PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE is a new exhibition at Djaa Djuwima that brings together a collection from 18 local First Nations artists who have contributed their interpretations of the themes with stunning results.
Over 25 pieces are on show that explore artists’ deep personal cultural identities, lived experiences together with social or political commentary.
Many works offer visual commentary on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, artefacts, and material culture. They trace powerful connections from the past, through the present, and into the future.
Arts Officer, First Nations and exhibition Curator Michellie Charvat said the theme for the exhibition was inspired by the NAIDOC week theme 2025 The Next Generation: strength, Vision and Legacy and the National Reconciliation week theme 2025 Bridging now to next.
“Both themes reflect deeply on the past in honour of truth-telling and are anchored in the present, while offering hope for the future,” Michellie said.
“PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE is an important theme for Djaa Djuwima to hold space for and to offer exhibiting First Nations artists a platform to express themselves and their stories within the theme.”
The free exhibition opens on October 8 and is on until the end of February 2026.
Djaa Djuwima is open 9am to 4.30pm (except Christmas Day) and is located at the Bendigo Visitor Centre, 51-67 Pall Mall.
Djaa Djuwima means to ‘show, share Country’ in Dja Dja Wurrung language and this gallery is a safe place for First Nations artists to explore cultural expression, identity, heritage and connection.
Museum of Monoculture is a new exhibition that looks at how modern farming practices since the 1940s have impacted the environment, landscapes and wildlife.
Bendigo-based agricultural historian and printmaker Justine Philip was inspired to present the exhibition after working on a European Research Council project The Making of Monoculture. A Global History.
Monoculture farming is an agricultural practice where a single crop species, such as wheat or corn, is grown on a specific piece of land, often from season to season. Justine’s research examined primary food and fibre production systems, the use of pesticides and the impact of industrial farming on the economy, the environment, landscapes and waterways.
Opening on Wednesday October 8 at Dudley House on View Street, the exhibition features 24 original hand-printed limited edition screenprints of rare and extinct wildlife and industrial agriculture, based on themes around biodiversity loss, extinction and vulnerability. The collection draws inspiration from traditional protest posters and posters from the British Empire Marketing Board that appeared in the 1920s.
Justine said until the early to mid-20th century, industrial agriculture and visual arts worked closely together.
“Artists were often invited to document new technologies, and museums focused on industry and technology which were popular. Since the late 1940s, however, modern food and fibre production has grown larger and complex and become less visible to the public revealing a gaping hole in the visual archives,” Justine said.
“I hope people will find my prints compelling. This exhibition is an opportunity to share the research I have worked on over the past 10 years with a wider audience, outside of academia. I want to highlight the vulnerabilities of our rare and endangered species as they navigate our increasingly agrochemical environment.”
The free exhibition is open from Wednesday October 8 to Tuesday October 21 at Dudley House, 60 View Street from 11am to 4pm* (*closed on Mondays and open from 12 noon on October 8). All are welcome to the exhibition’s official opening event from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday October 11.
The exhibition is supported by the City of Greater Bendigo’s Artists on View program.
The City of Greater Bendigo has partnered with Peter Krenz Centre to deliver a series of low-cost outdoor fitness sessions for people of all fitness levels to spring into motion and increase their fitness!
City of Greater Bendigo Sport and Leisure Coordinator, Mark Sharp said the Spring into Motion fitness sessions offer community members two exciting six-week programs at Strathdale Park sports precinct on Monday evenings between October 27 and December 1, 2025.
“The two programs aim to give residents, in particular women and gender diverse community members, more opportunities to be physically active outdoors in the evening,” Mr Sharp said.
“This is a really good opportunity for local residents to be guided by qualified fitness instructors at the group fitness sessions or the beginners running program.”
Community members can choose one program and enjoy six weeks of community, health, and fun. Young people aged 16 and 17 are welcome to register and participate with a parent or guardian.
The two program options include:
Group Fitness Class – 5.30pm Mondays, Strathdale Park Sports Precinct
Beginners Running Program – 6.30pm Mondays, Strathdale Park Sports Precinct
Each six-week program costs $30 and includes six 45-minute sessions of either a group fitness circuit, completing bodyweight exercises, or a beginner’s running program.
Four men have been taken to hospital after a crash at Parawa.
Just before 5.30pm today (Monday 6 October), police and emergency services were called to Hay Flat Road after reports that a Toyota sedan had left the road and crashed into a tree.
The driver, a 19-year-old Plympton Park man was flown to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.
Three other men in the vehicle, aged 20, 23 and 24, suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital by paramedics.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au
Search efforts are continuing today for a missing man in the Hollybank area in north east Tasmania.Peter Willoughby, 76, went missing on a walk in bushland about 2km from Hollybank on Sunday afternoon.He was wearing a dark blue jumper, blue jeans and sneakers.Peter is being treated for a medical condition, which may result in him being disoriented.Police and State Emergency Services search and rescue crews and Tasmanian Mounted Search and Rescue volunteers on horseback, together with an Ambulance Tasmania wilderness paramedic, will today continue search efforts around the Excalibur Road area on foot and on ATVs.The Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Tasmania Police drone capability are again being utilised to conduct search aerial searches.If you’ve seen Peter please call Police on 131444.
Bree Kuffer preparing her property for the fire season
Having lived in and around Montrose for most of her life, Bree Kuffer is no stranger to preparing for fire season.
When a bushfire broke out in March this year, Bree said it reinforced the importance of staying alert.
“I remember it feeling quite surreal to begin with, and maybe not really understanding how big a deal it was,” Bree said.
“We could see and smell the smoke and could hear the sirens…you were acutely aware that it was in your township, but I think the severity of it took a while for us to really understand.”
Living around 2km from where the fire originated, Bree and her family were safely outside the impacted area, but aware that the situation could change rapidly.
“We have a very clear plan to go as a family. Ultimately, we decided as a family that a house is a house, and nothing is more important than the people inside that house.”
When fire hit Montrose this year, it was the location of fire that surprised Bree and many other community members.
“What was surprising during the fire was the amount of suburban homes that were at risk. I think the Montrose fire has shown that it can happen to anyone.”
In the wake of the fire, Bree and her family have placed a heavy focus on preparing their property ahead of the upcoming season, as well as making sure they know their plan.
“We’re so fortunate to have so many beautiful gum trees that drop a lot of sticks and branches around us, so my husband will clear them regularly so it’s not as big a job when you get closer to summer,” Bree said.
“There’s an important conversation that has to happen in families about being prepared and everybody having a role and listening and doing what we need to do if we need to evacuate.”
For Bree, the most important lesson that arose from the fire was the importance of keeping up to date and knowing your threshold to take action.
“We’re very fortunate now, to have real-time information provided to us in a way that perhaps wasn’t around 10 or 20 years ago. During the Montrose incident, we were very much keeping an eye on the VicEmergency app and watching CFA on Facebook,” Bree said.
“The reinforced part for me is that the decision to leave is mine, my husband’s and our families. Fire is so unpredictable and can move so quickly that you can’t wait to be told.
“I think that that was a big lesson for everybody, they need to really think about what their role is in making decisions that are best for them.
“One of the lessons out of Montrose’s fire was that when it is widespread and there’s multiple areas at risk, it’s probably not realistic to expect in an event like that that a fire truck will come to your house and make everything okay.
“I need to make decisions for myself, my children and my pets, the decisions that are right for us.
“Everybody that lives in an area like this has to be aware of what their risk is, what they have to take control of themselves, and ultimately when to leave.”
This October more than 530 CFA brigades across Victoria are hosting an event to help their communities Get Fire Ready. To find out more about preparing your property, creating a fire plan or to find an event near you visit our website.
After the 2009 fires, the community surrounding Marysville significantly changed and brigade membership at Marysville, Narbethong and Buxton dropped.
But thanks to the launch of combined training and support for each other, this triangle in District 12 is now stronger than ever.
The three brigades cover a large area that includes dry bushfire conditions and cool climate rain forest conditions.
“We haven’t been a team in the past,” Marysville Fire Brigade Captain Travis Gleeson said, “and it was time to change.
“A Buxton brigade member asked me if the three brigades could work together a bit more, and I thought yes why can’t we?”
Travis talked to Narbethong and Buxton brigades to try to improve their teamwork.
“Sometimes you need more than one brigade for a training session to work properly, so combining training between the three brigade works better,” Narbethong Fire Brigade 1st Lieutenant Stephen Schulz said.
Each brigade still has its own training sessions, but they also train together about once a month, with brigades taking it in turns to be the host.
“The dynamic has changed with our new training program,” Buxton Fire Brigade 3rd Lieutenant Brian Denham said. “We wanted to focus on combined training. There has definitely been a shift to working together more, which leads to a better understanding on the fireground.
“The joint training has absolutely improved things. It creates better working relationships and a better understanding of each brigade’s issues.”
“The three captains are quite different and they share their knowledge,” Stephen said.
“Members from Marysville and Buxton have a lot of structural background and they can teach us things we don’t learn at our brigade.
“It’s good to have the support from surrounding brigades, especially as there isn’t a lot of experience at our brigade. It gives our members confidence.”
“We turn out as one bigger brigade and that’s normal for us.”
District 12 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Steve Keating is full of praise for what these three brigades have achieved.
“These three brigades are isolated from their district office at Seymour. Being at the far end of the district, their nearest support is a long way away,” Steve said.
“Narbethong’s existence today has a lot to do with the support they received from neighbouring brigades to re-engage their community and lift their profile,” Steve said.
“It really solidifies that community connection is so important.
“The brigades have really shone in the community safety and training space and operationally. I’m proud of their efforts.”
The City of Greater Bendigo is hosting a free Detox Your Home service from 9am to 1pm on the Bendigo Cup Day public holiday, Wednesday October 29 at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange, Wallenjoe Road, Huntly.
The Detox your Home service provides residents with an opportunity to safely dispose of common household chemicals without harming their health or the environment.
Residents can dispose of the following items – acids, alkalis, aerosol cans, anti-freeze, brake fluid, car body filler, car wax, ammonia-based cleaning products, cooking oil, coolant, detergents, disinfectants, drain cleaner, fertiliser, fire extinguishers, floor-care products, waxes, fuels such as petrol, diesel, kerosene and others, glues (water-based and solvents), herbicides/ weed killers, insect spray/pesticides, nail polish/ remover, oven cleaner, paint stripper, thinner/turps, pool chemicals, rat poison, solvents, transmission fluid, and wood preservatives and finishes (oils/varnish) at the Detox Your Home service.
This event will be drive through and contactless and those wishing to participate must register on the Sustainability Victoria website.
City of Greater Bendigo Acting Resource Recovery and Education Manager, Sam Johnston said Detox Your Home is the safest way for residents to dispose of unwanted household chemicals that may be stored around homes.
“Household chemicals can be dangerous, and Detox Your Home is a good opportunity to get rid of unwanted chemical products in a safe and environmentally friendly way,” Mr Johnston said.
“You must register to attend and those who fail to do this will be turned away at the gate. So please take a couple of minutes to register if you would like to participate.”
The collected material will be treated/recycled or disposed of safely by a specialist team.
Detox Your Home is administered by Sustainability Victoria in partnership with Local Government.
Geelong West Fire Brigade recently partnered with Hamlyn Views School, welcoming senior students Brandon and Joshua for a unique, hands-on introduction to community service and firefighting.
Geelong West Fire Brigade recently partnered with Hamlyn Views School, welcoming senior students Brandon and Joshua for a unique, hands-on introduction to community service and firefighting.
Hamlyn Views is a special developmental school, where students often experience the world differently to others. This partnership was about more than just extinguishers and hoses. It was about breaking down barriers and creating a safe, inclusive space where every individual could contribute and shine.
Brandon and Joshua were provided with wildfire clothing, giving them a sense of belonging as part of the brigade. They helped carry out station safety inspections, checked fire extinguishers, assisted with hose testing and rolling, and enjoyed learning what it means to be part of a firefighting team.
For the brigade, the program was a rewarding experience. Members quickly learned to adapt their verbal and expressive language to be clear, simple and supportive. This not only made the activities easy to understand, but also harnessed the strengths and abilities of the students, ensuring they were actively engaged, confident and having fun.
The final day of the program was a highlight. One of the student’s families attended the station to see what had been learned, while classmates proudly cheered them on as they walked out of school dressed as firefighters. The excitement and happiness on the students’ faces was shared by everyone involved.
The project was supported by Lieutenant Stephen Robertson, Ex-Captain Brendan Robertson, Secretary Bob Ackland and firefighters Keegan Casey, Harry Williams and Scott Tomlinson, along with classroom teacher Marty, who was a brilliant contributor in guiding and encouraging the students throughout the program.
This partnership is a reminder that community service is not just about responding to emergencies. It is about inclusion, connection, and building confidence.
Geelong West Fire Brigade looks forward to continuing these opportunities with Hamlyn Views and other local schools, strengthening both the brigade and the community it serves.
Rolling up hose that had been up the tower
Brandon and Joshua helped Lieutenant Robertson with a radio check