Big things grow

LAUREN MITCHELL explores the past, present and future of Bendigo’s beloved urban forest.

Photography by Leon Schoots

It’s perhaps ironic to talk about the greening of Bendigo while sitting under bare grey branches. Then again, this is largely a story about what’s to come – not just the pending spring glory, but the decades of growth ahead. We meet Phil Shaw in the Civic Gardens beside the Bendigo Town Hall. Across the road, the new GovHub building, Galkangu, is rising. Modern monolith aside, the loveliest thing is how it curves around the lemonscented gum along Lyttleton Terrace. Above us, rainbow lorikeets flash and flit between the boughs of Bendigo’s most valuable tree. A few years back, this iconic elm was valued at $330,000. “There’s a calculation which takes a lot of factors into it, like age, size, species, the amenity it provides, the size of its canopy and also its location, so this one obviously being in a very high-profile location in the city centre, is a very, very valuable tree,” Phil says. Phil is the city’s urban forest planner, responsible for the initial roll-out of the 50-year Greening Greater Bendigo strategy. So far, he’s two years into a 10-year action plan that is putting 3000 mature trees into the ground each year. It’s our first official plan for future plantings, and will take the municipality’s tree coverage from its current 20.4% to 35% by 2050 and 45% by 2070. Just imagine. “It’s all about trying to mitigate the urban heat island effect,” Phil says. “We have a lot of areas of hot bitumen and more and more houses being built. Of course, that can come at the cost of tree removal, so we have to balance that with further tree plantings to make sure we’ve got an urban forest for people to enjoy in the future, like we are when talking about these trees today.” We’ve taken Phil away from his work for an hour to also talk about some of the city’s iconic trees, its leafy parks and boulevards, which we have our forebears to thank for. Sort of. When the gold rush began in 1851, it came at the cost of native forests. “The landscape was basically demolished and completely stripped clear of every tree,” Phil says. “Then, from the mid-to-late 1850s, people realised if this place was going to be liveable, they needed to do a lot of tree planting.”

Here’s a potted history: Firstly, the White Hills Botanic Gardens was established in 1857. Being located on the Bendigo Creek, it does retain at least one remnant river red gum, and echoes of what the landscape would have been like prior. Street tree planting began throughout the 1860s, which is when many of Bendigo’s great boulevards were established. Down at the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens, director Ferdinand Von Mueller was undertaking climatisation studies on exotic species. He gifted Bendigo many of what are now our heritage-listed specimens, in exchange for a quantity of quartz. In the 1870s, Rosalind Park was established, quickly eclipsing White Hills in popularity. Shortly after, William Guilfoyle, director of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, designed Lake Weeroona to feature 1600 trees. Twenty years later, 100 miles of streets and roads in the goldfields were planted with elms, blue gums, sugar gums, ironbarks and the plane trees much maligned by hay fever sufferers. “We’re pretty fortunate that they had a bit of foresight to have nice, wide road reserves and plenty of space to put in those boulevards of trees we get to enjoy today,” Phil says. Foresight is something that’s built into the Greening Greater Bendigo strategy. “It’s a case of choosing the right tree for the right place, and for the right reason as well,” Phil says. “Species diversity is a critical thing in the urban forest… It’s similar to an investment portfolio and not putting all your eggs in the one basket. So we plant a diversity of different trees, European and native trees from different families, genera and life spans, so we don’t have a loss of canopy all at once.

“We’re really fortunate in Australia to have one of the best collections of elms in the world, because of the Dutch elm disease overseas that wiped out all of their elms. We’re fortunate that the disease doesn’t exist here. It’s a really critical reason why we need that species diversification. “We generally will try and go for the biggest possible tree for the space without causing any issues, because that’s going to give us the biggest canopy.” In turn, this will contribute to more than doubling the leaf canopy over the next half century. As it stands today, our urban forest has 120,000 to 130,000 trees, including many much-loved individuals. The National Trust has classified seven in the CBD: the holly-leaved cherry in View Street; Australian teak, weeping lilly pilly and Californian bay in Rosalind Park; the petticoat palm in the Conservatory Gardens; red horse chestnut in Sydney Myer Place; and Chilean wine palm by the George Lansell monument. Phil says the latter is one of the world’s most southern plantings of this endangered species. Out of town, we have National Trust remnant natives well worth a visit. The King Billy tree in the sandy floodplain of the Bullock Creek at Lockwood is many centuries old, as is the Burke and Wills tree on Sedgwick Road. Phil says this river red gum is believed to have both First Nations and European heritage value, as a birthing site for Indigenous people, and a camping place for the Burke and Wills rescue party. Back at the White Hills Botanic Garden, listed as significant, the southern African kei apple has value far beyond its rarity. Pruned for play, it’s much-loved by local kids as a wonder to climb and hide within. In fact, watch a child enter this glowing green cavern and remember Phil’s final words: “At the end of the day, think of all the mental health benefits that trees bring… they harbour very positive feelings. And I think over the last couple of years, with COVID and lockdowns, the appreciation of our urban forest has really come to the forefront. I think it’s definitely worth celebrating our trees, because they bring us so much.”

raising the bar

It’s been a long way to the top for Blues and Roots Festival founder Colin Thompson, as he reflects on a decade-long mission to reinvigorate the music scene and inspire fellow musicians.

By Colin Thompson - Founder/Director, Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival

It’s been a long, challenging and rewarding decade-plus since myself and a few friends decided to stage a home-grown music festival as a way to try and reinvigorate the local music scene. It’s a never-ending mission, of course. The struggles faced by the live music industry at the grass-roots level live on and there are always new challenges to overcome. I can only hope we’ve inspired more artists, venue operators and gogetters of all ages to have a crack at starting up music festivals and events, big and small, for many years to come. But we’re not done yet! One more four-day festival looms, featuring over 100 acts in around 50 venues across Bendigo and surrounding towns, this November 3-6. What should music lovers expect this time around? Our biggest and best festival yet, it would be fair to say. We’ve got ticketed shows to be enjoyed at Ulumbarra Theatre, The Capital, MacKenzie Quarters, Bull Street Live, The Old Church on the Hill and aboard The Blues Tram. There are some venues with a small door charge, but many more again with no charge on the door and no need for tickets. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to get in touch with the venues you want to go to, to see if it’s advantageous to book a table. This year, we’ll feature over 130 acts in total, including local artists and acts from all over Australia, as well as a small number of internationals. Some names you’ll recognise and others you won’t, but don’t forget, we’re a festival of discovery – you never know where you’ll see and hear your next favourite independent artist doing their thing live and in person. From well-known headliners like Goanna, Colin Hay, Tex Perkins & Matt Walker, to Aussie blues legends like Geoff Achison, Dave Hole, Shane Pacey, Fiona Boyes, Pete Cornelius, Shannon Bourne and Minnie Marks and all the up-and-comers we love sharing with you each festival weekend, we’ve got all your feel-good music needs covered. There’s blues, soul, jazz, funk, folk, bluegrass, country and singer/songwriters of all flavours (maybe even a DJ or two lurking around the traps). As always, our program kicks off on the Thursday morning (November 3) in Hargreaves Mall, and flows through to Sunday night, finishing up with our official wrap-up party at the All Seasons Resort Hotel on McIvor Road. In between, you’ll be able to hear quality live music coming from every direction, thanks to all the generous and community-minded venues taking part in our 10th four-day festival. From our biggest theatres to some of our best eateries and pubs, to our lush park spaces and street parties, there is a space for everyone and musical styles to match. To secure tickets to the events you’d like to participate in, please visit the Tickets page of our website: bendigoblues.com

Photograph by Sean Clohesy

CHARLIE BEDFORD STRIKES A CHORD

Charlie Bedford is an outstanding young singing/songwriting guitar slinger who has a global reputation, having regularly performed at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. His second studio album Good to Go reached top 10 in the USA and No.1 album on the Australian Roots Music Report Charts. He started playing guitar at age six and, under the tuition of Phil Smith, he quickly showed the talent that was to flourish early. With a passion for the blues, Charlie took the Melbourne music scene by storm. A central figure in the Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival, Charlie has performed in the Lazenby Youth Guitarist Award, been a regular at the November Festival, a Showcase fundraiser stalwart, a great MC and one of Bendigo’s fabulous Youth Ambassadors, as well as being on the committee for Blues Music Victoria. He has played alongside and been mentored by some of Australia’s best blues artists, including Geoff Achison, Lloyd Spiegel and Phil Manning, and has performed on stage with band members from acts such as BB King, Ray Charles and Wilson Pickett, as well as Kent Burnside and Robben Ford. Charlie is a serious audiophile who is constantly looking to push his music into new sonic arrangements, while staying true to his live show and working hard across the city and country. Charlie Bedford will appear at the 10th and final Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival in November. RAMBLE TOWN BECOMES RENOWNED

Ramble Town is among the most exciting acts on the Bendigo music scene and is set to light the fuse at the Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival in November. Co-founders multi-instrumentalist Pete Fidler and local singer/ songwriter Chris Jacobs were inspired to form a rockabilly band with bass player Mike St Clair and drummer Matty Reade and thus Ramble Town was born. Pete, the king of collaborative musicians, is often seen with bluegrass favorites Bluestone Junction, in a duo with the awesome Liz Frencham, or in concert with Dan Duggan and friends. “I love being a freelancer and it means I get to play with lots of different musicians with a diverse range of styles,” he says. Starting with a guitar at age five, Pete was always drawn to playing in bands, starting with pop and rock and then drifting into bluegrass when he discovered the dobro. “When I picked up the mandolin, I split my time between guitar and dobro and although I found it was handy to have a few strings to my bow, I firmly resisted the urge to become a Fidler fiddler!” Like most quality musicians Pete is always reviewing, reworking what he does and refining his performance. “I’m still learning my lessons. The main thing is that nothing beats working at it. Do something musical every day, after all, you’re a musician! Write, practise, perform, record, collaborate, administrate, listen and just don’t stop.” His enthusiasm for live music is infectious and he is always considering the next collaborative project. But for the time being Ramble Town is taking Pete Fidler to the Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival in November.

THE ESSENTIAL GEORGIA RODGERS

Georgia Rodgers is a young singer who plays guitar with a passion that usually only comes with years of experience, but she has been honing her craft since she was six years old. She is one of a new generation of postmodern Victorian blues artists who are taking the genre on exciting tangents. Georgia came to music early with a Christmas present from her parents of an acoustic guitar that helped her understand music was not a choice but her obsession. “I played every day and when I wasn’t playing, I was always thinking about music,” she says. “I was introduced to great music early. My pop gave me records by Johnny Cash, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton and I always wanted to learn more.” While at school, “I played with an all-girl group called The Sweethearts that toured Europe and played soul and I was off and running in the music industry”. Georgia’s songwriting comes mostly from her personal experiences and, after starting with something soulful and atmospheric sonically, the lyrics are real and relatable. When asked about what she has learned on her musical journey so far, she says: “Always ask yourself what the reason is behind why you are playing. Have a strong reason that will make you feel good about yourself. I can think of 50 reasons to play, and I know it is what I am supposed to be doing.” Georgia Rodgers is playing the 10th and final Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival in November.

Amy and Danniel Fiona, Olga and Guinevere

DANCERS DELIGHT AT ULUMBARRA

A love of dance united Bendigo audiences and Australian Ballet performers during the Regional Tour: Ballet Gala.

Over three shows, some of Australia’s finest dancers showcased beautiful and intricate works on the Ulumbarra Theatre stage. The company also led masterclasses for young, aspiring ballerinas while in town.

Jennifer and Meg

Myles and Josie Lily-Sophia and Angie

Nathan and Fiona

Bendigo born, I’ve published music and fairytales here and abroad, with eclectic instruments in an alchemy of ambient classical-folk and medieval dreampop. Leaving my French label, which closed during the pandemic, I resettled here, moving my songs to Bandcamp: https://louisajohn-krol.bandcamp.com/

Heartfelt respect to the Dja Dja Warrung, the Faery and all who hold a sense of wonder. Long live mythos! - Louisa John-Krol

Cass, Mickayla and Tawna Sarah and John

Georgia, April, Lizzy and Luna

Jenny and Tinkerbelle Jen and Hunter

Lilith and Emmeline

DOGS ON SHOW

Proud owners and dog lovers gathered to watch talented (and adorable) pure-bred pooches compete at the Bendigo Showgrounds.

Across four days, the Bendigo, Eaglehawk and Castlemaine and District kennel clubs celebrated 90 years of dog showing in Bendigo. The show received more than 4000 entries from people keen to show off their skilled canines.

TURNERS CROSSING

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.