CHI James Minero

Description

Biographical informationChi James Minera, known as 'Jimmy Chi' was born in 1903 in Broome, Western Australia. His father was Chi John (Chinese) and his mother was Chi Yaie (Japanese).

He grew up in Broome amongst his four siblings; the oldest boy. He assisted in his father's long-soup kitchen.

After the death of his father in 1921 he took over the family's long-soup/noodle restaurant. He also set up Broome's first taxi service. In 1924 he married Andrea Mary Damaso. They were divorced in 1936. He married Mary Bernadine (Lilly) Bell in 1948 and they had three children: Richard, James Ronald (Jimmy), and Maxine. Jimmy Chi senior also had a daughter, Pearl, with Barbara Lynott.

During World War 2 he was arrested and interned in December 1941 because of his mixed Japanese heritage. He remained in prison until October 1946. When released he found that his house and restaurant had been burnt down during the war and his taxi commandeered by the army. He faced open hostility from many in the white population in Broome and remained unemployed for three years. He was one of the few Japanese Australians to speak out about his internship experiences in the media.

To make ends meet while he was unemployed he became a fisherman. He eventually found work at the Broome jetty and worked there until he retired.

He died in 1993. His son, Jimmy, was a musician and playwright known for his 1990 musical Bran Nue Dae, which was adapted for film in 2009. Other nameChi James Minero (differentiation name)Chi Jimmy (also known as)Chi James Joseph MineroDate of birth1903Date of death1993

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