Sport

Sunshine Coast migrant residents are invited to apply for their chance to attend low-cost learn-to-swim classes. “Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy our wonderful lifestyle and the Migrant Learn to Swim and Beach Safe Program incorporates water safety and water confidence techniques along with basic swimming lessons”: Sunshine Coast Council Community Portfolio Councillor David Law.

Geoff McLennan. There can really be no comparison between football and petanque, but as finals fever has hit Victoria, the finals games this weekend deserved a mention. On Sunday 28 August a group from Maldon was invited to a social petanque day with the Woodend-Hanging Rock Petanque Club. It was decided to play for a trophy ‘The Dig’ which was made from an old fork bought in France.

Pam Dillon. Rainy weather did not deter the 11 schools who participated in the first ever Barkly region inter-school soccer carnival recently. There were beautifully sunny skies on the first day of great competition out at Purkiss Reserve. In between games, teams attended health clinics run by Anyinginyi Health. Students still keen to be out on the field at the end of competition, helped their teachers from remote schools complete a mini roos coaching course run by John Moriarty Foundation.

Allora Pony Club’s Working Horse Draft and Gymkhana saw Cambooya Pony Club win the March Past and secure the trophy for the club gaining Highest Points ... There were riders from 21 Pony Clubs compete over the weekend, with riders travelling from Mt Mee, Blackbutt, Kumbia, Dalby, Fassifern, Laidley, Goondiwindi and in between.

The Lake Nash Bats could be kicked out of the AFL Mount Isa competition after officials and fans assaulted umpires on Saturday. The violence escalated after the final siren of the grand final, won by the Tigers in an upset, however the trouble was brewing well before then.

David Lee. A once popular pastime that possessed a great deal of culture and funk has once again rolled its way into the hearts of the Narrandera community, with local resident Briana Bryon kickstarting Glow Roller Disco. Beginning the business less than two months ago, Briana was not surprised by how popular her venture has become in such a short period, which offers one-on-one basic coaching, birthday parties and school holiday sessions.

Kendall Jennings. Local lad, Jye McNeil, was awarded his first Scobie Breasley Medal on Saturday night, with 56 votes. The Scobie Breasley Medal dates to 1996 when Damien Oliver won the inaugural award, an award he has won 11 times ... The annual jockey’s award sees votes cast by racing stewards on a one, two and three point basis of the best horse ride of the day, of which Jye has had a few this season with 114 wins and a Group 1 win.

Emma Pritchard. The name is synonymous with producing some of the most recognisable and sought-after speed-boats to race across the country, and the world ... Founded over 70 years ago by renowned shipwright Harry Hammond who was later joined in the family business by his son Mark, Hammond Craft built some of the most versatile speedboats in the country during the 1950s and 1960s.

Samuel Davis. Discipline and the occasional burst of individual brilliance has proven just enough to get Weipa Raiders over the line in a thrilling grand final at Andoom Oval on Saturday afternoon. Napranum Bulldogs entered the decider undefeated and favourites to claim the Western Cape Rugby League premiership cup.

It was a beautiful winter’s day when Narrandera Golf Club hosted Juniors on the Move on Sunday August 21, with bright sunshine and no wind.

With the help of the local community to get them there, Cambooya teenagers Kyrna and Tomas Crump both won medals at the Australian Cross Country Championships in Adelaide. Representing their state, the pair competed in both individual and team events.

Kendall Jennings. Football and netball finals were held on the weekend, with mother nature delivering sunny skies for winter. It is an achievement for any team to make finals and that fact alone needs celebrating. Saturday, the Raiders Under 16s netball hit the court at Woorinen for the qualifying final to face Kerang. Raiders’ fans gathered courtside to support the girls with club colours, streamers and cheers for outstanding play.

We know the Melbourne Cup is visiting Allora on Wednesday 14th September but what we didn’t know is the Melbourne Cup will be here for the whole day - not just an hour or so. This is wonderful news as everyone will get a chance to see and maybe have a photo taken with the Cup ... Touring with the Cup will be well-known Champion Jockey John Letts who rode two winners in the Melbourne Cup.

The Toyota AFL National Inclusion Carnival is set to be played for the first time since 2019 ... Angaston Football Club in the Barossa will host the carnival, the first time it will be held in SA ... "We're thrilled the AFL is bringing this event to regional South Australia for the first time. It's a great opportunity for our community to join in the spirit of competition and celebration that is synonymous with the Carnival and hopefully encourage those people in our own local community with an intellectual disability to get involved in the future": Mayor Bim Lange.

The past committee of the former Yanchep Redhawks Junior Cricket Club has recently agreed to distribute its unused funding to support local junior sporting clubs in Yanchep and Eglington ... 'Sport is such a valuable part of any community especially in these times of financial uncertainty that affect many people and sporting clubs': Robert Murphy, former YRJCC president.

"Getting out and about on bikes is a great way to keep fit, engage with nature and enjoy the beautiful landscapes and cultural heritage of the region. And for keen riders, the new trails which will be opened in 2023 include a 200 metre elevation change from the top of Mt Lennard to the Collie River, featuring some long descents and leg-pumping climbs": WA Sport and Recreation Minister, David Templeman.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.