In 1860 the Commission on Missions to the Heathen were instructed and authorised by the Victorian Presbyterian Assembly to create a Mission to the Chinese at Ballaarat. In 1875, a Seminary for the training of catechists was organised with 6 Chinese students under the leadership of Rev. R. Hamilton and Mr. W. Cheong. The seminary continued for two years before closing, having fulfilled its purpose. The students, Paul Young, James Chue, James Tong Way, Thomas Wong Cheong, George Young and Charles Way became catechists and occupied positions at Bright, Beechworth, Talbot, Richmond, Ballarat, Ararat and Deep Lead. By 1900 there were centres established at Brunswick, Ballarat, Bairnsdale, Beechworth, Geelong, ·Brunswick, Warrnambool, Golden Point and Hamilton.

The main Chinese Missions were established at Ballarat, Brunswick, Beechworth, Talbot, Ararat, Bairnsdale, Warrnambool and Geelong.

Rev.James Chue, the first Chinese superintendent of the Mission returned to China in 1903 and Mr. John Tong Way was appointed Superintendent until his retirement in 1949. In 1905, Mr. Tong Way was ordained as a Missionary with his centre at Ballarat, visiting Geelong and other country centres regularly.

By 1916 staff of the Chinese Mission were Rev J Tong Way at Ballarat, Thomas Wong Cheong at Warrnambool, George Young at Beechworth, Charles Way at Rutherglen/Wahgunyah/Benalla and Paul Chin at Brunswick but visiting Melbourne, Sale and Bairnsdale.

(References: General Assembly Minutes 3 May 1860; A Centenary History of Chinese Work in Victoria by Rev John Poon 1960; The Leaflet, Jun 2018, p24.)