefs, you’re more than welcome to come in here and pay your respects.”

Andrew explained the lay-out of the building, complete with traditional Chinese lions at the entry and posters of the gods he has chosen for the occasion to bring health, wealth, wisdom and compassion.

He said the Chinese believed there were many gods for different needs and purposes and anyone wanting to come and pray for something for themselves or their loved one would be welcome to.

Andrew Wong stands between shrines for his dad and the Lungs.

At the end of the building are shrines not just to his dad, but to the Lungs as well.

Douglas Lung had originally been a Wong before changing his name to assimilate, and had come from the same town in China as Kent, leading Andrew to believe there was a possibility the two could have been relatives before coincidentally both running the same fish and chip shop one after the other.

Andrew Wong encourages locals to join in on Sunday and even learn their Chinese zodiac animal.

On Sunday, Andrew will also perform traditional Chinese musical instruments to promote harmony in the temple.

He believes he is the only local to have travelled to the Shaolin Temple in China to study kung fu, something he developed a passion for after being cruelly bullied at school for his Asian heritage.

Andrew said many Asians lived in Bundaberg and there was an increasing number of people turning to Buddhist and Taoist beliefs.

If there are enough in Bundaberg, he says, he will consider making the temple a regular fixture.

Andrew Wong has a display at the temple to help people understand the art of feng shui.

Want to learn more about the temple? Check out Andrew’s talks below on what it all means, such as this video explaining the Chinese gods.

And some more info on how to get them to grant your wishes:

Learn about the Buddha, the ultimate enlightened Chinese god:

What would you do if someone stole $1000 from you? Andrew Wong explains how the goddess of compassion can help see things from another perspective:

Andrew Wong talks about how being bullied as a child for being Asian led him to a love of kung fu:

Ever wondered about feng shui?

Buddhist alters to pay tribute to Busy Bee’s former owners:

The Targo St temple will be open on Sunday for anyone wanting to pay their respects to both Kent Wong and the Lungs.