Sport

The Jim Dunn Memorial Show continues to be a highlight of the South Australian equestrian calendar, embodying Jim's dedication to the sport and his belief in fostering talent within the community ... Jim’s contributions to the equestrian community have left an indelible mark, not only through his accomplishments as rider but also through his work in fostering and promoting show jumping and eventing alongside other equestrian disciplines.

When Greenmount resident and Clifton State High School's Year 11 student Ellie Stenzel stepped up to the microphone to make the opening address to the Equestrian Australia Board and the Olympic Committee in support of Toowoomba's bid to stage the Equestrian events she may not have realised the full importance of her speech to the future of equestrian events on the Downs.

Gai Pritchett. Yamba Rugby Club started in 1975 when Doug Anderson, Kev Durkin & Bob Clark decided to enter a team in the Far North Coast RU competition. Norm Ratjens was appointed Club Coach and Bob Clark the inaugural captain.

Midland Zone Pony Club held a trials and combined training day at the Charlton Pony Club grounds on Sunday, March 30. With low rider numbers at the Charlton Pony Club, it was excellent to see the grounds and wonderful facilities being used by roughly sixty entrants from within the Midland catchment zone.

Austinn Lane. For most, 42 kilometres is a distance best covered by car but, for Tom Nelligan, it’s a way of life. The 38-year-old Moonta runner is gearing up for his 11th marathon, set to take on the London Marathon at the end of April.

The Birchip Tennis Club hosted its annual Club Championships Day on Sunday, marking the biggest turnout in the club’s history. Thirty matches were played across the afternoon, in glorious Autumn sunshine, which provided great viewing and entertainment.

When positive change is needed in the world, it takes the most determined of characters and the most passionate of hearts to think big, then think bigger again, and then dig deep to make a difference. The two local Allora Dads have set one such bold challenge for themselves - in September this year, Max Mason and James Turner plan to cycle from Lourdes in France...

Requests for a list of 25 Victorian waterways, including Cairn Curran Reservoir, to be named as exempt from duck hunting have gone unanswered by the State Government as hunters in camouflage gear appeared at the popular recreation site over the weekend.

NSW Rugby reps have started rolling into the area ahead of the inaugural Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby that is set to light up the City of Coffs Harbour ... Some 2,000 tickets to the extravaganza at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Saturday 5 April have already been snapped up. 

Who would have thought ping pong could get the Victorian Government into so much trouble. Amid developing controversy over plans to redevelop the Prince of Wales Showgrounds at Bendigo, damning testimony has come to light from a 2023 Federal Senate inquiry into the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games that was to be hosted by regional Victoria.

Towong Shire Council and community members came together to celebrate the official opening of the Corryong Skatepark on Saturday. The event saw a tremendous turnout from residents and skatepark users with families, young skaters and community members enjoying the day.

Crowds flocked to Wakool for the Annual Sheep Races on Saturday night. Frocks, fleeces and fine attire all made their way onto the ground to watch the sold-out races. Track conditions were favourable, the firm but forgiving ground boded well for competitive racing action.

An exciting contest showcasing the mounted military skills of old such as tent pegging, skill-at-arms and stand-to-horse will get spectators’ blood racing when the 8th Light Horse Indi Upper Murray hosts the Lt Col Leslie Maygar Memorial Trophy at Walwa on Sunday, April 6th.

It was a highly anticipated occasion for the Clarence Valley community who have waited more than two years to access the $29.1 million state-of-the-art facility.

Jade Auldist. The Hay Lions Under-17s delivered an outstanding performance at the Swan Hill Junior Netball Tournament, securing the Grand Final win after a day of fierce competition, teamwork, and determination.

Austinn Lane. A Wallaroo student has received world recognition for her hand-painted surfboard. With help from her neighbour, who had experience in fibreglassing, 11-year-old Trinity spent six months painting her board during the 2024 season in preparation for 2025.

Rachel Hagan. Community consultation on the Yorke Peninsula for the Regional Shark Mitigation Project has begun, with Surf Life Saving South Australia visiting southern YP.

The Bendigo Showgrounds – home of the Victorian Agricultural Shows Saddle Horse Championships and many other state and national equestrian events – is to have the size of its arena cut significantly under a Victorian Government redevelopment of the site.

Allora was home to the annual Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival at the weekend. Competitors and spectators arrived from northern New South Wales and western areas of Queensland as well as many from the local region.

The cancellation of the recent Cohuna Bridge to Bridge fund raiser has created ripples through the halls of power in Melbourne and is still causing discussion about the huge jump in traffic management fees ... After The Bridge ran the story in our March 6 edition, we received a call from the Premier’s office asking to have more input into the story ...

The Corryong Cricket Club has crowned a remarkable season with victory in the Tumbarumba & District Cricket Association (TDCA) grand final on Saturday, after being in recess for the past five years. Corryong won the toss ... posting only 119 before being dismissed in the 37th over.