Open Monument is a contemporary artwork acknowledging the history of Chinese people in Ballarat. The Chinese diaspora was global and many Chinese people came to Ballarat and the Victorian Goldfields. The work details some of the personal Chinese family memories of Ballarat from the goldrush forward. The 33 marble laser-etched panels include found images and texts mounted on a modernist metal architectural feature holding back a grassed hill landscape. Within the side walkway of gravel and composite stone is an etched of local activities relating to the Chinese community achievements that can be added to by the community.Open Monument is of aesthetic and historical significance to the people of BallaratArchitectural artwork consisting of large marble panels on a corten steel frame imbedded into a grassed mount.Inscription on plaque: Open Monument 無極紀念碑 ​/ Artist: John Young ​/ Officially Launched by Mr Yumin Song / Chinese Consul-General to Victoria​ / 6th September 2015​ / Open Monument unearths stories of the Chinese diaspora in Ballarat, a name which means/ “resting place” to the traditional custodians - the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung people.​/ The monument comprises of two artworks: Transculture, a granite-panelled work, evoking stories of alternative worldviews, / modernity, leisure and toil. Whilst Timeline traces the major contributions of the Chinese community in Ballarat, every decade / from the 1850s until the present. The timeline then folds out to 2170, anticipating imaginary future contributions.​ / The monument is open to future interpretations of this history. ​/ I thank you for visiting and acknowledging the contributions and memories that meant so much to / those who have gone before us./ - John Young Zerunge​ / Patron: Mr Henry Thai OAM JP​ / President of Ballarat Chinese ​/ Community Association Inc​ / The following generous donors to this project are acknowledged with gratitude​/ City of Ballarat​ Sovereign Hill Museum Association Inc.​ Ballarat Chinese Community Association Inc.​ Mr Henry Thai OAM JP & Mrs Sandra Thai ​ Mrs Shirley Doon & Family in memory of Harry Doon​ Chinese Masonic Association Inc.​ Mr Mean Te and Mrs Meng Khun​ Mr Jack Nguyen MA JP & Mrs My Tang​ Mr Tony and Mrs Elise Yu​ Mr Chang Zhen Zhen & Family​ Australian Lian Jiang Association​ The Federation of Chinese Associations Vic​ The Leesoon Family​ Mr Stephen K.F Ng OAM JP​ Dr Che Sam Lo MD phD JP OAM​ Elderly Chinese Home Inc.​ The Federation of Chinese Org from VN Cambodian and Lao Association of Vic. Inc.​ Bright Moon Buddhist Society​ Nam Pon Soon Club House​ See-Yup Society​ Mr Peter Chong Wai Lo​ Mr Qing Song Lin​ Mr Binh Quoc Mao & Mrs Thuy Cam Thai​ Mr Alexander Mao​ Mr Yuet Lung Kwok JP​ Mr Tai The Tran​ Mr Phillip K. L. Tran​ Mr William K. L. Tran​ Mr Quang Khon Tran JP​ Mr Kouy Taing​ Mrs Kieng Hor Lou​ Mr Bill Chang Piu Au​ Mr Maurice Kwok Leong ​ Mrs Eunice J. Leong​ Mr Vi Minh Tran JP​ Mr Frank Cheng​ Mr David Cheng​ Mr William Thai​ Mr Lizhen Lin​ Mr Phillip Richard Thai​ Mr Hoan Ping Kow​ Mrs Xao Nhu Kow​ Mr Huy Thai​ Mr Yun Kuen Lo​ Mr Chiu Yip & Mrs Yuan Han Cho​ Mrs Jacqueline Louise Thai Greenwood​ Mr Joe Hap Chi Chao & Mrs Rosana Wei Ning Chao​ Charity & Multi Art Association of Victoria Inc.​ Mr Billy Cai​ Miss Nikki Cai​ Miss Su-Ling & Miss Lily Mays-Doon​ Mr Anthony Doon​ Mr H J Moy & Family​ Chinese Australian Cultural Society Ballarat Inc​ open monument chinese, chinese history ballarat goldfields, china, ballarat, goldfields, john young, chinese, mining, multicultural, immigration, tong way, goon, joss house, embroidery, billy butterfly, chinese market gardens, red lion hotel, ah soon, mayor of main road, chinese herbalist, yee lee, james hong, cheok cheong hong, john ah loo, wathawurrung, robe, lowe kong meng, louis ah mouy, tongway, gallipoli, william lung

Built in 1953, the Rice House was leading Melbourne architect Kevin Borland's first commssion and was one of two houses of its kind. The design of the shell-like structure was inspired by the Arch of Ctesiphon, built in the second century south of Baghdad. Cement with a waterproofing agent was applied in layers to a form of regularly spaced timber arches covered in hessian. This ctesiphon system was developed in the United Kingdom by engineer J.H. de Waller in 1947. Commissioned in 1951 by Harrie and Lorna Rice, after Harrie, then an art student, met Borland at The Age Small Homes Service. Borland suggested they buy land in Eltham because at that time it was the only council in Melbourne that would grant a permit for such an innovative house. Covered under Victorian Heritage. Inspired by an ancient arch in Iraq, a house stands on top of a hill in a private position, off Ryans Road, Eltham. One of only two houses of its kind, it was leading Melbourne architect Kevin Borland’s first commissioned house, which he built in 1953. The shell-like structure, partially screened by giant trees and cacti, was inspired by the Arch of Ctesiphon south of Baghdad, built in the second century.1 Cement with a waterproofing agent was applied in layers to a form of regularly spaced timber arches tightly covered by hessian. This ctesiphon system was developed in the United Kingdom by engineer J H de Waller in 1947. This house was the first of three such structures built in Victoria, of which only one other remains, although substantially altered.2 It is the Wood House and supermarket, at the corner of Cleveland Road and High Street Road, Ashwood, designed by Robin Boyd in 1952. The Rice House demonstrates Kevin Borland’s innovative and experimental work. It is an outstanding example of the post-war period of experimentation in domestic architecture in Melbourne – by Robin Boyd, Kevin Borland and others – for The Age Small Homes Service from 1947 to 1953. This was partly an expression of late-Modernism and also necessitated by the post-war shortage of building materials. In Eltham, the post-war shortage of building materials largely resulted in mud-brick houses. Examples of Borland’s public work include contributions to the Olympic Swimming Pool in Melbourne and the Preshil Junior School in Kew. After more than 50 years of living in the house, Harrie and Lorna Rice still love it. Facing north-east with large windows overlooking the garden and two courtyards, it is well lit and benefits from a through breeze. The couple commissioned the extraordinary house after Harrie, then an art student, met Borland in 1951 at The Age Small Homes Service. Harrie was so impressed by the recently graduated Borland’s enthusiasm, that he asked him to design them an interesting house for a low budget. The unusual design presented several hurdles for the young couple before they could construct it. Borland suggested that they buy land in Eltham, because at that time it had the only council in Melbourne that would allow such an innovative house. Another hurdle was to gain finance for this remarkable house. The State Savings Bank Manager refused finance on the grounds that it was ‘unliveable’ and a ‘disgrace’. Fortunately, through a family connection, the couple borrowed money from the National Bank. But they discovered years later, that the bank’s evaluation stated the two ‘concrete sheds’ were of no value! The house built in off-white concrete, consists of two sections. The main house has four arches supported by brick and concrete walls that create a series of inter-connected rooms. Inside, the ceiling follows the roofline. Originally this section was only ten square metres, because of building restrictions at the time. But in 1973 Borland added two rooms and a carport. The second structure of two arches was originally a garage and a studio for art teacher Harrie Rice. To accommodate the growing family, in the mid 1950s, Borland converted the second structure into two children’s bedrooms, a kitchenette, a bathroom and a living room. The two structures were originally linked by a covered way of suspended draped-concrete, but this collapsed in the 1980s. The design has several maintenance problems. Cracks developed where two halves of the shells were joined. Then the material sprayed over the cracks became brittle, causing leaks. Fortunately Harrie found another material he could use. The valleys between the arches collect water, requiring annual painting with a waterproof material to prevent leaking. Lorna framed the house with native and exotic plants, which provide privacy and as a bonus, the garden attracted the rare Eltham Copper Butterfly. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p157 Comments about the Rice House on Lost Eltham page on Facebook June 2018 https://www.facebook.com/Lost-Eltham-1535993463348408/ Kate Borland:  My dad designed this house. It is the Rice house and it is being renovated to its original glory as we speak.... Katherine Fox: I remember Harry and Lorna's, there was a secret room...! And the best loo with a view as I recall. Katherine Fox: Love this house! Wish I'd known it was up for sale. Looking forward to seeing progress if possible...If I recall correctly, the concrete swag over the walk-way collapsed at some stage. Marcus Skipper: In our little green Landrover, my dad and Alister Knox drove up dirt roads, a dirt track through the bush and finally to the ridge to check out this joint in about 1960. After the war at some time, they were all together at RMIT studying building design. Alister was the only one to graduate. A situation that resulted, my father would joke, in Alister having a career wherein his qualifications exceeded his talent. World Peace had broken out and all were hip to the ‘People’s’ century. Kevin went with the Modernist’s concrete, Alister went with the peasant’s mudbrick. “If this is the future,” my dad said,”I don’t like it.” And we drove back to medieval Montsalvat.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham, rice house, ryans road, kevin borland