Each year this popular event draws thousands of residents to the surrounds of Lake Weeroona for an insight and introduction to some of the diverse range of sporting and community groups that proudly serve this community.

However, declining attendances and dwindling stakeholder interest have taken their toll, and it is disappointing to report that the event will not be held this year.

There has never been a greater need for initiatives such as ParticipACTION Day than there is now – in short, we know we all need to do more, and that we need to be a more active and engaged community, and this was one of the easiest and most accessible ways to find out about the who, what, when, where and why of sporting groups from touch footy to archery, basketball or swimming.

Now, the jobs of many of those who run these programs and sports in our city just got a little bit harder.

It is now imperative that Sports Focus and other sporting bodies - the City of Greater Bendigo, YMCA and other key stakeholders – come together to ensure that a temporary blip on the radar does not become a permanent stain.

ParticipACTION Day deserves to be as much of a celebration as it is a showcase of sport and being involved in the community, but today's news provides no cause for celebration.

What do you think?

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