Tourism blues as bloom remains, spreads
Businesses on southern Yorke Peninsula have been hit by a tourism downturn amid the ongoing algal bloom. Stansbury has been affected by brevetoxin, closing the town's oyster farms for over six weeks, which Dalrymple Hotel owner Rob Rankine said had influenced visitation to the town.
From July 1 we’re losing free to air
From July 1, the Seven Network signal will stop broadcasting into homes across the Griffith area, taking with it the AFL, international cricket, and shows like Home and Away that have been part of lounge room routines for decades ... The pattern is clear: regional viewers are increasingly being pushed towards paid streaming services as traditional broadcasting deals fall by the wayside.
New gravel guide launched
Maldon Cycling’s new ride book, Seventeen Gravel Bike Rides - Maldon & Beyond, invites riders to engage in the local landscape, history and ecology while hitting the track ... The new ride book features maps and information to enrich the journey for back road riders.
Horse sports and St Pat’s School – what’s the connection?
It's Pacific Seeds 88 to Educate Charity Campdraft to be held on 23 and 24 August at the Allora Showgrounds. Within the St Patrick's School community there are some very competitive horse and rider combinations, who have the experience and contacts necessary to run a Campdraft for the School.
Clubs battle for survival
Often the social hub of rural communities, footy clubs play a critical role in connecting people and engaging them in sports. Now, Golden Rivers Football League Clubs Face an uncertain future following the release of recommendations from the Northern Futures Project (NFP).
Victorians dominate first race meeting of season
Sean Cunningham. Victorian raiders were the star turn at the Narrandera Race Club's race meeting on Saturday with Wangaratta-based trainers winning four of the seven races on the card. Jockey Alice Kennedy saluted the judge in the second race with Lightning Lizard ($4) for Wangaratta trainer Ben Brisbourne.
Tee to green
With a maximum forecast of seven degrees, five dedicated (or crazy) golfers hit the fairways in clearing drizzle to contest a stableford event played off the red tees. It was a welcome return to form for the winner Lance Noonan, carding 33 points on the adjusted handicaps.
Wind, rain, mud and tears of joy all part of the excitement at Melbourne 3DE
The Melbourne International Three-Day Event at Werribee has again delivered a long weekend of highlights in spades. With a blast of winter weather adding to the challenges of the event, riders who finished in the placings across all classes deserved every inch of the accolades, with many combinations not making it through the cross country course due to the wet and muddy conditions.
Channel 7-AFL Riverland free-to-air bombshell… Please reconsider
Madison Eastmond and Hugh Schuitemaker. WIN and Channel 7 will be urged to reconsider a decision that – from July 1 – will rob Riverland free-to-air TV viewers from seeing AFL, cricket and a raft of other popular programs. In a bombshell announcement this week, WIN said it would cease broadcasting Channel 7 signals into the regional SA markets of Loxton and Mount Gambier, plus Griffith (NSW).
A Pound of Salt strikes gold in Wauchope Cup on Sunday
A classic and patient ride from Grant Buckley resulted in a dominant victory by A Pound of Salt in the $40,000 Wauchope Cup at Port Macquarie on Sunday. The large crowd was left in awe as the Todd Howlett trained gelding powered down the crown of the track to land the club’s feature from Russian Roni with Annulus working home well to land the minor prize in front of Point Counterpoint.
Tara dives into record books
Austinn Lane. Former Yorke Peninsula resident Tara Rawson has made history, becoming the deepest Australian female freediver and setting two national records at the AIDA Asian Freediving Cup in the Philippines last week.
Milestone horse event for Narrandera
Sean Cunningham. Narrandera is saddling up for a major milestone soon as those involved with the Narrandera Horse Trials are set to mark 50 years of equestrian excellence with a celebratory function ... Narrandera's status as a regional equestrian hub will be on full display with the Horse Trials expected to attract more than 1000 visitors ...
We’re not in Kyogle anymore – Hiking the Bibbulmun Track
Debbie McQueen and Rebecca Scott. Have you heard of the Bibbulmun Track? It is one of the world’s great long distance walk trails. It stretches more than 1000km from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany on the south coast, winding through the heart of the scenic southwest of Western Australia.
WA brothers first and second in the Finke. Bike crown goes to NSW.
West Australian brothers Travis and Beau Robinson starred in the Tatts Finke Desert Race. Travis claimed his first car King of the Desert crown after finishing with the fastest overall time.
Marlin Coast Rangers to host biggest game in club history this Saturday – Queensland Cup Quarter-Final v Peninsula Power
Cairns-based soccer team Marlin Coast Rangers will host the biggest match in the club’s 79-year history this Saturday (14 June), when they take on South East Queensland-based powerhouse Peninsula Power in the Quarter Finals of the Kappa Queensland Cup.
Mini Warriors footy ready
One of the most active junior sports in the region is junior rugby league and our local teams, the Wattles Junior Warriors make their mark every time a team goes onto the field, be it in the Warwick and District competition, or the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League. You can see the enthusiasm in the faces of Wattles Under 6 team.....
Changes needed in harness racing
Peter Hibberd. This is my opinion only – some very big changes are needed in harness racing. Over recent months, with the decrease in prizemoney back to $4,000 per race, one particular club did not get enough nominations to have its meeting, which was surprising as it is one of the biggest harness areas in Victoria. Another case was Charlton last Monday with only enough horses running for six races.
Downs dominates thoroughbred industry
New Queensland Government data shows the state's racing industry now contributes close to $2.5 billion per annum to the State's economy, including a large chunk for the Darling Downs. The findings were according to independent data from research specialists IER.
Clarence Head longboarders
Clarence Head Longboarders are hosting the annual Yamba Single Fin on the 7th, 8th and 9th of June ... Divisions range from Juniors through to Over 70s, Old Malibu and Timber longboards.
Nhill Tigers to host Ararat Rats in WorkSafe feature game
The Nhill & District Sporting Club are gearing up to host a WorkSafe Country Club Game against Ararat on Saturday June 21st. This is a fantastic opportunity for the club, and demonstrates that our sporting clubs bring more than just sport to our local communities.
Sheep dog trials are baaa-ck in Barmera
Madison Eastmond. Kicking off at 8am this morning due to an unprecedented number of entries, the annual SA Sheep Dog Trials have returned to the Barmera Oval this week, with action continuing through to Sunday afternoon ... "A lot of our competitors tell us (Barmera) is the best trials they go to — with the town, the lake, and the extra entertainment we put on.": SA Sheepdog Trials organiser Bob Clark.
Australia’s thoroughbred breeding industry valued at $1.68 billion
The Australian thoroughbred breeding industry, the second largest in the world, delivered a solid economic performance in 2022 – 23, contributing $1.68 billion to the national economy and supporting 9,268 full-time equivalent jobs ...
