Golden Dragon Museum
Encyclopedia
The Golden Dragon Museum is an award winning certified museum. It is situated in the city of Bendigo, Australia. The museum is dedicated to the Chinese
who immigrated to the region and the rich culture they brought with them. Built on the site of Bendigo's original Chinatown, the museum's precinct also includes beautiful Chinese Gardens and a temple to Kuan Yin
.
festival. The Bendigo Chinese saw this as a chance to become a part of the community. The elders of the region raised 750 pounds by placing a levy on all Chinese. This money was used to purchase extravagant costumes and regalia. These costumes form the basis of the museum's collection and are well preserved garments, made from silk and gold bullion thread.
s in the world. Sun Loong, the longest imperial dragon, is over one hundred metres long and is brought out every year for the Bendigo Easter Festival
. Loong, the oldest imperial dragon, is heritage listed. Thanks to his presence at the parades for Federation in 1901 and the Centenary of Federation in 2001, Loong is an important part of Australian history.
. The museum also contains displays which show the hardships and racism
many Chinese faced because of the White Australia policy
at the beginning of the 20th century. Along with displays specific to the experience of Chinese in Australia, the museum hosts many exhibits celebrating the richness and antiquity of greater Chinese culture.
Chinese Australian
Chinese Australian is an Australian of Chinese heritage. In the 2006 Australian Census, 669,890 Australian residents identified themselves as having Chinese ancestry, either alone or with another ancestry....
who immigrated to the region and the rich culture they brought with them. Built on the site of Bendigo's original Chinatown, the museum's precinct also includes beautiful Chinese Gardens and a temple to Kuan Yin
Kuan Yin
Guanyin is the bodhisattva associated with compassion as venerated by East Asian Buddhists, usually as a female. The name Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin which means "Observing the Sounds of the World". She is also sometimes referred to as Guanyin Pusa...
.
Origins
Chinese heritage constitutes a significant part of the town of Bendigo's cultural identity. The goldrush saw thousands of Chinese migrate to Bendigo in the latt\er half of the 19th century. The Chinese formed their own community and began raising money for charities. In the 1870s, the local Chinese were invited to take part in the annual EasterEaster
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
festival. The Bendigo Chinese saw this as a chance to become a part of the community. The elders of the region raised 750 pounds by placing a levy on all Chinese. This money was used to purchase extravagant costumes and regalia. These costumes form the basis of the museum's collection and are well preserved garments, made from silk and gold bullion thread.
Dragons
The Golden Dragon Museum houses both the oldest and the longest imperial dragonDragon dance
Dragon dance is a form of traditional dance and performance in Chinese culture. Like the lion dance it is most often seen in festive celebrations. Many Chinese people often use the term "Descendants of the Dragon" as a sign of ethnic identity, as part of a trend started in the 1970s. Another...
s in the world. Sun Loong, the longest imperial dragon, is over one hundred metres long and is brought out every year for the Bendigo Easter Festival
Bendigo Easter Festival
The Bendigo Easter Festival, formerly called the Bendigo Easter Fair, is an annual event held in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia since 1871. The festival includes the Easter procession which sees Sun Loong, the longest imperial dragon in the world, dance through the streets.- First fair :The first...
. Loong, the oldest imperial dragon, is heritage listed. Thanks to his presence at the parades for Federation in 1901 and the Centenary of Federation in 2001, Loong is an important part of Australian history.
People
The Golden Dragon Museum contains several displays which portray the success and value of multiculturalismMulticulturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
. The museum also contains displays which show the hardships and racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
many Chinese faced because of the White Australia policy
White Australia policy
The White Australia policy comprises various historical policies that intentionally restricted "non-white" immigration to Australia. From origins at Federation in 1901, the polices were progressively dismantled between 1949-1973....
at the beginning of the 20th century. Along with displays specific to the experience of Chinese in Australia, the museum hosts many exhibits celebrating the richness and antiquity of greater Chinese culture.