Who knew? Dianne Barnes was once a leading jockey
Many know Dianne Barnes as the successful para dressage rider, but there is so much more to the story. With the Paris Olympics less than a year away, Dianne and her mount Sorena are on a path to compete on the para dressage team, but this is just the latest chapter in a varied and successful riding career.
That’s a wrap for Melbourne Royal after 10 days of excellent judging
The Royal Melbourne show has drawn to close after 10 days of competition distinguished by some excellent judging across the Horses in Action program. Without exception, the judges were knowledgeable and fair and placings were well deserved.
Plough cutting through clay a mesmerising sound for Olympic swimmer
The red dust at Barellan is a long way from the sparkling water of a pool but former Olympic swimming champion Shane Gould was taking a keen interest in the sound of a single furrow plough slicing through the clay at the Barellan Good Old Days Festival at the weekend ... She was a keen spectator at the single furrow ploughing completion on Sunday at Barellan, drawing heavy horse and bullock teams.
From push to mighty mower
Who will ever forget the image of the Allora Golf Course voluntary groundsman Hethe Ramus mowing the first fairway by hand back in March 2022 ... Those days will be a distant memory for Hethe with the Golf Club today taking delivery of a brand new Kubota Baroness Gang Mower ...
Melbourne Royal’s start more whimper than bang these days
Call me old fashioned, but I miss the old days when breed day opened Royal Melbourne show, with eight rings around the big arena. The giant Clydesdales were the pride of the show and led every parade, with the supreme champion at the front ... This year, just 35 of Australia’s favourite heavy horses were on show when once there would have been hundreds.
Time for some sober thinking with declaration of El Nino
The fact that an El Nino has finally been declared might seem a distant problem to many horse people. While the natural weather pattern originating in the Pacific Ocean does not necessarily lead to drought, parts of the country such as Gippsland and in NSW near Dubbo have been experiencing very dry conditions for some time.
Big win for Lachie
Lachie Neale is unstoppable. Born in Naracoorte, the AFL superstar won his second Brownlow Medal in Brisbane on Monday night. Known as the Lion King of AFL, the Brisbane co-captain has become the 16th player in VFL-AFL history to win the League’s biggest and most prestigious award multiple times.
Mt Tarrengower Hill Climb revs up once more
Mark your calendars as the renowned Mt Tarrengower Hill Climb makes its thrilling return 14 to 15 October. This much-anticipated event, known for its exhilarating showcase of classic vehicles and motorcycles, holds the record as Australia’s oldest and lengthiest uphill climb.
Bowls season opens!
Peter Sedgwick. Our Season opening was held last Saturday ... The weather was very sunny and many members came to have a bowl. Maree Edwards, MLA for Bendigo West, came to open the season.
Six of the best
Following the installation of synthetic greens and associated groundworks, the Corryong club has opened its first six holes for social play.While grass is being established around the perimeters of the greens a three-metre Ground Under Repair (GUR) zone will apply.
Bombers bring junior rugby league back to Evans Head
The Evans Head Bombers Junior Rugby League Club has relaunched after a 15 year hiatus. At the club’s annual general meeting the Northern Rivers Group 1 Junior Rugby League was launched.. A committee of 14 was formed to see the juniors head into next year’s season.
Golfing in the dark
Organised by Matt Clark, approximately 25 keen golfers enjoyed a barbecue to start off their night golf game, in Donald ... Strategically placed flashing green markers along the center of the fairways, pink markers around the scrapes, a green marker at the top of the flag stick with two pink markers mid-way down ...
Geelong’s spring classic delivers inside and out
Fine weather, perfect surface and capacity fields combined with good organisation made for Geelong Showjumping Club’s two-day Spring Classic a top-class event.
Wentworth’s huge program has something for everyone
Wentworth Agricultural Show has a long and decorated history. The town, located in the far south west of NSW at the junction of the Murray and Darling rivers, has run its show since 1885 with a charter “to promote the breed and quality of stock”.
2023 Premiers!
Jamie Cox. The Maldon FNC are extremely proud of all their juniors’ efforts for the 2023 season in both football and netball, especially the under 17.5s football team who are the 2023 Premiers. Score Maldon 10.5-65 def Carisbrook 7.2-44.
Bernie the Barkly Eagle’s guest appearance
Barkly Region Sport Education has a very famous mascot, Bernie, who travels the region with Pam Dillon, the Barkly Region Sport Education Coordinator. Students in all the Barkly schools know Bernie and are keen to have their photo taken with him when he visits their school.
Students represent the Barkly at athletics championships
Pam Dillon. Last week, 13 students from seven remote schools represented the Barkly in the NT Athletics Championships in Darwin. The students participated in a variety of running, jumping, and throwing events over three days along with athletes from other regions and athletic clubs across the territory.
Decider draws $25K at gate
Despite less teams being involved in the Riverina Football League grand final at Narrandera Sportsground on Saturday the gate was up $4000 on last year. The crowd paid $25,378 at the gate to watch Turvey Park win their first senior premiership in 21 years.
Hay breaks 28-year drought
The 2023 Golden Rivers grand final took place against a beautiful natural backdrop as fans of football and netball gathered at the Murrabit Recreation Reserve on Saturday to witness the teams battle it out for the premiership ... On the football field, in a game of keepings off, the Lions demonstrated their fitness to play in the heat and confidence in ball handling skills.
The pong serves up justice
Corryong’s annual Ping-Pong-A-Thon event last weekend returned to a 24-hour marathon format, with more than 30 men playing table tennis and being sponsored by generous donors. That country spirit saw a total of $7026 raised to support the fight against human trafficking.
Australian record throw for Matthew Denny
Matthew has cemented his status as one of the world’s premier athletes after being crowned champion at the Diamond League Final in Eugene, USA with an Australian record of 68.43 meters. This is the first time for Matthew to be crowned Diamond League Champion. He added 19cm to his Australian discus record to produce the throw of his life and seal his triumph.
