Sport

Under clear blue skies and before a spirited home crowd, the Donald and Charlton Football Netball Clubs took a moment to pay tribute to one of local footy’s great servants — Donald stalwart Bill Anderson. In a fitting pre-game ceremony, Bill was honoured with life membership of the North Central Football League, marking decades of contribution to the game.

For the first time ever, Casino High School will have three students playing rugby league in the state comp. Ciara Close, Tye Hogan-Collins and Joshalynn Walker were selected from players between Tweed and Newcastle to play in the Combined Schools State Championship ... Joshalynn, 17, is an all round sportsperson.

Just under 50 competitors from across Australia and New Zealand gathered at Longwood in Victoria over Easter for the 2025 Australian Combined Driving Championships. The event was hosted by the Longwood Carriage Driving Club on behalf of the Australian Carriage Driving Society and featured some of the best driving talent in the country.

Hodgson Vale's John Vinson added another major achievement to his Rugby CV when the Irish team he plays for, Clontarf, won a thrilling Grand Final in the All - Ireland Leagues Men's Division A. John was a Queensland Country Blue Heelers representative player who seems to have been born to play Rugby.

Thousands of fingerlings stocked to boost local fishing. On Tuesday, 29 April, Nhill Lake received a boost to its aquatic life with the release of 5,000 golden perch fingerlings. The restocking initiative … aims to encourage more people to take up fishing across the state.

Peter Hibberd. Mornington trainer, Matt Laurie, achieved what must be called a unique or rare double by winning the Weirs IGA Donald 2-Y-O Classic with Diamond Gust.

On Sunday 30 March, 2025, Pixie Hanson won the 2km Beach Run (U14 Female) at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on the Gold Coast. Pixie raced some of the best track, cross-country and beach running athletes in the country, and stormed home to a convincing 12 second win.

The winners of Netball Victoria’s 2024 Community Awards were announced last week, celebrating the contributions of individuals, clubs, and associations to the sport across the state ... The prestigious accolade was accepted by NCNA’s 2024 Board of Management President, Kylie Walsh, on behalf of the Board and its members.

Australia’s fish habitat charity, OzFish, is calling on the help of Australia’s recreational fishing and ocean-loving super sleuths to track down the country's remaining tropical shellfish reefs — so they can be studied and restored. OzFish, in collaboration with Griffith University, is asking Australians to keep their eyes peeled for tropical shellfish reefs while out on the water.

Glyn Rees. Some second half nerves had Wattles A Grade coach Travis Burns on the edge of his seat in Friday evening's Anzac Day clash with the Highfields Eagles at Platz Oval ... One of the biggest crowds ever to pour into the Platz Oval complex witnessed the activation of the playing field's lights that came at a cost in excess of $430,000 and an Anzac Day tribute highlighted by the presence of members of the 11th Light Horse Darling Downs troop.

The Riddells Creek Pony Club Easter Horse Trials, held at Candlebark in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges, is always one of the most popular events of the season. Established in January 1954, the club is one of the seven founding members of the Pony Club Association of Victoria and has a long history of running quality events for pony club and open riders that want to train young horses over good courses.

Some of the toughest riders in the country took on the 'Kosi Killer' leg of the Australian Hard Enduro Championships at Towong Upper on the weekend. With 224 competitors battling through punishing terrain and brutal conditions, it was an unforgettable event that showcased the grit and talent of Australia's best.

Gina Lopez. Last Saturday night, we had the privilege of hosting Martin Lartigo live at the Port of Yamba Yacht Club - and what an incredible night it was. In our intimate clubhouse setting, Martin wove together intricate, delicate pieces with passion and vigour, looping sounds into a rich, moving performance that brought the crowd to tears, laughter, and cheers.

Lachlan Dand. Following the success of the 2024 Australian BAD Boat Championships, in conjunction with the upcoming 2026 event, Riverland Powerboat Club members last week competed in national championships in Victoria. Held at Yarrawonga, three members of the club competed in the EC Griffith Cup weekend, with Daniel Jury finishing second in the 105 mp/h championship.

Charlton has returned to the winners list – celebrating victory for the first time in 611 days. The solemn occasion of the 110 year anniversary of the landing of ANZAC troops into Turkey, served as a perfect night for a clash between two of North Central Football League’s greatest rivals, Charlton’s Navies and the St Arnaud Saints.

Paddy Weir. Rains had settled dust for the Arid Offroad NT Titles Round 1 at Mt Ooramina where 10 locals vied for good placings. The Alice Springs Offroad Race Club fixture on April 12 had Locky Weir in his new JIMCO Prolite, 165, in first place.

Quambatook held the Australian Tractor Pull Championships on Easter Saturday at its purpose built track in front of thousands of appreciative spectators. This fully-fuelled event draws spectators and competitors from all over Australia and offers a jam-packed program to keep any and all entertained.

Jade Smith, a 30-year-old athlete originally from Birchip, is set to represent Australia in her first international wrestling competition – the South East Asian Championships this May. What began as an after-work hobby has transformed into a life-changing journey of grit, growth, and gold.

Honor Auchinleck. The days, weeks and months have been very full since I received an email from Pat Leary - the inspiration behind the plan to ride the General Sir Harry Chauvel Memorial Foundation's Border Light Horse Trail. Pat wrote "I am looking into the idea of riding in light horse uniform and saddlery along the Australian Light Horse trail starting from Shepparton to Harden and then from Harden back to Tallangatta.

Alix McFarland. 14th annual Shear Outback Hay Championship Yard Dog Trial - Incher continues Hay trial success ... A capacity 60 Open/Improver entries and 90 Novice/Beginner entries travelled from as far as South Australia to be tested by TA Field Wyvern Station wethers.

It’s been an amazing week for Matthew Denny at the Oklahoma Throws Series World International. With a mammoth throw of 74.78cm and his personal best Matthew would have broken the previous World Record if not for his main rival Mykolas Alekna who threw 75.56m.

Donald and District Pony Club has seen a much-needed boost in riding memberships this year, increasing almost double in number, with the introduction of four new members to the club ... At its April rally held at the pony club grounds in Donald on Sunday, April 6, the club welcomed new members...