Board Members

Meet our BDNCE committee, a group of passionate volunteers and community leaders making a difference in our Bendigo Northern District.

Chris Epworth - Chair & Marketing

Chris is a local family man and Huntly resident. He is a passionate photographer and is IT savvy. Chris is regularly emcee and music co-ordinator for our annual Huntly Family Fund Day. Chris is keen to bring new ideas and a fresh approach to BNDCE.

Sandra Young – Vice Chair

I have lived in the Huntly district for 31 years with my husband Peter and 3 boys. The boys have all played sport with the local junior sides, and now have families of their own. Consequently, I have had much involvement with the local kinder, school and our local sporting clubs and their committees: Huntly Junior Football Club and Huntly/North Bendigo Cricket Club. I am very passionate about the Bendigo Northern District Community Enterprise and the achievements we have made over the past ten plus years including: building playgrounds, improving facilities with defibrillators, assisting the ‘Gardens of the Future’ and helping our community to come together to achieve many projects.

Mike Lowther - Social Media Coordinator

I am a retired teacher / teacher-librarian, married (to Eileen). We have lived in the local area for 30 years. I volunteer at other local community organisations and have been associated with BNDCE / Happening Huntly since its very early inception, undertaking several roles over the years, and take great pride in its many fine achievements to date. I would like to see more community members become involved with BNDCE and help provide the opportunity for many more good things to happen in our districts in the future.

Ruth Fullard - Secretary

Growing up on a strawberry farm in the Goulburn Valley, I moved to Bendigo to pursue my teaching degree. I ventured off to south-East Melbourne to take up my first teaching position. Over 20 years later, after a lap around Australia in 2016 with my husband & twins, we decided that regional Victoria was calling me home. We moved to Huntly nearly four years ago. Being a semi-rural area we feel we have the best of both worlds - the comfort of city shopping & luxury of country living.

I am a teacher at a local school and this experience has provided a wonderful sense of community. I have recently become involved in River Detectives program that enables students to learn about the diversity of the Bendigo Creek.

Since being part of BNDCE I have discovered so many local groups who are contributing so much to the local area. It is fantastic being part of a group that supports the community to thrive and flourish. If you are new to the area, I strongly urge you to come along and be part of a community enterprise that just keeps on giving.

Jim Mensforth - Treasurer

I have lived with wife Ellen, in White Hills on Holdsworth Road since 1977. We raised 3 daughters who all attended the White Hills Kindergarten, White Hills Primary and Weeroona College. They played netball for White Hills, Huntly and Elmore. I served on the White Hills Primary School council for a few years. We raised 4 wonderful grandchildren, two of the eldest, (Elsie and Emelia McKinnon), currently attend the Epsom Primary school. I joined BNDCE in 2019 following my retirement from employment as a Professional Engineer, 29 Years with City of Greater Bendigo and 14 years with VicRoads. I absolutely love this opportunity to assist community groups achieve their projects.

Trudy Haines

I have lived in Huntly with my 3 children for 18 years. As my children have grown I have become involved in many groups within the community and played various roles within these groups. I love the community we live in and enjoy helping out and being involved when I can. I believe the BNDCE is a valuable and wonderful opportunity for our community to achieve common goals and develop further improvements within our local area. I look forward to the future and helping to make a difference.

Leonie Francis

I have lived in White Hills with my husband Pat for 36 years. When our two boys were young I was involved in kinder and school committees as well as enjoying local soccer, cricket and pool duties. Now the boys have flown the nest I enjoy involvement with the community through joining our BNDCE. Our local area has really grown and changed over the years. By working with the BNDCE, your group can tap into grants, guidance, or even infrastructure to help your group grow and prosper. Join us on the first Tuesday of the month to see what we are about.

Rob McClellan

I have lived in Huntly since 2002, together with Kathy, my wife and our three beautiful Girls. I have been involved with sport, playing cricket with Huntly North Epsom and have been involved with the Huntly Football Netball Club coaching under Seventeens in 2011. I have been involved with BNDCE for about 5 years and I am looking forward to seeing it grow and provide the opportunity for many new projects to happen in our district.

Ken Beasley

I am a retiree, having resided in Huntly for 15 years. My interests include Landcare & the environment, Community health and well-being.

I have worked in arrange of activities:
- 20 years in public sector (Victorian Railways, Department of Army, Department of Social Security), Australian Electoral Office).
- 30 years in Not-for-Profit sector primarily in project development, management and coordination (life member Conservation Volunteers Australia – environment and volunteer management).

I am a committee member on Northern Bendigo Landcare Group, Ironbark Gully Friends, Bendigo Sustainability Group. BNDCE provides an important role / resource in assisting with funding to support ‘grass roots’ community actions / activities.

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Partner Contacts

Mitchell Street Branch of Bendigo Bank

Mitchell St branch of Bendigo Bank has 12 staff members who are passionate about helping customers achieve their financial goals and providing excellent personal service.

Bendigo Bank offers a full range of personal and business accounts, both deposits and lending, along with access to financial advice and many other specialist solutions.

The branch team welcome the opportunity to assist existing and prospective customers by reviewing their current banking arrangements and providing a competitive comparison for consideration.

The branch has a fresh new look and design, featuring a free retail pop-up space, art gallery space, community event space and vibrant murals painted by local artists.

Visit our team today at 89 Mitchell Street, Bendigo or phone us on 03 5442 2799.

Customer Centre - Bendigo Telco

Visit the team at 23 McLaren Street, Bendigo or phone on 1300 228 123.

Visit www.bendigotelco.com.au

Viewpoint Huntly

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