BendigoWeekly www.bendigoweekly.com.au
ISSUE 1016 FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017
Hard work rewarded ALMOST 800 graduands had their few minutes of fame on stage at the Ulumburra Theatre this week. Surinderjeet Saini, pictured, was one of the students who gathered with family and friends to cele-
brate their years of study in a wide range of courses, from dentistry to outdoor education, business to speech pathology. Graduations continue throughout today.
FAITH GROWS ■
Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN
Aspire lodges planning application
By SHARON KEMP
THE Aspire Foundation has lodged a planning application with the City of Greater Bendigo to build Australia’s first faith-based tourist precinct, and will continue to lobby the federal government for funding. The foundation developing the precinct to be built at the base of the Sacred Heart Cathedral has decided to proceed in stages, given it is yet to raise all the required funds.
LA TROBE BUILDS Page 11
The Victorian government has contributed $5 million and private donors have added to the sum. Plans submitted to council show the first stage will include redeveloping the former Haymes paint building on High Street, and fitting it with a geodesic dome that will house a 4D
cinema. The building will also be refurbished to be an interpretive centre which will include exhibition space for Bendigo historical and multi-faith themes, a library and learning centre. But foundation chairman Gordon McKern said supporters wanted to get on with the project.
Beehive abuzz – Page 3
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“Our aim now is to get moving on the project and to present the federal government with a compelling case to join the state and invest in what is a very important project for the Bendigo community,” Mr McKern said. “For many years Bendigonians have lamented the lack of a museum
showcasing our history; Aspire well and truly supersedes a static display and will build on recent innovations such as Marilyn to create a permanent major attraction.” But Mr McKern believes the project’s drawcard will be the cinematic experience. “It will tell the stories of Bendigo’s history in a quite thrilling way, with film, sound, movement and sensory stimulation,” he said.
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