Calls to change popular Aussie beach name

A popular Sydney beach is at the centre of a heated debate after calls for its name to be changed.

There are calls to rename a popular Sydney beach due to its “racist” connotations.

Chinamans Beach in the affluent area of Mosman has long been the centre of debate around the use of the “racist and derogatory” term Chinaman.

Second-generation Chinese Australian Osmond Chiu is determined to have the name of the beach changed. He said it is not a respectful word, and it’s often used as a racist slur.

“The term ‘Chinaman’ is derogatory and primarily used as a racist slur against people of Chinese or East Asian appearance,” Mr Chiu told the Mosman Collective.

“It is jarring to have a place named ‘Chinamans Beach’ in the city that I was born and grew up in as if there is nothing wrong with it.

There’s calls to rename Chinamans Beach in Mosman.

“We would never name a place or even refer to someone as a ‘Chinaman’ today, which speaks volumes about the term.”

The beach is located at the northern end of Mosman, one of Sydney’s most genteel residential enclaves, and boasts a 250m stretch of sand.

It was associated with nearby market gardens that was run by people from the Chinese community during the 1800s.

According to SBS, records from the NSW Geographical Names Board show a man named Cho Hi Tick leased the land and created the market gardens with the Sydney Harbour backdrop.

The popular beach is located in the affluent area of Mosman in the Lower North Shore region of Sydney. Picture: TikTok

And it’s who Mr Chiu suggests the beach be named after, instead of its current name.

“While it may be uncomfortable for some people, this is about having an open and frank discussion about the term [Chinaman] and its history,” he added.

However, senior lecturer in history at the University of Sydney, Sophie-Loy Wilson, has a different theory as to how Chinamans Beach got its name.

She told SBS Insight the hotspot was previously called Rosherville Beach before it was renamed in 1977, adding the change reflected Chinese fishermen who liked to go fishing in the surrounding areas.

“Before the advent of refrigeration, Chinese fishermen were very important in Australia because they understood how to cure, smoke and preserve fish,” she said.

The push to have the name changed has been an ongoing battle.

Last year, Western Australia Labor MP Pierre Yang, delivered a speech to state parliament calling for change, noting there were 26 places across WA with the word “Chinaman” in their names.

This includes Chinaman Bridge and Chinaman Well in the Shire of York, Chinaman pool and two Chinaman Wells in the Shire of Ashburton, and Chinaman Creek, Chinaman Springs and Chinaman Well in the Shire of East Kimberley.

The term Chinaman is argued as being ‘racist and derogatory’.

It is among more than 300 around Australia with NSW accounting for the most with 83 locations, followed by Victoria with 58.

Mr Yang, who is of Chinese heritage, told the Legislative Council in June 2023 the word Chinaman is a “racist term, derogatory and contemptuous in nature”.

He said in “21st century multicultural Australia and multicultural WA, this word is no longer acceptable, and that’s why we don’t hear this word often”.

“Well, this is until you look at the Western Australian map. President, there are 26 places in Western Australia hearing the word Chinaman in their names,” he said at the time, according to the ABC.

However, not everyone agrees, with many defending the current name, including fellow locals of Chinese descent.

“Nothing racist about it in my opinion – no negative connotations. It’s a beautiful beach named after beautiful people – no dramas,” one person wrote on Instagram.

“It’s becoming more ridiculous all the time! What else will we need to change and deny from the past? It’s a beautiful beach. why would that offend anyone?” another wrote.

Others pointed out there’s a Frenchmans Beach in La Perouse and Dutchman’s Beach in Port Stephens.

“I am Dutch and I love it!” one person said.

Another local said he is second-generation Chinese Australian and the name “doesn’t offend me”.

“And in fact, I’m currently based in Singapore living on a street called Cantonment Road – which means the same bloody thing. We need to own and accept our history, both the good and bad. And stop trying to rewrite it,” he added.

One local also of Chinese descent begged for it not to be changed.

“I am of Chinese descent and I don’t find anything derogatory about it.”

But not everyone was of the same view, including radio and TV presenter Matt Baseley.

“Wow. The ignorance in the comments is amazing. Of course it should be renamed. How does renaming a beach hurt you?” he said.

A Mosman Council spokesperson told news.com.au the naming of places and localities is a matter for the NSW Geographical Names Board (GNB).

“Council is not aware of any future renaming plans,” the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the GNB said it has not received a proposal to rename or dual name Chinamans Beach.

However, in 2017, the GNB received an inquiry from a member of the public stating the name of the beach was offensive and suggested the previous name of Rosherville Beach be assigned.

News.com.au understands the Board reached out to Mosman Council for advice, including details of the name’s origin and to gauge whether the name was considered offensive by the local community.

The GNB considered the council’s response, which according to the Board, confirmed there is a historical connection between the name and the Chinese community in the area, and that the council prefers the use of the name Chinamans Beach.

News.com.au understands the GNB resolved to retain the name and to update origin information to the Geographical Names Register.