Bendigo Magazine - Issue 71 - Winter 2023 by Bendigo Magazine

ISSUE 71 | WINTER 2023 bendigomagazine.com.au

WATER BOYS MAKING IT ON THE MARINE MAP

REBEL

chorus THE RED RIBBONS OF YESTERYEAR

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

solo vibes

INDEPENDENT ARTIST NAYYETHWEY THRIVES

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Visit Bendigo’s New Design Centre Visit us at 108 Lowndes St, Kennington.

Bendigo Urban Investments Pty Ltd, CDB-U 58150. Business name G.J. Gardner Homes Bendigo.

Discover boundless possibilities for your dream home at G.J. Gardner Homes Spectacular New Design Centre! Located on Lowndes St, Kennington, this stateof-the-art space is Bendigo’s largest and most extensive design center. With over 18 years of experience, our team at G.J. Gardner Homes Bendigo and Macedon are experts in bringing unique visions to life. Our newly opened showroom offers over 350 sqm of inspiration, featuring a stunning array of fixtures and fittings carefully curated to ignite your imagination. Contact our dedicated new home consultants to explore the latest trends and industry-leading offerings. Visit gjgardner.com.au or call 03 5442 2300 to book an appointment today.

Call 132 789 or visit gjgardner.com.au

WHERE DRAGONS LIVE!

Ph: 03 5441 5044 www.goldendragonmuseum.org

dear reader,

You’d be hard pressed to find a child of the 1980s who doesn’t remember the Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book. Who could forget that friend whose mum made the swimming pool cake for their eighth birthday party. Or your own longed-for pick of the pages. Perhaps it was the train, or the yellow duck, now on show in Bendigo! We’re all re-living the highlights this winter thanks to the Bendigo Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, a homage to 90 years of the homemaker’s bible. It’s refreshing to see a magazine so rightfully and delightfully celebrated. This year, Bendigo Magazine clocks up 18 years in publication, which is a fact we quietly celebrate with every story, every photo shoot, every new issue that hits the stands. In issue 71, we track down an elite ex-pat photographer, a Pararoos footballer and the city’s latest street artist. We discover a modern Australian farmhouse, a new friendship in a nursing home and a 170-year-old tale of rebellion.

Loong, Easter 2019. Photo: L McKinnon

MANAGING EDITOR Dustin Schilling PHOTOGRAPHERS Leon Schoots, AJ Taylor and Daniel Soncin WRITERS Dianne Dempsey, Geoff Hocking, Lauren Mitchell, Raelee Tuckerman and Sue Turpie CONTRIBUTORS Beau Cook, Stephanie Dunne, Sarah McLean, Jennie Mellberg and Danielle Snowdon PRINT MANAGER Nigel Quirk ADVERTISING advertising@bendigomagazine.com.au PO Box 5003 Bendigo, VIC 3550 Phone: 0438 393 198

We’re proud to place NAYYETHWEY on the cover. The 19-year-old independent artist from Bendigo is definitely one to watch – and listen to, with his soulful tunes of love and loss. Rug up, stay warm and enjoy the read

FROM THE TEAM

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

contents

PEOPLE & LIFE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Unearthed in Bendigo - NAYYETHWEY

On the Vegas strip - Clint Jenkins

Heart for art - Keira Long

Rights, rainbows and running away to Paris - 150 Years of tertiary education in Bendigo

Our first international procession - Bendigo Memories

Perfectly scripted - Janine Cowling and Robert Wooster

Chris and India - Wedding feature

Full throttle - The Nankervis family

Golden goals - Joshua Beekes

FOOD & WINE & HOME 56

Heart and soul soup - Recipe with Beau Cook

Warming reds of winter - Wine tasting

Transforming tradition - Home feature

multiplying multiplying multiplying multiplying multiplying

AUSSIE ICON CELEBRATED AT GALLERY For 90 years, the Australian Women’s Weekly has been a staple in the lives of Australian women. The magazine has been a trusted source of fashion inspiration, cooking and craft tips, and has featured the stories of many trailblazing women. The Bendigo Art Gallery is commemorating this momentous anniversary with a special exhibition, which opened at the end of May. The Australian Women’s Weekly: 90 Years of an Australian Icon takes visitors on a journey through the history and impact of the magazine, and is a must-see for all readers. A tribute to the famous Children’s Birthday Cake Book is a highlight of the exhibition. Visitors will have the chance to relive their own fond memories, and may even spot themselves on the walls of the gallery after submitting family photos with the beloved cakes. This exhibition is part of Fair Dinkum Bendigo, a series of winter events reflecting Australian culture. The Australian Women’s Weekly: 90 Years of an Australian Icon runs at Bendigo Art Gallery from May 27 to August 2. No bookings are required for this free exhibition; head to bendigoregion.com.au to plan your visit.

don't be sheepish

There’s no need to hibernate this winter, with a host of fantastic events lined up to lure you out into the galleries, theatres, parks and vineyards of beautiful Bendigo. Both local and visiting talent is on show this season, not to mention the best of Aussie sheep! SHEEP ON SHOW IN BENDIGO The Australian Sheep and Wool Show is the largest event of its type in the world and will fill the Bendigo Showgrounds in July with food, fashion and fibre. Some of Australia’s most passionate farmers and sheep breeders will flock to Bendigo for the event, which was first held in 1878. The show will see thousands of people through the gates over the three days. As usual, about 3000 “best of the best” sheep will compete for champion ribbons in their breed, with the Poll Dorset being the feature breed for the 2023 show. The popular Women of Wool luncheon is on again this year and is expected to be a sell-out event. While enjoying a two-course lunch, guests will celebrate the innovative and inspirational women in the industry and get a sneak peek of new wool fashion by Australian designers. Other events set to delight attendees are the Australian Fleece Competition, Australian Wool Fashion Parades, and the Bendigo Festival of Lamb. The Australian Sheep and Wool Show takes place from July 14 to 16 at the Bendigo Showgrounds. Children 15 and under are free. Tickets are available at sheepshow.com

GO BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE BEST WINERIES You’ll want to be in Bendigo in July if you love wine. For one weekend only, some of the region’s best wineries will open their barrel hall doors to the public for an exclusive wine-tasting experience. The Barrel Tasting Weekend is hosted annually by the Bendigo Winegrowers Association and celebrates our proud history of wine growing. Participants will have the opportunity to taste a variety of wines at different stages of maturation, including straight from the barrel, which is said to be like tasting the magic of winemaking itself. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about winemaking from experts, this is your chance. Over the weekend, winegrowers will also be giving sneak peeks into the romance and art of winemaking, sharing some of their most highly guarded tricks of the trade. The Barrel Tasting Weekend takes place at various venues around the Bendigo region on July 8 and 9. Visit bendigowine.org.au for more information and to book tickets.

WALKING IN A WINTER (ELECTRIC) WONDERLAND This winter, rug up and prepare to be mesmerised as you walk through Rosalind Park. A new after-dark experience called Electric Wonderland is set to transform the historic Bendigo centrepiece into a world of vivid imagination. The whole family will enjoy the unforgettable experience that is Electric Wonderland, with the latest in audio-visual technology used to create an enchanting sound-and-light show. There’ll be plenty of jaw-dropping interactive installations, including a 360-degree laser alley light show, a garden of giant blooming flowers, and musical stepping stones. If you’re willing to brave the cold evenings these school holidays, make sure you don’t miss your chance to see Bendigo in a new light by exploring Electric Wonderland and its spectacular exhibits. Electric Wonderland will run from June 23 to July 9 in Rosalind Park. For more information, visit the Electric Wonderland Facebook page.

Wednesday 1st November 2023

I’ll be there!

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It’s a Great Day Out

BANGARRA BRINGS POWERFUL PERFORMANCE TO BENDIGO The Bangarra Dance Theatre is one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies, made up of professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers, storytellers and fire makers. In October, they are making their way to Bendigo for two spectacular performances of Yuldea. Yuldea combines music, movement, dance and art to tell the story of the Anangu people of the Great Victoria Desert, exploring the moment traditional life collided with the industrial ambition of a growing nation. Audiences will be amazed by the way Yuldea is brought to life, from the costumes to the lighting, but especially by the sandy desert recreated on stage. Choreographed by Frances Rings (who also serves as the artistic director), Yuldea features original music from Leon Rogers and, in a new creative collaboration, songs from acclaimed duo Electric Fields. It premieres at the Sydney Opera House in June, before touring the country. Bangarra Dance Theatre will perform Yuldea at 7.30pm on October 13 and 14 at the Ulumbarra Theatre. To purchase tickets, visit bendigoregion.com.au

JOYFUL MUSICAL HITS THE ULUMBARRA STAGE Since it was first performed in 1999, Australian musical The Sunshine Club has received critical acclaim for its joyful, energetic and thought-provoking themes. This July, locals will have the chance to enjoy an entertaining night of theatre when the show is staged for one night only at the Ulumbarra Theatre. Described as “an unashamedly feel-good musical” by The Australian newspaper, The Sunshine Club depicts Frank Doyle, an Aboriginal soldier returning home from serving in World War II. To combat the prejudices he faces, Frank establishes The Sunshine Club, where all are welcome. A talented cast of 11 bring The Sunshine Club to life on stage, including emerging and established First Nations artists, accompanied by a five-piece band. They will be touring the show around the country throughout 2023 and 2024, assisted by the Federal Government’s Australia Council for the Arts. The Sunshine Club will be performed at Ulumbarra Theatre at 8pm on July 20. For more information and to buy tickets, visit bendigoregion.com.au

A LITTLE BIT OF JONI MITCHELL COMES TO TOWN It’s been more than 50 years since Joni Mitchell released her iconic album Blue, which the musician described as “the purest emotional record that I will ever make in my life… there’s hardly a dishonest note in the vocals”. In celebration of the anniversary, renowned Australian artist Katie Noonan is touring across Australia throughout 2023, with a stop in Bendigo in September. A five-piece band will accompany Noonan as she sings through the album she says “unequivocally changed my life”. From California to My Old Man and the titular track Blue, Noonan will capture the audience’s attention with her angelic vocals and her impressive stage presence. Fans of both Noonan and Mitchell shouldn’t miss this spectacular show, which has been selling out across the country. During her career, Noonan has produced 21 studio albums and won five ARIA awards from 27 nominations. This tour is another example of why the Herald Sun named her as one of the greatest Australian singers of all time. Katie Noonan will perform Joni Mitchell’s album Blue at the Ulumbarra Theatre on September 16. Tickets can be purchased via bendigoregion.com.au

A SYMPHONY OF LOCAL TALENT Spend an afternoon in September with the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra as it performs the symphonic suite Scheherazade, composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1888. Inspired by One Thousand and One Nights (the collection of Middle Eastern folk tales that also inspired Disney film Aladdin), Scheherazade features dazzling and colourful orchestrations sure to amaze the audience. Scheherazade serves as the final piece of the two-hour concert, conducted by Luke Severn. The show commences with Fanfare for the Common Man, by Aaron Copland, followed by Ralph Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending, featuring a violin solo by guest concertmaster Kyla Matsuura-Miller. Principal flautist Cynthia Holsworth will then take centre stage for the Flute Concerto in D Op 107, by Cécile Chaminade, before the sound of Scheherazade fills the Ulumbarra Theatre. The concert is a key event of the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra’s 2023 season, with other concerts taking place in June and November, providing plenty of opportunities for locals to enjoy our community orchestra this year. The Bendigo Symphony Orchestra performs Scheherazade at the Ulumbarra Theatre on September 17. Visit bendigoregion.com. au to buy tickets.

RAISING THE BAR Bendigo Health Fundraising & Foundation raises money through community donations and philanthropy to support its regional hospital. It funds specialised medical equipment and services so more people in the region are treated closer to home and their loved ones. Supporting the foundations helps the hospital provide excellent care to every person, every time. Here are three ways you can help this winter. 1. Dry July Is 2023 your year to go dry in July and raise funds for people affected by cancer? Challenge yourself to go alcohol-free for a month and keep funds local by choosing Bendigo Health when you sign up at www.dryjuly.com/bendigo 2. Support the tax appeal Donations to Bendigo Health Fundraising & Foundation change people’s lives. Give where it matters most by making a tax-deductible donation before the end of financial year at www. bendigohealth.org.au/taxappeal 3. Sign up for Move for Mental Health Registrations for the 2023 Move for Mental Health open this August. Join this virtual fitness and fundraising challenge for all abilities and raise money for mental health services throughout the Loddon Mallee region. Visit www. bendigohealthfoundation.org.au/m4mh

BUILDING DREAMS AT G.J. GARDNER HOMES SPECTACULAR NEW SHOWROOM It’s exciting news for Central Victorians with the unveiling of the state-of-the-art showroom on Lowndes St, Kennington - a magnificent space that has quickly become

renowned as “Bendigo’s largest and most extensive design centre.” Director Danny Breen, alongside business partner Kris Gill, extend a warm invitation to all prospective home builders. The newly opened showroom, spanning over 350 sqm, will immerse you a world of inspiration

with a stunning assortment of fixtures and fittings, meticulously curated to spark your imagination and bring your unique vision to life. As a family-owned business, G.J. Gardner Homes Bendigo and Macedon understand that every home-building journey is as unique as the families embarking upon it. For over 18 years they have been at the forefront of the local home-building industry, assisting countless families in bringing their dream homes to life. With a deep understanding of every aspect of the build process, they are there to support families on their exciting home-building journey. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience exceptional design firsthand. Contact one of their dedicated new home consultants, who will guide you through the latest trends and industry-leading offerings. Prepare to be amazed as you explore their showroom - it’s a sanctuary of creativity and innovation! The new showroom is open by appointment. Call at 03 5442 2300 or visit www.gjgardner.com.au to explore the possibilities of your new home today.

POWERHOUSE REAL ESTATE TEAMS JOIN FORCES In an exciting move for Bendigo’s real estate industry, locally owned companies Heard & Co. and McKean McGregor have teamed up to create a single, like-minded, independent agency. “This merger strengthens the level of service we are able to provide to existing and new clients in the Greater Bendigo community,” says Greg Heard. Heard & Co. was founded in 2018 by husband and wife Greg and Donna Heard, and they rapidly grew into a successful and revered agency, winning multiple awards. The now team of seven is thrilled to be joining McKean McGregor, which has been a staple of Central Victoria’s real estate and livestock landscape for over 100 years. Past clients will be pleased to learn that while the Heard & Co. brand will cease, the skilful and professional manner in which the team operates won’t. “Commitment to our clients and passionately providing the best possible experience and outcomes will always be at the forefront of our actions,” says Greg. This vision is shared wholeheartedly by McKean McGregor, led by CEO Todd Brown. “We are looking forward to seeing the knowledge and calibre of the teams coming together to leverage the best of both businesses,” says Todd.

The Heard & Co. team wishes to thank clients for their support over the past five years and strongly encourages them to reach out with any questions about the merger. Looking to the future, Greg is extremely excited to be now solely focused on selling residential real estate as a duo with

Alicia Squires, ensuring even greater attention to service and outcomes. The whole friendly team can now be found at the McKean McGregor Real Estate head office at 174 Strickland Street, Strathdale. For any residential sales enquiries, contact Greg Heard and Alicia Squires via phone anytime on 0436 200 250.

WE’RE NOW SCANNING THE CHILDREN OF THE CHILDREN WE SCANNED 42 YEARS AGO Our highly skilled staff are committed to promoting an environment of excellence to deliver an exceptional and comprehensive level of care • X-ray including dental imaging • Ultrasound • CT and MRI • Interventional Radiology • Breast Imaging including mammography • Nuclear Medicine • Bone Mineral Densitometry (DEXA) ST JOHN OF GOD BENDIGO HOSPITAL Cnr Lily and Chum St, Bendigo Ph: 5440 3500 BENDIGO HEALTH (for MRI) 100 Barnard St, Bendigo Ph: 5454 8630

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NUCLEAR MEDICINE BENDIGO HEALTH 100 Barnard Street, Bendigo Ph: 5454 8744

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unearthed in

Bendigo

LAUREN MITCHELL and photographer LEON SCHOOTS spend an evening in the warm and inspiring company of Bendigo’s own NAYYETHWEY, to find an artist who’s embracing all opportunities.

NAYYETHWEY is spot lit in the studio beside Leon Schoots’ Spring Gully home, wearing his heart on the sleeve of his mate’s brown borrowed jacket. He’s a pleasure to photograph. He’s at home under these lights, completely at ease. As he is on stage, behind the mic, sharing the musical talent that’s been fostered in Bendigo. “I love Bendigo so much,” he says. “I feel like I’ve always been in the right place at the right time, because from here everything has just fallen into place.” It’s been a month since Nay Ye performed as the Triple J Unearthed independent choice for Bendigo’s Groovin the Moo musical festival. The national radio station runs a competition each year, with the winning artist featured on the Groovin bill. Nay Ye is sure his status as a Bendigo local helped him be chosen as the 2023 winner, but listen to his music and you’ll agree it was talent first, without a doubt. 16

“A big thing about Triple J is they really care a lot about where people are from, in the best way possible,” Nay Ye says. “They’re really good with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists as well. They host competitions for those people specifically, for the LGBTIQ community, and for women. They’re a very inclusive community. In my artist bio I said that I was from Bendigo, Central Victoria. And it wasn’t much later that I was at work, and I got a call from Triple J.” Nay Ye says he almost didn’t answer the unknown number, thinking it was most likely a scammer. “But I’m always interested to see what’s on the other end, so I answered the phone and it was Tommy from Triple J.” Nay Ye had entered the competition with a new demo track, I Don’t Miss You Anymore; an indie acoustic song featuring his trademark soulful vocals. “If I had to categorise my music, I would say it’s contemporary pop/RnB, with a bit of hip hop as well,” he says. After that golden phone call, Nay Ye had just four weeks to get a band together and a 20-minute set of six original songs. “I didn’t want to play a backing track, it was a festival, I had to play with live music. So I did what I said I’d always do, and I called up my mates and said, ‘Hey, do you want to play at Groovin with me?’. They all jumped at the opportunity and I love those boys so much. They were all local boys who I went to high school with and I couldn’t’ have imagined a better group to do that with, even if you gave me the best drummer or guitarist in the world. It was their first time on a stage that big and they really shone. It was amazing.” Nay Ye has made a habit of making the most of every opportunity in life. The Karen 19-year-old was born into a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border, the youngest of five boys. “When I was about two years old, we moved to Australia, at the end of 2005,” he says. “We were lucky enough to receive humanitarian visas, so we got on a plane and came.” Nay Ye’s family stayed in Sydney for a short time, before moving to Melbourne, then Bendigo, where a growing community of Karen people were settling. “In 2011, Mum got a job in Bendigo,” Nay Ye says. “At that time there weren’t many Karen families here – there were probably only a handful – but we heard about this countryish town that Karen people were living in. It was a fresh start, but we had connections to make and people to help us settle in. We’ve been here ever since and loved every moment of it. “Now I look back, I’m really clocking it that Mum didn’t know any English or know anything about this foreign country, and she managed to move us here on her own, put all her boys through school, then through uni, and we all have pretty good occupations now. My brothers and I, we’re living our best lives – and we all have Mum to thank for that.” Despite having no musical influences in his family, Nay Ye found his voice early on, when he was cast as Captain Hook in the Kennington Primary School production of the musical Peter Pan. Until then, he says he never really fit in with his sporty friends, so was relieved to “accidentally” discover his affinity with music. He then went to Bendigo South East Secondary College and was accepted into the school’s Academy of Creative Arts. “I found my niche there,” he says. “They really gave me so many opportunities I probably would have never gotten if I was anywhere else but that school.”

Photo courtesy Jordan Munns

Nay Ye took masterclasses, had a vocal coach, and started playing around in the school’s recording studio. “I had not thought about doing production, I just wanted to sing, but from there it kind of unravelled and I got really captivated,” he says on the goal to produce his own music. By Year 10, he’d released a 16-track album of original songs, titled Influence on a Young Mind, having done all the vocals, instrumentation and mixing, solo. “I just wanted to go above and beyond,” he says. “I remember going to school over the next couple of days after I put it online and everyone was giving me recognition, high-fiving me. I was hearing some people quoting my lyrics and I’d think, ‘Wow, that came from me. That came from my bedroom’.” After VCE, Nay Ye began studying at the Australian Institute of Music in Melbourne, and he caught the attention of industry professionals. He signed a three-year management contract with a national record label. “It was really exciting, and it felt like I was getting a head start,” he says on the signing. “They organised trips for me to Melbourne to write and to meet with industry producers and other artists and that was an amazing experience. I’m still grateful to those boys for giving me those opportunities. “We communicated back and forth, me sending demos through and working on things here and there and we got really close to releasing a project. We had an EP in the works. I was in Melbourne, we had a hotel booked for the whole week, it was all going to plan – and that’s when there was a snap lockdown called.” One of Nay Ye’s brothers came straight to Melbourne to collect him, so he didn’t get stranded in the city. Recent history tells us COVID-19 had a devastating impact on the music industry, and Nay Ye’s future with the record label was one of the casualties. “That was definitely a hard time for me and from there things didn’t recover,” he says. “Everyone went through a tough time. You make all these scenarios in your head, you have this vision, you’re nearly

releasing your music, but that can all get taken away in an instant and that’s what happened to me. I feel like my momentum took a halt and whatever I brought to them, they didn’t see as much potential in it as I did.” Nay Ye took a hiatus from music for a short while, to reassess his goals and nurture his creativity in a quiet way. Fast forward to December 2022, and it was time to emerge, online, with the soulful, elegant track Go Back. “Being freshly independent, I felt liberated in a way,” he says. “I felt like, ‘I can do whatever I want now. I don’t have to censor myself, I don’t have to make a particular kind of music. I can just do me and put pen to paper and start working’. And that’s exactly what I did – that’s how Go Back, my first single, came to be. I’m really happy that was my debut and will be known as my first song. I’m very proud of that piece.” Nay Ye shared the song on the Triple J Unearthed website, then a number of others, including his festival-winning track. And now, he’s back. “During Groovin and afterwards, I kind of got that spark back,” he says. “It was that little push to give me validation that my music is worth listening to, it is worth clicking on, and since then I’ve gone back to writing. I was on this high and feeling very inspired and I’m still at that point now.” Nay Ye is now one of an estimated 3500 Karen people who’ve settled in Bendigo. He says while it’s good for other young Karen people to see his success, he’d like to be known as an artist who is Karen, rather than a Karen artist. “I just want to do me and do what feels right,” he says. “Some of my content can be a bit in-your-face, a bit aggressive, but that’s the juxtaposition I want to have as an artist. I want to have that softer side, too… I want to show people that I am a vocalist. I can sing and I’ll sing my heart out.” Listen to NAYYETHWEY on Youtube, Spotify and Triple J Unearthed. 21

Emily, Shane and Krystal

Mischa, Sam and Aidan

Luxman, Shankar, Randhir and Anshul

Ross, Ellie and Nicole

Vanessa, Linda and Caleb

Rueben, Amanda and Julian

CELEBRATION IN FULL COLOUR A cloud of colour engulfed the Golden Square Pool during the 2023 Holi Festival. Everyone was welcome at the sold-out event hosted by the Indian Association of Bendigo. Attendees arrived in white clothing and departed covered in colourful powder that was joyously thrown around, a staple of the Festival of Colours.

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Tony and Ann

Bob and Lois

OLD TRADES POPULAR AGAIN Cheryl and Geoff

Jackson and Harrison

Greg and Peter

Lian, Lena and Linden

In March, the Lost Trades Fair returned for another huge year in Bendigo. Almost 180 artisans demonstrated their talents in age-old techniques, wowing onlookers. Many had travelled from across the country to attend. Youngsters didn’t miss out on the fun, with the inaugural Little Tradie Kids Games providing excitement for children and parents alike.

ENROL NOW FOR 2024 We welcome enrolment applications from all families in our region. FIND OUT MORE Visit the CMC website: cmc.vic.edu.au/join-our-college Explore Virtual Open House online: openhouse.cmc.vic.edu.au

Places available in most year levels.

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rights, rainbows and

running away to Paris

This year marks a major milestone in tertiary education in Bendigo, starting when the School of Mines opened in McCrae Street. To commemorate the anniversary, La Trobe University Library has published The 150 Years Book: Memories and Milestones, tertiary education in Bendigo 1873-2023. Words by Dr Wanye Murdoch The book is an anthology of articles relating to education, covering topics such as the Northern District School of Nursing, the Bendigo Teachers’ College and the changing social lives of students. This excerpt is by DR WAYNE MURDOCH. Universities are agents of social change. The combination of youthful enthusiasm with the exploration of ideas and identities often make them epicentres of social revolutions that have had impacts felt well beyond the campus. One of the major changes of the past 50 years, which universities have played a key role in, is that of the place of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex + people in society. Universities have often led the way in the development of a queer identity and in the social acceptance of LGBTQI+ people. Through their students, staff, research and policies, Australian universities

have been key in transforming life for queer folk from the 1970s onwards. And La Trobe Bendigo was among the earliest leaders in the field. Queer history is hidden history, and its traces can be faint and difficult to find, particularly before the 1960s. Sex between men was a criminal offence in Victoria until 1981 (lesbianism was never criminalised – but women who loved women faced their own set of social and legal strictures) and as members of a marginalised, criminalised subculture, queer people were usually careful not to be too obvious or leave too many traces which could land them in trouble with the law or lead to social disgrace. That means many of the resources available to researchers of more mainstream histories are not there for queer historians; few letters, diaries, etc. and only disparaging comments and asides in traditional

conducted a one-woman show of her works in Bendigo in order to fund her further studies in Paris. Later that year, she left Australia and only returned once for a brief visit in 1927. She spent the rest of her life living in Europe, eventually settling in Paris with her partner, Rachel Dunne (known as Cherry), who was her muse for over 30 years. Following Agnes’s death at the outbreak of World War II, Cherry donated many of her works to Australian galleries, including the Bendigo Art Gallery. On Cherry’s death in the 1950s, she was buried with Agnes in Cimitière parisien de Bagneux, outside Paris. While Agnes had to leave Bendigo to live her life, by the 1960s Australian gays and lesbians were beginning to agitate for legal and social change and acceptance. The first Australian gay and lesbian organisation, the Campaign Against Moral Persecution (known by the catchy acronym of CAMP) was formed in Sydney in 1971. With an agenda of supporting gay and lesbian people, raising awareness of the issues and challenges facing them, and of campaigning for an end to legal and social discrimination, CAMP soon had branches in other Australian states, including Victoria. One person inspired by CAMP and the emerging Gay Liberation movement was Jamie Gardiner, a young academic who had studied in London in the early ‘70s. While in London, he had become involved in gay politics, including the Gay Liberation Front and the Campaign for Homosexual Equality. In 1974, he returned to Australia and became a leader in the Homosexual Law Reform Coalition, which launched a campaign to decriminalise consensual homosexual sex in Victoria. The following year, he took up a position as maths lecturer at the Bendigo Institute of Technology and formed the Central Victoria Gay Group (CVGG), which was based at his house in Carpenter Street, Quarry Hill. Jamie made his home available for meetings of the CVGG, which drew members not just from the Institute of Technology but from as far afield as Shepparton, Deniliquin and Kyneton. The CVGG offered support to its members, ran monthly parties (often held at farms belonging to members where “people could let their hair down away from nosey neighbours”), and held regular day trips and excursions.

biographies and histories. The queer historian is often forced to draw on material such as criminal prosecution documents, which are negative in the extreme and one is forced to read between the lines to find our stories. It’s a good thing that most queer people are very well versed in reading between the lines to find others like themselves! The earliest La Trobe Bendigo queer alumni that I’ve been able to find is Agnes Goodsir (1864-1939), who studied painting at the Bendigo School of Mines and Industries in the 1890s. As a lesbian living in rural Australia in the 19th and 20th centuries, Agnes followed a well-trodden path in order to live her life on her terms – she left the country for somewhere more accepting. In 1899, she 26

Following the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria in 1981, a few brave students at the Bendigo Institute of Technology were able to become more visible, without the threat of legal persecution, although they still faced prejudice. The CVGG gave rise to the Bendigo Gay Society, which was based on the campus of the Institute of Technology. The GaySoc, as it was called, produced a regular newsletter exploring issues of importance to gay and lesbian students and, while political in nature, also offered social activities, support and the chance to meet other gay and lesbian students. The Bendigo GaySoc maintained a presence on the Bendigo campus for well over 20 years from its establishment in 1984, and in more recent years the Rainbow Eagles has been the queer student club on campus.

LEFT: A 1980s GaySoc student flyer. ABOVE: Agnes Goodsir with friends Cherry, Estelle, and Winifred c.1930 Paris. Gelatin silver print. Unknown photographer. Bendigo Art Gallery Collection, gift of Bruce & Patricia Lorimer, 2022. Courtesy of Bendigo Art Gallery. The past couple of decades have seen the queer community take on a range of issues and campaign successfully for legislative and social changes; from the challenges of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in the 1980s and ‘90s, to workplace discrimination, marriageequality, and trans rights. La Trobe Bendigo has evolved as a supportive place for its queer students and staff. The first La Trobe Bendigo Pride Week was held in 2012 and the annual unfurling of the Pride flag is an event celebrated in the local media. Ally training is provided for La Trobe staff and students, supportive counselling is available and Bendigo students and staff were visible in Melbourne’s 2022 Midsumma Festival, with the campus having a stall at the festival’s opening carnival in Alexandra Gardens and students and staff marching in the closing parade down Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. It’s a long way from Agnes Goodsir holding a one-woman art show so she could run away to Paris. Wayne Murdoch has been interested in Australian social history and queer history for over 30 years. A freelance lecturer and leader of guided tours of the queer history of Melbourne and Bendigo, he is the author of Kamp Melbourne in the 1920s and ’30s and The Mystery of the Handsome Man: The Double Life of John Lempriere Irvine among others. During the day, he can be found in the La Trobe Rural Health School, where he is EA to the Dean of School and senior administration officer.

THE 150 YEARS BOOK

The 150 Years Book: Memories and Milestones is available from La Trobe University and Bookish Bendigo. 27

AUSSIE ART AMAZES

Janet, Kaz and Louise

Marg and Yvonne

Marie and Elaine

Pat and Kaitlin

Leanne and Peter

Virgil and Esther

Art lovers rejoiced at the chance to be amongst the first viewers of Bendigo Art Gallery’s newest exhibition. The official opening of Australiana: Designing a Nation saw patrons marvel at the more than 200 works telling the story of Australia, ahead of their display for the general public.

Open 7 Days 8 am to 4 pm Public Holidays 9am - 4pm We look forward to welcoming you seven days a week with our traditional opening hours. The Das Kaﬀeehaus & Coﬀee Basics Team

FRESHLY ROASTED IN CASTLEMAINE

9 wa l k e r s t c a s t l e m a i n e @ t h e m i l l p h : 5 4 70 62 70

Bart and Adrian

Bowden, Jessica, Travis, Nykola and Olivia

A CRAFTY FESTIVAL Higgo, Belinda, Jason, Jasmine and Dave

Sarah, Grace and Hayley

Nik, Al, Josh and Matt

Trent, Shannon, Keely and Callum

The Bendigo Craft Beer and Cider Festival boasted some of the best beverages the country has to offer. Representatives from 25 brewers were on hand to meet guests and guide them through the sampling process, providing tastes of more than 100 unique beers and ciders. Food trucks, live music and games rounded out the festival experience.

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Contact our Registrar or see our website to discover how Prep at Girton delivers an exceptional education, from Day One. www.girton.vic.edu.au

PREP 2024 AT GIRTON AN EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE

on the Vegas Strip DIANNE DEMPSEY explores how Clint Jenkins developed a luxury-end photography business. Photography by Clint Jenkins Running a high-stakes photography business in Las Vegas is a far cry from going to Bendigo Senior Secondary College and having your lunch in Rosalind Park, but somehow local boy-made-good Clint Jenkins has made the adjustment. Mind you, it was initially difficult for this Bendigo journalist to track Clint down. I was told he was working in the Bahamas for 10 days with no access to phone or email. Hard work, if you can get it. But the nature of Clint’s business means he works for super-rich clients who want to promote their hotel, resort, casino or yacht in the best possible fashion. Hence, travel, glamour, action. And as for the clients themselves – sorry, Clint is unable to reveal their identities. “There are some huge names in the yacht side of things,” he tells me (by email), “but we get strict non-disclosures for all that work, so my lips must stay shut!” Damn. 30

Of course, there is a caveat to all this glamour – hard work. Those precise artistic images, Clint says, are the result of careful planning and the right choice of equipment. His business, Jenks Imaging, can employ from five to 15 people, depending on the nature of the shoot and the location. “Our work involves a lot of pre-production. We plan every step of the way from shooting to post-production,” he says. In terms of equipment, Clint is always buying the latest digital upgrade. “When you’re looking at the architecture of a resort, for example, your eyes do an amazing job of seeing the details in all of the finishes, but the camera does not see it as well, so we bring in particular lighting to assist in bringing out a nice detail. Careful, technical-type lighting will create more dimension or a particular look and feel within the image,” Clint says. “I think social media has made photography appear to be very simple. You pick up your phone or camera, you take a picture, put a filter on it, and the job’s done.” Having said that, Clint adds there are parts of his work that feel glamorous. Like travelling to beautiful destinations and getting looked after extremely well by clients. “We definitely don’t take that part of the job for granted. Every time, it’s an amazing opportunity.” While Clint studied photography at Flora Hill High School and then art at BSSC, he never imagined doing the job he has today. It was when he was travelling overseas and working on a 60-metre yacht that a big break came his way. “The owners liked to document their vacations with pictures and videos, so I put my hand up to take over that job. That involved lots of tropical locations with activities such as diving, surfing, and fishing, so there was always something to capture.

“I recognised a particular niche in the market, so I decided to run with it. After that first yacht, I upped my skill set by assisting other photographers and learning from them. I then began to have the confidence to do my own work and was very lucky to have some good contacts through the boats, which helped me get more and more work. “One of the photographers I was assisting relocated from California to Vegas, as the hotels in Vegas were the only ones that had marketing budgets at the time. It was 2008, during the financial crisis.” As far as dealing with pressure, Clint says he feels it most when he does yacht shoots because the relationship between the owner and their “baby” is more intimate. He is also aware the images will be personally reviewed by the owners. “Ï very much want to knock the job out of the park,” he says. It’s clear Clint’s business has a strong creative aspect to it – his photos of swimming pools, resorts and hotels contain an almost intangible element, that of sheer, opulent luxury. But apart from his commercial practice, the fine art images Clint creates himself also allow him to express an independent zeal. In his arts practice, the only client Clint is answerable to is himself. Clint and his wife have been in Las Vegas for 15 years now. There was a stage when they spent their leisure time in its restaurants and going to parties, but an intense work schedule and four children who are involved in sport and dancing have curtailed that aspect of their lives. And while Clint’s immediate family is still in Bendigo, he continues to make regular trips home. He’s due to come back for a friend’s wedding in October. And next Christmas, he will be bringing the whole family home. “Living in Las Vegas is very agreeable but I also want my children to learn to love Central Victoria’s beautiful landscapes,” he says.

LOCAL WINES TASTED AT FESTIVAL

Chantelle, Kylie, Ebony, Sarah and Karen

Hannah, Jess, Behlana, Robyn and Rachel

Mick, Aileen, Kathy, Carmel, James and Wayne

Natalie, Jacinta, Cameron, Ben, Carina, Bron and Shel

Rob, Ash, Shirley and Richard

Vanessa, Annette, Kylie, Rick and Clarissa

On a perfect April day, wine lovers converged on Rosalind Park to sample over 100 wines from the region. The yearly Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival allowed 19 local wineries to show off their most exceptional reds, whites, sparklings and rosés to the crowds, who also enjoyed delicious food and live entertainment.

ADLER PICKERING

ANNIKA VAN STRIJP

“The college is unpretentious; I felt like I belonged here very quickly.”

“I’ve discovered so much support and so many opportunities.”

SOPHIE CASTLE “I love the way we are treated as adults—with respect—at BSSC.”

SAAD SABRI “I am encouraged to express myself at BSSC.”

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Amelia, Matt and Reece

Elsie and Lainey

EAGLEHAWK EAGER FOR FESTIVAL Grace, Emma, Mark, Connor and Jess

Kimberly, Michelle and Lilly

Habte, Harriet, Scarlett, Henry and Sienna

Nate, Emma, Clint and Beau

Borough residents waited three years for their beloved Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival to return, and it didn’t disappoint. A jam-packed schedule was organised for the three-day festival, including the traditional gala parade. Spirits were high in Eaglehawk as patrons celebrated 50 years of community and art.

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our first international procession

This August, Bendigo will commemorate the 170th anniversary of one of the first footsteps taken on the march to democracy in the Australian colonies. Words and illustration by Geoff Hocking

In August 1853, the signing of the Bendigo Petition and the sonamed ‘Red Ribbon Rebellion’ that followed after the petition had been presented to and rejected by Governor Charles La Trobe, was one of the turning points that led inexorably to the battle at the Eureka Stockade in December 1854. Diggers on the Bendigo goldfields had long railed against an unreasonable licence fee that was levied on all who had come to the diggings. It paid little heed to the hardships it caused for those who had not had any luck. And while it was levied on every man, digger or not, it also caused resentment from the shopkeeper, doctor, lawyer, butcher, baker, and I suppose, even the candle-stick maker as well. The government sought to raise funds to pay for its own administration, while also attempting to drive the large body of working men from the diggings and back into the factories and onto the farms, which had remained largely deserted after the rush to gold had begun two years earlier.

The fee, set at 30 shillings per month, was almost equal to onethird of the annual wage of a labourer at that time, the equivalent of about $1000 a month if the same fee was charged today. It’s no wonder the diggers gathered and sought some relief from the government, but it was not forthcoming. The government, in fact, believed that the men chosen to represent the diggers were little more than ‘red revolutionaries’ and were fearful that if the iron hand of Her Majesty’s rule of law was softened, open insurrection would follow. The government stood firm, even attempting to raise the fee and then set the troops to arrest any digger found without a licence. The government was determined to crush any revolt – or to crash itself. Diggers’ leaders – among them Scottish chartist W.D.C. Denovan, British chartist George Thomson, Diggers Advocate publisher Henry Holyoake and squatter-turned-revolutionary Captain Harrison – decided to take action and set their grievances before the governor. But they wanted to ensure that La Trobe knew they had the full body of the diggers behind them, so decided to take up a petition. On the Bendigo diggings, and stretching to the McIvor goldfield, more than 14,000 diggers signed their names on scraps of paper, pages of notebooks, anything that was at hand, in protest against the government’s licence fee. These scraps were eventually mounted on a fabric backing, some 30 metres in length. It was then bound in silk, rolled up and carried by the diggers’ leaders to be presented to La Trobe in Melbourne. The petition that reached La Trobe contained just 3000 names, as the bulk of signatures gathered at McIvor had been lost when the gold escort was attacked just out of Kyneton. Nevertheless, the scroll must have remained an impressive document.

But La Trobe was not impressed at all. He was especially angry with the large number of European, and in particular German names gathered in Bendigo on the petition. He regarded them all as revolutionaries. La Trobe rejected the diggers’ demands. As they marched back along the track to Bendigo, the governor dispatched army reinforcements, fearful Bendigo was about to erupt. In response, on August 27, 1853, a large body of approximately 10,000 men gathered along the creek and began to march up View Street to the Commissioner’s Camp. They marched behind flags of all nations, several of which represented revolutionary democracies: the French tri-colour, the Stars and Stripes, the black, yellow and red of the new German republic, a green banner carrying the Harp of Erin, the Union Jack and a new flag – The Diggers Banner – a four-quartered flag featuring images of a pick and shovel, scales of justice, a bundle of sticks and a kangaroo and emu. Each symbolised in turn, the digger, justice, unity in strength and Australia. When they heard their petition had been rejected, the disappointed diggers went back to their claims, but then real resistance began. They agreed to ignore the licence fee. They tore up strips of red material and tied red ribbons to their hats. Horses wore red ribbons on their bridles, dogs on their collars. The Red Ribbon Rebellion was born. But little happened. La Trobe was recalled to England and replaced by ‘Old Quarterdeck’, Sir Charles Hotham, who was readily accepted at first. It looked as if he may appreciate the cause of the diggers, but they unfortunately showed him how patriotic they were, so he raised the fee and set the troops on twice-weekly digger hunts, believing such a patriotic body of men would accept his new laws. They didn’t. The Bendigo Petition and the Red Ribbon Rebellion were two steps towards real revolt, which came just over a year later when diggers in Ballarat gathered within a stockade on the Eureka diggings. As they knelt together with hands on hearts and heads bowed beneath a new flag – the blue and white Southern Cross – they armed themselves and swore an oath to defend each other, and their liberty. The Southern Cross flew for the first time on November 21, 1854, but was dragged down and trampled in the dust just over a week later when the Queen’s troops stormed the stockade just before dawn on Sunday, December 3.

Ballarat commemorates this dramatic battle in many public ways. Bendigo does little to tell its own part in this story. In Bendigo, there are a few memorials but none tell this story of the Bendigo Petition and The Red Ribbon Rebellion and of Bendigo’s place in the struggle towards Australian democracy. So, why celebrate this now? 170 years is not the usual marker for a celebration: 100, 150, even 175, certainly 200, but very few of us will be here to celebrate the bicentenary. It is time, whatever year, to consider the re-telling of these stories, and maybe it’s time to tell them again today before the storytellers forget – or they themselves are forgotten.

Aiva and Vanessa

Claudia, Klaudia and Raquel

Hannah, Bella, Keira and Isabelle

Paola, Daniela, Estefany and Lina

Rhys, Harper, Jude and Jess

Susan, Jose, Dakaree, Devante and Luna-Valencia

LATIN FEVER HITS BENDIGO Bendigo’s Latin American community proudly showcased their culture to more than 4000 people in March. The sun shone down on the Garden for the Future during the Bendigo Latin Festival, where attendees learned Hispanic dances and indulged in traditional food from more than 20 local and Melbourne-based vendors.

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 - (03) 5439 5367 - 77 Faderson’s Lane, Mandurang - (9km South - East of Bendigo, Off Tannery Lane)

Andrea, Darryle and Rod

Christine, Bear and Raewyn

WALKING TO REMEMBER Larissa, Alannah and Bette

Paul, Michelle and James

Mary, Henry, Tom, Karyn and Amanda

Tori, Sienna, Stacey, Emily, Linda and Janika

Almost 200 people joined together for a walk through the streets of Bendigo’s CBD in remembrance of lost loved ones. Members and supporters of the Suicide Prevention Awareness Network (SPAN) Central Victoria wore blue and carried paper butterflies as they undertook their 10th annual walk for suicide awareness.

perfectly scripted

One prefers thrillers while the other loves documentaries, but they don’t let their differing tastes get in the way of their relationship. By Sarah McLean - Photograph by Kate Monotti Nurse Janine Cowling and resident Robert Wooster have forged quite the relationship in their few months together at Stella Anderson Nursing Home. “Robert is very independent,” Janine says. “The older men have grown up in a time where they were taught to be stoic. Sometimes you really have to dig to find out what’s going on, so you have to try and make a deeper connection with them.” And for these two, that connection was formed over movies. “We often chat about what he’s been watching. Even if we do have different tastes,” says Janine, who enjoys a good thriller while Robert favours documentaries. “Robert often has to educate me. He’s quite the expert.” A resident of Stella Anderson since 2022, Robert has already established quite the collection. “I have about 35 movies – and that’s just on one hard drive,” he says. When he’s not watching movies on his computer, Robert can be found in the activities room playing Wii Sports Bowling or listening to a variety of music – from John Williamson to the opera Carmen. “I often talk to Janine about the music, too. She’s always interested in what I’ve been listening to,” he says. 45

“I have a beautiful relationship with her. She’s always made me feel at home.” Having worked at Stella Anderson for 30 years, Janine says her role is about making residents feel at home. “It can be hard making the transition from living independently to coming into a community. I want to make sure our residents are living their best lives while in care,” she says. In between her nursing duties, Janine enjoys taking the residents out to the garden beds. “It’s lovely being able to help residents harvest a handful of fresh strawberries or tomatoes, or taking them out to enjoy the native flowers,” she says. Growing up, Janine knew she would one day make a career out of caring for others. “When I was a girl, my great-uncle was in care at Anne Caudle. I remember visiting the wards and talking to the other residents,” she says. “There was this one lady in particular who had suffered a stroke. She would knit and make teddy bears and dolls in the activities room. I was amazed by what was possible for her and decided (nursing) was what I wanted to do.” While there have been a lot of changes to nursing in her time – “it was very strict” when she started – Janine says a person-centred approach and maintaining strong relationships are key to being a long-term staff member. It’s something she hopes to pass on to new nurses coming into aged care. “I like to teach the younger nurses to take a compassionate approach. I want to show them that nursing is more than ‘just a job’,” she says. And that’s exactly what nursing has been for Janine. “There’s a lot of other things I could have been doing. But knowing families trust us to care for their loved ones is why I’ve stayed.” To join the residential care nursing team at Bendigo Health, visit bendigohealth.mercury.com.au

years of an Australian icon 27 May–27 August 2023 FREE ENTRY 42 View Street, Bendigo, VIC For more information bendigoartgallery.com.au

The Australian Women’s Weekly November 23, 1960 cover image. Photograph by Adelie Hurley.

Allan and Toby

A KALEIDOSCOPE OF SENSES

Campbell, Fiona and Connor

Jo, Hannah, Evelyn and Clare

As locals made their way through Kaleidoscope, they were mesmerised by the symphony of light and sound. The art installation and mirror maze, designed by Keith Courtney, popped up in Rosalind Park for the month of April, delighting those who were adventurous enough to explore it.

Maddie and Garry

Kate and Emily

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Matt, Sam and Max

Eliza, Rikky and Shelley

Lexi and Lulu

Johanna, Zoe, Carolyn and Kelly

A GOLDEN DAY OUT Bendigo Jockey Club was the place to be on Golden Mile Race Day.

Nikki, Braden and Vhonda

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Pauline, Stephen and Kath

Punters happily crowded around the track to watch the best city-class racing has to offer, and while they were encouraged to embrace country casual, many guests dressed to the nines for the Bendigo Marketplace Fashions on the Field.

heart for art

Culture, family and a furry companion are the inspirations behind this talented young woman’s portraits. By Danielle Snowdon and Jennie Mellberg - Photography by Leon Schoots *Please note, this article contains an image and names of deceased people. Being creative comes naturally to BSSC alumna and local artist Keira Long. Keira can’t recall a time she wasn’t making art. On reflection, she recognises even her kindergarten drawings were wonderfully expressive. Art has remained a constant in her life, and she first exhibited publicly in 2017 when she was in Year 7 at Weeroona College Bendigo. Keira’s passion for art built as she progressed through high school, and it was no surprise she chose to pursue art-related subjects at Bendigo Senior Secondary College. She was also welcomed to BSSC’s ‘Scholar’s Hut’, a designated space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to gather. Keira loved connecting with other First Nations students and being part of culturally significant events and programs. Meanwhile, her teachers recognised her artistic talent. “Something I really enjoyed about my time at BSSC was having such helpful teachers. They not only advised me about managing my 50

workload, they also guided my approach to art in the right direction.” Keira flourished as she began to discover what she was capable of – not only as an artist, but as an individual and proud Wiradjuri woman. The latter half of 2021 was somewhat of a turning point in Keira’s life. The loss of an older cousin, Janelle, forced the young artist to reflect on life and what was truly important. “During the last conversation I had with Janelle, she told me she had voted for my artwork in a competition I had entered,” Keira remembers. This terrible loss fired Keira to take her dream of becoming an artist even more seriously. Using ink, markers and paint, she creates vibrant portraits inspired by her cultural background and embeds cultural symbols and traditional line and dot work in much of her art. Sharing her creativity is not only gratifying personally, Keira believes it’s also an important way to honour her rich cultural heritage.

Keira has been part of the Djarra Lights art project at La Trobe University Bendigo – highlighting Dja Dja Wurrung Culture in the Bendigo region – and a presenter in early 2023 at a symposium for VCE Art students held at La Trobe Art Institute. She was also one of 22 Indigenous artists who contributed to an exhibition held at the Bendigo Visitor Centre earlier this year. “My family, Culture and Elders are my inspiration,” she says. One of her proudest creations so far, and in Keira’s words, a “privilege to create”, was her portrait of the late Uncle Jack Charles, which was showcased in the Djaa Djuwima exhibition. “Uncle Jack Charles was an amazing Elder and such an inspiration. I continue to look up to him,” she says. The bold and bright portrait now features on a billboard in a new exhibition space located behind The Capital theatre in Bendigo. The original painting, purchased by the City of Greater Bendigo, has a new home in Ulumbarra Theatre. Alongside the people she admires, Keira’s beloved cat, Nala, is a feature of many of her artworks. However, Nala has been known to walk across art pieces in progress. “I don’t mind,” Keira laughs. “I can usually fix the smudges.” While getting her art out into the world is a major focus, Keira also enjoys playing football, loves music and prioritises spending time with her family and friends. Long-term, she dreams of exhibiting her work much more widely and would love to create a cartoon and publish a book starring Nala. Keira wants to use her creativity to draw more of the world’s attention to Aboriginal contemporary artwork. “But what I really want is to inspire Aboriginal children everywhere to follow their dreams.” To follow Keira’s art journey, visit her Facebook page Longy Creations or her website: longycreations.wixsite.com/artist

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AN EGG-CITING EVENT

Brielle and Adeline

Evie and Pippa

Jordan, Xavier and Dacry

Madeline and Sebastian

Sadie and Grace

Zarabelle and Niki

Despite the wet weather, the Vision Australia Easter Egg Hunt on Good Friday was as popular as ever. Children of all ages raced to find the 85,000 chocolate eggs hidden in Rosalind Park, excitedly showing off their finds to the family and friends watching from the sidelines.

It’s big(ger)! 2200m2 of knick-knackery, bric-a-brac-ery, second hand curios, retro accoutrement and a soupçon of handmade finery.

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Find what you’re not looking for. OPEN 7 DAYS ~ 10AM-5PM Located at The Mill Castlemaine: 1-9 Walker Street Opposite the Botanical Gardens

Anthony, Emma, Tarlia, Daisy and Brock

Emilie, Josh and Alyssa

LIGHTING UP EASTER Jess, Dione and Mia

Mohsin, Noor, Rumi and Hamza

Lilah, Jordyn and Dexter

Winnie, Tucker and Louis

When the sun went down on Easter Saturday, Bendigo was beautifully lit up for the O’Brien Plumbing & HVAC Torchlight Procession. People lined the streets to watch and wave at the convoy of illuminated floats, followed by a spectacular fireworks display, the perfect way to end the second day of the Bendigo Easter Festival.

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CROP TRADE

heart and soul soup By Beau Cook - Photography by Leon Schoots

Forget fancy food, this classic table staple is the real way to win friends, influence people, bring comfort and show you care. Plus, it’s the crowd pleaser that won’t break the budget. Enjoy liberally this winter.

CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP Serves 6 Ingredients: • 1 large leek (trimmed, washed and thinly sliced) • 2 sticks celery, thinly sliced • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 2 tbl. olive oil • 2 L chicken stock • 4 cups of kale, stems removed and roughly chopped • 1 free-range chicken breast • 2 x 400g tins of butter beans, drained and rinsed • 150g of a small pasta shape (gnocchetti sardi, macaroni, risoni) • Sea salt flakes • Cracked pepper • Handful of fresh parsley, roughly chopped • Buttered bread, parmesan cheese and cracked pepper to serve

Method: 1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add leek, celery and garlic, season generously with salt and pepper, then sauté for 10 minutes or until leek is quite soft but not caramelised. 2. Add stock, kale and whole chicken breast and bring to a very gentle simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes then remove chicken and set aside. 3. Add beans and pasta to the pot and simmer for a further 20 minutes or until pasta is cooked. 4. Meanwhile, when the chicken is cool enough to handle, use your hands to shred into small strips then return to the pot. 5. Just before serving, add the fresh parsley and season soup to taste if required. 6. Serve soup topped with parmesan and cracked pepper, with buttered bread on the side.

Abbyleena, Sarah, Nicole, Jayne and Paul

Alexander, Ben, Stella, Logan and Ben

Lucas and Caitlin

Ella, Jon and Flynn

Ezra, Rhianna and Zion

Felicity, Jasper and James

BUILDING A FUN TIME Local LEGO lovers jumped at the chance to spend a weekend surrounded by the colourful bricks. The Bendigo Bricks festival featured LEGO models of all sizes, including a humongous AT-M6 heavy artillery walker from Star Wars. Now in its sixth year, the event featured more than 120 talented exhibitors and their creations.

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Chris, Graham and Lindsay

Helen, Imogen, deb and Marnie

MARCHING FOR A MILESTONE Jocelyn, Derek, Michael and Roz

La Trobe University and Bendigo TAFE joined forces in April to celebrate the city’s academic history.

Julie, John, John and Melanie

Marie, John, Rosemary, John and Jacinta

This year marks 150 years of tertiary education in Bendigo, and staff, students, and alumni proudly marched through the streets dressed in academic regalia. A commemorative book was also launched in honour of the milestone.

Michelle, Marg and Dave

WINTER AT MUNARI WINES Enjoy a cozy afternoon tasting elegant wines from inside the rustic Cellar Door or on the terrace overlooking the vines

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warming reds of winter LAUREN MITCHELL takes an appreciative look at five stellar wines that have come into their own in time for the Bendigo region’s optimal tasting season. Photography by Leon Schoots

This issue’s wine selection arrived just as the vines around Bendigo were in full autumn splendour. We took a drive through the Harcourt Valley to see the oak trees, then cruised home on the old road, past the gold and crimson foliage of the region’s southern vineyards. With the vines now bare and tangled, we’re left with the memory of vintages past, both in the landscape and in the glass. Winter is the ideal time to toast the Bendigo region, when its robust reds really come to the fore. And while the vines lie dormant and the grapes ferment, the winemakers are getting ready to throw open cellar doors for the 2023 Barrel Tasting Weekend on July 8-9. Explore the variation in taste and character between wines at differing stages of maturation, including wine ageing in barrels, vats, and the bottled product. Meanwhile, why not try some of the long-finished products in our season’s top picks.

TURNERS CROSSING - 2017 CABERNET SAUVIGNON Up by the Campaspe River in Serpentine, winemaker Cameron Leith of Turners Crossing has created a wine that combines the rich flavour profile typically found in Bendigo reds with elegant varietal characters and a refined, harmonious structure. This wine positively sings with fruity tones and earthy notes, with a crescendo of soft yet firm tannins. Highly satisfying with a hearty winter meal.

VIN DU VAN - 2016 CABERNET SHIRAZ

SANDHURST RIDGE - 2020 ITALIANO

A light Googling tells us the Cabernet Shiraz blend is an Aussie-own invention, with the first bottles coming from the Barossa Valley in the late 1800s. Renowned for its harmony and balance, the blend ages gracefully, making this 2016 bottle a beautiful example. Celebrate national wine heritage and the gentle dips and hills of Mandurang with Vin Du Van’s modern-day success.

The Greblo brothers of Marong celebrate their Italian heritage with this wonderful blend of estate-grown Nebbiolo and Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangiovese from Mandurang South. Paul and George recommended cellaring for three years, which makes this winter the perfect time to pour a glass. In our case, it was over a slow-cooked beef casserole on a Sunday evening on the first cold weekend of the season. Saluti!

MUNARI WINES - LADYS PASS 2018 SHIRAZ

MANDURANG VALLEY - 2021 GRENACHE

Behold this Heathcote winery’s flagship Shiraz, which was rated 95 points in the Halliday Wine Companion. Winemaker Adrian Munari has delivered an elegant wine for both the longtime fan and the sometimes drinker. It’s finely perfumed and lightly spiced with sweet fruit flavours and a smooth texture. “It shows another side to the region’s favourite grape,” writes Jeni Port in the 2021 companion. And two years on from that rave review, it’s only gotten better.

Is this the ideal dinner party drop? Grenache is a crowdpleaser, equally at home paired with a pizza as it is a pad Thai. The ultimate Asian trio of lemongrass, soy and coriander marries beautifully with this wine. This means it’s also a good go-to as a BYO bottle for the local Thai restaurants that still invite you to do so. Enjoy notes of red plum, black cherry and raspberry.

Paul and Janene

Erica and Belinda

Dianne and Bibi

Hannah, Marie-Helene and Marion

A WEEKEND IN FRANCE For fans of contemporary cinema, three Frenchfilled days were celebrated in April.

Helen, Dennis, Kevin and Pip

Nadine, Jo and Kirsten

After touring the country, the Alliance Française French Film Festival made its way to Bendigo, screening seven films at the Star Cinema. Opening night saw attendees enjoy French-inspired cocktails while watching the 2022 film Masquerade.

Single vineyard wines from the Goldfields region of Victoria. Available at your favourite Bendigo restaurants, bars & liquor stores, or online at:

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Chris and India

Fun and family were at the forefront of Chris and India’s wishes for their special day. Photography by Christine Treacy Photography Two years ago, Chris and India’s love story began like many other modern-day couples – online dating. “Tinder for the win!” Chris says. Lockdown presented an opportunity to really get to know each other. Chris and India spent their days dog walking, cooking and listening to music, and it was soon clear they were meant to be. Deciding to get married was an easy decision, one made together. They selected a morganite diamond ring from JM Leech Jewellers for India and booked a private room at their favourite restaurant, where Chris excitedly proposed. It was a beautiful night. “We had a wonderful dinner of champagne, oysters and seafood, followed by the special Elvis Tram down Pall Mall with cocktails 66

and Elvis hits,” they say. Another easy decision was the wedding location. India’s family owns Munari Wines in Heathcote, with the vines providing the perfect ceremony backdrop. “It was very meaningful to me to see our property looking sparkling and special,” India says. “It was special for Chris, too, as he grew up around Axedale and Redesdale, and he loves spending time on our vineyard.” Chris and India’s big day arrived on February 18, 2023, and like the proposal, it was planned together. They wanted a relaxed and fun vibe for the day, deciding on roaming canapes by Heathcote Inn, a croquembouche instead of a cake, and an oyster and prosecco bar. India was made over by Hair Gaga and

Makeup By Ky, dressed in a gorgeous gown from Maribyrnong’s Fairytale Bridal, while Chris and his groomsmen looked sharp in tailor-made suits from Grant Rule Menswear in Eaglehawk. The bridesmaids chose their own outfits, something India strongly recommends. “Try not to be so overbearing on things like bridesmaid dresses or shoes,” she says. “It doesn’t really matter in the end, as long as your bridal party looks nice and they feel good.” Heathcote’s Hello Poppy Lane supplied the flowers, and India was guided through her choices with a mood board created by florist Van. The flowers added lovely pops of colour to the photographs taken by Christine Treacy, who made the couple feel very comfortable.

The photoshoot gave Chris and India a chance to unwind and share a laugh with their bridal party, memories they look back on fondly. The dancefloor also was very memorable. After the first dance with her new husband, India and her father shared a dance before everyone was invited to groove to Love Is In the Air. “It was such a great trilogy of music, all meaningful songs, and it had a very surreal feeling,” India says. “Looking around to the happy faces of my loved ones was so beautiful.” Josh DeAraugo and Harlem Band provided the rest of the tunes, and the night was as amazing as Chris and India had hoped. But it wasn’t without hiccups. India almost didn’t make it to the ceremony, as the super-charged old Ford she was in overheated twice during the drive. “The car is actually a drag car and technically not meant for cruising,” she says. “It could have been stressful, but we had fun with it.” The problems were forgotten once the car roared up the driveway and Chris and India saw each other, giggling out of excitement and love. The wedding may have been relaxed, but a day later Chris and India jetted off for a high-energy honeymoon. They immersed themselves in the history of Egypt, perused the markets of Morocco, and were wowed by Dubai before returning to Australia to eagerly start their married lives. “It’s definitely (been) an adjustment, going from saying partner or fiancé to husband,” India says. “We are having a great time.”

Charmaine, Don and Kylie

Ken, Sue, Brooke and Kayla

REMEMBERING OUR PAST Riley, Campbell, Duncan and Max

Steve and Greg

Sandra, Karen and Neil

Trevor, Steve, Thomas and Scott

A beautiful sunrise greeted the thousands gathered outside the Soldiers Memorial Institute for the Anzac Day Dawn Service. Veterans and family members proudly marched along Pall Mall as attendees paid their respects and reflected on the nation’s military sacrifices. Bendigo District RSL Sub-Branch also held a mid-morning service and services in Eaglehawk.

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Harvey and Sam

Linda and Kathrine

Penny, Kate, Willow, Max, Lucy, Poppy and Dottie

Peter, Maddison, Janelle, Layla and Joel

Will and Brooke

Yvette, Kacey, Gwen, Zac and James

RACE TO HELP OTHERS The streets of White Hills became a racetrack for a day during the Bendigo Memory Walk & Jog, in honour of loved ones with dementia. Participants completed 3km, 5km or 10km courses, starting and finishing at the Garden for the Future. Through the fundraiser, organisers aim to “beat dementia to the finish line”.

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Adam, Natalie, Jeremy and Nikki

Anthony and Catherine

Craig, Steve, Janet, Sullivan, Ben, Daryl and Colleen

Gill, Joy and Marg

A SPORTING GOOD TIME The last day of April was a big one at the Bendigo Jockey Club.

Grant, Josie, Mel and Chris

Lyn, Liz and Chris

The chill in the air didn’t deter punters from enjoying the nine races on offer at the Sportsman Raceday. In a special moment, local horse Aoife and trainer Brent Stanley won the sixth race of the day.

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transforming tradition Overlooking a multigenerational property, this architecturally designed home shows what can be achieved when modern aesthetics are applied to the concept of the iconic Australian farmhouse. By Sue Turpie - Photography by Leon Schoots

The beauty of architectural design today is being able to admire how iconic styles are being transformed into modern masterpieces. When designing this rural project, Lucas Hodgens, architect and director of EPlus Architecture, was determined to create something new while paying homage to its predecessor – the traditional Australian farmhouse. And owners Amy and Jason couldn’t have been happier with the result. The building project took about two years in total; half the time spent on planning and the rest on building. The extensive preparation is evident in the quality of the finished product. Amy and Jason had always wanted to live in a rural setting. “I grew up on a farm in southern New South Wales and Jason grew up locally in Castlemaine and Barkers Creek” Amy says. “The land is part of a family farm and we are the third generation to take ownership of part of it. Our house block in Castlemaine was getting too small for our three active boys, so it seemed like the right time to make that move.” The brief given to EPlus Architecture was “a modern Australian farmhouse” – something that would withstand family life and fit into the rural setting. Lucas explains there were many meetings held early in the process, walking through the property with Amy and Jason to identify key vistas and positioning for sunlight, breezes and future dams. “As the property was located on the family farm, when deciding where to locate the house we also needed to consider the future operation of the farm,” Lucas says. “We wanted to ensure the house had a presence on top of the hill with a journey from the road up to the site via a meandering driveway that weaves its way through the bushy outcrop, across a small creek, and then ascending to the house. This creates a sense of drama, allowing the house to have a front-on approach greeting guests as they arrive.”

The expansive house has been designed to accommodate a growing family. The exterior is perfectly balanced with three distinctive finishes of brick, timber and tin. Amy and Jason prefer simple materials, but the contemporary and contrasting look still creates visual impact. “The ‘gal iron’ has been profiled and installed as a standing seam profile, and timber with a clear finish rather than traditional paint has been used sparingly in well-protected areas to minimise maintenance,” Lucas says. “The brick veneer creates the hard outer shell to protect the house and provide thermal mass, while the colours of the brick reference the soils and dried-off grassland around the farm. It was a blend of two different brick colours for a customised pallete.” Inside comprises four bedrooms and an office, open-plan living and dining with adjoining kitchen and meals area facing the central alfresco courtyard with outdoor fireplace. There is also a selfcontained guest house that doubles as the gym or rumpus room and tennis court clubhouse. “Although the house has four operational sides, the ‘front’ was still an important factor,” Lucas says. “The brief was for a modern interpretation of an Australian farmhouse, so the elevated front on the east with a veranda was key to this. In true country house fashion, family and those in the know enter through the back door and into the kitchen on the south. On the west is the service yards and the north is where all the action happens.” For Amy and Jason, their favourite feature is the living room with its large window and built-in lounge making it the ideal place to read a book in the sun or enjoy the view. While the streamlined finish is uncluttered and clean, the feel of the space is “always cosy and homely”. “The house was a simple idea, clean lines with all fussy detail and ornateness removed,” Lucas says. “The execution of the build was masterfully put together by our contractor Steve Bish and his subtrades. “The simplicity of the detailing, the placement of openings and windows to capture specific views and the low-maintenance, hardwearing surfaces for a growing family, have all pulled this family home together whilst still offering a stunning architectural result.”

PositionedPositioned in a quiet bushland in a quietsetting, bushlanddiscover setting,a discover place of a place of tree-lined tree-lined boulevardsboulevards and nativeand floranative and fauna, flora and where fauna, majestic where majestic parks meetparks with meet thriving withwetlands, thriving and wetlands, all areand justalla stone's are justthrow a stone's throw from everyfrom home. every Whether home.you Whether are looking you are forlooking a largefor home a large site home site for luxury for family luxury living family or a living low-maintenance or a low-maintenance allotment, allotment, Viewpoint Viewpoint has been designed has beentodesigned cater fortoyour caterlifestyle. for your lifestyle.

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Cindy, Ben, Kristen and Thomas

Dianne, Ion and Trevor

Jenna and Simone

Joan, Peter, Felicia and Carlie

Tim, Cindy and Jess

William, Kate and Chris

NEW NAME FOR HOSPITAL GARDEN Bendigo Health’s therapeutic gardens have won multiple landscape awards, and now have a significant new title. A dedication ceremony took place in mid-May, with the space now called the Agnico Eagle Therapeutic Garden in honour of the company’s contributions to the Bendigo Health Foundation. Representatives from Agnico Eagle and Bendigo Health were proudly in attendance.

FASHION, FIBRE, FOOD, & FUN JULY 14, 15, 16

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Mikayla, Gerogia and Louise

Ben, Ethan, Hayden and Zack

Anu, Diva, Dylan and Jithin

Lashay, Charlotte and Kim

FUN-FILLED DAY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY The Kangaroo Flat community united on a Sunday in May for the popular Family Fun Day.

Shane, Tonya, Olivia and Amelia

Will, Toby, Izzy and Olive

Activities including a climbing wall, arts and crafts and pony rides ensured the kids (and kids in spirit) had an absolute ball. Local organisations such as the Discovery Centre and Agnico Eagle also ran workshops for the participants.

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full throttle There’s no denying what floats the Nankervis family’s boat. For three generations, they’ve gone fast and furious racing powerboats and aided other thrill-seekers to hit top speed on both water and land. By Raelee Tuckerman - Photography by Leon Schoots This is a tale of twin brothers whose love of tinkering with motors led to a lifetime passion that helped put their name – and Central Victoria – on the marine industry map. Allan and the late Keith Nankervis were running an automotive garage in Tannery Lane in 1949 when they first turned their attention to fixing boats – a move that saw them become among the fastest Australian men on water, while creating a niche business that is still thriving in Bendigo today. “It all started with a fellow who had a race boat called Jingle Bells,” says Allan, now a sprightly 94 years young. “Its motor was playing up so he came to us and we started working on it – from there, we

just kept going.” As the pair branched out to fully servicing and building boats from a bigger workshop in Spring Gully, they also took up highperformance circuit and ski boat racing and quickly developed a reputation for their speed and skill, winning many races and setting the scene for a family dynasty. Allan’s sons Paul, Leo, Anthony and John, and grandsons Bradley and Rowan continued the on-water success, as boats piloted or crewed by Nankervises won various state and national titles and major races such as the Griffith Cup and the Southern 80 throughout the decades. 85

In 1966, Keith Nankervis set an Australian water speed record in a striking red hydroplane named Tiger, reaching 138.08mph (a touch over 222kmh) on the waters of Lake Eppalock. “We’ve still got Tiger today,” says Allan who, along with Paul and Leo, also earned coveted badges from the Australian Power Boat Association for exceeding the 100mph mark on water. Leo set two speed records of his own: 111mph in the 266 class at age 17, and 72mph in Formula Ford. They have kept a wealth of boating memorabilia, including the workhorse racing hydro Tiger Cub that was piloted by family members for about 30 years, and have discussed the possibility of one day setting up a museum to share it with other nautical enthusiasts. Their history is intrinsically linked to the construction of Lake Eppalock in the early 1960s, which provided a new destination for recreational boaters and created an opportunity to expand their business. They built a new workshop on the shores of the lake, at one stage employing 46 people, and even began designing their own signature Nankervis ski boat range. “It was very busy in the Eppalock days,” recalls Leo, who took over Nankervis Performance Boats from his dad. “They had club sites, a pontoon where people could come and get fuel for their boats, the Brolga Hotel Motel was operating and it was a very good atmosphere. Many people would go there for day trips and picnics on the lawns, as well as taking their boats out for a spin.” It was also there at Eppalock that the next Nankervis generation was introduced to the boating business that they would join as adults.

VR Commodore Bronze Aussie, which holds Australia’s land speed record for a piston-driven car at 271mph (436kmh). The Bronze Aussie team aims to break its own record and reach 300mph but had to abandon an attempt in March this year due to poor weather at Lake Gairdner in South Australia. In recent years, Bradley engineered his own hydroplane – Little Tiger – with the assistance of his dad. It raced several seasons successfully but is currently in hiatus awaiting repairs after a crash.

“I was pretty much born and raised in the house above the workshop out there,” laughs marine mechanic Rowan. “We kids always helped out from a very early age – though I think they’d give us little jobs to keep us out of the way. I swept the floors, served fuel from the pontoon and worked in the showroom under Allan’s supervision and he used to pay me about 20 cents a day!” His brother Bradley, an engine builder, agrees: “You can’t really escape it – it’s all around you so it’s natural you show an interest in it. I did go to university to become a mechanical engineer but it didn’t really suit me so I went back onto the tools and a much more hands-on job.” Before returning home to Bendigo, Bradley toiled his trade on high-performance car engines, working for Larry Perkins in the V8 Supercars series, Ford Performance Racing, then Tickford Pro Drive in the UK, which saw him crew at the famed Le Mans 24-hour endurance event in France. Through Nankervis Performance Racing Engines, he builds and maintains motors for Central Victorian international rally car driver Brendan Reeves, and salt lake racer Lionel West’s highly modified

The Nankervis business shut its doors at Lake Eppalock in 2006, amid crippling drought and issues with the lease, relocating to Leo’s back yard before settling in its current premises in Contempo Court, East Bendigo. The team services more than 100 ski boats annually, as well as up to 15 high-performance racing vessels and specialist motorsport engines. “I’ve had a go at pretty much everything over the years,” says Leo. “As well as all the boats, I’ve worked on Auscars, rally cars, even tractor pullers.” They enjoy working with customers who share their passion for watercraft and fast cars, gaining special satisfaction when clients achieve competitive success. But at the end of the day, that feeling of flying across the water with the wind in their face and the mist in their wake is something that will never get old. Once a speed demon, always a speed demon. “Absolutely,” laughs Rowan. “Allan was driving a boat with me in it only four or five years ago doing 100mph, and he was around 90 at the time! Dad is the same – he doesn’t drive fast in a car, but put him in a boat and off he goes.” Footnote: The Nankervis need for speed is not limited to boats and cars. Leo’s other sons, Russell and Tasman, are talented cyclists who have competed internationally in road and mountain bike events. 89

CHALLENGE FOR CHARITY

Hayley and Simone

Lorna and Fiona

Lucy and Harriett

Mick, Maree and Lucas

Tarli, Virginia and Natasha

Tom, Jarrod and Sam

Passing through fields and beautiful bushland, runners completed a charitable 42.2km for the O’Keefe Challenge. They made their way along the O’Keefe Rail Trail that stretches between Bendigo and Heathcote to raise funds for the Heathcote Dementia Alliance. The run was preceded by an evening cycling event, held a week earlier.

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Andrea, Karyn, Annabell and Leanne

Meg, Olive, Donna and Harry

Jed, Eadie and Sarah

Michele, Leah, Rosie and Paul

ONE FOR THE MUMS Alongside thousands across the country, Bendigo mums started their special day with the Mother’s Day Classic.

Tara, Mikayla and Betty

Wayne, Henry, Tanya and Percy

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Families and supporters dressed in pink joined in for the 4km and 8km fun runs around Kennington Reservoir. The event, now in its 26th year, raises vital funds for breast cancer research.

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golden goals Football helped one young Bendigo man find his feet on local sporting fields as a child – now he has the world at his feet as a member of the elite Australian Pararoos squad. By Raelee Tuckerman - Photography by Ann Odong - Football Australia From the time he began chasing the round ball up and down soccer pitches as a six-year-old for Colts United, Joshua Beekes was no different to any other excited junior dreaming of one day playing for his country. What now sets him apart is, that dream is on the cusp of becoming reality. Being diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a toddler didn’t slow Josh down then and certainly hasn’t held him back since, especially where football is concerned. He played for Bendigo City FC in the elite able-bodied National Premier League junior divisions and has become a stand-out in Victoria’s all-abilities competition, regularly representing his state at the Australian Para Football Championships for athletes with CP, acquired brain injury and stroke symptoms.

He was invited to his first Pararoos national training camp in his mid-teens, was part of an extended Australian squad for two friendlies against the USA in February and is aiming to make his international debut at the Para Asian Cup in Melbourne later this year. “Realistically, having cerebral palsy hasn’t been a setback at all in my life,” says Josh, explaining he has hemiplegia causing mild weakness on the left side of his body. “Most people don’t even know unless I tell them. Instead, it’s given me opportunities that aren’t available to others. I see it as more an opportunity than a hindrance, for which I’ve been lucky because there are many different levels of impairment and it’s not the same for everyone.” 93

Josh took up local club soccer to play alongside a young mate and simply loved the game. He was introduced to para football a few years later after dad Martin heard about it from an employee who also had cerebral palsy. “We went down to Melbourne one weekend for a trial, they invited me back and I’ve been going down there almost every second weekend since!” His first formal competitive para match came at age 13, lining up for Victoria at the national carnival. “It was pretty surreal,” he laughs. “It was eye-opening to be playing with and against others who have the same disability as me. Most were adults and it was my first proper game of CP football with different rules, so it was definitely a challenge.” Mum Emma adds: “In the first five minutes, one of the big fellas bumped him and said, ‘Welcome to the big league, son’.” Undeterred, Josh thrived on the experience. Para football features modified rules including a reduced pitch, smaller goals, seven-a-side instead of 11, 60-minute matches instead of 90, no off-side and players allowed to roll the ball in from the sideline as not everyone can throw it overhead. Participants are classified according to their level of neurological deficit, with FT1 the most impaired and FT3 the least. Teams must always have at least one FT1 player on the field and a maximum of one FT3. Winger Josh is classified FT3. He says the para football community is incredibly supportive and has grown markedly since his early days, when the state program was largely run by parents. It is now part of Football Victoria’s inclusion program, while the high-performance Pararoos and Paramatildas come under Football Australia’s management, offering pathways to the biennial Para World Cup.

“All the players know each other and it’s like one big family,” Josh says of the national carnival, which is in Perth in 2023. “As much as it’s a serious competition, we enjoy getting together to play. Once you’re inserted into that life, it’s great and I wouldn’t change anything.” At last year’s Gold Coast nationals, Josh won the FT3 Player of the Tournament Award, was voted the Victorian team Players’ Player, was joint winner of the squad’s Benny Roche Medal and led his side’s goal scoring as they finished runners-up. That performance resulted in his call-up to the Pararoos squad for a camp that included their second match on home soil since the Sydney Olympics. “While I didn’t get to make my debut against the USA, just being on the sidelines wearing an Australian shirt with my name on the back was a pretty proud moment,” he says. Martin and Emma have seen their son develop into a confident young man through the mentoring and encouragement he’s received along his sporting journey. “Josh started football as a primary source of physiotherapy,” says Martin. “It’s second to none for children because they aren’t worried about what they are doing on their own two feet, it’s about chasing a ball and the pure joy you see on their faces. He has been lucky with the coaches he’s had along the way because they’ve not seen the disability, they’ve seen the passion and have really enhanced his love for the game.” It has been a positive experience for the whole family, including James, 15, and Josh’s twin, Kate. “When you first have a child diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the world becomes a little insular. But you soon learn there are other families with similar stories, so it’s not just about the boys and girls out on the pitch. It’s also about parents being able to share their stories and their love of watching their kids truly enjoy themselves.”

Emma beams with pride as she reflects on Josh’s sporting and personal achievements – he completed VCE at Catherine McAuley College in 2021 and has moved to Geelong, where he works in childcare and studies early childhood education while continuing his football commitments and striving towards the ultimate goal of playing for his country. “We started to recognise signs of something when he was two or three,” she recalls. “He wouldn’t bend his foot to put his shoes on… then we realised his leg didn’t feel quite right so took him to a paediatrician, who diagnosed Josh with CP. He’d had a bleed on the brain when he was in-utero. “That’s when we went down the road of lots of physio through Bendigo hospital and he would wear a brace on his left ankle and leg after school every day, for the whole afternoon and evening.” It seems a lifetime ago now, as Josh sprints down the field, dribbling deftly and booting the ball into the back of the net. “We love watching him play – he’s really fast!” The Beekes family is keen to promote para football to others. “We want to give a call out to parents and kids who have CP, ABI or stroke symptoms to know that playing sport doesn’t have to end at age 10, 11 or 12, when a differential can appear between the able-bodied and those with a disability,” says Martin. “There are pathways for those kids to continue to enjoy sport.” “And,” emphasises Josh, “that enjoyment can eventually lead to a highly competitive level of football that potentially can take you to the world stage.” For more information about all-abilities and para football opportunities, contact Selin Arpaci at Football Victoria on 03 9474 1824. 96

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