Rotary Bendigo Sandhurst has a contract with the City of Greater Bendigo to organize an Australia Day celebration each 26th January. Last year like so many events it was cancelled due to COVID restrictions. This year both the City and the Club were very keen to make it happen as it is an important fundraising event for our Club.
Usually held at the picturesque Lake Weeroona, this year it was held at the Bendigo Jockey Club Racecourse so that we could be COVID compliant. The event draws thousands of people to take part in the Civic ceremony including a presentation to 'Bendigo Citizen' of the Year and 'Young Citizen of the Year'. As well there is a real carnival atmosphere with Bands, entertainers, classic car display, Animal Farm and activities for the kids, and a Rotary Market and BBQ.
The decision was made to relocate to the Bendigo Jockey Club Racecourse 5kms north of the CBD and with the co-operation of staff from the City and Jockey Club the Rotary Club spent countless hours planning and negotiating a scaled-down celebration to “make it happen.” And it DID.
Despite it being a hot day, stallholders from Bendigo and all over Victoria turned up on Australia Day morning to take part in the Rotary Market. They were greeted by Bendigo Sandhurst members, all dressed in Rotary T-shirts, and a cohort of volunteer students from Girton Grammar contributing to a School Community Service program. The stallholders were delighted and very appreciative to receive help to “Bump In” to their sites.
When the gates opened at 10 am, an enthusiastic public, starved of opportunities to “get out” and find a bargain, flooded through the site. Soon there were crowds enjoying a variety of food, patting animals at Darrells Animal Farm, listening to music, or watching the Civic Awards ceremony under the Guidance of Rotary President Rob Rosaia and Mayor Andrea Metcalfe.
It was also a success for the Rotary Club with thousands of sausages and burgers with onions sold, the first fundraising success in two years. Next year we hope to be back at the Lake with less restrictions. In the meantime, planning is underway for our Rotary markets at the Bendigo Easter Fair.
Author: Ted Gretgrix, Bendigo-Sandhurst