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4 April 2026

🌤️ Torchlight shines

Plus: Bendigo East gets a new challenger and this week's events ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Morning Post

Bendigo

Sunday, 5 April 2026  •  Issue #643

🌤️24°/11°
Mostly sunny today, shower or two tomorrow
☀️ UV 6.4  •  🌅 Sunset 6:11 PM
 

Happy Easter Sunday, Bendigo. While you're enjoying family time today, there's plenty to catch up on — from this year's spectacular torchlight procession to some interesting political news closer to home.

— Nathan, Editor

At a Glance

📰 Torchlight procession draws rave reviews

🎭 Golden Dragon Museum + 5 more events

✈️ Travel & Deals: Celebrity Edge: 10-night Great Barrier Reef cruise from Sydney — 75% off 2nd guest

🕰️ On this day in 1976: Reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes died aboard a plane travelling...

Today's Bendigo

Torchlight procession draws rave reviews

This year's Bendigo Easter torchlight parade has been declared 'better than ever' by attendees. The spectacle drew huge crowds who lined the streets to watch the colour and pageantry unfold. If you missed it, you can catch the livestream replay online.

via Bendigo Advertiser🔒 paywall

Publican to challenge Allan in Bendigo East

Andrew Lethlean will run as the Nationals candidate for Bendigo East in the upcoming state election, setting up a contest with Premier Jacinta Allan. The publican's entry adds another dimension to what promises to be a closely watched campaign.

via ABC Victoria

Easter exhibition celebrates Fair Society legacy

A new Easter exhibition is exploring the enduring impact of Bendigo's Fair Society, showcasing the rich history and cultural significance of this evergreen local institution.

via Bendigo Times

Around Australia

Victoria's First Nations treaty body holds inaugural elections

The Gellung Warl is holding its first elections, with candidates including Senator Lidia Thorpe's son hoping to bring lived experience to what organisers are calling 'a new era' of Victorian politics.

via The Guardian Australia

Swimmer Sam Williamson eyes comeback after career-threatening injury

After a devastating knee injury that left his kneecap 'halfway up his thigh', world champion swimmer Sam Williamson is back in the pool and targeting the Commonwealth Games.

via ABC News

Around the World

US fighter jet shot down over Iran — One pilot has been rescued but a search continues for the second crew member after a US military jet was downed over Iranian territory.

via BBC World

What's On

Exhibition

Golden Dragon Museum

5-11 Bridge St, daily 9:30am-5pm

See Loong, the world's oldest surviving imperial dragon, and explore Chinese goldfields heritage.

Music

ABBA — Thank You For The Music

Ulumbarra Theatre, 2 May

A 2-hour live concert spectacular celebrating ABBA's iconic songs, life and legacy.

Food

Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival

Bendigo, 2 May

Celebrate the region's finest with local winemakers at this annual wine festival.

Arts

Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Ulumbarra Theatre, 14-17 May

Bendigo Theatre Company's glitter-fuelled musical based on the Oscar-winning Australian film.

Workshop

Create Your Emergency Care Plan

Practical workshop for carers

A hands-on session to help carers prepare effective emergency care plans.

Music

BSO Beethoven Festival

Ulumbarra Theatre, 29-31 May

Four orchestras perform Beethoven's complete symphonic cycle over three unforgettable days.

Got an event to share? Let us know →

Travel & Deals

Every Sunday we share a holiday or travel deal worth knowing about.

Celebrity Edge: 10-night Great Barrier Reef cruise from Sydney — 75% off 2nd guest

Sail roundtrip from Sydney on Celebrity Edge visiting Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Port Douglas, and Willis Island. Ten nights exploring the Queensland coast and Great Barrier Reef on one of the newest premium ships at sea. Currently offering 75% off the second guest plus up to $700 in bonus savings — ideal for couples.

💡 Multiple 2026 departure dates available — November sailings tend to offer the best weather for reef snorkelling. Book a balcony cabin for sunrise views over the Coral Sea.

Daily Brainteaser

🧩

I'm tall when I'm young and short when I'm old. What am I?

Answer revealed at the bottom of today's edition.

Daily Games

✏️ Today's Featured Game

Crossword

10 clues · ~3 min

1 Across Granny Smith or Pink Lady
6 Across Simple and unadorned
7 Across Decorator's liquid
Play Crossword →

Yesterday: 🧠 41 played  ·  💡 37 played  ·  ✏️ 35 played

🧠 Trivia · Arts & Literature · 7 Qs→
Which novel by Charlotte Brontë features the governess Jane and her...
💡 Word Ladder · 3 steps→
PALM → ??? → PINE

On This Day

Anniversary of

• Reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes died aboard a plane travelling from Acapulco to Houston at age 70. (1976)

• A Qantas Boeing 747 flew from London to Sydney in a record time of 17 hours and 3 minutes during its Bicentennial flight. (1988)

• Charlton Heston, American actor and political activist, died at age 84 in Beverly Hills. (2008)

• Demonstrations began outside Parliament House in Canberra following the Mabo High Court case, which would soon overturn terra nullius. (1992)

🎂 Born on this day: Australian cricket wicket-keeper Ian Healy (1964), Australian NFL player Colin Scotts (1963), and Swedish ABBA singer Agnetha Fältskog (1950).

Brainteaser Answer
A candle.

One Last Smile

One Last Smile illustration

At my age, getting lucky means finding a parking spot near the entrance.

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