Australian Chinese "Finding Gold" Shown in Guangzhou

The Australian Consulate-General in Guangzhou and the Guangdong Overseas Chinese Affairs Office has brought a historical exhibition "Finding Gold" in Guangdong Overseas Chinese Museum. Australian Consul-General Mr. Grant Dooley and Mr. Wu Ruicheng, Director-General of the Guangdong Overseas Chinese Affairs Office joined the opening ceremony yesterday (August 12) afternoon. The exhibits will be displayed at the Guangdong Overseas Chinese Museum from 12 August to 12 September, then move to the Australian Pavilion during the 7th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair from 15 to 18 September.

The story of the exhibition begins with the discovery of gold in Australia in 1851, the economic stimulus that started the modern development of Australia. It was the catalyst that brought Chinese people to this distant land in great numbers.

In the last 60 years, Chinese people have come from China and all parts of Asia to settle in Australia, with numbers swelling from 9,000 in the 1950s to 700,000 today. Chinese Australians have been key contributors to the fabric of Australian Society for over 150 years and they now appear at all levels of Australian society, professions, business and politics.

The exhibition is co-produced by the Museum of Chinese Australian History and East China Normal University. Various sponsors have contributed funding or in-kind support to bring the exhibits to China. These include major sponsors Newcrest Mining Ltd. and supporting sponsors Arts Victoria Central Equity Ltd, Calibre Business Integration, Orient Express Travel Group and Sovereign Hill. The exhibition has received generous support and assistance from the State Government of Victoria, Minerals Council of Australia, Queensland Resources Council, Perth Mint, Victorian Multicultural Commission and Museum Victoria. The sponsors for the Guangzhou leg include wine sponsor DC8 Group Pty Ltd and venue sponsor Guangdong Overseas Chinese Museum.

Lucky draw will be available for attendees.For further information, please contact Ms Willow Li, Research Assistant (Tel: 020 3814 0186, E-mail: willow.li@dfat.gov.au)

(Reported by Shanna Chu)

中文版 Chinese version