Tourism

Sean Cunningham. The added attraction of former Hawthorn Australian footballer Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico helped to draw a crowd of about 350 people at the recent Mirrool Silo Kick competition ... “About 30 blokes had a kick,” Silo Kick competition President Jason Bryce said. “Only three got to the grand final ..."

The 61st Barham Koondrook Show dodged the rain on Friday to put on two days of fun-filled action for the community. Thrilling rides, live music, great food and impressive displays enticed the crowds to brave the wind and menacing clouds for the first show of the new committee.

Since the inaugural Grafton Jacaranda Festival was held in 1935 and attracted an estimated 4000 attendees to the region, it has become Australia’s foremost floral celebration … thousands of visitors from across the country and overseas journey to the Clarence Valley to share in the history of the time honoured annual festivity while immersing themselves amongst local attractions, characters, and traditions…

This November 2-3, the charming town of Natimuk will transform into a hub of creativity with a series of exciting art events presented by local arts organisation ACT Natimuk. The Natimuk Open Studios Art Trail invites the public to explore local artists’ studios, engage with their work, and discover the diverse visual arts scene that Natimuk has to offer.

Jenny Pollard. ... Last Saturday’s Charlton Show was certainly blessed by the weather gods with perfect conditions for outdoor entertainment, especially after the previous day of heavy rain and wind. With big crowds in evidence, increased pavilion exhibits and some very positive feedback, by day’s end 2024 was shaping up to be a success story for the hard-working committee ... “As a youngster, Maddi’s commitment to the Show first started with her bringing along animals for the pet nursery ..."

The first regatta in 30 years made a splash on the Clarence River ... The West of the Range Regatta had four pubs competing with handmade rafts. The rafters had to paddle from Dave Ross’s place up the Clarence River, pass under the bridge and land at Tabulam.

Jenny Pollard. “Life is better in the garden”. How many gardeners would agree with that?! From the attendance at last Sunday’s North Central Garden Club’s (NCGC) Charlton Open Gardens Day, the lure of that precious space you call your own resonates with a lot of people!

The Sailing Season officially started … and was scheduled to begin with the Alan Carson Memorial Commodore’s Cup ... the weather gods intervened. In the interest of safety the Race Officer of the Day declared racing abandoned ... The following weekend (12 October) there was a marked improvement in the weather conditions and 13 boats took to the water and racing was successfully completed.

After rocky progress over the past four years, rehabilitation of the Bluff Falls tourism area at Cudgewa North following the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires is almost complete. In June last year, a residents’ action group was formed to progress the recovery project and it sought the support of the community to get the tourism site re-opened.

Sean Cunningham. Lockhart's Spirit of the Land Festival was hailed as a "highly successful" event once again last weekend. Held in Lockhart on the second weekend in October each year, Spirit of the Land is an annual festival which attracted a large crowd of locals and visitors.

Hundreds of attendees admired the 107 vehicles on display at the Moulamein Car Club’s annual Show and Shine. Owners and their prized possessions had travelled from as far as Melton to be a part of the unique event that offers free attractions for the kids and live music courtesy of ‘Dementia’.

Madison Eastmond. Riverlanders, rosarians, and visitors can now ‘stop and smell the roses’ for the month of October, with celebrations for the 30th Rose and Garden Festival beginning this week. With the region now in bloom, the 2024 program will kick off on Friday with a number of popular returning components ... including the Renmark Institute floral display, the Festival Fair...

The Nhill Show is on tomorrow ... with action starting at 8:30 am and wrapping up at 9:00 pm with the magnificent fireworks display. From shearing competitions to the animal nursery and home industries, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained throughout the day.

Sarah Herrmann. Wallaroo will soon enter its fifth summer since a cruise ship docked at its jetty. The port town last hosted a cruise ship during the 2019-20 cruise season, not long before the Covid-19 pandemic began ... South Australia will host 119 cruise ship visits during the 2024-25 season, key stakeholders are advocating for the ships to return to the Copper Coast.

Western rock lobster fisher Anthony Manganaro, who operates out of the Two Rocks marina, was pleased to give federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell the chance to put a face to his name on Sunday. The establishment of marine parks and increasing regulations despite the WA western rock lobster fishery maintaining its ecological sustainability since it was accredited by the Marine Stewardship Council in 2000 were just two issues mentioned…

...camping will be free at all 131 of Parks Victoria’s paid campgrounds from 1 December 2024 until 30 June 2025 – saving families $7.3 million in booking fees ... all campers have free access to every campground across the state – including the popular Tidal River in Wilson’s Promontory, where fees are currently $40.70 a night.

Ima Volunteer. Donald’s biggest two-day event is here, and these members of the Donald Show committee are at the showgrounds to administer the action-packed program throughout today and tomorrow. At their office close to the junction of Borung Highway and Mill Street, the ladies are happy to deal with all enquiries, and to reward those whose entries in the Show Schedule’s multiple sections have won recognition from the judges.

The RM Equestrian Centre at Hodgson Vale conducted its first 2 Star One Day Event during the long weekend, attracting riders from a wide area ... Previously the venue has hosted only 1 Star Eventing. Organiser Jo Williams said the event drew 140 riders to Hodgson Vale.

Sean Cunningham. A crowd of about 1000 helped make the annual Lockhart Picnic Race Club meeting a day to remember ... The Fashions on the Field once again proved popular and added a splash of colour … Tumbarumba trainer Mont Waters combined with his daughter Emily to win this year’s running of the Lockhart Verandah Town Cup.

The Snowy Valleys region is set to become an even better destination for electric vehicle (EV) owners with the installation of ten public EV charging stations. Snowy Hydro is supporting Snowy Valleys Council (SVC) to install and maintain the new charging stations which will be strategically located in Khancoban, Adelong, Talbingo, Tumbarumba and Tumut.

Honor Auchinleck. "Why wasn’t this done years ago? We need to get the Light Horse Trail into our schools," someone said as we delivered Chauvel Border Light Horse Trail brochures to the Visitor Information Centre in Gundagai ... The Trail runs from the Light Horse Memorial in the New South Wales regional capital of Wagga Wagga to the statue of Brigadier Murray Bourchier CMG DSO in Victoria’s regional capital of Shepparton.

In an effort to raise much needed funds, the Guy Fawkes Heritage Association is opening its doors at the Ebor Sports and Recreation Grounds for their 20th anniversary on Saturday 12 October ... The Open Day will commence at 10am and see activities such as camp oven cooking by Ranger Nick, who will also facilitate a hands-on damper making workshop for the kids. There will be market stalls, whip cracking, Guy Fawkes Heritage Horse Challenge and conclude with a concert, featuring country music singer James Blundell.