	{"id":102924,"date":"2025-03-07T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/?p=102924"},"modified":"2025-03-05T23:05:58","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T12:05:58","slug":"recognition-for-sporting-excellence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/sport\/recognition-for-sporting-excellence\/","title":{"rendered":"Recognition for sporting excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>OUTSTANDING feats across 2024 on so many courses, courts, ovals, roads, pools, stages and tracks were celebrated at Friday night\u2019s Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_102950\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-102950\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-102950\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/Olympicmarathonrunne_99590_tn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/Olympicmarathonrunne_99590_tn.jpg 576w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/Olympicmarathonrunne_99590_tn-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/Olympicmarathonrunne_99590_tn-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-102950\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Olympic marathon runner and national record holder Andy Buchanan and Sports Star committee member Melinda Keighran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A crowd of more than 350 was at All Seasons Bendigo to reflect on the year and also to honour high achievers of yesteryear and inspire the \u201cnext gen\u201d on their sporting journey.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_102952\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-102952\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-102952\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/SamDaykinandJohnPalm_99686_tn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/SamDaykinandJohnPalm_99686_tn.jpg 627w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/SamDaykinandJohnPalm_99686_tn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/SamDaykinandJohnPalm_99686_tn-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-102952\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sam Daykin and John Palmer who earned the Faith Leech Inspiration award.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>All award recipients said the incredible support from their close-knit network of family, friends and team-mates played a crucial part in achieving success and striving to be even better.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_102942\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-102942\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-102942\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/CameronAlessiaandRe_97748_tn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/CameronAlessiaandRe_97748_tn.jpg 590w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/CameronAlessiaandRe_97748_tn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/CameronAlessiaandRe_97748_tn-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-102942\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cameron, Alessia and Ree McCaig.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Among the many highs was the induction of football and basketball great Tony \u201cBluey\u201d Southcombe to the Basil Ashman Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_102943\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-102943\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-102943\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/TopswimmerHenryAllan_99505_tn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/TopswimmerHenryAllan_99505_tn.jpg 598w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/TopswimmerHenryAllan_99505_tn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/TopswimmerHenryAllan_99505_tn-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-102943\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cameron, Alessia and Ree McCaig.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was incredibly lucky to be in an era where there were so many great players and they backed my coaching 200 per cent.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s recipient of the John Forbes Coach\/Manager award, sponsored by McKern Steel, was Simon Smith from Spring Gully United Soccer Club.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_102944\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-102944\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-102944\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/MorrieHesseandHallof_99580_tn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/MorrieHesseandHallof_99580_tn.jpg 622w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/MorrieHesseandHallof_99580_tn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/MorrieHesseandHallof_99580_tn-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-102944\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Morrie Hesse and Hall of Fame inductee Tony Southcombe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In 2024, Smith took on the role as club president and continued to coach the division one women\u2019s team.<\/p>\n<p>Spring Gully United marked a club first as League champion, Super Cup and League Cup winners.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_102945\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-102945\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-102945\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/ShotputchampionEmmaB_99548_tn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/ShotputchampionEmmaB_99548_tn.jpg 622w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/ShotputchampionEmmaB_99548_tn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/ShotputchampionEmmaB_99548_tn-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-102945\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shot put champion Emma Berg and Sports Star of the Year committee member Melinda Keighran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Approaching his 50th year as a coach in gymnastics and sports acrobatics, John Palmer was the recipient of the Faith Leech Inspiration Award.<\/p>\n<p>Thousands of students from across Bendigo and further afield have benefitted enormously from Mr Palmer\u2019s expertise and encouragement in their sporting journey and more.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_102946\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-102946\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-102946\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/YoungIndigenousAthle_99564_tn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/YoungIndigenousAthle_99564_tn.jpg 573w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/YoungIndigenousAthle_99564_tn-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/YoungIndigenousAthle_99564_tn-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-102946\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Young Indigenous Athlete award recipient Isaac Widdicombe and Bendigo Health&#8217;s Carol-Anne Lever.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A group of 16 scholarship recipients were in the running for the Maxine Crouch and Cyril Michelsen Trust Fund awards.<\/p>\n<p>A silver medallist at the junior world track cycling titles in China, Lilyth Jones earned the Maxine Crouch award.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_102947\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-102947\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-102947\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/MichaelMcKernSimonS_99606_tn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/MichaelMcKernSimonS_99606_tn.jpg 627w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/MichaelMcKernSimonS_99606_tn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/MichaelMcKernSimonS_99606_tn-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-102947\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Michael McKern, Simon Smith and Peter Forbes after the presentation of the John Forbes Coach\/Manager award.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Another gun swimmer, Henry Allan earned the Cyril Michelsen award for a second time.<\/p>\n<p>Just as Jenna Strauch and Col Pearse have done, Henry will be striving to swim at the highest level one day.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_102948\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-102948\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-102948\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/NetballrisingstarCha_99558_tn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/NetballrisingstarCha_99558_tn.jpg 574w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/NetballrisingstarCha_99558_tn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/NetballrisingstarCha_99558_tn-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-102948\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Netball rising star Charlotte Sexton and City of Greater Bendigo mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Bendigo Health Young Indigenous Athlete awards were awarded to Isaac Widdicombe and Hope Johnson.<\/p>\n<p>Epsom Primary School was adjudged the Agnico Eagle Fosterville Healthiest School.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_102949\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-102949\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-102949\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/LilythJonesandTravis_99554_tn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/LilythJonesandTravis_99554_tn.jpg 619w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/LilythJonesandTravis_99554_tn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/03\/LilythJonesandTravis_99554_tn-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-102949\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lilyth Jones, and Travis Crouch who presented the Maxine Crouch Trust Fund award.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Bendigo Bank Community Minded Award was presented to Sailability Bendigo.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>OUTSTANDING feats across 2024 on so many courses, courts, ovals, roads, pools, stages and tracks were celebrated at Friday night\u2019s Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards. &nbsp; A crowd of more than 350 was at All Seasons Bendigo to reflect on the year and also to honour high achievers of yesteryear and inspire the [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/sport\/recognition-for-sporting-excellence\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":102928,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-102924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ 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