Anita Jack, the outgoing general manager of the Golden Dragon Museum, originally planned to resign from her role in 2017.
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But it was swift fundraising for the restoration of Bendigo dragon Sun Loong and the creation of new dragon Dai Gum Loong implored her to stay on and oversee the project.
Ms Jack announced her resignation last week after 14 years in the general manager role.
"In July, 2017, we finished the business case (for the museum's future) and at that stage I had given my intention to step aside," she said.
"That case was adopted by the board and we thought (the dragon project) wouldn't start until 2020 or 2021. That gave us three years to do the fundraising but it took seven months - so I had to take on that project.
"So it is later than I expected in regards to stepping aside but it is the perfect time for me with my eldest starting VCE and my youngest going into high school."
Ms Jack's resignation follows on from her father, and museum founder, Russell Jack's decision to step down as director a month ago.
"(My father) had started to step back in 2012 (by resigning from) the presidency and the board," Ms Jack said. "In 2017, we thought he would be fully retired but with the (business case) adopted that movement took a bit longer.
"That always happens with transitions. Some are quick, some are slower."
Having announced her intentions to step aside in 2017, Ms Jack said only a small group of people knew of her plans.
"Those on the business case knew and people in different levels of government had known for some time," she said. "But it didn't slow me down or make me not work as hard.
"Those around me knew the job I was doing in that last 12 months had been incredibly long. There were weeks where I never had weekends because it was so intense with the dragon."
Bendigo Chinese Association president Doug Lougoon said it had been a very busy few years with a strategic plan, a business plan and Dai Gum Loong being completed.
"With the advent of the National Chinese Museum of Australia (which operates as the Golden Dragon Museum) coming into being, we have been looking at the structures of the organisation," he said.
"(Anita's announcement) was no real surprise but it's one that gives the organisation an opportunity to move on with a fresh set of eyes.
"Having had the influence of Russell and his late wife Joan, Anita was following through (that legacy). I don't think we were ever in a position to force the issue. A natural occurrence was fine by us.
"We don't expect to find someone fill the shoes of Russell and Anita but are looking for a skill set that can take on (future projects) and gain the necessary funding for the expansion of museum in to a full modernisation of a national museum."
Mr Lougoon said the museum won't have seen the last of both Russell and Anita Jack.
"We are appreciative of what Russell and Anita have done over many years," Mr Lougoon said. "I'm sure they're not going to runaway and forget about us.
"They'll have input over the next period of time but we're going to crack on and make everything we can a winner as we head to the goal that we have.
"The business case still sits with the state government and we will put our cards on the table in best way possible."
Ms Jack said had no regrets about leaving the museum and felt she had made her legacy at the museum.
"It's been a pretty exciting year for me. The project was a great, once in a lifetime thing," she said.
"It's the year of pig this year, when it's your year you do everything that makes you happy. I'm year of pig, so I started at Chinese New Year with bringing the dragon home. Culturally it is really my year.
"It's important with any project, to have people create a legacy.
"Like my father and mother did with the museum and gardens. Mine is the forecourt and new dragon.
"The museum's future lays with the city in supporting and carrying it to the next level. It's all there in print in the business case, now it just needs to be supported and implemented."
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