TOUGH times brought out the best in Portland this year, with the city’s Salvation Army Corps receiving the most money donated in a decade, through June’s Red Shield Appeal.

A PORTLAND icon will have its story preserved for the future after receiving national funding – and which will see it reach a potentially much larger audience.

PORTLAND Kyokushin Karate Club now boasts having a national champion among its ranks, as young practitioner Elijah Reid claimed victory in the 8-9-year-old non-contact division of the Australian Kyokushin Karate Association (AKKA) national championships on the weekend.

A NUMBER of Portland Little Athletics participants recently competed in Melbourne as part of the State Cross-Country Championships with some strong results across the board.

THE Portland Gymnastics Club hosted their biggest event of the year across the weekend with an impressive turnout at their Yarraman Park facility.

AN overseas visitor to Portland was sent packing on the weekend, but only after he had recovered back to good health.

THE dreaded abalone virus has been found again locally.

WHILE the Matildas may not have gone all the way in their World Cup bid after losing in the semi-final to England 3-1, they certainly inspired another generation of players to take on ‘the beautiful game’.

EMBER the firedog is back at it with another stair climb soon, and it may be her last.

PORTLAND’S netball sides won three out of their six games on the weekend when they faced Camperdown in round 16 of the Hampden Netball League.