Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka’s latest exhibition Chinese Fortunes launches the first day of the Lunar Calendar – Saturday, January 28 –  with free entry throughout the weekend. 

M.A.D.E acting chief executive Sarah Masters said the exhibition reveals the untold stories of Chinese settlers who remained in Australia and found success away from the goldfields including as entrepreneurs, detectives, philanthropists and entertainers. 

“Often the Chinese came as a group of people who weren’t all going to mine,” Ms Masters said. “They worked very much on a collectivist model and did a whole range of things for the betterment of the community.”

This included farming fruit and vegetables and providing charitable support to hospitals and projects that benefited the broader community.

Ms Masters said the idea for the exhibition came from former M.A.D.E. director Jane Smith.

“Jane worked with communities whose stories on the goldfields hadn’t been told very strongly (including indigenous communities and women),” she said. 

“There are very stereotypical perceptions of the Chinese on the goldfields (making their fortune and returning to China) so we wanted to say there were other stories out there as well.”

More than 40 of these stories will feature in the exhibition, which is presented in English and simplified Chinese. 

“We’re very excited to present the stories to the whole public, but also to know that people who do come from a Chinese background or visiting friends and relatives for the Chinese New Year period will be able to enjoy them as well,” Ms Masters said. 

Meanwhile Sovereign Hill has teamed up with the Chinese Australian Cultural Society Ballarat to celebrate the Year of the Rooster over two weekends. 

The colourful festivities include parades featuring Chinese dragon Xin Long and lion dancers along Main Street, ribbon and fan dancing, theatre performances, Tai Chi and hands-on activities such as Chinese calligraphy and paper cutting.

Visitors can also step back in time and experience life on the goldfields as a Chinese settler. 

A traditional Chinese ceremony with a roast pig will welcome in the Lunar New Year on Sunday, February 5, while celebrations continue on Sunday, February 12. 

CACSB president Michelle Philips said anyone could get involved in the celebrations.

“One of the reasons why we chose to call ourselves the Chinese Australian Cultural Society is the only thing we ask of people is they have an interest in Chinese culture,” she said. “The best way to make friends with someone is to understand them.”

The society is currently looking for new members to join its lion dancing team. For more information visit chineseballarat.org.au.