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Bendigo Easter Festival Kewpie Doll Interview

March 30, 2026 , by Jesse Munzel

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AMBEDO

Easter

YO Media Blog

Giant Kewpie Doll

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How did a giant Kewpie doll from the Sydney Olympics end up in Bendigo? We uncovered the story.

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Leading up to another wonderful Bendigo Easter Festival, we were delighted to learn about a six-metre-tall Kewpie doll statue which will be unveiled this year at Charing Cross, between Rosalind Park and Alexandra Fountain. Kewpie dolls were created by American cartoonist Rose O’Neill, and gained international popularity across the 20th century, primarily in Germany and Japan.
In 2000, for the Sydney Olympic Games, a dozen Kewpie doll statues were created for the closing ceremony. Doing some research on the upcoming Bendigo Easter Festival, the Ambedo team stumbled upon this fascinating Kewpie statue right here in Bendigo, and we knew we had to get the scoop on it. The statue currently belongs to Bendigo Easter Festival Society President, Simon Mulqueen, who had all the details.

Ambedo: Probably the most obvious question, how on earth did a giant Kewpie doll from the Sydney Olympics end up in Bendigo? Have you had it since the Sydney 2000 Olympics?
Simon: At the conclusion of the Olympics, the Olympics authorities were selling various props and memorabilia. The Easter Committee went to the auction, and we bought a number of items, including Violet, the Kewpie doll (pictured). The reason we bought Violet in particular was because one of our old volunteers who had been involved in Easter for 80 years. Her name was Violee Myers-Davey, and she'd been a supporter of Easter from the very early days. We immediately knew it was the appropriate doll.
There were three or four dolls for sale at that auction, but we wanted Violet. Fortunately for us, this was the third doll in the auction. The first one went for a lot of money, but the interest died down. We got her at a good price, and it was perfect from our perspective. The harder part was getting everything here. We had to get everything trucked down from Sydney to Albury, and then we picked them up and brought them back here. So, that's how the Easter Fair came to own the Kewpie.
Ambedo: Had there been many public appearances of Violet in the past?
Simon: Since arriving in Bendigo, she has been in a few parades, mostly in the 2000s. Only two or three of those were a “full appearance”. But then in 2003, when the Easter Fair was taken over by Council, a lot of that stuff was sold off. So I bought Violet to ensure that she didn't get lost to the town. There have been a few appearances since then, but this will be the first big one in many years.
Ambedo: A six-metre-tall structure would be hard to store and build up. How much time and effort goes into assembly?
Simon: She’s on a steel frame and she has a dress that’s attached to it. The fibreglass body sits atop that. This year I've restored the body back to a shiny, sparkling, almost brand-new condition. The dress is 26 years old and showing signs of age, but the body part of the doll is in good condition.
Ambedo: Do you collect any other items similar to this or is this just a one-off?
Simon: This is very much a one-off. I'm very history-minded, but this is the only Kewpie doll I have, I'm afraid.
Ambedo: How much maintenance would be required for such a large statue?
Simon: As I said, I've restored her, and there's really not a lot of maintenance. But she's very big and not easy to store. In her full setup she’s six metres tall. And the circumference of her dress is sixteen metres around. You've got to have a decent-sized shed to keep it, as you can imagine.
Ambedo: Do you know roughly how much time and effort would go into building it up again?
Simon: I've put a fair bit of time into restoring her because she hasn't been fully set up for a while. And things break over time. I’d have to say it’d take about 20 hours. But then we've got to essentially dismantle her back to fragments, transport her into the city and then reassemble it. So it could take a lot more time.
Ambedo: What made you want to unveil and display the Kewpie doll this year?
Simon: Well, as president of the Easter Fair Society, I’m proud to state that this is the 100th anniversary of the society. Given that Violet was owned by the society and has been an Easter display for a number of years, there are some big elements of Easter that are linked to the society's birthday. So Violet is one of many attractions we have set up for this anniversary, as well as a big concert in the park, a tribute band called Queen Rhapsody. We've got Japanese drummers coming for performances on Good Friday. We're doing a float for the Torchlight Procession and the Sunday parade. There's a fair bit that we're doing to sort of celebrate this anniversary.
Ambedo: Through a bit of research, we discovered that there were eleven other Kewpie dolls from the Sydney Olympics, spread all across the country. Do you know much about those ones?
Simon: I've spoken to a number of media outlets over the years. No one knows where all twelve currently are, I've found about six, mostly in the regional areas. The Powerhouse Museum in Sydney has one and the National Museum in Canberra has another one, both in pristine condition. One of the dolls, Lily, was decorated in hippie colours, but there's a couple that are in bad condition. One was involved in a fire, unfortunately. The others may be still around, but no one knows where. We’re lucky and proud to display her in the way that she is.

Ambedo: When and where can we find the Kewpie doll during Easter?
Simon: It should be displayed in the open space at the fountain, where the Bendigo sign is, just south of Rosalind Park. She'll be there, fenced off, but people will be able to have a look and take photos with her. It'll be for Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.
Ambedo: Was there anything else you wanted to add at all?
Simon: I don't think so. With the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, I think this is good for the city. And the Kewpie doll is a connection to the Olympics as well, particularly over the next few years. I think there will be some focus on her and maybe the other Kewpie dolls, so there may be a few things that are done in the lead up to it. As I said, there's not many of them around and on display. It's a cool thing for the town, and it draws a bit of attention to the city.
Something interesting is that many years ago, one of the prizes available with the carnival rides was a Kewpie on a stick. There are a couple of ladies who are looking to do replicas on sticks, dressed as Violet. So, they'll be available for people to buy at Easter. But it's a bit of a nod to the history of the fair as well.

Author

Connor Findlay and Sara Hancock

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La Trobe University City Units: Needed or not?

November 27, 2025 , by Jesse Munzel

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AMBEDO

youth blog

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La Trobe University Bendigo CBD accommodation, what are your thoughts?

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Bendigo is very proud to call itself home to a La Trobe University campus since 1991, basing itself in Flora Hill. As with any university in a regional town, La Trobe has helped shaped Bendigo, boosting our economy, employment opportunities and cultural prominence.
Some of our readers may be aware of a recent announcement of a city accommodation block back in February, housing 220 students in the heart of the city. Personally, I’m eager to see how this may turn out, depending on all things considered.
This accommodation block is planned to be in Williamson Street, where the current Bolton’s store is (the blue building), located behind Coles, and is expected to be complete by 2028. This project will cost $50 million, adding to the estimated $100 million La Trobe has invested in Bendigo, alongside projects such as the Emporium Creative Hub in Mitchell Street and the La Trobe Art Institute (LAi) in View Street

Concept plans for the accommodation on Williamson Street in Bendigo

The current site of the future build, housed by Bolton's, an office supply store

First and foremost, this article is not to oppose the accommodation plans. I believe it can work, if done properly. But there are questions to be addressed. For example, 220 students will be living in this space, which will involve many vehicles. What will happen to all the cars, bikes, service vehicles etc., be stored overnight and during the day? Imagine an extra 220 or so vehicles that need to be parked, maintained, stored and secured across the city centre?
Secondly, I am not an expert in logistics, planning or anything like that. I’m just a local student who grew up in Bendigo and attends the university. I go along to events, such as O-Week, and I go to study sessions at uni and play social volleyball. But what about the students? How will students, who may not drive, get to and from their classes back to the city accommodation? Buses would need to operate more frequently during class times and evenings for study sessions and social events. Or maybe the university would need to provide a shuttle bus for the students? Without proper transportation to and from campus, the entire accommodation block could become redundant and eventually unused.

On the contrary, I can see a slight boost in the surrounding economy with a large student accommodation centre. Local businesses and stores could benefit from additional customers, such as the Asian grocers across town, Coles, and surrounding restaurants and cafes, and even employment in the CBD. The library and various other study spaces can be utilised more by students who need the resources or want to catch up together. Even nightlife in Bendigo can pick up, with various pubs and bars being used as meetup places or for events by students, such as a trivia night. As I said earlier, this is a good opportunity for the CBD, if done properly. But it must be done properly, or else it could lead to traffic congestion, stranded students, and wasted facilities.
As with the city, the university will only grow bigger and bigger, so expansion does make sense. Perhaps the CBD is ready for a large university accommodation complex, and I do welcome it wholeheartedly.
We tried to reach out to the La Trobe Bendigo Campus for comments; however, there was no response. But what do you think? Is Bendigo suitable for a CBD accommodation block? Or do we still need time to grow?

I’ve spoken to local business owners, and current residents at the Flora Hill campus about their opinions regarding the matter, and the people of the town seem mixed on the issue.
An employee from a nearby Op shop was unaware of this development. Her main concerns were parking and potential business lost due to nearby construction. She did, however, mention that it could be good for business, as it will attract young people, looking to buy clothes for all sorts of occasions, as she reports groups of students are a common sight.
“It would be nice if the Council considers lowering, or even removing parking rates,” she adds. “It’s good to see a project like this, and that they make sure it’s as easy as possible, for businesses and students.”
Declan, 22, is a supervisor at Coles in the CBD, also unaware of this plan. He’s curious about the different students that may be housed there, if they belong to a specific course or otherwise. He hadn’t noted any concerns at all, adding “bringing in students is a good thing, as they’ll be switched on to help the town of Bendigo. I’m open to seeing how it goes.”
Elke, 50, works at the Bendigo Library, and also did not know of this plan. She expects that this development could make the library busier, but it could go both ways for the city centre. “Having more people could increase business, jobs, and infrastructure, but there could be too much for everyone to keep up with initially”. Her main concerns were parking and security around the CBD, and that construction may also affect the city negatively.
A middle-aged man, who preferred to remain anonymous, hadn’t heard anything about La Trobe’s development. He mentions that having accommodation in the city could be a benefit for the housing crisis, as there’s a looming risk of homelessness. He also states that affordable accommodation is good for the town, as it can free up the rental market.
Even speaking to current students and staff at La Trobe who are living on campus yielded interesting comments.
Kylie Banyard, a Visual Arts Lecturer, was aware of the project, but not of its $62 million price tag. She mentioned that it could be positive for the city, and bring in more international students, although amenities on campus would also need to be considered, such as the cafe. “Affordable, healthy food options on campus will need to improve dramatically. We’d also love to see the Nancy Long Dining Hall be used to its full potential”, being built in 2013 for current residents on campus
Elizabeth, 20, a 3^rd Year Bachelor of Visual Arts student from New South Wales, wasn’t aware of this planned project in the CBD. She says it could be good for the uni, giving students an option for more residence accommodation away from the campus. She also states that parking is a concern of hers, and commuting may be an issue for other students. If given a choice, she would prefer to live on campus
Darcy, 20, a 2^nd Year Bachelor of Health Sciences student from Echuca, was aware of the plans, but hadn’t heard much since its announcement in February. He says the accommodation block can be good for the La Trobe campus and the CBD, offering different employment opportunities, but says commuting and security is something to consider. If given a choice, Darcy says he is unsure between choosing between on-campus residency, and the city accommodation block.
To summarise, many people are still unaware of the proposed student residency block, but most remain optimistic about its effect on Bendigo. Main issues raised include security and parking options around the accommodation and CBD, which should be properly considered when planning.

Author

Connor Findlay -YO Media Journalist

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16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence - Bendigo Launch

November 25, 2025 , by Jesse Munzel
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AMBEDO

youth blog

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16 Days - Bendigo Launch event, building awareness of gender-based violence prevention in Orange
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The Bendigo Library was lit up with colourful orange decorations on Tuesday morning to mark the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, an international campaign which runs from the 25th of November until International Human Rights Day, on the 10th of December.
The event was set up by the City of Greater Bendigo, at the Bendigo Goldfields Library, and saw various stalls offering different services from around Central Victoria, including The Orange Door, Anglicare, Loddon Mallee Women’s Health, Zonta, arc justice, and the Centre for Non-Violence, all with pamphlets and information to share. Guests were encouraged to wear orange, and the venue was a vibrant sea of colour, with decorations, coffee cups, lanyards, pens, bottles, wristbands, ribbons, badges, hats, and even orange-themed doughnuts — all designed to amplify awareness of the campaign.
Youth Mayor Levity Camilleri, who MC’d the launch event, opened with a heartfelt and thought-provoking speech about this year’s global theme for the 16 Days of Activism: “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls.” Levity reminded us that so much of life is shared online, and everyone deserves to feel safe in digital spaces. She emphasized that real change means shifting from victim-blaming to prevention and education, creating environments where women and girls can thrive without fear. Levity highlighted how the campaign gives us the chance to speak up, build awareness, and work toward a future where respect exists both offline and online.

The launch event was attended by City Councillors, including Councillor Abhishek Awasthi and Councillor Damien Hurrell, in addition to several youth councillors, the Victoria Police for community engagement and coffee with a cop, in addition to multiple community members to celebrate and show their support to the campaign. Storytime was also given, enjoyed by parents and children of all ages, and delivered by local Police Officers. Songs, stuffed toys and even bubbles helped the youngest in our community feel safe and supported.
The library walls were brightened by an exhibition of colorful kites designed by local primary school students for the 16 Days of Activism campaign, each adorned with inspiring messages and vibrant artwork. Victorian Police officers were also present, inviting community members to share a coffee and conversation at the Red Well Café. Their presence aimed to provide a friendly, approachable face and break down barriers, helping people feel more comfortable engaging with police both in everyday settings and when seeking support or making a report.

But the activism doesn’t stop at the library. There are many events planned over the 16 days of activism, from sports activities, crafts sessions, webinars, and more! All listed in the Greater Bendigo 16 Days of Activism events calendar, further linked below.

Bendigo 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence main webpage: https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/events/16-days-activism-against-gender-based-violence
Calendar: https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-11/City-Greater-Bendigo-16-Days-of-Activism-calendar-of-events-2025-Version-2.pdf
The events are definitely worth checking out, offering something for everyone of all ages.

I was fortunate to speak with several groups at the 16 Days of Activism launch event, and I’ve included a summary of each below for anyone who missed the event and wants to learn more about the services and support available in our community.
The Working Women’s Centre for Northern Victoria, an organisation that provides legal services, employment, and migration advice for all women and non-binary people across Northern Victoria, from Mildura Rural City to Mitchell Shire, including Bendigo. They are primarily a legal service; however, there are plenty of additional programs and assistance that they provide. For more information, head to their website at https://wwcvic.org.au/.

Women’s Health Loddon Mallee (WHLM) works across Northern Victoria to prevent family violence and promote gender equality through education, advocacy, and community engagement. Their initiatives challenge harmful gender stereotypes using pledge cards, awareness campaigns, and resources distributed to over 120 health clinics and kindergartens. WHLM also provides multilingual materials in languages such as Tagalog and Karen, ensuring inclusivity for diverse communities. Through programs like the Collective Action for Respect and Equality (CARE) Partnership and practical tools such as the Gender Equality Toolkit and Raise Them Equal Toolkit, WHLM empowers families, schools, and organisations to foster respectful relationships and create lasting cultural change. Learn more and access resources at whlm.org.au.

The Victorian Police were also helpful with their chats as part of the 16 Days launch event during Coffee with a Cop. They mentioned that they offer liaison officers for family violence, LGBTQI+ issues, and more. They also offer school talks on any topic and run Blue Light programs across Central Victoria, which give young people a further opportunity to connect with their local police force. The Blue Light program offers one-on-one mentoring, skateboarding event days and upskilling opportunities, and more throughout the city of Greater Bendigo. To check out more about what they offer, go to their website at https://www.bluelight.org.au/bendigo-blue-light/
The Police also advised that any complaint or problem involving gender-based violence can be referred to them, with staff trained in sensitivity towards such matters.
If you or someone you know is experiencing gender or family-based violence, contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or contact the local police with 000.

The 16 Days of Activism launch event highlighted the importance of standing together to end gender-based violence, both offline and online.

Now it’s your turn to get involved! Explore free events happening across Bendigo, take advantage of free online violence prevention training, or discover recommended books at your local library. Most importantly, start conversations about respect with friends, family, and at school — because change begins with respect.

Together, we can create safer, more inclusive communities.
It all starts with respect.
Author

Connor Findlay -YO Media Journalist
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Top 10 Horror Villains

October 31, 2025 , by Jesse Munzel

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AMBEDO

Youth

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Horror movies are a classic for every Halloween night; and throughout the years, there has always been debate on the best movies or the best characters. While the final-girl debate is a tough conversation, i've decided to take on the challenge of ranking the best villains of horror movies.

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10; Ghostface
Even though Ghostface is one of the most iconic antagonists, it's no surprise that they’re lowest on the list. Effectively all the ghostfaces have been defeated and often killed by their victims; and compared to the others on this list, they’re just human – underwhelming.

9; Jigsaw
Once again, (mostly) human. He was undoubtedly a psychotic and complex character, but he was defeated pretty easily once they finally got him. I can appreciate how he does it so that people will appreciate their lives and all of that, but he’s definitely going the wrong way with it. I’d say that the whole franchise is more psychological than horror at the end of the day.

8; Chucky
No shade to chucky, but he’s a literal doll. He was always a comedic character to me, but I think he would be realistically very easy to beat; still, the supernatural element puts him above Ghostface and Jigsaw. He did have quite a few victims, but ultimately, I wouldn't say that he struck fear into most of our hearts.

7; Pennywise
As a diehard IT fan, I unfortunately must acquiesce that Pennywise isn’t in the top 5; he was a great villain and absolutely horrifying, but when you really think about it, all you have to do is NOT be scared of him, and that makes him a lot less scary. He was, also, defeated, which means he can't have been THAT good of a villain, no matter how good the movies are.

6; Michael Myers
I absolutely love the Halloween movies, but he unfortunately falls just short of the top 5. Theres 13 Halloween films, including the remakes; if that doesn't tell you how timeless the story is, I don't know what will. This comes down to the fact that he was eventually defeated; even though it took them a while to get there.

5; Annabelle
This might just be personal preference, but I love dolls. The movie I found a little underwhelming if I'm being honest – sure, the conjuring films and all of its bits were good, but they weren't GREAT. The fact that it's a true story got it some brownie points, and how she can't be destroyed, only contained, shows just how powerful she is.

4; The Babadook
I love the whole underlying message in the Babadook about grief and how it can affect you, but I was actually terrified while watching, so I only appreciated this in retrospect. I can also appreciate the fact that they couldn't overcome him but instead had to learn to live with him.

3; Freddie Krueger
He was so hard to kill mostly because of how he appeared in dreams, but the whole concept is so interesting, and he is absolutely horrifying. One of the pioneers in supernatural horror with one of the highest kill counts to match it. The only reason he’s third is because of his defeat to the person in second place.

2; Jason Voorhees
Despite the ‘ambiguous’ ending to the Jason VS Freddy movie, he was the clear winner. Literally notoriously hard to kill – I think ranking the best villain ultimately comes down to how easy it was to take them down and how many people they took down with them; he has one of the highest kill counts, and the end of his life has yet to be seen.

1; Valak
A demon nun would OBVIOUSLY top the list; he was technically defeated, but I think all the murdering and torture make up for that. Even though I think that the actual movie could have been better, the plotline was enough to distract from that. In my own opinion, it's hard enough to beat a demon, never mind a nun.

Overall, determining a singular 'best' villain is a difficult task, but it's always subject to what you think makes the best killer. Whether you agree or not with my opinion is up to you, but we can hopefully all agree that horror movies always have been and always will be a Halloween night staple.

Written by TH (Work experience student)

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What to Expect at the 2025 National Insect Expo

October 01, 2025 , by Jesse Munzel

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AMBEDO

youth blog

bugs expo

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The 2025 National Insect Expo this weekend, 3rd-5th of October, in Woodend, Vic. Read more about this insect-sational upcoming event, and go check it out for a buzzing good time!

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Are you a fan of creepy crawlies?
Want to see and hold some bugs?
The 2025 National Insect Expo is the event for you! Running 3^rd-5^th of October, 10 AM-5 PM, located in Woodend, Victoria!

For the fourth year running, the National Institute of Entomology will hold its annual 3-day event entirely revolving around bugs! The Expo features a vast range of exhibitors, including conservation experts, entomologists, insect breeders, and a variety of artists.

Throughout the expo, there is plenty to see and interact with. There are live stick insects for you to hold and learn about, workshops for children, entomological collections from over the years, and plenty of other live insects to see. Giant millipedes and various-sized spiders (watch out, all you arachnophobes!), scorpions which are UV reactive and colourful isopods were some of the standouts from my last visit.
Another highlight from last year’s expo was the aquatic section, unique from previous years. There were anemones, corals, small crabs and mussels, and even a cuttlefish that demonstrated its camouflage skills.

Aside from the informative aspect of this Expo, there are plenty of trinkets and bugs that are available to buy and take home to enjoy. Ant farms and spider/stick insect enclosures are there, as well as people who handcraft their own unique enclosures. You can pick up a whole supply kit to get you started on your bug-keeping journey. If live insects aren’t something you’re into, there are plenty of taxidermized insects to browse as well. These specimens have been beautifully preserved and displayed so that we can continue to admire them once they have passed.

The event also features a multitude of wonderful, creative artists, each showcasing their unique art styles—so there’s truly something for everyone! Additionally, expect Lots of prints, stickers, jewellery, tote bags, and other small craft items.

Everyone is always so excited to share their collections and pass on knowledge about insects and the conservation efforts they are undertaking. The artists love sharing their works as well, and the whole event is packed with enthusiasm!

The expo is definitely worth the trip. I have been going for the last two years, and this year, I’ll have a stall! So come say hi if you do pop by! My stall name is ‘sara ellen’ (instagram: s.araellen), with lots of pink branding, you won’t miss it! I’m teaming up with my friends and local artists, Vanessa Campi (clown cult) and Hannah Dixon (cherryspiked).

How to get there:
There is an hourly train from Bendigo to Woodend, which only takes 50 minutes. From the train station, it’s a quick 15-minute walk to the Buffalo Sports Stadium, just past a good selection of local cafes, pubs, and businesses to also check out.
Woodend is also an hour’s drive south of Bendigo, on the Calder Freeway.
This event is ticketed. You can buy tickets online at https://programs.entoinstitute.org/collections/2025-national-insect-expo, OR you can pay as you enter.

PRICING
1-day adult $25
1-day concession $20
Children $10
Children under 5 Free
Family (2 adults, 2 children) $60

For more information about the National Insect Expo website at: https://insectexpo.com.au/ it includes a full list of exhibitors, details of the last few years of the Expo, and what else to expect!

Author

Sara Hancock (Ambedo Magazine Journalist)

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Greater Bendigo Celebrates Youth Arts

June 22, 2023 , by Ella Filsell

This month saw Greater Bendigo come alive with a vibrant celebration of youth arts. From film to music, visual arts to performance.

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Let Your Freak Flag Fly With Nexus Youth Theatre!

July 27, 2022 , by Teddy Transcendent

Playing until July 30, Nexus Youth Theatre is putting on a bright and lively production of Shrek the Musical. These kids have been working on this for months and finally it’s starting to pay off.

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