Wendy’s netball legacy earns an OAM
Berri woman Wendy Gambling has been recognised for a lifetime of service to Riverland netball, with her commitment to the sport and its players as an administrator and volunteer earning her a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of the 2025 Australia Day Honours.
Tasar state heats held at Wallaroo
Wilson McShane. Wallaroo Sailing Club was in the spotlight over the weekend of January 25-27, hosting the Tasar state heats where two of its crews placed in the top three ... Wallaroo Sailing Club commodore Margaret Pope said Clayton Bay’s Craig McPhee (skipper) and his crew, Wayne Hale — who recently also won the 50th national Australian Tasar title — claimed a relatively comfortable victory.
Hot weather has an early impact
Last Tuesday’s hot weather conditions, with the mercury pushing 38 degrees (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) by mid-afternoon, had an impact on the day’s midweek pennant games, with at least results being called early to protect player safety.
Reagan McMillan competes at the Postle Gift
The famous Postle Gift was held at Pittsworth on Saturday with Brisbane Sprinter Hamish Macintosh winning the main race. Another race that attracted much attention was the Fastest Female Footballer on the Downs.
Lockhart shearer continues to break records
A record year of world sheep shearing records has ended with Lockhart shearer Nicki Guttler’s breaking of a new mark. Guttler, who was third in a women’s event at the Golden Shears in Masterton in March 2024, shore 450 merino lambs in eight hours at Parkdale Merino Stud, near Dubbo – the 11th successful record bid in 2024.
Breaking world records the goal
In February, 4BP Horses, based at East Greenmount’s Lauralla Lodge, is aiming to set new world records. In 2022, Joe Hughes and his wife Miranda bought Lauralla Lodge, a 152 acre horse property on the New England Highway at East Greenmount where he now uses his unique 4BP horse training methods (4 Brumby Protection) to transform wild brumbies for a life working with people.
Chucky wins Dakar
Victorian Daniel ‘Chucky’ Sanders has claimed his maiden Dakar victory, marking KTM's 20th Dakar win and becoming the second Australian to triumph in the gruelling race. ‘Chucky’ is no stranger to the top step on the world stage; he has represented Australia at the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) and has won titles.
Disappointing start to 2025 for local racing team, Kermit Racing
After much anticipation, preparation and travelling more than ten hours to One Raceway near Goulburn in NSW, Kermit Racing’s weekend finished just 5 hours after the race start. Kermit Racing’s driver team for this event was Graeme Ussing, David Morrison, Paul Newcombe and Brady Newcombe.
Debt-free pool – $8M project fully funded
The replacement pool and facilities at the John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool will be constructed free of debt to Council and at minimal cost to ratepayers. The $8.067 million project received a further boost of $4.191 million last week following Council’s successful funding application under Round 2 of the Growing Regions Program.
No stopping these veterans
It was a hot summer’s day; most of the cricketers were into their sixties, but they still provided a keen competitive and entertaining match between 10.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Jeffcott oval in Donald. The Vic Country Veterans were drawn from Bendigo, Echuca, Kerang, Rochester, Donald, St. Arnaud, Horsham and Mildura.
Cancer and exercise, my story
Derek Skingle. Many of us will encounter cancer during our lifetime, either through affected friends, relatives, loved ones or personally ... This is my story of how I dealt with a cancer diagnosis using the exercises I had seen in the Catalyst program ... Early in 2024 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma ...
Cleared for take-off?
Check the thermometer and smile, if you are a glider pilot, that is: Central Australia in summer is the world’s best place for flying without an engine. It’s Alice where world distance and speed records have been set for decades.
Cairn Curran Sailing Club
Helen Whiteman. Saturday was the second part of the ‘Pacer Series – Tony Kean Challenge’ for new and novice members and it was very well attended. Again four short races were scheduled, but the conditions were light and shifty and somewhat challenging.
Hazardous surf for parts of NSW: SLSNSW
With hazardous weather conditions forecast to impact parts of NSW over the coming days, including major Sydney beaches, Surf Life Saving NSW is urging the public to exercise caution when visiting the coastline.
Myers family Summernats fundraiser
Well known Summernats competitors Jake Myers, Amy Myers, Deby and Gary Myers and their team raised $4500.80 for the Neuroblastoma Foundation at this year’s Summernats car festival in Canberra ACT. Jake Myers owns the famous S1CKO 1966 Mustang which he had white vinyl wrapped for his wedding back in October 2024 and decided after the wedding to leave the white on and let people sign it at Summernats with a twist.
Consultation attracts Olympic-size response
Queenslanders have responded in their thousands to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s call for ideas and feedback on plans and legacy projects for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. The 100 Day Review attracted more than 5,000 submissions from a broad array of groups including residents, infrastructure and planning experts, sporting and community organisations and aspiring Olympians of tomorrow.
World titles bound
Charlotte Williamson, an 18 year old from Hodgson Vale, will compete for her country at the World Youth Endurance Championships in Romania later this year. An incredible three out of the seven young and junior riders selected for Australia at the International Federation event are from the Toowoomba area.
Pilots came from all four corners
The Corryong Cup Hang Gliding Competition concluded on the weekend with 76 pilots vying for the honours. Competitors came from all over Australia and also included international pilots from Norway, PNG, Poland, New Zealand, Indonesia, Austria, America, England, Ireland and Tasmania.
Raiders go down by 11
It was an intense ending to Saturday’s A Grade 50 over cricket match as the Raiders had plenty of balls remaining, with wickets on the lighter end of the scale against RSL at the Koondrook Recreation Reserve. The Raiders won the toss and sent RSL to the crease.
Georgia Foster strikes gold in New Zealand!
Local star athlete Georgia Foster has sprinted her way to an incredible triumph at the Colgate North Island Games in New Zealand, bringing home not one, not two, but three gold medals! Competing in the Under 15 category, Georgia dominated the track, taking first place in both the 100m and 200m, and delivering a stellar performance as the anchor for the victorious 4x100m female relay team.
Solar heating for new pool: Council considers options for renewable energy at replacement pools
Heating options for two of the replacement pools at the John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool are currently being investigated by the contractor, ELM Aquatics. Works are due to commence late next month, with the pool closing on February 24, to be completed for re-opening late November 2025. General Manager, David Webb said the replacement project includes three new pools, filtration equipment, solar heating, renewable energy supply, recreational facilities and landscaping.
Sarah’s long ride to healing
The loss of a parent is devastating. Losing both is unimaginable, but photographer and horse lover Sarah Wheeler is turning her grief into hope for others suffering from liver, pancreatic, stomach, bile duct and oesophageal cancers.
