Case Study in Gastronomy

THS2GSY (Bundoora) Take Home Examination Case Study

Bendigo announced as a UNESCO 'City of Gastronomy'

Bendigo has been designated a UNESCO Creative City!

On October 31, 2019 Bendigo joined 65 cities around the world who have been newly admitted to the Creative Cities Network. Bendigo has been designated as a creative city of gastronomy – recognising all the exciting things happening across our city and region in food and beverages, culture and sustainability. The regional hub joins cities like Barcelona, Montreal and Dunedin in the category.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network is a network of 246 cities around the world that are putting creativity at the heart of their economic, social, cultural and environmental development plans. There are seven categories that make up the network. The categories are: Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature and Music. There were already four Australian cities in the network – Melbourne (Literature), Geelong (Design), Sydney (Film) and Adelaide (Music) – and in 2019 Bendigo’s creativity and gastronomy has been recognised on the world stage.

"This is not just about Bendigo," City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Margaret O'Rourke said. The international recognition was expected to boost tourism in the central Victorian region, Cr O'Rourke said. "We see Bendigo as one of the great cities of the world," she said. "We've been talking about that for many years and I think this is a reward for that. "I'm sure this will lead to an increase in brand. Many people travel the world to see the Creative Cities so it will bring people here. There is no doubt about that."

Masons of Bendigo Sonia Anthony said the recognition would help the region showcase the best food, wine and produce on offer. "When you live and work around the world and you come back here, you really realise how much is actually here," she said.

Cr O'Rourke said more than 30 people were involved in the application, which highlighted the region's Indigenous history, food security, and food sustainability going forward. The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation was an active part of the application process, which Cr O'Rourke said was integral to the city's success. "They've been here for over 60,000 years," she said. "They've been able to adapt and evolve in terms of the climate changes that we've seen. We need to learn more from that and one of the elements of the creative cities is, what can you teach the world?”

The corporation's chief executive Rodney Carter said the First Nations people were really excited to be part of the successful application. "I think there is a struggle for others to understand the benefit groups like mine can actually bring to the conversation," Mr Carter said. "It's yet to be fully understood.

Cr Alden last year visited the Italian cities of Parma and Alba, which are recognised as UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy. She said the connection with those Italian cities would continue now that Bendigo had been formally recognised. "Those partnerships will

strengthen," Cr Alden said. "Parma is now the coordinating city for the network of the Cities of Gastronomy.

Cr O'Rourke said "Being part of the Creative Cities Network opens up so many opportunities in economic development, tourism and investment. We are very excited about the possibilities open to us from becoming a Creative City and are keen to continue the great work that has already begun in this space.”

References:

https://www.bendigoregion.com.au/explore-bendigo/bendigo-city-of-gastronomy

https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/6467465/bendigo-officially-a-city-of-gastronomy/