Bank and mine kick into sports awards

BENDIGO Bank and Fosterville Gold Mine have kicked in to support two highly sought-after titles in the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards for 2020-21.

The inaugural Bendigo Bank Community Minded Award has $3000 up for grabs for the most Community Minded sporting team/club in the Bendigo region.

“This award will recognise and celebrate a sporting group who leads the way in having a positive impact on the community and a long-term benefit for many,” said Sports Star awards chairman Michael McKern.

Meanwhile, the richest gold mine of its size in the world, Fosterville Gold Mine, will provide $3000 to share with two schools in the Bendigo region under the Healthy School banner.

“The award is for schools who encourage their students to achieve their best,” said McKern. “This includes being more active, eating well, and ways to support mental health.

“Bendigo Sports Star is a strong advocate in encouraging our youth to succeed, and schools play a significant role in this.”

Schools throughout the region are invited to nominate themselves and highlight the reasons why they should be voted the healthiest school for 2021.

Members of the public can also nominate a school they believe is worthy of the Healthy Schools Award, with criteria to be approved by Fosterville.

McKern Steel has also chipped in to support a new award, the John Forbes Coach/Manager Award.

The award honours the Mitiamo legend who was a valued member of the Sports Star committee and did so much for sport across the country.

To nominate for the awards visit bendigosportsstar.com and follow the links.

Other awards to be announced at the gala presentation night next February include the Faith Leech Achievement Award, Hall of Fame induction, the Cyril Michelsen and Maxine Crouch Trust Fund recipients.

A previous winner of the Maxine Crouch award was basketballer Kerryn Harrington who is now playing AFLW for Carlton.

Cyril Michelsen was a founding member of the Sports Star of the Year committee, and Maxine Crouch played a key role as a committee member and for many sporting clubs through her time at Sports Focus.