Celebrate central Victoria and all it has to offer with an array of events.
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Check out our great list of things to do in our region this week.
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SHOWS AND FESTIVALS
FLOWER SHOW
Come and admire a huge display of native flowers all grown in central Victorian gardens.
Purchase plants from specialist nurseries, read books, see and buy unique garden accessories, and much more.
Entry $3, school children free.
For more information on this event, contact APS Bendigo: bendigo@apsvic.org.au
Where: Kangaroo Flat Primary School Gymnasium, Freeman Drive, Kangaroo Flat.
When: Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, 9.30am to 4pm.
BENDI-CON
Bendi-Con 2019 is back on with all the usual fun of conventions, cosplay, workshops and lots of stalls.
The event will include various informative panels, celebrity guests, workshops, cosplay contests, markets and much more.
The panels include Mad Max guests, speaking about their experiences in the movies; Joe from Alternate Worlds giving a presentation on the History of Comics; Sarah and the Bendigo Cosplay Society; and more.
There will be many tables of comics, toys, pop vinyls, pop culture jewellery, fashion and board games, with traders attending from Bendigo and further afield.
Bendi-Con will also have various foods and drinks available. For more information, see Bendi-Con here.
Where: Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Holmes Road, Bendigo.
When: Sunday, September 22, 10am to 4pm.
SPRING BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
Celebrate the Spring Equinox at the Harcourt Spring Blossom Festival.
Set among flowering fruit trees at the foot of Leanganook (Mount Alexander), the festival features live music, children's entertainment, stalls, food trucks, cider, wine and beer and more.
The day is presented by the Harcourt Progress Association and Henry of Harcourt Cider, with the festival being a fundraiser for Applefest 2020.
For more information, phone Jacqueline on 0425 323 005.
Where: Henry of Harcourt, 219 Reservoir Road, Harcourt.
When: Saturday, September 21, 2pm to 7pm.
TALKS
AUTHOR'S TALK
Claire G. Coleman is one of Australia's literary stars of the past few years.
Her debut book, Terra Nullius was shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2018.
Claire's highly anticipated second book, The Old Lie, returns to the themes of invasion, dispossession and apocalypse.
And like Terra Nullius, it's an outstanding contribution to the growing body of speculative fiction from Aboriginal authors.
Claire, along with Tyson Yunkaporta, author of Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World, will discuss craft, creativity and Indigenous imaginations.
This event is presented in partnership with Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
Where: Kyneton Town Hall, Mollison Street, Kyneton.
When: Thursday, September 26, 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
TULIP TALK
Every Spring, the City of Greater Bendigo presents the Conservatory Gardens Tulip Display.
The display features more than 45,000 tulips in various colours and sizes.
The Bendigo Tulip Curator Talks allow for curators of the gardens to share their techniques of planting and maintaining the tulips.
There are various sessions for these talks until Saturday, September 28.
Ticket cost: Adult $10, concession $8, children free.
Limited tickets available per session. Please phone 1800 813 153.
Where: 51-67 Pall Mall, Bendigo.
When: Various dates and times.
DANCE EVENTS
EVENING DANCE
Come along to the Spring Gully Hall and enjoy great music by Carmel Phelan.
This weekend's dance also features a good program and a delicious home cooked supper.
There will be a raffle and prizes.
Admission $9. Everyone welcome. For more information contact Keith on 5444 2953.
Where: Spring Gully Hall, Spring Gully Road, Bendigo.
When: Saturday, September 21, 8pm to midnight.
DINKI DI OLD TIME BALL
Enjoy the 24th annual Dinki Di Old Time Ball with the Emu Creek Bush Band and the Gay Charmers.
The ball aims to keep the old-time style of dancing alive.
The ball is as traditional as it can be with dances such as Maxina, barn dance, foxtrot, Charmaine, evening three-step, Pride of Erin, along with some as of the old-time set dances.
The dance bands featured at this ball have been playing for dances and balls for almost 60 years.
The supper is also traditional with sausage rolls, cakes, sandwiches and more prepared and cooked by club members.
Some attendees dress in period costume, adding to the ambiance of the evening - but formal or semi-formal attire is also worn.
Tickets $25 at the door.
Phone 5442 1153. Dianne 5442 1715 or 0418 172 286. Email: email.secretary@bendigobushdance.org.au
Where: Eaglehawk Town Hall, Peg Leg Road, Bendigo.
When: Saturday, September 21, 8pm to late.
CONCERTS
COUNTRY DIVA'S FUNDRAISING CONCERT
Running for it's sixth year, this fundraising concert will assist the Australian Niemann Pick Foundation Inc. to help them find a cure for the disease.
Featuring Bendigo's two country diva's, Olive Bice OAM and Floreena Forbes, recipient of the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame, this concert event has helped raise over $15,006.50.
Both Olive and Floreena have over 120 years experience between them in the Country music industry, with Floreena also presenting on 106.7 Phoenix FM and volunteering as a presenter for Community Radio since the early 1990's.
This event will also feature Shirl Brown, Les Smith, George Farnham, Chuckleberry Farmers, Avalanche Band, Bendigo Bootscooters and many, many more.
$15 a ticket. Phone to book 0409 407 458. Limited tickets available at the door.
Where: Kangaroo Flat Sports Club, Station Street, Kangaroo Flat.
When: Friday, September 27, 6pm to 10.30pm.
AFFINITY QUARTET
Enjoy a classical afternoon with Melbourne based Affinity Quartet and hear the works of Purcell, Beethoven and Bartok.
Affinity Quartet features the talents of Nicholas Waters and Ioana Tache on violin, William Clark on Viola and Mee Na Lojewski on Cello.
The quartet has a history of performing music in diverse venues, such as Collingwood Underground Carpark, the Melbourne Spiegeltent, and Hamer Hall.
This program explores the quartet's histories and is accompanied by spoken introductions and a complimentary glass of Guildford Vineyard wine.
Limited seating, bookings essential. Click here to book. For further information please contact Mandy Jean on 0411 253 506.
Where: Guildford Vineyard and Cellar Door, Midland Highway, Guildford.
BALENCIAGA: SHAPING FASHION
World-class couture has come back to town, with the Bendigo Art Gallery opening their newest exhibition, Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion this weekend.
This exhibition showcases the growth and works of designer Cristobel Balenciaga and his legacy of the modern designers he influenced.
The exhibition will feature contemporary designs by the house of Balenciaga, with video footage that shows historic garments morphing into modern interpretations.
For more information on the exhibition, the gallery and bookings, click here.
Where: Bendigo Art Gallery, View Street, Bendigo.
When: Until Sunday, November 10.
DESERT LINES
Desert Lines: Batik from Central Australia brings together about 60 selected works from the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria.
The works show the unique and distinct batik styles (a method of wax resist fabric printing) of five central desert communities: Ernabella (Pukatja), Fregon (Kaltjiti), Utopia, Yuendumu and Kintore (Walungurru).
This exhibition will showcase the batik work for women of the desert and it's importance. It will also show interconnected through ceremony, travel and much more.
Where: Bendigo Art Gallery, View Street, Bendigo.
When: Until Sunday, November 17.
MANY SUCH AS SHE
Museum curator, Kirsten McKay, is excited to be hosting this exhibition, Many Such As She, which profiles more than 15 biographies of women poets, alongside items from the military collection.
Central Victorian poet and critic Michael Sharkey began researching the poets' responses to the Great War many years ago, with an interest to find out why so little had been collected and why it was so long neglected.
Michael edited the collection of women's poetry for his recent publication, Many Such As She, after discovering some fascinating stories
For the exhibition, Kirsten has negotiated the loan of a suite of original poetry publications from the State Library of Victoria - Rare Books Department.
Admission: $6 adult, $5 concession, $4 student, $15 family.
For more information, phone 5442 4513.
Where: Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, 37-39 Pall Mall, Bendigo.
When: Until Sunday, October 6, 10am-4pm.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
FAMILY HISTORY
The AIGS Bendigo Family History Group will be hosting their general meeting with a special guest.
Viv Martin will present "Truth Lies or the Shades Between", focusing the importance of Oral History and why you should write yours down.
Enjoy the meeting, stay for a cup of tea and speak with like minded people.
All interested persons are invited to attend.
Where: Activity Room 1, Goldfields Library, Hargreaves Street, Bendigo.
When: Saturday, September 21, from 2pm.
RALLY AND TRACTOR PULL
The Central Goldfields Historic Machinery Society Inc. present a two-day Dunolly Rally and Tractor Pull.
This event features engines, tractors, vintage cars, motorcycles, farm machinery, working machinery, trucks, antiques and historical memorabilia.
Adults $5, children under 16 free.
Phone 0408 611 894 for more information.
Where: Dunolly Timor Road, Dunolly.
When: Saturday, September 21, 10am to 10pm.
CHAPLAINCY ANNIVERSARY
Enjoy a chat and coffee to celebrate 50 years of chaplaincy in Bendigo state schools.
Current minister Reverend Tracey Wolsley and Bishop Matt Brain, both former school chaplains, plus current chaplain, Megan Haddon, will be some of the participants in the informal afternoon.
Entry is $15.
RSVP to Marg 5449 6744, Rhonda 0417 439 105 or Jenny 5448 3912.
Where: St Mary's Anglican Church, Kangaroo Flat.
When: Friday, September 27, from 2pm.
COMMUNITY OPEN DAY
Join in celebrating the re-opening of the renovated St Arnaud Rail Station for community use.
This is a fun filled day with entertainment for everyone and all are welcome to attend.
There will be a special guest appearance by 'Her Majesty'; an art exhibition; auction of goods, services, vouchers and art; a market space with regional products and handmade crafts; children's chalk mural activity; giant bubbles and much more.
There will also be various foods, such as a sausage sizzle, potato twirls, donuts, scones, beer and wine.
More information can be found by emailing: railleryhub@gmail.com.
Where: St Arnaud Rail Station, Queens Avenue, St Arnaud.
When: Saturday, September 21, 10am to 4pm.
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