Ian Green"If you want to make something happen and you have the enthusiasm, you can get it happening here."

‘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.


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It's no coincidence that the most revolutionary advance in Australian banking history originated in the City of Greater Bendigo; or that the last two National Business Women of the Year came from the same city.

Nor should it come as a surprise that Greater Bendigo's population is rapidly approaching 100,000 - making it one of Victoria's fastest growing regional municipalities.

Bendigo has been a major business and industry centre since the gold rush.  Today, Bendigo's business and manufacturing industry is comprised of multi-national, national and small to medium enterprises.

The diversity of Bendigo's business is vast with an increase in the manufacturing sector, growth in retail to cater for the expanding population, business, finance and education. Whilst manufacturing is Bendigo's largest industry by economic output there has been substantial growth in all business sectors.

Gold mining, defence equipment, engineering and a specialist food manufacturing precinct are other areas where industry has flourished in Bendigo.

The Bendigo Bank for example is Bendigo's largest business and has grown to become a major player in Australia's finance industry whilst retaining its operational base in Bendigo. Bendigo Bank is now well established Australia wide with over 3000 staff and over 1 million customers.

Bendigo Bank is one of many local businesses who enjoy great success nationally and internationally. Other businesses include Jimmy Possum, Intervet, Fernwood and GPS Ag.

Many successful businesses have experienced the competitive advantages of establishing their business in Bendigo. The City of Greater Bendigo through its Business Development Unit has a genuine interest in encouraging business development and growth in Bendigo. The Unit not only supports existing local business but also helps new business establish themselves in the region through local business relationships and initiatives.

For further information about Business in Bendigo contact Brian Gould, Manager Business Development on (03) 5434 6137.