澳大利亚华人百年历史回顾 华商诚信之光：悉尼 Haymarket 百年建筑的历史佳话

澳大利亚立国仅二百余年，是一个年轻而多元的国家。然而在悉尼唐人街，却屹立着一处极具象征意义的华商百年建筑——它不仅见证华人跨越世纪的奋斗，更成为今日中外旅客追寻华侨历史的必访地，被誉为“华人在澳创业精神的百年象征”。

这里曾是中国“四大百货”之一——永安公司与先施公司在悉尼的重要早期创业基地。先施公司创办人马应彪，以及永安公司创办人郭泉、郭乐兄弟，皆由此起步，随后返上海开创现代百货体系，在近代中国商业史上留下不朽传奇。

在他们创业之时，所有账目、电报业务与客商往来，均由雷宜佑负责。他以诚信、稳健与周全著称，被誉为“值得托付的华商管家”。当年亚洲订单如潮水般涌入店内，场面繁盛，是华人在澳逐步站稳经济舞台的真实写照。

诚信立业：跨越世纪的佳话

有一段诚信故事最为人称道。

一日清晨，联邦银行职员特地上门拜访雷宜佑，以致谢意。

原来数日前，永安创办人郭乐在银行办理取款，因职员疏失，多收到了一袋英镑。郭乐察觉重量异常，立即原数奉还。此举很快传遍悉尼，被媒体誉为：

“华商诚信的最佳典范。”

这一看似寻常的行为，却奠定了华商在澳洲社会“守信、可信、光明磊落”的形象，使永安与先施声誉更盛，并成为华侨百年奋斗史中最温暖动人的一章。

百年之后：家风与精神的延续

百年时光，家风不灭。

2025年深秋，雷宜佑的孙辈——

雷燦仪（Charlie Louie），现任《澳洲中山侨商会》会长，为编纂与升值《雷氏族谱》重返此地，寻访祖辈创业遗迹。雷氏家族在澳已传至第五代，产业遍及澳洲与北美，多元而兴盛。

回望祖父辈的奋斗岁月，雷燦仪深受触动。他常记祖父言传身教的家训：

“为人做事，先想到他人。

想到他人，就是在成全自己。

家庭与事业并重，信誉是立身之本。”

这句家训，穿越百年依旧明亮如初。

它不仅照耀着雷氏家族后代，也启迪着所有在异乡努力打拼、以诚信立身的华人企业家。

**Light of Chinese Business Integrity:

The Century-Old Legacy of Sydney’s Haymarket**

Australia, a nation of just over two hundred years, is young yet remarkably diverse.

Amid Sydney’s Chinatown stands a historically significant Chinese commercial building—an enduring symbol of the century-long journey of Chinese settlers. Today, it has become a must-visit site for travelers from China and Southeast Asia, celebrated as “a landmark of Chinese entrepreneurial spirit in Australia.”

This location was once the early business base of two of China’s “Four Great Department Stores”—Sincere Company and Wing On Company.

Founders Ma Yingbiao (Sincere), along with Guo Quan and Guo Le (Wing On), began their ventures here before returning to Shanghai to establish China’s modern department-store system, leaving an indelible mark on modern Chinese commercial history.

During their operations in Sydney, all financial records, telegrams, and business correspondence were overseen by Lei Yiyou, known for his integrity and dependable management. He was widely respected as “the trusted steward of Chinese merchants.”

At that time, orders poured in from all over Asia, and the store bustled with activity—a vivid reflection of the determination and resilience of early Chinese entrepreneurs in Australia.

Integrity in Business: A Story That Spanned a Century

One story of honesty became legendary among the Chinese community.

One morning, a staff member from the Commonwealth Bank visited the store to express his appreciation.

A few days earlier, Wing On founder Guo Le had withdrawn funds from the bank. Due to a clerk’s error, he was mistakenly given an extra bag of pounds. Upon realizing the discrepancy, he immediately returned the full amount.

The incident spread quickly through Sydney, and local newspapers hailed it as:

“A shining example of Chinese business integrity.”

This seemingly simple act helped establish the reputation of Chinese merchants in Australia as trustworthy, upright, and principled. It elevated the standing of both Wing On and Sincere and became one of the most touching and enduring stories in the history of the Chinese-Australian community.

A Century Later: The Legacy Continues

A hundred years have passed, yet the family values remain vibrant.

In the autumn of 2025,

Charlie Louie (Lei Canyi)—grandson of Lei Yiyou and President of the Australian Zhongshan Chinese Business Association—returned to Haymarket while compiling and elevating the Lei Clan Genealogy. His visit retraced the steps of his forebears who once built their livelihood here.

Now into its fifth generation in Australia, the Lei family has established thriving businesses across Australia and North America.

Reflecting upon the perseverance of earlier generations, Charlie often recalls his grandfather’s teachings:

“In everything you do, think of others first.

By thinking of others, you help yourself.

Family and career must be balanced, and integrity is the foundation of all business.”

This timeless family maxim continues to shine across generations.

It not only guides the Lei family but also inspires countless Chinese who strive with dignity, resilience, and诚信 in their adopted homeland.

编著：澳洲华人历史研究会

2025年11月深秋

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