SUMMER SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM 2012-2013

Chinese Dragon Puppets
Chinese dragons have paraded in Bendigo since the 1880s. They are the symbol of good luck and prosperity. Join in the fun and create your very own Chinese dragon puppet.

Dates and times
1pm on Mon December 31st, and in January - Wed 2nd, Fri 4th, Mon 7th, Wed 9th, Fri 11th, Mon 14th, Wed 16th, Fri 18th, Mon 21st, Wed 23rd, Fri 25th

Chinese Pom Pom
Chinese pom poms can be found on many of the museums items including our lions and dragons. Children can make their own striped Chinese pom pom as a decoration for Chinese New Year.

Dates and times
11am on Mon December 31st, and in January -  Wed 2nd, Fri 4th, Mon 7th, Wed 9th, Fri 11th, Mon 14th, Wed 16th, Fri 18th, Mon 21st, Wed 23rd, Fri 25th

Cost: $10 Bookings Essential

Ages: 5 -12 years. Children under 7 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

CHINESE NEW YEAR - YEAR OF THE HORSE 

Chinese New Year is a colourful and noisy celebration where red decorations adorn homes and business to welcome happiness and prosperity. While red clothing is worn during this time to ward off any bad spirits.

The Bendigo Chinese Association will mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year with a community celebration held on Dai Gum San. Starting at 6:30pm - 7:30pm, the Bendigo Chinese Association's Lion Team, Dragon Team and Plum Blossom Dancing Team will perform in tradition costume, spreading good luck and prosperity to onlookers.

Date: TBA
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: Dai Gum San 
Cost: Free

The Golden Dragon Museum celebrations start with an eight course banquet - Dates to be confirmed. It is customary for a communal dinner to be held during the New Year period to honour past and present generations and family unity.

Date: TBC
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: Chinese Tea Rooms, Golden Dragon Museum
Cost: $40 Adults $25 Children

On Sunday 16th February the Golden Dragon Museum will host a Yum Cha Luncheon beginning at 12pm. Amongst the Chinese delicacies served will be skilfully pleated dim sum, Phoenix Claw (otherwise known as Chicken feet), Dragons Eye dumplings and whole steamed fish. Foods served during Chinese New Year have special meanings for example the Chinese character for fish, yu, sounds the same as the word for riches or abundance, and it is believed that eating fish will help your wishes come true in the year to come.

Date: Sunday February 16th 2014
Time: 12noon
Venue: Chinese Tea Rooms, Golden Dragon Museum

KUAN YIN'S BIRTHDAY 2014

Kuan Yin is a worshiped and popular Goddess in Chinese communities throughout East and South East Asia. Kuan Yin is revered due to her unconditional love, compassion and mercy. She is regarded as the protector of women and children and seen as a fertility goddess capable of granting children.

Date: Sunday March 17th 2014
Time: 1pm
Venue: Kuan Yin Temple, via Farmers Lane 
Cost: Free

EASTER FESTIVAL 2014
Chinese Spring Festival
The Chinese Spring Festival presents unique cultural experiences provided by authentic Asian performers to Bendigo as well as highlighting amazing local cultural performers.

Date: Saturday 19th April 2014
Time: 10am - 12pm
Venue: Dai Gum San precinct
1-11 Bridge St Bendigo
Cost: Free

The Awakening of the Dragon
The Awakening of the Dragon ceremony in 2013 will be showcasing talent from around Australia. Daring stunts performed by Hung Gar Yar Shu (Melbourne), Chinese Youth Society (Melbourne),Cairns and District Chinese Association (Cairns), Prosperous Mountain Lion Dance (Canberra) and the Bendigo Chinese Association (Bendigo). Performances include Chinese dancing, dragon dancing, lion dancing, Chinese drummers and martial arts demonstrations. This event is a highlight of the entire Bendigo Easter Festival.

Date: Saturday 19th April 2014
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Venue: Dai Gum San precinct
1-11 Bridge St Bendigo
Cost: Free

The Bendigo Easter Festival Torchlight Parade

The Annual Torchlight procession exhibits various community groups and schools from around central Victoria. At the rear of the parade see the Bendigo Chinese Association bring out lion dancers, Chinese drummers and gongs, Ming Loong, Ping Loong, Xiao Le Loong, Gansu Loong and the luminous Choi Loong.

Date: Saturday 19th April 2014
Time: TBC by the Bendigo Easter Festival
Parade Route: TBC by the Bendigo Easter Festival
Cost: Free
 

The Bendigo Easter Festival Gala Parade
The Easter Gala Procession is the main parade of the festival comprising of community groups and schools together with the Chinese Association section at the rear of the procession. On this day costumes and exhibits housed in the Golden Dragon Museum come out on display to the public alongside the famous Sun Loong. Sun Loong is the longest Imperial dragon in the world and only parades in the public once a year.

Date: Sunday 20th April 2014
Time: 1pm
Parade Route: TBC by the Bendigo Easter Festival
Cost: Free 
  
Chung Loong
Chung Loong in Cantonese translates to 'the return of the dragon' which is a spectacle in itself. Watch Sun Loong back into the museum for another year's hibernation whilst standing on the newly developed Dai Gum San precinct. Following Chung Loong will be performances by various Chinese performing artists.

Date: Sunday 20th April 2014
Time: Approx 2.30pm
Venue: Dai Gum San precinct
Cost: Free