A remarkable return for Bendigo’s visual history
A stunning trove of historical images has returned to Bendigo, offering a window into the city’s mid-20th-century life. The Allan Doney Photographic Collection, which includes more than 14,000 negatives and 3,000 prints from the 1950s to the 1970s, has been gifted from the National Trust of Australia to the Bendigo Historical Society. With its extensive record of street scenes, local people, and evolving urban landscapes, the collection serves as a powerful time capsule of a city in transition.
A tailor with a camera: Allan Doney’s unique perspective
Allan Doney, a tailor by trade who operated in Bendigo’s Beehive Building on Pall Mall, turned his Rolleicord into a powerful documentary tool. Doney arrived in Bendigo in 1949 with his wife Constance, bringing a keen eye for composition that RMIT photography historian Daniel Palmer describes as having “a very good eye.” He began taking photographs long before his Bendigo days, sparked by a teenage gift of a Kodak Box Brownie, and he continued to document daily life rather than just portraits or landscapes.
A treasure beyond portraits
What distinguishes Doney’s work is not just the quality of his images but the subjects themselves. While many amateur photographers of the era focused on family members or scenic views, Doney captured strangers on the street, everyday commerce, and the rhythms of Bendigo’s central arteries. His photographs document the city as it navigated post-war growth, shifting from decades dominated by gold mining to a modern urban center with evolving government planning and public spaces.
A city in transition
The period covered by the collection spans a pivotal era for Bendigo. The last gold mine closed in 1954, ending a century-and-a-half of extractive industry that had defined the region. The images show a related reimagining of the city’s streets, shopping arcs, and public life as Bendigo reoriented its identity around commerce, culture, and community. The negatives reveal not only buildings that have since vanished but also faces of residents who viewers may recognize from anniversaries, family albums, or local lore.
From paper bags to archival storage
Until recently, the negatives were stored in old paper bags and sleeves, at risk of deterioration. Bendigo Historical Society volunteers have dedicated more than 100 hours to carefully transferring the images into archival-grade materials and cataloguing the collection, a six-month project that will prepare the archive for broader access and a planned 2026 exhibition. The work underscores a shared commitment to making local history accessible to residents and visitors alike.
Why this collection matters today
National Trust of Australia (Victoria) collections manager Michelle Derrick says the Doney collection will enrich Bendigo’s cultural heritage for generations. The photographs provide a visual record of daily life, social norms, fashion, architecture, and civic events, offering researchers, educators, and families a tangible link to the city’s past. As digitisation progresses, the public will gain easier access to the images, strengthening community ties and historical understanding.
Looking ahead: an exhibition on the horizon
With digitising underway and a rigorous cataloguing process nearly complete, the Bendigo Historical Society is planning an exhibition in 2026 to showcase the collection. The event will highlight not only Allan Doney’s artistry but also the broader story of Bendigo’s post-war evolution, inviting locals and visitors to explore how a city negotiates change while preserving its sense of place.
