Gladys Sym Choon

Main

BiographyGladys Sym Choon's Chinese heritage and her business selling oriental goods were an exotic attraction at a time when the 'White Australia Policy', or the Immigration Restriction Act, made life very difficult for many Chinese people living in South Australia and Australia. She was only 18 when she opened the China Gift Store at 235A Rundle Street, Adelaide in 1924 selling napery, embroidery, fine textiles and ornaments. The first woman to import goods, she made frequent trips to China and Hong Kong to buy stock for her shop and to visit relatives. The China Gift Store operated until 1985. Visit the SA History Hub for more.

Object

Fireworks

Bowl and Spoon Set

Zither (dulcimer)

Lantern Slide

Certificate Exempting from Dictation Test

Sheet Music

Teapot

Embroidery

Studio portrait of Gladys Sym Choon
Courtesy of Mei Ling Niel
Migration Museum photographic collection, PN05626Studio portrait of Gladys Sym Choon
Courtesy of Mei Ling Niel
Migration Museum photographic collection, PN05626Studio portrait of Gladys Sym Choon
Courtesy of Mei Ling Niel
Migration Museum photographic collection, PN05626Studio portrait of Gladys Sym Choon
Courtesy of Mei Ling Niel
Migration Museum photographic collection, PN05626Studio portrait of Gladys Sym Choon
Courtesy of Mei Ling Niel
Migration Museum photographic collection, PN05626Studio portrait of Gladys Sym Choon
Courtesy of Mei Ling Niel
Migration Museum photographic collection, PN05626Studio portrait of Gladys Sym Choon
Courtesy of Mei Ling Niel
Migration Museum photographic collection, PN05626Studio portrait of Gladys Sym Choon
Courtesy of Mei Ling Niel
Migration Museum photographic collection, PN05626Studio portrait of Gladys Sym Choon
Courtesy of Mei Ling Niel
Migration Museum photographic collection, PN05626Studio portrait of Gladys Sym Choon
Courtesy of Mei Ling Niel
Migration Museum photographic collection, PN05626

Details

Date of Birth14 December 1905Date of DeathOctober 1991