Biographical informationFong Irene was born in 1907 in Long Foon village, Toishan district, Guangdong, China. Her step-father, Sydney Fong, brought her to Australia in 1918 along with her brother Arthur Fong (Quong Tong) after their mother, Sydney Fong's first wife, died in China in 1914. Sydney Fong adopted her.
Irene was educated at Stella Maris Convent in Geraldton. Because she spent much of her childhood in Australia, she and her brother Arthur were the subject of special exemption in the early 1920s and were allowed to remain in Australia rather than return to China at the end of their schooling.
Irene married Wan Tong Chn (c.1936) and had two children with him. It is possible that Wan Tong Chn was employed at Sydney Fong & Co in Geraldton c.1940.
She passed away in 1972.Date of birth1907Date of death1972