The Bendigo Golden Dragon Museum is being transformed into a national Chinese landmark - showcasing the rich history of the local Chinese community from the gold rush era to today.
Premier and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan and the Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards today visited the Museum to announce support for its redevelopment days before the Premier's first trade mission to China.
The Allan Labor Government is supporting the Golden Dragon Museum with more than $392,000 in funding to plan the next stage of its major redevelopment and transform it into the new National Chinese Museum of Australia.
The museum is home to Dai Gum Loong, the world's longest imperial dragon, measuring 125 meters long and created by Master Hui for the annual Bendigo Easter Festival. It's also houses Loong, the world's oldest imperial dragon, and a collection of other dragons - attracting more than 80,000 visitors each year.
Victoria has a long history of friendship with China. It is one of nine organisations sharing in more than $2 million through the Chinese Community Infrastructure Fund (CCIF).
Through the Chinese Community Infrastructure Fund, we're helping create places where Chinese Victorians can come together, celebrate their culture, and pass traditions on to future generations.
Other projects include an works on an underground car park at Avalokitesvara Yuan Tong Monastery in Deer Park, lighting upgrades at the Museum of Chinese Australian History in the City of Melbourne and courtyard improvements at the Chinese Association of Victoria in Wantirna.
Celebrating Chinese Victorians' rich history and culture both in regional Victoria and across the state will be a key part of the Premier's China Strategy- to be launched in Beijing on the Premier's first trade mission to China.
The Strategy will recognise the special role Chinese Victorians have always played in the life of our state - and the many opportunities Victoria and China can take together in education, innovation, agriculture and more.
For more information and a full list of grant recipients, visit vic.gov.au/chinese-community-infrastructure-fund.
As stated by Premier and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
"Bendigo is home to one of Victoria's most important cultural institutions - and this funding will help the Golden Dragon Museum grow into a national museum that tells the story of Chinese Australians for generations to come."
As stated by Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt
"Victoria's diversity is one of our greatest strengths and we continue to back programs like the Chinese Community Infrastructure Fund - to ensure our multicultural communities have a place to come together."
As stated by Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
"The Golden Dragon Museum is a much-loved part of Bendigo's history and identity - this investment will ensure it continues to share the stories of our local Chinese community with visitors from across Victoria and beyond."
