The judging panel for the long-running awards, proudly sponsored by mecu credit union, met at WIN Television’s offices.

Hynes teamed with Queensland’s Taliqua Clancy to win bronze at the world youth beach volleyball championships in Portugal.

The 13th seeds became the first Australian line-up to win a medal at the youth titles since 2006.

Powerlifters Julie Loomes and Helen Kostadinos went on world and national record-breaking sprees at the Australian single-lift titles.

Competing in their home town, Loomes and Kostadinos excelled in the bench press, deadlift and squat in the 44kg and 70kg classes.

Both broke three world records apiece.

On the basketball court, the Symes Motors Bendigo Braves won the east conference grand final.

The Ben Harvey-coached Braves beat Knox, 87-83, in a dramatic play-off at Bendigo Stadium.

The Braves were runner-up to Geelong in the national championship final.

Braves’ imports Ivan McFarlin and Luke Meyer earned selection in the east conference All-Star team.

On the judo mat, Ryosuke Miwa won the under-66kg division at the New South Wales Judo Open.

An instructor at Judo Bendigo, Ben Donegan was runner-up in the open under-73kg final.

Karate exponents Thomas Clayton and Brandon de Wys were first and second in the open lightweight division at the Kyokushin Kara Knockdown Championships.

Helen Leech won the Women’s Golf Bendigo champion of champions at the Heathcote course.

In the Heathcote District Football Netball League, Lockington-Bamawm United star Adrian Dohnt won the Sam Cheatley medal as seniors best and fairest.

North Bendigo’s Shellie Davies captured a second A-grade netball best and fairest award.

Bendigo Pioneer Jake Stringer earned selection in the AiS-AFL Academy.

Stringer was runner-up to Anthony Dennis in the battle for the Neville Strauch Medal as the Pioneers’ best and fairest for the 2010 season in the TAC Cup.

.Marong won the Bendigo Youth Girls’ Football League grand final against Huntly.

The Panthers celebrated a one-point victory after a great contest went into double overtime.

A highlight of August was boxing champion Justin Whitehead winning the Australian professional crown.

A three-time national amateur titleholder, Whitehead has surpassed the quota of monthly awards to be eligible.