Temple statue ‘home’ after 52-year absence
A MISSING wooden statue of the Chinese god of war Kuan Ti has been returned to the community after disappearing for more than 52 years.
The statue was an import- ant fixture of the Lit Sung Goong Temple, a former place of worship for the Cairns Chinese community which was built in 1887 and demolished in 1966.
A few weeks ago an anonymous resident returned the statue to the Cairns and District Chinese Association Inc.
The group was established in 1978 and carries on the legacy of the old temple and the community by preserving Cairns’ Chinese heritage.
CADCAI heritage manager Mary Low said the Chinese community had always been a part of Cairns and the region..
“Before the temple was pulled down, the community salvaged all the artefacts, the fittings and the furnishings, which we have the bulk of now,” she said.
“If people do know of objects that came from the temple, we’d love to hear from them.
“It’s our local and national shared heritage. This temple was a part of Cairns and dates back to the town’s earliest history.”
A cultural centre is planned at Edge Hill.