As this year of the Dragon draws to a close, this exhibition showcases the many ways in which the history of Bendigo’s dragons has been recorded in images over the past 130 years.
Displayed here are photographs, slides, stereoeviews, videos, and illustrations that depict our beautiful dragons in all their wonder. From professional photographers and newspapers to ‘happy snap[s’ and home videos, there is a wealth of imagery through which we can witness their history.’
Closes 25 February
Main image, Photo credit: Mr Tyrone Jack
Image above: Dai Gum Loong. Photo Credit: Esther Andrews. Bendigo Camera Club 2019.
The Year of the Dragon: Depictions in Chinese Art
In the midst of the Year of the Dragon, join Luke Guan and learn more about how the most auspicious of all creatures, the Dragon, has been depicted in Chinese art through the ages.
Luke Guan is the Head of the Chinese and Asian Art Department at Leonard Joel. He is also the director and chief valuer of L. Guan Asian Art. Luke has extensive experience across local and international auction houses, he has worked for several years as a specialist at the Chinese works of art department at Christie’s New York, and as an Asian art specialist at Mossgreen, Australia. He also served as a researcher and specialist at the world’s leading Chinese art gallery, Joyce Gallery, Hong Kong for several years prior to joining Mossgreen.
Luke is an approved valuer for the Australian Government’s Cultural Gift Program and holds a Master of Letters (MLitt) degree in Chinese art history from the University of Glasgow and Christie’s Education.
The annual Sylvia and Jeffory Mander Memorial Lecture is held to recognise the significant contribution this local couple made as Museum volunteers over several decades. The Lecture is also an opportunity to recognise all the work and support our volunteers give us across the Museum’s operations throughout the year.
Photo credits: Main image: Sun Loong, Opening Golden Dragon Museum 1991. Photo credit: Leigh McKinnon
Image above: Golden Dragon Museum. Photo credit: Jess White Photography
Music in the Gardens 2025
Bring your friends and family and enjoy these free, informal concerts every Sunday afternoon throughout January. Showcasing a broad range of Bendigo local talent and other fine performers from further away, these concerts are a wonderful way to enjoy the magic of the Yi Yuan Gardens.
5 January QiQi Music
Celebrate the joy of traditional Chinese music with guzheng artist QiQi. This enchanting concert will feature the lively melodies of the guzheng, perfectly paired with Madison’s vibrant traditional Chinese dances. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Chinese culture in a stunning garden setting—an uplifting experience not to be missed!
12 January Ryan McPartlane
Join this young local singer / songwriter as he plays a mix of original music and covers. Ryan’s acoustic styles of songs can vary from slow to faster, making for an afternoon for laying back and relaxing.
19 January Mariah McCarthy (trio)
Folk singer/songwriter, Mariah, broach’s themes of love, loss, betrayal and tragedy with authenticity, and often haunting melancholy but always a glimmer of hope. With delicately woven songs rich in storytelling and three-part harmonies, Mariah and her trio captivates their audiences through honest and affecting tales that hang around in your head long after listening.
26 January Distilled Strings
Distilled Strings is an acoustic string quartet with four passionate string players from Bendigo. Whether they are playing Mozart or Lady Gaga, Gershwin or Guns N Roses, Distilled Strings has a quality of sound, an interpretation and desire which holds the music in its own space. Kick back, relax and listen as they infuse your senses with the vast, rich and sensational arrangements of many favourite tunes.
| Music in the Gardens is supported by |  |
Golden Dragon Museum’s Collection Redevelopment Project has been a key driver in our work to best care for, store and research our world-leading Collection.
In Highly Commending the Project, the judges at the recent Awards recognised this in their citation:
The judges commended this project as a remarkable two-year initiative that brings new life to the museum’s significant collection, particularly important to the Chinese community in Australia. By prioritising collection redevelopment and access, the museum has shown impressive innovation, despite limited funding. It not only enhances the preservation of cultural history but also engages interns and students, ensuring that its positive impact will be felt for years to come.
The Museum thanks the City of Greater Bendigo and Helen Macpherson Smith Trust for their support of this Project. More information can be found here.
Photo credit: Jess White Photography
Photo credit: Jess White Photography
Golden Dragon Museum, Yi Yuan Gardens and Guan Yin Temple are open every day during Victorian school holidays.
Monday 23 September – Sunday 6 October Fabulous Floor Talks return. From Monday, every day at 11.00am join a 15 minute introductory talk and learn about the Museum’s Collection and why there are Dragons in Bendigo.
Every Monday and Wednesday at 2.00pm there is a Curator’s Talk about our current temporary exhibition ‘Victoria’s Goldfields: Chinese Curiosities from Heritage Victoria.’ This collaborative exhibition between the Museum and Heritage Victoria presents small vignettes of the Chinese presence across Victoria from the mid-1800s into the 20th century. The exhibition marks the return of temporary exhibitions to the Museum after many years absence and closes on 10 November, 2024.
Golden Dragon Museum’s Temporary Exhibition program and its associated activities are funded through the City of Greater Bendigo Community Grant Program.
