Bendigo RadioFest This Sunday: Hamfest, Community and a Special Look at “Operation Breakout”
Date :
08 /
10 /
2026
Author :
BAREC & WIA
The Bendigo Amateur Radio and Electronics Club (BAREC) is opening its doors this Sunday 11 October for the BAREC Bendigo RadioFest, at the club's headquarters at 35 Lansell Street, East Bendigo.
RadioFest provides an opportunity for radio amateurs, electronics enthusiasts and anyone curious about the hobby to get together in Bendigo. But this year's event has another important attraction: a special presentation examining how amateur radio can move beyond its traditional emergency communications role and become a practical part of community resilience.
Operation Breakout: Amateur Radio Beyond Emergency Response
BAREC President Neil Patton VK3ZVX will present the story of Operation Breakout, explaining how BAREC has worked to break down barriers between amateur radio, communities, local government and emergency services.
The presentation explores a different way of thinking about amateur radio's role during disruption and emergencies. Rather than simply waiting to be called upon as an auxiliary communications service, Operation Breakout looks at how radio amateurs can build relationships, capability and communications resilience within communities before they are needed.
It is also a story about relevance and recruitment. By engaging directly with communities and organisations, BAREC has been developing a model where amateur radio skills and infrastructure become a visible community resource, while providing new opportunities for people to discover what amateur radio can offer.
A Club Prepared to Build Things
BAREC describes its purpose as furthering amateur radio, developing skills in electronics and communications, and promoting and demonstrating amateur radio. BAREC That philosophy is reflected in an impressive range of practical projects undertaken by the club.
Among its recent achievements is the purchase and transformation of the Gredgwin Relay Tower in north-west Victoria, together with the continuing development of Operation Breakout across a large area of Central Victoria.
Neil VK3ZVX leads a team of enthusiastic BAREC members behind these activities, and his presentations on the club's work have become popular features at amateur radio events across south-eastern Australia.
For clubs wondering how amateur radio can strengthen its connection with the wider community, demonstrate its relevance to government and emergency organisations, and attract new participants, Operation Breakout provides a practical case study from a club actually putting those ideas into action.
And conveniently, you can hear the story while attending a RadioFest. Humans occasionally manage efficiency after all.
BAREC Bendigo RadioFest
This Sunday 11 October 2026
BAREC Headquarters, 35 Lansell Street, East Bendigo
BAREC Bendigo Amateur Radio and Electronics Club - Link
Page Last Updated: Wednesday, 07 Oct 2026 at 21:43 hours by Justin Giles-clark
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