Go local first

from Bendigo Magazine - Issue 65 - Summer 2021/2022

Discovering Sandhurst

It has been a difficult 18 months. An 18 months like no other. But, as the temperature warms and summer starts, we can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

By Lisa Chesters, Federal Member for Bendigo - Photograph by AJ Taylor

You can feel the sense of anticipation in the air and the restrained excitement of a city that has been at rest. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit our hospitality, events and retail small businesses hard. They have borne the brunt of the necessary health restrictions that have been in place. Almost one in 10 jobs in small business disappeared following the 2020 lockdowns. Australia is home to over 3.5 million small businesses, 98.4 percent of all businesses in Australia, which contribute more than $410 billion to the economy every year. They truly are the backbone of our economy. We are incredibly lucky in Bendigo to have such a thriving small business community. Whether it’s the Star Cinema, Good Loaf bakery, Libertine florist, or our countless tradespeople, our small businesses kept our city running. Florists gave us colour in our homes, our cafes gave us familiar faces and regular conversation, and our tradespeople and mechanics helped us improve our homes and make sure we were ready to hit the road when we were able. But they didn’t just operate as usual. Many went above and beyond to help and provide moments of joy to remind us that, despite our relative isolation, we were still part of something bigger, part of a community. Last year, Awaken Coffee gave away free coffees to Centrelink workers, who over the past 18 months have worked tirelessly to ensure that people in our community get the help they need. Skip, through his store in Eaglehawk (Skip’s Skateboard Shop), has a pay-it-forward model, allowing customers to buy a coffee for the next person through his door. Simple, thoughtful, but powerful actions like these gave us a smile when we needed it, and a reminder that we weren’t alone. There are countless examples of small businesses going out of their way to bring joy and happiness. So many local businesses supported us. As we begin to open, we need to support them if we can. Go Local First began in July 2020 to support and promote small local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shutdowns and economic consequences. Its aim is very simple: to urge Australian consumers to buy locally from small businesses in their region to help get the sector back on its feet and keep Australians in jobs and money in local communities. So many of us have done the single most important thing to help our small businesses – and that’s getting vaccinated. Our vaccination rates are incredible and have been nation-leading for much of the rollout. I want to give a huge shout out to every single one of you who have gotten vaccinated, it is vitally important. And excitingly, we can see the benefits of our combined efforts begin to pay off. It fills me with cautious optimism for 2022. Our Bendigo community has proven time and time again we will get behind our small businesses. This summer, make it a summer that you Go Local First as much as you can. From your Christmas shopping, to planning your next big birthday or entertaining the kids over the holidays, think of ways that you can Go Local First. As we move into the new year, let’s keep our support as local as we can, as a thank you for the sacrifices that many local businesses made for us. For more information about the Go Local First campaign, visit golocalfirst.com.au

Casie and Olivia Kerrie and Amanda

HANDLE BAR SERVES UP THE TUNES

Live music is back on in Bendigo, with musos and fans equally loving it.

Handle Bar set the stage for piano wizard Andrew Farrell, with the crowd enjoying a relaxing November Friday night of tunes, brews and good vibes.

Mason, Taylah, Ellen and Darcy Mitch, Jess, Georgia and Spencer

Scott, Nicole, Mark, Peter, Lyn and Brian Shasta and Jason

“At Weeroona College Bendigo we “At Weeroona College Bendigo we care about our students and care about our students and help them to thrive.” help them to thrive.”

Health and Fitness Excellence

At WCB one of our priorities is Happy, Active, Healthy Kids. With this in mind we have recently completed some amazing projects:

Indoor Weights Room to support the Athlete Development Program. Outdoor Full Body workout gym. Indoor Cardio Room complete with specialty equipment and spin bikes to support Energy Breakthrough Training. A range of new electives including VCE PE.

SCAN TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY!

Damian, Nicole and Rick Leone, Wendy, Jen and Sharee

Lisa Brown, Talisa Williams, Dan Smith and Paul Brown Maria and Sandi

Melissa, Shane, Jillian and Lyle Paul Vickery and Ellen Butters

SCHOOL’S IN FOR LOVERS OF GIN

Attendees at the Regional Gin Gala were in fine spirits, raising a glass to sample and explore the history, production and styles of the classic beverage.

Nine distillers from across Central Victoria were on hand to pour a drink so the group could explore their products and processes.