Journal of Chinese Australia, Issue 2, October 2006

Beechworth Chinese Cultural Centre

John Osmond

From its inception in March 2004, the Beechworth Chinese Cultural Centre has grown in strength, providing the community with a culturally significant asset housed within an authentic goldrush building, itself with ties to the Chinese of gold rush era.

September 2004 saw the opening of the Centre by Peter Monshing, descendent of one of the Chinese who lived and worked on the Ovens and District Goldfields. Attendees of the opening included the Buddhist Society of the Melbourne; three Chinese Buddhist monks who performed a cleansing ceremony; the Chinese Consul for Cultural Affairs, Mr Tian Junting; and Dr Kok Hu Jin who launched one of his books; amongst others.

Opening of Chinese Cultural Centre, September 2004

The aim of the Chinese Cultural Centre is to better explain to the public, with particular emphasis on both primary and secondary education, the role of the Chinese in the development of Beechworth and the surrounding region during and after the gold-rush period of the nineteenth century. The building chosen to accommodate the centre is an original 1850s building built to house the Chinese Protector, within the Beechworth Heritage and Cultural Precinct.

Open to the public, with the Chinese Cultural Centre's principle objectives are to:

• contribute to the development of the site as a source of communication, history, education, technology, art, theatre and reflection for all members of local community, and to attract a growing number of visitors to Beechworth
• provide a considered and lasting response on the relationship of Beechworth and it surrounding areas to its Chinese heritage
• engage the community in the development and critical appreciation of a community-run cultural asset
• make available the facility for people of all abilities, ethnic communities and indigenous groups
• help provide funding for the development and maintenance of the Beechworth Chinese Gardens

Over the past couple of years, the Beechworth Chinese Cultural Centre and Gardens has run a number of Chinese-related festivals and shows.

Opening hours for the Centre are from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, Wednesday to Monday.

The Centre's phone number is 03 5728 2866 or Kathryn on 03 5728 2968.

Our website is at www.beechworthchinese.com.au.

Beechworth Chinese Cultural Centre celebrates in the Chinese Gardens, Beechworth

About the author

John Osmond is a Committee member of the Beechworth Chinese Cultural Centre.