2024年墨爾本唐人街的澳華博物館向巿政府申請擴建, 包括把現時建築物增高至9層高及把門前廣場改為地下入口等多項改善工程, 其中會把在廣場上的國父孫中山銅像, 遷徒至其它地點。墨爾本巿政府在兩週前刊出就計劃向公眾徵求意見, 不過, 籌建銅像相關人仕, 只在上週四才獲知這些細節, 並且需要在7月1日前提供意見。

澳華博華館的擴建, 不少華人相信都會支持, 但華人社區似乎沒有多少討論, 也沒有多少人知悉, 或許博物館覺得要在巿政府批準計劃後, 才會向華人社區公佈。不過, 使用巿政府的公共地方, 特別是Cohen Place這一片具備歷史及文化意義的廣場, 卻又是每一個華人都應該關注。

國父孫中山先生相信是近一百五十年來, 不管身在那一個國家出生及定居的全球華人所景仰的唯一領袖, 因為他的貢獻在於推翻接近300年的滿清管治, 讓中國走出專制, 邁向現代民主。雖然, 孫中山沒有完成建設民主自由中國, 但全球華人都肯定他奠定了這一個方向及基礎。也因如此, 墨爾本唐人街的國父銅像, 在來自不同地方的華人合作下, 於2011年豎立, 成為歷史及文化的標記。用它來表達墨爾本作為一個多元文化的城巿, 並且表彰華人對這片土地的貢獻, 確是得到全球華人的支持及認同。

但只有不到三週的諮詢時間, 根本無法讓華人社區去認識、討論及反映Cohen Place 在華人歷史及文化的角色及發展方向。不過肯定的是Cohen Place是屬於墨爾本所有人, 特別是在170多年前在這裏發展的華人, 因此巿政府絕對不能只考慮某機構可以怎樣使用的一片土地, 而是要邀請華人社區一起討論, 讓這一個廣場成為表達華人創建墨爾本文化的起點。

也因如此, 巿政府更要討論如何在資源及人力配合這廣場未來的發展, 投放更多資源, 而不是單要求華人社區付出。巿政府要承擔起倡導者角色, 邀請華人社區共同開發, 把這廣場建構成多元文化墨爾本的象徵。

周偉文 社長

A Symbol of Melbourne’s Multiculturalism

In 2024, the Museum of Chinese Australian History in Melbourne’s Chinatown submitted an application to the City of Melbourne for expansion. The proposal includes increasing the existing building to nine storeys and redeveloping the forecourt by creating a new underground entrance. As part of the project, the statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen currently located in the square would be relocated. The City of Melbourne opened the proposal for public consultation two weeks ago. However, those involved in establishing the statue were only informed of these details last Thursday, leaving them until 1 July to provide their feedback.

Many Chinese Australians would likely support the museum’s expansion. Yet there has been little discussion within the Chinese community, and many people remain unaware of the proposal. Perhaps the museum intended to announce the plan only after obtaining planning approval from the City. Nevertheless, because the project involves the use of public land owned by the City of Melbourne—particularly Cohen Place, a public square of considerable historical and cultural significance—it is an issue that should concern every member of the Chinese community.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen is arguably the only leader over the past 150 years who has been universally respected by Chinese people around the world, regardless of where they were born or where they now live. His greatest contribution was overthrowing nearly three centuries of Qing imperial rule, enabling China to move away from autocracy and towards modern democracy. Although Sun did not live to establish a democratic and free China, Chinese communities worldwide recognise that he laid the foundation and set the direction for that vision. It was for this reason that the statue was erected in Melbourne’s Chinatown in 2011 through the joint efforts of Chinese Australians from different backgrounds. The monument has since become an important historical and cultural landmark. It symbolises Melbourne as a multicultural city while recognising the contributions Chinese Australians have made to this land, and it has earned broad support and recognition from Chinese communities around the world.

However, a consultation period of less than three weeks is far from sufficient for the Chinese community to understand, discuss, and express its views on the historical and cultural significance of Cohen Place and its future direction. What is beyond dispute is that Cohen Place belongs to all citizens, especially to the generations of Chinese Australians whose history in this city stretches back more than 170 years. The City of Melbourne should therefore not simply consider how one institution intends to use public land. Instead, it should actively invite the Chinese community into the discussion and allow the square to become a place that tells the story of Chinese Australians’ role in shaping Melbourne’s history and culture.

For this reason, the City should also consider how to support the future development of the square through appropriate public resources and staffing, rather than expecting the Chinese community alone to shoulder the responsibility. The City of Melbourne should assume the role of facilitator, working together with the Chinese community to develop Cohen Place into a lasting symbol of multicultural Melbourne.

Mr. Raymond Chow, Publisher