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In 1857, the first of thousands of Chinese prospectors landed at Robe in South Australia and walked hundreds of kilometres to the goldfields of Victoria in search of fortune.
The legacy of these people was honoured in Bendigo on Sunday when a group of walkers arrived in the city, having spent 15 days retracing the steps of the prospectors, 160 years after they first made the arduous journey.
The group, organised by the Chinese Community Council of Australia, was greeted by the Bendigo Chinese Association’s lion team, which led the walkers from Rosalind Park to the Golden Dragon Museum.
Walker Charles Zhang said it was an honour to be welcomed to the city in such a way and described the day in Bendigo as the best on the journey.
Mr Zhang said the walk had gone well so far, “but our legs would disagree with us”.
He said undertaking the trek demonstrated how difficult it must have been for those who made the walk 160 years ago, when – unlike now - there were no roads, no support from local people, no money and language barriers.
The support the modern contingent of walkers have received along the way is what has most touched Mr Zhang.
On the course of the walk, the participants have been learning more about the experience of the first Chinese in Australia, visiting museums and monuments in gold rush towns.
This has also driven home how far Australia has come since the 19th century.
“What happened, we can’t change it, but we need to appreciate what we have now, compared to 160 years ago,” Mr Zhang said.
He said he hoped such activities would contribute to building a better, more harmonious Australia.
Between 1857 and 1863, more than 16,200 Chinese – with just one woman in their number – landed at Robe to avoid discriminatory Victorian government taxes and restrictions placed on Chinese migration.
Along the way to Bendigo and the goldfields, many died from sickness or starvation.
The CCCA walk has taken in several towns of historical significance, including Ballarat, Ararat, Penola and Casterton, and will end in Melbourne on the steps of Parliament House.
Ten people are walking the full distance, with another 40-odd joining to participate for shorter distances.
On Monday the walkers will travel by car to Ballan, and then walk to Bacchus Marsh.
Bendigo Chinese Association president Charles Lougoon said the walk presented an opportunity to reflect on the influence Chinese people and people of all backgrounds had had on Bendigo and Australia.