Narrowing your list of stories to just a few favourites is an arduous task that every journalist loves.
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It is a chance to look back at what stories made us personally smile, had a profound affect on us or were important to the community.
Here is entertainment journalist Chris Pedler’s favourite stories from 2017.
Youth theatre shines in Bendigo
![Tribe Youth Theatre launched in April. Tribe Youth Theatre launched in April.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/dNmjTCUWGCi8W4CsChEdGZ/66c6fed8-eb30-480b-b0c3-0b648189c91f.jpg/r0_59_1017_633_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Passion for theatre was evident in Bendigo this year with three major stories hitting the entertainment scene.
To start with Bendigo Theatre Company launched its own youth theatre group – Tribe – in April. By September the new troupe was ready to unveil their debut production Barnum.
July saw Nexus Bendigo Youth Theatre become the first youth theatre company in the southern hemisphere to perform Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famed musical The Phantom of the Opera.
In September, one of Australia’s oldest professional theatre companies – Arena Theatre Company – announced it was relocatng from Melbourne to Bendigo.
- READ MORE: Theatre’s key role to play
- READ MORE: Cast stunning in Phantom
- READ MORE: Professional theatre company moves base to Bendigo
Andre quits day job to become artist
![Andre Sardone quit is roof tiling job to become an artist. Andre Sardone quit is roof tiling job to become an artist.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/dNmjTCUWGCi8W4CsChEdGZ/8b748c1d-1562-43ed-986e-44e93297edc2.jpg/r0_52_1020_625_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Twelve months ago Andre Sardone was a roofing tiler. This year he showed his first art exhibition.
Quitting your day job to follow a creative passion is something many of us only dream of.
In June, Andre Sardone officially became one of those people when he unveiled his steel sculpture exhibition at Dudley House.
- READ MORE: Tradie to show art in city
Museum raises funds for new dragon
![Golden Dragon Museum manager Anita Jack, Bendigo Chienese Association Museum president Doug Lougoon and Golden Dragon Museum director Russell Jack. Golden Dragon Museum manager Anita Jack, Bendigo Chienese Association Museum president Doug Lougoon and Golden Dragon Museum director Russell Jack.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/dNmjTCUWGCi8W4CsChEdGZ/ae16e4ca-a56c-4db6-8901-e16c6c78a395.jpg/r0_56_937_583_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Seeing the world’s longest Chinese Imperial dragon dance through Bendigo’s streets each year is a highlight for many of the city’s residence.
But the imminent retirement of Sun Loong saw the Golden Dragon Museum kick off a fundraising campaign to create a replacement.
The Sun Loong 750 campaign has raised money to restore and repair Sun Loong as well as create his replacement Dai Gum Loong.
Over the year thousands of dollars were raised support coming from a local, state, national and international level.
- READ MORE: Fundraising campaign to replace Sun Loong
- READ MORE: New dragon a vital part of Bendigo
- READ MORE: Chinese delegate impressed by Bendigo’s dragon pride
Sonny a friend to all students
![Favourite stories from 2017 | Chris Pedler Favourite stories from 2017 | Chris Pedler](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/dNmjTCUWGCi8W4CsChEdGZ/1139f24f-ca2a-4f99-9fb1-7dff1cc7cb58.jpg/r0_0_1200_675_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
At St Francis of the Fields Primary School everyone is friends with Sonny.
Sonny as lived at the school since he was an eight-week old pup and is part of the Dogs Connect program.
Dogs Connect teaches young people social and emotional skills by using a dog as part of the education journey.
Golden Retriever-Poodle cross Sonny goes from classroom to classroom helping students cope with anxiety, trauma and complex stress as well as creating genuine learning experiences for the children.
- READ MORE: Sonny days for school’s pooch
Saying goodbye to Santa’s helper
![Arthur Marchant as Santa in 2013. Arthur Marchant as Santa in 2013.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/dNmjTCUWGCi8W4CsChEdGZ/d6891ebf-9c24-4628-a13a-c4eb3a7d1453.jpg/r0_50_1024_628_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
In Bendgo Arthur Marchant has long been considered the city’s real Santa.
But this year saw Arthur retire his post at Bendigo Marketplace after dressing in the red suit since 1992.
The Bendigo Addy’s call out to families who remembered Arthur saw dozens of photos submitted.
It was a heartwarming reaction from the community that put everyone in the mood for Christmas.