And that’s a sporting museum.

Bendigo is a city that prides itself on being one of country Victoria’s sporting meccas and has the rich history to back it up.

So for a city with a sporting tradition as proud as ours, why don’t we have a designated sporting museum in which to celebrate and honour the great achievements of our athletes and teams at international, national and local level?

Rochester’s sporting museum that is hoped to be open early next year is a project being developed by the town’s Lions Club.

And it would seem Bendigo’s loss is Rochester’s gain given the cornerstone of the sporting museum is the stunning collection of memorabilia owned by Mitiamo icon and former Puma executive John Forbes (pictured).

Forbes’ memorabilia has previously been on display at the Bendigo Town Hall as part of an exhibition called Well Played - A Lifetime of Appreciation, but it’s a shame there isn’t the building in Bendigo where Forbes’ collection, in combination with the sporting successes of our local heroes, could form part of a permanent display.

As well as Forbes’ iconic collection that includes everything from Don Bradman, Serena Williams, Greg Norman, Shane Warne, Dawn Fraser, Chris Judd – the list goes on – there would be no shortage of local memorabilia that could be sought to display in a Bendigo sporting museum.

The Olympic gold medal of Bendigo swimmer Faith Leech won in 1956 – Bendigo’s only Olympic gold medal – would be an obvious starting point for a collection.

Perhaps a Cleveland Cavaliers singlet worn by former Bendigo Braves’ junior Matthew Dellavedova during last year’s NBA Championship. Even better, maybe Delly would loan his NBA Championship ring.

How about one or both of Golden Square product Greg Williams’ Brownlow Medals won in 1986 with Sydney and 1994 with Carlton. Maybe ‘Diesel’ could also loan his 1995 Norm Smith Medal?

The “baggy blue” cap worn by Bendigo United junior Craig White during his 30 Test Matches for England, basketball star Kristi Harrower’s 2006 world championship gold medal with the Australian Opals, cyclist Glenn O’Shea’s 2012 omnium world championship gold medal… the list could go on and on such are our achievements.

Luke West – sports reporter