Chinese Ancestral Shrines in Victoria

BENDIGO’S residential Strategy will be reviewed because of greater than expected growth.

The State Government has announced a grant of $50,000 to carry out the review.

The review is needed because, according to the State Government, 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.

Regional Development Parliamentary Secretary Damian Drum made the announcement this morning.

Mr Drum said the Bendigo Residential Strategy Review would deliver greater community and investor certainty, helping the region grow.

“The Bendigo Residential Development Strategy was adopted in 2004 and is currently being audited because of the faster than anticipated growth that has occurred in Bendigo in recent years,” he said.

“Strong residential growth has many flow-on economic benefits and having a clear framework for future development will position Greater Bendigo City Council to undertake more detailed, place-based planning in the future.”

Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said about 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.

The Residential Strategy impacts directly on where and how property developments use “infill” parcels of land, range of housing styles and also on housing affordability.

“This project will review the strategy, assess current and estimated land supply and demand and consider various legislative and policy changes,” Mr Ryan said,

“It will also consider the latest demographic data and establish a new strategic framework to guide the long-term residential growth of Greater Bendigo.

“The project will result in a revised residential strategy that will give developers, the community and service providers greater surety and confidence about where land can be developed for residential purposes, and that sufficient land is available to accommodate the City of Greater Bendigo’s future growth.”

Mr Ryan said a contemporary strategic planning framework was essential to the economic development of a large regional centre like Bendigo.

“Clearly identifying future growth options and supporting infrastructure needs will enable the Greater Bendigo City Council and other infrastructure providers to plan their capital works programs well in advance,” he said.

“Identifying long-term growth areas will enable the council and other service authorities to start planning for the delivery of services, thereby minimising the lag time between when residential development occurs and when the services need to be in place.”

| Bendigo Weekly | 08-Apr-2011 3.39

RITUALS: The funeral tower at White Hills cemetery. Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN

A NEW booklet about Chinese ancestral shrines sheds light on the rituals of people who played a vital role in Bendigo’s history.

Chinese Ancestral Shrines in Victoria
Carol Holsworth
Published by the Friends of the Bendigo Cemeteries Inc.
Printed by the Bendigo Uniting Care Print Service. Cost: $8

Carol Holsworth, the researcher and author of this publication, has not only had charitable organisations involved in its production; she has also decided all money from its sale should go to the Bendigo Joss House.
There is so much myth associated with these Chinese Ancestral Shrines which were once found in a significant number of cemeteries throughout our state.
Carol helps to dispel these myths and helps us understand the rituals, customs and beliefs, which brought these important mortuary structures into existence.
The author also brings out the difficulties that the Chinese experienced, particularly in colonial society, where they were faced with prejudice, torment and intolerance towards their practices by many in the community.
The Chinese believed the spirit of the dead needed to be honoured by the burning of appropriate symbols of this world, so that the spirit of the departed could partake of the offerings made.
The graveside ritual also involved the burning of joss sticks, making prayers and offering food and drink for the spirit of the deceased.
Fire was a way of performing the ceremonies. Fire and its consequences in this part of the world, was also largely the reason why various cemetery Trusts wanted this to be confined to a suitable structure, hence the shrines or prayer towers.
As she writes, “The wooden crosses, head boards, fences and red gum surrounds were at risk each summer.”
The reader is led to understand the significance of the Ching Ming, sweeping of the graves ritual, performed at a particular time of the lunar calendar.
Confining the rituals to a particular place caused the erection of these shrines in cemeteries between 1860 and 1913, there are now only 15 remaining, including two in Bendigo.
There is evidence of the author’s wide, impressive research and some international comparisons are useful.
Chinese Ancestral Shrines, is a must for the historian, those interested in social history, ethnic practices, religion and the story of our community.
– James Lerk