The City of Greater Bendigo has been accredited as the first Mentoring Welcoming City, marking another milestone in its decade-long leadership in building welcoming, inclusive communities.
Since joining the Welcoming Cities network in 2016, Greater Bendigo has consistently demonstrated what it means to create a community where everyone belongs, thrives and shapes a shared future. In 2020, the City became Australia’s first Accredited Welcoming City, setting a benchmark for local governments across the country. Building on that achievement, it was recognised as an Excelling Welcoming City in 2025 for its sustained commitment to embedding inclusion across all areas of council.
The new Mentoring Level Accreditation recognises not only the City’s own achievements, but also the significant role it has played in strengthening the wider Welcoming Cities network.
Over many years, the City of Greater Bendigo has generously shared its experience, practical tools and lessons with councils across Australia, providing advice, mentoring and encouragement to local governments at every stage of their welcoming journey. Through presentations, peer learning, accreditation support and communities of practice, Greater Bendigo has become a trusted leader within the network.
Welcoming Australia CEO Aleem Ali said the recognition reflects the City’s longstanding commitment to supporting others.
“Greater Bendigo has been a leader in the Welcoming Cities movement from the very beginning. They have consistently demonstrated that creating welcoming communities is about more than delivering good programs; it is about embedding principles of inclusion into council leadership, policy and practice so that everyone belongs.”
“As Australia’s first Mentoring Welcoming City, Greater Bendigo will continue to play an important role in helping other councils build stronger, more inclusive communities by sharing practical knowledge, honest reflections and proven approaches.”
As a Mentoring Welcoming City, Greater Bendigo has committed to sharing practical examples of policies, governance, and programs; participating in peer learning opportunities; supporting councils in applying the Welcoming Cities Standards to their own contexts; and acting as an ambassador for inclusive local government practice.
City of Greater Bendigo Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cooney said mentoring was a natural extension of the City’s welcoming journey.
“We are honoured to become the first Mentoring Welcoming City within the Welcoming Cities network. We believe local governments achieve more when we learn from one another, and we’re proud to support councils across Australia as they build more welcoming and socially cohesive communities.”
“As a Mentoring Local Government, City of Greater Bendigo acknowledges our ability to support other local governments. The City is committed to providing peer-based, non-directive mentoring that prioritises knowledge sharing, reflective practice and practical learning.”
Mentoring Accreditation is the highest level of accreditation within the Welcoming Cities Standard, Australia’s leading framework supporting local governments to embed inclusion, belonging and welcoming in policy, leadership and community practice.
The Welcoming Cities network comprises 110 local governments at different stages of their welcoming journey, with accreditation recognising councils that demonstrate leadership in creating more welcoming and inclusive communities.
