Bendigo Magazine - Issue 66 - Autumn, 2022

ISSUE 66 | AUTUMN 2022 bendigomagazine.com.au

A BURNING

ambition

IN DEEP

FEMALE FIREFIGHTERS JOIN THE RANKS

BEYOND SOUNDS THE RESONANCE ORCHESTRA IS ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY

ISSN 1833-1289 AUD $5.95 (Inc. GST)

WATER POLO PLAYERS BACK IN ACTION

the king

ROCK & ROLL ROYALTY EXHIBITION HAS ARRIVED

Evolution Pools is an owner-operated business so you will deal with our team from concept right through to completion. We are a small team dedicated to your entire pool project. We will keep your pool clean, healthy and safe all year round for your family’s enjoyment.

Evolution Pools offers a range of swimming pool options, including fibreglass, concrete and aboveground pools. We have been in the swimming pool industry for many years and are extremely experienced in the sales, installation, construction and service areas.

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GOLDEN DRAGON MUSEUM...

A LIVING HISTORY!

Ph: 03 5441 5044 www.goldendragonmuseum.org

Image: Yar Loong 1939 Collection: State Library of Victoria.

MANAGING EDITOR Dustin Schilling

dear reader, The leaves are turning red and gold, the days are getting shorter, and the nights are finally cooler. Autumn in Bendigo is a magical time of the year and with the return of the Bendigo Easter Fair there is much to be happy about this season.

After a two-year break, Bendigo’s water polo players have enjoyed getting back in the pool. Lauren Ellis discusses the upcoming Elvis: Direct from Graceland exhibition, which is sure to draw an international audience to the Bendigo Art Gallery.

Quarry Hill artist Wes Franklin creates art from the written word and Bendigo author Di Dempsey uncovers the hidden toll of war in her latest book.

Nurturing our youth and beginners, supporting them to achieve their goals are at the forefront of two regional organisations. One is the Country Fire Authority, where three female volunteers are on the verge of being qualified firefighters.

The other is the Resonance Orchestra, based in Woodend and Castlemaine, providing performance opportunities, tuition and friendship for musicians from young to old and beginner to experienced.

We encourage you to enjoy all that Bendigo has to offer.

Take care and happy reading.

FROM THE TEAM

ON THE COVER: Elvis Presley, publicity still for Jailhouse Rock, 1957. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.

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PHOTOGRAPHERS Leon Schoots, AJ Taylor and Daniel Soncin WRITERS Dianne Dempsey, Geoff Hocking, John Holton, Lauren Mitchell, Raelee Tuckerman, Sue Turpie and Marina Williams CONTRIBUTORS Beau Cook, Stephanie Dunne and Lisa Chesters 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.

Visit the Living Arts Space

Showcasing works created by local artists from Bendigo and the central Victorian region, the Living Arts Space presents exhibitions, workshops and artist talks throughout the year for a unique visitor experience celebrating the region’s contemporary arts, culture and heritage.

Find us on

Image credit: Daikota Nelson

Edible gifts Unearth locally grown and produced delights from the City and region of Gastronomy. Indulge with delicious treats to take home and savour your Bendigo experience.

Can’t decide on a gift for that special person in your life? Come in and let us help you create a one-of-a-kind, City of Gastronomy hamper.

Shop in-store or online.

Gift wrapping and click and collect available. www.uniquelybendigo.com.au

Make your own hamper • Local produce • Hand crafted items • Something for every budget • Complimentary gift wrapping

BENDIGO VISITOR CENTRE Open 9am to 5pm daily (except Christmas Day) 51-67 Pall Mall, Bendigo • 03 5434 6060 • tourism@bendigo.vic.gov.au www.bendigoregion.com.au • #Explore Bendigo • Find us on

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contents

PEOPLE & LIFE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 19

Direct from Graceland - Elvis Presley Exhibition

27

A steady hand - Wes Franklin

37

Casualties on the home front - Dianne Dempsey

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sounds special - The Resonance Orchestra

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In the line of fire - Volunteer firefighters

50

The perfect fit - Amy Yates

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Into the big league - Annabel Strahan

70

Pizza perfection - Recipe

58

Bendigo’s healthcare army - Lisa Chesters

74

Weekend notes - Wine tasting

60

Keeping it cool - Bendigo memories

76

A beautiful blend - Californian bungalow renovation

86

Sally and Adam - Local wedding feature

80

Material marvel - Architectural home feature

93

Power play - Bendigo Water Polo Club

88

Finishing touch - Outdoor living feature

FOOD, WINE & HOME

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Emporium Creative Hub is your space to create, connect, learn and grow.

Bendigo’s Creative Industries Community

Coworking Business

Residencies Creative

Incubation

Workshops

Networking

Mentoring

Social Events

Opportunities

Emporium Creative Hub is an initiative of Learn more at emporiumcreativehub.com.au

BENDIGO EASTER FAIR Starting in 1871, the Bendigo Easter Fair is one of Australia’s longest-running community events.

Following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the city is finally ready to celebrate its 150th Bendigo Easter Fair. Over the four-day Easter long weekend, Bendigo’s beautiful Rosalind Park and surrounding streets will be transformed into a vibrant precinct bursting with family-friendly entertainment, stage shows, hands-on activities, live music and more. Dancers, drummers, lion teams and 100,000 crackers will be part of the Chinese Spring Festival and Awakening of the Dragon. As the sun sets on Easter Sunday, find your place along the road to cheer on the convoy of illuminated floats in the Torchlight Procession, concluding with a fireworks display over the city.

The 150th Bendigo Easter Fair will culminate when thousands of people line the streets on Easter Monday to watch the gorgeous display of colour in the Gala Parade. Experience the excitement as Bendigo’s newest dragon, Dai Gum Loong (the world’s longest Imperial Dragon), weaves his way through the historic streetscapes of Bendigo in his first solo parade outing.

For more information, visit www.bendigoeasterfestival.org.au

oldies but goodies are back

After a notable absence the city is preparing for the Bendigo Easter Fair, while a wide range of performers will be taking to the stage. Top-class jockeys are ready to go the distance, writers want to effect change, and there are added extras to the Elvis exhibition.

GOLDEN MILE RACE DAY A fun day awaits punters and friends alike at the 2022 Golden Mile Race Day. The annual event, scheduled to be held in Bendigo on April 2, is shaping up to have an impressive field. There’s no need to dust off the bow tie or fascinator, as racegoers are encouraged to embrace country casual. The Bendigo Jockey Club has played host to punters and thoroughbreds for over 150 years, and the Golden Mile has proven to be a favourite with many Central Victorians, from lifelong members to those who just enjoy a great day out. Take in the sweeping views of one of Victoria’s premier racetracks, either positioned trackside or under cover from the comfort of an ornate and historic grandstand. Patrons can enjoy backing a winner from the bars or bookmakers on course at the event. Parking is free.

For further information or to make a booking, visit country.racing.com/bendigo 9

REVOLT INTO STYLE: HOW ELVIS REDEFINED MODERN ART When we look throughout history, we can appreciate the relationship between art and lifestyle, from the Baroque to the Classical, from Romantic to the Modern. To explore a more recent chapter in the power of music as an artform, audiences can join an Australian academic in Bendigo as he discusses one of the most famous performers ever known.

Dr Chris McAuliffe, professor and head of the Centre for Art History and Art Theory at the Australian National University School of Art and Design, will explore artistic responses to Elvis and how he redefined modern art.

Dr McAuliffe has taught and written extensively on the relationship of art and popular music, and organised the symposium Tinnitus on art and rock music. Revolt into Style: How Elvis Redefined Modern Art will be held from 2pm-3pm on Saturday, May 14, at the La Trobe Art Institute, 121 View Street, Bendigo.

Visit www.bendigoregion.com.au for more information.

BOOBS BOOBS is a ground-breaking tale of mammary proportions that follows one woman and her two breasts through a lifechanging decision, a million opinions, a natural disaster and an “Australian first”. When Selina Jenkins chose to undergo elective surgery of a fiercely personal nature, she hoped for good health and great results, but she didn’t anticipate the metaphorical hurricane of resistance that surrounded her decision. Selina is a multi-award-winning cabaret artist, acclaimed musician and celebrated musical comedian.

She is also no stranger to adventure, with past productions recapping horse riding escapades across Mongolia, the accidental ingestion of an endangered species and surviving homelessness due to homophobia during the Australian Same Sex Marriage postal survey. Her distinctive style of story-telling marries humour and heartbreak among cleverly written songs and thought-provoking anecdotes. BOOBS is the story of one individual’s determination as she unwittingly shakes the foundations of how we perceive gender, body autonomy and boobs in general.

BOOBS will be performed at the Engine Room on May 26 and tickets can be booked through gotix.com.au

Photo: Alison Fairley 10

29 MARCH ULUMBARRA THEATRE INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF AUSTRALIA’S FIRST XI

AN ENSEMBLE THEATRE PRODUCTION

BY GEOFFREY ATHERDEN

DIRECTED BY WESLEY ENOCH

BOOK NOW AT GOTIX.COM.AU This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

AN AFTERNOON WITH THE MSO Australian horn player-turned-conductor Peter Luff is partnering with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to bring an eclectic program of classical music to Ulumbarra Theatre, featuring work from Bonis, Kodály, Haydn and RimskyKorsakov.

French composer Mélanie Bonis was highly regarded in her time but, as with many women in classical music, her presence has been obscured over the course of history. It’s fitting, then, that the orchestra will perform her haunting piece of swirling harmonies and quiet strength titled Legendary Women.

Kodály is perhaps best remembered for inventing the Kodály method – a system known by many primary school students and Sound of Music lovers, where notes of the scale are associated

with hand signals. Kodály’s other major contribution to music was his celebration of Hungarian folk melodies on the orchestral stage, such as the beguiling dances from Galánta, a town on the train line from Budapest to Vienna, highlighted in this concert.

MSO associate principal cellist Rachael Tobin will perform Haydn’s First Cello Concerto, a flowing and virtuosic showcase of the instrument that dances in perfect counterpoint with the orchestra.

And with boisterous percussion and jovial brass, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol showcases the virtuosity of individual instruments in the orchestra through the amalgamation of Spanish dances and Russian gypsy music.

The MSO will perform at Ulumbarra Theatre from 3pm on March 19. To book, visit gotix.com.au

CHANGE IS COMING A curation of dynamic writers and theorists from a diverse range of fields will come together for Dialogues 2022 – Change Your Thinking, a collaborative reflection on the issues of ‘CHANGE’.

The event will be held from April 7 to 10 at the Castlemaine Goods Shed and venues throughout Castlemaine. It aims to stimulate active discourse where speakers and audiences challenge, inform, reassure and inspire each other.

The program will include keynotes, panel discussions, in-conversation events, literary lunches and poetic creative interventions, all designed to encourage engagement.

It features progressive thinkers and writers from Australia and beyond, via livestream, discussing all aspects of ‘CHANGE’ and its impact on our community, individuals, economy and environmental landscape.

Speakers will challenge and engage with the audience, encouraging them to instigate, embrace, reject and consider outcomes of change along the way.

The line-up of writers and guests includes Bill and Chloe Shorten, Van Badham, Julia Banks, Tim Burrowes, Gabrielle Chan, Dr Anika Molesworth, Alex Kelly, Stephanie Alexander and many more.

The Dialogues 2022 program will be livestreamed allowing accessibility for audiences who cannot attend and if lockdown or significant COVID restrictions apply during event dates, the entire project will be delivered online.

For details, visit www.castlemainefestival.com.au

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2022

RACEDAY

SATURDAY 2 APRIL CITY RACING COUNTRY ATMOSPHERE Over $1.4 million in prizemoney on offer PACKAGES AVAILABLE Carlton Draught Punters Club - Fingerfood, Beer, Wine, Champagne & Soft drink $125 Mini Marquees $400 – 10 pax Trackside Umbrella Package $300 – 10 pax Terrace and Deck - Cash Bar $600 20-30 guests General Admission $20 • Kids Under 16 Free

Phone 03 5448 4209 Email info@bendigo.countryracing.com.au country.racing.com/bendigo

ELVIS ON SCREEN To quote the words of producer Hal B. Wallis: “An Elvis Presley picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood.” In a fitting addition to the Elvis exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery, fans can meet Paramount Pictures costume expert and archivist Randall Thropp and Elvis: Direct from Graceland curator Lauren Ellis, as they discuss the legendary star’s time at the film studio.

They will also examine the work of costume designer Edith Head, who created a swathe of iconic looks for Elvis and his leading ladies. Many will be aware of Edith’s works, which were prominently showcased in a 2018 exhibition at the gallery.

Elvis on Screen will be held from 6pm-7pm on May 26 in the Bendigo Bank Theatre at The Capital, 50 View Street, Bendigo.

Tickets cost $10 and bookings can be made via www.bendigoregion.com.au

THE AUSTRALIAN TENORS Five of the best tenor voices in Australia will bring their sensational program – along with romance, excitement, warmth and humour – to their performance at Bendigo’s Capital theatre at 2pm on Sunday, April 24. The Australian Tenors are Murray Mayday, Lorenzo Rositano, Martin Buckingham, John Donohoe and Michael Butchard. Their concert encapsulates the spirit, beauty and vocal demand of truly authentic tenor voices and will feature a variety of genres of the beautiful tenor repertoire. The audience can look forward to hearing the ever-popular classical arias from operas such as the tenor-trademark Puccini’s Nessun Dorma and Verdi’s Anvil Chorus. The Australian Tenors will also delight with songs from hit musical theatre productions, including The Impossible Dream from Man of La Mancha and Somewhere from West Side Story, as well as Neapolitan favourites Funiculi Funicular, O Sole Mio and Luna Mezza Mare. Beautiful duets will be featured including Romeo and Juliet’s A Time for Us and the Holy City. A performance from world-renowned The Australian Tenors is never complete without home classics such as Waltzing Matilda, Australia My Country and I Am Australian.

PRINT INFO Colours

For further information, visit www.tenors.com.au

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ON-TREND BOUTIQUE IS ALL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE The boutique laine & col opened in Maldon’s main street only six months ago. Owner Jane has quickly established the boutique as a trend-setter. With many unique but well known quality labels, catering for all demographics.

The shop design and decor has been well considered and features some beautiful pieces to offset the latest clothing designs.

Jane has chosen timeless linens, cottons, silk and fashion favourites as well as matching imported leather shoes and bags. There is also superb range of the most delicate imported and local perfumes. laine & col is located in a historic Maldon building, with the mainstay of appeal being the beautiful chandelier that catches your eye as you enter this very feminine inspired portal. This is well worth a visit when you are in Maldon … or simply make it a destination.

For further information about this new business, including shop hours and stock, phone 0437 209 208.

Visit laine & col at 5 Main Street, Maldon, or follow on Instagram: laine_and_col

looking to the future

It’s with thanks to loyal public patronage that these businesses can uphold timehonoured values while forging ahead.

HEARD & CO. SCORES AGAIN Independent boutique real estate agency Heard & Co. Real Estate has cemented itself as one of Victoria’s finest, again winning many awards with independent review platform RateMyAgent.

For the past four years, the platform has recognised Greg Heard as the number one agent for the Bendigo region. RateMyAgent features independent reviews from sellers and buyers about their experience in dealing with agents and agencies Australia-wide.

Greg was ranked number 22 in the Top agents for Victoria and ranked in the Top 100 agents for Australia for client satisfaction and sales results.

Greg and his growing team are extremely proud of their achievements of the past four years.

“The accomplishments come from a vision to establish an honest brand that our local community can trust,” he says of the familyowned business.

“An exciting future is on the horizon for Heard and Co. The foundation we are setting, built on trust and integrity through oldfashioned hard work, is already respected and can only grow from where we are now.”

To learn more about Heard & Co. Real Estate and the team visit, www.heardandco.com.au

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CAFÉ SURVIVES WITH LOCAL SUPPORT As we look back on the pandemic and life begins to resemble preCOVID days, the owners of Percy and Percy reflect on the support of their patrons that got them through some difficult times.

This trendy café in residential Bendigo, with a team of 15 staff members, sits on the fringe of the CBD. For nine years, it’s been treating the public to excellent coffee and quality café-style food.

“We started our business from scratch in 2012,” Elisha says.

“Myself and my builder husband Dan saw a change in the café culture of Bendigo and decided to jump on the bandwagon.”

“We are so proud we survived the brunt of covid thanks to the support of our amazing community.”

“We are now in continual recovery mode as we continue to transition into the new COVID normal and face new challenges head on.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming new team members, new customers and continue offering our fabulous catering to the corporates as they head back to their offices and new flexible working arrangements.”

Percy and Percy is located at 110 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo.

For further information, phone 54422997 or visit www.percyandpercy.com.au

TIMELESS QUALITY IN FAMILY BUSINESS This year, an iconic Bendigo establishment celebrates 75 years of business. Valentines Furniture started in 1947 with the opening of the first store in Queen Street by Fred Valentine. It has now been overseen by three generations of the one family. Andrew Valentine himself celebrates 30 years in the business this year and, with his wife and team, has recently refreshed the business with new and exciting store upgrades, latest styling trends and of course the very best of furniture brands in Australia.

THE BEST LAWN FOR KIDS & DOGS If you’re in the market for backyard turf that will withstand the rough and tumble of kids and dogs, it’s best to choose a variety with a high wear-tolerance and self-repairing characteristics Moama residents Stuart and Janine Milgate are proof that magnificent results can be achieved by choosing a lowmaintenance turf variety that’s well suited to your conditions and lifestyle.

The couple, who own two labradors, installed Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo on the recommendation of the Coolabah Turf team – and they’ve never looked back.

“It’s just such a beautiful, hardy and drought-tolerant grass, I don’t put much water into it. I simply follow Coolabah’s seasonal maintenance guide to the letter to keep it strong and healthy,” says Stuart.

“We have two monstrous labs that are very hard on the lawn, but it holds up so well, you wouldn’t even know they were there.”

Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo is an all-round turf variety that’s great with pets and kids and is well suited to the Australian climate. It’s easy to install, drought-tolerant, is low-maintenance, self-repairing and non-invasive. It has a broad, soft luscious leaf that’s a great performer in high-wear areas and is the top-selling and best-performing grass for Aussie back yards. Sir Walter is the most versatile turfgrass available for residential home yard environments as it will perform well in full sun and part shade.

Find out more at www.coolturf.com.au

Valentines Furniture has a reputation for quality furniture and service. Today it is owned by Andrew and his wife Jenny, who recently welcomed another staff member to their team.

“Further upgrades and development are planned this year and into the future as we build arguably the very best and comprehensive retail store in Victoria,” says Andrew.

“Valentines furniture currently supplies leading furniture brands such as Moran, Lazboy, Stressless, IMG and more, to the Greater Bendigo area,” Andrew says. “We have always sourced the best furniture available in each furniture category we sell and, along with a high level of customer service, we offer great value for money. We offer a best price guarantee on all products sold, giving piece of mind to our customers.”

They can also boast stocking Sressless, the world’s leading supplier of ergonomically designed chairs and sofas, exclusively in Bendigo at Valentines Furniture.

Valentines Furniture is located at 56 Beischer Street, Bendigo.

For further information, phone 03 5441 6983 or visit www.valentinesfurniture.com.au

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Elvis on stage for the groundbreaking concert Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite, 1973. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.

direct from Graceland The king of rock and roll joins a distinguished list of guests to be hosted by the Bendigo Art Gallery.

By Dianne Dempsey While the blockbuster has become a well and truly established tradition in the art world, some eyebrows have been raised at the thought of Elvis Presley coming to town and having his way amongst the hallowed statues of the Bendigo Art Gallery. It may have been OK to host the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Mary Quant, but is Elvis a dance move too far?

Curator of the Elvis: Direct from Graceland exhibition Lauren Ellis argues that Elvis is a natural progression for the Bendigo gallery which has been celebrating style icons and fashion history for the past decade or so. “We’ve been aware that we haven’t really looked at a seminal figure in men’s fashion, style and culture as yet,” she says. “Fashion and style history is obviously one of our strengths and Elvis Presley actually had a radical sense of style; so part of this biographical exhibition will be about how he created this style

himself, almost like an artist.”

Lauren hopes the exhibition will impress upon the general public that Elvis’s iconic style was not imposed on him in the way of the Monkees or the Spice Girls. “From early on, Elvis was aware of his appearance,” she says. “He was a creative, unique young man who became more determined in his own individualistic fashion and style – alongside his music. He grew his hair and sideburns, wore dress pants, box jackets and colourful clothes. He even went into his classes at high school wearing make-up.”

She says the Memphis clothing store Lansky Bros, was a major influence on Elvis. The store was patronised by musicians such as Count Basie, Lionel Hampton and B.B. King. And like Elvis, these musicians were about presenting themselves in strong, vivid clothes that would represent their music and enhance their performances.

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“It probably took some courage for a young man like Elvis to make that sort of statement,” Lauren says. “I think his unique attitude towards not only his music, which he loved, but fashion helps explain how Elvis became Elvis.

“Once ‘the Colonel’ Tom Parker began managing Elvis’s career in 1955, his fame increased exponentially and Parker did everything possible to capitalise on this fame; that was when, arguably, Parker invented the notion of the celebrity as a commodity.”

While the idea for the Elvis Presley exhibition has been circulating around the gallery team for some years, Lauren says they were aware that he would be a very big fish to try and land.

“Fortunately, the introduction to Elvis came from colleagues at Paramount Pictures who we worked with a couple of times, most intensively for the Edith Head exhibition, and they were able to assist in an introduction to the Graceland team. It’s been quite a bit of a process – we had to work out a vision and earn their trust, as they’re very protective of Elvis’s story. Naturally he’s a living memory to Priscilla, his former wife, and to Lisa Marie, his daughter, and to the many people still involved in Graceland. So it was a slow process of building up our relationship with them and arriving at a story we could tell here.”

RIGHT: Elvis Aaron Presley aged 2 with parents Gladys and Vernon in Tupelo, 1937. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC. BELOW: Elvis with parents Vernon and Gladys, in uniform at Graceland, 1958. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.

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Elvis in a studded blue jumpsuit on stage in Las Vegas, 1972. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.

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Such is their confidence in the calibre of the Bendigo exhibition that Priscilla be flying from Los Angeles to attend the launch in person.

And while the Graceland team has produced a few international exhibitions, Lauren says this is the first time it has collaborated with a major art gallery to curate a blockbuster-strength exhibition, starting with Elvis’s impoverished childhood and reflecting how his natural musical ability fused with the gospel and R&B music of the times. Other biographical elements include his concerts and movies, the abiding love Elvis had for his mother, and the importance of Graceland as his home and haven.

While most of the discussions and negotiations with the Graceland team were done via Zoom meetings, Lauren says when the borders opened early this year, she made a mad dash to Memphis to meet the archives team in Graceland and finalise the arrangements.

“Even driving up Elvis Presley Boulevard, as it’s now called, and getting a glimpse of the mansion was exciting,” she says. “As it was winter over there, I was lucky to practically get the place to myself.

Stepping into Graceland for the first time, I was just transported by how warm and functional it was, alongside the playful, eclectic patchwork of the interior design.”

ABOVE: Elvis on the bridge in Bad Nauheim Germany, 1959. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved.

Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC. TOP: Elvis and Priscilla on their wedding day, 1 May 1967. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved.

Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC. LEFT: Elvis on stage in Tampa, Florida in 1955, captured in an image that would be used for the cover of his first album. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.

Lauren’s visit wasn’t all bells and whistles. Most of her time was spent with the staff assessing agreed-upon artifacts in terms of their size and eventual display in Bendigo. And in case people are wondering, the lavish, iconic jumpsuits, influenced by costume designer Bill Belew, will also be on display.

Given the depressing nature of COVID over the past two years, Elvis will bring to gallery visitors a shot in the arm of an entirely different nature.

The exhibition will include over 300 items, including costumes, vintage memorabilia, photographs and other items from the Graceland archives.

Elvis: Direct from Graceland is showing at the Bendigo Art Gallery from March 19-July 17. Phone 5434 6088 for more information.

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Bailey Cook and Henry Sheahan

Emma Berglund, Bree Rowe and Peta Nind

Joel Barnett and Brandon de Wys

Kim Lowe and Ginny Jeong

Natalie Ryan and Libby Noblet

Shaun Langdon, Trilby Langdon and Adam Staples

CREATIVE MINDS ON SHOW A cohort of creatives gathered at The Capital theatre for the conclusion of the Emporium Creative Hub Incubator.

Participants came from a wide range of creative industries including film, fashion and design, pitching their innovative ideas to arts leaders and peers. The 12-week program aided entrepreneurs in kick-starting their businesses and sharpening their skills.

CORTILLE IS NOW A LICENSED VENUE SERVING A RANGE OF LOCAL BEER AND WINE Our seasonal main menu includes delicious favourites such as mushroom crumpets, cauliflower and gorgonzola fritters, fried chicken and waffles, 5 grain porridge and lamb salad served daily from 8am - 3pm.

From 4pm - 8pm Friday and Saturday evenings we offer a light tapas style menu.

Showcasing a love for specialty coffee, all day breakfast and lunch, complemented by our friendly staff.

cortille est.2013

Open 7 days | 322 Lyttleton terrace, Bendigo | Ph: 5444 3082 |

Carla, Tully and Taine Lang

Matisse and Alexys Higgins, Willow Michielsen and Aubrey Higgins

Rebecca Beagley and Kimberly Egan

Jenny McGrath, Tara and Gus O’Connor and Nicole, Charlotte and Jenny Ashby

Nathan Deppeler, Hugh Casey and Beau Caia

Simone Jackson and Hayley Harrington

FUN RUN RETURNS Among the trees at Rosalind Park was the start and finish line for the first Bendigo Ford Fun Run in three years.

Participants raised vital funds for the children’s ward at Bendigo Health through the multi-length events, all weaving through downtown Bendigo.

Keen youngsters had a go at a 1km dash, supported by their parents.

a steady hand

Welcome to the world of Wes Franklin, where work becomes art.

By Dianne Dempsey - Photographs by Leon Schoots

When we meet in his Quarry Hill studio, graphic designer Wes Franklin explains that while people are familiar with the world of typography, his passion – hand lettering – is a process that starts with the alphabet and the written word and then extends into something that is both utilitarian and beautiful.

With mesmerising dexterity, Wes picks up a brush pen and shows me how particular strokes can turn the prosaic into art. How the curl of the “flourish” can take words into the realm of the aesthetic.

Wes describes how the art of lettering is embedded in history – in the first marks humans made on stone and parchment. While initially it was thought that computers might mean lettering

would become obsolete, modern lettering artists have ensured its resurgence.

It’s not uncommon for lettering artists to create their own typefaces.

Herb Lubalin (1918-1981), who designed many iconic logos and typefaces, also created the title lettering for The Sound of Music.

And Ken Barber is famous for his Jimmy Kimmel Live logo, which immediately suggests showbusiness, entertainment and fun.

So prevalent is the world of typography that we underestimate the brilliance of a design that breaks through the crowd of words; a design that stays indelibly in the mind’s eye and intrinsically and cleverly reflects the client’s message.

27

Wes says he tries to keep his own style flexible in order to be able to draw whichever style is appropriate for a client’s project, whether it be a book cover, a t-shirt or a mural. He graduated in 2004 in graphic design from RMIT and eventually built his own business, where his many clients include start-ups, small businesses, nonprofits and community groups.

Wes encourages a collaborative approach to achieving the ultimate design for his clients. The designs may be related to logos and brand identity; custom typography and lettering; or the wonderfully rich and fulfilling world of mural art.

“Lettering is how I distinguish myself from other muralists,” Wes says. “And it gives my clients a way of putting their message on a wall in a literal fashion. But at the same time, they have the satisfaction of having commissioned a form of art.”

A recent example of a Wes Franklin mural can be seen on the wall of the Kangaroo Flat library, where Wes collaborated with visual artist Rachel Doller. His unique lettering is enhanced by Rachel’s predilection for colours of the landscape and geometric shapes. As for the library message, Wes chose a quote from Dr Seuss, “Oh the places we’ll go”.

Wes believes the great aspect of street art is its accessibility. For the uninitiated, there are no daunting portals of an art gallery to walk through; and as far as Wes is concerned, he has the joy of working outdoors and engaging with curious passers-by. It is a given that murals in progress will attract inquisitive people like magpies to shiny objects.

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A favourite question of the curious public is about basic mural technique and Wes’s simplified reply goes something like this: if you are working on an interior wall, you can use a projector to project your original design straight onto the wall and then trace and paint in the image. Otherwise for exterior walls, you mock-up a design to scale within a grid; you then draw a larger grid on your wall and use chalk transpose the shapes and marks within the relevant square of the grid.

After the interview, Wes takes me from his garden studio through to his house for coffee. The living room is warm with artwork and colourful furnishings and the hubbub of his three bouncy boys: Archie, 12, Chase, 10, and Rhonan, two. Wes’s wife, Heidi Franklin, teaches art at Creek Street Christian College and when she has time, works on illustrating her current project, a children’s picture book.

Before coming to Bendigo three years ago, the family lived for four years in Darwin, a city Wes says seemed to bring him closer to the country of his childhood. Wes and his siblings grew up in Papua New Guinea, where his parents worked as missionaries.

Indeed, a hallmark of Wes’s art practice is his generosity of spirit, which is to inspire others to explore their own creativity. “I think creativity in all its forms – visual art, poetry, stories, music, carpentry, whatever – is an expression of who we were made to be,” he says. “Not many things make me happier than seeing people expressing their creativity to the world.”

At which point, with perfect timing, little Rhonan comes racing into the room to proudly show us his latest painting.

Wes Franklin will be offering lettering workshops later in the year. For inquiries, contact him via wjfranklin.com or Instagram: wj_franklin

30

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ATHLETES AWARDED IN STYLE

Anne, Ray, Griffin and Louis Moore

Catherine and Caitlyn McLean and Mary Murphy

Carmelo, Larissa, Dominic and Madeline Petterlin

Jazlyn and Milo Chambers, Arlie Jones and Maddison Allan

BELOVED NANNY ON THE BIG SCREEN A practically perfect screening of Mary Poppins Returns made for a super start to Summer in the Parks in 2022.

Jessica, Jude and Harper Clayton

Joel, Ree, Isla, Edie and Lucy Patching

Chairs and blankets were spread across the Garden for the Future lawn for the free outdoor cinema event, brought to the community by the City of Greater Bendigo and Fosterville Gold Mine.

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casualties on the home front An interview for a Bendigo Magazine feature became the catalyst for this local author’s latest book, uncovering the terrible hidden toll of war on the families of our defence veterans.

By Raelee Tuckerman - Photography by Leon Schoots

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Dianne Dempsey has accomplished much throughout her literary career, penning columns and features for major metropolitan newspapers and writing book reviews, her own novel and awardwinning screenplays – even episodes of TV soap Neighbours. But her most recent publication is possibly her most poignant, telling real-life stories of Australian women and children whose loved ones battled post-traumatic stress disorder after serving their country.

Her book, When He Came Home: The Impact of War on Partners and Children of Veterans, lifts the lid on the seldom-aired subject of how PTSD affects those living with and caring for sufferers with a military background and how inadequate the defence response to their plight has been.

“The impact of war really endures,” says Dianne. “It doesn’t finish when the fighting ends – it continues when a soldier returns home, walks into his house and sits down… their war is still going.

“PTSD doesn’t always occur straight away – sometimes it can happen when there’s a crisis in their lives, even 20 years or more later. While progress is being made, it’s a very hard condition to treat and no one has a magic cure.”

Dianne first learned of the devastating impact of PTSD on marriages and families when interviewing two local Vietnam veterans for a Bendigo Magazine story in 2016.

“Both men said their wives were saints. They’d been through a terrible time and their wives held their hand through it all and kept them from the brink. At the time I was writing, there was academic research on the impact of PTSD on the family, but it hadn’t filtered through to the general public as an accessible book that people could read and talk about.”

So Dianne wrote about the illness among veterans from a historical point of view, then shared the deeply personal experiences of more than 30 women, men and children, with a strong focus on Vietnam veterans’ families but also some affected by contemporary conflicts.

38

“The Vietnam wives didn’t have a clue about what was going on,” she says. “They grew up with the notion that marriage was forever and weren’t going to give up on that easily, so they showed enormous loyalty to their blokes, who they really loved. But one of the symptoms of PTSD is a sense of alienation, so often the veterans’ impulse was to go off by themselves or take their families out of town to live, which isolated them. They then had to deal with their husbands’ depression, anger and lashing out behind closed doors. There were a lot of secrets nobody knew about.”

Suicide was not uncommon and the legacy is now intergenerational.

Dianne turned to Bendigo branches of service organisations like Legacy, the RSL and Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia to find women willing to open up about their ordeal.

“I found one or two locally and, once I earnt their trust, they suggested others who agreed to be interviewed. On the grounds of highlighting the issue and helping other women realise they’re not alone, they were very generous in talking about what they’d been through.”

Gwen Cherne, who lost husband Peter Cafe to suicide in 2017 after several tours in the Middle East, made a lasting impression on Dianne.

“She was an American working for a non-profit and Peter was in the SAS but doing security for her organisation. They fell madly in love and came back to Australia but, sadly, he developed PTSD. Even though he was aware of the condition, he couldn’t overcome his terrible mood swings, anger and depression and everyone was always walking on eggshells.

“Gwen did everything she could, but the two of them together could not defeat it and one day Peter took his own life.” Gwen has become an advocate for veterans’ families and recently testified at the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

“The other woman whose story stayed with me is Julie-Ann Finney, who lost her son David. She was one of the people instrumental in getting the Royal Commission started.”

Dianne launched her book last year in Bendigo, Ballarat and the Vietnam Veterans Museum on Phillip Island, at functions supported by the RSL and the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia. She says veterans have been accepting and encouraging of her work, even though it highlights confronting themes. “One told me it was wonderful that I was honouring the women.”

While Dianne grew up in Melbourne, she spent childhood holidays in Bendigo with her grandparents and developed an “abiding love” for the area, eventually putting roots down here in 1984.

“The lovely thing about living here is that I know where my grandparents and great-grandparents came from. I can see the houses they lived in and the land they walked on and know their history, and I’m never far away from my lineage. Not everybody has that opportunity.”

Unsurprisingly, Bendigo is often reflected in her writing – Dianne’s debut novel Girls in Our Town is set around the nearby Whipstick Forest and she is currently working on a biography of Golden Dragon Museum founder Russell Jack, a descendant of herbalists and market gardeners.

“He is a fabulous person with a fabulous story,” she says. “I want to reflect through Russell the history of the Chinese in the Bendigo region from the Gold Rush.”

Dianne taught English and drama to primary, secondary and TAFE students before deciding at age 40 to concentrate on her freelance writing career, having already established herself as a contributor to mastheads including the Age, the Sunday Age, the Herald and Herald Sun. Her screenplay for short film Gorilla Girls won several awards at international festivals and she worked on TV scripts for All Together Now and Neighbours during the 1990s.

“That part of my CV impresses younger people,” she laughs.

“Travelling around the UK with my daughter and a group of tourists, we’d be in a pub and they’d tell people I had written for Neighbours.

Next minute, they’d be buying us drinks and taking my photo!”

But Dianne is most proud of how she forged her journalism career – selling stories to metropolitan papers while still teaching, and seeing them published ahead of pieces written by formally trained journalists.

“I taught myself and didn’t go into a newsroom until I began working for the Bendigo Weekly in 2012. Some people start in a regional newspaper and work their way to the city papers. I seem to have done it the other way around.”

When He Came Home: The Impact of War on Partners and Children of Veterans is available at Bendigo Dymocks, Australian Scholarly Publishing and selected retailers.

39

BIKES REV UP THE CROWDS

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Motorcycles were lined up as far as the eye could see at Wellsford Rifle Range for Shovel Fest Bendigo.

Crowds were keen to check out the beasts on display, and shovelheads and ironheads were presented to a judging panel by their proud owners.

Live music and beer also flowed throughout the day.

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Running enthusiasts from Athletics Bendigo and Bendigo Little Athletics aimed for personal bests at the Memorials Night run.

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in the line of fire A sense of community sparks a burning passion for three young female trainee volunteer firefighters.

By Raelee Tuckerman - Photography by Leon Schoots Sarah Mildern and Montanna Maud were grade one classmates on an overnight school camp at the Discovery Centre in 2010 when a smoke alarm sounded, causing them to be evacuated in their pyjamas until firefighters – including the father of a fellow pupil – arrived and gave the all-clear.

“I still remember the fire trucks coming,” laughs Montanna. “It was the highlight of our camp.”

after two years of COVID-interrupted preparations.

They’ve been studying, training, educating and fundraising since signing on in 2019 – the Maud sisters with the Mosquito Creek brigade near Lake Eppalock and Sarah at Junortoun, where both her parents are already operational CFA volunteers.

Those wide-eyed little girls are now community-minded 18-yearolds who, along with Montanna’s older sister Morgan, have joined the Country Fire Authority’s 53,000 registered volunteers and are themselves on the verge of becoming Central Victoria’s newest qualified firefighters.

“We come each Sunday for training,” says 24-year-old Morgan, “and over new year we went on a truck visiting the caravan parks and campsites around the lake and made ourselves known. We came across some campers who had no idea what they could and couldn’t do regarding campfires, or what the risks were, and they had no fire plan in case of emergency.

“We are just waiting to sit our final exams, which we hope to do very soon,” says Morgan of the three-hour theory and day-long practical assessments that will finally allow them to respond to emergencies

“We also let local people know that we are the faces that have your back – if something goes wrong, we are going to be there to help protect you and ensure you are safe.”

42

“It was great for us to be able to educate people in a non-stressful environment,” adds Montanna, “both about fire risks and about CFA in general. So many people are really interested in why we do it and what it involves.”

Encountering the young women in their turn-out gear is a common conversation starter. But females make up almost a quarter of CFA’s total membership and 15% of its 29,000 operational volunteers.

Chief Officer Jason Heffernan says women are an integral part of the organisation. “The women of CFA are incredible role models who display strength, determination, diversity of skill and adaptability.

They make extraordinary contributions as leaders and mentors of their brigades and their communities.

“Our younger generation is the future of CFA and we want to continue attracting and retaining members of diverse backgrounds and experiences that reflect our communities and help us protect lives and properties.”

For these three recruits, the value of volunteering was the spark that fuelled their foray into the emergency service as young adults.

About 5500 CFA members are aged 18-24.

“I’ve been brought up to be community-minded and have been volunteering for as long as I can remember,” says Sarah, a first year criminology and psychological science student at La Trobe who has helped out at Bendigo Spirit basketball games, children’s Christmas concerts, Easter parades and on the Bendigo youth council. “I enjoy surrounding myself with people, so knowing I can do that and really help people at the same time is what drew me to CFA. And I instantly fell in love with it.”

Montanna Maud

43

Sarah Mildern

The Mauds, too, have long devoted their spare time to statewide pony club activities and the Axedale events committee, and are always keen to broaden their experiences.

“We were new to this area and wanted to meet people,” explains Morgan. “Our neighbour was the 2nd lieutenant at Mosquito Creek and he suggested we join CFA. We didn’t know much about it but we thought it would be a great way to give back to this community.

“Now they almost can’t get rid of us because we love it so much we are always here!”

Morgan is a prep teacher at St Francis of the Fields Primary, where her sister works as a classroom assistant while studying psychology at university. They say they are gaining valuable life skills from CFA that they can share with family, friends and their young charges.

“I use what I learn to help kids at the school be more aware of their surroundings, less intimidated by firefighters, and understand the volunteer ethos,” Morgan says. The day she got her CFA uniform, she dressed up for the kids, who initially worried she wasn’t going to be their teacher anymore.

“I explained of course I would be, but that in addition to teaching, I would get to wear the uniform and help people on weekends and before and after school. It helps them see that CFA is just normal people out there fighting fires.”

CFA anecdotes are now a regular topic of dinner table talk, and the trio take much more notice of things in their everyday lives that would likely pass others by.

“We do little risk assessments everywhere we go, noticing hazardous trees, properties that would be difficult to leave, or hard to get trucks into,” says Montanna, who confesses she used to be “terrified of fire, actually” until training and support from fellow brigade members helped ease her fears.

44

Morgan Maud

Lisa Maud, who is about to join her daughters at Mosquito Creek CFA in a non-firefighting support role, tells the story of the day she was mulching a garden bed against her house when her youngest intervened with some words of advice. “She said, ‘No Mum, you shouldn’t do that, you need to find a more suitable (less flammable) option’.”

While traditionally considered a male-dominated field, the girls say there is good female representation in brigades throughout the Bendigo region. Mosquito Creek, for example, is led by 14-year veteran Sheryn Gallagher, who has been captain there for five years.

They encourage more young women to consider volunteering with CFA. “It doesn’t have to be a big contribution,” says Sarah. “You can help in many small ways, from simply going out for an hour shaking a tin, right through to jumping on the back of a truck.”

CFA has become like a second family to these three, who can’t wait to climb aboard a truck alongside their experienced crewmates who have mentored them, when summoned for assistance.

“I’m really looking forward to putting out my first fire,” says Sarah.

“Even though I might be intimidated that first time, it will be a memorable and special experience – although, of course, we don’t ever wish for fires to occur.”

She’s not the only one full of anticipation.

“For three years, Sarah has done everything she can to help Scott and I get out the door when our pagers go off,” says proud mum Suzi Mildern. “Soon she’ll be able to join us.”

For more information about becoming a CFA member, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au

45

GOLD STARS FOR FILM FESTIVAL

Chloe and Carolyn

Craig and Kym Brown

David and Louise

Margaret and Barbara

Mark Pirie and Cath Armstong

Michelle and Richard Forster

The inaugural Eaglehawk Film Festival at Star Cinema celebrated the town’s gold rush history through its theme.

The 10 films screened over eight days all shared the same title, Gold, but were diverse in culture, era, and genre, with a nail-biting new Aussie thriller starring Zac Efron kicking off the festival.

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Former Australian Idol winner Kate DeAraugo took to the stage at Heathcote’s Munari Wines during the Summer of Cellar Doors.

Fans munched on picnic hampers and tacos from Tacoman Food Truck while enjoying the Bendigo-based artist’s talent. Duo Chris and Josh DeAraugo and the band Harlem also played at the event.

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the perfect fit Since graduating, nurse and midwife Amy Yates has spent her career caring for others and, having recently moved to Central Victoria, is adamant she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Photography by Kate Monotti While research shows we’re more likely to jump between careers than ever before, Bendigo Health nurse and midwife Amy Yates found the perfect fit in her choice of profession straight from school. From her time at university to her current role at the Bendigo hospital, Amy’s vocation has enabled her to have a profound impact on the lives of people within the community, as well as ensure a work-life balance.

“I always had a keen interest in the health field,” Amy says. “Once I looked into nursing and midwifery towards the end of high school, I thought it was the perfect fit for 50

me and I haven’t looked back since. My particular passion is for midwifery, however I enjoy both roles and continue to use both qualifications in my day-to-day work at Bendigo Health.”

says. “It was an adjustment coming from a smaller regional hospital to a metropolitan hospital and a high-risk setting, but I learnt an incredible amount and it really shaped the foundation for my career.”

Having grown up in Warrnambool, Amy welcomed the opportunity to study a double degree of nursing and midwifery when it became available at Deakin University.

Since graduating, she has worked almost continuously in her chosen field.

Amy has undertaken different roles in the hospitals she’s worked in, continuously building knowledge and skills.

“I commenced my graduate year at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne and absolutely loved my time there,” she

“My path to clinical support and education started during my time in Canberra. I have found my real passion in this area of the job, providing support and education to colleagues to deliver best-practice care.

I have learnt to juggle shift work and

I felt supported and valued and this was important for me and my decision to take the next step in my career.

“My manager phoned me to discuss the move to Bendigo. They were understanding about the timeframe for our interstate move and able to facilitate a start date that worked for me.

“I was unfortunate to have broken my ankle two days after I started and my manager was wonderful and worked with me to facilitate a working-from-home role that used my skills and enabled me to build my knowledge of Bendigo Health policies and processes. This proved beneficial when I returned to work weeks later.”

Being a midwife means you are directly involved in bringing new life into the world, a privilege for those who work in the field.

“There is no question that, as a midwife, you develop a rapport with women and their families at the most important time in their lives,” Amy says. “In the beginning, the most difficult aspect of being a midwife for me was the emotional challenge that comes with the highs and lows of the job. Learning how to manage that and maintain self-care is very important, as is debriefing with your colleagues to both provide and seek support when needed.

“My fiancé and I live outside of Bendigo, but enjoy exploring the area as we had only ever visited twice before relocating to this area.

The proximity to Melbourne was important for us, as my partner commutes into the city for work. As the region’s hub, Bendigo offers everything we need while allowing us to enjoy a rural lifestyle.”

personal life and have worked hard to find a healthy work-life balance.

“I worked in a clinical support role for my last few years in Canberra. Working in this area cemented my passion for clinical support and guiding others to build their confidence and skills in midwifery. I’m sensitive to delivering holistic support in this role and I enjoy being able to continually learn from others and pass on my experience in the same way.”

Moving south, Amy has settled into her role at Bendigo Health, and her family equally so into their new home. The motivation to relocate back to Victoria was to be closer to family.

“I have worked with midwives and doctors who now work at Bendigo Health. After reaching out to them, Bendigo Health felt like a great fit for me,” Amy says. “From my first conversations with management, 51

TRUE BLUE FILM FUN

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Emily, Jorja and Daniel

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The film Red Dog: True Blue featured on the pop-up big screen for the second Summer in the Parks event of the year.

Families lounged around on a warm evening at Strathdale’s Crook Street Park to enjoy watching the life-changing Aussie adventures of a boy and his dog.

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Jay, Christy and Kingsley Hyne

Donna, Will and Scott Gallion

Larry and Mary O’Toole

Maddison, Chelsea and Sarah

SWAP MEET A MOTORIST’S DELIGHT Thousands of enthusiastic rev-heads flooded Bendigo Racecourse for the 30th annual Centre State Swap Meet Show n Shine.

Orion, Andie and Chester

Samuel Papa, Joseph Quin and Donna and Shane Keene

An impressive range of classic cars, new and used parts, and memorabilia were on display, and guests had the chance to live out their own racing dreams in a car simulator.

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into the big league As a junior basketballer with the Bendigo Braves, this would-be footballer never imagined she’d one day be playing alongside her heroes in the AFLW.

By John Holton - Photography by Meg Mullen, Western Bulldogs Former Bendigo Pioneer footballer Annabel Strahan describes the first time she walked the hallowed halls of the Whitten Oval as a moment of pure awe.

“The facilities and the history of the club are quite overwhelming,” she says. “Taking to the field with my teammates for the first time, after watching them on TV, was both weird and incredibly exciting.

“I still pinch myself some nights as I leave training, thinking how lucky I am to be doing this.”

It was hard work rather than luck that saw Annabel gain a place on the Western Bulldogs list after initially missing out at the 2021 draft.

Like many AFLW players, Annabel’s pathway into footy was as a ‘cross-coder’. Having grown up playing basketball, she was part of the Victorian Country High Performance program and played with 54

the Bendigo Braves in under-12 and under-16 teams.

“I started playing some local footy in 2018 and found it really freeing,” Annabel says. “I had fallen out of love with basketball – it had become really draining. Footy felt carefree and non-restrictive in comparison.”

By 2019, she was playing in the midfield for the Bendigo Pioneers and the following year became co-captain of the team. It was a whirlwind time and her coaches soon gave the impression that AFLW was a real possibility.

“That was when I stepped things up and got stuck into training,” Annabel says, “though nothing can really prepare you for the standard of AFLW. Getting myself to the same fitness and strength levels as the other girls was a real challenge, but after this year’s pre-season it felt like my body was there.”

Annabel’s debut game against Fremantle on February 1 came as a genuine surprise. After all the hard work, and waiting 13 months for her opportunity, she learned of her call-up just 90 minutes before game time.

“Burkey (coach Nathan Burke) had mentioned they’d be doing some fitness tests on some players that morning, but when I hadn’t heard anything I thought ‘they must all be good’,” Annabel says. “Thirty minutes before warm-up, I was chucking on my gear.”

Despite her mother and boyfriend having just 10 minutes to rush to Whitten Oval for the guernsey presentation, Annabel says they couldn’t have been prouder. It was even sweeter given that her mum is a Doggies supporter.

“I was a bit of a swinging fan when I was a kid,” Annabel admits.

“Some of my family are mad Carlton supporters, but I loved to get around Essendon and Collingwood. When I got older, I joined my mum and became a Doggies supporter… I haven’t looked back.”

While Annabel is grateful and proud to pull on the red, white and blue guernsey, she is also aware of the disparities between the women’s and men’s games that still make it impossible for women to be full-time footballers.

“It’s definitely something the players discuss regularly,” she says.

“In a perfect world, we’d be playing at a full-time capacity where the expectations on players met the conditions needed to flourish and perform.

“Training year-round and playing a longer season that mirrored the men’s competition would make for more consistent performances and would definitely lift the integrity of the game.”

While she dreams of the day that AFLW is a full-time career, Annabel is also mindful of, and grateful for, the trailblazers who’ve carved a path for young women like herself.

“The story of AFLW is one of perseverance,” she says. “People like Western Bulldogs general manager Debbie Lee, who’s fought so long for women’s football to be recognised. And some of my teammates who’ve been in the competition since the outset – the sacrifices they’ve made so that AFLW standards continue to rise.”

Outside of footy, Annabel has no trouble finding ways to relax. While the move from Bendigo to the big smoke has had its challenges, it also means she’s closer to the beach and can hit the surf whenever the ocean calls.

“Surfing has become an essential recovery and relaxation from footy,” she says. “As much as footy is fun, it can be emotionally all-consuming and draining. Being out in the water helps me reflect and have time for myself.”

Like so many of her AFLW peers who juggle footy with work or study, Annabel is studying a Bachelor of Political Science at Melbourne University, to enhance her career opportunities postfooty.

“I’m completing my studies part-time and really enjoying the course,” she says. “I’m lucky, as a part-time student, not to have the level of responsibility many AFLW players have who are juggling full-time careers with football.”

While Annabel is inspired by so many women who play, or have played the game, she also had her childhood heroes in the men’s competition.

“Growing up, it was those superstar players who inspired you to dream big, no matter what sport you played,” Annabel says. “For me, that was Chris Judd and later, in my teenage years, Marcus Bontempelli.

“As I’ve come to experience the highs and lows of selection and being a younger, less experienced player, I look to current players like Cody Weightman and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who have been candid about their experiences of struggling to break into the Bulldogs side.

“Their comments on staying positive have been really important to me.”

But Annabel’s greatest inspiration will always be her mum.

“She has been my biggest supporter, even when I questioned the journey and lost self-belief,” Annabel says. “She is such a strong person and the way she has persevered and continues to chase her goals is something I want to emulate in my own life.”

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Avril Wilson, Luca Shatwell, Taylah Wilson and Sadie and Macy Dyett

Belinda and Jakoby Appleby

Chris, Georgie, Amanda and Mackenzie

Georgia, Imogen, Ash, Nathan and Jorja

Kingsley, Toby, Kellie, Ariel, Chris and Matt

Tamara, Leyton, Brenton, Logan and Harper

COME, SING A SONG OF JOY A silent night was not possible during the Rotary Club of Bendigo’s 50th Carols

by Candlelight concert.

A large crowd full of festive cheer gathered in the beautiful Rosalind Park to sing along to classic Christmas carols, with a visit from Santa absolutely thrilling the little kids (and big kids at heart).

ELLA FLAVELL “At BSSC you can be yourself and you’ll be treated respectfully.

My own respect for diversity has grown dramatically. I feel really safe on campus.”

RILEY JOHNSTONEMCCLOUD “BSSC provides so much subject choice and the teachers make classes fun and enjoyable.

I feel more selfresponsible for my learning.”

JOE WILD “BSSC is a place that fosters individuality.

We’re encouraged to be independent, but given every opportunity to achieve the marks we need.”

ADELINE SANDERS “My teachers have been so supportive.

They have a genuine interest in us as people… beyond the work we hand in.”

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Anique Gould and William Fitzpatrick

Jessie, Matthew and Lucienne Kunne

Damien, Leni, Sharon and Mila

Natasha, Sienna, Scott and Bonnie Royden

MOONLIGHT ATTRACTS THE MASSES The much-loved Moonlight Market returned with a bang on a perfect January evening after an almosttwo-year hiatus.

Dale, Simone and Suzanne Jackson

Zahlia Grinton and Meg Parker

Large crowds flocked to the first market held at the Dai Gum San precinct, taking delight in the mouth-watering food and large variety of stalls, while listening to the sweet tunes of local musicians.

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Bendigo's healthcare army Our nurses have been at the forefront of fighting the pandemic, often making personal sacrifices for the sake of the community.

By Lisa Chesters, Federal Member for Bendigo - Photography by Leon Schoots

Here in Australia, it’s no secret our nurses are playing a crucial role across patient care, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s not widely recognised that nurses make up the largest segment of our health workforce. Registered nurses comprise the largest healthcare occupation. They’ve stepped up to the plate over the past two years, working around the clock in high-pressure situations, whilst covered in uncomfortable but necessary PPE. Nurses are very much at the frontline in the intensive care units, where a nurse is the person at the bedside of the most vulnerable, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are working in respiratory clinics, providing important support, comfort and guidance to people who are worried and frightened about whether they have COVID-19.

Then, at the end of the day, they are going home to their personal lives. In addition to the critical work our nurses are doing, many have also been home-schooling, supporting their families and managing isolation and COVID tests because of local exposure to the 58

virus. Regardless of the challenges the pandemic brought to their personal lives, these workers have continued to turn up on time and support each other, putting any of their own fears of contracting the virus to the side for the greater good of our community. It’s remarkable.

The nurses at Bendigo Health’s vaccination clinic have been doing the bulk of the work in Bendigo, but there’s a lot to be said for the long-term trust a health organisation like Bendigo Community Health Services has earnt over the years, to be able to connect with our most vulnerable citizens for support during the pandemic.

In April 2020, BCHS began to administer vaccinations under their own program, after going through a selection process to take part in the Commonwealth vaccine rollout. The dedication of the nursing and medical staff was shown immediately, as they undertook comprehensive online training, in their own time, to ensure they were across the process to provide vaccinations with confidence.

They have now completed more than 10,000 vaccinations across

factual information from a source they could trust and, for the clients of BCHS, that relationship already existed.

BCHS has provided GP services, counselling and support for years leading into the pandemic. The community health organisation delivers more than 50 programs across the region, helping people live healthier lives.

Since Gough Whitlam opened the service in 1974, Bendigo Community Health Services has led and co-ordinated an extensive range of primary and community health programs and activities.

The primary healthcare service champions equity and works to make a fundamental change for the disadvantaged.

The pressures on reception staff, doctors, nurses and the rest of the team has been enormous. It’s more than a job for our frontline workers. The task has been more than administering vaccinations; there was an abundance of complexities and everchanging information to navigate. From misinformation campaigns and vaccine hesitancy, to people with needle phobias, chronic health conditions and language barriers, and even vaccine stock management, Bendigo Community Health Services has tackled every issue head on.

BCHS staff have spent hours on the phone listening to people air their concerns over the vaccine and providing trusted, factual information. Their work helped Bendigo become one of the most vaccinated regions in the country.

As the single largest health workforce group, nurses are there at every turn, making a real difference to the care and the experience of patients, their families and carers.

Our nurses’ compassion, professionalism and round-the-clock commitment caring for patients in the public health system has not gone unnoticed.

There have been challenges for everyone throughout this pandemic, but no one has been in the trenches the way our healthcare workers have.

The nurses, receptionists, doctors, and other staff at Bendigo Community Health Services have been on the frontline for almost two years. They are exhausted. But when you talk to them, the safety and wellbeing of the community is still their top priority, and that’s something we need to celebrate.

They have been our army in this fight against COVID-19. We should take the time to thank and appreciate nurses, and the important role of nursing during the pandemic.

their three locations (Bendigo, Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat).

Bendigo Community Health Services has also been part of ambassadorial projects, allowing them to target refugees, alcohol and drug-affected patients and those with significant chronic disease for a more focused approach to get jabs in arms.

The multicultural team at BCHS has helped bridge a gap for these communities in Bendigo.

Their work throughout the pandemic is to be commended.

Community members trust the information BCHS is able to provide because of previous dealings with them and feel comfortable knowing they’ll get a reliable service. BCHS hasn’t been competing with the Bendigo Health Vaccination Clinic, but complementing its work by providing a service to those in the community who may otherwise not engage.

People from all walks of life have had questions and hesitations surrounding the vaccine, particularly in the beginning. Many needed 59

keeping it cool Discovering a ration card from World War II makes you realise how good we’ve had it despite having to use tissues instead of toilet paper during the past two years.

Words and illustration by Geoff Hocking It’s been a bit hot.

burning stove in the kitchen, and a wooden draining-board at the sink.

It was dry.

They had to fire up the stove in the morning to get hot water, after about half-an-hour. Very little was on tap for them. No fridge.

The garden was very thirsty.

I gave in and put the sprinkler on, just to keep the tomatoes alive. I grew them from seed and lovingly nurtured them through their early days – then it rained. Buckets full, all at once, almost washing the topsoil out of my garden, down the steps and away. I scraped it back up later and put it back where it belonged. We had 70mm, a veritable downpouring, in about 15 minutes.

It got hot again. I went to the fridge to get some ice.

I thought, ‘How good is this? Ice, on hand. Whenever I want it. Just go to the fridge. So easy’.

I know the past two years have been a bit of a pain, and the beginning of this one has been fraught with empty supermarket shelves, shut hospitality venues and disrupted services. As a result, there has been a lot of complaining when we haven’t been able to get absolutely everything on demand.

Then I thought about my grandparents – paternal and maternal – who both lived in small weatherboard-clad miner’s cottages. Four rooms, central hallway and the kitchen out the back. Dunny up the yard, and a copper in the wash-house, where a tin bath was kept alongside. A wood60

My paternal grandies kept perishable foods in a Coolgardie Safe. A Coolgardie was a tall box with a metal water-filled container on top.

Each side was fitted with ventilated zinc panels, which allowed air to pass through. Hessian bags wicking water from the reservoir on top hung over the sides. Air passed through the wet bags, cooling as it went and flowed over the contents within the safe, keeping things from ‘turning’ bad. Well, that was the theory.

Sometimes the legs of the safe were placed inside empty jam-tins, which were filled with water. This stopped ants from crawling up the legs and getting into the food.

It worked, for a while, but meat could not be kept for too long. That is why the standard menu for the average week was roast on Sunday, cold meat Monday, pasties or rissoles Tuesday and shepherd’s pie Wednesday – just before the meat went off. They never bought chicken, fish or pork, they either caught or killed their own. Fresh rabbits were sold door-to-door by a bloke with a horse and cart. They always had a dish of mustard on the table, or horseradish, relish or sauce, and now I know why: it hid the taste of meat on the turn.

They never had ice-cream. They couldn’t keep yoghurt. Milk was delivered early every day, so it was usually good all day. They couldn’t make a cool drink and slip in a couple of ice blocks. Cold drinks were warm. Nothing was ever chilled. In fact, drinks were kept in a dark place and also covered with damp bags in the hope of cooling them down.

I remember always going to our bathroom to get a glass of cool water, as the pipes sat in the shade under the house and it was always coolest from the bathroom tap.

Still no fridge.

Sometime in the early ‘50s, we all got an ice chest. It replaced the Coolgardie, but was almost exactly the same design, but the top chamber had a zinc-lined box and the cold fell down onto the contents below.

We would get into trouble if we opened the ice chamber and tried to chip off a chunk, as it had to last a whole week before the ‘iceman cometh’ again, carrying a block the size of an Esky on a hessian bag over his shoulder.

It must have been in the late ‘50s when we bought our first fridge – a cream-coloured, curved-topped Lindberg Foster, with all the white metal frames inside and a place for the butter in the door, but nothing else. We had a little ice-making tray, with a lever handle that ejected blocks by force. Mum tried her hand at making ice-cream.

It was really frozen milk, but soon she graduated to home-made iced confections using a set of Tupperware moulds, each one having a different coloured handle. Things were looking up.

My grandmother resisted all attempts to get her to enter the modern world. She refused a promise of a washing machine, she kept firing up the copper* in the washhouse. She would say, “What would the neighbours say? They would think I was putting on airs”. I recall seeing my grandfather bathing in the tin bath next to the copper, ladling hot water from the washing tub and spreading it around his legs. He was

about 6 ft 4 in the old measurement, and his knees protruded from the waterline like a pair of mountainous islands. It was the only time I ever saw him naked.

When our street was sewered, sometime around 1950, the real threat that the dunny man would cease to call convinced grandma to allow the convenience of indoor plumbing. My grandparents installed a new bath and toilet in the back bedroom. They didn’t just have an en-suite, it was a genuine in-suite. I don’t think too many slept there any more. No-one accused her of ‘putting on airs’, everyone else in the street did the same, but in all her 95 years, she never did own a washing machine.

Our fridge died in the early months of 2021, the first weeks of the pandemic.

We had a new one delivered. It has a big freezer on top that makes ice with ease.

It has shelves in the door. A place for cheese and butter. A veggie crisping tray and a special one for meat under the freezer bit. Drinks, including ‘that cheeky little Chardie’, can be kept chilled in the door. How good is that!

In clearing out a lot of stuff recently, we found this ration card from a time just post-WWII, when things were still scarce. It does make one think how lucky we are today, even if there is a run on dunny paper at the supermarket. After all, my grandparents used small cut-up pieces of The Sun. Nothing more needs to be said. *A ‘copper’ was a large copper tub, holding about 10 buckets of water.

It sat in a brick stand under which a fire was lit – a bit like a wood-fired BBQ. Clothes were washed with Velvet soap held in a long-handled wire clasp, swirled around to make a few suds. Every grandma had a long, bleached, furry stick to drag the washing from the boiling water. (Also used to whack recalcitrant youngsters on the backside – if they weren’t fast enough to get away!)

Goods Shed Arts is an imaginative centre for creative activity in the iconic Castlemaine Goods Shed and is an extraordinary space available for hire.

Located in the Castlemaine Railway Precinct, Goods Shed Arts features air-conditioned and furnished facilities that include large and small event spaces, meeting and workshop rooms and break out spaces, all with reliable high speed Wifi and easy access to public transport.

This venue is perfect for your next creative or business event, wedding or conference.

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CROOKED KITCHEN

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We are Bendigo’s only completely gluten-free take-away café with a wide range of options no matter your dietary needs. We have a passion for rustic, café style food with organic, local produce delivered with friendly service.

Plush couches, a licensed bar and an amazing programme of current and classic films for the discerning film enthusiast.

Operating in the grand old Eaglehawk Town Hall, we screen 7 nights a week plus matinees Friday to Sunday.

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MS BATTERHAMS

MICK’S FRESH FISH & TAKEAWAY

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FISH & CHIPS | HAMBURGERS | SALADS | DINE-IN

Ms Batterhams is the new girl with a past. Set in the basement of the old school hall at Mackenzie Quarters and converted into a sophisticated yet unpretentious lounge bar. Open Thursday Sunday for lunch and dinner and all day dining on the weekend.

The seafood used in our takeaway, dine-in dishes and sold to public, is purchased fresh and direct from the Melbourne fish markets. Come and try our delicious food, just across from Lake Weeroona. Gluten-free options available.

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CAFE ISTANBUL

BUNJA THAI

TURKISH KEBABS | SALAD | GF & VEGETARIAN OPTIONS

AUTHENTIC THAI FOOD | DINE IN | TAKEAWAY

Offering delicious freshly homemade breads, dips, salads, baklava and turkish delights. Our local favourite kebabs are made from real lamb shoulder in 3 sizes including; jumbo, regular and mini. HSPs, burgers and falafel also available.

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.

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COMMODORE MOTEL MILDURA

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STAY | DINE | SHOP | EXPLORE

Within walking distance to the Mildura shopping and dining precinct. All our modern rooms are designed with comfort in mind and contemporary decor for both the business and leisure guest.

An ideal base to discover the Bendigo region, with easy access to the CBD, major attractions and sporting events.

Experience spacious, clean, modern and comfortable accommodation with pool, spa and free wifi available.

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BENDIGO ERNEST HOTEL

PERCY & PERCY

STAY | DINE | SHOP | EXPLORE

COFFEE | BREAKFAST | LUNCH | CATERING

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.

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.

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CORTILLE

SMOOTH ‘N’ SILKY

COFFEE | ALL DAY BREAKFAST | LUNCH | LICENSED

BROW & WAX BAR | BEAUTY SERVICES | BARBER

Our seasonal main menu includes delicious favourites such as mushroom crumpets, cauliflower and gorgonzola fritters, fried chicken and waffles, 5 grain porridge and lamb. Offering a light tapas style menu on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The team at Smooth ‘N’ Silky are specialised in eyebrow threading and shaping, lash lift and tinting, brow lamination, Brazilian waxing, Dermalogica facials and permanent hair straightening. Full barber services available.

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LOCAL LEGEND REMEMBERED

Dylan, Tay and Kory

Jim, Scarlett, Alan, Brock and Coen

Marley and Stephanie

Michaela, Casey and Jenny

Pinky, Jack, Trish, Skye, Nicole, Alan, Darcy and Kory

Emma, Tegan, Noah and Dustin

Carol Chambers, Lauren Mitchell and Tracey Roney

Em Ross, Michael McCluskey and Ben Ross

Hamish Swami, Gregory Vogele, Martin Friendship, David and Sean Vogele

Sam and Aleesa Daykin and Carmel and Mat House

Macaylah Webb and Daniel Browell

Mary, Jo and Maddy Thurley

Over $15,000 was raised at the Ash Slattery Jam, in honour of the late Bendigo BMX icon.

Hundreds of people came together to ride and remember Ash at the Eaglehawk Skate Park, donning custom memorial t-shirts. The funds were donated to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, Bendigo Health and the Slattery family.

CASUAL COUNTRY RACE DAY Loyal members flocked to the Bendigo Jockey Club to experience the best of country racing as part of their Members Race Day. Forgoing the usual fascinators and floppy hats, racegoers embraced the requested country casual attire for watching the races and attempting to back winners from the grandstand or the comfort of the bar.

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sounds special With a name meaning a full and reverberating sound, and a vision of “empowering regional communities to make great music”, the Resonance Orchestra embodies all that is wonderful about the world of music.

By Sue Turpie - Photography by Kate Monotti The Resonance Orchestra started in 2009 in Woodend and last year opened its doors in Castlemaine. The organisation boasts some 50 members across both locations. Each group takes part in regular rehearsals, joining together several times each term for a full practice session. But for members of Resonance, this isn’t simply sitting down to repetitious playing.

The orchestra provides a solid foundation in music performance, knowledge and skill through a carefully constructed program.

It includes rehearsals divided into orchestral and tutorial work, with enough tutors on board to serve the different sections of the orchestra. Musicians work in small groups, where they are supported through difficult passages or master parts. And when it comes to performing, they’re given support and security regardless of age or ability.

Resonance vice president and co-director of music Emma Wade

explains that music ensembles or groups are often comprised of either adults, children or young people.

“We have retirees and we also have eight-year-olds playing in the group,” Emma says. “That itself is not necessarily unique, but it’s definitely significant.”

Emma and president and musical co-director Heather Cummins were privileged to have experienced this broad spectrum of work across age groups within a camp setting.

“We knew it was doable, but rather than have it for a week, to have it for every week of the year was what we dreamed,” Emma says.

It was about providing an opportunity for musicians to add to what they were already experiencing: “To be able to open up the same opportunities for adults as children has taken off in such a big way; a way that we dreamed of but couldn’t expect 14 years on.

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“What is available to most students in local schools, if they’re lucky enough to have an ensemble, is at a reasonably basic level.

Resonance provides an extension to that, with the ability for more advanced students to take on solo parts and leadership roles, leading to some quite extraordinary works.”

The music is also perfectly suited to members. “One of the other unique things about Resonance is that a lot of our music is arranged specifically for the orchestra,” says Heather. “Emma arranges a lot of the music, as does Sasha Bronshtein, one of our violin tutors at Woodend, which means the parts are often tailormade and written with specific people in mind, working within and working to extend their skill sets.”

“We have a tradition of teaching at least one piece by ear or learning it by memory for the performance so we can perform it without music and move around the space and choreograph it,” Emma says. “It’s a deliberate teaching decision to allow people to experience the connection with music in a different way, to take out the translating step of the sheet music and go straight to sound. It’s about balancing out the learning methods.”

Heather adds: “We also made it a feature to have a strong visiting artist program, so we’ve worked with many different groups.

“Recently, we launched a partnership with Zoe Knighton and her Flinders Quartet, which is offering a chamber music stream for Resonance. Zoe has been a long-standing visiting artist and artistic patron on a volunteer basis since 2019. We’ve had projects with Bupa aged-care and Tango groups, and a workshop with the Australian Chamber Collective and Travel Art Dance Company. We also ran a community project called ‘You’re the Voice’, which was funded through the Commonwealth Home Support Program, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, and provided the opportunity for 10 community singers who perhaps hadn’t performed outside of their showers to perform solo with the orchestra in a competition-style event.”

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As Castlemaine member and cellist Rob Blum says, there are many advantages to being a part of Resonance.

“There are all those benefits of participating in an orchestra and the direct benefits of music. But it’s also connectivity to others and purpose. As someone who’s recently joined, there’s a strong sense that it’s a safe space.”

Woodend member, second violinist and executive committee member Jasmin McFarlane echoes Rob’s sentiments.

“I was quite worried when I first joined because I’d only been playing for a year... I’ve played piano all my life, which is very much a solo instrument most of the time, but it’s lovely to be part of a music community and make music together. It’s a beautiful part of the week to go to rehearsal.”

Rob jokes that when he joined, he thought it would be “like a school orchestra with one bald guy in the back”.

“But when I got there, I thought ‘there’s lots of other older people like me’. There’s a lot of range in the music, so there is that extension. For me as an adult, I was learning for my own purpose but doing it as an orchestra made me really practise because I’m competitive and I’m aiming for something at the end. You also don’t want to let other people down when you’re participating as a team.”

Youth member Hugo joined Resonance last year. “I was involved in a school ensemble at Castlemaine North,” he says. “I was excited and quite nervous on the first day. I got more and more comfortable and started to really enjoy it. It’s nice because it’s not all just about the music; it’s about the community.”

Resonance Orchestra rehearses at the Woodend Neighbourhood House and Castlemaine Secondary College, both on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. As a non-profit organisation, public support is appreciated.

For more information, visit www.resonancestringorchestra.org.au

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NEW YEAR BEGINS WITH A BANG

Adley, Desiree, Elsie, Sabrina and Ben

Alex Weeks and Ben

Cooper, Sandra, Stewart, Michelle, Dallas and Ember

Gracey, Belinda, Jason and Mikai

Lachlan and Madeleine

Kay, Banjo, Nick, Kylie and Percy

Bendigo rang in 2022 with a bright, colourful sky as part of the annual New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The QEO provided patrons with an optimal viewing spot for the fireworks erupting from the Rosalind Park Poppet Head, with those unable to stay up until midnight treated to an early display.

6 Lewis Drive, Castlemaine | Ph: 0435 500 112 | Open: Fri 8 - 5 & Sat 9 - 2 |

Aherne House

Frew House

Jenkin House

Jones House

JENKIN TAKES THE HOUSE CUP For the second year running, Girton Grammar School’s Jenkin House dominated the senior school swimming carnival.

Millward House

Riley House

The Spirit Cup was also up for grabs at the event, this year won by Jones House.

TURNER S CROS S I N G From the banks of the Loddon River, Turners Crossing has been producing wines of outstanding quality that speak of a sense of place and provenance.

Visit our website below to purchase our full range of premium wines turnerscrossing.com.au

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pizza

perfection

By Beau Cook - Photography by Leon Schoots

A delightful light dinner that can be enhanced with a splash of Mandurang Valley Chardonnay.

PIZZA BIANCA

Method:

Makes three pizzas. Prepare dough 24 hours in advance.

A prepared pizza base can be used, adjust cooking accordingly.

1. For the dough; Using your hand, combine water and salt in a bowl and mix until dissolved, then add 50g of the flour and mix well.

Dough ingredients:

2. Add yeast and gradually add more flour (approx 100g at a time) mixing to combine each time.

• Dough • 500g “00” flour • 10g sea salt flakes • 1g dried yeast • 320ml lukewarm water • Extra flour for dusting Topping ingredients: • 125g buffalo mozzarella, drained • 125g cream cheese • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped • Sea salt flakes • 2 sprigs rosemary • 6 sprigs thyme • 3 medium Dutch cream potatoes, washed and parboiled *Alternatively use some sliced mushrooms • 3 tbl finely grated parmesan cheese • 3 tbl olive oil • Cracked pepper • Fresh rocket and pickled red onion to serve

3. When a rough dough forms, turn mixture out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (around 10 min).

4. Leave dough on the bench and cover with a damp cloth, rest for two hours.

5. Once rested, cut the dough into three equal portions and form into smooth, round balls. Place balls in a large, airtight container lightly dusted with flour and let sit at ambient room temp for 24 hours.

6. Meanwhile, prep all other ingredients. To make the white sauce for the base, add mozzarella, cream cheese and garlic to a bowl and mix with a fork to form a chunky sauce. Season with salt to taste then set aside in fridge until ready to use.

7. When ready to cook, preheat a pizza stone in a fan-forced oven to 250 C. Or even better, use a pizza oven if you have one!

8. Roll dough balls out to approx 5mm thick and add toppings in the following order; white sauce, herbs, sliced potato, parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil and some cracked pepper.

9. Place pizza on stone and cook for around 10 min or until golden and the base is crisp. Serve topped with some pickled red onion and fresh rocket.

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Anisha and Hira Dhungana

Charlie, Donna, Logan, Jeanette, Jenson and Bruce

Fiona, Suki, Izzy, Pippi and Daisy

Macey Pinner, Karen Hand, Colleen Taylor, Layla Hand and Ivy Pinner

Susan, Julian, Jolin and Jordan

Vi Willis and Ronda D’Paul

ROARING INTO THE NEW YEAR A prosperous Year of the Tiger was welcomed in at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion’s Lunar New Year celebrations.

During the week-long festival, crowds were thrilled by the traditional Chinese lion dancing and had the opportunity to learn the art of origami, creating delicate lotus flowers.

WINE. FOOD. FUNCTIONS, WEDDINGS & CONFERENCES Visit our Cellar Door and Gallery. You can relax and enjoy wine tasting in air conditioned comfort or relax outdoors in the gardens.

“AN EXCELLENT WINERY, PRODUCING WINES OF HIGH TO VERY HIGH QUALITY” JAMES HALLIDAY Open at weekends, at other times by appointment - 0417 357 688 - 77 Faderson’s Lane, Mandurang - (9km South - East of Bendigo, Off Tannery Lane)

Austin Middleton and Chelsea Wearne

Kim, Lennox, Ruby and Tim

Lee, Teja and Michael

Cale, Aurora and Eleanor

MUSEUM MARKS NEW YEAR The Lunar New Year was a joyous celebration at the Golden Dragon Museum.

Ricky, Jed, Stevi, Amy and Willis Mannix

Chalina Moroney, April Dole, Jazna Austin and Vanessa Pearson

The Bendigo Chinese Association Lion Team and Plum Blossom Dancers delighted crowds with their performances in the Dai Gum San Precinct, as did Kung Fu Master Liu. Fan favourite dragons Fei Loong and Gwong Loong also made an appearance.

Cellar Door Open Daily 11am-5pm (except Good Friday & Christmas Day) Taste and Purchase Current and OlderVintages | Boutique Accommodation Now Available 156 Forest Drive Marong,Victoria Australia | Phone: (03) 5435 2534 | Fax: (03) 5435 2548 | wine@sandhurstridge.com.au

weekend notes

What happens when you give a bottle of three of the region’s stand-out wines to a casual appreciator? Lauren Mitchell, co-author of Mixed Cases: Stories of the Bendigo Winegrowers, shares her thoughts on a welcome trio.

FRIDAY NIGHT - SANDHURST RIDGE 2016 NEBBIOLO

SATURDAY NIGHT - MANDURANG VALLEY 2021 SAUVIGNON BLANC

SUNDAY NIGHT - LADYS PASS 2017 SHIRAZ

Oh, to go back to 2016… when we were innocent of so much. When Megs and Harry started dating, Donald Trump was a mere candidate, and closer to home, brothers Paul and George Greblo were busy bottling a stellar Nebbiolo.

It’s a crime not to share a bottle of wine, really. Especially when it comes infused with the warm hospitality of the Vine family, of Mandurang Valley Wines, who’ve been welcoming guests to their home cellar door for decades.

Fast forward six years and said wine is a welcome distraction from a world off the rails. Reminding us of the importance of logging off, shutting down and living in the moment with a glass of something wonderful.

So, before opening the 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, a quick text to a dry white wineloving friend results in a swift knock on the front door and two glasses taken from the cupboard.

The Munari label initiated a lively after-dinner discussion over the name of its shiraz. A quick Google revealed Ladys Pass is located at the base of the Mount Ida foothills, near Heathcote.

As well as being home to the Munari vineyard and cellar door, It’s also the site of an Astronomical Society of Victoria observatory. Heavens, that’s two great reasons to pencil in a visit.

Nebbiolo grapes originated in northern Italy, and even today, are rarely grown outside the region. Central Victoria, however, happens to have enough sunshine for the vines to flourish. The Greblos’ Italian heritage no doubt also plays a part in the variety’s local success.

The pale, garnet colour defies big flavours of cherry, coffee and star anise.

Here, the grape’s famed grippy tannins have mellowed over time, rendering a soft and warming wine to enjoy with a hearty meal; ideal for the cooler autumn evenings ahead. www.sandhurstridge.com.au

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“Crisp, dry and refreshing. Citrusy. A lovely warm weather wine,” says my friend, who would know; “I’ve drunk the top shelf, I’ve drunk the bottom shelf, and that’s a wine worth having.”

Suffice to say, she stayed to enjoy the bottle, while an impromptu green chicken curry simmered on the stovetop.

The wine promises “lifted herbaceous notes of cut grass and tomato bush, with hints of feijoa and pineapple”.

Plus a “tightly-structured palate with crisp acidity supported by flavours of passionfruit and lime”. www.manduragevalleywines.com.au

The flagship wine of the Munari family encompasses everything we love about Heathcote wine, being it’s fruit-driven, well-structured and undeniably elegant.

Here we’re promised an ‘easy-drinking wine of great value, for casual drinkers through to seasoned veterans’. In other words, no matter if the subtleties of bright fruits and bramble, coffee and cocoa, and a savoury cedar edge surpass, this is one smooth and satisfying shiraz to keep on hand for all occasions; autumn stargazing around the chimenea being one of them. www.munariwines.com

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a beautiful

blend

An original California bungalow provided the perfect opportunity for a Bendigo couple to create a family home that combined some things old and a lot of things new.

By Sue Turpie - Photography by Leon Schoots Situated behind mature oak trees along one of Bendigo’s central streets, this stylish California bungalow has been beautifully redeveloped, holding onto the best of its history while adding in the best of today.

Past the established hedges that line the boundary of the property, is the traditional front porch with patterned tiles and Art Deco inspired pillars. The exterior of the home features scalloped wooden veneer tiles underneath the two front windows, as well as both rendered and wood panel finishes. The main entrance and façade also boast original leadlight windows, while the black roof tiles and door trims provide an eye-catching contrast of colour that continues throughout the interior.

Stepping inside, the true expanse of the property becomes apparent with a generous hallway, complete with dark stained hardwood floors, leading past the improved original rooms to the modern open-plan living space.

Inside the front entrance is the formal lounge room, carpeted and complete with gas log fireplace and sculptural light fitting. Opposite is the main bedroom, which makes use of the original generous proportions but also has the addition of a walk-through wardrobe and ensuite.

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Builder Davin Bake and property valuer Amy Fox, while aware of the necessity of buyer appeal, developed and decorated their property with an overarching aim; to make it a home that a family could live in and enjoy. It was an aim achieved in abundance, and while elements of their personality can be found throughout, the thought and consideration put into the planning and execution make it a home anyone could imagine themselves living in.

Along the hallway is a glass panel on the floor looking down into a cellar, which also serves as a cocktail bar. There are another two bedrooms, spacious and sleek, one with a built-in robe and the other with a walk-in robe. Making the most of the space, extra storage has also been included.

The couple kept what they could from the original house, with floorboards from the bedrooms used in the hallway, but the plaster and floorings throughout had to be replaced and insulation and modern additions included to ensure quality and comfort. In keeping with the home’s Art Deco inspired heritage, the ceiling roses and cornices adorn the bedrooms and formal lounge.

While the house could aptly be described as understated elegance, the couple wanted every room to have a feature, whether a skylight or fireplace, as well as being spacious.

The block measures some 602 square metres and as the dwelling could only take up 65 per cent of the land, the couple worked within strict parameters while still doubling the amount of living space.

The large unused land at the rear of the home provided room for the addition of an incredible open living area that is as impressive as it is practical, with polished concrete floor and floor-to-ceiling windows making the most of the available natural light. It’s the perfect

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space to relax as a family or spend time with friends. The attention to detail is evident with beautifully finished surfaces, fittings and furnishings such as the stone bench tops by local company VStone.

The VStone Design team worked closely with Davin and Amy to select a stone that would complement the overall design aesthetic of their renovation.

The dark yet calming shade of the cabinetry works to accentuate the soft background tones and bold veins of Stone Ambassador’s ‘Trinity’.

Of the many other noteworthy features are pyrolytic steam ovens, a floating concrete hearth for the fireplace, P50 flush-line finishes, furnished concrete floor and walk-in pantry. The rear glass sliding doors open into a cavity slider, so they disappear when not needed, creating an uninterrupted flow between outdoor and indoor living.

The outdoor entertainment area has an enclosed wall with built-in BBQ and sink. And for convenience, there is an outdoor shower and powder room. The area is surrounded by lush grass and established trees creating a total oasis, both inside and out, that makes you forget you’re only minutes’ walk from the CBD. 79

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material marvel With a nod to its heritage roots, this classic yet functional home sits comfortably and effortlessly within an idyllic landscape.

By Marina Williams - Photography by Leon Schoots

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On seeing the striking landscape that enveloped the acreage for sale in the Mandurang Valley, a young couple knew they had found the land on which to build their family home.

Living in a semi-rural setting had been their decade-long dream, and one they wanted to embrace with a house that suited the topography of rolling green hills and fertile soils.

Lucas Hodgens from Eplus Architecture was brought on board to design the home that would “fit the site and be respectful of the historic area in which it would sit”.

“There’s a number of historical properties in the neighbourhood, so together we

embarked on a challenge of trying to design a piece of architecture that was striking and something that the owners would be proud of.

“We quickly determined that it needed to be a building that had a contemporary take on a farmhouse, that would be read as a cluster of buildings, that would also sit comfortably and address a different element of the site.”

The home would be north-facing and simple in design and structure, as would a nearby large shed. Spaces between the buildings would be designed as outdoor areas protected from the weather and north-westerlies.

Fittingly, the buildings feature traditional agricultural materials such as corrugated iron, galvanised steel and native hardwood.

But in a contemporary twist and a nod to fine detail, the downpipes and spouting on the home are concealed; and the hardwood weatherboards charred rather than painted.

“With these finishes we have a play of contemporary architecture in a traditional model,” says Lucas. “The result is a strong architectural form just by the detailing, which is clean and minimalist. It is clear it is a building of the 21st century, but one that is respectful of its neighbouring buildings.”

Fundamentally, he says, “it’s a fourbedroom family home for a young, growing family”.

Steve Bish Building undertook construction of the home. The interior scheme has been equally considered, and is a stylish mix of “practicality and robustness”, blending stone, timber and concrete throughout.

Each material had to function: the concrete floors and windows to enhance the thermal properties of the home; stone fitted by VStone to be a durable finish for the benchtops; and the timber doors and cabinetry adding overall warmth against the white-walled interior.

Adds the owner: “Heating and cooling was the big one for us. We didn’t want to design a massive house. We wanted a home that we would feel really comfortable in through a long, cold winter; have large windows with a northerly aspect and lots of natural light, from a thermal point of view, and for taking in the beautiful surroundings.

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“Designing a space around our family was such a privilege to go through and we really enjoyed that. This is our home for years to come, and Lucas helped us to get the most value for money through clever design.

Steve was also fantastic to work with, his incredible focus on detail meant that quality was never compromised.

“Every bit of space is maximised to our way of living. We also have a house that performs thermally (reducing its carbon footprint), and it considers our health and wellbeing as well. We walk in the door from work and instantly feel calm.”

Lucas is equally proud of the home and its surrounds. “It might sound cliché but when you design a home with a client, you are on a journey together. As a resident of the Mandurang Valley area, I am so pleased with how this home sits in the environment.

Working with the owners has been a true pleasure as they had their vision and were open to how that would be interpreted for the best outcome. It is a home for the family, the region and the times.”

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Sally and Adam

Lockdowns, restrictions and a take-two honeymoon couldn’t stop this couple’s big day from blooming.

Photography by Justin & Jim It all started with an Aperol Spritz in the sun… or at least, the promise of one.

Adam’s revelation that he enjoyed a spritz or two caught Sally’s eye on the dating app Hinge, and there’s been plenty of opportunity to toast to life since.

Sally and Adam’s family and friends gathered to do just that when the couple married on December 18, 2021, at Churchill in Taradale; a 150-year-old former church operated by famed floral designers Prunella. “The flowers were honestly breathtaking,” Sally says, advising other couples to likewise “get yourself a venue that does all the work for you”.

Sally wore a dress from Clifton Hill boutique Moonstruck and a pair of Jimmy Choos. Adam’s suit was from M.J. Bale, 86

although he had an outfit change after the ceremony, into a green velvet suit jacket from Zara.

“Our photographer was the lovely Jim, of Justin and Jim Photography, and the cake was made by a friend, Nicole. Our amazing DJ was Aleks Mac from One More Song DJs and we couldn’t recommend her highly enough,” Sally says.

The couple memorably kicked off the party with their first dance to ! (The Song Formerly Known As), by Regurgitator.

“We chose a song for our first dance that was unique to us, and had a fun dance to it, despite neither of us being particularly gifted with dance moves! We didn’t worry about doing anything that was ‘expected’ of us, or anything that is traditional but didn’t

fit us,” Sally says. “We focused on only having things that we wanted on the day.”

As with most things in life over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic also played a part in Sally and Adam’s plans and experience.

“We had to postpone the wedding once,” Sally says. “We were originally meant to get married in June, but lockdown meant that we had to postpone. We had the most perfect day in December though, so it was perhaps for the best.”

Adam says being surrounded by loved family and friends on their wedding day felt extra special, considering the lockdowns when they couldn’t be together.

“COVID also restricted our original honeymoon plans to travel to Fiji, but we

instead spent a week at the Langham in Melbourne, where we booked into the many restaurants we’d been wanting to try, watched some theatre shows, and explored the city again after two years of lockdown,” Sally says. “Even getting COVID two weeks after the wedding couldn’t put a dampener on it!

“We have returned to life as normal now, but getting to introduce each other as our ‘husband’ or ‘wife’ still feels really special.”

And the couple’s advice to others planning a wedding? “It might sound cliche, but make sure you share some moments together on the day, and really take it all in. You’ll have lots going on around you, but these moments are precious, so make them a priority.”

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finishing touch On adding a pool to their back yard, Kane and Matisse opted to complete the space by installing a stunning monochromatic artwork. It’s a calming blend of style meeting function.

By Marina Williams - Photography by Leon Schoots

Style comes easy to Kane and Matisse. Together, they operate three fashion boutiques (The Meadow, Gathered and Juno) in the middle of Bendigo’s vibrant arts precinct. Over the years they have attracted a loyal clientele, impressed not only with the fashions on offer but the stores’ creative décor – edgy meets classic cool. Their customers will be equally impressed knowing what goes on behind closed doors – or over the fence – at the couple’s inner-city home.

goddesses” and wraps 28m around one corner of the property. On one wall are three words – ‘peace, love + chaos’ – that Kane says describe his family’s life.

“It is us. It’s a pretty big feature,” says Kane, of the installation. “If anyone knows us, they know our style is a little bold, and we’ve got that sort of stuff in our house, as well.

In recent weeks, they completed their latest design project – a ‘renovation’ of a compact back yard that unashamedly shouts family fun time.

“The fence is a bit hi-tech; I built the walls with Blueboard against our existing fences. It was then plastered, with the strips of vinyl over the top. It took a mate, Jake, and I 10 nights to complete but it really finishes the space and gives a look that reflects us.”

A central feature is a sparkling green-grey tile-lined lap pool, surrounded by decking. An undercover dining area is adjacent. While the layout of the yard is logical and streamlined, one accessory makes it pop: a monochromatic artwork that adorns the boundary fence. The 2.2m-high tattoo-inspired artwork (printed on a UV film) features “skeletons, sea creatures and mythical-inspired

But back to the water ‘feature’. Fresh from its summer debut, the 10m-long pool (expanding to 3.8m wide at one end) has met expectations for the family of five (three little ones under 10) after years of saving and planning. Yet the installation and landscaping ‘went in a blink of an eye’ once they had input from Kurt from Evolution Pools.

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“We had an incredibly hard space and really didn’t know what we could get, or if we could get anything. We had thought a fibreglass pool because of the cost, but once Kurt explained that a concrete pool, that would be tiled, would be the best option for our space, we were pretty set on that look.”

Adds Kurt: ““We think it is one of our most creative pools this year.

We had a tight space to work in, yet we were able to add some special design elements. It incorporates a good length swimming lane with a shallow end and seating connecting to the existing alfresco.”

While fibreglass would have been a cheaper option for the family, the extra foundation afforded through concrete meant the pool could be sited close to the double-storey home and to an easement. This ensured space was available for a side deck for lounge chairs, an outdoor shower area and they could retain an undercover outdoor living area just off the kitchen/family room.

With no plans to move, the couple opted not to skimp on the modcons, as this would ensure spending more time in the pool than maintaining it. With the push of a button, a robotic cleaner crawls the pool’s surfaces to keep it clear of debris; an automatic water top-up keeps the pool filled, and electric heating is boosted through a solar system on the home’s roof.

It also meant the couple could choose the colour of their pool, opting for a vintage textured tile in a green-grey. “It has a rough textured finish, with porcelain coping tiles in grey around the edge,” Kane says. “Using concrete made it possible to have a pool and, even better, a custom one that wraps around part of our home. We now have a lap pool and a section that is wider with steps and a ledge that is ideal for our kids.”

“It helps with the cost of running the electric heater. Overall, budget-wise we went over, but when we add up everything and the moments we will get with family, it was worth it.

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“Kurt and the team were fantastic and I would highly recommend calling them in and discovering your options. We now have a space that is family friendly, and we get to extend our time outdoors. Who needs to go away when we have this pool and yard at home.”

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SANTA VISITS THE BOROUGH

Alice, Santa, Leon, Harrison and Luella

Archer, Amber, Jade, Lily, Abby, Edward and Talia

Chantel, Oscar, Santa, Noah and Brodie

Julie, Santa, Robert and Clayton

Kirsty, Zara and Santa

Louis and Billy

Amy Carrig, Sarah Klein and Simone McInnes

David Hilsdon, Charlie Frichot and Luke and Spencer Hilsdon

Georgia Steve, Dylan Robertson and Alicia Collins

Paul Hudson, Jobe Hudson and Steve Christensen

Sam Lawless, Andrew Kraulis and Matthew Grange

Seth O’Donnell, Andy Buchanan and Nathan Stoate

Santa Claus traded in his trusty sleigh for a fire truck on Christmas Eve for the Eaglehawk Fire Brigade Annual Santa Run. Accompanied by brigade members, Santa paid a visit to the good boys and girls of Eaglehawk at select locations, spreading Christmas cheer and handing out lollipops.

ATHLETES TAKE TO THE TRACK Recreational and elite runners from around the state competed in the second 5K Frenzy, organised by Bendigo Harriers Athletics Club.

Spectators assembled around the front straight marquee to cheer on the athletes during the 12.5-lap event at the Flora Hill track, and juniors had the chance to compete in a series of 1000m events.

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power play Bendigo’s water polo players are back making a splash after almost two years of COVID-enforced dormancy. The local club even has links to the sport’s most infamous international match of all.

By Raelee Tuckerman - Photography by AJ Taylor A whistle signals the start of play and there’s a flurry of arms and legs as athletes power through the pool, eager to win their team first possession of the ball. There’s action aplenty above the water, but like the tip of the proverbial iceberg, there can often be quite a bit going on underneath.

On this Thursday night at the Faith Leech Aquatic Centre, members of the Bendigo Water Polo Club are engaged in a fierce but friendly social contest so there’s no need for sneaky below-surface tactics (think niggling, bather-pulling or pinching) sometimes seen in cut-

throat competition. Still, it’s a tough physical workout for players constantly swimming or treading water for seven-minute quarters, trying to score goals while denying their opponents.

“It’s deceptive because it looks relatively easy,” says Kate Jackson, who took up water polo as a teenager 30-odd years ago and has now been joined in the pool by her 12-year-old son Finn. “You swim and throw a ball around: how hard can that be? But a lot of thought goes into positioning and you have to be physically strong and mentally switched on. Good players make it look simple.”

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Kate played in Melbourne through high school and university, but came to the Bendigo club while she was teaching in Echuca in the early 2000s and again when she moved here four years ago. She was part of the city’s winning women’s team at the Victorian country championships in 2019.

“I love the physicality, the acquisition of fitness, and the teamwork involved in water polo – and this group of people in Bendigo are pretty special,” she says, nodding towards the match underway where males and females, young and old are battling for bragging rights.

“It’s so family inclusive and multi-generational – some of us even have our own kids playing alongside us. Gender and generation don’t make any difference.”

Water polo has been played in Bendigo since as early as the 1930s and veteran member Ian Symons says the club was particularly active during the 1950s, when a men’s team would travel by train to Melbourne once a week for games. Ian says Bendigo even hosted the Hungarian men’s squad in the lead-up to their infamous 1956 Melbourne Olympics campaign.

Just before the Games, Soviet tanks had rolled into the Hungarian capital Budapest and quashed an anti-government uprising, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The Hungarian water polo team faced the USSR in a spiteful Olympic semi-final since dubbed the Blood in the Water game, marred by violent kicking and punching.

Hungary emerged victorious and went on to win the gold medal but many of its team never returned home afterwards, instead defecting to the West.

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“The Hungarians trained in Bendigo and played some practice matches against the local side in the lake at the old Municipal Baths, adjacent to the present-day aquatic centre,” says Ian. “I understand they were billeted out with people in Bendigo and did some pre-Olympic preparation here.

“It’s incredible to think we have a small link to those guys who went through so much.”

The 63-year-old has been chasing water polo balls up and down the pool since the Bendigo club was re-established in 1978 by his brother Peter Symons and Eaglehawk identity Peter Boyle.

“It was after my brother came back from South Africa, where he had been a Rotary exchange student and had been introduced to water polo,” he says. “He roped us all into playing, and there were four of us brothers (Peter, Rod, Bruce and Ian) in the team together at one stage.”

Bendigo won country championships in both 1978 and 1979, and went on to produce a string of talented players who represented their region, state and country.

Ian toured New Zealand in the late 1980s with an Australian Country team, while another current player Dean Spencely earned an Australian Country cap in 1998.

“We went to Hawaii to play an international competition and trained in the US with the American Country team,” says Dean, who enjoyed travelling around Victoria and interstate for his sport and now shares the water with son Finnegan.

“It opened up a lot of doors and opportunities for me – water polo can take you places you never thought you’d go.”

Other notable names on the Bendigo honour roll include Paul Edebone, who was an emergency for an Australian Olympic team; the Pridham sisters (Molly, Bonnie and Lily) and Richards siblings (Olivia and Elise), who represented Victoria as juniors or played State League competition; and Aileen Vanderfeen, whose administrative contribution to the sport has seen her awarded life membership at local, Vic Country and Victorian associations.

Club vice-president Dave Symons says it is fantastic to be back in action after a long layoff due to coronavirus, though games didn’t start until after Christmas due to ongoing uncertainty.

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“COVID-19 had a significant impact on us,” says Dave (yes, he is Ian’s son and followed in his father’s sporting footsteps). “Our season usually runs from around November until the end of March, but we hadn’t played for almost two years. It’s a contact sport played in close proximity to opponents and teammates, so it really wasn’t an option to try and play on through the pandemic.”

He says several newcomers have recently played their first games, with the club promoting a laid-back, welcoming and inclusive culture and always looking to expand its membership. The only requirements are reasonably strong swimming skills and a positive attitude.

“I’ll be honest, it isn’t an easy sport to pick up if you don’t have reasonable swimming skills,” says Dave. “It’s typically fast-paced, and involves swimming from end to end at pace (20m or so), treading water, and sometimes grappling with opponents.

“At our local level, we are a bit slower so basic skills will get you by.

But in any sort of tournament, you will require strong swimming skills to keep up with the game.

“A typical newcomer session involves being introduced to the other players, before a short tutorial and/or skills session to become familiarised with ball handling and the basic rules, before we play a game to conclude.

“It really is a great environment to be in, so we’d love anyone who has ever considered water polo as a sport they might enjoy, to come down just once to try it. They won’t be disappointed!”

The final word goes to Kate Jackson, who adds: “Like with any small sport, when you find your tribe, you know they’re your people and you’ll always feel included. I’ve found my tribe with water polo.”

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/bendigopolo 96

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