Today Gstrein is mayor of the same municipality, now Corangamite Shire, which has renewed its association with the rebadged South West Games.

There was a 20-year gap between hosting duties for the shire, with its second alignment in 2005, although it is now on a regular, four-year rotation with Warrnambool, Southern Grampians and Glenelg municipalities. The 2009 Go For Your Life South West Games will be officially opened in Cobden tomorrow and although Gstrein has a prior commitment at a Camperdown Lions Club district convention, she will be represented at the ceremony by Cr Helen Worland.

Gstrein embraces the sport, health and lifestyle benefits of the games, which are forecast to attract 6000 participants in 62 events across Corangamite and adjoining regions.

"I'm just delighted it's back in this area as sport is very much a part of our community," she said.

"When you look through the list of participating events there really is something there everyone could participate in.

"You also have traditional sports there but I guess it shows the breadth of sporting activities throughout the south-west. It's a very inclusive event."

South West Sports Assembly executive officer Mike Neoh said Corangamite had broadened his organisation's reach by reconnecting with the games.

"Moyne (Shire) is involved when we have the games in other areas so Corangamite was a real gap for us," Neoh said.

"We use the games to promote club education so it's good to have a rotation where we have four of the five shires involved.

"Corangamite Shire has put a lot of effort into their sport and recreation clubs and they have just won an award through their Heart of Corangamite (heart health) program."

SWSA invited former Camperdown netballer Sarah Wall to officially open the games tomorrow at Cobden Miniature Railways.

Children from Cobden Primary School will carry the sporting banners, run the goodwill message and sing the national anthem.

Games events, which begin in earnest on Saturday, are scattered throughout the Corangamite region, including Glenormiston, Port Campbell, Terang, Cobden, Derrinallum and Camperdown.

Gstrein encouraged Corangamite residents to support the games and its participants.

"I hope it's successful and I'm sure it will be," she said.