From our modest beginnings in 1985, when Multiculturalism was still an aspiration and not a practice, our museum has come a long way - as has Australia.
The Chinese Museum has matured to become a platform and an advocate for a Chinese Australian Community striving to actively participate and contribute to the health and wealth of Australian Society. This year we are setting new horizons - stepping up our activity and ambitions.
Please come with us to achieve our goals – every manner of participation and support provides us with the momentum to move forward. By participating, you will begin to understand the depth of engagement we have had in forming this place we have called home over the last 200 years, which has set a trajectory towards our future.
This year, we are seeking financial support – large and small. Please take part in our LUCKY88 RAFFLE by buying a ticket for $10 or buying a bundles of 15 tickets for $100. There is a month to go, and we need 500 more people to help us reach our target!
If you would like sponsor one of the activities listed below as an individual or an organisation, see our EVENT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES that starts for as little as $300. You will get promoted and you will also get free tickets to the event.
Whether you support by buying raffle tickets or coming to one of our events, we are always endeavouring to return something back to you - a deepening understanding of your culture, heritage and identity; being the custodian of the rich past lives of your ancestors; and advocating for our community’s social worth in the wider community.
Our collectivity and connectivity are our strength!
Best wishes,
Mark Wang Chief Executive Officer
2025 UPCOMING EVENTS - Our biggest year for activity
MORE EVENTS IN OCTOBER
Feature Appeal
Help us collect, preserve, and share Chinese Australian stories
The purpose of the Chinese Museum is to build a more harmonious Australian society by deepening the understanding of Chinese-Australian contributions to our collective history, heritage, and culture.
We achieve this goal by presenting popular education and public programs, exhibitions, and cultural activities - positive ways of sharing our culture and history.
Your generous donation will help us collect, preserve, and share the stories of Chinese Australians, both past and present, protecting their rich legacy for generations to come.
This year the Bendigo Easter Festival is being held from Friday 18 April to Sunday 20 April. On the Sunday, the current dragon, Dai Gum Loong, after being awakened on Saturday will make an appearance at the end of the gala parade, together with lion dancers and will be accompanied by drums and firecrackers.
The first Bendigo Easter Fair was held in 1871. The Chinese first contributed to it in 1893, and since then the dragon parade, which has traditionally been used to raise funds for local charities, has become an integral part of the festival.
Peter Wai Pang Louey OAM was one of the founders in the 1960s of the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne (CYSM) which held activities such as Martial Arts and Lion Dancing. In 1970, Russell Jack, one of Bendigo’s Chinese elders, invited the CYSM to participate in the Easter parade. That year, Loong, the 100-year-old dragon which made an appearance in Melbourne in 1901, had just retired and the new dragon, Sun Loong, was its replacement. In 2019 Sun Loong retired and was replaced by Dai Gum Loong.
This started Peter’s family tradition of participating in Bendigo’s Easter Festival. In 1972 Peter and his toddler son Richard were captured on ABC footage walking in the parade. Twenty-two years later, Richard was invited to carry the lion’s head, the only Melburnian amongst the group. In an interview conducted in 2014 Richard talked about passing on these traditions to his daughters having himself attended the Bendigo Easter Festival each year since 1972. And so, the traditions continue….
Courtesy of Irene Poon, Curatorial Volunteer and Family Historian
Peter Louey OAM with granddaughter and Richard Louey (second from right) with his family.
Photo Credit: Justin McManus – published in an Age digital post 19 Apr 2014
STORY FROM THE COLLECTIONS
Dressing Table
Year: 1919
Maker: Wing Lee Brothers
Size: 123cm (W) x 180cm (H)
Donor: Peter & Suzanne Hengstberger
This hardwood dresser features a three-sided oval glass mirror and metal pendant handles, with a faded triangular stamp on the sideboard of centre drawer. Although the triangular stamp is faint, "G. Wing Lee Bros" and "Lonsdale St" are clearly visible.
Wing Lee G. & Bros Cabinet Makers operated from 30 Lonsdale St, Melbourne from 1919 to 1921, as listed in the Sands & McDougal catalogue.
A similar dresser in the Bendigo Golden Dragon Museum is stamped "Made using Chinese labour". This piece is mentioned in Peter Charles Gibson's book Made in Chinatown: Chinese Furniture Factories in Australia, 1880-1930. However, the address shown on the stamp was incorrectly restored as 80 Lonsdale St, which is not where the business operated.
Wing Lee G. & Bros made European-style furniture for Australian retailers, often using the "Chinese Labour" stamp required by the Factories and Shops Act 1900. This legislation reflected racial and economic protectionism, designed to limit Chinese influence on Australian industry.
Wing Lee G. & Bros was highly regarded for its craftsmanship, with intricate joinery and fine carpentry blending European and Chinese styles. The "Chinese Labour" stamp reflected early 20th century racial discrimination and the wider social attitudes of the time.
Courtesy of Aimee Li, Collections Manager, Associate Professor in Cultural Heritage & Museum Studies
EDUCATION PROGRAM
Bookings are now open for 2025
The Chinese Museumoffers education programs all year round for students of all year levels and abilities.
For your convenience, bookings for all of our education programs can be made online using ouronline booking form. Simply select your preferred program, click the BOOK NOW button to and then fill in the online booking form.
Museum of Chinese Australian History acknowledges Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pays respect to their cultures and Elders past, present and emerging.
