What's the Go in Bendigo?

What's the Go in Bendigo? Wondering what the 'Go' is in the central Victorian city of Bendigo? We have you covered! (when we get around to posting stuff out, that is!) 🗼

The Federal Labor Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, has popped into the Harcourt CFA for a photo with the crew.
16/01/2026

The Federal Labor Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, has popped into the Harcourt CFA for a photo with the crew.

This evening, we throw back to a piece written by the co-owner of Jimmy Possum – and one of Claude Critchley’s strongest...
27/12/2025

This evening, we throw back to a piece written by the co-owner of Jimmy Possum – and one of Claude Critchley’s strongest supporters and trusted friends – Margot Spalding.

“The first time I met Claude Raymond Critchley, I thought I was rescuing him at 8am from an argument in Bull Street,” wrote Margot for the Bendigo Addy back in 2008.

“I took him home to feed him a good breakfast because he looked hungry” she continued. “He said, 'Better not tell your husband!'”

“When I presented him with a beautiful cooked breakfast, he said, 'If I eat all that, I’ll end up as fat as you',” she added, as part of a much longer write-up.

“The great thing about Claude is that the system, the institutions, the abuse he has been subjected to throughout all his life, have not broken his spirit.”

Victoria Hill in Ironbark is where Bendigo’s gold story goes from “bit of colour in the pan” to full-blown epic! 💛Gold w...
13/12/2025

Victoria Hill in Ironbark is where Bendigo’s gold story goes from “bit of colour in the pan” to full-blown epic! 💛

Gold was first discovered there in 1854 and, within a few frantic years, more than 1.2 million ounces had been dragged out of the ground, helping earn Bendigo the nickname “Quartzopolis” and pumping serious wealth into Victoria!

Prussian miner Christopher Ballerstedt – known as the Father of the Hill – proved the gold reefs ran deep, and later mining tycoon George Lansell pushed the shafts down to a ridiculous 4,613 feet, making it the deepest gold mine in the state!

These days you can wander past mullock heaps, old machinery, a poppet head and miner’s cage, climb up for big views over Bendigo, and follow the signs that tell the story of the mines and the people who worked them.

The diggings are accessed from behind Albert Richardson Reserve on Marong Road, with tracks winding through the reserve – just stick to the paths, because those old shafts are still very real underneath your feet! ⚠️

📷: Melbourne Playgrounds

Congratulations to Strathdale-Maristians Cricket Club players Shelby Giorlando, Bella Eddy and Meg O’Callaghan, who were...
23/11/2025

Congratulations to Strathdale-Maristians Cricket Club players Shelby Giorlando, Bella Eddy and Meg O’Callaghan, who were selected to represent the Northern Rivers Women’s Cricket Team! 👏🏻

The trio went on to help secure victory in the 2025 VCCL women’s final – an outstanding achievement for all three. Well done to the players and the club on an exceptional result! 🏏

The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and City of Greater Bendigo have gathered for a smoking ceremony in Har...
15/11/2025

The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and City of Greater Bendigo have gathered for a smoking ceremony in Hargreaves Mall to mark the transition into the next season. 🔥

Unlike the Western calendar, which has only four seasons, the Djaara people recognise six distinct seasons – each reflecting the changes in weather, plants, animals, and Country. 🍃

Bendigo's High Street tram track renewal works – between Alexandra Fountain and Short Street – have now wrapped up, with...
10/11/2025

Bendigo's High Street tram track renewal works – between Alexandra Fountain and Short Street – have now wrapped up, with the section now open to dual-lane traffic! 🚡

The Bendigo courtroom saw more drama this week than a Facebook comments section about Jacinta Allan’s machete bins!And t...
09/11/2025

The Bendigo courtroom saw more drama this week than a Facebook comments section about Jacinta Allan’s machete bins!

And the headline act? Local character Claude Critchley, storming in with more energy than a young lass at The Deck after one too many nose beers.

Before the Wednesday hearing even started, cheeky Claude was already up and about – waving his arms, muttering, swearing, and claiming the cops and half the city were out to get him.

“Good morning, Claude,” said the magistrate calmly, probably wishing he’d brought popcorn.

But Claude wasn’t having a bar of it, instead asking the magistrate a question about the court listings. “You can’t answer it or won’t answer it?” he yelled.

“Can’t,” came the reply. “Can’t or won’t, mate?” Claude pressed – the bloke could run a TAFE course on backchat!

His lawyer quietly told the court that his matters were resolved and a hearing under the Assessment and Referral Court (the one that looks at why people keep re-offending) was being sought.

But Claude wasn’t ready to park it just yet. “Why do you think I keep re-offending?” he demanded everyone to know. “It’s not because I want to – it’s because I can’t help it!”

The magistrate tried again: “Thanks, Claude, take a seat.” But old mate launched into another round of “no, no, no, no!” and dropped a few f-bombs for good measure.

“I don’t care if this whole f***en city don’t like me!” he shouted. “I am who I am! Claude is who he is and can’t help what he does!”

Then came the encore – calling police “idiots” and saying they’d been trying to get him “on something” for years. “Because not one of them like me, mate!”

By that point, the courtroom had seen it all: shouting, pacing, gesturing, swearing – the full Claude experience. Eventually, his case – breaches of personal safety orders – got adjourned to next month.

And just like that, Claude strutted out exactly how he came in – loud, defiant, and absolutely certain the world’s out to get him.

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Bendigo, VIC
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