Australian Cultural and Creative Activity: A Population and Hotspot Analysis: Bendigo

Bendigo, where the traditional owners are the Dja Dja Wurrung people, has capitalised on its European historical roots. Its striking architecture owes much to its Gold Rush past which has also given it a diverse cultural heritage. The creative industries, while not well recognised as such, contribute well to the local economy. The many festivals, museums and library exhibitions attract visitors from the metropolitan centre of Victoria especially. The Bendigo Creative Industries Hub was a local council initiative while the Ulumbarra Theatre is located within the City’s 1860’s Sandhurst Gaol. Many festivals keep the city culturally active and are supported by organisations such as Bendigo Bank. The Bendigo Writers Festival, the Bendigo Queer Film Festival, The Bendigo Invention & Innovation Festival, Groovin the Moo and the Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival are well established within the community. A regional accelerator and Tech School at La Trobe University are touted as models for other regional Victorian cities. The city has a range of high quality design agencies, while the software and digital content sector is growing with embeddeds working in agriculture and information management systems. Employment in Film, TV and Radio and Visual Arts has remained steady in Bendigo for a decade while the Music and Performing Arts sector grew quite well over the same period.