Doherty, a former Bendigo man, has gone on to create what he describes as a ‘gym empire’ with Doherty’s Gym.

He is Country Classic event promoter and believes the event, which has been sanctioned by the International Federation of Bodybuilders, will attract about 100 male and female bodybuilders from across Australia.

“I have partnered up with Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is our business partner in the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic which we have in Melbourne every March and the Bendigo event is now a qualifier for that event,” Doherty said.  

“It is bringing an international flavour to Bendigo.

“It is encouraging people to come from all across Australia to support the competition and it is also great for the economy.

“People will be staying in hotels and going to restaurants, which puts money back into my favourite town in the world, Bendigo.” 

City of Greater Bendigo mayor Peter Cox said the council was committed to attracting major events. 

"This is an exciting event," he said. "It highlights the city's capacity to host a diverse range of national sporting events."

Doherty said as well as bringing the premier bodybuilding competition to the city, he was also on a fitness crusade and is determined to make a change in regional areas.

“We want to go into regional centres and give people an incentive and a reason to exercise and to give young people the opportunity to do something positive in their life,” he said.  

“There is a lot of problems in regional centres, with youth having nothing to do.

“We are taking our Doherty’s gym brand and taking it all over the country, making it affordable and giving people some hope and some discipline in their lives.” 

The Australian Country Classic will be at the Ulumbarra Theatre on August 29.