State Funeral for Russell Goldfield Jack AM​ 雷揚名

A Cantonese white mourning lion formed part of the funeral ceremony for Russell Goldfield Jack AM 雷揚名, in one of the oldest and most solemn traditions of southern Chinese culture. The lion’s inclusion in the funeral ceremony is believed to be the first of its kind in the region within living memory.

The white mourning lion was beside Russell on his final journey, to watch over him and pay its final respects. It accompanied Russell during the ceremonial journey to his State Funeral Service at Ulumbarra Theatre, where family, friends and the wider community gathered to farewell him. Following the service, it continued with Russell to Bendigo Cemetery for the final rites.

This lion has a special connection to the Jack family. It was made in Hong Kong by master traditional dragon maker Hui Ka Hung, whose family workshop was also involved in the creation of Bendigo’s Dai Gum Loong. It was given to Russell as a gift and was brought to Bendigo by Russell’s daughter Anita.

The white lion is different to the brilliantly coloured lions familiar in Bendigo during Easter celebrations. It is not a celebration lion, but is instead associated with mourning, filial piety and the final farewell to the deceased. It moves slowly to an accompaniment of sounds that create a solemn rhythm of grief, respect and farewell. Its appearance at Russell’s funeral therefore represents an act of respect as opposed to a celebratory, public performance.

At Bendigo Cemetery, members of the public were invited to gather respectfully as the mourning lion completed its final duty. Mourners were invited to light a joss stick and offer it in Russell’s memory in a collective farewell. As established in Cantonese funeral custom, those attending also received a small white mourning envelope bearing Russell’s name, containing a coin and a sweet. For Russell’s family, the small gift is also a way of saying thank you to the people of Bendigo.

At the conclusion of Russell’s funeral rites, the white mourning lion itself was ceremonially burned, together with traditional paper offerings. The burning of the lion therefore brings its own journey to an end at the same place that Russell’s earthly journey came to an end. Russell spent much of his life sharing Chinese culture with the people of Bendigo, his family appreciated the community sharing in this final tradition with him.

For those attending the State Funeral of Russell Goldfield Jack AM (Louey Yeung Man), we have had a number of questions about appropriate clothing.

As Dad’s funeral will incorporate traditions from our Cantonese Chinese Australian heritage, our family would like to share the following guidance.

The immediate family will be wearing white, the traditional Chinese colour of mourning.

For extended family, friends, community members and members of the public, we suggest black, grey, navy or other subdued and muted colours. Formal mourning attire is welcome, but there is no need to dress entirely in black.

We also know that many people have asked about wearing red, because of Dad’s lifelong association with Bendigo’s Chinese community, its dragons, lions and festivals.

In Chinese culture, red is traditionally an auspicious colour associated with happiness, good fortune and celebration, so it is not normally worn as the principal colour at a funeral.

However, Dad lived a long and remarkable life of 91 years, and his farewell will inevitably reflect both mourning and gratitude for a life well lived.

If you would like to acknowledge that part of Dad’s life, a small splash or touch of red would be very appropriate - perhaps a red tie, scarf, brooch, pocket square, ribbon or other small detail - rather than an entirely red outfit.

Above all, please do not feel anxious about getting it exactly right. Your presence is what matters most to our family