G R E ATER BEN DIGO H ERITAG E A DVISO RY CO M MIT TEE 2014

Discovering our Greater Bendigo heritage

Pioneers, Poppetheads & Prosperity

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Our rich heritage tells Bendigo’s story and continues to grow and evolve. By choosing to live in Bendigo you have inherited the city’s rich heritage. It is the community’s responsibility to preserve it and enhance it.

Heritage is broader than beautiful buildings; it encompasses both the natural and cultural environment. Parks, trees, waterways, buildings, monuments, archaeological sites, places, and collections are significant to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Heritage can also be ceremonies, events, features, and spaces that

Bendigo is a family friendly, innovative, and progressive city. We aspire to be Australia’s most liveable regional city.

Bendigo sits over the world’s richest goldfield and was created by a single generation of 19th century visionaries – migrants from Europe, America and Asia, who believed in progress and built for the future. They were a generation whose hopes were realised, and together they left a remarkable cultural, economic and architectural heritage.

Today Bendigo combines the energy and optimism of one of the nation’s fastest-growing urban centres with the gracious framework of a handsome and well-planned 19th century city. Within the shadow of its pinnacles and crested roofs is a modern business centre, but Bendigonians are very aware of the special character of their city, and fiercely protective of their historical inheritance.

The people, places and attractions that draw you to live here flow together in what is a unique regional city lifestyle. Finding a place to live, whether new, old or in-between, can inspire you to think about Bendigo’s heritage. What places can you visit; how old is your property; how do you look after it; where can you find a knowledgeable tradesperson? These may be just some of your questions.

Let this booklet be your guide to find out how heritage is valued, managed and planned for in the City of Greater Bendigo.

Bendigo has much to offer

Heritage is importantmark and evidence the past, whether they are ancient, historic or contemporary.

Heritage is important because its attractiveness expands life-style choices and services. Research has identified that Victoria’s goldfields heritage encourages a greater mix of small businesses, such as cafes, hotels and restaurants, encouraging people to stay in an area longer and to visit at different times of the day.

The provision of well maintained heritage sites and attractions, good amenities, quality visitor information, and a tranquil environment has positive social and economic impacts on job creation, increased property values and city centre regeneration.

The lives we lead are marked by the people we meet, places we visit and the memories that we make. Heritage is not just a word – it is place, the past, the people who inhabit its spaces and give meaning to the culture and traditions that fill and fulfil our lives.

Fortuna Villa, Bendigo

Bendigo, your new home... Welcome to vibrant Bendigo; a city with a wealth of history and opportunity. You have certainly selected wisely.

Victoria Hill, Bendigo

Tulips in Queen Victoria Gardens, Bendigo

Duchess Tribute mine, California Gully

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For all your planning questions, go to Website: www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Residents_and_Services/Planning_Services

Heritage Advisory Service If you are thinking about renovating or restoring your property, then contact the City of Greater Bendigo for free heritage advice.

To book an appointment with the Heritage Architect / Advisor, call the Planning Department Phone: 03 5434 6355

Heritage Restoration Loan SchemeFinancial assistance is available for owners of historic buildings to undertake restoration and conservation projects.

To find out more, call the Planner for Amendments Phone: 03 5434 6355

Find your house in a heritage studyA number of heritage studies have been carried out in the City of Greater Bendigo.

To find places of local significance, have a look at: Website: www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/heritagestudies

To find places of state significance, check the Victorian Heritage Database Website:

You can also check the National Trust Register Website: www.nationaltrust.org.au/vic/heritage-register

Trace your house through the rate booksBendigo Regional Archives Centre houses the extensive public records of the five Local Government bodies that have become the City of Greater Bendigo.

Phone: 03 5449 2700 or 5449 2794 Website: www.brac.vic.gov.au

Aboriginal cultural heritageThe Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung are recognised as the Traditional Owners and rightful peoples to protect, preserve and manage Aboriginal cultural heritage in the Greater Bendigo municipality. There are two appointed registered Aboriginal parties for our area:

Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation Website: www.djadjawurrung.com.au

Taungurung Clans Aboriginal Corporation Phone: 03 5781 1134 Email: taungurung@gmail.com

Heritage consultantsThere are a number of heritage consultants who can assist you, for a fee. Search the Heritage Victoria consultant and contractor directory.

Website: www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/heritage/heritage- places-and-objects/Consultants-and-contractors

Bendigo was built on gold – not just through its earnings from gold but literally on top of its source of wealth. This was a goldfield extraordinarily rich and concentrated in area and the rewards of the quartz mines of Bendigo were unparalleled. By 1871 the population had reached around 15,000, and the goldfield officially became a city in less than 20 years. No other goldfield in the country has matched its yield from quartz mining and all this resulted from mines within the City’s boundaries.

Ranged around and through the centre of Bendigo from the 1870s to the 1890s were the surface manifestations of mining, sprawled along the deep lines of gold-rich reef. This mining landscape was characterised by mullock heaps, timber shafts, tailings dams and reservoirs. Sprinkled through these were poppet heads, chimneys and engine houses, batteries and sheds - all structures of the most functional type.

In the midst of this activity was a planned central district of imposing civic buildings, broad streets and parkland, surrounded by a hilly band of impressive residential precincts. It is here that the impact of this rapid growth, fostered by the great wealth of Bendigo’s mines, is demonstrated most clearly today.

Another strata of the city was just as essential, though less glamorous. It was the strings of scattered and unplanned settlements that grew and spread along the numerous broad “gullies” during the alluvial mining era. These were occupied by the labour force that worked the quartz mines concentrated along the various reefs. These communities developed a village character with clusters of miners’ cottages, small churches, shops, inns and hotels. Industrial activities such as foundries were also based in, and drew their workforce from, these areas.

Bendigo was built on gold

Help conserve our heritage

Coath Cottage after the Black Saturday fires and after restoration

The City of Greater Bendigo can help with managing heritage buildings and advise on extensions and renovations.

Charing Cross and Pall Mall, Bendigo

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Bendigo Art Gallery Established in 1887, Bendigo Art Gallery is one of the oldest and largest regional galleries in Australia.

Bendigo Joss House Temple Discover more about the faith of the Chinese migrants who came to Bendigo in search of gold.

Bendigo ninesevensix Join Bendigo’s restaurant on wheels, and dine aboard a vintage tramcar while travelling the beautiful streets of Bendigo.

Bendigo Pottery For over 150 years Bendigo Pottery has been famous for creating high quality ceramics.

Bendigo Town Hall Step back into our golden era and experience one of the most remarkable boom time buildings in Victoria.

Bendigo Tramways Vintage ‘Talking’ Tram Explore the sights of Bendigo aboard a Vintage ‘Talking‘ Tram.

Campaspe Run, Rural Discovery Centre Discover the unique history of the Sunshine Harvester developed in the Elmore area by Hugh Victor McKay.

Central Deborah Gold Mine Catch gold fever at Victoria’s Heritage and Cultural Tourism Attraction of the year.

Golden Dragon Museum The ‘Chinese Cultural Centre of Australia’ opened in 1991 to preserve the Chinese heritage in Australia.

Post Office Gallery The Post Office Gallery presents a dynamic program of exhibitions and events that explore the region’s long and proud history.

Soldiers Memorial Museum Visit this lasting tribute to the men and women of Australia who served their country.

Specimen Cottage The Bendigo Historical Society centre for information about Greater Bendigo history and heritage.

Bendigo is fortunate to be surrounded by a greenbelt of forest. The Box-Ironbark forest of the Greater Bendigo National Park is significant and today supports a rich array of flora and fauna. At the time of the gold rush this forest was heavily harvested in a radius of nearly 40kms for timber for building, fuel and mining. The native vegetation on the Big Hill range evokes a sense of what the landscape looked like prior to European settlement.

Our natural heritage includes an amazing show of wildflowers each year for which Bendigo is noted. You can see black trunked Ironbarks with carpets of golden everlastings, chocolate lilies and sometimes golden pennants. To the north is the ‘Whipstick Scrub’ – a unique tract of mallee eucalypts on clay based soils. In spring, Whirrakee wattle, mint-bushes, rare Westringia, Rosy Heath Myrtle, Sticky Boronia bloom and ground orchids can be spectacular.

This natural heritage provides recreation opportunities for bushwalkers, orienteers, cyclists, birdwatchers, flower enthusiasts, or simply for a Sunday drive. ‘City in a forest’ indeed – a very special heritage city and an exceptionally special forest.

Explore the heritage of where you live

The ‘City in the forest’

Bendigo City Tour This podcast tour is a great way to see the city, its beautiful Victorian buildings and discover its colourful history.

Website: www.visitvictoria.com/Regions/Goldfields/Activities-and-attractions/Tours/Audio-tours/Bendigo-City-audio-tour.aspx

Crusoe Reservoir & No. 7 Park Wander around the Bendigo Water Works Company structures built to supply Bendigo with drinking water during the gold rush.

Goldfields Track – Leanganook Track Follow sections of the Coliban water system and discover historic water races and dissapators, which still supply Bendigo with water.

Greater Bendigo National Park The park protects some of the highest quality Box-Ironbark forest in north-central Victoria.

Heathcote – Graytown National Park Explore gold rush and war era historical features or simply enjoy the solitude of this Box-Ironbark bush setting.

Explore the heritage in the forestMulga Bill Bicycle Trail “Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, who caught the cycling craze…” Banjo Paterson penned. The Trail connects Lake Neangar to Lightning Hill Lookout.

O’Keefe Rail Trail Ride, cycle, or walk this disused railway line linking Axedale with Bendigo, named after Andrew O’Keefe, a Bendigo rail pioneer.

Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve Sluicing work was carried out here until the early 1880s, bringing to light these colourful ‘hills’.

Like to take your own tour?

Once a yearBendigo Bank Bendigo Easter Festival The Bendigo Easter Festival has been in existence since 1870, and is the oldest community festival in Australia.

Bendigo Wealth Heritage Uncorked Come and join Bendigo’s iconic moveable feast. The winemakers of Bendigo create this unique wine festival each year in October to showcase the best of Bendigo - Bendigo wine, superb food, local musicians and grand gold rush architecture.

Why not visit these places and explore our heritage. Contact Bendigo Tourism www.bendigotourism.com

Bendigo Easter Festival main parade in action

Ironbarks & Golden Everlastings – Wellsford forest

LinksGoldfields Research Centre Local history resource collection Website: www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/libraries/goldfieldsresearchcentreGreater Bendigo Thematic Environmental History Exploring the themes that have shaped Greater Bendigo today Website: www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/gbtehHeritage Overlays Places of local significance in the Planning Scheme Website: www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/heritage/local-government/heritage-overlays-local-heritage-legislation Planning Schemes Online Access the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme online Website: planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/Safe in the Shed Caring for historic farm machinery Website: www.shop.nsw.gov.au/pubdetails.jsp?publication=9278 Sustainability and Heritage Guidance Sheets Improving the efficiency of heritage houses Website: www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/heritage/projects-and-programs/heritage-places-and-sustainability Technical leaflets On rising damp, metal, timber, gardens…. Website: www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/heritage/Forms-and-Guidelines/technical-information What House is That? A guide to Victoria’s house styles & paint schemes Website: www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/87018/What-House-is-That.pdf

BooksThe Traveller’s Guide to the Goldfields Richard Everist (Torquay : Best Shot Publications, 2006) - history and natural heritage trails through central and western Victoria.

Want to find out more?

Contact:Dr Dannielle OrrHeritage PlannerCity of Greater BendigoPO Box 733Bendigo VIC 3552Phone: 03 5434 6125 Email: heritage@bendigo.vic.gov.au

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Image CreditsCity of Greater Bendigo – Fortuna Villa, Pall Mall, and TulipsHeritage Advisory Committee– Bendigo Easter Festival & Central Deborah – Darren Wright, Bendigo Trust– Coath Cottage & Victoria Hill – Elaine Doling, National Trust– Duchess Tribute Mine – Kay McGregor, Bendigo Historical Society– Wellsford Forest – Peter Ellis, OAM

Central Deborah Gold Mine