Sovereign Hill master plan reaches next phase

SOVEREIGN Hill’s new Chinese Protectorate Camp, outdoor events precinct and accessible mining area opened last Tuesday.

The opening marked the completion of stage 1a of the outdoor museum’s 20-year master plan which included nine new and upgraded experiences.

The accessible panning area includes an elevated water channel and accessible pathway, while the outdoor events precinct can accommodate festivals, events and corporate functions.

The rebuilt Chinese Protectorate Camp includes 11 new buildings, larger gathering spaces and a Chinese circus tent.

The improvements are designed to increase accessibility and diversify the stories told at the outdoor museum.

“It’s really about refreshing Sovereign Hill outdoor museum and giving new reasons for visitors to come to Ballarat,” Sovereign Hill Museums Association CEO Sara Quon said.

“Importantly the accessibility upgrades are really at the heart of this phase, and we want to make sure Sovereign Hill is here for any visitor that wants to visit and that we welcome them.”

Chinese Australian Cultural Society Ballarat president Michelle Phillips said the Chinese Protectorate Camp is about reflecting on diverse goldfields experiences.

“I cannot imagine how hard it would have been to leave your home and to get on a ship and in a lot of cases a leaky old ship,” she said.

“I think the first thing we need to do with any culture that comes to our country is to understand who they are.

“We need to take the time to learn what drives them and the experiences they’ve had.”

Other works completed in stage 1a include the Wadawurrung Cultural Precinct, the Australian Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, and the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections, along with upgrades to the New York Bakery, the opening of Prospectors Table cafe, and government camp upgrades.

The next stage of the master plan upgrades and improvements will include creating the gold pavilion visitor entrance and a gold vault exhibition.