Victoria’s regional royal really is something special
The Royal Geelong Show continues to offer a gold-standard horse program, presenting a traditional range of classes for every interest over the four-day event. As well as the popular saddle horse section, there are breed, heavy horse, harness and pony club events, plus a district category that makes sure everyone gets to compete and have fun at what is also the “local show” for the area.
Wyche Cup Day’s winning style
Pamela Harrington's smile says it all as the Elders Mt. Wycheproof and District Cup Day unfolded in perfect weather last Saturday. Pamela's black and white ensemble showcased the traditional monochrome colours of Derby Day and later caught the judges' eyes during the Fashions on the Field.
Kokoro wins Mt. Wycheproof Cup
Wycheproof could not have asked for more glorious weather than that which shone upon its Cup Day celebrations on Derby Day in the Country ... The racing surface was pristine! Some said it was the best they’d ever seen it, and rated a good 4, it raced well and looked about as lush as grass could look in the drier conditions of the season.
Completion of mountain bike trails sets wheels in motion: Swinbourn, Dawson, Stojkovski
Construction is complete and Stage 2 of the Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trail network is now officially open for riding. The multimillion-dollar Dwellingup Adventure Trails project has now delivered a world-class 108-kilometre mountain bike trail network and contributed to establishing Dwellingup as a leading trails destination.
The man who ran 1,132km on a fractured hip: Mitch McKinney’s extraordinary marathon for angel kids
Mitch McKinney isn't a professional runner ... by his own admission, he's not particularly a runner at all. Yet this 38-y/o ordinary Australian achieved something extraordinary; running 1,132 km from the red dust of Broken Hill to the sea breeze of Newcastle, completing a marathon every single day for 29 days straight.
Amazing feat by two local Dads
Two Allora families have returned from a successful 11 day cycling adventure through France and the UK. Mark Mason and James Turner completed the 1200km ride from Lourdes France to Lords Cricket Ground in London to raise funds and awareness for type 1 diabetes research.
Grong Grong Horse Sports ready to stage first event
Sean Cunningham. It's been all hands on deck recently for the Grong Grong Horse Sports (GGHS) group as members throw their energy into reviving the town's old rodeo grounds and plan a busy calendar of events. The grounds are being rejuvenated thanks to the dedication and determination of a small, but passionate group of GGHS volunteers.
Karate judge puts Naracoorte on the world stage
Naracoorte’s Peter Anderson is set to represent Australia — and his hometown Naracoorte — on one of the biggest martial arts stages in the world. In a remarkable achievement, Peter has been selected as a judge for the prestigious IKO Matsushima World Karate Championships in Maebashi, Japan, this November.
Wilcannia Gala Day Prepare to Play!
Saturday 25th October, Wilcannia hosted the Prepare to Play Outback Rugby Gala Day. Outback Rugby League gave special thanks to Olivia Whyman for acknowledging her ancestors and people in language.
Maddison tops SA at Nationals
Austinn Lane. Maitland showjumper Maddison Wissell has maintained her strong form in the 2025 season, delivering standout performances on the national stage. She competed at the Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships in Sydney at the end of September, placing third and fifth overall in the intermediate 90cm jumping class, riding two different horses.
National Thoroughbred Week opens the gates to Australia and New Zealand’s rural horse industry
From the thunder of The Everest to the tradition of the Melbourne Cup, Thoroughbreds dominate headlines every spring. But beyond the racetrack lies a vast rural industry - one built on land, livestock, and the dedicated care of thousands of regional Australians and New Zealanders. This November, the public is being invited to see that world for themselves.
Together time at the Hillclimb
it's almost a picnic atmosphere," according to motor enthusiast Bob, who loved the camaraderie of the Mount Tarrengower Historic Hillclimb on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October in Maldon. "It's not terribly commercial," Bob told the TT [Tarrangower Times], while peering into the engine of Doug's 1949 MG. "And everybody knows everybody."
Fishers support gulf ban
Michelle Daw. Yorke Peninsula's commercial fishers have again called for a ban on all fishing in Gulf St Vincent to allow stocks to rebuild. Russell Boord, of Port Moorowie, said the extent of the damage caused by the bloom required drastic measures, and backed the request for a ban made by commercial fishers to the Senate's algal bloom inquiry committee in Ardrossan in early September.
Seas the Day rowers arrive in Cairns after record-breaking Pacific crossing
After 165 days at sea, British adventurers Jess Rowe (28) and Miriam Payne (26) arrived in Cairns last night, completing their extraordinary non-stop, unsupported 8,000-plus-mile (15,200 km) Pacific Ocean crossing from Lima, Peru to Cairns, Australia. Their 9-metre rowing boat, Velocity, crossed the finish line off Cairns Yacht Club at 6.42 pm (local time in Cairns, Australia)...
The thrill of the hill
His first attempt at the Mount Tarrengower Historic Hillclimb was too long ago to remember (“I think about 20 years ago”) but Hein Otten is still excited to race in the 2025 competition, which takes place over this weekend of Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October. In fact, it was this unique event that brought Hein to the area.
Big boys do enjoy big toys
On their recent visit to Allora, Queensland State Politicians - Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and Member for Southern Downs James Lister MP were impressed with Allora’s Sports Museum. As a treat they were allowed to take a seat in Doug Partington’s Wikner Ford Special.
New talent dominates lineups at Royal Adelaide Show
With the dust now settled on the Royal Adelaide Show for 2025, what stands out when taking a closer look at the winners is the amount of new talent that has progressed quickly to the top of the lineups.
Is there life after 90?
You betcha! Joan Boardman Sinclair recently celebrated her 90th birthday milestone by saddling up and heading bush with packhorse in tow. The acknowledged 'Queen of the High Country', riding in her father's stock saddle, still believes the world is a much better place from the back of a horse.
British women rowers on final stretch of record-breaking Pacific crossing – Cairns arrival imminent
With less than 350 nautical miles to row, and the lure of hot pizza on their minds, British adventurers Jess Rowe (28) and Miriam Payne (25) are closing in on the finish line of their extraordinary 8,000-mile, non-stop and unsupported Pacific Ocean crossing.
Polocrosse clinic and carnival a hit
The Polocrosse Association of South Australia wrapped up a successful week-long coaching clinic and carnival at the Yorke Peninsula Polocrosse Club grounds in Minlaton, culminating in a two-day event over the weekend, October 11-12 ... Fourteen riders took part, travelling from as far as Darwin, Naracoorte and Moorooduc on the other side of Melbourne.
Algae doesn’t swim between the flags: Tarzia, Basham
Businesses and families financially impacted by the harmful algal bloom have been left wanting by the State Government’s most recent announcement on how it plans to keep our beaches open during summer ... “While our lifesavers do an outstanding job keeping our beaches safe, algae doesn’t swim between the flags,” Mr Tarzia said.
Record beach patrols for summer: Malinauskas, Watt, Pearce
A record number of beaches along the metropolitan and southern coast will have seven-day Surf Life Saving patrols this summer, giving South Australians confidence they can safely swim between the flags amid the algal bloom. The ‘Between the Flags’ patrols will be funded through a partnership with Surf Life Saving SA and the State and Federal governments, as part of the Algal Bloom Summer Plan.
