A life of quiet strength and profound impact
By Anita Jack
SEE TUANG TAN August 1, 1950-May 16, 2025
See Tuang Tan, known to many simply as “Tan”, passed away in Bendigo last month, aged 74. A teacher, cultural leader and community elder, he leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the boundaries of regional Victoria – into the heart of Australia’s evolving multicultural identity.
Born in Seremban, Malaysia, in 1950 to a Hainanese Chinese family, Tan arrived in Bendigo in 1970 to study electrical engineering at the Bendigo College of Advanced Education, now La Trobe University. He was 19, newly arrived, and the only Asian engineering student on campus.
He would go on to become one of the most respected contributors to the preservation and celebration of Chinese Australian history – playing a foundational role in the creation of Bendigo’s Golden Dragon Museum, now recognised nationally as the future home of the National Chinese Museum of Australia.
Tan first encountered Bendigo’s famed dragons in 1970, witnessing Sun Loong’s debut in the city’s Easter procession. It was a moment that stayed with him – one that sparked a lifelong connection to the local Chinese community. He formally joined the Bendigo Chinese Association in the late 1970s, beginning decades of volunteer service that would help reshape public understanding of Chinese Australian heritage.
In 1978, Tan founded Dragon Court, Bendigo’s first refined Asian dining experience. It was also the first Chinese restaurant in the region to take a principled stance against “dim sims,” instead focusing on authentic Chinese Malaysian cuisine, introducing many locals to flavours they had never encountered before and a BYO license. The restaurant quickly became a social landmark and a quiet form of cultural diplomacy, elegant, welcoming, and ahead of its time.
Tan’s leadership within the Bendigo Chinese Association grew steadily over the years. He eventually served as secretary, treasurer, and vice-president. He was a key contributor to several heritage initiatives, including the restoration of the Emu Point joss house and the careful translation of Chinese inscriptions at the White Hills cemetery. He helped restore dignity and visibility to that sacred ground. For Tan, it was about restoring honour and remembering those who came before.
See Tuang Tan in the General’s costume on parade at the Bendigo Easter gala parade. Credit: Denis Fitzgerald
See Tuang Tan at home.Credit: Tan family
Perhaps his most enduring contribution came through the Golden Dragon Museum. Opened in 1991, it stands today as one of Australia’s most significant institutions dedicated to the history of Chinese Australians. Tan was instrumental in its planning, fundraising and early operation, serving as its first manager. He worked alongside co-founders Russell Jack AM and the late Joan Jack OAM, forming a formidable trio whose quiet determination and shared vision laid the groundwork for a national legacy.
Beyond heritage, Tan was a dedicated educator. He taught mathematics and science at Castlemaine Secondary College and Bendigo South East College. Known affectionately as Tan Lǎo shī –Teacher Tan – he also pioneered the teaching of Chinese language at the school, opening pathways for students to engage with culture, history, and identity. His influence on students was profound and lasting; many continued their studies in Chinese and joined the Bendigo Chinese Association’s lion and dragon teams.
In recognition of his commitment to cross-cultural understanding, Tan was instrumental in helping establish Bendigo’s sister city relationship with Haimen in Jiangsu Province, China. He supported delegations, hosted events, and acted as a cultural ambassador, seeing international connection not as formality, but as opportunity to share stories, values, and goodwill.
While he held many public roles, Tan’s impact was most deeply felt in the private spaces of community life. He quietly raised thousands of dollars annually for Bendigo Health, going door-to-door to local businesses in the lead-up to Easter. For three decades, Tan remained a constant support to the museum: assisting with translations, supporting the research department, and being available for the day-to-day needs of management. He would come in to conduct tours for special overseas delegation.
At home, Tan was no less remarkable. With his beloved wife Jenny, he hosted legendary Chinese New Year steamboat dinners that became a fixture of the community calendar. He adored his sons Ashley and Ben, daughters-in-law, Pip and Michelle, and grandchildren, Alexander and Stella. He delighted in gardening, cooking, and sharing meals and stories – always with care, generosity, and a signature wit.
See Tuang Tan lived a life of quiet strength and profound impact. He did not seek attention, but, strengthened cultural identity and helped shape a city and a nation’s understanding of who it is. His legacy lives on in the restored heritage landscape and the museum he helped build, the languages he taught, the traditions he kept alive, and the lives he touched – softly but indelibly.
Anita Jack is a family friend.