Golden Point Joss House, Ballarat

The Chinese joss house on the Golden Point, which is now complete, so far as the internal decorations of the temple are concerned, is really deserving of notice, and speaks much for the artistic skill of the Chinese artisans who were engaged in its embellishment. The facade of the building is artistically decorated with a number of fowls and animals of different varieties, from a cock to a Chinese lion with two tails.

The entrance into the building is by a large door, and when this is passed, the visitor finds his way obstructed by a sort of folding door, which is only opened on certain occasions. Passing to the right or left, easy access is gained to the interior, which is richly adorned with carved work of nearly every variety and description. The walls are hung all round with mottoes in Chinese characters ...

In order to be enabled to worship in this temple, it is necessary that the devotee pay £1 5s and for this sum he gets a card, which on production entitles him to enter at any time during the period he may remain in the colony. The total cost of the building was £600.

 The Age, Monday 6 February 1860, p.6.

RE-OPENING A JOSS-HOUSE.

A large number of people assembled on Sunday at the Ballarat Chinese Camp to witness the ceremonies of the opening of the Joss-house, and the periodical celebration in connection with Joss. The proceedings commenced about one o'clock on Sunday morning, and lasted until a late hour at night. About 500 Chinamen took part in the festivities. After the altar had been decorated, the Celestial building was opened by Tack Lee. There were in great profusion roast pigs, ducks, fowls and fruit of every description. The building was illuminated with coloured candles and lamps, and at intervals fireworks were discharged in front of the building.

The interior was somewhat peculiar, though prettily decorated with gilt letters and Turkey red. Several sentences in Chinese characters were suspended on the walls. The proceedings were greatly enlivened by a properly organised Chinese band, which greatly amused the young folk, and consisted of a flute, two snake-skin drums, brass clappers and a large-sized gong.

The high priest, dressed in a long black silk gown specially imported for the occasion, opened the service in the morning and afternoon by singing praises to Joss, and also several psalms. The priest wore a necklace of beads hanging nearly down to his feet, and he was surrounded by eight or nine assistants, who were attired in blue silk gowns and wore caps resembling the lid of a teapot.

After a portion of the ceremony had been performed a procession took place around the building to the peculiar strains of the band. The proceedings were repeated several times, according to the provinces in Mongolia, and each individual was supposed to watch carefully his provincial priest and to worship at the same time as he did, and bow down to the floor in response to the supplications.

A march was made from the Joss-house to the yard, where a particular kind of paper was burnt, those taking part throwing gin on the fire. The priest then sent up three volleys of crackers and other fireworks, and a move was made to the adjoining house, where a similar ceremony was gone through.

Considerable interest was taken in the ceremony by Europeans, who were allowed every latitude by the Chinamen to inspect Joss and listen to the ceremonies. A sumptuous repast was partaken of during an interval, for which a special sum of nearly £100 was collected to defray the cost. Rich and poor were considered on an equal footing.—Star.

 The Kyneton Observer, Thursday 2 June 1892, p.3.

A very old landmark in this district in the Chinese joss-house, situated at Sebastopol, Golden Point was destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon. Some celebrations in connection with the Chinese New Year, which commenced to-day, were being held in the place yesterday by some of the Chinese, and the fire is supposed to have originated from crackers which had been freely discharged about the place. The joss and everything was completely destroyed, and the occurrence coming so inopportunely has greatly distressed the Chinese, who re regularly visited the joss to test their luck for the new year. The building was erected far back in the early days, when the Chinese camp was very large.

 The Argus, Monday 10 February 1902, p.6.