Bendigo was painted blue today as the Carlton Football Club arrived to take part in the 2013 Australia Post AFL Community Camps program.

Carlton's biggest names mingled with the locals at various locations, stopping for photos and obliging young fans with autographs and handshakes. 

Blues forward Andrew Walker, speaking at a formal reception for the Club held in the beautiful Civic Gardens, said it was great to be back in Bendigo.

"It's a wonderful place. I played here before I was drafted and I have a lot of fond memories from my time spent living here," Walker said.

Of course, Carlton has a long-standing relationship with Bendigo, with some of the Club's greatest players, including Greg Williams and Rod Ashman, hailing from Victoria's fourth-largest city.

The playing group spent the afternoon visiting local primary and secondary schools, as well as hospitals and aged care facilities. The day culminated in a NAB AFL Auskick Superclinic, held on the historic Queen Elizabeth Oval. Jarrad Waite, Lachie Henderson, Jeremy Laidler and Assistant Coach Brad Green also took the time to chat to the Bendigo Pioneers TAC Cup squads about their personal journeys in the AFL and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.