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 a 100% volunteer organisation, made up of people and supporters 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 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
Prayer-centred and driven
Gospel-led
Compassion (charity)
Generosity
Welcoming
Honesty
Respect and dignity
Servant heart
Unity in Christ
Integrity
Meet The Team
Andrew Plant
Andrew has lived in Bendigo for about fifteen years and first came in contact with the Bendigo Winter Night Shelter through his role with the City of Greater Bendigo. Andrew became a ...
Andrew Walker
I have been an officer (minister) with The Salvation Army for 20 years in country Victoria and am currently the Area Officer for North West Victoria, which covers the Loddon Mallee region ...
Geoff Young
Geoff is Treasurer of Bendigo Winter Night Shelter Inc. He also serves on the Board of Life FM 105.1 Bendigo’s Positive Choice; and as Parish Secretary for the Anglican Parish of Kangaroo ...
Nayomi Parsons
Nayomi has lived in bendigo for over 20 years and been a volunteer with BWNS since it began in 2019, as a volunteer, a venue coordinator and now as a board member ...
Ashley McKenzie
Ashley is current Secretary of the Bendigo Winter Night Shelter. She has been involved in the BWNS for several years and has been on the Board since 2023. She is a current ...