She said the Bendigo Writers Festival had suffered a critical blow this year. More than 50 literary and radio personalities have already withdrawn from participating in the event. To ensure participants contributed in a constructive manner, the Greater Bendigo City Council released a code of conduct for engagement on the topic. These withdrawal announcements all came after the announcement of CAFE49. According to Mayor Andrea Metcalf, she is most disappointed that these cancellations have created the unfortunate perception of what this festival is all about—cultural celebration and storytelling.
The impact of the controversy over the festival has raised questions not only about the festival’s impact on Bendigo’s reputation, but its local economy. Soon after, the city’s new mayor announced an ambitious plan to meet with every business in the city. Second, they will address the fiscal crisis caused by this terrible turnout. Anthony Radford, a founding member of the Believe in Bendigo campaign, on the hot seat Anthony is an example of this diversity. He cautions that such a move, if not handled properly, could scar the city’s reputation for decades.
Impact on Local Economy
The festival’s drastic cut in attendance has caused local store owners to voice their concerns with likely financial losses. Hayley Tibbett, chief executive of Bendigo’s chamber of commerce, protested at the potential harm of the festival. This year, it didn’t have the same desired, rosy effect for the local economy. Georgie Pell, owner of Pink Honey, shared her observations, stating, “I felt like many people boycotted the event and didn’t come [to Bendigo].”
In light of the lack of foot traffic, two hospitality businesses located near festival venues made the decision to close on the Sunday of the event. This rare exception points to the bigger trend behind the festival’s growing unpopularity. The 2024/25 budget adopted by the city included $2.3 million to subsidize Bendigo Venue and Events. With a disappointing turnout so far, advocates are already raising alarms about future funding and support.
All of the city’s efforts to create a vibrant cultural scene have been overshadowed by this incident. Radford remarked, “The [writers’ festival] was a way we could promote the city, and the harmony and cultural attributes this city has. I just feel what happened over the past weekend has potentially been the result of people not understanding that.”
Community Response
Local writers and residents alike have responded with hurt and anger at the festival’s aftermath. Di Dempsey, a Bendigo based writer, went in solidarity with the artists who made the decision to boycott the event. Among those who raised the alarms was Musick, who said they were not going to allow this to happen again, and the festival’s future was at stake. Dempsey’s apprehension reflects a broader anxiety among community members regarding the sustainability of such events in light of recent controversies.
Anthony Radford expressed his anger that Bendigo should be making national headlines again for issues related to racism, remembering the anti-mosque protests in 2015. He asserted, “Ten years after that to have more national headlines about race in Bendigo is horrible.” The city’s legacy of racial controversy is looming over its cultural ambitions.
Radford has seen an opportunity for rejuvenation. He stated, “We want people to come to this city and celebrate these events, not boycott these events.” Still, he is optimistic that the festival makes it back even better than ever in 2026.
Mayor’s Perspective
Mayor Andrea Metcalf has attempted to steer the narrative back towards the festival’s original intent: celebrating literature and fostering dialogue. She remarked, “Writers’ festivals are risky and they exist to push boundaries. They are there for debate.” She reiterated throughout the conference that the city should not be the focus of the narrative. She reminded participants to avoid language or discussion that was inflammatory, disrespectful or otherwise harmful.
Metcalf went on to paint a dire picture of the status quo. In closing, she shared her hope that future gatherings would seek to create connection rather than competition. She assured that they will be working hand in hand with nearby businesses to make up for the losses suffered during this year’s festival.
