Elizabeth II

The surprisingly Australian history of Chinese dragon parades

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 8, 2024

While dragon parades are popularly viewed as displays of Chinese or Cantonese tradition and culture, their history demonstrates how deeply Australian they also are.

Key Points: 
  • While dragon parades are popularly viewed as displays of Chinese or Cantonese tradition and culture, their history demonstrates how deeply Australian they also are.
  • Our historical research shows that until relatively recently Australia’s dragon parade tradition was closely associated with Chinese-Australian philanthropy and engagement with Australian civic life, rather than with Chinese spiritual practice.

The earliest dragon arrivals

  • The first dragon, nicknamed the “Duck Bill” dragon, was imported from Southern China to Bendigo more than 100 years ago and paraded from 1892 to 1898.
  • Nearby, Ballarat’s first dragon – also the oldest surviving dragon – was purchased in 1897.
  • The “Moon Face” dragon was Bendigo’s second dragon, paraded for just one year in 1900.
  • Read more:
    It's the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac − associated with good fortune, wisdom and success

A valued part of local fundraising

  • Chinese communities were as keen as everyone else to assist with fundraising, display their culture and participate in festivities.
  • Historian Pauline Rule has shown that Chinese communities have contributed to public fundraising displays in rural cities since at least 1866.

The popularity of dragons


Dragons were expensive and valued, and as such were also loaned to other communities for fundraising displays. In 1897, Bendigo’s Duck Bill dragon travelled to Sydney to participate in the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee fundraiser. Then, both Bendigo’s Moon Face and the Ballarat dragon, as well as costumes from Bendigo, Beechworth and Castlemaine, were loaned to raise funds for the Melbourne Women’s Hospital in May 1900.
That so many Victorian communities could purchase dragons demonstrated their prosperity and joint commitment to Australia philanthropy and public life. It perhaps also encouraged a friendly intercity rivalry. Processional dragons were so popular that some communities that couldn’t access one would make their own imitation ones.

Royal welcome

  • Of the five Chinese dragons brought to Victoria in the 19th century, three participated in Federation celebrations.
  • As John Fitzgerald shows, many Chinese Australians were as excited about the possibilities of Federation as other Australians.
  • To mark the royal visit, welcome arches were constructed in Melbourne, Ballarat and Perth.


Only a few long-distance photographs of the other dragon survive.

  • According to a 1903 newspaper article, Melbourne’s Chinese Bo Leong Society had specifically purchased this dragon for the 1901 celebrations, at a cost of 250 pounds.
  • The third dragon involved in the festivities, the Ballarat dragon, was used to decorate the Chinese arch that welcomed the royal couple during their visit to Ballarat.

A legacy in Australia

  • Astoundingly, these three Federation-era dragons – three of the five oldest surviving imperial dragons in the world – still survive today.
  • Traditionally, when dragons reach the end of their life they are ritually burned.


Sophie Couchman has undertaken research work for the See Yup Society on a voluntary basis and formerly curator at the Museum of Chinese Australian History. Leigh McKinnon is the Research Officer at Bendigo's Golden Dragon Museum, the home of the world's oldest complete processional dragon Loong.

THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT BREAKS NEW GROUND WITH DOUBLE-SIDED EXTRAORDINARILY HIGH RELIEF ON GOLD AND SILVER YEAR OF THE DRAGON COINS

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - The Royal Canadian Mint has once again raised the bar in the world of extreme relief by launching its first-ever coins dramatically defining a design in Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) on both their obverse and reverse.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - The Royal Canadian Mint has once again raised the bar in the world of extreme relief by launching its first-ever coins dramatically defining a design in Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) on both their obverse and reverse.
  • These ground-breaking "double EHR" works of art are available as of February 6, 2024.
  • These products can be ordered by directly contacting the Royal Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or at www.mint.ca .
  • It is also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg and through the Mint's global network of dealers and distributors.

THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT BREAKS NEW GROUND WITH DOUBLE-SIDED EXTRAORDINARILY HIGH RELIEF ON GOLD AND SILVER YEAR OF THE DRAGON COINS

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Royal Canadian Mint has once again raised the bar in the world of extreme relief by launching its first-ever coins dramatically defining a design in Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) on both their obverse and reverse.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Royal Canadian Mint has once again raised the bar in the world of extreme relief by launching its first-ever coins dramatically defining a design in Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) on both their obverse and reverse.
  • These ground-breaking "double EHR" works of art are available as of February 6, 2024.
  • These products can be ordered by directly contacting the Royal Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or at www.mint.ca .
  • It is also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg and through the Mint's global network of dealers and distributors.

The royals have historically been tight-lipped about their health – but that never stopped the gossip

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

This is an unexpected announcement: it is unusual for the royal family to release details of medical conditions to the public.

Key Points: 
  • This is an unexpected announcement: it is unusual for the royal family to release details of medical conditions to the public.
  • For Queen Elizabeth II this attitude framed her response to public information about the royals, quipping “never complain, never explain”.
  • But the royals’ health has, occasionally, been the subject of official news, and, more commonly, the subject of gossip.

Henry VIII’s ‘soore legge’

  • Henry VIII’s (1491–1547) health was well-documented and discussed in state-papers and diplomatic dispatches of the day.
  • As Henry aged, his access to fine food led to an increase of weight.
  • Most of our knowledge today is gleaned from diplomatic reports sent by diplomats to their own leaders.
  • Read more:
    Henry VIII’s notes in prayer book written by his sixth wife reveal musings on faith, sin and his deteriorating health – new discovery

Queen Anne’s lupus

  • Queen Anne (1665-1714) had 17 pregnancies, 11 of which resulted in miscarriages or stillbirths, with the remainder all dying in childhood.
  • It is now believed Anne may have been afflicted with the autoimmune condition lupus.
  • For Anne’s contemporaries, the name of the illness perhaps mattered less than the real political issue it presented: who would become monarch after her?
  • With no heirs, there was real political fear her Catholic half-brother James Francis Edward Stuart (“The Old Pretender”) would claim the throne.

George III and mental illness


George III (1738–1820) famously suffered from bouts of mental illness, more recently been speculated to be caused by Porphyria, a hereditary blood disorder. Throughout his illness bulletins were issued by his doctors informing the public of his condition.

  • His repeated bouts of illness mean his health was a constant in the media of the time, with frequent, at times twice-daily, updates during episodes.
  • His illness called into question his ability to be monarch, a situation eventually resolved by the installing of his son, later George IV, as Prince Regent.

A family of haemophilia

  • This also came with a deadly legacy, haemophilia, given the moniker “the royal disease”.
  • Haemophilia is an inherited disorder which mostly affects males, where the blood does not clot properly.


While the royal family were careful to manage what information was publicly released about his illness, his status meant it garnered public attention. It was covered in medical journals of the time, and later in newspapers. As knowledge of the illness grew, both the public and members of the royal family were able to use it to guide decisions on marriages to limit its spread.

A new approach

  • Even her death certificate failed to reveal her cause of death, other than as old age.
  • After his recent prostate surgery, his office stated he wanted to inspire men to look after their prostates.
  • Now, the announcement of Charles’s cancer diagnosis signals a new approach by the royals.


The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

ROYAL CANADIAN MINT COMMEMORATES BLACK HISTORY WITH SILVER COIN RECOGNIZING THE SETTLERS OF AMBER VALLEY, ALBERTA

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, January 27, 2024

Their inspiring tale of spirit and determination is forever preserved on a beautiful 99.99% pure silver collector coin.

Key Points: 
  • Their inspiring tale of spirit and determination is forever preserved on a beautiful 99.99% pure silver collector coin.
  • Released in conjunction with the annual observance of Black History Month, the 2024 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Commemorating Black History: Amber Valley celebrates the legacy of an exceptional group men and women who built one of Western Canada's earliest Black settlements.
  • "I appreciate the recognition this coin represents," said Myrna Wisdom, Historian and Co-Founder of The Black Settlers of Alberta and Saskatchewan Historical Society.
  • Limited to a mintage of 5,500, the 2024 $20 Fine Silver Coin - Commemorating Black History: Amber Valley retails for $104.95.

Rosemary Reed Joins Chopra Foundation as Global Ambassador

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 24, 2023

NEW YORK, Nov. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chopra Foundation, renowned for its commitment to personal, community, and planetary transformation, proudly announces Rosemary Reed as its newest Ambassador.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Nov. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chopra Foundation, renowned for its commitment to personal, community, and planetary transformation, proudly announces Rosemary Reed as its newest Ambassador.
  • "I'm grateful that Rosemary Reed has joined the Chopra Foundation as our Ambassador in England," said Deepak Chopra, MD – Founder and Chairman of the Chopra Foundation.
  • "Being a Chopra Foundation Ambassador is an incredible opportunity to contribute to a global movement focused on cultivating spiritual knowledge, fostering peace, and improving well-being of humanity," said Reed.
  • "It is our immense honor to have Rosemary Reed join the Chopra Foundation as our global ambassador.

ROYAL CANADIAN MINT UNVEILS CANADIAN EFFIGY OF HIS MAJESTY KING CHARLES III

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 14, 2023

The contemporary portrait of King Charles III is the work of Canadian artist Steven Rosati, who also participated in the unveiling ceremony.

Key Points: 
  • The contemporary portrait of King Charles III is the work of Canadian artist Steven Rosati, who also participated in the unveiling ceremony.
  • "Since opening its doors in 1908, the Mint has featured the portrait of the reigning monarch on Canadian coins.
  • When the Government of Canada announced that the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III would appear on Canadian coins, we were proud to once more uphold a longstanding Canadian tradition," said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.
  • Following the Government of Canada's May 6 announcement that the obverse (heads side) of future Canadian coins would feature the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III, the Royal Canadian Mint immediately launched the process to create this new design.

ROYAL CANADIAN MINT UNVEILS CANADIAN EFFIGY OF HIS MAJESTY KING CHARLES III

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 14, 2023

WINNIPEG, MB, Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Royal Canadian Mint ushered in a new era in the history of Canadian coins when its President and CEO, Marie Lemay, unveiled and struck the very first Canadian circulation coin bearing the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III at the Mint's manufacturing facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The 2023-dated $1 circulation coin becomes the first displaying the portrait of a new monarch in 70 years, after the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II graced Canada's coins from 1953 to 2023. The contemporary portrait of King Charles III is the work of Canadian artist Steven Rosati, who also participated in the unveiling ceremony.

Key Points: 
  • The contemporary portrait of King Charles III is the work of Canadian artist Steven Rosati, who also participated in the unveiling ceremony.
  • "Since opening its doors in 1908, the Mint has featured the portrait of the reigning monarch on Canadian coins.
  • When the Government of Canada announced that the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III would appear on Canadian coins, we were proud to once more uphold a longstanding Canadian tradition," said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.
  • Following the Government of Canada's May 6 announcement that the obverse (heads side) of future Canadian coins would feature the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III, the Royal Canadian Mint immediately launched the process to create this new design.

King's speech: what is it and why does it matter?

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Today, King Charles will give his first speech from the throne as monarch. He delivered the queen’s speech once as Prince of Wales, deputising in May 2022 for his mother, who could not attend. This is the first speech by a king since 1951, though on that occasion King George VI was too ill to attend and the speech was read out by the Lord Chancellor.Who writes the king’s speech and why does it matter?There, he reads out a speech outlining the government’s plans and priorities for the year ahead.

Key Points: 


Today, King Charles will give his first speech from the throne as monarch. He delivered the queen’s speech once as Prince of Wales, deputising in May 2022 for his mother, who could not attend. This is the first speech by a king since 1951, though on that occasion King George VI was too ill to attend and the speech was read out by the Lord Chancellor.

Who writes the king’s speech and why does it matter?

  • There, he reads out a speech outlining the government’s plans and priorities for the year ahead.
  • Although it is known as the king’s speech, it is actually written by the government, for the monarch.

What happens at the speech?

  • The monarch sits on the royal throne in the House of Lords – the upper house.
  • No seats are provided for MPs, so they have to crowd into an inadequate space at the back.
  • Meanwhile, the door of the Commons is slammed in black rod’s face as a reminder of the independence of the Commons.

What if the monarch disagrees with the speech?

  • The monarch has the right to advise, warn and encourage the prime minister on policy.
  • In return he must always follow the prime minister’s advice and he must read the prime minister’s speech.

What can we expect from this year’s king’s speech?

  • This is something the king himself has to gauge, with advice from the government.
  • The speech is the first indication of the government’s legislative priorities for the year ahead.
  • We can certainly expect reference to housing and the cost of living crisis, and possibly to the ongoing crises in Gaza and Ukraine.


Sean Lang does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

NEW COINS FROM THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT'S OPULENCE COLLECTION FEATURING PINK DIAMONDS FROM THE ARGYLE MINE

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 7, 2023

OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is adding to its luxurious and exclusive Opulence Collection with new pure platinum coins featuring some of the world's rarest precious stones: pink diamonds from the famed Argyle mine.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is adding to its luxurious and exclusive Opulence Collection with new pure platinum coins featuring some of the world's rarest precious stones: pink diamonds from the famed Argyle mine.
  • "Heffel is incredibly honoured to play a part in unveiling this exceptional collection from the Royal Canadian Mint, featuring exclusive pink diamonds from the Argyle Mine," said David Heffel, President, Heffel Fine Art Auction House.
  • They are framed by a larger five-petalled flower formed by an array of pink diamonds from the Argyle mine, with a total carat weight of approximately 2.00.
  • Candiac, Quebec specialty wood packaging supplier Manubois produced the exquisite piano-finish boxes in which these coins are presented.