Bendigo PRIDE Festival

02/09/2026

We stand with Polly Filla 🫶🏻🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Australia's LGBTQ+ community has rallied around Drag Queen Miss Polly Filla after a slew of online hate speech followed her appearance at a local school. Read more: https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/miss-polly-filla-endures-hate-speech-following-school-appearance/243653

01/09/2026

We stand by Thorne Harbour’s Statement and support Polly Filla.

Hate has no place in our community.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by this or a similar situation, support is available through LGBTQIA+-inclusive and rainbow-friendly services, including:

- Switchboard/QLife 1800 184 527
- Headspace Bendigo (03) 5406 1400
- Thorne Harbour Health Mental Health & Wellbeing Locals
- Castlemaine Safe Space

🫶🏻🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Support is available if you need it.

Thorne Harbour Health Locals provide free, local mental health support at locations in Bendigo, Echuca, and Mt Alexander Shire. Find details via our link in bio.

offer mental health support in Castlemaine.

Call Rainbow Door on 1800 729 367 for support, advice, information and referral from .

29/08/2026

🌈 Bendigo Q***r Film Festival: Health & Wellbeing Forum & Film Screening 2026 🌈

📅 Sunday 30 August 2026

📍 La Trobe Art Institute, 121 View Street, Bendigo

Good health starts with feeling seen, heard, and respected.

As a precursor to the 2026 Bendigo Q***r Film Festival, Bendigo PRIDE is hosting a Health & Wellbeing Forum exploring the barriers that LGBTIQA+ communities and other marginalised people can face when accessing welcoming, safe, effective, and inclusive healthcare.

Health & Wellbeing Forum

🕐 1:00pm – 3:00pm

🎟️ FREE | All Ages

Bringing together lived experience and professional expertise, this engaging panel discussion will explore practical ways to improve health outcomes and inspire meaningful change across our community.

Featured speakers include: • Miss Alex Reimers (Disability Advocate)

• Dr Rob Blum (Director of Cancer Services, Bendigo Health)

• Damien Stevens-Todd (Program Manager, Thorne Harbour Health)

• Nik Knighton (Occupational Therapist, The Rainbow Hub)

• Cris Stevens-Todd (Q***r storyteller, advocate and award-winning creative)

This is an excellent opportunity to hear firsthand experiences of people navigating healthcare systems and to contribute to discussions about creating more inclusive healthcare services in the Greater Bendigo region.

Following the forum, attendees are invited to stay and connect over complimentary nibbles and refreshments.

Bendigo Q***r Film Festival 2026

🎬 3:30pm – 7:45pm

🎟️ $15 | 18+

Continuing directly after the forum, the 2026 Bendigo Q***r Film Festival will showcase 20 outstanding short films celebrating the diverse experiences, identities, and voices of the LGBTIQA+ community.

From inspiring documentaries and heartfelt dramas to thought-provoking stories and laugh-out-loud comedies, this carefully curated program promises an unforgettable afternoon of cinema, conversation, and community.

Guests can also enjoy a festival soirée between screening sessions, featuring complimentary nibbles and a selection of local wines and craft beers.

🔗 More information: https://bendigopridefestival.com.au/

🎟️ Registration & tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/DOMAD

We encourage anyone with an interest in health equity, inclusion, diversity, and community wellbeing to consider attending this important local event.

27/08/2026

💜 WEAR IT PURPLE DAY 2026 — COLOURS OF COURAGE 💜

Today, Bendigo Pride proudly stands with LGBTQIA+ young people across Bendigo, the Goldfields and regional Victoria.

Wear purple to show young people that they are seen, valued, celebrated and belong — exactly as they are.

For q***r people growing up or living in regional communities, visibility and connection can make an enormous difference.

Creating spaces where people can gather, be themselves, find community and see others like them is an important part of building a kinder, more inclusive Bendigo.

Courage is being yourself.
Courage is standing beside someone else. Courage is creating a community where everyone belongs. 💜

So today, put on your purple and help us fill Bendigo with the Colours of Courage!

Together, we can make our community a place where every LGBTQIA+ person — young and old — knows:
🏳️‍🌈 You are welcome. You are valued. You belong. 🏳️‍⚧️

💜 There is a WEAR IT PURPLE event on in Bendigo tonight from 5pm - details in comments 💜

27/08/2026

💜 WEAR IT PURPLE DAY 2026 — COLOURS OF COURAGE 💜

Today, Bendigo Pride Festival proudly stands with LGBTQIA+ young people across Bendigo, the Goldfields and regional Victoria.

Wear purple to show young people that they are seen, valued, celebrated and belong — exactly as they are.

For q***r people growing up or living in regional communities, visibility and connection can make an enormous difference. Creating spaces where people can gather, be themselves, find community and see others like them is an important part of building a kinder, more inclusive Bendigo.

Courage is being yourself.
Courage is standing beside someone else.
Courage is creating a community where everyone belongs. 💜

So today, put on your purple and help us fill Bendigo with the Colours of Courage.

Together, we can make our community a place where every LGBTQIA+ person — young and old — knows:
🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ You are welcome. You are valued. You belong.

Pride YouBelong

23/08/2026

Come on down to Bunnings Kangaroo Flat TODAY Sunday 23 August and meet some of the committee and treat yourself to a special 🌭 Sunday Sausage Sizzle - all funds raised today goes towards helping us produce various upcoming Bendigo Q***r Arts Festival Events including the Bendigo Q***r Film Festival (Sunday 30 August) and our Halloween Events (Friday 30 & Saturday 31 October)! 🌭 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🫶🏻😊

23/08/2026

Come on down to Bunnings Kangaroo Flat TODAY Sunday 23 August and treat yourself to a special Sunday Sausage Sizzle - all funds raised today goes towards helping us produce various upcoming Bendigo Q***r Arts Festival Events including the Bendigo Q***r Film Festival (Sunday 30 August) and our Halloween Events (Friday 30 & Saturday 31 October)! 🌭 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🫶🏻😊

23/05/2026

🎉🏳️‍🌈 And that is a wrap on Bendigo Pride Festival 2026! A festival that could not be done without our wonderful community.

We want to say a massive THANK YOU to all our sponsors, media partners, supporters, Stall Holders, and beautiful volunteers who helped bring this year’s Bendigo Pride Festival Together!!

And of course, it would not be Bendigo Pride Festival without all of you amazing and gorgeous people (and pets 🐾) who attended this year’s events, thank you for coming and celebrating Pride with us!