FRIDAY 16 AUGUST 2024
World's oldest Imperial Processional Dragon shows a new way to share its history
Bendigo’s Golden Dragon Museum – home of the world’s oldest Imperial Processional Dragon - will provide unprecedented access to the Deaf and hard of hearing community through the Golden Dragon Museum Auslan Self-Guided Tour, a series of Auslan videos created to tell the stories of some of its key exhibits.
The self-guided Auslan tour will be a permanent part of the museum and ensures immediate access for Deaf visitors providing cultural and heritage information in Auslan and replacing the need to book an interpreter in advance which in regional towns can incur significant travel costs.
Deaf advocate Sophie Li, the daughter of bestselling author of Mao’s last Dancer, Li Cunxin AO, is launching the video series and says having equal access is empowering and allows greater autonomy and independence.
“A spontaneous visit to a museum is something the hearing community take for granted. For a Deaf person to be able to wander and absorb the stories of the treasures within the museum in their preferred language of Auslan and at their leisure is a new benchmark in accessibility. The Deaf community in Australia will now get opportunities to learn more of my family’s rich Chinese heritage, reaching a much deeper level through these videos.”
Created by the Deaf for the Deaf, the videos were produced in association with Expression Australia’s Deaf Hub Bendigo, project lead Hilary Callaghan says authentic representation is important. “Using Deaf members from the local community to record the videos gave the project additional layers of inclusivity and incorporated a range of signing styles, it’s been a valuable exercise in building confidence and skills.”
Upon entry to the museum a tour guide brochure is made available that lists exhibits with an Auslan translation, Deaf visitors use their mobile device to scan the QR codes to activate the video that details the history of the exhibits. Videos translations are each between two and six minutes in duration.
Ten key exhibits or themes were selected to launch the initiative, Museum CEO Hugo Leschen says he hopes there will be more opportunities to expand the catalogue of Auslan translation videos. “Golden Dragon Museum has the largest collection of Chinese heritage and cultural objects in Australia, and we have worked closely with the Deaf community to select objects and stories that best highlight features that are part of the Auslan interpretations including Loong, the oldest intact Imperial Processional Dragon in the world. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the rich history of the Bendigo Chinese and Chinese art and culture with an entirely new audience. It has been a pleasure to work with Deaf Hub Bendigo and the local Deaf community in developing and delivering this important project which was supported by Telematics Trust. “
Ricci Swart, AM Chair Telematics Trust commented “Telematics Trust was pleased to support Golden Dragon Museums Auslan self-guided tour project. It is essential that every Victorian should be able to access the important cultural and heritage information that the Golden Dragon Museum has to offer.”
Golden Dragon Museum will host a Deaf Community Day on:
Saturday 17 August
9:30am – 4.30pm.
Free entry for Deaf and Hard of Hearing visitors
To celebrate the launch of the Golden Dragon Museum Auslan Self-Guided Tour on Saturday 17 August the Museum is hosting a special Deaf Community Day. Entry for Deaf and Hard of Hearing visitors to the Museum will be free for the day and there will be a community lunch in the Emperor’s Dragon Restaurant at 12:00pm, people to purchase their own meals.
The Auslan introduction video can be found here :
The exhibits that have Auslan Videos include:
Guardian Lions.
Dragons and the Bendigo Easter Parade.
Lions and other performance practices.
Community Alcove.
Loong.
Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages.
Mandarin Jacket.
Dai Gum San Precinct.
Yi Yuan Gardens.
Guan Yin Temple.
Golden Dragon Museum Auslan Self-Guided Tour Launch Event
The media is invited to join Sophie Li and invited guests at the Launch event at
11.30am, Friday 16 August 2024 at Golden Dragon Museum
Media Inquiries and Interview Opportunities
Golden Dragon Museum
Chief Executive Officer, Hugo Leschen, M 0417 100 229
For interviews with Deaf Hub Bendigo and Sophie Li -
Contact: Kellie Curtain M: 0412339690
Key Facts:
Media launch
Friday 11.30am
Golden Dragon Museum Bendigo
* Exhibits with permanent Auslan self guided tour for Deaf and hard of hearing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3fxQ8fHyl4
* Repairs comlete following vandal attack to Loong - world's oldest Imperial Processional Dragon
Deaf Community Day
Saturday 17 August
9:30am – 4.30pm.
Free entry for Deaf and Hard of Hearing visitors
About us:
Golden Dragon Museum is a living history of the Chinese people in Bendigo from the goldrush of the 1850s to the present day. Its collection holds over 30,000 objects including three Imperial Processional Dragons and is the largest and most significant collection of Chinese heritage and cultural material in Australia. As the hub of Chinese cultural activity in Australia, the Museum some 35,000 admissions each year and allows visitors to experience first-hand Chinese arts and crafts.
Deaf Hub Bendigo is an inclusive Hub for the wider community- all ages. Reducing barriers and isolation amongst the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community members accessing support and information. Creating awareness. Empowering deaf, H.O.H, deafblind, coda, families to achieve their life goals, by supporting and advocating. Enhance self-confident, promote independence, social inclusion and self-identity.
Contact details:
Media Inquiries and Interview Opportunities
Golden Dragon Museum
Hugo Leschen
Chief Executive Officer
M:0417 100 229
For interviews with Deaf Hub Bendigo and Sophie Li -
Contact:
Kellie Curtain M: 0412339690
