There’s plenty happening in our region this week. Check out our list for a few things to put in your diary.
Do you have a community event that you would like featured in our What's On section? We'd love to know. Email us at: addynews@fairfaxmedia.com.au or phone us on: 5434 4470.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
GOLD PROPECTORS EXPO
It's all about gold at The Australian Gold Prospectors Expo.
For the first time in Australia, every aspect of gold prospecting will be covered at this expo.
The weekend won't just cover detectors and recovery equipment, it will also include trommels, high bankers and gold recovery equipment suitable for Australian conditions.
Exhibitors will be coming from as far away as Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. There will also be Victorian exhibitiors.
This expo will provide an opportunity for gold prospectors to attend and speak to all the experts, gathered in the one place for the first time.
Adults $12 entry, concession $10, children under 18 (with an adult) free.
Where: Bendigo Showgrounds, Holmes Road, Bendigo.
When: Saturday, April 6, 9am-5pm and Sunday, April 7, 9am-4.30pm.
THIS GIRL CAN!
Get active with Mount Alexander Shire Council's initiative for more women to try something new in all their glory as part of VicHealth's This Girl Can campaign.
This Girl Can - Victoria aims to encourage more women to give physical activity a go, or return to exercise after a break.
The council is co-hosting a range of activities which are fun and tailored to women and girls who want to get active but aren't sure how to take the first step.
The campaign features real Victorian women instead of professional athletes or airbrushed Instagram models and is about empowering women to feel comfortable in their bodies.
The events include:
- Maldon
- Social Table Tennis: 2pm-4pm, Tuesdays, Maldon Community Hall, $2.
- Walking Group (brisk walk): 7.30am, Tuesdays, meet at Maldon Neighbourhood Centre, free
- Castlemaine
- This Girl Can Dance: 10am-11am, Tuesday, April 16, Movement Zone Studio, Campbell Street, free
- Social Table Tennis: 5.30pm-7pm, Monday, April 8 and 29, Camp Reserve Table Tennis Rooms, $1.50
Events will be listed on the council's Facebook page and here.
Where: Various locations in Mount Alexander Shire.
When: The month of April, various times.
SUNDAY DANCE
Hosted by the Spring Gully Hall Committee, this dance is one not to be missed.
The event features music by David Allen with Bitz'N'Pieces Dance Bang, a good program and delicious home-cooked supper.
There will also be a raffle and prizes.
Admission is $10 and all are welcome.
All proceeds will head towards drought affected farmers in Gippsland.
For more information contact Keith on 5444 2953.
Where: Spring Gully Hall, Spring Gully Road, Bendigo.
When: Sunday, April 7, 1.30pm-5pm.
CROQUET CLUB
The Golden Square Croquet Club is a small club looking for new members to join the sport.
Croquet is a social game played with a heavy mallet and balls. It can be competitive but fun and is a good way to keep active.
The first six lessons are free to attend, with the group meeting on Monday and Friday.
Please wear flat-soled shoes.
For more information phone Don Currie on 5449 6332 or Bill Humphries on 5447 3439.
Where: Wade Street, Golden Square.
When: Monday and Friday, 9.30am.
FESTIVALS AND FAIRS
WINEMAKERS FESTIVAL
The sun is set to shine for the Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival this Saturday
Festival-goers have the chance to enjoy the best of Bendigo's wine region with 75 wines (from 18 wineries) to taste including rosé, sweet sparkling and more.
Admission includes a souvenir glass and complimentary wine tastings.
Attendees can buy wine by the glass to enjoy on site or order favourites to take home.
There's also a non-tasting ticket for those who just want to soak up the festival atmosphere.
There will be pop-up wine and food masterclasses with Finn Vedelsby and Kathie Bolitho.
Tickets are available at the gate, or prebook here.
Where: Rosalind Park, Bendigo. Entry via Sidney Myer Place, Bendigo.
When: Saturday, April 6,11am-4pm.
PRIDE FESTIVAL
The Bendigo PRIDE Festival is a month-long community event that celebrates and promotes diversity with particular focus on LGBTIQA+ communities and people.
Organised by the Bendigo Queer Film Festival, with the support of Thorne Harbour Country, headspace Bendigo and MILK Queer Party, the festival presents a program that includes a variety of events.
These events include family days, dance parties, comedy nights, picnic in the park, football matches and more.
For more information about the festival contact THCountry at thcountry@thorneharbour.org or click here to see the Facebook page.
Where: Various locations throughout Bendigo and regional Victoria.
When: Until Monday, April 29, various times.
CHILDREN'S EVENTS
SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN
Keep the little ones busy these Easter school holidays with free activities across Campaspe Regional Library Services.
There are various activities to help give parents a helping hand these holidays.
One of the highlights allows for children over the age of seven to make their own claymation movies with special presenter Steve Lo Casto.
Some of the activities listed will be:
- Echuca Library
- April 8, 2.30pm - movie afternoon (booking required)
- April 9, 10.30am - foil art (ages 7 and up, booking required)
- April 11, 2.30pm - egg and cup (ages 5 and up, booking required)
- April 17, 5.30pm - Family Night (pizza and games, booking required)
- Kyabram Library
- April 9, 10.30am - storytime
- April 17, 11.30am - Hat Parade (booking required)
- Rochester Library
- April 11, 2.30pm - foil Art (ages 7 and up, booking required)
Bookings can be made by calling 5481 2400.
Further information on the holiday program is available here.
Where: Various locations in Campaspe Shire.
When: Various dates and times throughout the school holidays.
EXHIBITIONS
1000 DOORS
The creators behind the House of Mirrors exhibition are back, bringing a new installation to Bendigo's Rosalind Park.
Created by Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney, the team behind the wildly popular House of Mirrors, 1000 doors invites the community to explore a world that looks into the idea of loss and memory through the use of doors.
Cost: Adults $10, under 5 and over 80 free.
For more information, phone 5434 6008 or click here.
Tickets available at the on-site box office.
Where: Rosalind Park, Bendigo.
When: Until Sunday, April 28, 2pm-9pm. Last entry 8.30pm. Easter Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20, 10am-10pm.
PURSUITS OF PASSION AND PRINCIPLE
Buda Castlemaine will host an exhibition of Australian arts and crafts, jewellery and decorative art that will complement the existing collection in the house and garden, which belongs to the Leviny family.
The arts and crafts movement, begun by William Morris in the 1800s, influenced the Leviny daughters who lived at Buda.
Their passion to decorate the home with items both useful and beautiful is still a feature of the house interior today.
Special admission prices are in place until Sunday, April 7, giving Castlemaine State Festival goers an extra week to view the exhibition.
Click here for more information and ticket prices.
Where: Buda Historic Home and Garden, Hunter Street, Castlemaine.
When: Until Sunday, May 19, 10am-5pm.
TUDORS TO WINDSOR
More than 150 British portraits of royalty are on display at the Bendigo Art Gallery.
The new major exhibition - Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits - features works on loan from London's National Portrait Gallery with some never having been seen outside of the United Kingdom.
Tudors to Windsors highlights major events in British and world history from the 16th century to present day.
The portraits will allow the gallery visitors to study the royal family faces of the Tudors, the Stuarts, the Georgians, the Victorians and the Windsors.
Cost: Adult $25, Concession $22, Bendigo Art Gallery Member $20, PGAV Member $20.
Where: Bendigo Art Gallery, View Street.
When: From Saturday, March 16 - Sunday, July 14, 10am-5pm.
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