The History of Bendigo Retirement Village - Bendigo Community

The following is a summarised history of the Bendigo Retirement Village.

Our Village began thirty years ago as one’s man dream of a “Friendship Village”. Today it continues as a caring, relaxed community of about 200 residents living in the premier retirement facility within the Bendigo region.

In The Beginning; “The Friendship Village”

Reg Broad had a dream and vision to establish “The Friendship Village”. The initial plan was for 68 units, a health care hostel and a nursing home.

Building commenced in late 1978.

When the first stage opened in 1980, it was named The Friendship Village. (This name is still recorded on the electricity substation in the Village.) It was managed by the Bendigo Church of Christ.

Reg Broad and his wife Clove moved into Unit 5. Francliff Avenue is named after Francliff Stud, which was owned by Reg. Broad Parade, Clifford Crescent, and Francis Street also commemorate associations with the Broad family.

From the beginning, units within the village were predominantly named after famous Australian artists. This tradition continues to this day.

By about 1981, 68 units were completed. The Spring Gully Post Office was opened in the Village in September 1982. Bendigo Village is one of the very few villages in Victoria that has an onsite Australian Post Office and associated banking facilities.

From its earliest days, Bendigo Retirement Village integrated with the wider Spring Gully and Bendigo Community.

The original Village Bus took part in the Bendigo Easter Procession at float number 19.

One of the original residents said the Village ran “with streamlined efficiency and courtesy. The facilities are marvellous and kindliness permeates the place”.

Official Opening by Sir Henry Bolte; “Happiness, Serenity And Comfort, Where The Living Is Easy”

On September 12, 1982, the Bendigo Village was officially opened by the former Premier Sir Henry Bolte, then 74 and retired from politics for ten years.

The Strathfieldsaye Band played “God save the Queen” before the official opening.

Sir Henry Bolte said “This Village Complex is unique in Australia, and easily the best retirement complex I have ever seen.” He said his only regret he had in opening the Village was he had forgotten to bring his pyjamas.

Mr Oborn, Managing Director of Villages of Australia said, “I first came to Bendigo in May 1981 to look at the Village; what I looked at was a bog full of water with some houses on the side. I remarked what a challenge it would be to come here and have the opportunity of completing the building of this village.”

“Sure there are other villages that are more opulent; however they are asking prices well in excess of ours. What we set out to do was to build something which we believe is the best value for money, to build it correctly, to operate it correctly, and at the same time, to derive satisfaction not only for the residents, but for our own reputation as commercial operators,” he said.

In those early days Bendigo Village was described as “the road to the Golden Years,” “in the heart of Victoria,” and as having “all the comforts.” It was noted that “happy and contented folk [were] already in occupancy, coming from all over central Victoria and Melbourne. The entire theme for the Village is one of happiness, serenity and comfort, where living is easy.”

Change From Leasehold to Body Corporate

Between 1983 and 1998, Bendigo Village was owned by a medium sized property group with a diverse range of interests.

During this period, the Village was Strata Titled and the ownership structure was changed from Leasehold to Body Corporate. This was a significant improvement for residents as it ensures a greater security of tenure for unit owners.

In February 1983, there were a total of 87 dwellings. These comprised 68 (one and two bedroom) Independent Living Units and 19 Lansell bedsitters.

By 1998, a further 22 (one and two bedroom) Independent Living Units had been added to the Village.

A New Phase of Growth and Renewal

In 1998, Bendigo Village Pty Ltd was purchased by a private consortium and the Village entered a new phase of growth and renewal.

Between 1999 and 2001, 31 two and three bedroom dwellings were built in The Outlook. Since then 15 more two and three bedroom dwellings have been built and seven more dwellings are currently proposed.

This will bring the total number of dwellings in the Village to 162. Since 1998, the number of dwellings in the Village will have grown by about 50%!

The benefits of the expansion are now evident. The Village has a financially sound Body Corporate which is able to fund a high level of care and amenity and maintain a sound maintenance program.

In 2008, major infrastructure works, including replacement and reconstruction of footpaths, internal roads and other services, were completed.

A new bus has just been purchased.

As Bendigo Village has been developed over a 25 year period, it has a mix of new and older accommodation. An on-going program has been established to refurbish older units and bed-sitters as they become vacant. Well over half of the older units have already been refurbished under this program.

Bendigo Village was only the second Village in Victoria to achieve Victorian Retirement Village accreditation. Bendigo Village again achieved accreditation in 2007, under the leadership of Brenda Morgan, Village Manager.

Bendigo Village is the only Strata Title village in Bendigo and completely conforms to the provisions of the Retirement Villages Act, 2005. The advantage of Strata Title is that the individual units are owned by the residents who therefore have absolute security of tenure. This does not exist with a leasehold agreement.

Bendigo Retirement Village continues to integrate with the wider community by providing services for people outside the Village. Local residents use the Post Office, community facilities are used by the University of the Third Age, and various groups use the Community Centre for exercise groups, art classes and embroidery. The Gideon’s Association hold a dinner meeting each month and the space is used as a polling place during elections. Residents are able to use to the Community Centre for private functions at no cost, while outside organisations pay a fee.

Looking To The Future…

In 2007, Bendigo Village celebrated the 25th Anniversary of its official opening in 1982. The celebratory function was attended by over 250 residents and guests and widely covered by local media.

The then Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo, Cr Julie Rivendell, addressed the function. Cr Rivendell had a close personal association with the Village as both her mother and mother in-law had lived in the Village.

The Village choir sang at the event, and the cake was cut by Bendigo Village’s oldest resident Edna Fisher, and her daughter Joy Williams.

The directors of Bendigo Village Pty Ltd donated 10 steel bench seats to commemorate the event. These were installed around the Village so that they could be used by all residents and their guests.

As it approaches its fourth decade, Bendigo Village has a strong history as a safe, friendly, relaxed and caring community of independent retirees.

It is set in a spacious, serene and comfortable environment, but within easy access to the supportive facilities within Bendigo.

Bendigo Village is proud of its history and reputation.

Management, staff and residents are all committed to maintaining the original ideals of the “Friendship Village”