Essendon’s 2016 Australia Post AFL Community Camp started in Sunbury and ended in Shepparton.

In between, the Bombers engaged with locals of all ages and shared advice and anecdotes from their playing careers.

“I think it’s a good lesson for all of the players to really get out and spread their wings and understand what ‘country’ is,” Essendon Legend Kevin Sheedy said.

“Not every player is from the country and these opportunities to take clinics to the schools and for kids to meet their stars – and for young footballers to develop themselves, I think it's important.”

After a civic reception in Wallan, the Bombers visited more than 20 local schools, more than a dozen football clubs and a number of health and recreational centres.

Players spoke to Primary School students about leadership and goal setting.

They visited hospitals and even helped restore an old football club scoreboard. 

“I know how important it was to me when I played and I thought it was really essential in helping me develop myself,” Sheedy said.

“To all of the people in the country, to all of the schools we went to – I hope you really had a great time and to the players I hope you really enjoyed yourselves too.”