‘Father of the fishermen’ put Hong Kong dragon boat racing on the global map
- From elevating the neglected Tanka community to bringing their dragon boat races to the masses, Charles Thirlwell’s legacy still resonates in Hong Kong
There is no official memorial in Hong Kong to commemorate Charlie Thirlwell. No parks, roads or public buildings bear his name. But his legacy compares favourably with that of any governor or wealthy merchant from the city’s past.
He fought for them to be integrated into mainstream Hong Kong society during the post-war period of rapid economic development. Thirlwell championed inclusivity and diversity in the workplace, six decades before the term was widely used.
He was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1970 for his efforts.
Fluent in Cantonese and Tanka dialect, Thirlwell penned a dragon boating anthem that is still sung at festivals. “That’s why he is still known as the father of the fishermen,” says Lai Man-cho, treasurer of the Chai Wan Fishermen’s Recreation Club, which Thirlwell founded in 1964.