GB Magazine May 2015

Greater Bendigo 

May 2015 

magazine 

Ulumbarra 

showcases 

local talent 

page 8-10 

inside 

Vahland transformed 

Bendigo 

page 11-14 

The changing face of Bendigo 

page 16-18 

Great parks and public 

places 

page 23-27

page 11-13 

page 16-18 

places 

page 23-27 

PO Box 338 Bendigo 3552 

Cnr. Williamson & Myers Sts, Bendigo 3550 

T: 03 5443 9055 • F: 03 5443 9736 

E: Lisa.Chesters.MP@aph.gov.au 

Contents 

4 City and Marist College Bendigo deliver win-win 

for community 

Remember your neighbours when using 

wood heaters 

5 The Eaglehawk Library success story 

6 New underpass fills in a missing link 

New smoking bans apply 

7 Top honours for Penny and Danielle 

8 A unique theatre to be proud of 

10 Ulumbarra’s generous supporters 

11 Vahland transformed Bendigo 

14 A lost treasure found 

New life for an important part of Bendigo’s 

mining history 

15 Local business benefits from City’s quality 

management program 

2015 Visitor Guide available 

16 The changing face of Bendigo 

19 What’s in the works? 

20 City wants your views on domestic animal 

management 

Dispose of sharps safely 

21 New efficient street lights for Greater 

Bendigo 

Old lights to be recycled 

22 New public recycling bins available 

Free service can help to reduce your landfill 

costs 

23 Great parks and public places 

Budgets are all about choices 

By Cr Peter Cox, 

Mayor 

The proposed 

Budget for 2015/16 

seeks to help 

build a better, 

healthier and more 

sustainable Greater 

Bendigo. 

Revenue from rates, fees and user 

charges, together with Government 

grants and other contributions will enable 

Council to deliver an ambitious $62.8M 

Capital and Major Works program, while 

investing $163.4M in service delivery 

through the City’s operating Budget. 

“There is also $9.8M to upgrade 

sealed roads, $2.5M to improve 

gravel roads and $3.5M to 

upgrade existing drainage 

systems” 

Strong partnerships with other levels 

of government mean that works on a 

new 1,600m long runway at the Bendigo 

Airport, the Greater Bendigo Indoor 

Aquatic Leisure and Wellbeing Centre 

and the Bendigo Stadium expansion can 

commence. To limit the financial impact 

on ratepayers Council will borrow $5M 

and receive $21M in grants for operating 

activities, along with $14.2M in grants for 

capital works. 

The five per cent rate increase – the 

lowest rise in five years – enables Council 

to begin rolling out the New Paths 

Program, with over $1M to be spent in 

2015/16. Residents have been asking for 

a major investment in new footpaths 

and the Budget delivers on this and also 

includes a further $1.3M to renew existing 

footpaths. There is $9.8M to upgrade 

sealed roads, $2.5M to improve gravel 

roads and $3.5M to upgrade existing 

drainage systems. 

Council’s commitment to having better 

community and recreation facilities 

continues with $1.7M for the construction 

of a social pavilion at Canterbury Park. 

There is also capital works funding for 

Dower Park Reserve, Spring Gully Soccer 

Pavilion and the joint use facilities at 

Marist College Bendigo at Maiden Gully. 

Heathcote benefits with $500,000 to 

commence development of the Barrack 

Reserve Community Hub, $150,000 

to upgrade football change rooms at 

Barrack Reserve, $60,000 for Stage 2 of 

the Heathcote Play Space and $25,000 

to connect the O’Keefe Rail Trail to the 

Heathcote CBD. Projects in smaller 

communities include resurfacing 

tennis courts at Elmore, replacing play 

equipment and erecting cricket nets at 

Malone Park at Marong, undertaking 

bridge construction works at Mandurang 

and road repairs at Avonmore and Emu 

Creek. 

The operating Budget continues to fund 

important services for our community 

including maternal and child care 

services, youth services, road, footpath 

and drainage maintenance, building and 

facility management and maintenance, 

tourism and visitor services, economic 

development, the Bendigo Art Gallery, 

street cleaning, maintaining parks, 

gardens and recreation facilities and 

statutory planning and strategy. 

This financial year ratepayers will 

receive a $20 refund on waste charges 

for each residential garbage bin due to 

the redistribution of funds following the 

repeal of the carbon tax. 

Over $2M will go towards a partnership 

project with the Federal Government 

and 15 other local councils to continue 

upgrading 23,000 streetlights in north, 

west and central Victoria with energy 

efficient technology. This initiative is 

expected to save the City in the order of 

$19.5M over the next 20 years. 

The Independent Review has influenced 

the development of the Budget, ensuring 

a more efficient and transparent process. 

It has taken an enormous amount of 

work by staff and Councillors to present 

the proposed Budget for 2015/16 to the 

community and it is through this work the 

Council is confident it will help to achieve 

its vision of being Australia’s most liveable 

regional city. 

For more information go to 

www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/budget 

New play space a hit with the kids 

24 Crowds flock to Long Gully Splash Park 

Magellan Crescent Play Space 

25 Heathcote Play Space upgraded 

Find it on Community Compass at 

www.bendigo.vic.gov.au 

26 Find a play space near you 

28 Game, set and match - Spring Gully Tennis 

Club plan ahead 

29-31 Ward news 

Whipstick Ward - Council has a key role to 

play in development of region 

Eppalock Ward - Working with the 

community 

Lockwood Ward - Honouring those who lost 

their lives in WW1 

Your news, 

your way 

The City’s weekly GB News Update appears 

in Saturday’s Bendigo Advertiser and is now 

available as an e-newsletter. 

To receive the e-newsletter via email, follow 

the link on Facebook or subscribe today at 

www.bendigo.vic govau/gbnewsupdate 

Subscribe today! 

Hill, said they were passion- 

"It's funny, being an old 

Bendigonian I've bumped 

BENDIGO'S Lego fanatics ate Lego builders, a hobby into half a dozen people I 

flocked to Toy World on 

Friday to watch and help a 

Mr McNaught said to get 

enjoyed by the entire family. 

master in action. 

Ryan McNaught, one of 13 Ms Williams said. 

"I'm into Minecraft Lego, 

in the world, builds tall Kharlie's into Technic Lego He s a i d F r i d ay had 

Lego creations for festivals, and Lexie (Ms Hamilton's been popular, but he was 

two-year-old daughter) is anticipating Saturday and 

Natalie Storer, from 

"It's the calm before the 

"Certified Lego Professionals" 

special events and toy store 

openings. 

building a giant mural at the 

On Friday, he spent the day 

Bendigo Toy World, which he 

will continue to work on until 

Sunday afternoon. 

"He's really enjoying catch up on Saturday and 

He had a message for all 

Mr McNaught, who grew 

a piece of art with a Lego up in Bendigo, said it was 

great to showcase his skills "Come to Toy World on 

The artwork will be 

Saturday and Sunday and 

Bonny Williams and 

Children and adults alike 

enthused about their love of 

the miniature building bricks 

and the opportunity to create 

professional. 

unveiled on Sunday. 

12 Saturday, March 21, 2015 

NEWS 

Lego lovers 

watch artist 

work magic 

BY HANNAH CARRODUS 

Kharlie Hamilton, from Flora 

"I've go two boys, two girls 

and all of them are into Lego," the mural finished, he and his 

starting off with Lego Duplo." 

Strathfieldsaye, took her son 

Kayden, 4, to the event, and 

said he was having a terrific 

time. 

focusing putting the colours 

on the squares," she said. 

in his home town. 

he said. 

"Everyone's having a blast," 

know, which has been great." 

helpers would have to place 

25,000 bricks per day. 

Sunday would be the busiest 

days, when children were off 

school. 

storm ... we're tracking a little 

bit behind but hopefully we'll 

Sunday," he said. 

of Bendigo's families, young 

and old. 

help me out - I need as much 

help as I can get!" 

FUN: Miles Watson, Darenth hornsby and Jylan Hornsby help build the mural. 

bendigoadvertiser.com.au 

READY TO RACE: Local c 

state titles. 

Race 

revv 

BY HARRISON ROGERS 

on work experience 

THERE will be stiff competition 

at the Association of 

Australian Radio Controlled 

Model Cars Club state titles in 

Bendigo this weekend. 

bendigoadvertiser.co 

The Bendigo On-Road 

Radio Controlled Car Club 

will be hosting this year's t 

B e n d i g o O n - R o a d th 

C o n t r o l e d C a r C l u b 

president Theo Theodorou 

event at Strathdale Park. 

ni 

to 

acr 

a great weekend. 

the 

long history in the sport and 

will 

and motor sports. 

said he was looking forward 

to the event and it would be 

Mr Theodorou has a 

has a genuine love for cars 

to 

s 

y 

h 

A 

clas 

Boutique home 

located in Flora Hi l Bendigo 

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP 

Deluxe rooms available for married 

couples wanting to remain together 

+ Free TV and air conditioner 

Ph: 5443 8222 • 64 Somervi le St, Flora Hi 

www.elmagedliving.com.au 

32 What’s on? 

Your Councillors 

Greater Bendigo 

May 2015 

magazine 

Federal Member for Bendigo 

LISA 

CHESTERS MP 

MP 

On the cover: 

The Ulumbarra Choir 

perform at the new 

theatre opening. 

Ulumbarra 

showcasing 

local talent 

page 8-10 

@LMChesters • /LisaChestersBendigo 

inside 

Vahland transformed 

Bendigo 


Great parks and public 

2 

Greater Bendigo magazine 

www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/gbmagazine

Getting active: Chief Executive Officer, Craig 

Niemann at the Queen Elizabeth Oval. 

Leading the way 

Active Living Census 

results released 

By Craig Niemann, Chief Executive Officer 

The findings of the City of Greater 

Bendigo’s Active Living Census have been 

released. 

The census acted as a check on residents’ 

overall health and wellbeing, with the 

findings to serve as a valuable indicator 

for the City when it comes to deciding 

on where to develop infrastructure and 

advocate for services in the future. 

Every home in the municipality was invited 

to complete the census, which was also 

available online. It was completed by 

17,437 people. 

The findings are compelling and will help 

address gaps in data provided by State 

and Federal governments and other 

agencies. 

The data tells us about participants’ 

current leisure activities, how they would 

like to be active and the barriers to doing 

so. Participants also rated their health 

status and answered questions about their 

fruit and vegetable intake, if they smoked 

and how much alcohol they usually drank. 

The findings are broken down into each 

suburb and town, and then the top 20 

activities with the highest rates of yearly 

participation. Where possible, findings 

have been compared with state and 

national benchmarks. 

We now know where people are most 

active and where they are not, and the 

types of activities they like to do. This will 

help staff and Council to make decisions 

about where and what to invest in, so as to 

continue to encourage participation and 

hopefully get people active who otherwise 

were not before. 

Residents may be surprised by some 

results, especially those who participate in 

sports that are not represented in the top 

20 activities. Although it does not mean 

there will not be investment in these areas 

in years to come. 

Sports clubs and community groups 

may find the data particularly helpful, 

especially when it comes to trying to 

recruit new participants and comparing 

the quality of their facilities. Similarly, 

health agencies may find the data useful in 

directing their investments and services to 

those localities and groups most in need. 

It is pleasing to see that the City’s preplanned 

works will help address issues 

raised in the census data. For example, the 

AFL facilities in Eaglehawk rated poorly 

but the census was completed before the 

redevelopment of Canterbury Park. 

The census also identified where there 

are good facilities that are underutilised, 

so this is an opportunity for the City 

to approach places like schools and 

ask them to share their facilities and 

perhaps work together to develop better 

infrastructure in the future to ensure more 

people will benefit. 

Adults Summary 

• 45.5 per cent of all adults rate their 

health as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ 

• 46.6 per cent of adults exercised for 30 

minutes, four or more times a week 

• Walking for exercise had the highest 

number of weekly and total participants 

• The most common reasons for not 

participating in physical recreation 

activities include time poor, personal 

issues (low motivation/embarrassment/ 

poor health), cost issues 

• 46.8 per cent of adults meet fruit dietary 

consumption guidelines 

• 9.5 per cent of adults meet vegetable 

dietary consumption guidelines 

• 12.8 per cent were current smokers 

• 15.9 per cent of adults report usually 

drinking more than four drinks on one 

occasion – levels that put them at shortterm 

risk of alcohol-related harm 

Children Summary – three to 17 years 

• 1346 children aged three to 11 years 

completed the Census 

• 80.3 per cent of all children reported their 

health to be ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ 

• Children are more likely than adults to 

meet fruit consumption guidelines but, 

like adults, meet vegetable consumption 

guidelines at very low rates 

• Children exercise more frequently 

than adults The most popular activity 

for males aged three to 11 years was 

swimming, the most popular activity for 

males aged 12 to 17 years was Australian 

Rules Football 

• The most popular activity for females 

aged three to 11 years was swimming, 

the most popular activity for females 

aged 12 to 17 years was netball 

• Barriers to participation for children 

aged three to 17 years included 

time pressures and cost, with older 

children also reporting low motivation/ 

embarrassment/poor health at high rates 

Urban Vs Rural 

• Rural residents reported slightly higher 

rates of ‘fair’ or ‘poor’ health than urban 

residents 

• Rural residents are slightly more likely 

than urban residents to meet fruit 

and vegetable dietary consumption 

guidelines 

• Urban residents are more likely to smoke 

than rural residents 

• Rural residents (12.4 per cent) were 

less likely than urban residents (16.6 

per cent) to report drinking more than 

four standard drinks on one occasion 

(number of drinks usually consumed 

when drinking) 

Download the Active Living Census 

at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/alc 

Greater Bendigo magazine www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/gbmagazine 3

City and Marist College 

Bendigo deliver win-win 

for community 

A landmark partnership between the City 

and Marist College Bendigo will deliver a 

range of facilities to be shared by the school 

and local community. 

Each organisation will contribute $4M to the 

development of facilities across two stages. 

“These facilities will be central 

to the new housing area and 

be easily accessible, as well as 

meet the needs of people living in 

nearby Marong and Eaglehawk” 

Stage 1 is complete and the car park, junior 

oval and netball courts are now in use, 

and Stage 2 projects, including a senior 

sports oval and cycling and walking paths, 

are being built. The design of the multiuse 

community facility is also nearing 

completion and construction will begin later 

this year. 

The agreement has been described as a 

“win-win” by Mayor Cr Peter Cox, as it is a 

cost effective option for both organisations 

that will provide critical infrastructure that 

would be available for community use 

outside school hours. 

“Maiden Gully is one of Greater Bendigo’s 

fastest growing areas at a rate of five per 

cent each year. Often levels of government 

are criticised for failing to properly plan for 

growth areas but this is a great example of 

being on the front foot rather than playing 

catch up,” Cr Cox said. 

“This is also an opportunity to deliver on two 

of Council’s key liveability indicators, which 

is to provide parks or open space within a 

10 minute walk of homes and to reverse the 

negative obesity trend in Greater Bendigo. 

“Developments such as this are important 

to our residents’ social and physical health 

and wellbeing. These facilities will be 

central to the new housing area and be 

easily accessible, as well as meet the needs 

of people living in nearby Marong and 

Eaglehawk.” 

Marist College Bendigo opened its doors to 

students for the first time earlier this year. 

Principal Darren McGregor said the facilities 

ushered in an exciting chapter for the Maiden 

Gully community. 

“We are building more than just a school 

for local families, these facilities will help 

us to build an engaged, fit and healthy 

community,” Mr McGregor said. 

Remember your neighbours 

when using wood heaters 

The City is reminding residents to ensure 

their wood heaters are working properly 

before the cooler months set in. 

Environmental Health and Local Laws 

Manager, Susannah Milne, said smoke 

from chimneys can be a nuisance to 

neighbours and interfere with normal 

daily activities. 

“If you own a wood heater it is your 

responsibility to ensure you reduce any 

potential to put excess smoke into the 

atmosphere,” Ms Milne said. 

“Smoke can have an effect on people’s 

health, especially the very young, the 

elderly and those people who suffer from 

bronchitis, emphysema, asthma and 

other lung or heart diseases. 

Like all home appliances, a wood fire 

needs to be inspected and serviced 

regularly. Arrange to have your chimney 

cleaned out to remove any build-up 

of soot and ensure your heater runs 

efficiently before warming yourself in 

front of it. 

The following hints will help prepare your 

wood heater for winter: 

Wood storage: 

• Freshly cut wood needs to be stored 

for eight to 12 months 

• Wood should be kept under cover to 

keep it dry 

• Store wood loosely staked in a place 

that is well ventilated 

• Split wood into pieces 10-15cms thick 

as they will dry faster 

Getting your wood heater ready: 

• Clean out the chimney. Check the 

Yellow Pages for your local chimney 

sweep 

• Regularly check the glass door for 

cracks 

• Regularly check the door ropes and 

seals for deterioration 

• Regularly check the firebox for rust, 

cracks or changes in the surface 

• Regularly remove ash from the firebox 

• Lubricate the air-slide with high 

temperature grease 

Operating your wood heater: 

• Burn only dry, aged hardwood in your 

wood heater. Unseasoned wood has 

lots of moisture, which causes a fire 

to smoke 

• Never burn rubbish, driftwood, 

painted or treated wood. These are 

sure to pollute the air and can produce 

poisonous gases 

Marist College junior oval. 

4 



The Eaglehawk Library 

success story 

Eaglehawk Library’s latest statistics tell an 

interesting tale about its growing popularity. 

The library is housed in the old Mechanics 

Institute Building on Peg Leg Road. Small 

renovations to the heritage interior and other 

minor adjustments have helped breathe new 

life into library attendance figures. 

Extended opening hours, the installation 

of extra shelving, new reverse cycle heating 

and cooling to make for a more comfortable 

visit, and general building improvements 

undertaken by the City have all contributed 

to a 466 per cent increase in visits to the 

library since 2011. 

Visits have jumped from 2,215 in 2011/12 to 

12,545 in 2013/14, when there were 22,474 

items loaned, 960 public internet access 

sessions and more than 230 members 

signed up. 

Goldfields Library Corporation Chief Executive 

Officer Chris Kelly said she was thrilled to 

see so many residents in Eaglehawk and 

surrounding areas spending time at the library. 

“Libraries are a valuable community 

resource. A library membership is a license 

to learn and it is wonderful people are either 

rediscovering or making their first visit to the 

library,” Ms Kelly said. 

“The community recognised there was work 

that needed to be done on the building and 

in 2012 the library more than doubled its 

floor space, opened its doors for an extra 

three hours each week to allow for more 

after school visits and widened doorways to 

make it more accessible. 

“A number of programs operate out of the 

library including ‘story time’ for children, 

school holiday activities and special author 

events. Free WiFi and computers with 

internet access are also available for the 

community to use.” 

The library is open Tuesday 10am to 5pm, 

Friday 9am to 12pm and Saturday 9.30am to 

12.30pm. 


New underpass welcomed 

by local residents. 

New underpass fills in a 

missing link 

An important missing link in the Bendigo 

Creek Trail - which extends from Crusoe 

Reservoir, Kangaroo Flat to Howard Street, 

Epsom - has now been filled with the 

construction of a new $200,000 underpass of 

High Street at Golden Square. 

Previously, pedestrians and cyclists had to 

navigate four lanes of traffic in order to cross 

High Street. 

This project has involved the construction 

of concrete ramps to provide access to the 

creek floor from both sides of the highway 

and the installation of new concrete 

footpaths on both sides of the highway. 

The new underpass provides a greatly 

improved link particularly for cyclists to the 

on-road bike lanes on Hargreaves Street 

which are the primary connection for cyclists 

into the central business district and part of 

the designated Bendigo Creek Trail route. 

The new underpass represents a significant 

step in the ongoing development of the 

Bendigo Creek Trail which is one of the City’s 

key shared pathways. 

The project has been funded by a $200,000 

grant from the Federal Government’s State 

Pedestrian and Bicycle Program. 

The City will now look at ways to improve the 

on-road bike lanes along Hargreaves Street 

and will install an automatic bike counter 

to gather information on the community’s 

usage of the trail. 

In addition to this, the City has also been 

successful in gaining TAC funding to develop 

and design another new underpass at 

Weeroona Avenue via the Bendigo Creek as 

this section of the trail also requires users to 

cross four lanes of traffic. 

The design will look at the potential to 

provide further separation of trail users 

from other users of Lake Weeroona along 

the creek side of the lake as this is an issue 

that was identified in the Lake Weeroona 

Masterplan. 

New smoking bans apply 

Smoking is now banned on the grounds 

of, and within four metres of an entrance 

to, childcare centres, kindergartens and 

preschools, and primary and secondary 

schools. 

Smoking is also banned within four 

metres of an entrance to children’s 

indoor play centres, public hospitals, 

registered community health centres and 

certain Victorian Government buildings. 

State Government buildings include 

Government departments, courts and 

police stations. 

These changes have been put in place 

by the State Government to protect the 

community from exposure to secondhand 

tobacco smoke, further denormalise 

smoking in the community, 

and support people who have quit or are 

trying to quit smoking. 

Second-hand tobacco smoke is 

particularly dangerous to children and 

young people because they have smaller 

airways and less developed immune 

systems compared to adults. 

If someone is caught smoking within the 

smoke-free area, they could be issued 

a fine by authorised officers under the 

Tobacco Act 1987. 

Signs will be put at the entrance of 

buildings to which the new bans apply. 

The bans do not apply to emergency 

exits that are locked to entry, or to a 

person: 

• Walking through the smoke-free area 

• Driving through the smoke-free area 

in a car 

• In an area that is separated from the 

smoke-free area by a road 

• In an outdoor dining or drinking area 

• At a residential premises 

Please respect the new bans and 

everyone’s right to a smoke-free 

environment. 

For more information, visit: 

www.health.vic.gov.au/ 

tobaccoreforms 

6 



Top honours for Penny and Danielle 

La Trobe University Honorary Associate 

Penelope Davies and aspiring children’s 

author Danielle Snowdon are the 2015 City 

of Greater Bendigo Citizen and Young Citizen 

of the Year. 

Mayor Cr Peter Cox said it was a pleasure to 

acknowledge the women, who have made 

a significant contribution to Bendigo in the 

fields of community service, health and 

education. 

“To be named Citizen or Young Citizen of 

the Year is the greatest honour the City can 

bestow on an individual, so it wonderful two 

deserving people have again been found 

that truly represent what it is to be a great 

community member,” Cr Cox said. 

“Penny has served her community for more 

than 40 years. She is currently Board Chair of 

the Bendigo Tertiary Education Anniversary 

Foundation and a former member of 

Consumer Advisory Committees for the 

Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital, Mt 

Alvernia Hospital Bendigo (now St John of 

God) and Bendigo Health Care Group. 

“To be named Citizen or Young 

Citizen of the Year is the greatest 

honour the City can bestow on an 

individual” 

“She is also passionate about healthcare and 

has provided input into State and Federal 

Government health policy. 

“Danielle, together with her husband David, 

produced a picture story book The Nerdy 

Birdy that delivers a strong anti-bullying 

message to its young readers. 

“She has also been actively involved with 

community development organisation Lead 

On and wrote for and edited the Bendigo 

Advertiser youth supplement The Loop. 

“I congratulate Penny and Danielle on this 

wonderful achievement and I know they will 

be superb ambassadors for Greater Bendigo 

over the next 12 months.” 

2015 Citizens of the Year, Danielle 

Snowdon and Penny Davies. 

List your event with My Community Connect 

The City of Greater Bendigo has partnered 

with Southern Cross Austereo to provide 

community groups, not-for-profit 

organisations, charities and sports clubs 

the chance to promote their events for 

no cost through a regional program My 

Community Connect. 

My Community Connect is a multi-media 

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to regional Australia through television, 

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No longer do you have to rely on a range 

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Browse through hundreds of events on 

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what’s happening in your local area or the 

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your event so everyone can see it. 

List your event today or find out 

what’s happening in your area 

www.mycommunityconnect.com.au 


Building a stronger community 

A unique theatre to be proud of 

Bendigo now boasts the newest and most 

unique theatre in Australia following the 

official opening of the Ulumbarra Theatre 

(pronounced a-lum-ba-ra) in April. 

“These events alone will bring 

thousands of people to Bendigo 

and will provide significant 

economic benefits for our local 

economy” 

The theatre features a 1,000-seat, two-tier 

theatre complete with a large stage, fly 

tower and dressing rooms along with 

music, dance and drama studio spaces, 

general learning areas and commercial 

learning kitchens. Ulumbarra is unique 

because it is the first time world-wide that 

a heritage listed, 19th century gaol has 

been transformed into a state-of-the-art 

theatre complex. 

City Futures Director, Stan Liacos said 

although some finishing touches are 

still taking place around the new $25.8M 

theatre complex it has not stopped the new 

theatre from hosting a number of sell out 

shows since opening. 

“Ulumbarra’s seating capacity and 

production capability means Bendigo 

is already seeing major national and 

international performing artists and 

touring companies staging productions 

here,” Mr Liacos said. 

“A visit to Ulumbarra, whether it be to see 

a show, attend a conference or other event 

is a fascinating experience for patrons 

because they enter and exit the theatre 

through the old Bendigo Gaol’s former 

‘Marong Cell Block’ which housed the 

original gallows. 

“The old gaol provides some theatre in its 

own right and completely enhances the 

experience for visitors to the complex. 

“Ulumbarra has definitely created quite a 

buzz in the entertainment, education and 

major event industries as there is nowhere 

else in the world that has adapted an old 

gaol in this manner to become a valued 

community facility. 

“It’s unique and it’s already proving 

a massive drawcard for Bendigo by 

attracting major events such as the 

Bendigo Bank’s 2015 National conference, 

National Gymnastics Club Championships, 

Calesthenics Victorian State Championship 

and Country Women’s Association of 

Victoria State Conference. 

“These events alone will bring thousands 

of people to Bendigo and will provide 

significant economic benefits for our local 

economy. 

“Bendigo has always been a popular 

destination for conferences and events 

and we are beyond excited to now have a 

venue with the capacity to host national 

conferences of this size and stature. We are 

looking forward to attracting even more 

similar events in the future.” 

The $25.8M project has been funded by a 

$12.3M contribution from the Australian 

Government; $7.5M from the State 

Government’s Department of Education 

and Training; $3M from City; and $3M 

from the State Government’s Regional 

Development Victoria. 

8 



Jida Gulpulil. 

Central Hall. 

The community enjoys the Place for People 

Opening Day in Ulumbarra’s auditorium. 

Ulumbarra 

(a-lum-ba-ra) 

Ulumbarra means gather together or meeting 

place in the language of the local Dja Dja 

Wurrung people and is a fantastic name for 

our new state-of the-art theatre which is set to 

become Central Victoria’s premier meeting place 

for the community to gather together. 


Ulumbarra’s generous supporters 

Over 300 local businesses, organisations and 

individuals have made generous financial 

contributions to the new Ulumbarra Theatre. 

Sponsorship, support and donations 

totalling almost $1M was raised over the 

past 12 months through the Ulumbarra 

Theatre Dreaming Program which was 

designed to unlock the full potential of 

the new performing arts and education 

facility by providing the means to purchase 

specialist equipment and deliver innovative 

programming. 

City Director City Futures Stan Liacos said 

the scale and level of achievement of this 

type of fundraising is rarely seen outside 

of big capital cities and the overwhelming 

generosity of our local donors has been 

simply amazing. 

“We are just so grateful to all of our major 

donors and the many individuals who 

have supported the Ulumbarra Dreaming 

Program, their unbelievable generosity has 

provided the means to purchase equipment 

that we could have only dreamt about,” Mr 

Liacos said. 

Major donors have included former Supreme 

Court judge and lover of the arts, the Hon 

Howard Nathan, a man who has fallen in 

love with Bendigo and is thrilled to support 

such an exciting project for Central Victoria. 

In recognition of his generous support the 

main foyer space has been named The Hon. 

Howard Nathan Foyer. 

“Bonza and beneficial for Bendigo. 

Ulumbarra is a golden development for all 

of Central Victoria. A space for performance, 

experimentation, challenge and excitement. I 

could not be more privileged than to support 

this project,” The Hon Howard Nathan said. 

A stone staircase and tunnel (unearthed 

during construction) located in the old 

Gaol’s central hall has been capped, lit and 

interpreted thanks to the generous support 

of the Keech Family owners of local company 

Keech Australia. This support recognises 

the Keech family’s commitment to Bendigo 

and the three generations of Keech family 

members that have contributed to the ongoing 

development of the business over the 

past eighty years. 

Ulumbarra Theatre has also formed 

corporate partnerships with Bendigo and 

Adelaide Bank, La Trobe University, Telstra 

Stores Bendigo, Strategem and Jimmy 

Possum. 

The partnership with Bendigo and Adelaide 

Bank is set to deliver substantial ongoing 

benefits to the local and regional 

community, while the partnership with La 

Trobe University includes an agreement to 

work closely with Bendigo Senior Secondary 

College and other major local secondary 

schools to develop a program to connect 

the strong performing arts education of the 

school into the professional performing 

arts program delivered through the theatre 

season. 

As major donors Telstra Stores Bendigo 

will present up to 10 performances per 

year at Ulumbarra Theatre, showcasing 

contemporary music and family 

entertainment. As a key feature of the 

alliance, Telstra Bendigo customers will 

have access to premium ticketing prior to 

public sale and where possible, discounted 

ticket offers to selected shows at Ulumbarra 

Theatre. 

A corporate partnership with Strategem, 

a local provider of accounting, business 

advisory and wealth management services, 

has resulted in Ulumbarra’s 90-seat drama 

space being named the Strategem Studio. 

This versatile, intimate space hosts regular 

drama rehearsal and performance activity 

and spaces for conventions and meetings. 

The Spalding Family, with their homegrown 

and internationally renowned Jimmy 

Possum brand, have furnished the modern 

foyers and heritage spaces of Ulumbarra 

Theatre. From signature pieces to functional 

contemporary furniture, Jimmy Possum have 

enhanced the ultimate finish to these areas. 

In addition some 300 individuals have raised 

more than $125,000 through the popular 

Take Your Seat initiative, where plaques 

carrying a personal inscription from donors 

have been attached to seats in the new 

theatre. 

The Hon. Howard Nathan Foyer. 

Coming up at Ulumbarra 

Kitty Flanagan - Seriously? 

Friday June 5 

AN AMERICAN LEGEND RETURNS 

A SALUTE TO THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC 

A CONCERT SPECTACULAR 

FEATURING SONGS FROM 

The Glenn Miller Orchestra 

THE GREAT WAR, ALL YOUR FAVOURITE 

GLENN MILLER HITS AND MORE... 

Saturday June 6 

25 MUSICIANS, SINGERS 

& DANCERS ON STAGE 

“A spectacular rendition of classics 

Mary Poppins the Broadway Musical 

and upbeat favourites ” The Australian Stage 

Thursday July 9 - Sunday July 12 

THEATRE NAME - DATE TO GO HERE & HERE 

Book at 136 100 or ticketmaster.com.au 

For bookings and details visit 

www.ulumbarratheatre.com.au 

10 Greater Bendigo magazine www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/gbmagazine

Celebrating our heritage 

Vahland transformed Bendigo 

In the 1850s the Bendigo goldfields were a 

magnet for migrants hoping to strike it lucky. 

Those who did not often went home or 

moved on empty handed. German traveller 

William Charles Vahland was not one of the 

lucky ones but it is Bendigo that is richer for 

his decision to stay and ply his trade. 

July 21 this year marks 100 years since 

the death of Vahland. To acknowledge his 

enduring contribution to Bendigo and civic 

life, there are a range of events taking place 

through the National Trust Heritage Festival. 

Vahland’s legacy stands proudly across 

Bendigo – designs for the Bendigo Town 

Hall, Capital Theatre, Bendigo Health’s Anne 

Caudle Centre, the Alexandra Fountain on 

Pall Mall, the Canterbury Park Grandstand in 

Eaglehawk and the Fortuna Villa mansion are 

all attributed to him. 

The streetscapes of Echuca, Deniliquin, Hay, 

Rochester, Rushworth, Swan Hill, Benalla 

and as far afield as New Zealand also boast 

Vahland creations. 

Mayor Cr Peter Cox said Vahland has left a 

lasting impression on modern-day Bendigo 

and central Victoria. 

“Vahland was a visionary who came along 

at the right time. Virtually overnight Bendigo 

was transformed from a dot on the map into 

a city of many thousands of people. Bendigo 

needed someone as brilliant as Vahland who 

could deliver well-planned, architecturally 

extravagant buildings through to humble 

homes. He literally created our city,” Cr Cox 

said. 

Vahland became an Australian citizen and 

pillar of the community through his roles as 

a Justice of the Peace, a councillor and lay 

preacher. But it was his financial foresight that 

Australians should be most grateful for. 

“Vahland was a champion of the ordinary and 

the extraordinary. He was one of the founders 

and chair for 38 years of the Bendigo Land 

and Building Society, which supported the 

idea of the great Australian dream of home 

ownership,” Cox said. 

“He built a number of homes called ‘Vahland 

Villas’ – basic two , three or four room homes 

– so people could move out of tents, loan 

money and work towards owning their own 

home. Today that loan scheme is better 

known as the Bendigo Bank.” 

The National Trust Heritage Festival runs until 

May 26. For information on Vahland events 

visit www.celebratevahland.com.au 

Pictured below: Langley Hall. 


1 2 

3 

12 



6 

7 

4 

8 

5 

1. Bendigo Benevolent 

Asylum 

2. Hustler’s Terrace 

3. Former Colonial Bank 

4. Alexandra Fountain 

5. Athenaeum Hall Library 

6. Canterbury Park 

Grandstand 

7. St Killians Church 

8. Convent of Mercy 

and St Marys College 


A lost treasure 

found 

The City has unveiled a Vahland-designed 

public drinking fountain that was once 

used for horses, dogs and humans. The 

multi-faceted fountain is one of three 

created by the architect along with the 

Alexandra Fountain and the Cascades, 

located in Rosalind Park. 

Installed in 1881, the public fountain sat at 

the junction of Bridge Street and Pall Mall 

and together with the Alexandra Fountain 

was intended to visually balance Pall Mall. 

Made of granite, the fountain featured four 

gas lights at the top of a central column 

and water flowed out of the mouths of 

four metal lions into large granite basins. 

There were also many decorative elements 

including scroll-shaped supports to 

connect the central column to the fountain 

below, elaborate metal brackets and 

ornate engravings. 

City Strategy Manager Trevor Budge said 

the drinking fountain is in pieces but the 

City hopes to restore it. 

“This fountain is like a missing piece of a 

puzzle; if it can be restored it will complete 

yet another picture that celebrates 

Vahland’s brilliant career,” Mr Budge said. 

“There is much work that would need 

to be done; the cast iron gas light fittings 

and some supports are missing and will 

need to be remade in keeping with the 

original design. It will be important to 

carefully consider how we can honour this 

heritage piece.” 

The fountain holds further significance 

because the granite elements were made 

by another prominent local architect, 

William Beebe, and ironmonger James 

Connelly, who had a business on the 

corner of Forest Street and High Street, 

created the gas light fittings. 

The fountain was dismantled around 1906 

to make way for the Discovery of Gold 

monument. 

New life for an important part 

of Bendigo’s mining history 

The former Bendigo Mining Exchange 

has been sold and will be converted 

to include a number of cafes and 

restaurants, a provedore delicatessen, 

distillery, office spaces and short-term 

accommodation. 

The new owners, Pall Mall Nominees 

Pty Ltd, have widespread experience 

in transforming historic buildings and 

precincts into vibrant accommodation 

and hospitality businesses, with past 

ventures including the redevelopment of 

the historic George Hotel and Jacksons 

and Co in Ballarat. 

Mayor Cr Peter Cox said the Council had 

purchased the site some 15 years ago 

and undertaken extensive repair works 

on the building in an effort to secure its 

long-term future. 

“It has been a stewardship role, bringing 

an important community asset to a point 

where the private sector can invest with 

confidence, and realise its full potential,” 

Cr Cox said. 

“The successful buyers have a fantastic 

vision for the former Mining Exchange 

and are looking to tap into Bendigo’s 

growing reputation as a food and drink 

destination of choice. 

“Their vision includes a strong focus 

on locally sourced produce and artisan 

made products. The building will be 

converted to include a number of 

cafes and restaurants, a provedore 

delicatessen, a distillery and bar. 

“Upstairs is planned to become a creative 

industry hub with a range of small scale 

offices and businesses. The apartment 

on the second level will be renovated and 

used for short-term accommodation. 

“The most important criteria for the 

Council was an outcome that generated 

a lot of activity and people movement. 

That is what brings our city alive.” 

A permit for its restoration has been 

issued by Heritage Victoria, which means 

that work can start on the building in a 

relatively short time frame. 

Works are expected to commence on the 

restoration and refurbishment in the next 

few months with the bulk of the work 

completed within 18 months. 

“This is yet another example where 

investment by the Council in the early 

stages has resulted in significant private 

investment. Other examples are View 

Street, Chancery Lane and the Grand 

Hotel (former Bendigo Advertiser 

building),” Cr Cox said. 

Allan’s Walk, 

Bendigo Mining Exchange. 

14 



Our local economy 

Local business benefits 

from City’s quality 

management program 

Pictured Right: City Economic Development Unit Manager, Brian Gould, Jimmy Possum’s 

Production Leader, Martin Flanagan and CEO, Boris Bielerts and City Senior Business Analyst, 

Ben Devanny, at the Jimmy Possum’s Bendigo Factory. Image courtesy Press 1 Photography. 

A Quality Management accreditation 

program provided by the City’s Economic 

Development Unit with financial support 

from the State Government has opened the 

doors for local furniture producer Jimmy 

Possum to export products globally. 

“One of the key roles of the Economic 

Development Unit is to auspice 

training programs that provide local 

businesses with real opportunities 

to up skill their businesses” 

Jimmy Possum are the first of a number 

of local companies to complete three 

comprehensive Quality Management 

programs (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and AS 

4801) offered by the unit to local small 

and medium sized businesses and 

manufacturers. 

The accreditations are a prerequisite 

required by governments and businesses 

in both the domestic and global markets 

to ensure competitiveness and compliance 

with contemporary standards of safety and 

quality in production processes. 

Unit Manager Brian Gould said the City is 

delighted to see the first Bendigo business 

complete the quality management program 

which allows them to compete for major 

projects where formal accreditation is 

required. 

“The standard accreditation assisted 

Jimmy Possum to showcase their furniture 

at the IFFS International Furniture Expo in 

Singapore in March this year, Mr Gould said. 

“One of the key roles of the Economic 

Development Unit is to auspice training 

programs that provide local businesses with 

real opportunities to up skill their businesses 

and their credentials and a number of 

other local businesses are also at different 

stages of the 14 month Quality Management 

Programs. 

“The unit is absolutely delighted to have 

Jimmy Possum as the first Bendigo business 

to complete the program and we are looking 

forward to seeing them reap many benefits 

by undertaking the program,” said Mr Gould. 

Jimmy Possum CEO Boris Bielert said the 

Quality Management Program could not 

have come at a better time for Jimmy 

Possum as the company is looking to the 

export market for the first time in its 20 year 

history and is increasing its work on larger 

commercial projects. 

“We are thankful to the City of Greater 

Bendigo and the Victorian State Government 

for their support of this program. The IFFS is 

the most significant furniture fair in the Asia 

Pacific region with attendees from around 

the world and to be able to demonstrate 

our international standard accreditation 

to a global audience provides us with a 

competitive edge for years to come,” Mr 

Bielert said. 

For more information go to 

www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/business 

2015 Visitor Guide available 

The City’s 2015 official Visitor Guide for 

Bendigo and Heathcote Region is now 

available. 

The guide is the City’s major tourism 

marketing publication designed to 

showcase the range of visitor experiences 

and major events on offer in the Bendigo 

and Heathcote region. 

City Executive Manager Tourism Kathryn 

Mackenzie said the guide is part of the City’s 

ongoing commitment to attract visitors and 

encourage them to stay longer. 

“Tourism boosted the Bendigo/Loddon 

region’s local economy by $509M in 

the 2013/14 year and the guide brands 

our region’s strengths of arts, culture, 

heritage, history, cycling, food, wine, retail, 

accommodation, outdoor attractions, 

markets and events, Ms Mackenzie said. 

“The 2015 guide features a new eight page 

regional section to encourage visitors to stay 

longer by exploring the surrounding regions, 

a stronger focus on cycling tourism and 

four new suggested itineraries based on the 

themes of history and heritage, family fun, 

culture and girls getaway. 

“It’s also full of fantastic photography, links to 

our websites, social media, mobile apps and 

videos to provide an opportunity to see real 

time information and book the experiences 

on offer and a range of important local 

information and maps to help visitors 

navigate their way around our region. 

“2015 is an exciting year for tourism with 

the opening of the new Ulumbarra Theatre, 

the upgraded Bendigo Art Gallery attracting 

quality exhibitions, the extended O’Keefe 

Rail Trail, the introduction of a new foodie 

walk, themed trams, Heritage Month and 

Vahland celebrations and a strong calendar 

of events.” 

Copies of the Bendigo & Heathcote Region 

Visitor Guide are available from the Bendigo 

and Heathcote Visitor Centres or online 

at www.bendigotourism.com The guide 

will also be distributed to local tourism 

operators and Visitor Information Centres 

across Victoria and Melbourne. 


A great place to live 

16 




Greater Bendigo has long been seen as a land of 

opportunity. 

The Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung clans lived with 

Country and prospered for thousands of years and 

continue to practice their culture. Chinese and European 

migrants came in search of gold and left a lasting 

impression on our city through grand architecture and 

cultural celebrations. The gold rush kick started an 

economy that has since diversified to support agriculture, 

manufacturing, retail, health and education. 

“From 2011/12 to 2013/14, there has been 

a 179 per cent increase in people receiving 

citizenship” 

Today, Greater Bendigo is a city of more than 100,000 

people. National census data from 2011 estimates 

migrants from more than 33 countries contribute to the 

region’s diverse and growing population, although this is 

likely to be a conservative estimate as it does not reflect 

emerging communities such as the Hazara Afghan or 

Somali residents. 

City Community Wellbeing Director, Pauline Gordon 

said perhaps the greatest indicator of the growth of 

multiculturalism in Bendigo is the astounding leap in the 

number of people pledging to become Australian citizens. 

“From 2011/12 to 2013/14, there has been a 179 per cent 

increase in people receiving citizenship and a marked 

increase in the number of people from non-English 

speaking backgrounds settling between 2006 and 2011,” 

Ms Gordon said. 

“These figures not only reflect the increasing cultural 

diversity in Greater Bendigo, but also the commitment of 

people from all corners of the world wanting to contribute 

to Australian society. 

“There are so many benefits to welcoming different 

cultures into our community including developing more 

productive, dynamic and progressive workforces and 

adding to overall vibrancy through festivals and events. 

“It is wonderful that Bendigo is seen as somewhere people 

would like to settle and the city is richer for having such a 

diverse community.” 

Voltaire Nadurata 

Where have you come from? 

I moved to Australia from the 

Philippines in 2001. Whereas 

I came from Manila, I grew up 

in a small town called Lobos 

in the province of Bananas 

which is in the main island of 

Luzon. It is a small town enclosed 

by mountains and sea on side. It is a way smaller 

town than Bendigo, but it has the same character as 

Bendigo with a community that looks after its own 

and a camaraderie that nurtures the locals. 

What do you do for a living and how has living 

in Bendigo helped you to fulfil your career? I 

am the Clinical Director of Cardiology in Bendigo 

Health with an associated private practice. It is 

the opportunity in practicing in such a closely knit 

medical community that I see as a big advantage 

in practicing in Bendigo. Bendigo medical practice 

is also growing together with the hospital and I can 

say that I am in the midst of all that. Cardiology was 

in infancy then and I was really fortunate to help it 

grow and nurture it to what it is today, especially 

at Bendigo Health. I was also able to represent 

Bendigo and Central Victoria in different forums 

and state level committees, as well as international 

representation because of our sheer importance in 

health care provision particularly in relation to our 

region and the amount of work that we provide and 

research that we perform. I was also there at the 

right time to help initiate the medical clinical school 

during its conception and early stages. 

What were the challenges of settling into your 

new community in Bendigo? When I moved to 

Bendigo in early 2004 after my subspecialty training 

in Melbourne, Bendigo was quite different from 

what it is today. Though there are some migrant 

communities, they are quite small. I think the 

medical fraternity together with the intake from 

independent and family migration as well as the 

evolution of trade/farming related industries and 

local universities have changed the face of Bendigo. 

Seldom before that may you see people from 

other backgrounds walking in the street, let alone 

restaurant and shops, but in the last five years I 

believe Bendigo has taken up a different shape. It 

was challenge then to find things as simple as an 

Asian store or to attend a Filipino Catholic mass, but 

that has since changed. 

How do you see Bendigo today in regards to 

multiculturalism? Bendigo has certainly changed 

in the last 10 years, especially in the past five years. 

I think exposure to different cultures, either directly 

through interaction or indirectly with media and 

growing multiculturalism in Australia in general, has 

been really instrumental. Though there may have 

been some issues around religion recently, Bendigo 

is generally more accepting and a lot more open 

with regards to cultural diversity - probably due to 

our heritage in the mining boom era and Chinese 

migration in 1800’s. I also believe that the healthcare 

system has helped a lot especially at times of need 

when people are sick and at their most vulnerable. 

How would you like to see Bendigo develop in 

regards to multiculturalism into the future? 

I would love to see Bendigo become a more 

multicultural society. Barely over 10 years ago, 

Bendigo was one of the most Caucasian of cities 

in Australia but now the face is changing. I think 

tolerance and the way we continue to embrace 

this diversity is the key. We are living in a seemingly 

smaller world because of the ease of travel and 

technology, and we get exposed to different cultures. 

If we are overseas and we embrace other cultures, 

we should embrace them as well when they come 

to our town. It is a two way street though and we 

should all realise that in reality it takes two to tango. 

The Bendigo community hopefully will continue to 

accept and embrace new cultures but at the same 

time, newbies from other cultures should also 

respect the local community but not forget their 

language and culture. It is not always easy, but with 

a tolerant society such as Bendigo as it is today, I 

believe it can be achieved. 

Liana Elias 

Where have you come 

from? I come from Jakarta, 

Indonesia. 

What do you do for a 

job and how has living in 

Bendigo helped you to fulfil 

your career? I’m a language 

teacher for primary school and also 

a Zumba® Instructor. Bendigo provides me with the 

opportunity to study and improve my English. I have 

lots of friends in Bendigo who support me to achieve 

my goal to be a primary teacher. 

“Based on my own experience I 

believe the Bendigo community is an 

accepting community that supports 

multiculturalism”. 


new community in Bendigo? There were many 

challenges I had such as the language, the culture 

and the lifestyle. 


multiculturalism? Based on my own experience 

I believe the Bendigo community is an accepting 

community that supports multiculturalism. 


regards to multiculturalism into the future? I 

would like to see Bendigo embrace multiculturalism 

more and keep showing and giving support for 

multicultural events in the future. 


The changing face of Bendigo (continued) 

Badraa Al-Darkazly 


I am originally from Iraq. 

What do you do for a job 

and how has living in 

Bendigo helped you to fulfil 

your career? I work as the 

International Student Services 

coordinator at La Trobe University. I 

have always wanted to work in the higher education 

sector and specifically with students from different 

backgrounds. Bendigo has provided me with this 

opportunity by having a University which attracts 

many students from all around the world. 

“I find Bendigo people are curious of 

how I lived in Iraq and many other 

countries, and are even surprised to 

learn that although we may speak a 

different language, we have a lot in 

common” 


new community in Bendigo? The main challenge I 

faced when I arrived in Bendigo was trying to make 

friendships with people who were born and bred 

here. I found this was very difficult, in part, due to 

Bendigo being a closed community where most 

people had established friendships. However, this 

changed slowly once I started working and I had my 

children. Work, school and childcare has allowed me 

to make many friends thereby making me feel part 

of the Bendigo community. 


multiculturalism? I think Bendigo has changed 

a lot since my arrival 11 years ago, it has become 

more of a multicultural city with increased cultural 

awareness, I notice that Bendigo is now attracting 

more people from different cultures. Since my arrival 

in 2004 I have found the people are very welcoming. 

I find Bendigo people are curious of how I lived 

in Iraq and many other countries, and are even 

surprised to learn that although we may speak 

a different language, we have a lot in common. I 

enjoy the opportunity to tell others of my life which 

only serves to increase the understanding between 

cultures. 


regards to multiculturalism into the future? 

There are many ways for a community like Bendigo 

to develop in regards to multiculturalism, to share 

our differences to enrich the wonderful city Bendigo 

already is. This may include things such as multifaith 

centres of worship, speciality food stores 

– coming from the Middle East we certainly enjoy 

cooking – and offering high standard 

music performances and art. 

Herbert Hermens 


I was born in a relatively 

small but beautiful town in 

the south of The Netherlands 

called Valkenburg. I migrated 

with my parents, brothers and 

sisters to Australia before I was 

ten years old. We moved to Sydney 

where we spent many of my formative 

years, later moving and or working in many places in 

Australia and elsewhere. 

What do you do for a job and how has living in 

Bendigo helped you to fulfil your career? We 

came to Bendigo to take up a position with Keech 

Australia. Coming into Bendigo it was very obvious 

there was a vibrancy and the willingness to try new 

things, there is a continuing culture of innovation 

in this city. Keech has become globally focussed I 

believe in large part because of the innate ability in 

this community to recognise and confront challenge 

and the willingness to try new things. 


new community in Bendigo? We have had the 

opportunity to live in many different places, what 

makes Bendigo unique I suspect is that if you reach 

out there is welcome and opportunity in business, 

community and personal development. The major 

challenge, both for business and from a personal 

perspective is the lack of a functioning regional 

airport that opens up and connects this regional 

metropolis to Australia and the rest of the world. 

Whilst some may not see the challenge as a frequent 

traveller the time lost in commuting to Melbourne 

airport is frustrating, expensive and serves to remind 

us of the prospects Bendigo must not be availing 

itself to. 


multiculturalism? There will always be some in any 

circumstance or locality that find change difficult 

and who treat any differences with suspicion. People 

come here to share in the values that make Australia 

what it is and what those ideals are built on, respect 

and a fair go, attributes that so many other places 

around the world wish they could foster as their 

national cultural foundation. In Bendigo that fair go 

and respect is reflected by the vast majority of its 

residents. 


regards to multiculturalism into the future? It has 

been said often that conflict grows out of ignorance 

and suspicion, as members of our community, both 

old and new, we ought to ensure that ignorance is 

addressed by our transparency, and that we reflect 

the notions of respect and a fair go in each other 

and in all that we do and represent as individuals 

and as a community. 

NayChee Aung 


Originally I am from Burma 

and I was born in Burma but 

my ethnicity is Karen. My 

family had to leave our home 

town when I was about five 

years old due to civil war that 

has been going on for decades. 

After we left our hometown we fled to 

the Thailand and Burma border and relocated in a 

refugee camp. There were hundreds and thousands 

of people in the refugee camp. After eight long years 

in a refugee camp we migrated to Australia in late 2005. 

What do you do for a job and how has coming 

to Bendigo helped you fulfil your career? I am 

currently working as a Settlement case worker with 

Bendigo Community Health Services. Moving up to 

Bendigo from Melbourne was a huge change for me 

because there are endless opportunities for me in 

Bendigo. There are lots of people who guide me and 

assist me with what I need and because of these 

important people it makes life much easier to live in 

Bendigo. 


new community in Bendigo? Personally I don’t 

have any major challenges settling in Bendigo 

because I find Bendigo so easy to live in and most 

people that I meet are nice and friendly. We have 

our own Karen organisation to assist us that are very 

supportive and always make us feel welcome. 

“My family had to leave our home town 

when I was about five years old due 

to civil war that has been going on for 

decades” 


multiculturalism? I think everyone is welcome 

to live a happy life in Bendigo because Bendigo is 

a great place to live and work. It does not matter 

which background you are from you will feel part of 

the community when you live in Bendigo. We have 

many communities here in Bendigo and we play a 

very important role in keeping Bendigo a healthy 

city. Regardless of our background and cultural 

differences everyone is accepted and can live and 

work in Bendigo together. 


regards to multiculturalism into the future? I 

would like to see Bendigo host more multicultural 

events and participate with people from different 

backgrounds. I also think awareness raising 

opportunities should be offered for the Bendigo 

community so they can increase their understanding 

of the ethnicity and cultures of the newly arrived 

refugee groups in the City of Greater Bendigo. 

The number of countries that contribute to our region’s 

diverse and growing population. 

18 



What’s in the works? 

As part of Council’s commitment to deliver improved infrastructure, a range of works are currently underway or have recently been completed. 

The Parks and Natural Resources team undertake final stages of landscaping works at 

Peppercorn Estate, White Hills. 

Kerb and channel and drainage works underway in Inglewood Street, Raywood aim to 

alleviate flooding issues. The $250,000 project is expected to be completed by early June. 

Drainage works underway in Graham Street, Kangaroo Flat are nearing completion. The 

project will prevent flooding in the area and is estimated to cost $135,000. 

Other works underway or completed: 

Drainage works being undertaken in Allingham Street aim to alleviate flooding issues in the 

area. Works are estimated at $185,000 and are expected to be completed by early June. 

• Olympic Parade, Kangaroo Flat: 

roundabout at Station Street 

• Panton Street, Eaglehawk: 

drainage upgrade 

• Michael Street, East Bendigo: 


• O’Keefe Rail Trail 

(Lake Eppalock to One Eye Forest trail) 

• Broad Parade, Spring Gully: 

retardation dam 

• Wills Street, Bendigo: 

concrete footpath 

• Granger Court, North Bendigo: 

drainage upgrades 

• Stanfield Street, Long Gully: 


• Asphalt Share path, Maiden gully: 

share path 

• Osborne Street / Samuel Court, Flora Hill: 


www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/ 

roadworks 


Our environment 

City wants 

your views on 

domestic animal 

management 

Local resident Joel North uses Harcourt Park, 

Strathdale to exercise his dogs Dash and Sissy off leash. 

Greater Bendigo residents are encouraged to 

have their say on extending the cat curfew to 

24-hours and the pros and cons of opening 

up more public space as exercise areas for 

dogs. 

With Greater Bendigo having approximately 

6,000 registered cats and 20,000 registered 

dogs it is important for people to make their 

views known via a questionnaire. 

The City already has a curfew requiring cats 

to be confined from sunset to sunrise to help 

protect nocturnal species and reduce the 

time they are able to wander and create a 

nuisance. 

One of the questions being asked of 

residents is whether this control goes far 

enough or is 24-hour confinement – as 

is already in place for dogs – needed to 

better protect our native fauna and reduce 

nuisance issues. 

The City is also keen to hear people’s views 

on whether or not the City needs to open up 

more public space as off leash dog exercise 

areas. 

We know there are strong differences of 

opinion in our community on these two 

issues in particular. 

It is very important to have your say so 

Council can establish a Domestic Animal 

Management Plan that strikes a balance 

between the needs of pet owners and other 

people and groups in the community. 

The plan’s objectives include: 

• Promoting and encouraging 

responsible pet ownership 

• Ensuring compliance with the Act and 

Regulations 

• Planning for open space access for dogs 

• Minimising the risk of dog attacks 

• Addressing any over population and 

high euthanasia rates for dogs and cats 

• Encouraging registration and 

identification of dogs and cats 

• Minimising potential for dogs and cats 

to create a nuisance 

• Identifying dangerous, menacing and 

restricted breed dogs 

• Reviewing all existing orders and local 

laws that relate to dogs and cats 

• Establishing a method for evaluating 

animal control services 

• Identifying programs for training of 

authorised animal management 

officers 

Complete the questionnaire by picking up 

a hard copy at City Offices in Bendigo and 

Heathcote or online at www.bendigo.vic. 

gov.au Completed questionnaires will be 

received up to July 31, 2015. 

Information gathered will help to inform a 

review of the Animal Keeping Local Law. 

Copies can be mailed out by contacting 

Anthony Schofield on 5434 6144. 

Dispose of sharps safely 

If you’re not sure how to dispose 

of sharps safely then the City can 

help. 

Sharps are syringes and 

all other types of needles 

for personal medical use. 

Diabetics, cancer patients 

and people suffering from 

other medical conditions 

can require personal use of 

syringes or sharps at home. 

When sharps are used 

they must be disposed of 

properly by placing them in 

a sharps container. 

Containers come in varying 

sizes and are most often 

yellow. Put all syringes and 

sharps into the container, fill 

it to the line indicated and 

secure the lid. The container 

is then ready to be disposed 

of safely by returning it 

to the City’s offices in 

Bendigo and Heathcote 

or to Bendigo Community Health 

Services at 25 Helm Street, 

Kangaroo Flat and 3 Seymoure 

Street, Eaglehawk. 

Never place syringes, sharps 

or sharps containers in your 

household rubbish or recycling 

bins. 

Sharps containers can be 

obtained from the City or 

Bendigo Community Health 

Services. When a container is 

returned to either organisation 

another one will be supplied 

for free. 

For more information visit 

www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/ 

sharpssafety 

sharps 

container 


New efficient street lights for Greater Bendigo 

Around 7,000 streetlights in Greater 

Bendigo are being replaced with better 

and more energy efficient street lighting 

as part of the Lighting the Region’s project. 

Through this project the old mercury 

vapour style street lighting will be 

replaced by more energy efficient 

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) which will 

reduce energy consumption and energy 

costs and save thousands of tonnes of 

greenhouse gases. 

Potential savings for the City from this 

project are in the order of $19.4M over 20 

years, with the project set to pay for itself 

in four to five years. These are savings 

that will directly benefit ratepayers and 

the broader community and can be used 

for other local purposes. 

In what is the largest street lighting 

partnership in Australia the Lighting the 

Region’s project will see almost 23,000 

street lights replaced throughout the 

Greater Bendigo, Central Goldfields, 

Hepburn, Pyrenees, Loddon, Swan Hill, 

Gannawarra, Mount Alexander, Buloke, 

Ararat, Northern Grampians, Hindmarsh, 

Horsham, Yarriambiack, West Wimmera 

and Mildura municipalities. 

This $11.6M project, which covers nearly 

half of regional Victoria, includes $5M of 

funding from the Australian Government 

and will run until June 2016. The City is 

contributing $2,074,956 over the three 

year life of the project. 

Old lights to be recycled 

So what is going to happen to the 

7,000 streetlights that are removed 

in Greater Bendigo? 

The Lighting the Region’s project is 

active in supporting and sustaining 

local employment and the old 

streetlights will be recycled by the 

Eaglehawk Recycle Shop. 

Staff from the Eaglehawk Recycle 

Shop are aiming to recycle many 

of the components of the old 

lights including the globes, light 

switches, aluminium reflectors, 

transformers and globe holders. 

Other parts of the lights such as 

the light covers will be repurposed 

and made into items such as 

hanging baskets, pot plants and 

bird baths and any of the light 

components that include steel, 

aluminium or copper will be 

crushed and the metals extracted 

and recycled. 

In addition to this the Mercury 

vapour globes will be collected 

and sent to a specialist recycling 

plant where the glass and other 

components will be recycled and 

the mercury extracted to be reused 

by the Dental Industry. 

The recycling of the components 

of the old street lighting aligns 

strongly with the Lighting the 

Regions mission to create a 

greener future and create less 

waste for the environment. 

The Eaglehawk Recycle Shop 

employs 20 staff and is 100 

per cent self-sufficient. It is not 

supported by any external funding. 


New public recycling bins available 

It is now possible to be a dedicated recycler 

even when you are out and about in Greater 

Bendigo. 

The City recently installed 45 permanent, 

new recycling bins in public places 

throughout Greater Bendigo in an effort to 

reduce the amount of recyclables ending up 

in landfill. 

The new bins are located in high pedestrian 

traffic areas and high profile parks, gardens 

and public places in Bendigo, Eaglehawk, 

Marong, Heathcote and Elmore. 

The bins have been specifically designed for 

recycling and will take bottles, cans, paper 

coffee cups and even pizza boxes. 

The Council received requests for permanent 

recycling bins to be installed in public places 

and was pleased to receive funding from 

Sustainability Victoria to assist with the 

project. 

Recent bin audits have shown that the 

recycling bins are being well used and 

that about 14 tonne of recycling has been 

diverted from landfill since the bins have 

been installed. 

This is good news and is in line with the 

aims of the City’s Waste and Resource 

Management Strategy to actively encourage 

recycling and reduce the amount of 

recyclables currently ending up in our landfill 

which only has a limited lifespan. 

However the audits have revealed that we 

can do even better, as more than half (57.5 

percent of the items that were placed in 

the adjacent waste bins were found to be 

recyclable. 

Recyclable items found in the waste bins 

included aluminium cans, cardboard, clean 

paper, glass bottles and plastic bottles. 

The installation of the new public place 

recycling bins was backed by a special 

advertising and marketing campaign to 

promote the use of the new bins. 

Right: Damien Cordell makes a choice to 

recycle right. 

Free service can help to reduce your landfill costs 

Mayor Cr Peter Cox wants residents to 

use the Eaglehawk Recycle Shop to help 

reduce the cost of waste dumping at the 

Eaglehawk Landfill. 

The City’s proposed Budget for 2015/2016 

includes changes to the way fees are to 

be charged at the Eaglehawk Landfill with 

the cost of dumping waste there to be 

measured per tonne rather than per load. 

“The measure is designed to help recoup 

the real cost of dumping waste at the 

landfill and will also act as an incentive 

for people to drop off any reusable or 

recyclable items such as usable furniture, 

white goods, car parts, household 

appliances and timber for free at the 

Eaglehawk Recycle Shop,” Cr Cox said. 

“Again and again people are bypassing 

the recycle shop – located just 80 metres 

from the entrance to the landfill – and are 

instead choosing to dump perfectly good 

recyclables at the landfill,” Cr Cox said. 

“Doing so not only impacts on the 

environment but also increases the costs 

associated with running the landfill. 

“The landfill costs the City over $9M to 

run every year and costs will continue to 

increase with the Environment Protection 

Authority currently charging $58.30 in 

landfill levy per tonne of rubbish being 

dumped. 

“Like other municipalities across Victoria, 

the Council has determined to charge 

residents for dumping their waste at the 

landfill, rather than spreading the cost 

across all ratepayers, many of whom may 

never use the service. 

“Dropping off recyclable or reusable 

material before entering the landfill can 

significantly reduce the weight of the 

material being dumped and therefore the 

cost of doing so.” 

22 



Playing in Greater Bendigo 

Strathfieldsaye Recreation Reserve. 

Great parks and 

public places 

The City is committed to providing 

residents and visitors with attractive 

and accessible parks and public places 

to help make Greater Bendigo one of 

the most liveable places in regional 

Australia. 

The City actively encourages residents 

to live healthy and active lives by 

taking advantage of the facilities 

and infrastructure that is available, 

including the range of play spaces 

located throughout the municipality. 

As part of this commitment the Council 

has provided $1.2M in the current 

financial year for new play space 

development and renewal works. 

Renewal of play spaces in: 

• Landale Drive, Strathdale ($95,000) 

• Magellan Crescent, Kangaroo Flat 

($85,000) 

• Strathdale Park ($100,000) 

Development of new play spaces in: 

• Janelle Drive, Maiden Gully ($171,900) 

• Barrack Reserve, Heathcote 

($127,000) 

• Strathfieldsaye Recreation Reserve 

($395,000) 

• Peppercorn Reserve, White Hills 

($105,000) 

• Regent Park, Strathfieldsaye 

It also includes funding for preliminary 

works for a new play space at 

Wolstencroft Street, Quarry Hill ($50,000). 

New play space a hit with the kids 

The new $400,000 district play space at the 

Strathfieldsaye Recreation Reserve is proving 

to be a big hit with the kids. 

This new community asset not only provides 

a broad variety of play opportunities it also 

features natural elements to encourage 

imaginative and sensory play. 

Equipment at the new space includes a 

nest swing, water pump and water race, 

a fairy circle, sand pits, a multi play unit 

and spinning play equipment. There is 

also a central grassed mound, extensive 

landscaping and a barbecue area with shade 

shelters and picnic table facilities for families 

to enjoy. 

The new play space was designed in-house by 

the City’s Public Space Design team following 

consultation with the broader Strathfieldsaye 

community and a student leadership group 

from Strathfieldsaye Primary School to serve 

the wider Strathfieldsaye and Junortoun 

communities. 

Strathfieldsaye is a growing part of Greater 

Bendigo and the Council is both committed 

and pleased to be providing accessible parks 

and reserves that will be widely used by the 

community with the new play space being 

a recommendation of the Strathfieldsaye 

Recreation Reserve Master Plan. 

The project not only complements the other 

facilities at the Strathfieldsaye Recreation 

Reserve but also demonstrates just what can 

be achieved when a number of groups work 

together. 

The play space has been funded by the City 

($250,000), Victorian Government ($100,000) 

and the Strathfieldsaye Community 

Enterprise ($50,000). The Sheepwash Creek 

Landcare Group is supporting the project by 

supplying all of the indigenous plants for the 

play space which will be planted when the 

weather conditions are more favourable to 

give them the best chance of survival. 


Crowds flock to Long Gully Splash Park 

The Long Gully Splash Park has opened 

to rave reviews with squeals of delight 

from excited children ringing out across 

the Cunneen Street recreation reserve. 

“The Splash Park is a 

marvellous, state-of-the-art 

community asset that has 

provided countless people with 

free summer fun” 

It has been a hit with young and old 

alike, with bubblers, tippy buckets, 

misters and water cannons shooting 

water at various heights to keep 

everyone entertained. 

Mayor Cr Peter Cox said the facility was 

the first of its kind in Greater Bendigo. 

“The Splash Park is a marvellous, stateof-the-art 

community asset that has 

provided countless people with free 

summer fun,” Cr Cox said. 

“It operates on simple touchpad 

technology and features 16 water 

sequences that each run for four 

minutes. The equipment is set on nonslip 

concrete and the water continually 

drains away, so there is zero depth. The 

water is also recycled and filtered three 

to four times an hour. 

“Free barbeque facilities, seating and 

picnic tables, shade sails and a drinking 

fountain have meant people feel 

welcome to stay all day and enjoy the 

Splash Park and adjoining dry play area 

and basketball ring.” 

More than 200 people voted in favour 

of the Splash Park’s gold rush-themed 

design, which reflects Greater Bendigo’s 

rich mining history. 

The Splash Park replaces the Long Gully 

swimming pool, which was an ageing 

facility and in poor condition. The City of 

Greater Bendigo 2010 Aquatic Strategy 

recognised the opportunity to build the 

Splash Park. 

The Splash Park closed in April for the 

winter but it can still be used as a dry 

play area, so it’s useful all year around. 

The community has warmly welcomed Greater Bendigo’s first splash park 

and many have asked if there are plans for any more. Designs for the 

proposed Greater Bendigo Indoor Aquatic Leisure and Wellbeing Centre 

in Kangaroo Flat include splash play facilities, while the Aquatic Strategy 

also recommended a splash park be developed at the Bendigo Botanic 

Gardens in White Hills in the years to come. 

Magellan Crescent 

Play Space 

Families living in the vicinity of Magellan Crescent 

Kangaroo Flat will soon have a new community 

play space. 

The $85,000 upgrade of the Magellan Crescent 

play space will see the installation of a range 

of equipment including a basket swing, 

conventional swing set, jolly jeep rocker and 

a combination unit complete with spiral and 

straight slides, a shop counter and other 

elements and a rock scaling wall. 

In addition the play space will include a dry 

creek bed and rock and log steppers to provide 

opportunity for natural play. The upgrade works 

also include new park furniture. 

Landscaping of the space will include deciduous 

trees to provide more shade in the summer along 

with other plant species. A new concrete path 

will also be installed between Giudice Street and 

Magellan Crescent. 

The play space design was developed in 

consultation with the local community. 

Work is scheduled to commence in late May. 

24 



Heathcote Play Space upgraded 

A large barrel play unit is the key feature of the 

recently upgraded Heathcote Play Space at 

Barrack Reserve. 

The upgrade was undertaken following 

extensive community consultation and 

discussion and the play space now features new 

swings, slides, see-saw hand pump, xylophone 

pod spinner, an in-ground trampoline and new 

seating and landscaping. 

The large barrel play unit also includes a central 

mast complete with a sculptural weathervane 

and grape vine trellis to acknowledge 

Heathcote’s position as an important centre for 

viticulture. 

All of the new equipment offers a range of 

experiences and encourage active, explorative, 

social and imaginative play to a wide age group. 

The play space is located on the McIvor Highway 

and is a popular spot for both local residents 

and visitors to the township. 

Funding for this $127,000 project was provided 

by the City and includes a $17,000 contribution 

from the Heathcote Branch of Bendigo Bank 

and a $10,000 contribution from the Heathcote 

Lions Club. 

Find it on Community Compass 

at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au 

The City now has an online mapping service 

designed to simplify resident’s access to Council 

information. 

Called Community Compass and prominently 

linked on the City’s website, the new service 

enables users to type in their address and then 

readily access a range of Council information 

such as: 

• Bin collection days 

• Council office locations 

• Planning zones and overlays 

• Contact details for local ward Councillors 

• Nearby playgrounds, preschools and 

childcare facilities 

• Designated maternal and child health centres 

Community Compass also displays the route 

from a resident’s property to the facility being 

sought and provides access to the latest aerial 

imagery. 


Bendigo Botanic Gardens (RPS) 

Find a play space near you 

Greater Bendigo boasts over 120 play spaces 

featuring different equipment and facilities 

and there is sure to be one located near you. 

In Greater Bendigo play spaces are 

categorised as: 

• Regional (RPS) 

• District (DPS) 

• Local (LPS) 

Local play spaces cater for individual local 

neighbourhoods; District Play Spaces serve 

residents living in a particular suburb or area 

of Greater Bendigo; while Regional Play Spaces 

are destination playgrounds such as Lake 

Weeroona, Rosalind Park, McKern Skate Park, 

Cooinda Park, Strathdale Park and Bendigo 

Botanic Gardens that cater for the wider 

community and visitors to the region. 

Play spaces are located:- 

Axedale 

- Axedale Public Hall (Skate Park and play 

space) (DPS) 

Bendigo 

- Bendigo Lawn Tennis, Barnard Street 

(LPS) 

- Ewing Park, Williamson Street (LPS) 

- FunLoong, Hargreaves Mall (DPS) 

- King Street (LPS) 

- Lake Weeroona, Napier Street (RPS) 

- Lansell Street (LPS) 

- Rosalind Park (open to the public outside 

school hours) (RPS) 

- Ross Park, Steane Street (LPS) 

- Skateboard Park, Cnr McIvor Road and 

Kennedy Street (DPS) 

California Gully 

- California Gully Recreation Reserve (LPS) 

Eaglehawk 

- Albert Roy Recreation Reserve, Victoria 

Street (LPS) 

- Bright Street (DPS) 

- Dr Catford Memorial Park (LPS) 

- Gallway Drive (LPS) 

- Lake Neangar (DPS) 

- McKern Skate Park Lake Neangar (RPS) 

- Rose/Barker Street (LPS) 

- Truscott Reserve, Cnr Turner and Murdock 

Street (LPS) 

Elmore 

- Campaspe Run Midland Hwy (LPS) 

- Elmore Recreation Reserve, Elmore- 

Raywood Road (LPS) 

- Elmore Skatepark, Elmore-Raywood Road 

(LPS) 

- Michie Street (DPS) 

Emu Creek 

- Emu Creek Recreation Reserve (LPS) 

Epsom 

- Burvale Court (LPS) 

- Collins Park, Strickland Street (LPS) 

- Epsom Village Green, Market Garden 

Circuit (DPS) 

- Melbury Court (LPS) 

- Peake Court (LPS) 

- Yellow Gum Drive (LPS) 

Flora Hill 

- College Crescent (LPS) 

- Curtin Street (LPS) 

- Sherwood Drive (LPS) 

- Somerville Street/Raymond Avenue (LPS) 

- South Bendigo Progress, Neale Street 

(LPS) 

Golden Square 

- Akoonah Drive (LPS) 

- Alamein Court (LPS) 

- Allingham Street Recreation Reserve (LPS) 

- Cooinda Park, Cnr Mackenzie Street West 

and Norma Street (RPS) 

- RF Turner Memorial, High Street (LPS) 

- Maxwell Drive (LPS) 

- Penzance Avenue (LPS) 

- Seaton Grove (LPS) 

Goornong 

- Goornong Recreation Reserve, Bagshot 

Street (LPS) 

Heathcote 

- Barrack Reserve (RPS) 

- Heathcote Skate Park, Hospital Street 

(LPS) 

Huntly 

- Pennington Park (LPS) 

- Strauch Recreation Reserve (LPS) 

- Waratah Road (DPS) 

26 



Peppercorn Estate (LPS) 

FunLoong (DPS) 

Lake Weeroona (RPS) 

Ironbark 

- Casley Street (LPS) 

- Garden Gully Recreation Reserve (LPS) 

Jackass Flat 

- Evergreen Boulevard (DPS) 

Junortoun 

- Inverness Drive McIvor Forest Estate (LPS) 

Kangaroo Flat 

- Allingham Street South (LPS) 

- Beverley Street (LPS) 

- Chifley Avenue (LPS) 

- Crusoe Road (LPS) 

- Graemar Court (LPS) 

- High Street/ Danson Avenue (LPS) 

- Howell Crescent (LPS) 

- Magellan Crescent (LPS) 

- Olympic Parade/Windsor Court (LPS) 

- Osborn Avenue (LPS) 

- Queen Street (LPS) 

- St Johns Close (LPS) 

- William Drive (LPS) 

Kennington 

- Bolton Drive (LPS) 

- Bren Street (LPS) 

- Hakea Street (LPS) 

- Marnie Road (LPS) 

- Summit Drive/Leigh Avenue (LPS) 

- Timbertop Drive (LPS) 

- Vickers Court (LPS) 

Lockwood 

- Lockwood South Recreation Reserve (LPS) 

Long Gully 

- Splash Park, Cunneen Street (RPS) 

- Bundaleer Park, Henkel Street (LPS) 

- Derwent/Dyason Drive (DPS) 

- Long Gully Community Centre (LPS) 

Maiden Gully 

- Maiden Gully Recreation Reserve (LPS) 

- Janelle Drive (LPS) 

Mandurang 

- Mandurang Public Hall, Mandurang Road 

(LPS) 

Marong 

- Malone Park (LPS) 

- Marong Community Centre High Street 

(LPS) 

Mia Mia 

- Mia Mia Recreation Reserve (LPS) 

North Bendigo 

- North Bendigo Sports Club (LPS) 

- Prouses Road (LPS) 

Quarry Hill 

- City Edge, Bentley Terrace (LPS) 

- Palmerston Square, Palmerston Street (LPS) 

- Quarry Hill Reserve, Peel Street (LPS) 

Raywood 

- Raywood Recreation Reserve (LPS) 

Redesdale 

- Redesdale Public Hall (LPS) 

Sebastian 

- Sebastian Recreation Reserve (LPS) 

Sedgwick 

- Sedgwick Hall (LPS) 

Spring Gully 

- Kenfig Court (LPS) 

- Kunzea Court/Osborne Street (LPS) 

Strathdale 

- Amaroo Crescent (LPS) 

- Cliff Avenue (LPS) 

- Harley Street (LPS) 

- Herbert Avenue (LPS) 

- Landale Drive (LPS) 

- Lansell Street (LPS) 

- Lloyd Street (LPS) 

- Nabilla Crescent (LPS) 

- Sherpa Court (LPS) 

- Sibley Place (LPS) 

- Strathdale Park (RPS) 

- Warranwah Drive (LPS) 

Strathfieldsaye 

- Strathfieldsaye Recreation Reserve (DPS) 

- Brentwood Boulevard (DPS) 

- Saxby Park (LPS) 

- Strathfieldsaye Sports Club (LPS) 

- Sunset Drive (LPS) 

- Imagine, Coomoora Circuit (LPS) 

- Clydebank Court (LPS) 

White Hills 

- Bendigo Botanic Gardens (RPS) 

- Peppercorn Estate, The Boulevard (LPS) 

- White Hills Recreation Reserve, Scott 

Street (LPS) 

Woodvale 

- Woodvale Recreation Reserve (LPS) 

Your nearest place space can be easily found 

using Community Compass at 

www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/communitycompass 


Game, 

set and 

match 

Spring Gully Tennis Club plan ahead 

Fancy a hit of tennis? Spring Gully Tennis 

Club has recently re-surfaced its synthetic 

turf courts for the third time since the 

complex opened in 1990. 

The popularity of the courts has meant the 

club has had to continually save to carry out 

improvement works as required. 

City Active and Healthy Communities 

Manager, Patrick Jess, praised the club for its 

foresight. 

“Running a community sporting club is 

difficult. They are not-for-profit, so funds 

are tight and must be spent wisely. Spring 

Gully Tennis Club is to be congratulated 

on its ability to think ahead and plan for a 

prosperous future,” Mr Jess said. 

“Tennis is generally a summer sport but the 

club has been able to recognise that to keep 

its funds topped up it needs to run a range of 

tennis-related events throughout the year. 

“Of course, Spring Gully Tennis Club is not 

alone. There are examples of numerous 

other clubs that contribute to infrastructure 

investment each year, including Hockey 

Central Victoria which raised $240,000 

towards a new state-of-the-art pitch. 

“Access to grants and funding from 

supporting organisations like the City or 

State Government is competitive. It is always 

good to see clubs provide for themselves as 

best they can in the first instance and then 

seek help as required.” 

Spring Gully Tennis Club Secretary Ardel 

Shamsullah said the club spent $50,000 to 

update courts 1 and 2. 

“Our membership income is significant, 

with 300-350 people taking out a club 

membership each year, but our main source 

of revenue derives from the modest playing 

fees charged for participation in our variety 

of weeknight intra-club competitions and 

organised day and evening social tennis 

sessions, which are open to members and 

non-members alike,” Mr Shamsullah said. 

“These regular small contributions by 

players, given the numbers who play here 

each week, are the foundation of the 

financial viability of the Spring Gully Tennis 

Club. 

“Three years ago we resurfaced court 5 at a 

cost of $25,000 and courts 3 and 4 will need 

resurfacing in the next few years. So we will 

continue to promote the playing of tennis at 

Spring Gully, which is what generates the 

substantial revenue we need to run the 

courts and maintain this wonderful facility, 

while always being careful in the way we do 

spend our funds.” 

Pictured above: Life Member and Manager 

Night Competitions Gary Russell and Club 

Secretary Ardel Shamsullah on the re-surfaced 

courts. 

28 



Ward News 

Council has a key role to play in development of region 

Whipstick Ward 

As Councillors our influence isn’t constrained 

by ward boundaries or municipal boundaries 

and nor should it be. Much of the work we 

do and the decisions we make impact well 

beyond Greater Bendigo and therefore must 

be considered in a regional context. 

The City of Greater Bendigo Council meets 

regularly with other Councils in the region 

and Councillors sit on several regionallyfocused 

committees, including the Calder 

Highway Improvement Committee, of which 

I am a member. I also chair the Bendigo 

Airport Committee, which recognises the 

importance of having much improved airport 

facilities to service the region. 

Investment in roads, rail and air transport 

enables us to connect to the world; make 

improvements to the movement of freight; 

and provide safe and comfortable travel. 

Greater Bendigo is a recognised service 

provider and manufacturer of rural 

products. Agri-business contributes $700M 

to the economy and creates 1,941 jobs (the 

Livestock Exchange alone sells $150M of 

livestock per year). The multiplier effect sees 

$1.3B flow into our economy, creating some 

4,000 jobs – underpinning the importance 

of Greater Bendigo and the region to each 

other. 

The establishment of a business park at 

Marong is central to these issues and the 

desire to grow Bendigo in both a northerly 

and westerly direction works within these 

ideals. The business park and Bendigo can 

provide an intermodal hub with all modes 

of transport available. There would be rail 

access to Melbourne, Geelong, Portland, 

Adelaide and Darwin. A redeveloped 

Bendigo Airport would provide fast efficient 

access for emergency services and enable 

produce to be flown to other cities and 

international airports for export. 

Supporting jobs and wellbeing in our region 

has always been my primary focus. I am 

passionate about rural Australia and see 

a lack of investment and support for our 

regional and rural centres as part of the 

demise of small country towns. 

The upgrade of the Ravenswood interchange 

on the Calder Highway will allow Councils, 

including ours, to lobby State and Federal 

governments for planning for and ultimately 

duplication and separation of traffic from the 

interchange to Bridgewater. This combines 

the truck bypass from the Loddon Valley 

Highway and allows both Bridgewater and 

Inglewood to grow as rural towns. 

To grow the region, economy and city we 

all need to work together to create the 

transport, connectedness and lifestyles our 

region deserves. It is no one issue or answer 

that will provide us with the results we 

desire but a combination of these and other 

issues. A need to be better connected to our 

markets and the rest of the world will create 

a better future for us all. 

Cr James Williams 

T: 5434 6208 

M: 0427 211 677 

E: j.williams@bendigocouncillors.org.au 

www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/crwilliams 

Cr James Williams and Brud Griffin at the 

Bendigo Livestock Exchange. 


Working with the community 

Eppalock Ward 

To be a Local Government Councillor is a 

fortunate position to hold in a community. 

Each week we get the pleasure of meeting 

many residents and listening to their 

comments and concerns. Occasionally there 

is an issue they need help with and there is 

an opportunity for Council to advocate for 

change on their behalf. 

Strathfieldsaye residents have long been 

concerned by traffic management issues 

in the township’s central area, particularly 

Wellington Street between Tannery Lane and 

Emu Creek Road. 

Council received a letter from Strathfieldsaye 

Primary School expressing concern about 

traffic levels and the safety of children and 

parents around their school and the nearby 

St Francis of the Fields Primary School. 

Council resolved to undertake a traffic 

management plan for the area and, as a 

result of highlighting the issue, both the 

Liberal and Labor parties made election 

commitments to upgrade the intersection 

of Strathfieldsaye Road, Tannery Lane and 

Club Court in Strathfieldsaye. As Labor won 

the election, it will spend $800,000 on the 

project. 

Recently, I enjoyed a visit to the Bendigo 

Botanic Gardens. The gardens are truly 

excellent and there is something for 

everyone. The play space is the perfect place 

for a child to let their imagination wander. 

Parents can watch on and picnic in lush 

surrounds, gardening enthusiasts can enjoy 

seeing exotic and native species, and joggers 

and walkers can pound the pavement over 

kilometres of pathways. 

Major events are valuable to this City and 

the Scots Day Out event in February was no 

exception. Rosalind Park was the perfect 

backdrop and full credit to the City’s Parks 

and Natural Reserves Unit, as the park 

absolutely shone on the day and was highly 

praised by an international judge who said 

it was the best in the world for pipe band 

competitions. That is some recommendation 

and wonderful to hear. With a number of 

critical decisions resting on Council each 

year, positive feedback is always welcome. 

It is also good to see Greater Bendigo 

residents celebrate national or international 

events in our community. Often events on 

this scale carry important messages that we 

can localise in some way. In March I opened 

an International Women’s Day event. This 

year’s theme was Make it Happen, which 

encouraged effective action for advancing 

and recognising women. I had the privilege 

of introducing Janna Lock, who spent 24 

years following her husband into hot spots 

such as Afghanistan and Pakistan to help 

local women to support themselves. 

Cr Helen Leach 

T: 5434 6190 

M: 0419 549 574 

E: h.leach@bendigocouncillors.org.au 

www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/crleach 

Cr Helen Leach and Strathfieldsaye Primary 

School Council President Ivan Crisp discuss 

safety issues at the busy intersection. 


Honouring those who lost their lives in WW1 

Lockwood Ward 

There is plenty happening in Lockwood 

Ward. Here is a snapshot of what is underway: 

Kangaroo Flat WW1 Avenue of Honour 

Council has been working closely with the 

Kangaroo Flat RSL to have new signage and 

a new flag pole installed to mark the WW1 

Avenue of Honour in Kangaroo Flat which 

will honour those brave locals who lost 

their lives in WW1. Council is also relocating 

an existing plaque at the War Memorial to 

a more prominent position. This plaque 

honours the first soldier from Kangaroo Flat 

to be killed in WW1. 

Park Improvements 

New outdoor seating and dining furniture 

will be installed at Gateway Park, Kangaroo 

Flat and Cooinda Park, Golden Square as 

part of Council’s ongoing commitment to 

improving local recreational facilities. The 

City is also installing a new creek crossing 

and upgrading the pathway at the Kangaroo 

Flat Gardens on the corner of Church Street 

and Station Street. 

Making Marong Safer 

I have been strongly advocating for 

improvements to be made to the 

intersection of Calder Highway/Alternate and 

High Streets in Marong and I am pleased to 

report that work on this project is expected 

to commence in early May. 

This intersection has been of long running 

concern to the Marong community due to its 

poor alignment and the risks for motorists, 

particularly for those coming out of High 

Street onto the Calder Alternate. 

The $180,000 works will realign the 

intersection and will include the installation 

of new footpaths, kerb and channel, 

improved lighting, landscaping and road 

pavement reconstruction. This project has 

been jointly funded by the City of Greater 

Bendigo and the Federal Government Roads 

to Recovery Project. 

Malone Park 

I have been advocating to Council to take 

over the management of Malone Park in 

Marong. The park is currently managed by 

a Committee of Management (COM) who 

report to the Department of Environment, 

Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). Should 

Council gain management of the park from 

DELWP it would then work directly with the 

COM and individual user groups to maintain 

and improve the reserve for the broader 

Marong population. 

New Roundabouts 

Work on a new $550,000 roundabout at 

Olympic Parade/Station and Hope Street 

is planned to commence in late April. This 

project will include new footpaths, kerb and 

channel, drainage works, lighting, asphalting 

and landscaping and will assist residents 

living in this busy area. The work is expected 

to take between 10 to 12 weeks depending 

on weather conditions. 

A new $440,000 roundabout has also been 

installed at the intersection of Allingham 

and Ham Streets. This roundabout has 

been funded by the Federal Government 

Blackspot Funding program. 

New School Crossing 

A new school crossing has been installed 

on Mackenzie Street West, Kangaroo Flat to 

serve students from Kangaroo Flat Primary 

School and Crusoe College. Council received 

a petition from residents concerned for the 

students crossing Mackenzie Street and 

requesting the new crossing. I am pleased 

to see this crossing up and working and 

keeping our young people safe as they make 

their way to and from school. 

I am available to talk to residents about any 

concerns they may have. 

Cr Elise Chapman 

T: 5434 6193 

M: 0418 330 289 

E: e.chapman@bendigocouncillors.org.au 

www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/crchapman 

My favourite place 

in Greater Bendigo 

Cr Elise Chapman has named 

Golden Square Swimming Pool 

as one of her favourite places in 

Lockwood Ward. 

“Golden Square Pool is a top spot. 

The pool is run by a committee of 

management and shows just what 

can be achieved when a group of 

passionate and determined people 

band together to save a community 

facility that they truly value”, Cr 

Chapman said. 

“I’m proud to be a season ticket 

holder at Golden Square and I 

encourage everyone to visit the 

pool next swimming season 

and support the committee 

of management at this great 

community facility.” 


Your Councillors 

May 

What’s on? 

22 - 31 Ned - A new Australian musical 

Ulumbarra Theatre - www.nedmusical.com.au 

30 Festival of Light 

The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion - www.stupa.org.au 

June 

6-8 Heathcote on Show 

Heathcote - www.heathcoteonshow.com.au 

June 29 - July 5 

July 

Australian Snooker Goldfields Open 

Bendigo Stadium - www.bendigostadium.com.au 

18-20 Bendigo Festival of Lamb 

Bendigo Showgrounds - www.bendigofestivaloflamb.com 

18-20 Australian Sheep and Wool Show 

Bendigo Showgrounds - www.sheepshow.com 

18-20 The Women of Wool 

Bendigo Showgrounds - www.womenofwool.com.au 

For more details visit www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/events 

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to 

keep up to date with our latest news. 

Whipstick Ward 

Eppalock Ward 

Mayor Cr Peter Cox 

T: 5434 6189 

M: 0427 318 490 

E: p.cox@bendigocouncillors.org.au 

Cr James Williams 

T: 5434 6208 

M: 0427 211 677 

E: j.williams@bendigocouncillors.org.au 

Cr Lisa Ruffell 

T: 5434 6206 

M: 0429 946 171 

E: l.ruffell@bendigocouncillors.org.au 

Cr Mark Weragoda 

T: 5434 6192 

M: 0400 363 586 

E: m.weragoda@bendigocouncillors.org.au 

Cr Helen Leach 

T: 5434 6190 

M: 0419 549 574 

E: h.leach@bendigocouncillors.org.au 

facebook.com/CityofGreaterBendigo 

twitter.com/Greater_Bendigo 

pinterest.com/greaterbendigo 

youtube.com/cityofgreaterbendigo 

Contact us 

City of Greater Bendigo 

195-229 Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo 

Postal PO Box 733, Bendigo 3552 

Telephone 5434 6000 

Hearing or speech impaired? 

Call us via the National Relay Service on 

133 677 

Fax 5434 6200 

Email requests@bendigo.vic.gov.au 

Website www.bendigo.vic.gov.au 

After Hours/Emergency Number 

5434 6000 

Operating Hours (Main Office) 

8.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday 

Executive Management Team 

Craig Niemann 

Chief Executive Officer 

Pauline Gordon 

Director, Community Wellbeing 

Stan Liacos 

Director, City Futures 

Darren Fuzzard 

Director, Presentation and Assets 

Marg Allan 

Director, Organisation Support 

Prue Mansfield 

Director, Planning and Development 

Our printer continually manage 

and improve our Environmental 

Management System in accordance 

with AS/NZS 14001 and communicate 

this policy and other environmental 

management commitments to all staff. 

Lockwood Ward 

Cr Rod Campbell 

T: 5434 6203 

M: 0427 514 429 

E: r.campbell@bendigocouncillors.org.au 

Cr Barry Lyons 

T: 5434 6215 

M: 0429 292 084 

E: b.lyons@bendigocouncillors.org.au 

Cr Elise Chapman 

T: 5434 6193 

M: 0418 330 289 

E: e.chapman@bendigocouncillors.org.au 

Cr Rod Fyffe 

T: 5443 7673 

M: 0419 874 015 

E: r.fyffe@bendigocouncillors.org.au 

Councillor emails like other correspondence are the property of the 

City of Greater Bendigo and may be referred to a staff member for 

action. As with any correspondence, if you would like emails to be 

kept private and confidential please place “private and confidential” 

in the subject line. 

32

GB Magazine May 2015

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