Historical information

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.

Significance

Open Monument is of aesthetic and historical significance to the people of Ballarat

Physical description

Architectural artwork consisting of large marble panels on a corten steel frame imbedded into a grassed mount.

Inscriptions & markings

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​