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RUNNING throughout autumn, Ballarat’s Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (MADE) exhibition Chinese Fortunes is a fascinating display that tells the stories of pioneering Chinese Australians in the lead-up to Federation. There are longheld stereotypes of Chinese miners in Australia and stories about violence, opium addiction and gambling, all perpetuating images of the Chinese during the gold rush era as a homogenous and unsophisticated group. However research proves this image doesn’t accurately reflect the life of Chinese communities in Australia during the gold rush, the diversity and complexities of their culture, and the contributions they made to the development of our nation. They were miners, merchants, storekeepers, furniture makers, detectives, interpreters, gardeners, philanthropists, entertainers and business people. “In the past 30 years, our understanding of the history of Chinese Australians has been remade,” said MADE’s curator Cash Brown. “Thanks to a growing community of researchers and historians, we now have new insights into the political, economic and cultural dimensions of Chinese Australian experiences. MADE’s aim is to shine a new light on these stories and demonstrate how they have helped shape contemporary Australia.” Similar to miners at the Eureka Stockade, Chinese miners also rallied against unfair taxes and restrictions, using protest and civil action such as petitions and organised tax avoidance. These were less successful in bringing about the change in economic and political rights, however continued to make significant contributions to the their broader communities. supporting local community projects such as building hospitals, benevolent asylums and schools. “We are delighted to bring you our Chinese Fortunes exhibition to shed a new light on how with organisation and sophistication, along with an incredible spirit of determination, many of these pioneering Chinese Australians not only survived the hardships of the goldfields, but in many cases came to prosper and become an essential part of Australia’s economic, social and political life,” said MADE’s chairman Kaaren Koomen. “Their story, with its high and low points, is an important part of the Australian story and the path towards creating the democracy that we all enjoy today.” Chinese Fortunes is on until June 25.

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