Sport

A leader has a responsibility to role model a resilient mindset to overcome difficult times. Nothing goes to plan. Especially living in regional Australia there are always challenges ... Optimistic people are more resilient than pessimistic people. As Henry Ford famously quoted: “If you think you can - you are absolutely right! …. If you think you cannot – you are absolutely right!”

Recreational fishers and boaters from all corners of the state will again have the chance to discuss their much-loved pastimes and share ideas to make fishing even better at a series of free Fishing and Boating Forums. These forums, hosted by local fishing clubs, have become an annual tradition, with this year marking the third consecutive instalment.

Deep in winter is when the hunt clubs gather socially to show off their horses as saddle mounts, working hunters and in hunters’ plates. Barwon Hunt Club held its show last weekend, with some quality horses put forward for Mariece Paine to judge. The show was an opportunity to pay respects to hunting identity Kathleen Cust, who died recently at the age of 78.

Australian carriage drivers are preparing to take on Great Britain in a world-first “stay-at-home international” ... The teams will be led by two equestrian legends; the British team by multiple European and World Champion and Olympian David Broome and Australia by multiple World Champion and World Cup Champion Boyd Exell.

Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong Lions went head to head with the Narrandera Eagles over the weekend in a tough Riverina Football League round 14 game, which was also the Wiradjuri round. The Lions won by a whopping 137 points made up of 22 goals and 11 behinds, bringing the final score to 22.11 (143).

There will be plenty of adrenaline pumping through the veins of competitors and spectators when the Grafton Rodeo bucks into action on August 12. Featuring an impressive line-up of 30 well-bred, professionally trained bulls, and close to 50 highly skilled riders, the event will deliver an unforgettable and electrifying experience.

Glyn Rees. The Stillwater Pastoral Company Wattles Warriors emerged from a torrid TRL Round 14 top grade clash with the Warwick Cowboys at Clifton’s Platz Oval on Sunday 14 – 12 victors in a match that lived up the spirited contest expected in a Southern Downs local derby. The result could have gone either way between the two top end of the premiership ladder clubs, but it was Wattles that eventually took the honours in the three try to two outcome.

From an abandoned gold mine to one of country Victoria’s most admired sporting complexes – that’s the story of St. Arnaud’s Lord Nelson Park. The capacious Park is home to a variety of activities, including football netball, hockey and harness racing, and to the St. Arnaud Sporting Club, overlooking the playing field.

Peter Hibberd. To be inducted into Racing Victoria’s jockey program is a dream for many aspiring jockeys. To win at your first race ride and join a very elite club, that is something else. Last Friday at the Donald racing centre all these dreams were realised when 25-year-old apprentice jockey Sarah Field won her first race at her first ride on the aptly-named Field Of Flutes.

The Victorian Government’s recent decision to cancel the Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria once again demonstrates two things. Firstly, for a leader to be trusted, any up front promises and subsequent actions and lived experiences must align. Secondly, regional Australians must be able to adapt quickly to the incompetent decisions governments make. This is often and many.

On a visit to the Torres Strait, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner announced the composition of the new 10-person Cape York Special Fisheries Working Group to provide advice on fisheries issues in the region.

Congratulations to Donald High School Student Hunter Wingfield, who has been selected to represent Team Victoria at the Australian Championships in Tweed Heads NSW from September 12 to 15.

Cohuna District Hospital was the recipient of a donation from the Cohuna Bridge to Bridge Committee ... The money was raised from the 30th annual Bridge to Bridge event held in March, and will go towards improving the outdoor area of the aged care home ... looking at options to enclose the area so that it can be used any time of the day and throughout the year.

Jessica Rea. Cambooya’s Dan O’Leary and his pony Nelkie were two of the stars of the Cooke O’Leary Cup, a polo competition hosted by the Downs Polo Club in Clifton last weekend.The champion off the track pony prize, sponsored by Edwards Saddleworld Toowoomba, was awarded to Nelkie, owned and played by O’Leary.

It’s been a long road for people with disabilities to gain recognition as riders. At the turn of this century, England recognised riding for the disabled as a beneficial form of therapy and offered riding therapy for wounded soldiers at the Oxford Hospital during WWI ... Now, para competitions are a part of almost every senior dressage competition world-wide and there is a strong focus on the riders and horses.

The Show Horse Council of Australasia’s NSW/ACT Youth Development and Championship Showcase was a brilliant idea, executed perfectly. Held at the Hawkesbury Showgrounds and designed be a youth development program as well as a qualifying event for the Grand National Show, it offered something for every young rider.

With significant planning work and extensive market soundings completed, it is now certain that the cost of hosting the Regional Victorian Commonwealth Games will exceed $6 billion – more than twice the estimated economic benefit the Games would bring our state. In the face of these numbers, the Victorian Government has made the decision not to proceed with hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026.

New figures to come out of the 2022/23 season show a near-25 per cent increase year on year in beach attendances, keeping Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) lifeguards on their toes along the NSW coastline.

A stretch of water along the Clarence River at Maclean will become a fast-paced raceway on July 23 when the Northern Rivers Aquatic Club Inc host their inaugural Power Boat Circuit Race Day. Close to 30 competitors from as far as Northern Queensland and the South Coast of NSW will roar into action...

An unstoppable student duo from Cunnamulla State School has achieved a resounding victory for their community and culture, securing 1st place at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aspirations Programs (ASTIAP) Queensland State Finals ... Charli Pender, 16 and Heidi Jones, 15 ... collaborated on a painting representing the equity and excellence of First Nations’ students. The deadly award-winning artwork will now feature on the competition shirts next year.

There are 20,800 Australians currently living with spinal cord injuries, so no matter where you come from, it’s likely you know someone affected. A beef producing family from north-west Queensland who have experienced the impacts of a spinal injury first hand, are hosting a unique fundraising event during this year’s Ekka featuring a luncheon and invitational bull ride.