This opinion piece is part of the Bendigo Advertiser's special feature to mark this weekend's 150th anniversary of Bendigo being declared a city and discover more about the people who called it home in 1871.
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Greater Bendigo is a regional city that is proud of the contribution it has made to the history of Victoria.
The discovery of gold changed the city's landscape, going from a post-white settlement pastoral stock route to a town of many thousands of people virtually overnight.
Related content: Fortuna Villa celebrates 150 year milestone
The gold from Bendigo helped build 'Marvellous Melbourne' and in turn we became a mini Europe, with our wide streets and grand architecture built using the skills of many migrants who came in search of gold.
Our very first Councillors faced a monumental task of supporting a brand new city and giving it all the worldly hallmarks it deserved, while their day-to-day constituent matters consisted of ongoing requests and petitions to form local streets and guttering, installation of gas lamps for street lighting, and applications to mine for gold, including an application to mine in Rosalind Park
In this time of European settlement we also acknowledge the profound disruption and displacement of our Traditional Owners.
Today we recognise the struggle, resilience and strength of Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Peoples and celebrate their rich heritage.
Our commitment as a modern city and region is to embrace ongoing truth-telling and promote the shared history of this region.
Greater Bendigo has developed into a thriving, vibrant regional city.
The role of Local Government and collaboration of local leaders over many generations is critical to this achievement and what we enjoy today - a world class hospital, leading art gallery, choice for education, a strong and diverse economy, a place for events and entertainment, a balance between our natural and built environments.
The City acknowledges the Mayors and Mayoresses and all Councillors who have actively contributed to the growth and success of Sandhurst, then Bendigo and now Greater Bendigo.
It is a privilege to have the role of Mayor and Councillor. May the ideas generated and the decisions made today ensure the continued success of Greater Bendigo for another 150 years.