News
$200,000 grants milestone!
The recent community investment grants round funded $34,000 towards local community groups and projects and included two major grants of $10,000.
Following this grants round, the total funding of community projects in the Bendigo Northern corridor now exceeds $200,000.
148 projects totalling $208,081.35 have been funded across a range of sporting and community groups including:
• 6 major projects totally $74,200
• 15 Defibrillators to sporting clubs & community groups totally $29,950
The enterprise is proud to continue to support the communities in the Bendigo Northern corridor and thank their partners: Bendigo Bank, Viewpoint Huntly and Bendigo Telco for their ongoing support.
Major funding for Discovery Centre Science project at White Hills Primary School
BNDCE has contributed $10,000 to the Discovery Centre to provide the White Hills Primary School Community a Science and Education package.
The Discovery Centre will work in conjunction with White Hills Primary School and LaTrobe University to deliver introductory science sessions at the school.
LaTrobe University is partnering with the Discovery Centre to provide university students who will promote and encourage investigative science within the school environment. Initial sessions will occur at the school followed by the Discovery Centre visit with a lab session.
Every White Hills Primary School Student will be included in this science experience in 2017 thanks to the BNDCE funding.
Photo: Jonathon Riddnell (Bendigo Discovery Centre) and Katherine Legge (LaTrobe University) receiving the major grant at the BNDCE Grants Presentation night.
May 2016 Community Investment Grants
Congratulations to the May 2016 successful community grant applicants:
- Huntly Junior Football Club - $1,353 to purchase safety and training equipment.
- Huntly Fire Brigade - $2,000 to assist to build a Fire Resistant Demonstration Garden at new Station.
- Fresh FM Community Radio - $800 to go towards purchasing an internet card to enable remote broadcasting.
- Weeroona College Bendigo - $1,500 to part fund the purchase of a defibrillator for the college.
Community Enterprise celebrates its 10th Birthday and over $160,000 in community contributions!
In 2006 a group of community minded people came together and identified the need for a vehicle to drive projects forward in the local district. From these initials meetings, the community enterprise was formed. Over its 10 years the Bendigo Northern District Community Enterprise has been supported by partners Bendigo Bank and Bendigo Telco and also joined in October 2013 by the developers of Viewpoint Huntly, the Integra Group. Our partners provide an income stream that the enterprise is able to distribute by way of community grants.
Since forming, the enterprise has funded $78,200.40 in small projects via its twice yearly community grants program, as well as $84,909 in other grants which includes 4 major projects and 12 defibrillators.
The enterprise recently celebrated its 10th birthday, hosting a free family day in the gardens with support from Bendigo Bank, Huntly Fire Brigade, Huntly Lions Club, Jenny’s Early Learning Centre Epsom, Brad Crème and the Friends of the Gardens. The enterprise is proud to support the communities in the Bendigo Northern Corridor.
OTIS Foundation – Kez’s Hideaway
The OTIS Foundation provides retreat accommodation at no cost to those living with the challenges of breast cancer.
Kez’s hideaway retreat is a new facility developed by Paul Gray and his team in conjunction with the OTIS Foundation to add to the Foundation’s national network of residences.
The local Bendigo Community Enterprises (Bendigo Northern District CE, Empowering Eaglehawk CE, Strathfieldsaye & Districts CE, Kangaroo Flat CE and Mt Alexander CE) are proud to have made a combined contribution to the Kez’s Hideaway project.
For further information regarding the OTIS Foundation or Kez’s Hideaway visit www.otisfoundation.org.au or www.kezshideaway.org.au
4th Major Project – Bendigo Botanic Gardens, BBQ/Meeting Place
BNDCE are pleased to support the City of Greater Bendigo’s new Garden for the Future project at Bendigo Botanic Gardens as the focus for its next major project contribution. The Garden for the Future project will be a major new addition to the existing gardens and will provide a great venue for outdoor events, informal recreation activities, gatherings, picnics, educational programs and horticultural research and high quality cultural, recreational and educational experiences.
The two hectare contemporary Garden for the Future will feature a range of amenities including an outdoor stage and grassed amphitheatre for outdoor performances and cinema and a number of semi-intimate gathering spaces for weddings and corporate functions as well as a promenade that could be used for markets. The Gardens will also function as an outdoor classroom and we believe it will become a favourite destination for schools throughout Central Victoria.
The two hectare contemporary Garden for the Future will feature a range of amenities including an outdoor stage and grassed amphitheatre for outdoor performances and cinema and a number of semi-intimate gathering spaces for weddings and corporate functions as well as a promenade that could be used for markets. The Gardens will also function as an outdoor classroom and we believe it will become a favourite destination for schools throughout Central Victoria.
Photograph courtesy of the Bendigo Advertiser, 12 January 2016.
Community Enterprise celebrates its 10th Birthday and over $160,000 in community contributions!
In 2006 a group of community minded people came together and identified the need for a vehicle to drive projects forward in the local district. From these initials meetings, the community enterprise was formed. Over its 10 years the Bendigo Northern District Community Enterprise has been supported by partners Bendigo Bank and Bendigo Telco and also joined in October 2013 by the developers of Viewpoint Huntly, the Integra Group. Our partners provide an income stream that the enterprise is able to distribute by way of community grants.
Since forming, the enterprise has funded $78,200.40 in small projects via its twice yearly community grants program, as well as $84,909 in other grants which includes 4 major projects and 12 defibrillators.
The enterprise recently celebrated its 10th birthday, hosting a free family day in the gardens with support from Bendigo Bank, Huntly Fire Brigade, Huntly Lions Club, Jenny’s Early Learning Centre Epsom, Brad Crème and the Friends of the Gardens. The enterprise is proud to support the communities in the Bendigo Northern Corridor.
OTIS Foundation – Kez’s Hideaway
The OTIS Foundation provides retreat accommodation at no cost to those living with the challenges of breast cancer.
Kez’s hideaway retreat is a new facility developed by Paul Gray and his team in conjunction with the OTIS Foundation to add to the Foundation’s national network of residences.
The local Bendigo Community Enterprises (Bendigo Northern District CE, Empowering Eaglehawk CE, Strathfieldsaye & Districts CE, Kangaroo Flat CE and Mt Alexander CE) are proud to have made a combined contribution to the Kez’s Hideaway project.
For further information regarding the OTIS Foundation or Kez’s Hideaway visit www.otisfoundation.org.au or www.kezshideaway.org.au
3rd Major Project - Weeroona College Shade project
Since forming in 2006, BNDCE has forged a strong relationship with Weeroona College Bendigo. BNDCE is pleased to announce the focus of its third major project will see the enterprise continuing to work with Weeroona College, the provider of secondary education in the Bendigo Northern corridor.
Weeroona College has recently undergone a re-build, with fantastic new facilities for all students who attend the college. The total re-build of the site has however meant the trees are young and currently do not provide significant shade for students and staff to utilise during break times, especially during the hotter months.
In line with the college’s Sun Smart focus, the community enterprise has worked with the college to contribute $10,000 to realise a new shade project. The project has seen the construction of 3 new shade sails between the office building and the amphitheatre and performing arts centre.
It’s fantastic to see the project completed with its positive impact and enhancement of the college.
For more information on Weeroona College Bendigo, visit their website at www.weeroona.vic.edu.au or phone 5443 2133.
July Grants Presentation Night
The community enterprise recently presented its May round of community investment grants. More than 40 people attended the night on which Gemma Fennell, COGB provided a very informative presentation regarding the Bendigo Botanical Gardens developments and Chris Weir, Bendigo Sustainability Group provided an update on the work the BSG are doing in the local community. Leanne Preece, Principal Weeroona College Bendigo also spoke about the partnership forged between the BNDCE and the College.
The night, hosted by 3BO’s Ewan Grant saw 4 local groups receive funding – Bendigo Northern Flames Junior Netball Club, Bagshot Badminton Club, Lord Somers Camp (Bendigo Special Developmental School project) and Bendigo Animal Welfare & Community Services. The enterprise also presented Epsom Primary School with a defibrillator.
November 2014 Round of Community Grants
Congratulations to the November 2014 successful community grant applicants:
- Bendigo Northern Flamees Junior Netball Club - $1,000 to build a new club website
- Goornong Swimming Pool - $288 to improve existing seating and to purchase life jackets and water toys
- Vision Australia - $490 to purchase an Xbox and musical instruments
- White HIlls Football Netball Club - $2,000 to fence the perimeter of the new playground
- Epsom Community Church - $1,000 for the relocation/renovation of storage
- Bendigo Animal Welfare - $995 to enable car park improvements
- Sandhurst Hockey Club - $1,000 to purchase an equipment storage cupboard
$100,000 in Community Grants Milestone Celebrations
On Tuesday 8th July the BNDCE presented the May small grants to recipient groups and also took the opportunity to celebrate achieving $100,000 in community grants since forming in 2006.
3BO’s Ewan Grant was master of ceremonies and in addition to the presentation of grants to nine (9) community groups, those present heard from guest speakers: Andrew Cockerall - Strategic Planning - City of Greater Bendigo and Matt Agterhuis - Director-Development Manager Integra Group, the developers of “Viewpoint Huntly”.
Each community group representative provided great insight to the 60+ community people in attendance, explaining the difference the community grant would make to their group and members.
The night finished with a cake, supper and champagne to celebrate the fantastic achievement!
May 2014 Round of Community Grants
Congratulations to the May 2014 successful community grant applicants:
- Bagshot Hall Committee - $899 to purchase a new refrigerator
- Anglican Parish - St Clements in Huntly - $1,000 to purchase new heaters, fridge & LED globes
- Huntly Kindergarten - $1,000 to purchase “Staying Dry Outfits – Jackets, Bibs & Braces”
- Strauch Reserve Management Committee - $1,000 to purchase a new freezer
- Epsom Playgroup - $1,000 to purchase Sensory Play Equipment
- White Hills Primary School - 1,000 to purchase new netball uniforms
- Bendigo Animal Welfare - $900 to build a roof over the outdoor laundry area
- Bendigo Field & Game - $1,000 to purchase solar panels
- Huntly Fire Brigade - $2,000 towards the purchase of a portable defibrillator
New Partnership with Viewpoint Huntly
BNDCE are pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with the developers of Viewpoint Huntly. The BNDCE board are looking forward to working closely with the developers of the Estate who have shown a keen interest in supporting the local communities in the Bendigo Northern corridor.
Viewpoint is a master planned community within the Council identified Huntly Growth Corridor. The estate boasts a Central Park with adventure playground and large open play space, as well as bar-b-que facilities and kilometres of walking and cycling trails. There are a variety of lot types to choose from and display homes from some of Bendigo's leading builders who are able to package a home to suit any lifestyle needs.
The developers of Viewpoint, Integra Group, are a proud family business who have been delivering high quality residential estates to Regional Victoria for over 20 years.
"Integra understand the important role community enterprise groups like BNDCE play in a community and are excited with the opportunity to be involved with such a professional and supportive group within the Northern District of Bendigo" said Matt Agterhuis, Director-Development Manager Integra Group.
Photo (L-R): Sandy Young (BNDCE), Matt Agterhuis (Viewpoint Huntly), Christine Monson (Bendigo Bank)
Grants Available May 2014
The BNDCE small grants program will be open for applications from 1st May - 31st May.
Community Groups/clubs are encouraged to apply. Refer to the Community Grants section of this website for grant guidelines and the application.
Grand Opening Celebrations Saturday 22nd March 2014
New Children's Playspace at White Hills Recreation Reserve
The Bendigo Northern District Community Enterprise in conjunction with the tenant clubs of White Hills Recreation Reserve will host a grand opening and community celebration of the new play space at the White Hills Reserve.
Saturday 22nd March 2014
10:00am-12 noon (11:45am - short official opening of the play space)
BYO picnic blanket and/or chairs to sit on the oval and enjoy the morning with your friends and family! Everyone Welcome - so please come along!
Activities include: Sausage Sizzle, 10:30am -11:30am - FREE Junior netball clinic, 10:30am-11:30am - FREE Junior football clinic - FREE Mask Making Cup Cake Decorating and of course, endless fun on the new children’s play equipment!
Walk/Ride2School Program
The Bendigo Northern District Community Enterprise is proudly supporting the local primary schools - White Hills, Holy Rosary, Epsom and Huntly - with the 2014 Active Communities and National Walk/Ride2School Program on Wednesday 19th March 2014.
The enterprise in conjunction with the City of Greater Bendigo is keen to support active communities and travel initiatives for students - riding, walking, skating and scooting.
The enterprise is providing all primary school students with a small gift to encourage them to be active!
New Children’s Play Spaces
The community enterprise is very proud to have supported two major children’s play space projects in our local community - one at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve and the other is in progress at White Hills Recreation Reserve in the Botanical Gardens Precinct
The community enterprise contributed a total of $24,200 towards the purchase of the play equipment with the COGB and sporting clubs also contributing.