Chinese Museum 澳華歷史博物館

05/09/2026

🐉🐎 The Spirit of the Dragon and Steed
🌞Date: 21-27 September 2026

Discover dragons and horses in Chinese art through historical objects, paintings and calligraphy. Across Chinese history, the dragon has represented strength, auspiciousness and transformation, while the horse has long been associated with vitality, freedom, perseverance and ambition. Through decorative objects, painted works and calligraphy, the exhibition explores how these symbols have appeared across different forms of Chinese visual and material culture.

🎨 Chinese Painting Workshop: The Horse

Led by two established Chinese artists Meiyu Xiao (萧美玉) and Chunrui Yang(杨春瑞) , this workshop invites you to explore traditional Chinese brush and ink techniques while developing their own interpretation of the horse through line, movement and form. No previous painting experience is required. All skill levels are welcome.

📅Date: Saturday 26 September (2 sessions)
🕐 1:00–1:45pm
🕑 2:00–2:45pm

📍 Museum of Chinese Australian History
🎟️ Museum admission required

05/09/2026

🐉🐎 The Spirit of the Dragon and Steed
🌞Date: 21-27 September 2026

Discover dragons and horses in Chinese art through historical objects, paintings and calligraphy. Across Chinese history, the dragon has represented strength, auspiciousness and transformation, while the horse has long been associated with vitality, freedom, perseverance and ambition. Through decorative objects, painted works and calligraphy, the exhibition explores how these symbols have appeared across different forms of Chinese visual and material culture.

🎨 Chinese Painting Workshop: The Horse

Led by two established Chinese artists Meiyu Xiao (萧美玉) and Chunrui Yang(杨春瑞) , this workshop invites you to explore traditional Chinese brush and ink techniques while developing their own interpretation of the horse through line, movement and form. No previous painting experience is required. All skill levels are welcome.

📅Date: Saturday 26 September (2 sessions)
🕐 1:00–1:45pm
🕑 2:00–2:45pm

📍 Museum of Chinese Australian History
🎟️ Museum admission required

InkPainting ChineseCalligraphy Dragon ChineseDragon DragonArt Steed Horse HorseArt MelbourneArt MelbourneEvents

05/09/2026

🐲IN HONOUR OF RUSSELL JACK❤️

It was a sombre and reflective moment in Bendigo last weekend honouring the amazing life of Russell Jack.

The Chinese Museum was lucky to interview Russell in 2019 when he was recognised as a Chinese Australian Achiever, celebrating the 200th anniversary since the first Chinese person arrived in Australia.

His interviews can be seen on screen in the One Million Stories: Chinese Australians 200 Years exhibition on the third floor of the Museum. Here is his first interview.

26/08/2026

17/08/2026

The Museum of Chinese Australian History’s Board, staff and volunteers would like to offer sincere condolences on the passing of Russell Jack AM to his extended family and the Board and staff of Bendigo’s Dragon Museum.

As the co-founder of the Dragon Museum, along with his wife Joan, Russell not only created a wonderful Museum but contributed to the building of strong Chinese community ties and a lasting cultural heritage to Bendigo and Australia through the annual Easter Parade of the various dragons.

Vale Russell Jack AM.

Russell Jack with Dai Gum Loong in 2019.
Photo supplied by Boyd Robertson.

14/08/2026

🀄 MAHJONG MOMENTS WITH TEA & TREATS 🍵

Looking for a relaxing afternoon filled with mahjong, tea and good company?

Join us at the Chinese Museum for an afternoon celebrating one of the most beloved traditional Chinese games.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or have never played before, beginners are warmly welcome!

Gather your friends and family, enjoy fragrant teas and delicious treats, and discover the fun, strategy and social connection behind this timeless cultural tradition. 🀄✨

📅 Sunday, 30 August 2026
⏰ 1:30pm – 3:30pm
📍 Chinese Museum, 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne
🎟 $30 per person

👉 BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW via the link in our bio🔗

Places are limited! Don’t miss out!
Come for the mahjong, stay for the tea & treats! 🍵🀄

14/08/2026

🎉 50 YEARS OF MELBOURNE CHINATOWN ARCHWAYS

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Melbourne Chinatown Archways and the formal recognition of the Chinatown Precinct along Little Bourke Street.

To celebrate this milestone, the Chinese Museum, Chinese Masonic Society (CMS) and Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne (CYSM) are coming together for a special community celebration on Saturday, 22 August.

Join us in the heart of Chinatown for a day of celebration, culture and history:
🐉 11:30am: Parade of Lions & Dragons through the iconic Chinatown Archways
🎭 12:00pm: Cultural Showcase in Chinatown Plaza
🏮 1:00pm: Official Launch of the Special Exhibition at the Chinese Museum

The exhibition will bring together Lion and Dragon displays, alongside historical photographs tracing the story of Melbourne Chinatown and its iconic Archways through the decades.

📅 Saturday, 22 August 2026
🕚 11:30am ~ 2:00pm
📍 Melbourne Chinatown & Chinese Museum
🔗 Book via the link in our bio.

The official exhibition launch at 1:00pm is a special moment not to be missed. Spaces are limited, so book your place now and join us in celebrating 50 years of this iconic part of Melbourne’s cultural heritage.

💡 The special exhibition will remain open until Sunday, 30 August.

10/08/2026

✨ CAFHOV Family History Day 2026: Herstory ✨

Discover the remarkable stories of the women in Chinese Australian family history: daughters, wives, mothers and aunties at this year’s CAFHOV Family History Day.

Through family research and personal histories, our speakers will explore the resilience, courage and experiences of women who faced extraordinary challenges: from living in China while their husbands were in Australia, to adapting to new cultures and languages, raising families, and building lives across generations.

📅 Sunday 16 August 2026
🕥 10:30am - 3:00pm
📍 Chinese Museum, 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne VIC 3000

🎤 Presentations include:

• Dutiful Daughters? Anglo/Chinese Girls on the Ovens Goldfields — Diann Talbot
• Teaguers and Hiahs: A Chinese-Irish-Australian Family: Mark Hillyer
• Saharet: Australia’s Greatest Dancer? Mary Vanderfeen
• Lily Woon: A Brave and Resilient Woman - Marie Hammond
• Fung Leen Woo: A Life Blessed by 8s - Carina Slavik
• Gold Mountain Wives: The Musical - Special guest Jun Bin Lee

💬 A Q&A will follow each presentation.

🎟️ Standard museum entry fees apply and include access to Family History Day and all museum exhibitions.

🔗 For more information, see the link in our bio.

Join us for a day of stories that bring the women of Chinese Australian history to the forefront.

10/08/2026

✨ CAFHOV Family History Day 2026: Herstory ✨

Discover the remarkable stories of the women in Chinese Australian family history — daughters, wives, mothers and aunties — at this year’s CAFHOV Family History Day.

Through family research and personal histories, our speakers will explore the resilience, courage and experiences of women who faced extraordinary challenges: from living in China while their husbands were in Australia, to adapting to new cultures and languages, raising families, and building lives across generations.

📅 Sunday 16 August 2026
🕥 10.30am–3pm
📍 Chinese Museum, 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne VIC 3000

🎤 Presentations include:

• Dutiful Daughters? Anglo/Chinese Girls on the Ovens Goldfields — Diann Talbot
• Teaguers and Hiahs: A Chinese-Irish-Australian Family — Mark Hillyer
• Saharet: Australia’s Greatest Dancer? — Mary Vanderfeen
• Lily Woon: A Brave and Resilient Woman — Marie Hammond
• Fung Leen Woo: A Life Blessed by 8s — Carina Slavik
• Gold Mountain Wives: The Musical — Special guest Jun Bin Lee

💬 A Q&A will follow each presentation.

🎟️ Standard museum entry fees apply and include access to Family History Day and all museum exhibitions.

🔗 For more information, see the link in our bio.

Join us for a day of stories that bring the women of Chinese Australian history to the forefront.