ParticipACTION Day 2006 was the most successful event yet. With record attendances and perfect weather the region's sport and recreation organisations provided thousands of people from the community with an abundance of alternatives to improve and live a healthy and active lifestyle. Around 80 organisations provided everything from soccer to croquet, sailing to chess, fishing to dancing, rock climbing to badminton and so much more.

Sports Focus have received fantastic reports and success stories from the community and participating organisations who are already reaping the benefits from the day with new & interested participants following up with them. ParticipACTION Day is about getting active and becoming a participant in a new activity and this message has been adopted by many who attended and enjoyed this free day.

DOUG LOUGOON FOR REAL ESTATE LAKESIDE RUN OR WALK
This year's event was a great success with a huge increase in the number of participants with a record of 387 runners & walkers taking part, to raise much needed funds for Vision Australia. Those who walked enjoyed a free devonshire tea at the completion of the course, donated by Two Sisters Catering. There were also some great prizes for the winners of each running category.

1km Female - Demi Goodall-Hoffman
1km Male - Dance Heiden
3km Female - Bridgett Healey
3km Male - David Purdon
5km Female - Leanne Healey
5km Male - Richard Gleisner
1st Team - Hilson Builders
2nd Team - Silver Bullet
Winner of School Challenge - St Therese's Primary School (53 entrants)

Special thanks to Doug Lougoon, Allan Howard & the Bendigo YMCA Harriers.

BENDIGO BANK SPORTS CLINIC
The free Sports Clinic was again popular with a significant increase in registrations from people of all ages and abilities. All 150 participants enjoyed the opportunity to try their hand at a number of different sports, courtesy of State & Local sporting bodies. Sports involved this year were soccer, lacrosse, rugby union, netball, dance, softball, tennis, lawn bowls, orienteering and baseball.

TELSTRA COUNTRY WIDE DANCE SPECTACULAR
The Dance Spectacular is fast becoming one of the most popular attractions at ParticipACTION Day. 18 of the region's dance groups entertained a huge crowd all day with everything from ballet to breakdancing, salsa to rock'n'roll, cheerleading to belly dancing, and irish jigs to lion dancing. An impressive number of people even stayed after the performances to take part in a free salsa workshop conducted by iDance and Alex from Dancing with the Stars.

RETIREINVEST SPORTS ARTWORK SHOWCASE
The 4th RetireInvest Sports Artwork Showcase has further developed this year to include over 20 art pieces portraying sportspeople of all abilities along with a new freestyle category capturing sport in a variety of styles. The public were able to vote in the People's Choice Awards with the following winners receiving vouchers from Art Supply Bendigo.

1st Portrait Category - Sandra Boucher (Paige Ipsen, tennis player)
1st Freestyle Category - Joy Tatt (QEO, training under lights)

BICKNELLS SPORTS CHALLENGE
Once again Bicknells Sports offered some great prizes to those who took up the challenge to find 6 giant red letters, scattered amongst the hive of activity around Lake Weeroona, which once unscrambled spelt out the mystery word. Winners were drawn at the end of the day, congratulations to:

1st - Ashley Leung - Proteus Exercise Bike
2nd - Elliot Hawkins - Sports Package

TOUR DE LAKE
Sports Focus worked with Bendigo Senior Secondary College Outdoor Education Students to run this exciting challenge for the local secondary schools. Students, in teams of 2, raced to complete a number of sport and recreation activities around the lake, similar to the Amazing Race concept. Winners received prizes and the inaugral Tour De Lake School Challenge Shield for their school.

1st - Weeroona Warriors ( Weeroona College Bendigo)

Sports Focus would like to thank all of the organisations and individuals who make this day possible and we look foward to seeing you all again in 2007.