{"id":80177,"date":"2021-12-31T04:59:07","date_gmt":"2021-12-30T17:59:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/?p=80177"},"modified":"2022-02-27T11:21:38","modified_gmt":"2022-02-27T00:21:38","slug":"2021-year-in-review-its-go-time-for-great-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/news\/2021-year-in-review-its-go-time-for-great-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Year In Review – It\u2019s \u2018Go time for great times"},"content":{"rendered":"

At this time every December, as we get ready to celebrate the start of a new year, we also take a look back the twelve months that just were (well, really ten-and-a-bit) in our traditional Year in Review.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s \u2018Go time for great times<\/strong><\/p>\n

February<\/strong><\/p>\n

WHILE there\u2019s not much to look back on in February, one major thing did happen on the media front in town.<\/p>\n

The Bendigo Times<\/em> launched!<\/p>\n

With our commitment to bringing news that helps you feel good about where you live, along with all the information you need to make important decisions about your life, we jumped right in on those ideals.<\/p>\n

They were sentiments echoed by our Editor, Alistair Finlay.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a privilege to serve this wonderful city and we look forward to telling your stories with respect and diligence,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a publication of the Times News Group, our focus at the Bendigo Times<\/em> is on all the things that are great about where we live.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether it\u2019s the people working hard to make our community a better place, the groups who make a meaningful difference, the events that bring us together, or that hidden gem just waiting in the wings and ready for the spotlight, we\u2019re here to tell those stories.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Seemingly our arrival was subsequently well received by some.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow very exciting to have the birth of a new ‘local’. ?? It’s fabulous\u2026 l’ve been telling all in sundry,\u201d said one letter writer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope it goes really well and establishes itself here. Thank you\u2026 With appreciation… and excitement.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the news front, and has it\u2019s been for almost two years now, COVID-19 was the major story.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Reflections: Stallholder Sandra Laity from Past Recollections, a stall at Sweet Summer Nights Market at Bendigo Jockey Club. Photo: BRENDAN McCARTHY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Opening up, again<\/strong><\/p>\n

March<\/strong><\/p>\n

AS March got underway things continued to open up, quite literally, when the ribbon was finally cut on Kangaroo Flat\u2019s upgraded library.<\/p>\n

Works included fixes to the building structure, a new entrance, the creation of an open floorplan, plastering and painting, as well as sustainability improvements.<\/p>\n

In the centre of town, the success and importance of the Bendigo Community Farmers\u2019 Market mid-week event was being celebrated.<\/p>\n

Born out of lockdown, the Thursday market had become an important place to access food during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeo<\/p>\n

ple felt safer shopping outside rather than in supermarkets and ended up falling in love with buying directly from the producer and maker and supporting local business,\u201d said organiser Chris Hain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Bendigo Pride also got underway in March for its 17-day long celebration of diversity, inclusion and respect.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the pride in ourselves and the pride in where we live because Bendigo is a great place to live and I have found it surprisingly warm, inviting and inclusive,\u201d said festival director John Richards.<\/p>\n

As March 4 Justice events took place across the nation, Bendigo also joined in campaign when on 15 March in Rosalind Park\u2019s piazza, people rallied against sexual and gendered violence.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was fantastic to see people from all walks of life that are motivated to join because they\u2019re just sick and tired of seeing what\u2019s going on,\u201d said CEO of Annie North Women\u2019s Refuge, Julie Oberin.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile across at Bendigo Stadium, Anthony Mundine\u2019s time in the boxing ring came to an end when he was knocked out in the first round by Michael Zerafa.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Enough: Women from across the region and their supporters protested sexual assault and gendered violence at a March 4 Justice rally. Photo: BRENDAN McCARTHY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

We will remember them<\/strong><\/p>\n

April<\/strong><\/p>\n

FURTHER cementing its position as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, April saw the launch of the Bendigo and Region Gastronomy Guide.<\/p>\n

The online document focused on five categories – eat, drink, buy, experience and explore, and aimed to give people all the information they need about the region\u2019s food destinations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Gastronomy Guide is going to be an extraordinary way of not only showcasing what we do to local community but to visitors and tourists too,\u201d said Liz March of PepperGreen Farm.<\/p>\n

A week later, then Opposition Leader Michael O\u2019Brien came to town and called on the State Government to do more to help small business in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lack of certainty and a lack of support from State Government is holding this region back from what it could be,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Quarry Hill Golf Club marked a major milestone as 100 years ago a small, privately owned golf course was established in the mines, creeks, and gullies of the area.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe centenary is a celebration of the forethought of our ancestors to open it up, we\u2019re planning to have a tournament and make that in memory of the forefathers,\u201d said treasurer and life member Sandra Davey.<\/p>\n

After having events limited in 2020, 25 April saw the return of people to one of the most sacred days on the national calendar, Anzac Day.<\/p>\n

Bendigo District RSL president Peter Swandale was happy to see the services across the region well attended.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery pleased to see the amount of people coming out today, the Bendigo community, just absolutely fantastic,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Solemn: Veterans gathered for in-person Anzac Day events, including the Dawn Service the Bendigo Soldiers Memorial. Photo: CHIPPY RIVERA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jabs a go-go<\/strong><\/p>\n

May<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WHITE Hills Primary School student Malakye Taylor became Bendigo\u2019s newest sporting hero when the 10-year-old came back from Geelong as the reigning regional handball champ.<\/p>\n

As part of his prize, Malakye received $1000 and as a Geelong supporter said he\u2019s said he had an idea about what he was going to spend the cash on.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo Geelong hats, a badge with Joel Selwood\u2019s number and face on it, an Xbox, some clothes, and a footy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In what would become an ongoing story throughout the year, we first met the driven and focused people behind the Bendigo Women\u2019s Shed.<\/p>\n

\"\"In early May, after several false starts, the group announced they had secured a permanent space.<\/p>\n

The region\u2019s COVID-19 vaccination effort carried on with first jabs opened up to over 50s, then under 50s for Pfizer, and lastly the opening of the mass vax clinic on Mollison Street.<\/p>\n

Married couple Rob and Kerry Dennis travelled from Strathallan, near Echuca, to get vaccinated at the centre because their local GP was booked out until late July.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really easy. You come in and they check you in, it\u2019s good to see so many people lining up to do it,\u201d said Ms Dennis.<\/p>\n

At the end of the month the State budged dropped and there was a fair bit in it for Bendigo.<\/p>\n

Included in the local cash splash were $8.5 million for works at the Central Deborah Gold Mine, $6 million to referb the Bendigo Youth Prevention and Recovery Care Unit, $5.5 million for California Gully Primary School, and $1.5 million for the Healthy Heart Victoria initiative in the Loddon Campaspe region.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Shot in the arm: People wait for their COVID-19 inoculation at Bendigo\u2019s first mass vaccination clinic on Mollison Street. Photo: JULIE HOUGH<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Back into lockdown<\/strong><\/p>\n

June<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AND just like that, we were back into lockdown. As part of the response, the State Government announced a $250 million support package to help businesses survive the seven-day shutdown.<\/p>\n

But in a touching story about paying it forward, the team at Luchiano\u2019s Pizza sought to look after the community that had supported them.<\/p>\n

After receiving overwhelming backing during lockdowns in 2020, when restrictions hit again, owner Juliette Kabalan didn\u2019t hesitate to support others.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnybody that\u2019s needing food, that\u2019s lost their job and can\u2019t put food on the table for their family, I\u2019d like to help with that by giving them the opportunity to come in and grab some pizzas on us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Away from COVID and restrictions, four locals received Queen\u2019s Birthday honours.<\/p>\n

Julie Oberin was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, while Paul Penno, Carolyn Naunton and Fiona Gardner all received medals in the Order.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was notified that I was nominated on April 1st, I thought it was an April Fool\u2019s Day prank,\u201d said Ms Oberin, a domestic and family violence campaigner.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d been watching social media over the months leading up to late June, you may have come across the story of guinea pigs living near Epsom Station.<\/p>\n

It turned out they were runaway pets belonging to the Kinross family and that\u2019s when the community sprang into action and captured the critters.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just felt like it would be a good thing to do for someone as I\u2019ve lost some animals myself, they\u2019ve gotten out and I felt horrible and I wish that someone would do that to my animal if they found it,\u201d said 16-year-old rescuer Tylah Armato.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Reunited: Ten-year-old Adaline Kinross was delighted to have her beloved pet guinea pig Meatball back after more than four months apart. Photo: JULIE HOUGH<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tasting success<\/strong><\/p>\n

July<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE interregnum between the lockdown of June, and the lockdown in July was broken up with a debate about outdoor dining on View Street.<\/p>\n

Some, like retailer Paul Skinnon, said the overflow of tables onto the street had created a shortage of carparks.<\/p>\n

While others, like co-owner of Borchelli Ristorante, Simon Lock, said outdoor dining spaces had positive flow-on effects.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery one of those businesses, except Wine Bank, want us to get rid of the marquee. They fail to see that we\u2019re sending over 100 people a week to their businesses,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"\"The push to vaccinate the region hit a major milestone, with 100,000 doses administered, meaning about 86,000 people, or one quarter of the Loddon Mallee population, have received their jab.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know a good portion of the population, in particular under 16s, are not yet eligible for the vaccine, so to have good overall numbers for first doses is fantastic,\u201d said Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit director Dr Casey Nottage.<\/p>\n

What started out as a humble Facebook competition went global for the Elmore Bakery after a guess how many pies post ended up with over 21 million views and 700,000 comments.<\/p>\n

While no stranger to making a viral competition post on the bakery\u2019s Facebook page, co-owner and baker Travis Wilson said he\u2019d never had one do this well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what it is, social media, and you can hit gold sometimes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

And\u2026 then we went back into a statewide lockdown, again.<\/p>\n

July also saw the beginning of a partnership between the Bendigo Times<\/em> and the Bendigo Sports Star Awards where we get the privilege of telling the stories of award winners, scholarship recipients and the organisation\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Dazzling: Ebony Sleeth gets caught in a thousand rays of light during Awaken at Rosalind Park. Photo: CHIPPY RIVERA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Winter weary<\/strong><\/p>\n

August<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE Bendigo Art Gallery\u2019s latest coup opened, and it was all about celebrating one of Australia\u2019s most famous twentieth century artists.<\/p>\n

Curatorial manager Lauren Ellis said Brett Whiteley: Drawing is Everything<\/em> went beyond what people knew about the late, high-profile creator.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you think you know Brett Whiteley, you\u2019ll get a surprise because I think it\u2019s a wonderful opportunity to be reminded of the talent that is below the hype,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Tuesday, 10 August saw regional Victoria exit a snap four-day lockdown over concerns about rising case numbers of the Delta strain of COVID-19.<\/p>\n

\"\"The release of the regions came a day after people aged 18 to 40 were given the okay to access the AstraZeneca vaccination with a rush on the shot at state run clinics.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung people are coming forward to get vaccinated, they\u2019re doing it for their local community, sporting clubs, their cultural organisations, they\u2019re doing it for their workplaces and they\u2019re doing it because they want to get to a COVID normal world as rapidly as we possibly can,\u201d said State Health Minister, Martin Foley.<\/p>\n

One of the biggest developments in Bendigo at the moment, GovHub, got the green light to go ahead, with construction officially underway.<\/p>\n

Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan said the landmark project is on track for completion in late 2022.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy the end of next year, the new GovHub building will bring together State Government and local government services providing better access for our community to be able to go and talk to their council, talk to State Government,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

And of course, there was yet another snap lockdown.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Creative: Participants at Pinot and Picasso Bendigo\u2019s first private session. Photo: PETER WEAVING<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ride of our lives<\/strong><\/p>\n

September<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AS the latest round of lockdown dragged on, it meant some small businesses in the community saw a bump in business.<\/p>\n

Once such sector was bike shops, where people like Brad Steigenberger of the Bicycle Centre Bendigo was rushed off his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe certainly get a bigger influx prior to lockdowns, for sure. Even during COVID, this last 18 months, our influx of people has been quite a bit more than the normal time of year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s people buying bikes, there\u2019s people getting bikes fixed that haven\u2019t been fixed for 20 years, it\u2019s just that whole range of people that\u2019s getting everything fixed so they can go and do something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Speaking of bikes, La Trobe University lecturer Dr Brad Hodge completed his fundraising ride from Bendigo to Uluru in early September.<\/p>\n

After dealing with border closures and lockdowns and everything else that goes with riding 2229 kilometres, he raised $11,000, for his charity I Am Someone.<\/p>\n

On the footy field one of Bendigo\u2019s greatest exports, Geelong skipper Joel Selwood became the club\u2019s all-time games played record holder, surpassing Corey Enright.<\/p>\n

After on going concerns about knee injuries early in his career, Selwood has been part of the Cat\u2019s best period in half-a-century and led the club as captain for nearly a decade.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel pretty lucky,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was a bit of a dodgy start but it\u2019s a ride I would love to do all over again and experience the highs that I have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Off the track, and closer to home, the bosses of the Bendigo Football Netball League called time on another COVID affected season without declaring a flag or best and fairest medal winners.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Rolling on: Bicycle Centre Bendigo owner Brad Steigenberger said business picks up significantly every time a lockdown is imposed. Photo: BRENDAN McCARTHY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

HEAD – <\/strong><\/p>\n

Awards all-round<\/strong><\/p>\n

October<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE month started with the delayed, but not forgotten, Be.Bendigo Businesses Excellence awards.<\/p>\n

Fifteen winners were announced across 16 categories, including the big one, Business of the year presented by the Bendigo Bank.<\/p>\n

In the end workplace learning and development company Thinka took home the grand prize.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got such an incredible team of 15 behind us and we\u2019re really happy to share it [the awards] with them,\u201d said head of digital projects Tara Ridsdale<\/p>\n

\"\"While some places in town were taking part in the hastily announced vaccinated economy trial, one major event missed out, the Bendigo Cup.<\/p>\n

Short of the trial by a day, the Cup would run without spectators for a second year in a row.<\/p>\n

Mid-month came the news that founding member and vice-president of the Suicide Prevention Awareness Network of Central Victoria, Alannah McGregor, had been recognised as a nominee for the inaugural Fred Hollows Foundation Humanitarian of the Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was honoured and humbled,\u2019 she said. \u201cI don\u2019t do it for accolades.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been really clear that I\u2019m doing this because I\u2019ve never been ashamed that my children died by suicide. I\u2019ve always said that it\u2019s a shame they never had another option.\u201d<\/p>\n

Awards were the flavour of the month, literally, as Bridgewater Bakehouse claimed the honour of the nation\u2019s best snot block, named Best Vanilla Slice in Wotif\u2019s Uniquely Aussie Awards.<\/p>\n

In yet another coup for the Bendigo Art Gallery it was announced that Elvis was entering the building in 2022.<\/p>\n

Elvis: Direct from Graceland<\/em> will comprise three hundred artifacts from the King of Rock and Roll\u2019s life and is drawn from Presley\u2019s personal collection held at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Taking the shot: Bendigo Croquet Club members enjoy a game following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Photos: PETER WEAVING<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

HEAD – <\/strong><\/p>\n

Reunited<\/strong><\/p>\n

November<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AFTER almost three months apart due to the regional\/ metro Melbourne COVID-19 divide, families from across the region, including the Marchingo\u2019s, were able to embrace their loved ones again.<\/p>\n

Eva Marchingo had been living in Melbourne and was separated from her parents.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just cried because as much as it\u2019s nice to go out to the pub, the thing that COVID has made me realise is that the only thing I want to do is come home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing like being home, so every step closer you get is just a little bit more happiness that you get back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Unlike Anzac Day some 10 months before, public Remembrance Day events were called off due to uncertainty around COVID restrictions, yet that didn\u2019t stop many from making a personal observance.<\/p>\n

\u201cAustralians have been gathering for over 100 years to remember the fallen, those who made the ultimate sacrifice, initially with The Great War, and it\u2019s come to symbolise remembrance for all conflict from that date,\u201d said Private George Northend from Bendigo\u2019s Charlie Company of the 8th\/7th Royal Victoria Regiment.<\/p>\n

Bendigo Stadium will be hot to foxtrot in early March next year with the news the site will host the Australian DanceSport Championships.<\/p>\n

The event will see National champions crowned in professional and amateur categories, with world representatives selected in the open amateur classes.<\/p>\n

On the education front, Premier Daniel Andrews cut the the ribbon on Bendigo TAFE\u2019s new $60 million city campus.<\/p>\n

Works at the 167-year-old site included two new buildings, refurbished heritage buildings and a new home for the Bendigo Technical Education Campus.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Tradition: Students at Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iaido Bendigo learn about 30 sword movements. Photo: PETER WEAVING<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Action stations!<\/strong><\/p>\n

December<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WHILE mid-year may have delivered Travis Wilson and the team at Elmore Bakery social media success, early December saw the news that their bread and butter (well, really a pie) had brought them a gold medal at the Official Great Aussie Pie Competition.<\/p>\n

The bakery sensations received the gong for their pulled beef, jalapeno and cheese pie and Wilson said the recognition could deliver the pastry some permanence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe really did want to get something recognised to say \u2018yes, this is a great pie\u2019 and this is definitely what\u2019s helped us put it on the menu,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

A partnership between Gobb\u00e9 Wellness Centre and Kirkland Lake Gold has seen the cancer centre\u2019s complementary therapies locked in for another three years.<\/p>\n

\"\"The program can see up to 50 patients a day doing things like yoga, massage, tai chi, and mindfulness classes.<\/p>\n

Clinical director of cancer services at Bendigo Health, Robert Blum, said the sponsorship means there is potential to work with patients and their families on ways to expand the program.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a sustainable source of support which is absolutely fantastic and it\u2019s great for our community, it means we can spend a bit more time, and in consultation with our patients, how we can expand and improve it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Out in Goornong a passenger train pulled into the town for the first time in over 40 years with a new station opened to the public.<\/p>\n

Yet back in Bendigo a different kind of station was about to start its journey, with the announcement the Golden Square Fire Brigade, the oldest continuously operating CFA brigade in Victoria, was getting a new home on Specimen Hill Road.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Spread your wings: Two wedge-tailed eagles were rehabilitated and released by Donna Patterson and Neil Morgan from Wildlife Rescue Emergency Service. Photo: PETER WEAVING<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At this time every December, as we get ready to celebrate the start of a new year, we also take a look back the twelve months that just were (well, really ten-and-a-bit) in our traditional Year in Review.   It\u2019s \u2018Go time for great times February WHILE there\u2019s not much to look back on in […]<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":199,"featured_media":80330,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-80177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nYear In Review - It\u2019s \u2018Go time for great times - Bendigo Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/news\/2021-year-in-review-its-go-time-for-great-times\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Year In Review - It\u2019s \u2018Go time for great times - Bendigo Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"At this time every December, as we get ready to celebrate the start of a new year, we also take a look back the twelve months that just were (well, really ten-and-a-bit) in our traditional Year in Review.   It\u2019s \u2018Go time for great times February WHILE there\u2019s not much to look back on in [...]Read More...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/news\/2021-year-in-review-its-go-time-for-great-times\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bendigo Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-12-30T17:59:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-02-27T00:21:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2021\/12\/PDW_0343-scaled-e1640062492993.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"The Bendigo Times\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"The Bendigo Times\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"19 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\\\/bendigotimes\\\/news\\\/2021-year-in-review-its-go-time-for-great-times\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\\\/bendigotimes\\\/news\\\/2021-year-in-review-its-go-time-for-great-times\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"The Bendigo Times\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\\\/bendigotimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/fb4e03b0bee8fbd92d25484b3ddc98f2\"},\"headline\":\"Year In Review – It\u2019s \u2018Go time for great times\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-12-30T17:59:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-02-27T00:21:38+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\\\/bendigotimes\\\/news\\\/2021-year-in-review-its-go-time-for-great-times\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":3423,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\\\/bendigotimes\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\\\/bendigotimes\\\/news\\\/2021-year-in-review-its-go-time-for-great-times\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\\\/prod\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/24\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/PDW_0343-scaled-e1640062492993.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\\\/bendigotimes\\\/news\\\/2021-year-in-review-its-go-time-for-great-times\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\\\/bendigotimes\\\/news\\\/2021-year-in-review-its-go-time-for-great-times\\\/\",\"name\":\"Year In Review - 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