Culture and heritage

Case study: Tramways Information sheet 11 Bendigo Tramways runs a commercial tram restoration business, part of the Historic city - heritage Bendigo Heritage Attractions company. architecture Using heritage tram coach-building skills and new technology, Bendigo Tramways works on restoration projects around the Cultural tourism is an extremely valuable country and even exports components part of the creative economy, and around the world. Bendigo Tramways according to the National Institute of works out of the historic 1903 Bendigo Economic and Industry Research (2015), tram depot, using local creative talent to Bendigo’s Goldfields heritage was worth keep heritage trams alive. $483M in 2013/2014 alone, employing nearly 3,000 people in the region. A survey conducted by Tourism Research indicated that 145,000 visitors to Bendigo were motivated by the history/ heritage of the City. Recognising and highlighting the region’s heritage assets offers tremendous opportunity for the growth and development of cultural tourism, as well as the industries supported by it (e.g. accommodation, hospitality, transport).

Aboriginal culture and arts

Cultural tourism based around indigenous Some examples of cultural tourism in art, culture and history is growing in Victoria include: , and Bendigo has thousands • Deadly Funny is of years of history to draw on. Victoria’s International Comedy Festival’s Creative Industries strategy 2016-2020 national comedy competition for notes that “Victorian Aboriginal visual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. artists are increasingly celebrated nationally and internationally and are • Indigenous owned and operated represented in significant collections art galleries support the ethical and around the world.” fair trade of indigenous art, such as Gallery Kaiela, Shepparton and Baluk The National Arts Participation Survey Arts, Mornington. showed that seven million Australians experienced First Nations arts last year, The traditional owners of Greater Bendigo double the number since the first survey are the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung in 2009. Four in five believe they are an people, and there is huge potential to important part of Australia’s culture. develop cultural experiences based around the indigenous history, culture and language of the region. www.bendigo.vic.gov.au Culture and heritage

Valuing culture and heritage: Case studies

Many communities are coming up with innovative ideas to put their towns on the map - harnessing the arts and creative industries to attract visitors and stimulate the economy.

Visit ’s Lost Trades Fair

This event brings together traditional makers, trades and artisans to demonstrate their skills and share knowledge. The fair was established by Rundell & Rundell – local artisan chairmakers who work in Kyneton. The annual event showcases craftspeople – whose trades are increasingly being lost due to mass production – and celebrates their skills, creativity and products. The Lost Trades Fair is a great example of creativity and innovation, taking traditional crafts and manufacturing and bringing them to a modern day audience from all over the country, and at the same time bringing visitors and business to Kyneton.

Clunes Book Town Clunes Booktown

In 2012, the small town of Clunes (population 1,728) was declared Australia’s first International Booktown. This puts Clunes on the map, with 18 other internationally recognised booktowns across the world. A research audit conducted by Melissa Kennedy in 2010 showed that the event not only brought recognition and visitors, but generated $2M for the town. The event was set up in 2007 by a community group, and in 2017 had an estimated attendance of 18,000 people over two days.

The Capital Bendigo Bendigo: Celebrate Vahland

In 2015 a month-long program of events was held in Bendigo to celebrate the life and legacy of William Vahland, one of Australia’s most important 19th century architects, who designed over 200 buildings across Greater Bendigo and the Goldfields region. The event showed that there is real interest in the heritage and history of Bendigo, with over 1,000 people attending the various events and tours on offer. Bendigo is known nationally for its beautiful architecture and streetscapes, and these assets contribute to the creative culture and potential of the region. www.bendigo.vic.gov.au