Hot competition at the VAS championships in Bendigo
After a year of collecting qualifications, the Victorian Agricultural Shows Saddle Horse Championships at Bendigo were a celebration of equestrian excellence.
Flyers fill their need for speed
TARMAC (Toowoomba Amateur Model Radio Aero Club) hosted the Queensland Turbine Flyers for a spectacular weekend of high-powered turbine action. The event brought together some of the most skilled jet pilots from across the region, showcasing an impressive array of turbinepowered aircraft and precision flying.
Pilot hangs around to be rescued
A paraglider competing in the Corryong PG Open event last week had to be winched to safety after becoming stuck in a tree on Mt Mittamatite. Emergency services were called after reports the paraglider conducted a forced parachute landing about 3pm on Monday February 3rd.
Horse ride highlights war history
A group of Light Horse enthusiasts will head off on a 700km trek next month to commemorate the birth and death of General Sir Harry Chauvel, one of Australia’s most distinguished and decorated army generals. A leg of the Chauvel Border Trail Ride will be from Cudgewa, over Keelangie and on to Tallangatta, recognising the journey men and horses from the Upper Murray took to serve in WWI.
The KP group of forests February report – Net results: Fin-tastic
"A healthy working forest where native species can flourish, and where local communities can connect and co-manage the forest for future generations" ... Over the past few months, various locations within the KP Forest have been sampled for native and exotic fish abundance and biomass, as part of the annual monitoring program. This sampling has involved a combination of fyke netting...
Historic cricket win
Mick Cattanach. “The best win of all time,” Hay cricketing legend David Davies. It was a once in 100 years result. As the O’Farrell cup celebrates 100 years in November, a result such as this has not been seen before.
A club for all ages
Donald and District Pony Club has been an important and prominent grassroots sporting club for a number of years. In this time, many equine enthusiasts have started at this club, learning the basics before heading on to further challenges within the horse community.
Shark plan labelled “city centric”
Wilson McShane. Narungga MP Fraser Ellis has labelled a $500,000 shark safety initiative "city centric". Mr Ellis has expressed concern about the program which will fund Surf Life Saving SA to monitor beaches. "It seems ridiculous there have been fatal shark attacks on Yorke Peninsula and Eyre Peninsula, yet a body with no footprint in either region is commissioned to shark proof the region," he said.
Yorketown’s 263-run partnership rewrites recent records
Wilson McShane. Not many cricketers can say they have made an A grade century.
Who’s the Kyogle Olympian who once punched above his weight?
Brett McNamara. They say that you can’t be what you can’t see. For a small country town Kyogle punches above its weight when it comes to sporting talent, achieving greatness and inspiring the next generation ... One treasured piece is a framed piece of Olympic history – Athol McQueen’s 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games blazer.
International AFL tour December 2024
As many heard, Leonard Whyman Bugmy was selected to play in the Wanderers Australia AFL(1) team for their international tour December 2024. The experience took Leonard and his team to Dublin (Ireland), Paris (France) and London (England).
3.36 seconds – Fastest ever goal scored in Australian football (soccer) history
Marlin Coast Rangers FC player-Coach Crios O'Hare scored the fastest goal ever in Australian football (soccer) history with this effort 3.68 secs after kick-off in his side's Australia Cup match against Stratford Dolphins in Cairns on Saturday (8 February 2025).
Pilot dodges death
A competitor in the Corryong Paragliding Open escaped almost unscathed after crashing on Mt Mittamatite on Monday. She landed in dense bush on the Corryong side of Mt Mittamatite and became stranded in a tree.
Kara makes climb for kids
A former local is taking on Australia’s highest peak this weekend in support of young people with cerebral palsy. Kara Collins is participating in the annual Cerebral Palsy Alliance fundraising event - Krazy Kosci Klimb - where 16 young people with the neurological disorder and their team trek or wheel the 18kms up to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko and back again.
Hike to Heal Scavenger Hike postponed
Hike to Heal Australia has announced the postponement of its much-anticipated Annual Scavenger Hike and Team Challenge, originally scheduled for the last week of February. A variety of factors impacted the decision, including current unfavourable weather conditions, event insurance, and a variety of logistical challenges that would hinder the success of the event.
It’s back to back delight for Codi and Doug
For the second consecutive year, Kodi Morena and Douglas Mowbray are the kings of the Riverland Dinghy Derby. In sweltering conditions, the duo claimed a tight victory in Sunday’s prestigious event, racing through the course in 1:10:23, almost six seconds clear of runners-up Scott Pogorecki and Nathan Wilson, while Andrew Kelckhoven and Ace Pratt rounded out the top three.
Hay brings Creet Cup home
Mick Cattanach. On Sunday the Hay Senior cricket team headed to Griffith to challenge for the Creet Cup. They were vying to snatch back the trophy, lost a month earlier when Griffith won in Hay.
Staying safe in the sun
Hugh Schuitemaker. SAPOL last weekend issued a warning for locals and visitors to the Riverland regarding river safety, ahead of the Dash 4 Cash and Dinghy Derby events that were held in Renmark. The warning came following a number of recent incidents on the Murray River, including the hospitalisation of a swimmer who was struck by a boat, near Mannum, on 28 January.
Donald-Jeffcott sets the standard
In the battle between Wimmera-Mallee cricket’s “A” grade leaders on Saturday, Donald-Jeffcott made a less-than-impressive start before recovering to post one of the biggest totals of the round.
Tragedy: Browns Beach rocks claim another victim
Michelle Daw. A notorious rocky headland at Browns Beach in Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park has claimed another victim, with the death of a recreational angler at the weekend ... Mr Mohsini, who emigrated to Australia from Afghanistan, is the fourth person since 2019 to have died while fishing at Browns Beach.
Anglers locked in at Lock 9
The Donald Angling club headed up to Ned’s Corner at Lock 9 for their annual Australia Day Long weekend competition. Glorious weather, great company and one or two good fishing yarns made for an enjoyable weekend for all in attendance.
Sports funding
Sporting clubs and community groups in the South East play a vital role in fostering social connections and promoting an active lifestyle ... Are government efforts sufficient enough to support these local clubs in towns such as Naracoorte, Penola, and Bordertown?
