A tourist has been spotted wandering Bendigo for the past week, loudly proclaiming his admiration for Ballarat’s supposed landmarks. Equally bemused and entertained, residents are torn between correcting him and enjoying the spectacle.
“It’s charming how you’ve preserved Sovereign Hill so well!” Joe Henderson exclaimed while snapping photos of the Central Deborah Gold Mine. “The authenticity of the 1850s is just remarkable!”
Locals, initially amused, began to question whether they should set the record straight. “We didn’t have the heart to tell him,” admitted café owner Sarah McKenzie. “He was so happy talking about Ballarat’s Eureka Stockade while holding a Bendigo tourist map.”
City council members convened an emergency meeting to address the situation, ultimately deciding that Henderson’s confusion boosted local tourism. “Why ruin a good thing?” reasoned Mayor Andrea Metcalf. “He’s supporting local businesses. Who are we to deny Bendigo a little extra glory?”
As Henderson departed, he declared, “Ballarat is a hidden gem!” Locals waved him off, still undecided if ignorance truly is bliss.
