Download or Order Be Part of Our Story book, and discover the stories of Bendigo people.

‘In Melbourne, I was feeling constantly hemmed in. When I came back to Bendigo, I immediately felt like a big load had been lifted off my shoulders. Everything was so easy.

You can make things happen here which are very difficult in Melbourne, because you have access to people and can get things done. Bendigo has really flourished - it's remarkable for a city of its size. Other places don't seem o have the same vitality.

Our best kept secrets are the Atisha Centre and the Great Stupa. We also have the only Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Australia.

I am very excited by the continued progress of the Great Stupa and the giant Jade Buddha. These are two massive, multi-million dollar projects. They'll put Bendigo on the map and they're being run from a little office in View Street.'

– Ian Green

Ian and Judy Green moved to Bendigo in 1981. For Ian, it was a return home after spending 15 years in Melbourne, where he worked at one of Australia's top advertising agencies. Ian and Judy now spend much of their time at the Bendigo Buddhist Centre. Ian is the CEO of the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion and Judy is involved with the giant Jade Buddha project. Ian is also a partner in local advertising agency, Challenges Accepted.