Dave FrancisI play sport on a Wednesday and Saturday and I enjoy the odd beverage on the weekend.

'I like going to the movies, gardening and exploring Bunnings on a Sunday morning. At the moment we’re looking for a house to buy.

We looked at all the regional universities but Bendigo and La Trobe really stood out. We like Bendigo for its people, its weather, its social life, its massive range of sporting opportunities and my girlfriend loves the shopping!

The opportunities, resources, and the atmosphere make Bendigo the ideal place to live, without the hustle and bustle of Melbourne.'

– Dave Francis, Bendigo

Cabinet maker Dave Francis, moved from Hamilton to Bendigo in 2006. Dave and his girlfriend Jacki, travelled to Bendigo to further their studies and careers. While Jacki enrolled in an education degree at Bendigo’s La Trobe University campus, Dave quickly found a position at Bendigo’s well known furniture designer and manufacturer Jimmy Possum.


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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 two recent National Business Women of the Year come from the same city.

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

Bendigo has been a major business and industry centre since the gold rushin the 1850s.  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 food manufacturing are other areas where industry has flourished in Bendigo.

For example, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is Bendigo's largest business and has grown to become a major player in Australia's finance industry. Headquartered in Bendigo, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is well established Australia wide with over 3000 staff and over 1 million customers.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is just one of the many local businesses enjoying success nationally and internationally. Other businesses include Jimmy Possum, Keech Castings, Fernwood, Myer, Hazeldenes and GPS Ag.

Many businesses have experienced the competitive advantages of establishing their business in Bendigo. The City of Greater Bendigo through its Economic 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 the Economic Development Unit via edu@bendigo.vic.gov.au or on 03 5434 6137.