Hospitality stalwart turned Be.Bendigo CEO: A+ for advocacy

BE.BENDIGO’s Hayley Tibbett hasn’t skipped a beat since her transition from board member to CEO last February.

Ms Tibbett found herself in the role after taking a short break following 15 years as founder and head chocolatier of Indulge Fine Belgian Chocolates (the winner of the Best Hospitality Award at the 2018 BBEAs).

In her brief tenure she’s already been compelled to respond to several issues on behalf of the local business community – both long-term and unexpected – while hospitality, tourism and retail bore the brunt of a jittery trading environment.

One such talking point to surface in August was Qantas’s controversial decision to suspend its five-times-a-week 6.45am QantasLink Sydney flight from Bendigo.

Ms Tibbett said while it’s unrealistic to expect the national carrier to reverse its decision, “a bit of flexibility would be good”.

“I suppose for somebody sitting somewhere it was an easy thing to say ‘we’ll just change it’,” she said.

“I’m not expecting it to go back to what it was.

“Any win is a win if we can see some adjustment, some flexibility – let’s try and do the right thing for everyone.”

The Bendigo Art Gallery’s two-year closure has also been a topic of discussion, especially the expected reduction in visitors within the View Street arts precinct during that time.

“It’ll be great when it’s finished,” Ms Tibbett said.

“It’s not going to be a construction site that looks horrible and they’re going to have a whole lot of tradesmen around up there for the duration.

“It’s still a beautiful area of Bendigo with some really good shops – ultimately we want everybody to keep shopping locally and support as many of our local businesses as they can, whether they’re in View Street or somewhere else.”

Ms Tibbett was also robust on the matter of the Hargreaves Mall, particularly its underuse and overexposure to some seriously disgraceful public behaviours.

“It’s not going to take much for it to turn around – it won’t take much to flip it, but it’s not an easy ask,” she commented.

“For example, people can say they want food shops there as much as they like, but I know how it is on the other side – you’re not going to open a shop not knowing if you may or may not have customers.

“With the new (220-bed) student accommodation planned for construction in Williamson Street, that’s the influx of people we need into the centre of Bendigo to see businesses come back.

“It’ll make a huge difference.”

As we roll into 2026, Ms Tibbett said she’d be concentrating on lending an ear to any Be.Bendigo or wider business community members who may be struggling.

“If you’re doing it tough, you know we’re here,” she said.

“The problems that you’ve got might seem like they’re niche to you, but there’ll be somebody who’s been through something similar and might have some insight.

“It’s difficult, but sometimes it’s as easy as coming in for a coffee and a chat.”