For Leanne Rosewall, there’s much about Bendigo to love, which makes her job a joy.
March has been a huge month for the City of Greater Bendigo’s marketing and major events unit. More so this year because the Labour Day weekend and then the Easter holiday break were so close. It has seen an increase in events coming to the city to back up the major attractions such as the Bendigo International Madison and the Easter festivities. As manager of the unit, our newsmaker Leanne Rosewall has a team of 10 staff who work to assist with logistics and planning as well as the marketing of major events. “In addition to this, from a marketing point of view we work on what is known as city marketing which is about promoting Bendigo as a great place to live, work and invest,” she said. “We assist with some of the key projects the council does, like the redevelopment of the Hargreaves Mall and other similar projects.’’ Our newsmaker was born in Melbourne and at a young age went to live in Singapore as her dad was an engineer with the Bendigo firm McNiece Brothers. He was working on the development of refrigeration on the waterfront docks. “I went to school in Singapore for a couple of years before returning home to Bendigo,” Leanne said. “I went to finish primary school at Epsom and then on to Catholic College at Junortoun followed by study at La Trobe university which included a Bachelor of Business and majors in marketing and human resources. “To have a Bachelor of Business has been a real help to me to have an understanding of what a business needs, particularly in the field of marketing. “It took me four years to complete the course and my first job was as a marketing officer with RegionalOne Credit Union and I stayed there for almost 10 years.” Leanne’s career path then included a short stint in media relations with Bendigo Health before joining the City of Greater Bendigo working in corporate communications in 2005. “I really love Bendigo and I am really passionate about it,” she said. “When I was attending university here I never would have imagined I would end up working for the city I love – and to be in a position where I can actually influence things and make them happen.’’ Events attraction is also a key role for our newsmaker, and last year one of her great pleasures was to help bring the Powderfinger and Silverchair concert here. This was a huge success and the major events unit of the City of Greater Bendigo played a big role in assisting to secure a venue. Leanne loves a challenge and her dream would be to arrange a world-class cycling event for the city. “We already have the International Madison and we are really showing our strength in participation in the sport,” she said. “To bring a world-class event to this city would be a fabulous achievement and it could be similar to what the South Australians have down with the Tour Down Under. “Our region is really well positioned and the city has invested well in cycling. “Visitors can enjoy that aspect as well and it would be really fabulous to bring a world-class event to our city.” Our newsmaker said the Easter festivities have been well received across the community. “I think events we had, such as Spectacular China at the Tom Flood Sports Centre, are the way to go,” Leanne said. “Families really enjoyed being out there together. “I really believe we need to build more of that kind of entertainment in the Easter festivities in the years to come. “To bring another major event in to the Easter celebrations would be terrific. “Both Tom Flood Sports Centre and Rosalind Park are terrific venues. “We also need to continue to help the community produce some floats for the parade.” Events such as the Dragon Mile give the opportunity for people to run through the streets of our historic city. Given that road closures are in place during the festival our newsmaker also says there may be an opportunity for a sport such as cycling to be included. Leanne has also been involved in establishing the Bendigo Spirit in the Women’s National Basketball League. “It is really important in regional areas that we support local role models so that our young people do see that there are opportunities right here in our city,” she said.
