Bendigo Sustainability Festival 2024 – Community Organisations
Explore information about our community organisation stallholders.
Encompassing various conservation, health, social groups, and others dedicated to forging a sustainable future, you’re sure to find a wealth of information.
Community Organisations
Bendigo Field Naturalists Club
The Bendigo Field Naturalists Club functions to encourage the exchange of knowledge, to stimulate interest in naturalist activities, and encourage the protection of the natural environment.
Bendigo Family Nature Club is an Action group of the Bendigo Sustainability Group, run by dedicated volunteers who keep the popular Nature Club running. Bendigo Family Nature Club are holding their monthly event on the day from 10.30-12noon. Grab yourself a site map on the day and look for the stars to indicate the kids activities.
Planet Squad: a chance for kids to come together, share ideas and set goals for looking after the planet – whatever that looks like for them. From living a more eco-friendly life, to taking action on climate change, it’s more fun with friends! You’ll find Planet Squad on the BSG stall.
Bendigo health - Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit
Climate change and health is a Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit (LMPHU) priority for 2023-2025. The LMPHU, with cross-sector local stakeholders developed the Loddon Mallee Climate Change and Health Framework to enabling collective cross sector action to build climate change resilience. This not only reduces the high costs of future climate change impacts, but also creates a more equitable society and immediate and lasting benefits for our health, economy and environment. The LMPHU aims to work with local stakeholders to implement the Loddon Mallee Climate Change and Health Framework and build climate resilient Loddon Mallee health service system and communities.
Bendigo University of the Third Age is a community organisation run and managed entirely by volunteers who devote themselves to assisting retired men and women to maintain health and happiness through ongoing mental, physical, spiritual and social stimulation. This is done through various activities ranging from French to writing to table tennis to music to games to exercise, theatre and growing things. New members are accepted and welcomed throughout the year.
Sustainability Victoria is a statutory authority and delivery agency of the Victorian State Government. Our purpose is to accelerate Victoria’s transition to a circular, climate-resilient clean economy – contributing to achieving the Government’s targets for 2025 and 2030 as set out in the Recycling Victoria policy and the Climate Change Strategy.
Our ambition is to develop and deliver fit-for-purpose high impact solutions to challenges posed by our complex and rapidly changing environment.
We do this in partnership with our stakeholders in industry, business, entrepreneurs, research institutions, schools, households, individuals, community groups and governments within Victoria and across Australia.
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action: Supporting thriving, productive and sustainable communities, environments and industries. Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (deeca.vic.gov.au)
What we do
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) brings together Victoria's energy, environment, water, agriculture, resources, climate action and emergency management functions into a single department to maximise connections between the environment, community, industry and economy.
The regional Loddon Mallee team at DEECA provides integrated, place-based design and delivery of programs, projects and services across departmental portfolios to contribute to a liveable, inclusive and sustainable Victoria.
The Australian Greens Victoria are the only major party completely committed to biodiversity protection, genuine policy for a sustainable, planet-preserving future and social justice for all, free from the influence and expensive greenwashing of vested interests. Come and chat to members of the Bendigo Branch at the 2024 Bendigo Sustainability Festival about how and why comprehensive policy and politics matter in sustainability. Grab a free indigenous plant supplied by Neangar Nursery.
Calling all footy fans...test out your skills and get a taste for AFL action at AFL Victoria's Come & PLAY activity. Will your handball hit the target? Plus find out how to register for the 2024 Auskick or Junior Football Season.
Bendigo Foodshare is a community-owned, independent charity that has been delivering food relief to communities across Central Victoria since 2013.
Our vision is that every person in central Victoria has secure access to healthy food. With passionate and committed volunteers at our heart, we work with partners and the community to connect people to healthy, affordable food by improving local supply and access, developing food skills and supporting a sustainable and healthy environment.
Our actions are driven towards solving the social issues of food poverty and building food security; and the environmental issues of reducing food waste.
City of Greater Bendigo – Climate Change and Environment
Interactive displays, activities and information on biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, climate and sustainability in the Greater Bendigo region. Learn more about the local natural environment and meet some of the staff working towards improving sustainability.
Bendigo Northern District Community Enterprise
Bendigo Northern District Community Enterprise is a not-for-profit organisation supported by Bendigo Bank, Bendigo Community Telco and View Point; established, directed and managed by a Volunteer Committee to assist our communities:
Providing grant funds to support and encourage local communities with project, activities and facilities for all sectors of our communities.
Active involvement in the growth and development of the Bendigo Northern District communities; advocacy for and promotion of project initiatives that support our communities and residents.
Youth Climate Network – Loddon Mallee
The Youth Climate Network is a group for climate curious young people, by climate curious young people across the Loddon Mallee region. In the YCN, we aim to create interesting and useful opportunities for young people to learn about various facets of climate resilience and sustainability, through the delivery of youth-led events and content. If you are or know of a young person (14+) wanting to learn about looking after our planet, please speak with us for more information.
Bendigo Branch Victorian Apiarists Association Inc.
About the Bendigo Branch VAA Inc:
The Bendigo Branch of the Victorian Apiarists' Association (BBVAA) continues its 40+ years commitment and development as an integral part of the Apiary Industry.
BBVAA membership includes both urban and rural beekeepers, with varying experience levels – ranging from prospective, recreational, small, and large commercial beekeepers.
BBVAA provides support, advice, and a forum for beekeepers to discuss issues, concerns or achievements, and where required problem solve in a collaborative, supportive environment.
Providing and promoting pollination services within the Bendigo Regional area and throughout the state. Without bees, food production would be severely limited.
We will run a seedball workshop and native bee hotel activity, in addition to having native fauna taxidermy on display.
Northern Bendigo Landcare is passionate about building community through conservation. A member of the new Nature Network, they strive to connect people with nature in innovative ways. They are proud of the diverse array of projects/events they have been able to achieve; from revegetation to selling Indian Myna traps, from school events to litter removal, from nature play events to monitoring nest boxes and so much more in between.
Fifteen Trees (est 2009) can help reduce the carbon footprint of your lifestyle by planting native trees on your behalf. Find your trees via the Fifteen Trees website. There you can view your trees and read all about the community group/s who have planted them. All trees purchased at the festival, will be planted in the Bendigo district in the winter/spring of 2024.
Wildlife Rescue & Information Network (WRIN)
WRIN is a volunteer organisation that has been operating in the Bendigo area for 26 years.
WRIN runs a 24hr emergency phone which members of the public can call to report sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife. The organisation also provides wildlife information and education to the community as well as advocate for wildlife negatively impacted by issues both locally and nationally.
The organisation consists of volunteer phone operators, rescuers and carers as well as general volunteers.
Wildlife is impacted by many factors such as domestic pets, housing developments, vehicle collisions, disease, cruelty and climate change.
WRIN offers support to wildlife by caring, treating and raising those impacted by such factors. It is hoped that in offering such support that WRIN, in conjunction with other wildlife groups, will enable our unique local populations of wildlife to continue and thrive well into the future.
Friends of Riley Street Natural Reserve Landcare Group
Friends of Riley Street Natural Reserve Landcare Group is a passionate group of volunteers who work closely with the City of Greater Bendigo council rangers to revegetate once barren wasteland into a flourishing urban forest. The Friends and the council rangers have a vision beyond the now to 100 years ahead, of a forest that will be a refuge and a corridor with other urban forests and revegetated nature strips for our wildlife, especially as our climate warms.
These urban forests will help to create a sustainable future by cooling down the city and surrounding areas and creating a place where endangered and critically endangered species can be planted and maintained into the future. As our native fauna and flora disappear from deforestation, the Friends hope to combat this by revegetating and creating hope for future generations to enjoy.
CWA is an organisation of women supporting women, children, and families across Victoria. We have a focus on friendship, personal development, and advocacy.
Whroo Goldfields Conservation Network
Whroo Goldfields Conservation Network (WGCN) was initiated in 2008. Its main focus is the installation and monitoring of nestboxes for arboreal mammals (brush tailed phascogales and sugar gliders), mapping of sightings of powerful owls and community information sessions about enhancing wildlife habitat on private land.
WGCN conducts annual monitoring of 1100 nest boxes which are located on both public and privately owned land in the Heathcote and surrounding area. Monitoring involves photographing each nestbox and recording the observations, including what was found in the box and adding this data to an extensive database which is shared with the Goulburn Broken CMA. Other projects include repair and replacement of damaged nest boxes, building new nest boxes and attending school and local events.
The group aims to offer small landholders’ information to help them interpret and improve their properties for the benefit of our native vegetation and native wildlife. e.g., plant and animal identification, ways to increase plants and animals onto private property and building wildlife friendly dams.
Mt Alexander Sustainability Group – Wash Against Waste Trailer
Wash Against Waste is an important step in mitigating the effects of climate change.
A locally designed and developed trailer that enables events to dramatically reduce the waste they produce. The trailer includes quality cutlery and melamine crockery to cater for events of up to 5000 people.
It is an ideal way to make your event more sustainable, by greatly reducing the materials sent to landfill. It is a highly visible public education tool that raises awareness of sustainable catering practices and the wise use of water both on a commercial and individual level.
Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst
Environmental sustainability is one of Rotary's 7 global focus areas. Rotary clubs across Australia, including the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst, run a wide variety of environment projects in-house, and provide support for many other community-based projects which aim at environmental improvement and sustainability. A BBQ of sausages, meat patties, veggie patties, hot dogs, bread, and bread-rolls. Bottled water and soft drinks available.
City of Greater Bendigo Resource Recovery and Education
The City of Greater Bendigo continues to work towards the goals of zero recoverable waste to landfill by 2036 and developing a circular economy in Greater Bendigo.
Central Victorian Bat Alliance
Central Victorian Bat Alliance is a not-for-profit volunteer community group based in Bendigo and reaching across Central Victoria. Regional sustainability underpins our purpose of enhancing biodiversity and conservation outcomes through advocacy, education and community awareness.
Ironbark Gully Friends Landcare Group
The vision of Ironbark Gully Friends is to create a healthy community in a healthy place. We hope an upsurge of enthusiasm will come from becoming part of a sharing connected community centred around Ironbark Gully, an ephemeral creek which was destroyed by goldmining and urban drainage infrastructure. Since 2013 our group has advocated for a shared path connecting Nolan Street to Eaglehawk Road. We are waiting for Stage 1 to be implemented.
Meanwhile, we continue to revegetate sections of the gully in collaboration with Parks and Nature Reserves Council team and educate the local community in the value of using indigenous plants and engage it in the associated activities. There are many ways you can join our group's activities. We work with local schools and other community-based organisations in our goals to protect and improve the local environment.
Central Victoria ACF Community Group
Central Victoria ACF Community Group are part of a nationwide network under the banner of the Australian Conservation Foundation, Australia's longest-running environmental conservation organisation. We recognise that decisions that are made today will shape this country for generations. Our purpose is to speak out for a fair and just society, a healthy planet, and a safe climate. Our group has members across Central Victoria from Kyneton to Echuca-Gunbower, who work together to run local campaigns to support Indigenous rights, protect nature and reduce the impact of climate change. We do this by engaging with the general community as well as media, parliamentarians, community leaders, stakeholders and decision-makers, and have fun in the process.
Zonta Bendigo, a local arm of Zonta International, proudly stands as a local force contributing to global change. Aligned with Zonta International's "Zonta Says NOW" initiative, we address the intersection of gender inequality and climate change. We recognise that climate change poses a significant threat to women achieving their full potential, and that its disproportionate impact on women amplifies gender inequality worldwide. By integrating climate actions into our projects, advocating for women's representation, and emphasising global interconnectedness, we contribute to a more resilient, equitable and environmentally sustainable world.
We look forward to attending the Bendigo Sustainability Festival to share our Zonta Says Now initiative and conduct our annual raffle with all proceeds going directly towards our projects.
Bendigo and District Environment Council; Victorian National Parks Association; Wellsford Forest Friends & Landcare
Catch the people and ideas that have been working for decades to protect and regenerate the Box and Ironbark forests around Bendigo. Have a yarn with us about what concerns you, and what delights you, in the Bendigo bush.
The Bendigo Share and Repair Shed is a community-based organisation that started as the Bendigo Repair Cafe in 2017 and has since grown to include a Tool Library, Useful Bin, Food is Free Table and a range of other ‘re’ and ‘up’ cycling services.
We also offer a ‘one stop’ recycling drop off for small items and a Community Swap table where people can pick up and/or drop off useful items.
Our experienced volunteers also offer workshops, education and general information about recycling, upcycling and reusing.
Our current plans include ‘the Bendigo Remakery’ - an upcycled clothing and gift shop, and the creation of maker spaces for textile and other remanufacturing.
Bendigo Climate Alliance; Friends of the Whipstick
The Bendigo Climate Alliance aims to connect, support and promote community groups, organisations and businesses in Bendigo that are actively working to combat the climate emergency.
The Friends of the Whipstick is a new group formed with the purpose of protecting, promoting and enjoying the Whipstick Bush.
North Central Catchment Management Authority
We lead with experience and integrity to create natural resource management partnerships and programs that deliver lasting positive change.
Rejuvenating old donated bikes and making them available to people who can't afford to buy a new or second-hand bicycle.
Friends of Bendigo Botanic Gardens Inc.
The Friends support and promote the Gardens in many ways.
• Providing Financial support
• Gardening maintenance
• Managing our Nursery
• Conducting Guided Walks
• Advocacy
• Botanical Illustration
• Helping connect the community to the Gardens
Victorian Kangaroo Alliance Inc. is a fighting force dedicated to protecting the kangaroos in our state from the world's largest land-based wildlife massacre. We advocate for our unique kangaroos to be treated with respect and inherently valued as an ancient totemic keystone species worthy of full protection.
Epsom Primary School Green Magpies Sustainability Team
Epsom Primary School is a 5* Sustainability accredited school with a motivated student action team – The Green Magpies. We also have a parent sustainability team called the 'Green Gurruks'. We are focussed on educating students and our community on how to lead a sustainable life through role modelling and peer education.
Bendigo Region Women's Shed Inc.
The Bendigo Region Women’s Shed runs craft and woodwork activities. In both of these activities a mix of used and new materials are used to make items.
Folding wooden stools have been made from discarded pallets and small planter boxes from off-cuts. Members have also been refurbishing their own furniture or making chairs and bird boxes.
Craft items that have been produced from material or wool left over from other projects include knee rugs, slippers, card holders, babies’ bibs, wheat bags, knitting and crochet needle organisers, microwave pot holders, pencil rolls and cup and saucer pin cushions.
Other items made to sell with the aim of raising funds to secure a Shed for the women of Bendigo and to keep fees affordable for members include preserves made from local produce, and potted succulents and other plants that don’t require significant amounts of water.
How to contact to get involved:
Email our Secretary, Daniela at secretary.brwsinc@gmail.com
Phone our Vice President, Sally on 0412 258 576
The Connies is a collective of tram conductors, performers, educators, ecologists and nature lovers touring festivals, shows and other events throughout Victoria and beyond.
We entertain, educate and inform, creating and distributing beautifully crafted collectable swap-cards that bring environmental, social, historic and cultural themes to your community.
We are a performance troupe born of the rich 112-year Melbourne Tram Conducting tradition. We continue the rites of bag and tickets. The Connies bring along a yarning, poetic and singing trammie tradition. We dress in uniforms that span the era’s of tram fashion, and swing beautifully crafted antique leather conductors bags filled with cards and yarns.
Labor Environment Action Network
LEAN is a group of Labor members and supporters that celebrate Labor's environmental legacy and campaign to ensure environment is central to its future. Since LEAN was reinvigorated nationally in 2014, we have delivered many groundbreaking policy outcomes. In 2015 LEAN put climate action back into the centre of Labor policy by delivering the Party's commitment to 50% renewable energy by 2030 and the adoption of strong emissions reduction targets.
Goldfields Libraries - Bendigo Library
Libraries are the original champions of the sharing economy. A library book may be shared more than 300 times before we recycle it. Bendigo Library offers free wi-fi, shared computers and free device charging supported by two massive roof-top solar arrays. Our Seasonal Program provides access to a suite of diverse workshops and information that may help you live a little greener.
Chat to library staff and check out some of our great sustainability resources, including our ever-popular Sustainable House Kits. Bring along some id and you can join the library for free on the spot!
Want to be a stallholder in 2025?
Stallholders will be able to showcase their sustainable products, services, and initiatives that offer sustainable solutions for both businesses and householders across Central Victoria.
For all stallholder enquiries contact festival@bsg.org.au