About Us
Bendigo Winter Night Shelter (BWNS) works with local churches, community groups, businesses and individuals to provide support for people (our guests) who are experiencing homelessness during winter in the Bendigo area.
We are an organisation, made up of people and sponsors who share our desire to create a place where shelter, food and rest are shared with those who are homeless.
Our goals are to provide our volunteers with opportunities to give back to the Greater Bendigo community, and our guests with an experience of the warmth of hospitality, the encouragement of respect and the strength of hope.
BWNS also works alongside other agencies, connecting guests with various services, when and where appropriate, to help with their journey.
Our Mandate
Vision
Mission
Bringing the churches and community together to create solutions for those needing shelter
Values
Accountable
Godly
Polite
Reconciling
Reliable
Safety
Trustworthy
Meet The Team
Chris Dalton
Chris Dalton was elected BWNS Chairperson at the November 2024 Annual General Meeting. Chris had no prior involvement with BWNS. Chris has a long history of involvement in community organisations. Since 2022 ...
Andrew Weightman
Andrew Weightman was appointed as Project Coordinator at the November 2024 AGM after a few years of voluntary involvement with BWNS. Andrew has a background in leadership roles in Community Services Organisations ...
Geoff Young
Geoff is Treasurer of BWNS, and has been involved in various roles since it began. He also serves on the Board of Life FM 105.1 Bendigo’s Positive Choice; and as Parish Secretary ...
Ashley McKenzie
Ashley is current Secretary of the BWNS. She has been involved in the BWNS for several years and has been on the Board since 2023. She is a current law graduate and ...
Nayomi Parsons
Nayomi has lived in bendigo for over 20 years and been a volunteer with BWNS since it began in various roles: volunteer, venue coordinator, volunteer coordinator and board member. Nayomi is passionate ...
Paris Mouzos
Paris Mouzos Paris has been living in Bendigo for seven years now with her dog Cripper. She came into contact with BWNS through Eaglehawk Uniting Church in which she has been an ...
Andrew Walker
Andrew has been involved with BWNS since its beginning, having always believed that part of his calling as a follower of Jesus is to share His love with those who are suffering ...
Andrei Cheng
Andrei is a board member for BWNS and also the current Church Liaison. Dr Cheng has been actively involved with inter-church co-ordination in not-for-profit events management for over 20 years. He has ...
Andrew Plant
Andrew has lived in Bendigo for about fifteen years and has been involved with BWNS since it began. Andrew became a follower of Jesus in his late teens and through this experience ...