Local businesses that are open at Easter and close the festival’s parade route are excited at the prospect of a new Chinese dragon in 2018.
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The Sun Loong 750 campaign plans to raise $750,000 to repair and preserve Sun Loong and fund his replacement, Dai Gum Loong.
If funds are raised quickly enough, Dai Gum Loong – which means Big Golden Dragon – would debut at the 2018 Easter festival and be guided through the streets by Sun Loong in what would be the 47-year-old dragon’s final appearance.
Wine Bank on View owner Mark Coffey said a new dragon would be a good investment for Bendigo.
“We need one. Sun Loong is pretty tired after years of use, so it would be a good investment,” he said.
“It’s a lot of money but if we share the load, it’s not too much per person. Chinese dragons are definitely the best part of the parade.”
La Trobe Art Institute assistant director Sanda Bruce said it was a chance for people to give back to the Chinese community.
“If you look at the history of the parade, it was founded by the Chinese residents for the benefit of the community,” she said. “It’s a lovely thing to ask the community 150 years later to reciprocate that by contributing to looking after Sun Loong and welcoming his replacement.”
Bendigo Art Gallery curatorial manager Tansy Curtin said there was a lot of regional pride in Bendigo’s Chinese dragons.
“The dragons feature so much in people’s experiences and memories,” she said.
“A lot of the historic pictures of Bendigo and the festival show the dragons have a role to play.”