For the love of Loongs

Dragon Barcode 3-6_Dragon Cover art flat 10/11/2022 8:06 AM Page 1 for the love d R agoN dance Sunny and Nai Nai can’t wait for their town’s annual dragon parade. But when the loongs don’t wake up, Sunny must find a way to save the family tradition. Dragon Dance is a story of hope, resilience and creativity, and a celebration of the much-loved Chinese dragons on the Australian goldfields. of loongs

A local author and illustrator team up to tell a universal story from a very Bendigo perspective. About the creators: Six generations of Lauren Mitchell’s family have watched the Chinese dragons dance in Bendigo, since her Cornish great, great grandfather arrived to mine for gold. Lauren has been sharing stories of Bendigo’s culture and community for more than 20 years, as a journalist, editor and author. LAUREN MITCHELL |

Bendigo is about to get its own children’s book, with the pending release of Dragon Dance, a story of hope, resilience and creativity, Photography by Leon Schoots - Illustrations by Geoff Hocking She loves cups of tea, singing in the kitchen and bushwalking behind her Bendigo home. Dragon Dance is her sixth book. Award-winning artist/illustrator Geoff Hocking was born in Bendigo in the first half of the last century. He began illustrating for publishers in London in the 1970s GEOFF HOCKING and a celebration of the city’s much-loved Chinese dragon tradition, by author Lauren Mitchell and illustrator Geoff Hocking. and has, over the past 50 years, illustrated, designed, written and published umpteen books. Today he lives in the old goldfields’ town of Castlemaine.

When a stormy day meant the Bendigo Easter Procession was cancelled this year, for the third time in a row due also to COVID, If he is not in his studio he can usually be found in his garden, willing vegetables to grow or feeding his chooks.

Lauren had found herself something to write about.

“I was reflecting on the losses of the pandemic, especially for ISBN 978-0-6451971-3-6 | BILLY BUTTON BOOKS children,” she says. “It dawned on me that my youngest son had never seen the procession. Lauren Mitchell | Geoff Hocking

“My mother-in-law has always been the one to take the grandchildren. She’d pack the fold-up chairs, rugs, snacks and drinks and head out early to claim the same position each year, on the corner of High and Bridge streets near St Kilian’s church. It just got me thinking about this big pause to an event that has meant so much to local and visiting families.” In the story, main character Sunny takes it upon herself to save her family’s Easter tradition and, in turn, make new memories for them to cherish. “For those of us with kids in our lives, they were often the ones who got us through those tough lockdowns,” Lauren says. “We had to remain positive for them and keep active for them. I got a lot out of seeing children embrace the simple home pleasures we all went back to and that can so easily get lost in our busy lives. This story was also about holding on to some of that.” In her bid to see the story published, Lauren asked Geoff if he’d look at it. The pair are long-time contributors to Bendigo Magazine. Lauren has worked as a reporter, editor, copywriter and columnist in Bendigo for more than 20 years. Geoff has been an illustrator, author, graphic designer, book designer and fine artist for more than 50 years. His past children’s titles include It’s One World, The Boy Who Painted the Sun, by Jill Morris, and Dromkeen Medal winner I Shot an Arrow, by Robin Klein. “Robin Klein was my favourite author growing up, and I’ve long admired Geoff’s work, so I really hoped that he would like my story,” Lauren says. She’d heard, every autumn, they’d wake from a long, deep sleep to dance the streets. But she’d never seen one move.

Geoff says the timing of Dragon Dance arriving in his inbox was perfect, as he’d been looking for an opportunity to illustrate a new book for children. “I thought the story was charming,” he says. “I liked the subtext that the dragons didn’t appear for two years because of COVID, but that this is not actually said in the text. It is an oblique reference to people waiting and hoping they come back – and they do. “For several years, I had been thinking about painting a very long picture of the dragon. It is something I had done at art school more than 60 years ago, long lost now, but the idea of painting all those legs and repeating all those scales forced me to abandon the idea, time and again. Dragon Dance has satisfied that desire. Not too many legs are shown in these new drawings. “It has been such a pleasure to include bits of Bendigo in the drawings and to be part of a new book that celebrates this important part of the rich culture of my hometown. I jumped at the opportunity to be involved in visualising Lauren’s story onto the printed page.” Lauren says it was a joy to work with Geoff, who has brought the words to life through his pictures, design, and the photographs he took of Sun Loong on parade in the 1970s. “The character, energy and colour that Geoff has brought to the story is beautiful,” she says. “There’s a lovely, subtle humour to his work, plus a love of this place and a sense of place that’s evident in his local scenes. I couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome for Sunny, her grandmother Nai Nai and the loongs of Dragon Dance.” Dragon Dance will be launched by Anita Jack at the Bendigo Library at 10am on Saturday, January 21. The family-friendly event is part of the library’s Chinese New Year celebrations, which will feature the cracking of fortune cookies and the dancing of dragons and lions, thanks to the Central Victorian Lion Team. Details and bookings via the Goldfields Library website.

Allan, Jess, Mitchell and Rachel Rosalie and Aida

TINY HOMES ENLARGE MINDS

Bendigo Racecourse was the place to be in September for those intrigued by the tiny living movement.

Patrons of the Tiny House Festival were in awe as they toured the innovative spaces on display, imagining what it might be like to call one home.

Isy and Lily

Renae and Jasmin Krista and Marian

Misa, Miomir and Anja

CHARLOTTE DASHWOOD

“I love the independence here and the freedom to organise myself.” ISSAC GRAHAM

“My Advisor has given me great guidance and advice throughout my time at BSSC.”

KEIRA LONG

“BSSC is a warm and accepting place… my Aboriginal ancestry is respected here.” LIAM DUIVENVOORDEN

“At senior you can explore ideas and still have the full support of teachers.”

EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES

BSSC offers the greatest choice of subjects for senior secondary students in Victoria, a wide range of specialist programs and flexible learning options, all designed to create an environment that supports learners at every level. Like to find out more? Phone: 5443 1222 Email: admin@bssc.edu.au

Bendigo Senior Secondary College

Adam and Steph Alex and Hser Nay Ta

Cass, Marshall and Indianna

Grace and Ron Daniel, Jedda and Nathan

Michael, Luke and Dale

FANS IN FULL FORCE

Star Trek, Doctor Who and Star Wars were some of the pop culture icons celebrated at Bendi-Con.

The expo was attended by fans of all ages keen to embrace their ‘geeky’ side. Funds were enthusiastically raised for the Peter Mac Cancer Foundation through the cosplay contest, and the display of comics was as popular as ever.

ENJOY MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT THIS SUMMER!

The 2022/2023 Summer in the Parks program features a range of free or low cost events during the months of December, January and February.

With support from the City of Greater Bendigo, Agnico Eagle Australia and local community groups and organisations, Bendigo’s beautiful parks will come alive with outdoor cinemas, entertainment, live music and community activities and events. There is lots for the whole family to enjoy.