BENDIGO'S Golden Dragon Museum has seen its first visitors in 11 weeks, with processes in place to make it a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
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Museum chief executive Hugo Leschen said people started arriving within 15 minutes of the doors opening this morning.
A mix of locals and visitors made their way through in the course of the day.
The current restrictions allow for up to 60 people in the museum at a time.
Mr Leschen estimated up to 25 people went through during the morning.
Some young families were even fortunate enough to have the opportunity to feed the fish in the precinct.
Even during the weeks the doors were closed, Mr Leschen said the fish were not forgotten.
"We had a couple of calls during the closure reminding us to feed the fish," he said.
A volunteer who used to worship in the Guan Yin Temple was also able to return, reinvigorating the spiritual side of the precinct.
"One of the beautiful things about this precinct is that it's not just a museum," Mr Leschen said.
He said the precinct had undergone maintenance and updated security since the museum's closure on March 17.
While the doors remained closed to the public, museum staff took the opportunity to complete tasks they might otherwise be too busy to devote time to.
They included developing new workshops and offerings for the education program and launching a Golden Dragon Book Club, Mr Leschen said.
It was also a time to consider the opportunities that might be afforded by extending the museum.
Mr Leschen said the Golden Dragon Museum was working with the City of Greater Bendigo and the state government around the proposed redevelopment.
He suggested temporary exhibitions could be one of the options made possible by the additional space.
A rebranded National Chinese Museum of Australia could attract travelling exhibitions to Bendigo.
It could also use the opportunity to showcase more of the stories contained within its own collection, which includes about 300 pairs of shoes.
"A museum is all about the collection and people," Mr Leschen said.
For the past 11 weeks, staff have had an opportunity to focus on the collection.
"It is truly a pleasure to welcome people back and to share stories people are able to tell," Mr Leschen said.
The Golden Dragon Museum will be open during the long weekend.
For more information about the museum, conditions of entry, and the Golden Dragon Book Club, visit goldendragonmuseum.org
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