The article highlights the opening of the $52 million Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation (DIGO) facility in Junortoun, Bendigo, emphasizing its strategic and economic significance The new DIGO centre is the sole provider of geospatial intelligence for Australia's defence and national interests. The facility ensures DIGO remains a world-class organization in geospatial information and services. Bendigo has been important to Australia's defence since 1942, previously hosting Defence mapping at the Fortuna site. Defence spends about $130 million annually in Bendigo on personnel, equipment, services, and facilities. The new DIGO facility is expected to promote local employment and economic growth. Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon visited Thales Australia, which designs and produces the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle.Defence recently ordered 293 more Bushmasters, totaling 737 vehicles.Fortuna Article - "DIGO's new home opens" - The Bendigo Miner Thursday Nov 13 2008 Picutres Julian Prowd This item contains the following: 11217.20a Colour Photo of Joel Fitzgibbon 11217.20b Part of page 5 - Article "DIGO's new home opens" non-fictionbendigo, fortuna, george lansell, digo, geospatial intelligence

Built in 1856 by J.T.C. Balderstedt as an eight-room, two-storey red brick house near the New Chum gold reef. Extended in 1869 with a three-room gabled wing. Surrounded by ornate gardens and a masonry wall, overlooking gold mining operations. Purchased by George Lansell in 1871 for 20,000 pounds. Lansell made significant additions and modifications; he died in 1906. By 1938, the property was in disrepair but avoided demolition.In 1942, the Australian military sought a secure location for map printing and storage north of the Great Dividing Range. The Commonwealth acquired a lease on Fortuna, and Army tradesmen made alterations. Major Sari and 150 men arrived in June 1942. The Australian Survey Corps and Women's Army Corps produced classified mapping documents during World War II. Purchased by the Commonwealth Government in 1951. The Royal Australian Survey Corps was disbanded in 1996.D efence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation (DIGO) was established in 2000 in Canberra and Bendigo to provide geospatial intelligence for defence.In 2004, it was announced that DIGO operations would remain in Bendigo but move from Fortuna. The Department of Defence plans to vacate Fortuna, with its future use undecided.History Lives Article - "Historic Building has Varied Past" - The Bendigo Weekly Friday Jul 25 2008 This item contains the following: 11217.15a Colour Photo of Fortuna Long Room 11217.15b Colour Photo of Fortuna Staircase 11217.15c Colour Photo of Fortuna Steps and Entrance 11217.15d Part of page 7 - Fortuna Refit Not an Easy Option 11217.15e Colour Photo of Fortuna Bathroom 11217.15f Colour Photo of Fortuna Entrance Pathnon-fictionbendigo, fortuna, george lansell, australian army survey corps

Map was used by Alan Mitchell-Lapin during patrols with Commando Regiment. Alan Mitchell-Lapin is a resident of Woodend.Alan Mitchell-Lappin is a member of the Woodend RSL who served with the Commandos in Afghanistan. Alan was awarded a Commendation for Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan. The map was utilised by Alan during his patrols.Patrol map for South Western Orguzgan Helmand and Kandahar Province’s. Scale 1:200,000. Produced by Australian Government Department of Defence Intelligence and Security. Table top right -Military Legend. Tables middle right - Language distribution, and translation glossary. Table bottom right hand corner - Topograhic Legend. Table centre bottom - Grid magnetic Diagrams. Table top left corner - Tarwin Kowt weather infromation.Produced by the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation, Geospatial Analysis Centre, September 2009. Restricted at time of issue.afghanistan, map, orguzgan, helmand, kandahar, operation slipper, mitchell-lapin, 2009, digo 0098-0910, commando, special forces