Features

The highlight of Bendigo’s expansive Easter festivities quietly, then noisily, unfolded at a busy Golden Vine on Good Friday. It was the first public performance of Highway 79 – a long-time-coming collaboration between Rattlin’ Bones Blackwood and Colin Thompson. “Yeah, Highway 79 is a reference to the Calder.” Bones told me, “I live in Sunbury, and Col is in Bendigo. It’s the highway that connects us. It’s simple and honest.” It’s a collaboration that was probably always going to happen. The story Read More…

SOUTH MELBOURNE, 1952 – A determined young woman set out on the cold Winter streets of Melbourne riding a tricycle mounted with an insulated hot box carrying seventeen complete, three course meals to deliver to the elderly and those in need. The unknown lady on the tricycle was representing the Committee of the South Melbourne Home Help Auxiliary and thus began the practice of the Meals on Wheels ethos in Australia.

A change to her Point of View Author, Paula Boer, is coming apart. She has Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder.  Its diagnosis has changed her life. Paula Boer, was born in England and moved to Australia when she was 28. She now lives on 500 acres in the Snowy Mountains regions where she writes her books Brumbies. Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder.  It is usually hereditary but for Paula there does not seem to be a family link. Read More…

You may have heard about the two groups that clashed in Bendigo on Saturday, August 29th, 2015. Despite what the reason is perceived to be it wasn’t because of plans for a Mosque, or because of the potential increased presence of Muslims in the city. The rally, the speeches, the flag-burning were irrelevant; it was because a group of organised fascists and an unorganised group of anarchists that don’t agree on social and political issues needed to justify their existence.

It has been more than a year since the City of Greater Bendigo Council approved plans for the development of Bendigo’s first mosque, yet the project still faces uncertainty. One of the major reasons for the delay is an  Australia wide campaign of ‘organised objection’ to what are proposed to be places of worship and community. Critics of the campaigns describe them as ‘objection by remote control.’ According to the council meeting minutes of 18th June 2014, over 200 objections Read More…

The Westpac branch in Mitchell Street Bendigo is undergoing a major transformation. “It will become the Future of Banking in the region.” Westpac Bank Manager Steve Grady said.“The transformation will create new opportunities for the staff. Tellers will become advisors and they will be able to provide personal advice, becoming personal bankers.” he said. A Survey undertaken by the bank showed that people wanted to see a face. The new look Westpac branch will provide extended opening hours from 8-6 Monday Read More…