As the program's latest guest presenter, I'm delving into Beechworth's hidden Chinese history.
I've been to Beechworth numerous times as a visitor where I've enjoyed the honey and cafes, swum in Woolshed Falls and eaten many a 'Beesting' (a cream filled bun) from the bakery.
But despite frequently visiting the town – as well as being Chinese-Australian – I still had no idea that in the 1850s, almost a quarter of the population of Beechworth were Chinese. They came to Beechworth in search of gold but were subject to "racism at its worst", as described by local researcher Vivienne McWaters.
Vivienne has spent a large portion of her life digging up what remains of an old Chinese camp, located near her property. I was extremely fortunate to be able to see the rare artefacts she found, up close.
I also get to meet (and train with) some of the Beechworth Golden Serpents dragon boat racing team, including Diane Edmondson. Local resident and modern-day miner Darren Sutton taught me how to look for gold, while author Diann Talbot took me back in time with a visit to the exact location where the Buckland Riots took place in 1957.
Talking to some of the few remaining Chinese descendants living in Beechworth was certainly a highlight. Kathryn Chivers showed me around the Beechworth Cemetery and we made offerings at the Ceremonial Burning Towers. We rounded off the episode with a walk around the Chinese Gardens, a fitting and serene tribute to the town's former Chinese population.
The episode is well worth checking out if you have a spare half an hour!
Australian viewers can tune into ABC TV on Tuesday, 29 October 2024 or catch up here on ABC iView.