Forgotten athlete: Robert Leitch
Marion Hextall. A Naracoorte athlete of the early 1900s whose records were compared with those of Olympians has been largely forgotten today. Robert Leitch later became a guide at the Caves, but prior to that he was renown as an outstanding long-distance athlete ... His name began to appear in 1903 when he was 20 years old, winning one-mile and half-mile races at athletic meetings in Naracoorte, Kingston and Mount Gambier, and in 1906 he established a South Australian record for a one-mile race.
Bucking broncos at Borroloola Rodeo
Pam Dillon. This year’s Borroloola show and Campdraft/Rodeo was a big success with various stands at the show and a big three-day event at the Rodeo grounds ... Big crowds turned out to witness an exciting schedule of events that included Campdraft, Bareback cutting, Gymkhana, Barrel Race, Bull ride, Station Buckjump, Steer Ride, Bullock ride, Poddy ride, Saddle Bronc ride.
Camooweal Jockey Club left reeling – Future in doubt
Has the last thoroughbred race been run and won at Camooweal? The president of the race club thinks so ... Camooweal had successfully raced for 132 years until last year when it was deemed by Racing Queensland that the track was no longer fit for racing ... Racing Queensland could have a crisis on its hands, with many other bush clubs under threat of losing their annual meetings due to a lack of funding for infrastructure, especially for track upgrades.
Clifton hosts karate championships
The Aussie Kids Karate championships were held last Sunday at Clifton with fifty competitors taking part from across the Darling Downs. Allora was represented by six Karate Kids and they competed against clubs from Clifton, Warwick, Dalby, Oakey, Millmerran, Gatton, Highfields and Toowoomba.
Copmanhurst Saddlery Museum gets a leg-up
The Copmanhurst Saddlery Museum has been closed for last 12 months … but it’s reopening this Sunday August 28, from 1pm to 3pm. Spokesperson Leone Roberts said the museum “used to be a saddle shop” 30 years ago ... Ms Roberts said there would be new items on display, including “furniture items from the Copmanhurst Anglican church, which was sold last year”.
Southern Cape claims the crown
Sarah Martin. The Southern Cape was crowned champion after two nights of thrills and spills in the inaugural Cape of Origin event at the Weipa Rodeo. Captained by PBR cowboy Beau Willis, the Southern Cape featured fellow PBR rider Luke Smith, along with local riders Travis Salam-Koolatah, Raymond Bond and Leith Malone.
From racing to retirement — study investigates industry misconceptions
In stark contrast to public perception, a detailed investigation into Australia’s thoroughbred racing industry has found more than 90 per cent of horses retiring from racing go on to enjoy life outside the industry as pleasure or companion horses or broodmares. Significant attention has been directed at the industry recently regarding the fate of thoroughbreds retiring from racing.
Pony Club August rally
Nicole Funston. What a wonderful weekend of horses and ponies. We started on Saturday with a show jumping clinic with Allan Mitchell. A legend of his trade and finished off on Sunday with our August Rally.
Barkly juniors compete in Indigenous tennis carnival
Ten juniors from Canteen Creek and five from Arlparra travelled to Darwin last week for the third National Indigenous Tennis Carnival. The children were treated to an unforgettable experience, which included a first plane ride and a use of an escalator for some of the children.
Olympic gold for Toowoomba region
The 2032 Olympic Games may seem to be a long way off but a task force of regional leaders has already been formed with the objective of identifying how the Toowoomba region can benefit from the vast capital expenditure needed to host the Games. One exciting piece of infrastructure being floated by Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio is the prospect of the long awaited fast train connection from Toowoomba to Brisbane.
Pylon racers
Kirstin Nicholson. The whirring of planes could be heard from town on the weekend as the Cohuna Model Flying Club held its first event at the airfield since the pandemic began. Fifteen competitors took part in the Victorian Miniature Pylon Racing Association’s pylon racing competition over two days.
Great to be home
Samuel Davis. Megastar athletes are nice but meat pies, roadhouse burgers and hugs from daughter Talei are what really fuel this truckie ... The hardest working man in Australian basketball is finally taking a break ... Junior Virantuleo, the Cooktown truckie, who swapped the cabin for courtside at some of the biggest arenas in the world, returned home this month.
Canoe course provides plenty of fun on the water
Pam Dillon. Allana Bold from “All About Paddling” travelled from Queensland to conduct a three-day canoe and kayak course held out at Tingkkarli (Lake Mary Ann). Seven participants were taught the different strokes of canoeing, navigation, minimal environmental impact, knots, rescues, towing, communication, risk assessment, interpret weather, parts of both crafts, how to conduct a paddling brief and run a paddling activity.
Local hero has sights set on USA
Mount Isa might be the rodeo capital of the southern hemisphere, but Donovan Rutherfurd has his heart set on conquering the north in the not-too-distant future. The Australian champion is in superb form, having ridden time in two of his three rides at the Curry Merry Muster on the weekend and is well placed to pick up a buckle at his hometown event.
Kye takes off
Kirstin Nicholson. The 2022 Commonwealth Games might have wrapped up, but for 20-year-old Kye Mason, his athletic journey has just taken off. Kye has secured a scholarship in the US that will enable him to develop and strengthen his prowess in the 400m event and steer him towards reaching his goal of competing in the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Allora loves Matthew, Matthew loves Allora
Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist and local hero Matthew Denny never forgets his home town of Allora. During an interview on Channel 7 Matthew said “Hello to everyone back in Allora. Thank you Allora for supporting me” and to John - “Dad we got it done, Mate!” During one interview he made reference to the Welcome Home Parade after Tokyo when he came 4th so maybe this time Allora will be given a public holiday?
Yamba sports talent shines on international stage
Rodney Stevens. The sporting talent of Yamba was on show on the international stage over the weekend with former Buccaneer’s junior Jed Holloway earning his first Wallabies cap, plus Cameron Pilley and cousin Donna Lobban playing for bronze in the mixed doubles squash.
Gear up for an influx of events at our new Multisport Cycling Complex
Demand for the facilities at Wagga Wagga’s new $12 million Multisport Cycling Complex at Pomingalarna Reserve is growing, with several events on the calendar for August. The 2022 AusCycling Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships will be held at the facility next weekend (13–14 August), followed by the Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon on Saturday 20 August.
Cats coach Maldon!
It’s not often that locals get the chance to rub shoulders with footballing legends, but this is what happened when ex-Geelong players Matthew Scarlett and Darren Milburn came to MFNC training last Thursday night. They were generous with their time and gave sound advice to both junior and senior footballers. Both defenders, Matthew and Darren were outstanding players at a time when Geelong was one of the best teams in the competition.
Gold for our Jess
Chris Oldfield. One of Naracoorte’s greatest sporting champions Jessica Stenson, nee Trengrove, has helped inspire mothers around the world by winning gold in the women's marathon at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The triple medallist won bronze in Glasgow, 2014 Commonwealth Games, and bronze at the Gold Coast 2018 games.
Emma tackles world’s best in gridiron championships
Serena Kirby. Denmark newcomer Emma Dellar is playing a game which is not for the faint-hearted, American football, or gridiron, against the world’s best in Finland. Emma, 37, is one of the 45-strong squad making up the Australian women’s team competing in the 2022 International Federation of American Football World Championships held over July and August in Finland.
Polo season finishes
Gary Hoey. The Downs Club hosted the 30th anniversary Sapphire Polo Carnival last weekend. This tournament was started by Hugh Fisher in Goondiwindi in 1992 and moved to Clifton in 2001. Blessed by fine weather and a large number of teams it turned out to be a magnificent finale to the Downs Polo Club Tournament season.
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