Rose:

Retro Gaming Bendigo was founded in 2023 by Rose, who recognised a need for like-minded Video Game enthusiasts to come together regularly to share their passion, play classic games and connect with others that appreciate video gaming history.

Emerging as an idea in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, Rose envisioned a welcoming community where people could rediscover the social side of video gaming in person, she designed the Retro Gaming Bendigo logo, incorporating the iconic red, green and blue (RGB) colours from CRT Computer Monitors and TV Screens of the time, alongside imagery inspired by the boot up screens of Classic Arcade Machines her father Danny had often reminisced about from his days growing up and visiting countless Video Game Arcades.

Intrigued by Rose’s creation and vision and excited to see where the idea might lead, Danny enthusiastically supported the project from its earliest days, as someone who grew up during the golden age of arcade console and computer gaming through the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, he recognised the opportunity to support his daughter’s initiative and vision to create a community that would resonate with gamers of his generation while welcoming enthusiasts of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life.

With the website launched and the foundations in place, the first Retro Gaming Bendigo meeting was held in June 2023. Since then, Rose has continued to play an active role in supporting the group’s regular monthly gatherings, fostering conversations, encouraging new friendships, and helping build a thriving community dedicated to preserving and celebrating the joys of Retro Gaming.

Danny:

Danny's greatest passion is the Commodore Amiga, a platform he has enthusiastically followed and collected since 1987. He has also built an extensive collection of retro gaming Consoles, Computers, Prehiperals, Games, Magazines and Collectables,  preserving decades of gaming history and industry stories that continue to inspire enthusiasts today. Always on the lookout for the latest "retro" treasure to add to his collection, Danny enjoys discovering unique hardware, software, memorabilia, and gaming artefacts from across the decades. His dedication to collecting and preserving gaming history has become a familiar part of the Retro Gaming Bendigo story and reflects his enduring love of video gaming culture and technology.

William:

The youngest member of the founding team, William is blessed with a passion for gaming from an early age, he began his gaming journey on an iPad and quickly developed a deep appreciation for the hobby. William has a particular love for Retro Gaming and a keen eye for identifying worthwhile additions to the collection, His enthusiasm, knowledge, and thoughtful contributions have made him a valued part of the conversations and discoveries shared at the group's monthly meetings.

Together our vision is to have a group where people from all backgrounds, with similar interests can meet and share their passion for all things Console and PC Gaming related, in a safe, friendly and inclusive environement. 

Great for mental health and face to face socialisation. 

(Please be aware that Alcohol, Drugs, Cigarettes and Vapes are not permitted at our meeting venue as we meet on school grounds and this would violate our use agreement and may lead to possible termination of our use of the venue).