Iteration of the Bendigo project…

“If you are planning for a year; sow rice; if you are planning for a decade; plant trees; if you are planning for a life time, educate people.” (Chinese Proverb)

Sound installation and live performance @ the Addison Road Gallery, Marrickville

This project started in Bendigo, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, as part of the ‘Seedpod’ residency hosted by Punctum, live arts organisation based in Castlemaine. During my time in Bendigo I researched and developed the project with the outcome of an art installation and public performance at the Old Fire Station in Bendigo. I found my time in Bendigo invaluable, as I was able to make connections within the community and learn much more of the local history. I wanted to share these histories with people in Sydney, as a lot of Australians, myself included, are unaware of some of the Chinese histories in Australia, especially the early Chinese Australians.

This second iteration of the project is a sound installation using found sounds and field recordings around the Goldfields, Peppergreen Farm (the original Chinese market garden site) and interviews with Chinese elders Dennis O’Hoy and Russell Jack; who I am in deep gratitude for having given me invaluable information in regards to the Chinese history in Bendigo and also insight into their own family histories. The Golden Dragon Museum and Bendigo Joss House for historical research and David Bannear who was kind enough to take the time to show me some of the old digging sites and cemeteries in the area.