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About us

Washing out a good prospect [ca. 1858] State Library Victoria

The Victorian Goldfields World Heritage listing bid project is a partnership between 15 local governments, regional organisations, academia and the private sector on behalf of the Victorian Goldfields community. This partnership represents almost half a million people, embracing nearly 20% of the state of Victoria in Australia. The bid seeks to achieve a World Heritage listing to celebrate the history and heritage of the region.

Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid 15 LGA's partnership. MRL Media 2024

We are proud and honoured to have The Honourable John Brumby AO and The Honourable Denis Napthine AO as our patrons for the bid. Both gentlemen have been involved and supportive of this project for many years and share a desire to have the  Victorian Goldfields recognised globally as the world’s most profound, long-lasting and transformative nineteenth-century gold rush story.

We are grateful and appreciative for the expert skills and knowledge of our strategic advisors who continue to help develop and support the bid. Barry Gamble, a leading UK World Heritage expert has recently prepared a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) for the Victorian Goldfields that highlight why they are the best of the best.

We have developed partnership agreements between 15 local governments and the Victorian Goldfields Tourism Executive (VGTE) to progress the bid. These agreements recognise our common interests and objectives and objectives and demonstrate an unprecedented level of cooperation and commitment. The list of our partners and how we will achieve the vision for the bid together can be found here. 

‘The gift of World Heritage is forever.’

- Kristal Buckley AM, World Heritage expert

A project steering committee has been developed and consists of Chief Executive Officer’s from each of the participating local governments and the Chair of the Victorian Goldfields Tourism Executive. The role of the members is to provide ongoing project oversight and direction, advocacy and stakeholder management.

Each of the local government has committed funding to the project which has been supported by Regional Development Australia Loddon Mallee, Regional Development Victoria and the Victorian Goldfields Tourism Executive. More information about current projects can be found here.

The partnership is championed by the City of Ballarat and the City of Greater Bendigo who have provided program coordinators who make up the bid team. The program coordinators are Susan Fayad, Coordinator Heritage and Cultural Landscapes at the City of Ballarat and Trevor Budge AM, who has recently retired (11/20) from his position as Manager Regional Sustainable Development in November 2020 at City of Greater Bendigo.

Together we are working to achieve the World Heritage listing of the Central Victorian Goldfields and bring to life the benefits this can bring for all local communities across the region.

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