{"id":93935,"date":"2023-12-31T04:59:23","date_gmt":"2023-12-30T17:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/?p=93935"},"modified":"2024-01-04T09:27:59","modified_gmt":"2024-01-03T22:27:59","slug":"a-look-back-at-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/news\/a-look-back-at-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"A look back at 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
Well awarded<\/strong><\/p>\n
AS is often the case, January was all about recognising some of the region\u2019s best.<\/p>\n
Events coinciding with 26 January saw Trevor Strauch named the City of Greater Bendigo Citizen of the Year, while Young Citizen honours were shared by Amelia Leach-Unmeopa and Mitchell Graham.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am delighted to congratulate Trevor, Amelia and Mitchell on this significant achievement and their contribution to the Greater Bendigo community,\u201d said mayor Cr Andra Metcalf.<\/p>\n
On a national level, Sally Duncan, David Wright, Ashley Donaldson and Margaret \u2018Peggy\u2019 Kearin all received medals of the Order of Australia on Australia Day for their service to the community.<\/p>\n
Like many recipients, Ms Duncan sought to share the spotlight.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d prefer it to be about the people and the programs I work with, because that\u2019s where the recognition is needed, I don\u2019t need recognition,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In a different space, 25-year-old horse trainer Tayla French took out the 2022 Haras des Trotteurs Australasian Young Drivers Championship.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis to keep going a few weeks on, it\u2019s obviously a big success,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Stars shine<\/strong><\/p>\n
Recognition season wasn\u2019t over in February, with the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year taking place late in the month.<\/p>\n
Swimmer Jenna Strauch was named the 2023 Bendigo Sports Star of the Year following strong campaigns at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships.<\/p>\n
Cyclist, Noel Sens, took the Faith Leech Achievement Award, rising soccer stars Silver Bell Morris and Ryan Kalms received the Maxine Crouch and Cyril Michelsen trust funds, Maiden Gully Marist Cricket Club was the Bendigo Bank Community Minded Award recipient, while Kangaroo Flat Primary School was the Fosterville Gold Mine Healthiest School.<\/p>\n
Sandhurst Football Netball Club A Grade coach Tamara Gilchrist was the John Forbes Coach\/Manager of the Year, Jordan Korp and Junior Whyman were the Bendigo Health Young Indigenous Awards recipients and local netball legend Caitlin Thwaites joined the Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the month, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stopped by the Thales factory in Bendigo North to check out production of the Bushmasters and Hawkei fighting vehicles.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Bushmasters are] on the ground making a difference [in Ukraine] each and every day to the defence of that nation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\nSolemn: 40 years after the Ash Wednesday bushfires Tim Fitzgerald looked back on his involvement on the event. Photos: STEVE WOMERSLEY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
In session<\/strong><\/p>\n
Then Premier Daniel Andrews came to town to cut the ribbon on Bendigo\u2019s new $152 million court building.<\/p>\n
The facility included 11 courtrooms, remote witness facilities, two hearing rooms, two mediation suites, safe waiting facilities, and dedicated jury areas.<\/p>\n
Mr Andrews said the building was a significant milestone and development for the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an important day for Bendigo, both as a city and as the capital of the Loddon Mallee region,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a big spend, a lot of jobs and development, it really locks in the future of justice services.\u201d<\/p>\n
On a national level, the efforts of a group of female high school students were highlighted.<\/p>\n
Participants of a program at Bendigo Tech School to overall and convert an old Range Rover took their creation to Sydney for Fully Charged.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe one thing I can\u2019t say enough about this project is how good it is for girls\u2019 self-esteem,\u201d said project assistant Imani Dunne.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuys try something and if they\u2019re not good at it they go \u2018oh well, I had a crack\u2019. If a girl tries something and she doesn\u2019t do well she goes \u2018I don\u2019t like anything in that field\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\nHeartfelt: Donald Monro, guest speaker at the 2023 Sandakan Memorial Service paid tribute to his father who died as a prisoner of war. Photo: STEVE WOMERSLEY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Higher learning<\/strong><\/p>\n
April saw celebrations of Bendigo\u2019s 150 years of higher education offerings hit full step, with an academic procession through the centre of town.<\/p>\n
The parade included alumni from La Trobe University and Bendigo TAFE as well as forerunner institutions and was led by La Trobe chancellor, former State Premier, and Federal Member for Bendigo, John Brumby.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s super exciting to see everybody here today,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are about 300 in the procession.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very proud history and it\u2019s just wonderful for me to be here as chancellor of Latrobe, given my history in Bendigo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bendigo has a lot of world-class things but a museum isn\u2019t one of them, and with the region\u2019s rich history, \u2018why not?\u2019 was a question being asked by some locals.<\/p>\n
The Bendigo Historical Society held an open meeting to pose that conundrum and push for the creation of such a facility.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegional collections hold unique objects and images,\u201d said BHS president Euan McGillivray<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are many aspects of Australian history not well represented in state and national collections.<\/p>\nGlow: Performers pass down Pall Mall during the Torchlight Parade during the Bendigo Easter Festival. Photo: STEVE WOMERSLEY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Prize picture<\/strong><\/p>\n
May saw Bendigo\u2019s art community take centre stage, with painter Alanah Ellen Brand announced as a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize for portraiture.<\/p>\n
Her work, depicting mentor and fellow artist Solomon Kammer – herself an Archibald finalist.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my first entry, and I am absolutely thrilled that it has been selected as a finalist\u201d Ellen Brand said. \u201cThis is truly a dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n
Out near Lockington the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation launched an ambitious food and fibre enterprise.<\/p>\n
Known as DJAKITJ, the group plans to produce native plants and animals for commercial sale and the site could hold the southern hemisphere\u2019s largest yabby farm.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a significant milestone for us,\u201d said CEO Rodney Carter. \u201cFor the first time, DJAARA has invested its own funds, $1.6 million, to buy our own land back so we can set up this exciting business.\u201d<\/p>\n
Groovin the Moo returned to the Bendigo Showground and among the locals on stage was singer NAYYETHWEY, selected to take part though the Triple J Unearthed program.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was bloody, bloody awesome,\u201d he said. \u201cHonestly, I couldn\u2019t imagine a more perfect set on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\nLegendary UK DJ Fatboy Slim closed out the Groovin the Moo music festival at the Bendigo Showgrounds. Photo: STEVE WOMERSLEY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Voting changes<\/strong><\/p>\n
How, where and who residents and some ratepayers would vote in the 2024 municipal elections became slightly clearer in June and the Victorian Electoral Commission released the final draft of the new single councillor ward structure.<\/p>\n
Part of the mandated move by the State Government, long time City of Greater Bendigo representative Cr Rod Fyffe was in favour of the change.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always preferred the single wards, simply because the people get to know quite quickly who their councillor is,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that that also makes it more manageable for the councillors themselves. When I had a single ward, I had 11 square kilometres, and I went to just over 1000 square kilometres.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, with large parts of the municipality not in the metro region of Bendigo, there was fear some outlying areas could miss out.<\/p>\n
\u201cOverall, I think that a redesigning might be interesting, I\u2019m not quite sure how single councillors would go over large areas in terms of their connection to community,\u201d said president of Advance Heathcote, Peter Maine.<\/p>\nSugary: Daniel Troy Treacy of Treacy Patisserie was part of the Australian Women\u2019s Weekly exhibition Sweet Treat Trail. Photo: JORDAN McCARTHY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Not fun and games<\/strong><\/p>\n
Touted for more than a year as something the whole state could look forward too, the dream of a regional Commonwealth Games came to an end in July and their Premier Daniel Andrews pulled the pin on the event citing cost blowouts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the numbers add up, and they are so much more than we budgeted, then there\u2019s really no choice but to proceed straight to all the legacy benefits,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHousing, stadiums, tourism and major events funds. It\u2019s a big package all within the original budget, as opposed to a Comm Games for 12 days that costs $6 or $7 billion.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this time, but perhaps at any time really, you can\u2019t justify that.<\/p>\n
In a good sports news story, top NBA draftee and local product, Dyson Daniels returned home after this first season in the bigs.<\/p>\n
He was in town to run basketball clinics at Red Energy Arena.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s surreal still, and it does feel like yesterday I was just out there, running around, playing juniors on these courts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow I\u2019m here, running camps with kids buying my jerseys, wanting autographs, photos and stuff like that, so it\u2019s special.<\/p>\nHanded defeat: James Schischka\u2019s three-goal effort was not enough to get Strathfieldsaye the win on QEO against Sandhurst in Bendigo Football League action. Photo: STEVE WOMERSLEY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Who\u2019s the boss?<\/strong><\/p>\n
While the departure of long-time City of Greater Bendigo CEO Craig Niemann was announced late in 2022, the search for his replacement got underway in August with the engagement of Melbourne based recruitment firm Davidson leading the hunt.<\/p>\n
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said she expected a competitive recruitment process as the municipality Bendigo has earned a reputation as a successful local government organisation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are looking for an authentic leader, with a people focus,\u201d she said. \u201cThey will need to be a strategic thinker and have a track record in delivering timely outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the end the answer would be found pretty close to home\u2026<\/p>\n
A century-and-a-half of service to the community was marked with a formal reception for the Kangaroo Flat Brigade\u2019s major milestone.<\/p>\n
Captain James O\u2019Brien said the cutting of the cake was representative of the past, present and future of the brigade.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a remarkable occasion for our brigade,\u201d he said. \u201cWe had an ex-member reunion where we had members that I\u2019d never met.\u201d<\/p>\nAll aboard!: Steve Kirkpatrick helped celebrate the new addition of the Bendigo-Built on Gold tram to the town\u2019s fleet. Photo: ALICIA COOK<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Allan\u2019s accession<\/strong><\/p>\n
While Premier Daniel Andrews’ resignation would have come as a surprise statewide, his sucessor had a lot more meaning on the home front.<\/p>\n
Late September saw the Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan, become Victoria\u2019s second women Premier, the first female from outside of Melbourne to hold the job, and the first person from the regions to lead the state in more than a century.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is such a deep honour and privilege to be in the position to be heading to Government House and to be sworn in as premier of Victoria,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwenty-four years ago, almost to the day when I walked into this place as a much younger woman from regional Victoria, I never expected to have this length of service or indeed to be able to have had the honour and privilege of serving the Victorian community in various ministerial roles.<\/p>\n
\u201cI pledge to continue to work incredibly hard as I have done each and every day.\u201d<\/p>\nStanding ovation: The Bendigo Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Luke Severn, marked major achievements with a concert at the company\u2019s new home at the Ulumbarra. Photo: STEVE WOMERSLEY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Go local<\/strong><\/p>\n
Remember how the City of Grater Bendigo hired a recruitment company to find a new CEO?<\/p>\n
Well turns out perhaps they didn\u2019t need to as the job was filled internally with the director appointed to oversee the local Commonwealth Games effort, Andrew Cooney, appointed to fill the role in October.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe beauty of being able to come from within the organisation, you get the chance to continue what we\u2019ve already got going,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Cooney officially started in the job on 18 December.<\/p>\n
For the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bendigo Show returned!<\/p>\n
Over two days, the event attracted thousands of people to the Prince of Wales Showground and agricultural society executive officer Ian Furze.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always great to hear the screams, you know they\u2019re having a good time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The show wasn\u2019t the only major ag news going on with the announcement that the town was also going to play host to Meat and Livestock Australia\u2019s annual conference.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s showtime: Farmer David Pickles took his prized heritage chooks to the Bendigo Show. Photo: STEVE WOMERSLEY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Fight for service<\/strong><\/p>\n
Ongoing maternal and intensive care services at St John of God Bendigo were in doubt at the start of November, with an internal review questioning their future.<\/p>\n
If they were to close, it would have left Bendigo Hospital as the only birthing service in the region able to handle complex cases.<\/p>\n
It was a possibility one young mum was fighting against.<\/p>\n
\u201cSignificant stuff happened which has changed my course of life,\u201d she said. \u201cBeing told too that you\u2019re going to possibly have a hysterectomy before at the age of 30 and getting told your husband has to see you before you go into surgery because you might not [come out].\u201d<\/p>\n
For the first time in history, development club the Bendigo Pioneers supplied the AFL with the number one draft pick.<\/p>\n
Eighteen-year-old Harley Reid was taken by Wast Coast, an oncome he couldn\u2019t have been happier with, rejecting pre-draft noise he wasn\u2019t happy heading to Perth.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was pretty annoying at times when they say it and they really haven\u2019t even met you,\u201d Reid said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt [the Eagles jumper] is on me now, so hopefully that puts a bit of word out there that I\u2019m keen to go over there and get stuck into it.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nBendigo Spirit player Kelly Wilson sets a screen during the club\u2019s WNBL home opener at Red Energy Arena. Photo: STEVE WOMERSLEY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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<\/p>\n
Giving back<\/strong><\/p>\n
Another Bendigo sports star returned to town in December with professional golfer Lucas Herbert donating his prize money from winning the 2022\/23 Bendigo Sports Star of the Year award to young up and commers in the sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m at a stage in my career where I\u2019m set up pretty well financially and I know what it was like to be in these kid\u2019s situations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf that keeps them in the sport a little bit longer and gets them going, I feel like I\u2019m giving back to the community that\u2019s given me a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
In an outcome for many had hopped for, the push to save maternity care at St John of God Hospital has a positive result, with hospital management continuing service.<\/p>\n
Executive officer Michael Hogan said partnerships with Bendigo Health would help the unit\u2019s viability while plans for the future are made.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe think there are quite a number of women with private health insurance who are delivering their babies in the public system because of the out-of-pocket,\u201d he said.<\/p>\nTiz the season: Santa chilled out before heading out on his biggest work day of the year. Photo: STEVE WOMERSLEY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Well awarded AS is often the case, January was all about recognising some of the region\u2019s best. Events coinciding with 26 January saw Trevor Strauch named the City of Greater Bendigo Citizen of the Year, while Young Citizen honours were shared by Amelia Leach-Unmeopa and Mitchell Graham. \u201cI am delighted to congratulate Trevor, Amelia and […]<\/p>\n
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