Historical information

Sandhurst Trustees Bendigo Easter Festival.

The aim of The Bendigo Easter Festival is to increase awareness of, and attendance at the Bendigo Easter Festival amongst regional, intrastate, and interstate audiences by 2006.

Bendigo Easter Festival - Australia's oldest festival ... .... ..

Gold, gold, gold. The year of 1871 was a great year for Bendigo. Parks were laid out, trees lined the streets. Although acknowledged as starting in 1869 the Easter Festival was considered an annual event by 1871.

Under brilliant illumination the whole of the Camp Reserve (now Rosalind Park) was filled with a bewildering variety of groups, exhibits and individuals all eager to be involved in such a worthwhile cause. There were sports meetings, theatricals, bazaars and instrumental items as well as dancing and carnival rides. On Easter Monday, as it is today, there was a grand procession that included a variety of bands.

1871 also marked the first year that the Chinese joined in the festivities. Originally the Chinese participated in the procession by dressing in richly embroidered costumes, and carrying colourful banners in all shapes and sizes, which were specially made for them in China.

In 1889, the Chinese were given their traditional place in the Parade, the end. They created a wonderful spectacle with their colourful costumes, banners and flags, and in 1892, Loong, the dragon appeared. The Bendigo Easter Festival had been fortunate in that it bad such a lively Chinese community in its midst.

At the time of course, Bendigo was known as Sandhurst, and it was not until twenty years after the first Easter Festival that the town was known as Bendigo. These days with sponsorship from the Sandburst Trustees, the Festival is known as the Sandhurst Trustees Bendigo Easter Festival.

132 years later, the Sandburst Trustees Bendigo Easter Festival has had many changes. But loyal followers have never been disappointed. This year people saw the traditions upheld with family entertainments and not Loong, but Sun Loong, meaning new dragon, a 100m long Imperial Dragon who was created to take the place of the aging Loong.

Physical description

Sandhurst Trustees Bendigo Easter Festival Administration Documents - Legal and Insurance

This Item includes the following Documents:

11213.7a Sandhurst Trustees Bendigo Easter Festival - Logo 2003

11213.7b Sub Lease Agreement between the Bendigo Easter Fair Inc and The Rotary club of Bendigo - Town Hall 2005-2006 - Contact the BHS for Details

11213.7c Certificate of Currency Jan 2003 - McCormick Harris and Associates PTY LTD - Contact the BHS for Details

11213.7d Schedule of Insurances Feb 2003 - McCormick Harris and Associates PTY LTD - Contact the BHS for Details

11213.7e This document from Russell Kennedy Solicitors addresses the legal liability, insurance, and risk management considerations for the Bendigo Easter Fair Committee (BEF) and its members. Contact the BHS for details.

11213.7f This letter from McCormick Harris Associates to Bendigo Easter Fair Inc. outlines several key points regarding the organization's insurance arrangements. Recommendation to Transition Insurance coverage to the City of Greater Bendigo March 2003 - Contact the BHS for details

11213.7g This document is a confirmation of insurance coverage provided by the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) for the Crown in right of the State of Victoria and associated entities; 30 June 2002 - Contact the BHS for Details

11213.7h Assorted tax invoices and statements - Contact the BHS for Details

11213.7i Insurance Documents May and June 2003 - Contact the BHS for Details