This event is for curious footy fans, book readers, history lovers and those interested in an extraordinary story of the excellence and resilience of the Chinese-Australian community who have played Australian Rules football for more than 140 years.

Join us in Bendigo for an afternoon of stories to launch 'Celestial Footy - the story of Chinese heritage Aussie Rules' written by Patrick Skene in partnership with the AFL, the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations and published by Hardie Grant.

From Darwin to Adelaide to Perth, from Broome to Melbourne to the Victorian Goldfields, Celestial Footy celebrates the lives and contribution of VFL Chinese-Australian pioneers such as Carlton's Wally Koochew and North Melbourne's Les Kew Ming, modern day champions such as Les Fong, Lin Jong, Bailey Banfield and Darcy Vescio and Chinese-Australian football clubs such as Melbourne's Young Chinese League team, the Darwin Buffaloes and Ballarat's Golden Point Rice Eaters.

Bendigo has a special place in the book as the birthplace of the 140 year strong Chinese footy tradition which began when Henry Chin Kit took the field for Ironbark against Charing Cross in 1882.

Matches between Chinese teams were played in Bendigo and Eaglehawk in the 1890's and members of Bendigo's Chinese community played the game including Russell Goldfield Jack who won the Victorian Schoolboy of the year award in 1949, Ron 'The Footballing Fireman' Wee Hee, famous greyhound racer Samuel Ah Dore and Ian Chinn who went on to play with South Melbourne before World War II.

Chinese Australian players also came from town's surrounding Bendigo including Dunolly FC's William Ying and Inglewood Football Club's Thomas Chin Chee.

Carlton's Chinese-Italian AFLW star Darcy Vescio designed the book cover for Celestial Footy inspired by Chinese calligraphy and coaches whiteboard drawings.

More than a football book, Celestial Footy tells the powerful story of the Chinese-Australian men and women who overcame obstacles and adversity to play the game they loved.

The event will include a presentation on the book, a panel featuring members of the Chinese Australian football tradition and a performance from Chinese classical performer Gu Zheng.

The Bendigo launch of Celestial Footy is proudly supported by the Golden Dragon Museum and the Bendigo Chinese Association.

For more information on the event please email dee@culturalpulse.com.au

Contact the host of Celestial Footy Book Launch Bendigo