Established in 1861, the Bendigo Shakespeare Society gave its first performance at the Theatre Royal in aid of the hospital. Two plays and a farce were performed.

The Society lapsed after a few years and was reconstituted on 23 April (Shakespeare's birthday) 1885, the elected president being Mr J. N. Abbott. Among the members were such leading Bendigo citizens as Mr A. Mackay, Dr Quick and the Reverend Garlick.

In subsequent years the Society again faltered but was revived in the early 1920s as the Bendigo Shakespeare Reading and Literary Society.

Over the years, the Society has served the Bendigo community by making literary readings, local performances and guest speakers available to it.

The aims of the Society are as follows.
* To foster an awareness of the importance of literature in general and Shakespeare's works in particular.
* To encourage the study and appreciation of literature in the Bendigo community.
* To organise lectures, seminars, discussion groups and other gatherings on literary topics.
* To promote excellence in the study of literature through providing awards and prizes at local educational institutions.
* To facilitate and support the reading and production of Shakespeare's plays in the Bendigo region.
* To support societies and associations elsewhere which have similar objectives.

The Society welcomes new members.