Sport

The 2024 Victorian duck season has been nothing short of a success, marked by outstanding hunter compliance and an exhilarating experience for participants. As the season progresses, it is clear that responsible hunting is a positive force, not just for those involved, but for conservation and the environment.  

While the big, elite events like Dressage and Jumping with the Stars and the Sydney Royal Easter Show were in full swing, the youngsters who could possibly feature in those events in the future were planning an assault on the Victorian State Mounted Games Championships.

For those who have been following the rewrite of the Firearms Act 1973 (WA), the headlines suggest that farmers have come out well with a provision for Primary Producer Licence holders to possess up to 10 firearms while recreational shooters/hunters are limited to possessing five firearms. As is often the case, the devil is in the detail and the provisions of the proposed Act and the intent of this Government’s Minister warrant further study.

Murray River Council has supported skate clinics in Barham and Mathoura to celebrate Youth Week. The workshops were run by The Totem Collective, which was formed in 2010 and has worked to bring about positive change in the lives of young people through skating, creating and empowering.

It’s a good thing Englishman Peter Shuttleworth loves chatting to strangers when he’s holidaying. If he hadn’t struck up a conversation with the also holidaying John and Glenda Cleave back in 2013, he would never have discovered Cohuna ... once he heard there was a clay target club down the road, he came back for the club’s annual Anzac Day Shoot the following year – and kept coming.

Two karate prodigies from "The Dojo" Maclean are hard at work practicing techniques and perfecting new moves in preparation for the World Martial Arts Championships in Portugal ... Mr Wilks said 16-year-old Ruby Martini, who he has been training on and off for 10 years, and 10-year-old Joe Bougen, enjoyed success at three regional championships which continued to the national titles.

After an even and entertaining first half with little between Birchip-Watchem and Donald, the Bulls simply overpowered the Royal Blues in a second half blitz dishing out a comprehensive 11 goal belting, led by an 8 goal haul from gun forward Ben Edwards, his second bag in as many weeks. It was far from a one-man show, though, the Bulls’ new big man Hamish Hosking paving a way ...

Fourteen million dollars later, Casino has a world class equestrian centre with an undercover arena and shaded seating for 2500 people to watch events at the Casino Showground. At the official opening ... the speeches took place on the arena floor as horses and riders wound their way around the huge space.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show’s breed classes have again provided a highlight for spectators as the best of the best go under the judges’ eyes.

Nicki Barnet. Three of South Australia’s up and coming riders and their ponies have set off on the journey of a lifetime to the National Pony Racing Series Finals, which takes place at Royal Randwick in Sydney on All Aged Stakes Day on April 20. Supported by Racing SA, Cheyenne Crane and her pony Phoenix will represent SA in the large pony category...

On Thursday last week the Mount Alexander Falcons Women’s Sports Club launched a ginger beer made in collaboration with Shedshaker Brewing as a fundraiser to support the club and their community programs, which includes the outreach program at Tarrengower prison.

The 2024 Man From Snowy River Bush Festival attracted record crowds on Friday and Saturday night in a celebration of Australian bush heritage ... The live concert on Friday night drew an estimated crowd of 8000 while the Wrangler Xtreme Broncs Australia rodeo on Saturday night was attended by a record 10,000 people.

Defending premiers Cudgewa will start as favourites when the 2024 Upper Murray season starts on Saturday. The Blues have retained the bulk of last year’s team that went undefeated through the 2023 season including a 94-point demolition of Bullioh in the grand final.

It was an amazing turnout for the Ganmain versus Grong Grong anglers competition. Between the two clubs there were 15 boats on the water and about 50 people, with 64 Cod, four trout cod, one yellow belly, one silver perch and only four carp caught for the day.

Denmark Mountain Bike Club hosted two rounds of the WA State Downhill Series attracting more than 150 riders over two days. Among the top riders was a big contingent of Denmark and Albany riders who battled rough terrain, rock drops and gap jumps to be the fastest down the hill.

The return of the Cohuna Murray to Moyne cycling team after a seven-year break was a positive and successful one, with 15 riders completing the 510km course over two days. From flat open roads to winding hills, from calm and sunny weather to wind and coastal rains, the Cohuna District Hospital’s Murray to Moyne cycle relay team had it all...

Matthew Denny thrilled the crowds at the Australian Athletics Championships held in Adelaide over the weekend. Producing his best effort, Matthew threw a huge 69.35 metres which added over one metre to his previous top throw and creating a National Record.

Yenda Blueheelers first grade side ran away in the second half to cap off a tough day for Hay Magpies at Hay Park on Sunday. The visitors defeated Hay in all four grades.

The 2023/24 National Pony Racing Series reaches its peak with a thrilling final at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse ... Young riders, aged 9 to 15 years, representing Pony Clubs nationwide, will vie for victory ...

The State Government’s record-breaking fish stocking program has again hit a high-water mark with 10 million fish stocked this year, so more recreational fishers can wet a line close to home across the state. Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos, last week stocked more brown trout at Lake Wendouree in Ballarat and announced the major milestone for Victorians.

Michelle Daw. The third Masters Games in a row held on the Copper Coast has wrapped, with plaudits from organisers and the more than 1000 competitors who took part. The Copper Coast 2024 Masters Games, held from Thursday to Sunday ... attracted 1043 registered competitors.

Betheney A’Vard. The Department of Transport provides an update on the upgrades to the Two Rocks marina, including those due to be undertaken in phase two. Reporter Betheney A’Vard spoke to Cameron Smith from the Department of Transport’s maritime section who said the marina mainly catered to the fishing and boat servicing industries but also the charter industry and recreational boating.