Bendigo Magazine - Issue 80 - Spring 2025

TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS – ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW!

Golden Dragon’s Collection of over 30,000 objects is the largest and most significant collection of Chinese heritage and cultural material in Australia and has national and international significance. The Museum’s lively program of temporary exhibitions, however, provides visitors the special opportunity to deep-dive into a story, an area of fascination or just something new and exciting.

Ph: (03) 5441 5044 www.goldendragonmuseum.org

dear reader,

Spring is a season of renewal, and with it comes stories that remind us of the resilience, creativity and compassion that define Bendigo. In this issue, we step inside the Winter Night Shelter, where kindness and connection transform lives with the simplest of gifts such as a meal, a bed and a sense of belonging.

We journey out to Newstead, where Roger McKindley has turned a once-barren block into Antares Iron Art Garden, a living gallery forged from discarded materials and imagination. Back in the city, we celebrate the enduring legacy of photographer Allan Doney, whose remarkable images captured Bendigo’s people and streets with an artist’s eye for light and detail.

Creativity continues in the bushland studio of ceramicist Felicity Burman, whose playful, joy-filled works are shaped by resilience and grounded in nature. And we witness the power of collaboration through community groups working side by side, proving that when people come together, barriers fall away and possibilities grow.

This spring, may these stories inspire you to see the beauty in our region, in its people and in the everyday moments that make Bendigo shine.

The Bendigo Magazine Team

MANAGING EDITOR

Dustin Schilling

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Leon Schoots, AJ Taylor, Daniel Soncin, Bryanna Colliver, Olivia Johnson and Tyler O’Keefe

WRITERS

Dianne Dempsey, Geoff Hocking, Lauren Mitchell, Raelee Tuckerman and Marina Williams

CONTRIBUTORS

Beau Cook, Stephanie Dunne, Jennie Mellberg and Marianne McNamara

PRINT MANAGER

Nigel Quirk

ADVERTISING

advertising@bendigomagazine.com.au

PO Box 5003

Bendigo, VIC 3550 Phone: 0438 393 198

Bendigo Magazine takes all care but accepts no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Bendigo Magazine holds copyright to all content unless otherwise stated. ISSN 1833-1289. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance on information in this publication. The views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the editor or the publisher.

BENDIGO VISITOR CENTRE

Open daily (except Christmas Day) 9am-5pm or freecall on 1800 813 153.

SHOWCASING THE BEST OF BENDIGO

Start your Bendigo experience by talking to a local at the Bendigo Visitor Centre.

Located in the historic post o ce building on Pall Mall:

• Book your accommodation and find places to stay

• Buy tickets to events and our main attractions

• Explore with maps, guide books and local knowledge

• Collect unique gifts and souvenirs at Uniquely Bendigo

• Taste the region and purchase specialty produce

• Connect with local artists and creatives in the Living Art Space

• Discover culture in Djaa Djuwima, our First Nations Gallery

• Join a heritage building tour and uncover our unique history

Bendigo

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

22 There’s a memory in things...

- Roger McKindley

PEOPLE & LIFE

14 Homeless, not worthless

- Bendigo Winter Night Shelter

38 Roar teamwork

- Dragons Abreast & Bendigo Region Women’s Shed

50 Spring arrival

- Bendigo Memories with Geoff Hocking

54 Dedicatededucator

- Dr Mary Nash

58 Creative lives shared

- Bodie Howell and Em Tresidder

76 Natalie & Hamish

- Wedding Feature

30 Grounded in clay

- Felicity Burman

44 History through the lens

- Allan Doney

90 Fight knights

- Medieval Buhurt

FOOD, WINE & HOME

66 Sticky heat

- Recipe with Beau Cook

70 Four seasons in one day

- Wine tasting

82 Downsizing with design

- Home feature

Our water is a precious resource

Dry conditions and increasing demand for water means water storages in our region are at their lowest level since 2018.

When it doesn’t rain, storage levels can shift from ‘healthy’ to ‘under pressure’ quickly. That’s why we all need to work together to use our water wisely, every day.

You can learn more about where our water comes from, Permanent Water Saving Rules, and other smart ‘drip saving tips’ at coliban.com.au.

Permanent Water Saving Rules apply in Bendigo year-round

Did you know, five Permanent Water Saving Rules apply in Bendigo, and across Victoria, throughout the year?

These common-sense rules help us all reduce unnecessary water use, so we can use this precious resource responsibly.

So, next time you turn on your tap, remember these rules:

1 2 3 4 5

Use a leak-free, hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle at any time.

Only use watering systems on residential or commercial gardens or lawns between 6pm and 10am. A bucket or watering can may be used at any time.

Only use watering systems with a rain or soil moisture sensor on public gardens, lawns, and playing surfaces between 6pm and 10am. A hand-held hose, bucket, or watering can may be used at any time.

Only use fountains or water features that recirculate water.

Only use a high-pressure hose, hand-held hose, or bucket to clean hard surfaces during construction, renovations, or to remove a hazard (or once every three months if staining develops).

DHELK DJAKITJ

NOURIS H ING F O O D

Dhelk Djakitj means nourishing food and the stunning exhibition artworks are inspired by bush tucker – the food, the people, Country, and stories that bring them together. Artists have created artworks to reflect their diverse experience and personal connections to bush tucker and Gastronomy through traditional and contemporary art forms.

Until September 30, 2025

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Explores First Nations history, culture, and personal stories—drawing on the artists’ own experiences and interpretations to reflect on the past, engage with the present, and look ahead to the future.

For more information please visit our website at djaadjuwima.com.au

October 8, 2025 - January 2026

Djaa Djuwima is a dedicated and permanent First Nations gallery on Dja Dja Wurrung Country that signifies an important cultural step towards reconciliation.

Djaa Djuwima means to ‘show, share Country’ in Dja Dja Wurrung language.

local events

to remember

From racing and wine to art, theatre, and festivals, Bendigo’s spring calendar is bursting with culture, community, and celebration — there’s something for everyone.

THE BARD’S TIMELESS TRAGEDY BOUND FOR BENDIGO

For centuries, Romeo & Juliet has been known as the greatest love story ever told. Written by William Shakespeare in the late 1500s, the tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers has captured audiences around the globe – and in October, it returns to the Bendigo stage.

Directed by Peter Evans, Bell Shakespeare’s critically acclaimed, raw portrayal of Romeo & Juliet is not to be missed. The cast of 10, led by the magnetic Madeline Li and the charismatic Ryan Hodson, will vividly envelop Ulumbarra Theatre in the passion, intensity, and heartbreak of the Bard of Avon’s timeless story.

Founded in 1990, the Bell Shakespeare theatre company is the country’s home of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Its production of Romeo & Juliet will tour across regional Victoria throughout October and November.

Bell Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet will be performed at Ulumbarra Theatre on Saturday, October 25, at 7.30pm. For tickets, head to bendigoregion.com.au

UNCORK THE FUN WITH BENDIGO’S BEST WINES

Bendigo’s deep love and appreciation for our local wine industry has never been more clear, with tickets to the Heritage & Hidden Spaces Wine Walk selling out in record time. Bringing together 17 wineries, the event by the Bendigo Winegrowers Association is eagerly awaited by wine lovers across the region.

Nine CBD venues – some hidden, historic, and only open for the day – will host tastings of more than 80 local wines to lucky attendees. Keep an eye out for some of the Bendigo Magazine’s favourites: Turners Crossing Vineyard, Sandhurst Ridge Winery, and Mandurang Valley Wines!

Those who purchased a VIP upgrade will experience a premium and exclusive tasting with the theme ‘Old & New’, celebrating both ageing vintages and new releases from select wineries. No ticket? No problem, you can still be part of the fun through volunteering. Lend a hand for three hours, assisting with set-up and checking-in patrons, and you’ll be rewarded with a complimentary general ticket to enjoy the rest of the event.

The sold-out Bendigo Winegrowers Association Heritage & Hidden Spaces Wine Walk takes place on Saturday, October 18, from 11am to 4pm, as part of Bendigo Wine Week. Further information on the event and volunteering can be found at av

ONE LAST BRUSH WITH BEAUTY AT BENDIGO ART GALLERY

With the Bendigo Art Gallery about to close for two years of major renovations, now is the perfect time to head on down and enjoy one final wander through its magnificent collection. Tours of the three grand historic courts are available daily, with the passionate and knowledgeable gallery guides taking visitors on an artistic journey through the masterpieces on display.

From iconic Aussie works to international treasures, each tour offers the chance to savour the art, history and atmosphere that have made the Bendigo Art Gallery one of the most significant and visited regional galleries in Australia.

The Bendigo Art Gallery’s free Collection Highlights tour runs daily from 2pm to 2.30pm. Visit bendigoregion.com.au for more details or to make a booking for groups of 12 or more people.

A JOURNEY THROUGH ART AND TRADITION AT MUSEUM

Since opening its doors in 1991, the Golden Dragon Museum has been a favourite destination for locals and visitors alike. With an impressive collection of more than 30,000 objects, the museum is dedicated to preserving the Chinese arts, history and culture that is integral to the region and wider Australia.

The current exhibition at the museum, Chinese Bells: Ancient Sounds in a Southern Land, explores the ancient nao bell, one of the earliest forms of bells produced in the world. Visitors have until October 19 to enjoy the sounds and musicality of this historic musical tradition, through interactive replicas created by Dr Anton Hasell.

A visit to the Golden Dragon Museum would not be complete without a walk through the beautiful Yi Yuan Gardens. Admire the weeping flowering cherry tree, feed the fish, and enjoy the peace this tranquil area of our bustling CBD offers.

The Golden Dragon Museum is open from 9.30am to 5pm, Tuesdays to Sundays. Find out more about current exhibitions and events at goldendragonmuseum.org

LAY THE FOUNDATIONS FOR YOUR DREAM HOME

Dreaming about building or renovating your home but not sure where to start? You’re in luck, thanks to McKean McGregor Real Estate. They’re bringing together local experts and suppliers for the Building & Living Expo, where you can receive expert advice and ideas on how to make your dreams come true.

More than 50 building and lifestyle exhibitors will be on hand to guide you, including friends of the Bendigo Magazine such as Forty Winks, E+ Architecture, Fabriq, Paul Gray Builders and of course, McKean McGregor. For those searching for the perfect plot of land to call home, representatives of new developments in Bendigo will also be in attendance.

As well as wandering through the exhibitor hall, make sure you check out the main stage guest speakers and pop-up talks. With plenty of informative sessions covering topics like understanding finance, land selection, and the design process, you’ll leave feeling empowered to make the best decisions for your journey.

No matter what stage of the building or renovating process you are currently at, the Building & Living Expo is a fantastic opportunity for connection, clarity and community – and just by attending, you’ll go in the running to win up to $8000 worth of prizes!

McKean McGregor Real Estate will host the Building & Living Expo on Friday, November 7, from 2.30pm to 7.30pm, at the Novo Centre, Bendigo Baptist Church.

To learn more, visit buildingandlivingexpo.com.au

FAST-PACED RACING MEETS FASHION AT THE BENDIGO CUP

The biggest event on Bendigo’s social calendar is back and better than ever. The 2025 Ladbrokes Bendigo Cup promises a prestigious day of racing, with plenty of action both on and off the track.

With half a million dollars in prize money up for grabs, racing enthusiasts won’t want to miss a moment as some of the nation’s top horses and jockeys vie for the coveted cup, claimed in 2024 by Sea King.

For those seeking extra comfort beyond the grandstand, a range of hospitality packages are available to make race day even more enjoyable, from picnic tables and umbrellas, to luxurious marquees and dining experiences.

And of course, who can forget one of the biggest highlights of race day – the fashion. The most stylish men and women will have the opportunity to strut their stuff as part of the highly anticipated Fashions on the Field competition.

If you are a seasoned punter, a casual racing fan, or simply wanting to soak up the race-day atmosphere with friends, the Bendigo Cup is a sporting spectacle the whole community can enjoy.

The 2025 Ladbrokes Bendigo Cup takes place at the Bendigo Jockey Club on Wednesday, October 29. Gates open at 10.30am. To purchase tickets or hospitality packages, head to country.racing.com/bendigo

A CELEBRATION OF COMPASSION AND CUISINE

A love of all animals and veggies will unite the community at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion’s unique annual festival. Since 2013, the free Vegecareian Festival has welcomed thousands, offering a chance to discover the benefits of vegetarianism and its evolution across cultures worldwide.

Make sure you arrive at the festival hungry, as there will be a wide range of both vegetarian and vegan dishes available to sample. If you taste one you really love, you can even learn to recreate it at home through live cooking demonstrations happening all day on the Peace Park Stage.

The fun isn’t just for the humans – bring along your furry friends to be blessed by a Buddhist monk or nun inside the Great Stupa. For the young ones, the kids zone will keep them entertained. Wellness workshops, live music and market stalls round out the day’s agenda.

Whether you are vegetarian or not, you’ll have a fantastic time at the festival. Just bring an open mind, a healthy appetite, a cute companion, and a compassionate heart.

The Vegecareian Festival will be hosted at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion on Saturday, November 1, from 10am to 3pm. Further information can be found at stupa.org.au/vegecareianfestival

business focus

From family legacies and local award-winners to fresh spaces and future growth, Bendigo’s business community continues to thrive, showcasing innovation, expertise, and trusted service across every industry.

A FAMILY LEGACY WITH A FRESH LOOK

For more than 75 years, Valentines has been a staple of Bendigo’s furniture shopping scene, with the name synonymous with quality furniture and homewares. Established in 1947 by Fred Valentine, the family-owned business is now in its third generation of providing excellent customer service and timeless style.

Located in East Bendigo, Valentines Furniture is known as the ‘home of the brands’. Customers can purchase the latest pieces from popular big brands including La-Z-Boy and Stressless, along with a range of exciting new brands. They also offer a trusted reupholstery service, making the store a one-stop shop for their loyal customers.

Current owners Andrew Valentine and his wife Jenny have ensured the store is continuously evolving while staying true to its roots. The recent launch of their new website has made for a seamless online browsing and shopping experience for customers, while also providing inspiration and expertise for stylish homes. Combined with ongoing store development, the refresh ensures Valentines Furniture remains a trusted destination for returning and new shoppers wanting better furniture and a better life.

To learn more or to shop for leading brands, visit the new-look website valentinesfurniture.com.au or drop into the store at 56 Beischer Street, Bendigo.

COMMUNITY INSURANCE SOLUTIONS’ AWARDWINNING GROWTH STORY

Community Insurance Solutions is proudly locally owned and operated, with expert brokers based in Bendigo and across regional Victoria and NSW. Backed by Australia’s largest broker network, they offer tailored, trusted insurance solutions with real business insight.

“Our focus is simple,” says managing director Nic Orr. “People are at the centre of everything we do – our dedicated team, our valued clients, and our communities. We’re here to protect, support, and genuinely look after those who trust us – a responsibility we’re proud to uphold for the growing group of individuals and organisations who rely on us every day.”

Community Insurance Solutions understands the unique risks faced by different industries across the business, trade and agribusiness sectors, enabling them to deliver end-to-end insurance programs tailored to the needs of each client. Their expertise recently supported an expansion into the hospitality sector, covering everything from pubs and restaurants to wineries and caravan parks. This commitment to industry-specific solutions hasn’t gone unnoticed – the team was proudly recognised with one of the top honours at the 2025 Bendigo Business Excellence Awards for their professionalism and impact.

“Winning the Professional Services Firm of the Year award was a real honour and testament to our commitment to excellence, innovation and community,” says Nic. “It’s a proud moment for our committed team that continues to raise the bar in insurance services across the region.”

To speak to the friendly team at Community Insurance Solutions, call 1300 132 983, email broker.assist@cisbroker.com.au, or visit cisbroker.com.au for a full list of available services.

LUXURY IN SLEEP

After more than 30 years in the same trusted location, Forty Winks Bendigo has embraced an exciting new chapter, relocating to a fresh, modern space designed to elevate the customer experience. This milestone marks not only the success and growth of the business, but also its commitment to providing regional Victoria with world-class sleep solutions. Alongside Bendigo, the team also proudly serves the community through their Shepparton store, ensuring even more customers can enjoy expert guidance and premium support and comfort.

The timing of this transition is particularly special, coinciding with the launch of the latest Crown Posture Bedding luxury collection: Premiere and Reserve. Engineered with the exclusive Quad-Coil Spring system, featuring four intertwined strands for superior support, these ranges blend innovative technology with indulgent comfort. Designed and handcrafted in Australia, the Premiere and Reserve collections set a new benchmark in luxury, giving sleepers the opportunity to experience rest like never before.

For those who have trusted Bendigo and Shepparton’s sleep champions for years, the message is clear: the journey continues stronger than ever. With the new Crown Posture Bedding luxury collection, it’s time to “Dream First Class at Forty Winks”.

For more information, call (03) 5442 4298 or visitfortywinks.com.au

BUILDING DREAMS TOGETHER

Paul Gray Builders is looking ahead to an exciting 2026, with the opening of a brand-new office and showroom in Bendigo. The family-run business, founded by Paul Gray in 1999, has grown to a team of 15 and has proudly designed and built homes across central Victoria for more than 26 years. Soon, clients will be able to experience an expansive 200-square-metre showroom in East Bendigo, featuring a curated display of building materials and fittings from trusted suppliers. Carefully organised by the team and their interior designer, the space will allow clients to touch, compare and confidently select finishes for their new homes.

To complement this, Paul Gray Builders will unveil two new display homes in early 2026. Offering both a standard model and an upgraded version, the homes are designed to showcase the wide range of possibilities available, catering to different preferences, lifestyles, and budgets. These homes will provide valuable insight into the craftsmanship and attention to detail the business has become known for, while also giving clients the opportunity to visualise their future home.

With more than two decades of experience, Paul Gray Builders continues to deliver quality, family-focused service and trusted expertise to every project. Prospective homeowners are invited to visit the team at their current display in Imagine Estate, Strathfieldsaye to explore or get in touch directly to discuss their dream home plans.

For more information, call (03) 5444 5054 or visit paulgraybuilders.com.au

homeless, not worthless

The Bendigo Winter Night Shelter is a refuge for our city’s homeless, offering hot meals, showers, clean beds… and kindness. Marianne McNamara meets some guests.

It’s an early spring evening and the sky is darkening over the Koolamurt Park Scout Camp and its cluster of modest buildings set in the bush on the outskirts of Bendigo.

A late winter chill falls with the setting sun, but inside the brightly lit food hall the atmosphere is cosy-warm and welcoming. Volunteers are quietly moving about the kitchen, preparing and plating up tonight’s hot meal: home-made sausage rolls, chutney and vegetables. It smells delicious.

Guests are beginning to drift in. Many are men, but there are women, too. They murmur greetings and some stand in small groups, watching Bendigo Magazine set up camera equipment. Others collect their meals, pull out chairs, and are soon bent over their dinners, forking in food.

The mood is calm and unhurried, but there is a charge in the room. They know a journalist and photographer are here to learn more about the Bendigo Winter Night Shelter. Some guests have chosen to avoid us

and are huddled around an open fire outside, or they may have already collected their meals and are eating elsewhere.

The ones who are here have agreed to be photographed and interviewed.

Meet David Smith, 65, who has been homeless since a relationship breakdown earlier this year. He slept in his car at first and he recalls one very cold and uncomfortable night. “I was sleeping upright, it was -1, I had two sleeping bags, a blanket, a beanie and gloves, and still I couldn’t get warm,” he admits ruefully. He has also slept on the floor of a friend’s house.

He still has some pride, he says, and he’s dressed casually well: clean dark pants and a black puffer jacket, and he’s used product in his hair. He looks like anyone you might pass on the streets in Bendigo.

“I’ve been coming here for almost three months. The staff are great, the supports are great, and the food is sensational.”

One of the oldest guests is David James Grant, 78. Originally from London, he found rents went north and out of his reach after COVID. A Vietnam vet on the aged pension, he doesn’t have a car and he sleeps wherever he can, including here.

He’s tried his hand at many jobs, including the British navy as a clearance diver, sheetmetal work and wig making. He has family in the region but has lost touch with them. Speaking of the shelter, he says it’s everything it wants to be.

Daryl Lynch is the shelter’s volunteer co-ordinator. He worked in Melbourne security but one night he spotted a family living under a bridge. “I realised I was protecting the wrong people. If you can help make a life better, what’s your excuse not to?” Soon he was doing street outreach to homeless people with the Father Bob’s Foundation. He says guests may have had a bad chapter, but it’s not the end of the book.

He estimates the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Greater Bendigo area is between 10,000 and 14,750. As well as a clean bed, a meal, laundry and barber services, the shelter helps guests fix their car, apply for social housing and even find a job.

Behind the scenes, 430 volunteers are cooking, cleaning, transporting and listening without judgement. The shelter has operated since 2019 and was started by the Christian churches of Bendigo. Now, there are many partner agencies supporting the shelter financially or offering pro bono services, including in IT, financial, legal, human resources and administration.

If you’d like to volunteer or make a tax deductible donation, head to bwns.org.au

WONDERLAND OF FUN

As a much-loved event returned to Rosalind Park, it was hard to tell which was brighter – the lights or the children’s smiles.

Walking through Electric Wonderland, families couldn’t contain their joy as they explored the immersive installations making the park glow, including the popular new addition of a mirrorball laser alley.

CELEBRATIONS UNITE GENERATIONS

From babies to Elders, people of all ages joined in on the fun at the BDAC NAIDOC Family Day.

Celebrating the theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, about 5000 people packed the Bendigo Exhibition Centre for the festivities, beginning with a beautiful Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony. Cultural dancing and boomerang painting were some of the activities that followed.

memory in things... there's a

On the Loddon River ford in Newstead, Roger McKindley has created a living, breathing iron art garden. Marianne McNamara reports.

Seventeen years ago, when landscape architect Roger McKindley found this property off a dirt road in Newstead, a friend described it as the portal to hell.

Squatters and vandals had broken windows in the (estimated) 140-year-old brick cottage and left rubbish strewn about the paddocks. There was no power and no town water. It was a 10-acre dust bowl. And there was a dead possum in the water tank.

“It was very neglected,” Roger admits.

He cleaned the cottage of grime. He installed a sink found at the tip. He added a salvaged stove and eventually, he could afford a gas fridge. He used an inverter run off his car battery for a single light. He gave the possum a decent burial.

And all the while, he was creating an unusual masterpiece in the garden. Over 17 years, he has transformed the barren, sunscorched acreage of cape weed and stinging nettles into a quirky, whimsical garden gallery, using the most unlikely of materials.

“I knew with love I could transport this. I’m passionate about my environment. I try to make ordinary things extraordinary,” he says.

Roger, 65, collects what others discard: broken glass, iron, stone, bone, bricks and wood. He dislikes plastic. He ponders and sleepdreams, forging installations that entice, intrigue and inspire.

Almost every inch of the space, particularly in the immediate surrounds of his cottage, bursts with his imaginative impulses. The hundreds of hand-made wonders are also placed with exceptional care, to be further defined by their neighbours, the light, the time of day or night, and the weather.

Today, Antares Iron Art Garden – on the corner of Brandt St and Punt Rd, off Newstead-Guildford Rd in Newstead – is a unique sculptured space that welcomes visitors from all over Australia and further. The world has come to Roger, from Spain, China, Japan and Ireland. It has drawn interest from the media, including Gardening Australia and Better Homes and Gardens.

Roger also invites visitors into his cottage, offering another transformative experience. Here it is a step back into an earlier time, to a simpler and quieter life. The small cottage still doesn’t have power or running water but it’s cosy and pleasant, with a wood-fired heater and the delightful scent of wood smoke. It is crammed with historic ephemera and smaller pieces of Roger’s art. Outside, he has a modest toilet and a shower that is open to the sky. An old enamel bathtub nestled among his art can be filled with hot water and from its depths, Roger can reach out to an overhanging apple tree and pick off a fresh and juicy apple. Simple pleasures.

To those who care to consider it further, it is a fine example of how to live a happy yet humble life, off the grid and a world away from the world.

This kind and gentle man, who shares the place with a laconic, long-haired cat called Bunjel, admits he adores sharing his version of an idyllic existence with visitors. He relishes an opportunity

to hear their interpretations of his work. “Whatever you see (in his work), that is what it can be.” And he notes their unspoken reactions, how the garden calms, inspires and moves people.

“I’m tremendously happy,” he admits. “I sit here in the evenings and I thank it (my environment), everyone and everything.”

Not everything is for sale in his garden, and this is understandable when he explains his philosophy. Everything has an energy force, he says. “Everything has a soul. There’s a memory in things. I can place a rock in a garden bed, and it absorbs the heat and the moisture around it, it stimulates plant growth and it releases minerals into the earth.” As he speaks, it’s clear his art is his friend, his companion, a thing of wonder and joy for him.

He will go to bed and dream of the next creation, and then he’s up early the next morning fashioning his collected and discarded materials. Or he works late into the night by moonlight because he is compelled by an idea. “And then I try to forget I’ve made it. When I see it the next day, it surprises and delights me.”

Roger does accept commissions and private landscaping projects, but his labour of great love is his open-air gallery, where nature –such as frost, rain, sun and wind – enhances each object.

If you would like to visit Antares, message or call Roger McKindley on 0447 229 149 and consider at the least a donation of $5, which helps pay for insurance.

WINTER MAGIC AT MARKET

Bundled up and braving the cold, Moonlight Market attendees wandered through the Hargreaves Mall enjoying an evening of wholesome entertainment.

The winter edition of the popular market featured a wide range of food to try and goodies to purchase, with live music and Irish dancing also wowing the crowds.

Open 7 Days 8 am to 4 pm

Public Holidays 9am - 4pm

We look forward to welcoming you seven days a week with our traditional opening hours. The Das Kaffeehaus & Coffee Basics Team

SPOTLIGHT ON SHEEP

For one weekend in July, the spotlight was on the mighty sheep as a national event marked a momentous year.

The Australian Sheep and Wool Show proudly celebrated 25 years in Bendigo with a spectacular exhibition of all things woolly, from a fibre market filled with creative crafts to the flavourful Festival of Lamb.

grounded in clay

In her solar-powered studio surrounded by birdsong and bushland, a ceramicist transforms clay into forms that are playful, symbolic and deeply personal. Each piece reflects her love of nature and her path to creative freedom.

By Marina Williams - Photography by Leon Schoots

In Myers Flat, just outside Bendigo, a shed-turned-studio opens out to a sweeping view of forest, orchard and dam. Inside, pottery wheels line up against broad reclaimed glass doors, framing a vista where alpacas wander, ducks chatter, and the chorus of frogs rises with the afternoon sun.

This is where ceramicist Felicity Burman spends her days – hands in clay, surrounded by animals, nature and the rhythms of a permaculture farm.

It is a setting as joyful and unpretentious as the ceramics she creates: mugs with whimsical brushstrokes, candlesticks with curling motifs, large sculptural pieces layered with colour and playfulness.

“I paint without fear of mistake, or wonkiness,” Felicity says. “I just like to go with it and make the shape, and feel my way with it, not trying to make a perfect line or perfect circle or a leaf that looks like a leaf. It might be a suggestion.

“The brushstrokes and motifs – poppies, spirals, eyes – have been part of my visual language for decades. They’re very much mine.”

Felicity doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t making something. As a child, she was surrounded by art-loving parents who took her to galleries and pottery lessons in Elsternwick during the 1970s.

“It was just a very cool, hip vibe,” she recalls. “I majored in ceramics for Year 12 at TAFE with Kevin Boyd as my teacher. Later, at Prahran, I was lucky enough to be taught by artists like Deborah Halpern and MaryLou Pittard.”

That early exposure cemented a path she has returned to again and again, even during periods when she worked outside the arts.

“Even if I had a full-time job, I’d make sure to save time for the studio,” she says. “I always came back to clay.”

Painting was also part of her early expression, but ceramics won out. “I even turned down a place at VCA (Victorian College of the Arts) because I didn’t want to be painting,” Felicity says. “Pottery felt more like home.”

Her story is one of resilience as much as creativity. After years of

family violence and court battles, Felicity moved with her children from Melbourne more than a decade ago, determined to reclaim their lives.

“The police told me there was nothing more they could do, so I thought, well, where do I want to live and how do I want to live my life?” she recalls. “I sold my house, moved to Central Victoria and finally had the space for a proper studio and a farm. My pottery really celebrates how I turned it around and reclaimed my life – it’s about joy and feeling safe.”

That sense of lightness is evident in her pieces, often described as whimsical, playful and full of colour.

“Adults can lose their sense of play,” she says. “But for me, jumping on a swing, swimming in the river, watching the birds – that’s where joy comes from, and it flows into my work. Having play brings joy and fun and spontaneity and liberation.”

Felicity’s studio, fully powered by solar energy, is more than a workspace, it’s a statement of independence and sustainability.

“It was going to cost too much to run power in from the road, so I invested in solar,” says Felicity of opting for renewables. “Now I fire my kilns with the sun. It makes you very conscious of your footprint. You plan the firing for the best days and problem-solve around the weather.”

Ideas often come from holidays, dreams, or daily life in the garden. A fish motif she is exploring now emerged after a fishing trip with her partner. “Sometimes it takes months or even years before an idea comes to life in clay,” she says. “I’ll sit with it, sketch it, imagine it, and then one day I’ll know it’s time to make it.”

When the clay is wet, she feels most alive. “That’s my favourite part –shaping on the wheel or hand-building. It’s exciting. Then I can’t wait to paint, to see the colours come through.”

For 15 years, Felicity taught primary school, specialising in art and technology. She eventually left the classroom, burnt out but ready to teach on her own terms.

Now, her studio is a hub for adults eager to learn pottery. With seven wheels, slab rollers, kilns and shelves of glazes, she offers lessons for beginners and experienced makers alike.

“It’s not just about making a pot,” she says. “People come here and find a space to relax, connect and create. I’ve seen people arrive thinking they’ll never manage the wheel, and then they have that ‘aha’ moment. That’s better than chocolate.”

Students often leave with more than a bowl or mug – they leave with a sense of calm. “People in care professions especially – nurses, teachers, support workers – say it’s the one time they can switch off from the rest of life. Clay is grounding. You breathe out and think, ‘I want to do this all the time’.”

While her teaching supports the practice, making a living as an artist is still a balancing act. “These days you’re expected to be your own marketer, making (social media) reels, posting constantly,” Felicity says. “It doesn’t always sit right with me. I want to spend my time creating, not performing for algorithms.”

Instead, she leans into community connections. Her work has appeared in open studios, local markets, and recently in her first solo exhibition at the Newstead Arts Hub, not far from Castlemaine.

“Seeing my pieces, some nearly two metres tall, in that scale and getting such positive feedback was incredible,” she says. “I’d love to bring that to Bendigo next.”

As spring unfolds, Felicity is preparing for Bendigo Open Studios and the Loddon Valley Arts Trail, with applications in for the Pottery Expo next March. She dreams of exhibiting in the city centre, perhaps even in the historic Beehive Building. But whether her work is in a gallery, a cottage, or someone’s kitchen cupboard, she wants it to be lived with.

“I hope people use my ceramics every day,” she says. “A favourite mug, a candlestick, a mirror – things that bring joy and connection. I want people to feel their own stories reflected in my work.”

Back in her studio, the ducks wander past, the frogs start up their chorus, and Felicity returns to the wheel. Each turn of clay carries the resilience of her journey, the playfulness of her spirit, and the grounded beauty of life in Bendigo’s bush.

THINKING ABOUT BUILDING OR RENOVATING? JOIN US

at the McKean McGregor Building & Living Expo. A free event that brings together local builders, industry experts and suppliers, all under one roof.

WHEN: Friday November 7th, 2025

2.30pm - 7.30pm

WHERE: 757 McIvor Highway, Junortoun (Novo Centre - Bendigo Baptist Church)

LADIES LEAVING A LEGACY

Selling out in record time, this year’s Women of Wool luncheon showcased the innovation and legacy behind the Australian wool industry –and the ladies leading it.

A highlight of the annual Australian Sheep and Wool Show, the event saw the return of crowd favourite host Catriona Rowntree for two and a half hours of inspirational storytelling over a delicious meal.

GEORDIE WILLIAMSON

“BSSC provided a fresh start to build who I wanted to be.”

HEIDI TUSTAIN

“I can’t help boasting about the college to my friends!”

SCARLETT O’CONNOR

“Whoever you are, you’ll find your people at this college.”

JACOBY AH-DORE

“BSSC is like a treasure trove of things to explore.”

RINGING IN HISTORY

Chimes and cheers rang through the Golden Dragon Museum at the opening night of its newest exhibition.

Chinese Bells: Ancient Sounds in a Southern Land explores the significance of music through history, with guests given the opportunity to ring replicas of ancient ‘nao’ bells as creator Dr Anton Hasell shared insights into their craftsmanship.

roar teamwork

A lightbulb moment, a chance encounter and the sisterhood spirit have combined to bring two community groups together for a project too good to keep a lid on.

By Raelee Tuckerman - Photography by Leon Schoots

For members of Dragons Abreast Bendigo, one of the hardest things about taking to the water for a paddle is getting the protective cover on and off their 10-seater dragon boat.

The group of breast cancer survivors and supporters must manipulate a cumbersome tarpaulin over a wonky metal frame to keep the vessel safe from the elements in their semi-open storage shed at Lake Weeroona.

“It’s very difficult to manoeuvre – and some of our women are a little height-challenged,” says dragon boater Sandra Davey. “One day we tried to get it off and the whole thing collapsed.”

Sandra knew there had to be a better way, especially given the club’s 20-seater boat has a timber cover that’s much easier to handle. Her epiphany came one evening when she recalled hearing about a local women’s group operating in a similar vein to the Men’s Shed movement – including running woodworking classes – and wondered if they might help.

By pure chance, she mentioned her idea to a friend while out for lunch at a venue that was also hosting a Bendigo Region Women’s Shed monthly gathering and connected with go-getting vice president Sally Hutchison.

“It was fate, faith, the stars just aligned,” says Sandra, who explained the dilemma and asked if the BRWS ladies might get on board and build a smaller-scale timber cover.

“I thought, why not? Women helping women, it would be a win-win situation. And they could only either say yes or no.”

Sally was immediately enthusiastic: “I just saw what a good fit it all was, especially having had a mother who’d suffered from breast cancer...”

Using the larger cover as a template and under the guidance of volunteer supervisor Greg Devanny, the BRWS ladies have been working on the project on Wednesday afternoons, at the Men’s Shed workshop they utilise in Marong. Timber and materials were generously donated by Bunnings in Kangaroo Flat and Epsom, making it a true community effort.

Now nearing completion, there’s a real buzz among the local crews. “It’s going to make covering the boat a lot quicker and a lot less fiddly and frustrating,” says Sandra, adding paddlers will be able to focus more on the exercise, camaraderie and fun of dragon boating.

Dragons Abreast has its origins in a 1996 Canadian sports medicine study into whether paddling had any adverse effects on recovery from breast cancer. To the contrary, it found benefits in decreasing cancer treatment side effects. The Bendigo group was established in late 2002 and currently has over 30 active members, some of whom travel interstate and overseas to take part in dragon boat regattas. They turn regular waterways into seas of pink!

“It’s such a joy to be part of a group who are ‘all on the same boat’, having been through the same struggles,” says Sandra. “Everyone knows why you are there, you don’t have to explain yourself, but there’s someone to talk to if you need. It offers closeness, support and love even.

“The movement of paddling has been found to help build up your strength and give you greater overall wellbeing. We all paddle together, in time to the sound of the beat of a drum.”

Bendigo Region Women’s Shed also sprang up from research, following a TAFE student’s project during COVID. Run initially from Connect Church in East Bendigo, it is now based at the Long Gully Community Centre though its activities are held at several different sites.

The Bendigo program has around 60 regular participants and offers crafts, cards/games, a book club, educational seminars and social outings, in addition to woodworking and fundraising.

Guest speakers address topics including safety in the home, preventative health strategies, financial planning, digital literacy and avoiding scams.

Unlike their male counterparts, women’s sheds receive no state or federal government funding – however, Sally is part of the recently formed peak body Women’s Sheds Victoria that hopes to change that through advocacy and lobbying.

The Bendigo group is also developing a business plan to present to council in the hope of building a shed to host all of its activities and is keen to hear from any potential benefactors.

Sally and BRWS president Cathleen Farrelly say the women’s shed ethos is about wellbeing and community connection, with doors open to all females aged over 18 who want to be involved.

“It’s about mental health and reducing isolation,” says Sally.

Cathleen adds: “It’s also about empowering women. There’s a lot living alone out there – through domestic violence, divorce, becoming widowed or other reasons – who still have tasks they need to do that they once may have relied on someone else for.

“We can help educate and upskill women and create friendships through social connection.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Dragons Abreast Bendigo paddles on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings at Lake Weeroona and newcomers are welcome. Visit the group’s Facebook page or call Donna on 0409 926 386.

Bendigo Region Women’s Shed activities are held throughout the week at various venues and a calendar of events is available on the Facebook page. Anyone interested in joining or supporting the organisation can contact Sally on 0412 258 576.

Monday to Friday 7am-3pm Saturday 8am-3pm Closed Sunday Breakfast all day and lunch from 12pm-2.30pm

the lens history through

On the eve of the National Trust’s formal handover of his collection to the Bendigo Historical Society, we re-examine the art of Allan Doney.

By Dianne Dempsey - Photograper Allan Doney

A tidy, diminutive man, it would have been easy for Allan Doney to disappear into the shadows he so loved, were it not for the telltale cameras that were always hung around his neck. Bendigo Historical Society president Euan McGillivray says Doney preferred to take many of his photographs in the mornings, when the sun would favour his compositions and allow him to create the particular drama of light and shade that frequently characterises his work.

Ostensibly a humble tailor, Doney (1900-1987) worked from an upstairs shop in Allans Arcade, but he was also a passionate photographer who found delight in Bendigo’s heritage buildings and citizens, the surrounding small towns, mine sites and farms.

The body of his work, which features 14,000 negatives and 3000 prints, was taken during the 1950s and 1960s and generally evokes a nostalgic response from the viewer. His photography of the Bendigo Easter Fair, for example, which is taken with the crowd in the foreground, reveals their fascination with the popular boxing troupes. The eye feasts on

the gestures of the people, the details of the clothes, the floppy bow in the little girl’s hair.

Formerly a curator of photography at Museums Victoria, Euan invites us to examine how Doney achieved this characteristically nostalgic feel to his art. These are not just lucky snaps. “If we look closely at the Eaglehawk streetscape, where a dog blissfully basks on the footpath, we can observe the way Doney has backlit the composition – he has waited for the sun to be in a certain position and cast sharp, vertical shadows on the veranda posts,” Euan says. “The roofed verandas provide the frame for the viewer. There is nothing accidental or spontaneous about the photographs. He’s most likely done a ‘recce’. It’s good to remember that he taught himself these skills. What he’s doing is technically not easy.

“Working mainly with a Praktica or Rolliecord camera, Doney was using the critical aspects of great photography: light and composition. And remember, there were no zoom lenses around then; he would have thought carefully about shutter speeds and, also vital to capturing the light, he would have adjusted the camera’s aperture accordingly.”

Intrinsic to Doney’s work is his choice of subject matter. One of the most dramatic photographs in the collection is that of the

stilt walker, who left crowds in awe when he appeared in the Moomba and Bendigo Easter Fair parades. “Doney would have been waiting with his camera set up,” Euan says. “He would only have had one shot at the stilt man. Perhaps he had to run ahead to get it. And we can surmise that the stilt walker has seen Doney waiting with his camera. He appears to stop and hold his balance, the strain palpable on his face.”

Aside from his technical skills and the pleasing balance of his compositions, the most cohesive element of Doney’s work, however, is its documentary intent. A style of photography that was heralded by artists such as Henri Cartier Bresson in post-WWII Europe, and Max Dupain in Australia, documentary photography was a reaction to the formal, posed era of photography that preceded it. While Doney would have been meticulously prepared for the stilt walker, he also wants us to have the impression that he has caught him unawares, fluid and energised.

Moreover, Doney is aware of the transient nature of his subjects. The women holding their children’s hands as they cross the street; the young people who are climbing a gate armed with cameras. In the period after WWII, and particularly throughout the 1960s, Doney left images that reflect everyday life in a time of social change in Bendigo and the region. There are, of course, numerous photographs of our landmark heritage buildings, sometimes captured in the background and sometimes captured for their own sake, as is the case of the now demolished ANA building in View Street.

Doney’s regard for Bendigo’s historical buildings led to his photographs being used in the campaign by the local branch of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), to prevent the complete destruction of our verandas in the late 1960s. The same ability to backlight figures and buildings enabled him to capture the beauty and detail of lace ironwork.

Such was the significance of his work that the NTAV bought his collection in 1980 and then lent it to the Bendigo Library. And such is the regard for the collection by Bendigo citizens, volunteers started cataloguing the collection 15 years ago. But there was much work to be done.

After an initial assessment, former museum professional Euan McGillivray was able to write a critical preservation report for the NTAV. Its collections manager Michelle Derrick says that under Euan’s advocacy and guidance, the Bendigo Historical Society now has the capacity to care for the collection to accepted museum standards.

The BHS may well be punching above its weight, but Euan says it will have to look for support from local businesses and citizens to digitise more of the collection and provide funding for archival preservation materials for the original Doney photographs.

The collection, a valued resource for researchers and Bendigo residents alike, will be available online in 2026.

spring arrival

Geoff Hocking reflects on Bendigo’s long winter, welcoming returning birds, garden blooms, and the simple pleasures that signal the season’s warmer days.

Words & Illustrations by Geoff Hocking

It may have been ‘the winter of our discontent’, but it appears that it will soon be ‘made glorious summer’1 – or at least a bit warmer now that ‘spring has sprung’2

After a bitter winter, my little magpie friend has returned. Where did it go for these past few chilly months, the tropics? It perches on a table outside the kitchen window just waiting for one of us to appear. No matter which door we use, it whips around the house and hops aside as we break up a piece of bread for its birdie-breakfast, returning at lunch and again at the end of the day for supper.

I only had a large block of very dry bread to offer the other morning. I tried to pull some bits out of the middle and drop them on the ground but gave up on the crusty block, so just left it there. One of the resident crows/ravens swooped by and carried it away whole. I never see them at all until the bread is delivered, then down they come.

The maggie disappears when the bigger black birds fly in. I guess it is conscious of avian hierarchy. There really is a pecking order. Some tiny wrens often pop by once the bigger bits of bread have been taken and spring about on their matchstick legs, pecking at crumbs left over.

I keep a few slices ‘in stock’, in a brown paper bag, in a box, on an old seat outside, with some gardening tools. The other day, just after feeding time, I spied one of my birds dragging the paper bag out of the box, pulling it apart and nicking off with an extra slice for lunch. They are both very observant, pretty smart, a good memory, combined with criminal intentions.

I do try to vary their diet. The other day I was completely out of bread, so my maggie was treated to crumbled-up VitaBrits. Another time, it enjoyed a breakfast of home-made muesli.

I see the return of the birds as a sign of a welcome spring. Just as the bulbs that are beginning to push their green shoots through the warming soil remind us that the bare branches and empty pots of winter will soon burst with exuberant colour and verdant life, the birds suggest a return to warmer weather.

The beauty of spring reminds us of what a winter it has been. I haven’t been this cold since I was a lad. There were even fogs. Good oldfashioned white-outs – and frosts that froze puddles, and then there was rain, proper drenching rain. All our tanks are now full.

I was reminded of the fogs that would descend on a winter’s night in 1950s Bendigo. The sort that made visibility difficult for this young lad as he rode his bicycle home at 9 o’clock after a night at the YMCA, pushing hard against the dynamo that dragged on the wheel-rim, every thrust forward creating a short burst of light that was instantly swallowed by the gloom ahead. The little red tail-light flickering on and off as I rode along High Street, heading for home.

Sometimes I would see an eerie yellow glow in the middle of the roadway. A single yellow circle in the gloom. I often heard the ‘chuga-lug, chugga-chugga-chugga’ of the big green monster before I came upon it. Pedalling past, it was like an iron ship cast adrift in the night, its pale windows casting a sickly yellow glow into the night – ‘chuggachugger-chugger’ – and sparks flew from the rooftop gantry.

This winter past has been so cold that at home a long-fought battle was won. My ever-present life companion finally agreed to the purchase of an electric blanket. For myself, there are few pleasures so small, yet so rewarding, as sliding beneath the doona into the exuberant warmth of pre-heated cotton sheets. Not like clammy flannelettes, which were always great on the first night but soon lost their crispness, the heated cotton is a slice of heaven.

Sliding onto the ready electrified warmth certainly beats the ritual of filling the old rubber ‘hottie’, holding it to your chest and pushing it flat, squeezing the steam out through the floppy neck to close it off, rapidly, with its screw-in stopper. The rubber hot water bottle was usually too hot to touch comfortably and that’s when the knitted hottie cover came into its own. Hotties only had an impact on a small section of the bed and needed to be kicked further into the nether regions for foot comfort

during the night. Then they went cold. Sometimes they leaked. Writing this I am reminded of the footwarmers on the railways back in red-rattler days. Railway footwarmers were large, flat metal envelopes filled with boiling water and placed beneath the seats in the old carriages. It is hard to believe that once upon a time, the railways actually employed workers who would get out of bed before ‘sparras’ to boil the kettle and fill the footwarmers just to toast a traveller’s toes on the rattling-rail in winter.

I am also reminded of a time when even cars were deficient in the heater department. Even though we all know that car engines produce a lot of heat, it took a long time before any enterprising engineer thought of tapping into this resource. We would motor along in winter, clad in gloves and scarves, knees covered in ‘woolly car-rugs’, constantly wiping at the windows to clear away condensation. Winter motoring was a dangerous exercise. Fogged-up windows inside, fog outside and hulking trams in the middle of the road blanketed in Bendigo winter fog.

There are many benefits of living in the modern world: electric blankets, air-conditioning, pop-up toasters, self-switching electric kettles, puffer jackets and thermal undies. However, I lament the demise of the jaffleiron and the toasting fork. It was a childhood winter’s pleasure to be ready for bed, flannelette jammies on, hot cocoa in one hand, toasting fork in the other, sitting by the kitchen stove with the firebox open, ‘burning’ some toast before bed. Any badly blackened bits fed the birds in the morning.

Even though we live amongst the gumtrees, where cockies and parrots visit often and we see shrikes and butcher birds, crows and ravens, maggies, pardalotes, willy wagtails and a really annoying squadron of currawongs, we have been urbanised. I saw a sparrow the other day. As I watched the little brown character, picking at the crumbs on the ground, I wondered if I would ever see its more colourful cousin again. I haven’t seen a robin red-breast in years.

‘Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where the birdies is?’ I know where they are. Rooting around in my vegetable garden.

1 William Shakespeare. Richard 111. Act 1, scene 1.

2 Attributed to Ogden Nash

ROTARY REACHES MILESTONE

The Rotary Club of Bendigo pulled out all the stops for its 100th anniversary, making the milestone one to remember.

Members and friends dressed to impress for the gala dinner at the All Seasons, honouring a century of community spirit and dancing the night away to a 12-piece big band and singer Janet-Ross Fahy.

FAMILY CRAFTED SINCE 1976

Just 9km from Bendigo, Mandurang Valley Wines is a family-owned winery run by three generations of the Vine family. Focused on varietal authenticity, custom-crafted wines, contract winemaking, in-house bottling and trusted export services.

Experience more than just wine at our cellar door — home to the Italian Test Kitchen, where chef Paul Sommerville prepares delicious meals using fresh regional ingredients. Pair his food with our award-winning wines and enjoy the best of Bendigo. Visit Mandurang Valley Wines to experience genuine family winemaking, exceptional food, and a legacy that continues to evolve.

A WORLD OF MUSIC

Passports weren’t required for this whirlwind world trip – just an appreciation for beautiful melodies.

Performed by flautist Masahide Kurita and pianist Adam Przewlocki, Flute Traveller II – Asia to Europe guided the audience through a musical and cultural journey inspired by folk songs, national traditions,

dedicated

educator

Dr Mary Nash’s lifelong passion for teaching has inspired generations, combining deep knowledge, care, and innovation in science, maths, and student development.

By Jennie Mellberg - Photography by Leon Schoots

For some educators, teaching seems to be part of their DNA. Dr Mary Nash is one of these people.

At 10 years of age, when Mary was living in suburban Blackburn, she often set up a small chalkboard under the back verandah and rounded up the other kids in her street – all boys – to teach them spelling and their times tables.

The boys would tolerate her educational ministrations for just so long, before heading off to resume their cricket match.

Are we surprised to hear this little girl became a dedicated teacher?

Often dux of her class at school, at the end of Form Five (Year 11) Mary experienced the devastating disappointment of failing. With results published in the newspaper, the humiliation was inescapable.

“But Dad said to me, ‘Don’t think you’re leaving. You’re going to get Form Six’.”

As luck would have it, Mary had outstanding female science and chemistry teachers in her final year at school, and with only three girls selecting science subjects, she was very well supported.

These teachers encouraged her to pursue a Science Education degree being offered by Melbourne University at the time.

Mary took up a teaching studentship and relished studying zoology, biology and genetics. She also learnt to be a hands-on science teacher, and although briefly tempted to become a genetic researcher, her focus on teaching prevailed.

In a theme that would repeat for many years, there was only one woman – a biologist – among her fantastic university lecturers.

Graduates on studentships were obliged to go wherever the Victorian Education Department needed teachers. So, in 1972 and newly married to Barry, also a teacher, Mary found herself in Horsham. The young city couple felt a very long way from home.

“However,” she says, “teaching science was still mostly a male domain. I was the only female science teacher at the school.

“Really, I was just a skinny kid with long black hair who had no authority in the eyes of the strapping farm lads I was supposed to be teaching,” she remembers.

Despite these challenges, Mary was well-mentored by her colleagues and the following year when the couple moved to Bendigo, she joined the staff of Bendigo Girls High School, now the site of Bendigo South East College.

In 1991, Mary moved to the maths faculty at Bendigo Senior Secondary College, remaining a much-valued member of the teaching team until her retirement in 2024.

Maths was still an important focus, but she now became predominantly a biology teacher and later lectured at La Trobe University Bendigo in biology methods.

The senior college supported her ongoing education, and a Master of Education brought her an opportunity to evaluate the (then brand new) graphics calculators. Interestingly, while the new calculators saved time for maths students, her research demonstrated they did not improve grades.

During a three-week teacher exchange in England, Mary noticed how many teachers there had PhDs.

Her curiosity about why some students struggled to understand abstract biological concepts led her to begin her own PhD in Biology in 2010, completing it in 2016.

Mary researched the effectiveness of innovations in the use of 2D and 3D modelling to support students comprehending functions and structures that can’t be seen or easily demonstrated.

Her studies found such modelling enhanced students’ understanding of complex abstract concepts, reinforced the value of experimentation, and fostered improvement in student grades.

Mary was delighted.

Retiring at the end of 2024, Mary reflected on what quality teaching looks like. She is convinced it’s about meeting the needs of students at

all levels – and especially in maths.

“You have got to be on top of your own knowledge to do this successfully,” she says. “And you need to care deeply about every student’s achievements.”

Her own experiences inspired a deep commitment to do as her father did for her: encourage students to be their best selves.

She has worked hard to give all her students every possible opportunity – and some went on to achieve great things.

“A student who has really struggled and puts in a big effort and then passes, well, that also made me proud of both them and my part in supporting them.

“I do appreciate just getting to school is difficult for some students, so I tried to make my classes one good thing in everyone’s day.

“However, in VCE, students have chosen to be at school, and I expected them to work hard and be organised.”

Working hard and being organised have also been priorities for Mary – they had to be. Like many working mothers, she found keeping life balanced challenging at times. She remains grateful for the terrific support she received as she juggled career, study and family.

“There were people who told me I should resign and be a stay-at-home mum. This was hard to hear, and made me question whether I was right to pursue my career and my studies.

“When the kids were sick, having no extended family living locally made it very hard. But my husband was incredibly supportive, and the school was great. I’m very proud of my own children, and I know now I did the right thing.

“I have also cherished and nurtured my career and it’s been a joy to come to school to teach my students. I feel like I’ve been very lucky.”

STYLE AND SPIRIT SHINE

Combining fashion, friendship and fundraising, the Ladies Luncheon was a powerful example of community spirit in action.

Keynote speaker Gayle Wilson from Soul Care Healing inspired guests, who then cheered on mums and daughters as they strutted the runway wearing local fashion. Hosted by the Bendigo Health Parent Infant Unit, proceeds went to the Move for Mental Health initiative.

COMEDY QUEENS RULE THE STAGE

Mics in hand and armed with razor-sharp jokes, a powerhouse lineup of women brought their own brilliance to the stage in Bendigo.

Australian comedy royalty Denise Scott headlined Women of Wit 2025, supported by a cast of emerging stars who kept the Engine Room audience laughing all night long.

creative lives shared

With art, radio and plenty of laughter, Bodie Howell and Em Tresidder are building a life filled with creativity, contentment and community.

By Marina Williams - Photography by AJ Taylor

When Bodie Howell and Em Tresidder first matched online, they didn’t go for the safe option of coffee in the city. Instead, their first date was a road trip to the Yarra Valley.

“It was probably within the first three hours of us knowing each other that I was hand-feeding him donuts as he drove,” Em laughs, recalling the cookies-and-cream treat that sealed the deal.

Eight years later, the self-confessed “chatty couple” has built a full and creative life in Bendigo.

Listening to their quick humour and easy back-and-forth, you get the sense you’d want to be their friend. There’s a genuineness in the way

they talk to each other – playful but grounded.

“We have a lot of fun and life is quite joyful,” says Em, whose career in radio has taken her from Bendigo’s Hit91.9 morning show to the bigger platforms of FOX Melbourne and listeners in Adelaide. In June, she was a finalist in the Mediaweek Next of the Best Awards 2025, recognised as one of Australia’s rising audio talents.

Bodie, meanwhile, balances his art practice with his role as deputy manager at Bendigo’s Discovery Science and Technology Centre. Calm and easy-going, he’s the kind of presence that puts people at ease, whether he’s talking about art, science or the small joys of everyday life.

Em’s voice is instantly recognisable – warm, melodic and playful. She thrives on the immediacy of radio.

“Connecting with people is my favourite thing about it,” she says. “Every day, my favourite part of my job is taking callers and talking to people. With my Bendigo listeners, you get to know people – they’re calling every time there’s a different comp… I think the liveness of radio and that ability to have someone call in and tell us about their day. Connecting with people is why I love what I do.”

Some of her standout memories aren’t from celebrity interviews, but from community initiatives like Random Acts of Christmas. “We’d team up with local businesses to pay for people’s groceries or their petrol, op-shopping, or give gifts to a Christmas wishing tree. Last year we surprised the nurses at St John of God Hospital with lunch and some goodies.”

Adds Bodie: “That one was great. My favourite part was that they filmed it. Em walked in and burst into tears talking about how much they do for the community. They kept asking her if she was OK, it was so, so sweet.”

Em smiles: “That’s the importance of local radio – you’re integrated into the community. That’s my favourite part of being on Hit, for sure.”

For Bodie, creativity flows through both his work at Discovery and his practice as an artist. After studying surveying and working in events and marketing, including in the whisky industry, he has found a balance at Discovery.

“I feel really balanced in what I do,” he explains. “I get to create exhibits and plan things, flexing the technical side of my brain, but then I come home and cut up paper and make collages. Having that balance has been important… I’m creating at work and at home.”

His analogue collages, zines and interactive projects such as The One Way Letter Project make art accessible to anyone willing to pause and engage. Pieces have appeared in The American Haiku Journal and at The Fox Gallery.

Although their careers are very different, there’s respect and support in how they approach them. They encourage each other to aim higher.

“The respect we have for each other as people and in the way we approach our jobs makes me want to hold myself to a higher standard,” Bodie says. “We respect each other as professionals and love each other a lot.”

Em agrees: “It’s not specific things about our jobs, but the way we hustle and inspire each other to stay motivated to do what we want to do.”

Bodie adds: “We come home, unpack our days, and talk through how we might approach things differently. Even though we do such different things, we’re able to be really supportive and encouraging. It’s nice.”

That admiration extends to recognising each other’s strengths. Bodie praises Em’s storytelling and ability to make people feel comfortable. “Em has this ability to understand joy on any level. She can hang out with my niece, who is six, and just be enthusiastic as a six-year-old. She’s crazy talented. She’s probably the best active listener I’ve met, and that makes her a great interviewer. It all seems so natural for her – it suits her.”

Em admires the joy Bodie brings to others. “He delivers joyful experiences to families and children all day, every day. I love that he does that. He can come home saying a kid went down the slide at Discovery and had the best time. He has a STEM mind and finds joy in other people learning, and I love that for him and about his job.”

After time in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, the pair weren’t sure what to expect moving to a regional city. What they found pleasantly surprised them.

“We came here because Em got her first commercial radio job,” says Bodie. “I wasn’t sure what opportunities I’d have, but now I’ve got one of the coolest jobs I’ve ever had. Bendigo has been this incredible springboard into the rest of our lives… It’s a special place.”

For Em, Bendigo offers the perfect blend. “I really love Bendigo. There’s always something on – the gallery, restaurants, cafes – but also an air of chillness. It takes me six minutes to get to work – A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. When I go back to Melbourne and get on a busy tram, I just want to come back here. And it’s still close enough to head down for a gig or to see friends.”

They’ve also become enthusiastic champions of Central Victoria’s hidden gems. “Harpoon Social is our go-to dining spot – some of the best food in the state,” says Bodie. “And we love showing friends around Castlemaine or Harcourt for apples. There are so many gems here.”

Their downtime reflects the same mix of fun and connection. “We love going to The Zone for go-karting or laser tag – Bodie once came second in a group of children,” Em laughs. “He was so proud of himself. I was terrible.” They also enjoy weekend brunch at Bayleaf, cinema trips (“the popcorn here is the best”), or relaxing on their balcony with a good bottle of wine.

Both are conscious of their role in Bendigo’s cultural life. Em has been MC and a courtside announcer for the Bendigo Braves. “Getting everyone in the crowd hyped has been awesome and a special part of my Bendigo experience. A little girl walked up to me after one game and said, ‘I want to do what you do when I grow up’. That’s been very cool,” she says.

Bodie has recently launched Cut Loose, a collage club in Melbourne, and is excited about the prospect of starting one in Bendigo. “The stuff we get to do at Discovery makes such an impact in the community. Adults tell me about their memories from school sleepovers or going down the big slide at Discovery… It’s cool to be part of that for the next generation of kids. I genuinely think Discovery is an important cultural icon here… it is very well loved, but it would be awesome if everyone in Bendigo knew of the important work people have been doing there for the past 30 years.”

Behind the public achievements, their home life is light-hearted. “Home is very silly,” Bodie says. “We work hard, and we really care about making sure we do a good job in our day, but then we come home and talk to each other about our day, we eat yum food and hang out. We just enjoy ourselves and whether that’s low key at home or going out to do something, we just have a nice time… we have a lot of fun.”

Em agrees: “We love to eat and drink. Bodie is an amazing cook, and he will spend literally days working on food. On a weeknight, it is a bit more chilled, but it still involves making something yummy for dinner… Last night he made Pad See Ew in the wok. It’s always something delicious.”

Bodie adds: “We have an enthusiasm for caring in work and with each other, and it bounces off each other.”

When asked about future dreams, they don’t talk about fame or fortune. “Just more of the same,” Em says. “To be in a space of contentment, happiness and joy – perpetually in our lives. That’s the dream”

Bodie nods. “We’ve created such a cool environment in our relationship, and where we live and what we do. We’re just happy people, so to continue to be happy people wherever life takes us; to have the support and love for each other and that enthusiasm for what we do – just more of that. We don’t want to be greedy, but just more of that.”

As Em put it earlier: “We have a lot of fun and life is quite joyful.” In Bendigo, surrounded by community and each other, they’ve found a rhythm that feels just right.

Single Vineyard, Premium Wines from the Goldfields Region of Victoria

Single Vineyard, Premium Wines from the Goldfields Region of Victoria

Single Vineyard, Premium Wines from the on o

“Perfect in spring time along with any seafood dish”

“Surely this is Bendigos best aged red wine?”

Enjoy the Summer months with a chilled glass of Turners Crossing’s delicious Viognier or Rosé

Enjoy the Summer months with a chilled glass of Turners Crossing’s delicious Viognier or Rosé

Enjoy the Summer months with a chilled glass of Turners Crossing’s delicious Viognier or Rosé

Enjoy the Summer months with a chilled glass of Turners Crossing’s delicious Viognier or Rosé

LOCALS SUPPORTING LOCALS

Available now at your favourite Bendigo restaurant, wine store or online at:

Available in selected restaurants, cafes, hotels and bottle shops in and around the Bendigo region

Available now at your favourite Bendigo restaurant, wine store or online at: www.turnerscrossing.com.au

Available now at your favourite Bendigo restaurant, wine store or online at: www.turnerscrossing.com.au

Available now at your favourite Bendigo restaurant, wine store or online at:

www.turnerscrossing.com.au

www.turnerscrossing.com.au

COMMUNITY CHEERS FOR BEER

Raising a glass to craft beer and the brewers behind it, a local favourite festival returned to mark the end of winter.

Now in its 11th year, Bendigo on the Hop showcased close to 20 independent Aussie breweries, inviting beer lovers to wander from venue to venue in pursuit of their favourite pour.

Geared for an evening of glee, devoted cyclists from our region packed the Star Cinema for a unique event.

The 2025 Big Bike Film Night’s mission was simple – to bring the Bendigo audience the world’s best short films on cycling, celebrating a passion for all things two-wheeled and inspiring them to get out and ride.

heat sticky

Beau Cook’s Honey Chilli Chicken Wings bring sweet, spicy, and crunchy flavours together in a fun, flavour-packed dish perfect for sharing with friends.

By Beau Cook - Photography by Leon Schoots

HONEY CHILLI CHICKEN WINGS

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1kg chicken wingettes or drumettes

Marinade:

• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled

• ½ thumb-sized piece of galangal, peeled

• 10cm piece of lemon grass

Juice of 1 lime

• 1 tbl. fish sauce

• 1 tbl. grapeseed oil

• 1 tsp. salt flakes

1 tsp. cracked pepper

Chilli Vinegar:

3 long red chillies, de-seeded

• 1 tbl. caster sugar

• 1 tsp. salt flakes

1 tbl. hot water

2 tbl. rice wine vinegar

• 1 tbl. honey

• Handful fresh coriander, chopped 1/3 cup crispy shallots

Method:

1. For the paste: Roughly chop fresh ingredients then place into a small food processor along with other ingredients. Blend into a smooth paste.

2. Place chicken and paste into a large bowl, toss to combine then set aside in the fridge for at least 1one hour to marinate

3. For the chilli vinegar: In a small bowl, dissolve salt and sugar with hot water then add vinegar.

4. Roughly chop the chilli then place into a small food processor and blend into a coarse paste. Stir through vinegar mix and set aside in fridge.

5. When ready to cook, preheat BBQ then grill wings for 12 minutes, turning occasionally until browned all over and cooked through

6. Place wings into a large bowl and toss with the honey, coriander and shallots.

7. Serve topped with chilli vinegar to taste.

FRESH FARM FINDS AT MARKET

A beautiful spring morning awaited attendees of the September Bendigo Community Farmers’ Market.

Baskets in hand, they enjoyed the sunshine as they explored more than 40 stalls bursting with fresh fruit and veg, artisan beverages, baked goods and countless other local delicacies available to purchase.

BANJO BEATS AT BUSH BASH

Toe-tapping tunes filled the air and locals danced their socks off during a lively Friday night at the Guildford Public Hall.

A staple of the annual Guildford Banjo Jamboree, the Bush Dance brought together the community for a good oldfashioned night of fun, celebrating the banjo and its music.

in one day four seasons

We’re experiencing a trademark Bendigo spring; warm then cold then raining then a balmy tone in the breeze that makes us feel a change is coming for the better. Be prepared for anything with this hand-picked foursome of table wines from some of the region’s best cellar doors.

Photography by Leon Schoots

VIN DU VAN - 2024 PINOT GRIS

The gorgeous Mandurang Vin Du Van winery is a must-visit with loved ones this season. It’s open weekends for tastings, grazing boards and gourmet pizzas overlooking the vineyard. Settle in and reach for this award-winning Pinot Gris; it took out a silver medal in the 2024 Australian Small Winemakers Show.

This fragrant, fruity wine from newly grafted vines has us dreaming of the tart, firm stone fruits that are just around the corner. Its pale rye colour also pays homage to the sun, and the blond paddocks set to surround this picturesque spot on our region’s wine touring map. Enjoy in situ, plus take a bottle home and serve well chilled.

SANDHURST RIDGE - 2024 SAUVIGNON BLANC

Big things are happening at Marong’s Sandhurst Ridge, with the 30-year-old vineyard finding new custodians to carry on caring for the land, making quality wine, and adding to the property’s powerful family story. “We weren’t necessarily looking for a winery,” says part owner Joanne. “We wanted land, space, and a change of pace. Finding Sandhurst Ridge was a beautiful surprise.”

They’re sharing the love with this 2024 Sauvignon Blanc; one of the first Sandhurst Ridge wines to be bottled by new hands, after barrel fermentation in French oak. It features tropical fruity flavours, leading to a dry finish that’s oh, so refreshing. In Strathdale, it was paired with some lazy Thai takeaway to elevate a Friday night in.

TURNERS CROSSING - 2018 SHIRAZ

Who are we to judge, when an international panel of experts has already done the work and hailed this classic Bendigo-region Shiraz a gold medal winner among peers. Yes, you’re guaranteed a top example of the famed local variety when you reach for this bottle from riverside Serpentine, as per the Intercontinental Wine Challenge awards.

The deep purple-red wine is beautifully balanced with intense dark fruit flavours and moody spices, making it richly rewarding for the red wine lover. Cellar for the years ahead, or open now and enjoy before the days lengthen and the weather warms.

MANDURANG VALLEY - 2024 GRENACHE BRUT ROSE

The savvy Vine family has taken the wondrous workhorse of grape varieties – Grenache – and given it a light and spritzy zing that’s ideal for the seasons ahead. It’s enough to convert the red wine enthusiast to a lighter variety, and encourage the white wine lover to reach for some colour.

This 2024 drop has a fresh and fun salmon pink hue. It features hints of rosewater and Turkish Delight on the nose and a crisp acidity on the palate. For the flavours, think red and blue berries, and layers of savoury spice. The resident wine noter is saving a bottle for that first barbecue of the season.

BUNJA THAI

AUTHENTIC THAI FOOD | DINE IN | TAKEAWAY

Bringing fresh and delicious Thai food to Bendigo’s CBD with Thai chefs and table service in an amazing Gold Rush Architectural masterpiece. Fully licensed and open for lunch Mon-Fri and dinner from 5pm Mon-Sat. bunja.com.au

Situated in the heart of the CBD, our new boutique offering provides holiday and business travellers a luxurious, modern and ambient getaway set against a grand heritage backdrop. Complimentary off-street parking. 100m from the Art Gallery. hotelbendigo.com.au STAY | DINE | SHOP | EXPLORE

DAS KAFFEEHAUS

VIENNESE COFFEE HOUSE | BREAKFAST | LUNCH

Let our baristas entice you with our freshly roasted coffee, sip on the local and Austrian beers and wines, feast on good, old-fashioned hearty meals and stay for the extensive range of cakes and pastries all made in haus daily! coffeebasics.com

BOUTIQUE CINEMA

Plush couches, a licensed bar and an amazing programme

PERCY

&

PERCY

Watch the world go by from the courtyard or settle inside amongst a cosy setting of wooden tables and low pan lighting. Our coffee is reason alone to make a visit - but after a peek at the menu, you won’t be able to resist staying longer. percyandpercy.com.au COFFEE | BREAKFAST | LUNCH | CATERING

FINALS FEVER HITS QEO

The biggest sporting showdown in town delivered thrilling matches at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.

In the Bendigo Football Netball League grand finals, Eaglehawk was victorious over the Sandhurst Dragons in a hardfought football clash, while Kangaroo Flat triumphed in the netball after an undefeated season.

LEGACY LASTS A LIFETIME

Emotions ran high in April as a local association held one last heartfelt reunion.

Hundreds of past graduates and educators of the Northern District School of Nursing gathered at Red Energy Arena to mark the school’s 75th anniversary, many proudly donning vintage red nursing capes as a nostalgic tribute to their education and work.

Natalie & Hamish

From a breathtaking proposal in Thailand to a magical celebration in Bendigo, Natalie and Hamish’s wedding was filled with love, family and unforgettable moments.

Natalie and Hamish met three and a half years ago and it wasn’t long before their connection turned into something special. Hamish, ever the romantic, proposed in the most unforgettable way on Thailand’s iconic James Bond Island, inside a secluded cave. He chartered a private boat for the occasion, discreetly set up cameras and with the ocean as their backdrop and soft natural light spilling through the cave, he dropped to one knee.

“It was so perfectly us and I’ll never forget that moment. I think my response was just pure joy,” says Natalie.

The couple tied the knot on April 5, 2025, at the beautiful Mackenzie Quarters. The historic venue provided the perfect atmosphere and its exceptional team ensured the day ran seamlessly. Their ceremony was made even more heartfelt thanks to Georgia from Married by Georgia, whose calming presence set the tone.

“My dress was by the talented Evie Young and Hamish looked so sharp in his forest-green Hugo Boss suit. We had our rings custom-designed by Windfall Jewellers in Melbourne, which made them feel even more personal,” says Natalie.

The wedding cake, crafted by Bendigo’s Sweet Peach, was more than just delicious. Having also made the couple’s engagement cake, the creator’s artistry was already a part of their love story. Styling and florals were in the hands of Madi and her team at The Event Quarter, who created stunning bouquets and elegant details that elevated the entire day.

AJ Taylor Images provided a film that Natalie and Hamish will treasure forever, while Jim from Weddings by Jim captured each moment beautifully, even stepping into the role of coordinator at times. “Jim was such a calming presence and we honestly couldn’t have asked for anyone better,” says Natalie.

Some of the most cherished parts of the day were the family connections woven into it. Natalie’s boys walked her part-way down the aisle before her dad met them and escorted her to Hamish, who had his daughter by his side as ‘best man’. “It was such a beautiful moment to have our children so involved,” says Natalie.

The couple’s first dance was another highlight, the product of 12 weeks of practise and choreography. “We had so much fun preparing for it and when the moment came it just felt perfect,” says Natalie. Hamish also surprised her with something extraordinary: a live painting by Bendigo artist Steven Stanley capturing the newlyweds’ embrace after their first kiss.

“We were blown away. It’s something we’ll cherish forever,” says Natalie. The reception reflected their desire to do things differently, creating an interactive experience that kept guests entertained throughout the evening. “We wanted people to remember the night as something unique and it turned out exactly how we hoped,” says Natalie.

For the couple, the day was everything they dreamed of with not a single hiccup to mention. “It really was perfect from start to finish,” says Natalie.

Their honeymoon was just as extraordinary. Starting in Switzerland, they cruised the Rhine through France and Germany, explored Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Montenegro, Greece and Italy, spent magical weeks in Istanbul, Portugal and Egypt, and finished with time in London. “It was the trip of a lifetime, full of adventure and romance,” says Natalie.

Now back home, married life feels blissful. “We’re just so happy and life feels complete,” says Natalie.

Her advice to other couples? “Take your time. Find a venue that really feels like you and pick vendors who want to help you create something special. Most importantly, make the big decisions together and it makes the whole journey that much more meaningful,” says Natalie.

TIME FOR TULIPS

As springtime returned for another year, so did one of our most special traditions.

More than 43,000 bulbs bloomed and brightened Pall Mall with vibrant colours during the Bendigo Annual Tulip Display, attracting visitors from all across the country for a glimpse of and frolick through the famed flowers.

GRAND FINAL GLORY FOR BLUES

As the Heathcote District Football League season came to a close, a nail-biting match had the crowds in Huntly captivated.

Edging out North Bendigo to secure the win, it was a particularly meaningful grand final for the Mount Pleasant Blues as they paid tribute to a club legend, the late Adam ‘Rawbone’ Tuohey.

downsizing with design

Practical, light-filled and personal – this new home blends modern design with treasured memories for a true forever home.

By Marina Williams - Photography by Leon Schoots

When Bendigo resident Drew Cahill decided it was time to leave the large family home he had shared with his late wife Sally, he knew exactly who to call. Architect Lucas Hodgens, of e+ architecture, had worked with Drew before, and the trust built during that earlier renovation made him the natural choice for this new chapter.

“I came from a very big block with lots of garden,” Drew recalls. “After Sally passed away three years ago, it was difficult to maintain. So, I sold that property and then I found this fantastic block of land where I am now. I could just see myself living here with views right out to the south-east. That was the catalyst.”

The 490-square-metre block was modest in size but rich with potential. Its gentle slope and unusually wide frontage set the scene for a home that would be both practical and light filled.

“The elevated block had a lovely wide street frontage, which is rare for a smaller site,” Lucas says. “It had great street presence with elevated views to the south-east overlooking Bendigo, and the rear faced north for wonderful light and solar control.

“Drew, with his years of experience, nailed the block; he knew exactly what was needed to allow the design to maximise the site.”

Orientation was key. Drew wanted sun and views, and Lucas angled the home accordingly. “There was really only one way to face it,” Drew says.

“Right across the east side I’ve got floor-to-ceiling windows, and I can sit in bed, raise the blinds and look straight out to the mountains. Nobody can look in, but I’ve got that view – it’s just wonderful.”

Lucas explains: “The brief was for a contemporary, clean aesthetic from the street; private yet open, with large expanses of glass and a natural material palette. It needed to allow for downsizing and ageing in place – this will be Drew’s forever home. Entertaining and long dinners were a must.”

The result is a single-level home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The open-plan kitchen, dining and living area flows to a north-facing alfresco.

Drew’s suite is set apart from two guest bedrooms and a full bathroom. “It gives me privacy but also room for family when they come up from Melbourne,” he says.

The house features Krause emperor bricks – longer and thinner than standard – in a light natural tone that delivers both elegance and practicality.

“It works remarkably well,” Lucas says. Privacy along the frontage was enhanced with brick battening to allow light and breeze while diffusing views.

Adds Drew: “You can look out, but people can’t look in. It’s another nice architectural feature, and I can sit in bed and look out to the mountains.” A brick-framed alcove off the main bedroom adds a private retreat.

For Drew, the brickwork is a standout. “They were very expensive, but everybody who drives past says, ‘wow, your bricks are fantastic’. Lucas put me onto them, and I’m so glad he did. They’ve even matured in colour as time’s gone by.”

Inside, Blackbutt timber floors and joinery bring warmth. Drew chose to echo features he and Sally had enjoyed in their previous home. “Why reinvent the wheel?” he says. “I knew what worked for me and my lifestyle.”

He also designed the entry around a cherished antique Austrian armoire. “It’s all hand-painted greens, creams and reds, and it just fits with the Blackbutt flooring and everything else.”

Soft neutral paint tones provide a calm backdrop throughout, allowing the natural materials and treasured pieces to stand out.

Natural light defines the interior. The lounge is glazed to both east and west, creating a sense of openness and seasonal balance. “There’s natural light flying all around the house,” Drew says.

A gas log fireplace, also set in the long Krause bricks, provides a focal point and continuity between exterior and interior. A large double garage with generous storage adds practical balance.

The build, managed by local builder Andrew McKinley, from McKinley Builders, progressed with minimal setbacks. Some extra footing and retaining work was needed, but overall, the process was seamless.

“Budgets only ever move one way, and that’s up,” Drew admits with a smile. “You never know what you will really find once you start digging. But I have the result I wanted, and the build and architect teams were a delight to work with.”

After an eight-month build, Drew had moved in.

“It’s small, it’s private in a lot of respects, but still open to the street,” he says. “It really is a house for all seasons.”

Although Drew made many decisions himself, he feels Sally’s presence throughout.

“I really think Sally was with me all the way,” he says quietly. “She was a great designer, with fashion and interiors. I was a real estate agent for 40 years and Sally did all the decorating. I’ve just taken a lot of what she did with me.”

That influence can be seen in the colours, textures and carefully chosen furniture. Their daughter Lil also contributed ideas, ensuring the home carries a sense of family continuity.

For Lucas, the project reflects how architecture can honour memory while creating a future-focused home. “It provides a warm yet still lightfilled interior, taking cues from our earlier project with Drew and Sally,” he says.

For Drew, the conclusion is simpler. “I’m really happy with the home –very happy,” he says.

Paul Gray Builders has been building homes in Bendigo and surrounding areas for over 25 years with a focus on design and quality.

In selecting Paul Gray Builders you benefit from the knowledge and expertise of a respected local builder, receiving a complete building experience.

BOUNCING INTO BENDIGO

Taking over the Bendigo Showgrounds for one weekend in September, Australia’s largest inflatable obstacle course absolutely thrilled local kids.

The action was epic, and the laughter was non-stop as they bounced and climbed along the 300-metre Tuff Nutterz course, with adults also joining in on the fun, often matching – or even outdoing – the kids’ excitement.

MUSICAL ROCKS BENDIGO

The Ulumbarra Theatre vibe was electric as Bendigo Theatre Company opened its latest show on a high note.

Family, friends and musical lovers filled the audience to cheer on the talented School of Rock cast as they sang, danced and played instruments, vividly bringing the beloved movie characters to life on stage.

fight knights

Buhurt is a sport straight out of the Middle Ages, where combatants with nerves of steel –and full-body armour to match – launch into battle in a spectacular medieval melee.

By Raelee Tuckerman -

Step back in time to the days of yore, when knights in shining armour clashed in public tournaments; fighting with swords, axes, clubs, maces and other weapons to entertain the peasants, impress the lords and ladies, and earn favour from the king.

Or instead, just head to the Bendigo Showgrounds when members of the Western Wolves buhurt club’s local chapter are practising their skills or demonstrating their historical craft.

This is not role play; it’s an international combat sport, with several Bendigo fighters returning from the recent world championships in Budapest with medals around their necks. Huzzah!!

“Buhurt is full-contact, full-force, medieval fighting,” explains Chris Fogwill, who took it up in 2013 when it was in its infancy in Australia and went on to establish what is now arguably the nation’s top club, Team Kraken in Melbourne, and the Ballarat-based Western Wolves that the local group of fighters is affiliated with.

“For me, it’s been an interest since childhood. That romanticised idea of knights and Arthurian myths appeals to me, though the more you look into it, not many knights were actually very ‘knightly’.

“But I just love combat sports and physically testing myself against others in a situation where there’s no malice or anger. Medieval times were the last period in history where it was really a purely physical test – once gunpowder came along it wasn’t as much about individual force.”

Put simply, buhurt involves group battles in an arena called a ‘list’ between teams wearing protective padding and heavy armour wielding period-appropriate weapons. The aim is to force opponents to ground; once they have three points of contact, they’re “down and out”.

Common categories are 5v5, 12v12 and 30v30, while individual duels include sword and shield, sword and buckler, two-handed longsword, polearm and outrance (a form of medieval-style mixed martial arts). Duels are usually scored bouts, rather than knockdowns.

Strict safety rules apply. All weapons are blunted and inspected beforehand and marshals wearing mostly yellow monitor the melees to ensure there are no prohibited thrusting motions or deliberate strikes to the feet, groin, behind the head or knees.

“The word itself comes from Old French and means ‘to clobber’,” says Chris, a retired army veteran who now manages a farm and spends time crafting metal armour and weapons.

While buhurt was once a term referring to group fights, it’s now used generically for the entire modern-day sport, which originated in Eastern Europe in the 1990s and was known as Historical Medieval Battles.

Chris has competed at several world championships and won various medals, including gold in the 30v30 category in July this year. His partner Ebony Davidson brought home bronze in the female 12v12, while Bendigo-raised Jordan Alston scored team gold in the 12v12 and 30v30, and individual bronze in the middleweight outrance.

Ebony – a mum of four – is among a growing number of female buhurt participants.

She knew nothing about the medieval scene before meeting Chris through jujitsu, tagging along to a duelling tournament at Kryal Castle and deciding to try it for herself.

“She came to training and entered a rookie rumble after only two or three sessions,” says Chris. “In her second fight, it was 2v2 and she took both the other girls out and the last one was 3v3 and she took out all three. She absolutely killed it – Eb’s quite the wrecking ball out there.”

Ebony continues: “That was the first time I’d ever put armour on. The next day, Chris and I jumped in and fought and I broke my axe on him. Honestly, I just love the fighting.”

Having only taken up buhurt two years ago, she is keen to see how far she can go when she overcomes some asthma challenges and hits her peak in fitness and skills.

And as a primary school teacher, there’s a bonus. “The kids love it,” she laughs. “For Book Week, they insisted I dress up in my armour… makes it easy to sort out a costume!”

Kameron Ritchie has successfully represented Australia in the annual Trans-Tasman Buhurt Cup for the past two years, getting the chance to live out a boyhood dream.

“I don’t know what it is about the era that grabbed me so hard, but I just loved knights and castles and all that sort of stuff,” he says. “Medieval history was pretty much the only class I ever listened in at school.

“I was involved in LARPing (live action role playing), which is medieval swordcraft, making up fun characters and having a good time but I wanted something a little more physical. I heard about this from a guy who also did it so I came across and have loved it ever since. I guess the idea of ‘fighting for your life’ is a good push for me.”

Kameron, Chris and Ebony are keen to encourage anyone with an interest in all things medieval to try buhurt. The club can lend equipment to newcomers to give them a taste of the sport before making any commitment (important when an entry-level set of armour, which can weigh 30-50kg, starts at around $3500).

“I’m all about getting people to come and give it a go,” says Kameron, “so we do our best to make it easy for them to try it out.”

Chris adds: “You don’t even have to be a fighter to be involved; we also always need marshals and other support staff. It’s the friendliest group in the world.”

He says he can’t imagine life without his medieval pastime.

“For as long as I can physically stand up in the armour, I think I will jump on the field. I don’t know how long I will be able to compete at the top level, but I will for as long as I can.”

You can see live buhurt demonstrations during the Bendigo Show in October. The club trains at the showgrounds on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 6pm, with full-armour sessions on Sundays at 4pm. Contact them via the Western Wolves: Bendigo Chapter Facebook page.