Open house event expands

MORE buildings have been added to the upcoming Open House Bendigo program.

The former Bendigo Mining Exchange within the Beehive Building, the Eaglehawk Mechanics Institute, and the 145-year-old Mackenzie Quarters are now on the list of places to explore.

The come on top of the already 20 listed properties on offer including the new Bendigo TAFE building, La Trobe University campus and Art Institute, Bendigo Town Hall, the Returned Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, and the Garden of the Future at the Botanic Gardens.

Along with the additional buildings, organisers have also confirmed the weekend’s line-up of speakers.

Described as a “mini-marathon” of public talks, Culture of Place: Bendigo and the Big Build on at La Trobe Art Institute will see talks and panel discussions involving Dja Dja Wurrung artist Rebecca Phillips, Adam Pustola from architectural firm Lyons, Meaghan Dwyer and Kah-Fai Lee from John Wardle Architects, Jayden Peacock of Architectus, and State Government architect Jill Garner.

Also at the La Trobe Art Institute, curator Amelia Wallin, lead artists Robyn Burgess and Chunxiao Qu, architect Peter Elliott, and Institute director Bala Starr will be in discussion on the building’s development.

Finally, the Engine Room will host Making Home, featuring Haven; Home Safe’s Rachel Gellatly, architect Clare Cousins, and Nightingale Housing’s Toby Dean, who’ll be talking on the present state, and future, of social housing in Victoria.

Open House Bendigo is set for the weekend of 22 and 23 October. Visit bit.ly/3gdugbC for more info.