Cultural Diversity

Greater Bendigo is becoming increasingly culturally diverse.  the percentage of City of Greater Bendigo residents born overseas has risen to 7% of Bendigo's population, with 2% of households speaking a language other than English at home.

This table (from the 2011 Census) gives a snapshot of the Country of Birth of City of Greater Bendigo residents, with more than 100 residents from any one country.

Australia 88,828 Country of birth not stated 4,757 United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man(d) 2,385 Born elsewhere(e) 909 New Zealand 665 India 325 Netherlands 297 Philippines 253 Germany 244 China (excl. SARs and Taiwan)(b) 212 Thailand 182 South Africa 169 Italy 158 Malaysia 147 Sri Lanka 142 United States of America 133 Ireland 127

Image: Bendigo Australian Indonesian Klub

International Relationships

The City of Greater Bendigo is committed to maintaining and celebrating its international relationships and holds with Sister Cities relationships with Los Altos (US), and Penzance (UK); and a friendship relationship with Maubisse (East Timor).

For further information on these please click on the links below:

Sister Cities

Bendigo - Maubisse Friendship Committee 

City of Greater Bendigo – A Refugee Welcome Zone

In 2002, the City of Greater Bendigo (CoGB) signed a Refugee Council of Australia declaration to state its commitment to welcome refugees into our community.  This declaration, which remains current, signifies our organisation’s commitment to demonstrating compassion for refugees and to supporting their cultural and religious diversity.

Over the past 10 years more than 300 Karen refugees (to name just one group) have been welcomed to Greater Bendigo. A recent example of their success in our community is the national award won by two young Karen weavers, who work out of a CoGB supported space in Allan's Walk, for their beautiful woven scarfs.

Partnerships and contacts

The City of Greater Bendigo is proud to convene the Bendigo Local Settlement Planning Committee which has a strong partnership with a range of culturally and linguistically diverse organisations and community groups. 

For further information contact the Community and Cultural Development Unit on 5434 6464 or email infoccd@bendigo.vic.gov.au.