Toomey gunning for spot in Olympic bobsled team
She's regarded by thousands as the fittest woman in the world and Tia-Clair Toomey is now trying to harness her power to earn another tilt at the Olympics ... Toomey, who is coached by her husband Shane Orr, who also grew up in Weipa, has been training for the Australian bobsleigh team for more than a year.
World first: EV fast charger on the Nullarbor fuelled by used chip oil – Plugging the gap between WA and SA
BiØfil is a world-first fast charging system for Electric Vehicles (EVs) that is fully off-grid, self-contained and powered by used chip (vegetable) oil, a waste product ... “We’ve been isolated from the rest of Australia for too long, so once borders open up, BiØfil means all vehicles can travel across the Nullarbor, EVs included”: Jon Edwards, BiØfil inventor and retired engineer.
Anyinginyi angered by gym eviction
Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation is calling out the behaviour of the Barkly Regional Council (BRC) for the eviction of the Corporation from the Sport and Recreation Centre. The town’s sole gym was built by Anyinginyi, maintained and operated for two decades on Purkiss Reserve. Anyinginyi Board Chairperson Ross Williams said the actions of Council are a repudiation of the Barkly Regional Deal’s intent to work together, co-operatively in the interests of the community.
Super series a winner on Kangaroo Island
The second year of the Super Series, which was introduced by Parndana Bowling Club for players on Kangaroo Island, was met with great enthusiasm by the three Island clubs. The second year of the Super Series, which was introduced by Parndana Bowling Club for players on Kangaroo Island, was met with great enthusiasm by the three Island clubs.
Carpheads into T20 decider
Jeff Hanson. In their first season in the Ardlethan Barellan District Cricket Association (ABDCA) competition, the Narrandera Carpheads will be playing for silverware on Saturday, with the in-form side heading towards the T20 Harvest Break grand final. The Carpheads, who finished second after losing just one game during the six-round regular season, will take on the top of the table Coolamon Rovers for grand final glory.
Warilla officially opens new dining space
Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club have officially opened the Lagoon Street Bar + Dining Piazza, transforming the area into a modern and vibrant outdoor space. Fitted with two alfresco dining outlets, a cocktail bar and a children’s playground, Lagoon Street promises to offer a brand new dining experience for members and guests alike.
Little bit of our heart and soul in Jericho winner
Russell Healy. What a race. What a concept. What a result, the Maher Eustace trained Wil John powered over the top of Budd Fox after the gruelling 4600m contest to claim the fourth running of the Jericho Cup. Here at the farm, we cheered harder than most, having bred and sold both his dam and grand dam.
Bunyips’ fishy weekend
Kirstin Nicholson. The Leitchville Bunyip Sporting Club Inc (LBSC) has been active over the weekend with its annual cod opening weekend and the North Central Catchment Management Authority’s ‘Catch a Carp’ day.
Abalone season starts this Saturday for recreational fishers
Abalone season starts this Saturday for licensed recreational fishers in the West Coast zone extending from Moore River to the Busselton jetty ... Due to an increase in sea surface temperatures in recent years, the sustainable recreational catch target range of 25 tonnes to 29 tonnes has been set for the 2021-22 season.
Barellan sports legend honoured
Sports Australia Legend and former Barellan sports star Evonne Goolagong-Cawley AC MBE has been awarded the inaugural The Dawn Award ... “To win The Dawn Award is an incredible honour. I have been unwell, and this has been the ultimate cheer-up for me. To be the first recipient makes it even more special. Dawn is one of Australia’s greatest athletes and has been a source of inspiration throughout my life,” Evonne said.
Dog-friendly forest trail completed
The new dog-friendly loop trail of the Harewood State Forest on Scotsdale Road, Denmark is finished ... The project was awarded to Monkey Rock MTB Co, a new trail building company in Denmark. Monkey Rock has specialised in building mountain bike trails and this was their first walk trail project.
Merv in Moulamein
Moulamein was graced by fishing royalty at the weekend. Merv Hughes, former Australian cricketer and host of Merv’s Fishing, accompanied by Squizzy Taylor, was on the water filming in the region with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and Department of Primary Industry and Investment to showcase the benefits of environmental water.
Paralympian Katie Kelly brings sports programs for Indigenous girls to her hometown
Former Casino resident and retired paralympian Katie Kelly is bringing sporting grants to Casino from the Sports Access Foundation she set up. Katie is one of Australia’s most distinguished para-triathletes. Weeks after she was declared legally blind, Katie made her international debut in a para-triathlon event on the Sunshine Coast. She went on to win Australia’s first medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Innisfail Bowls Club Invitation Fours
A very successful Innisfail Invitation Fours saw teams and players travelling from Townsville, Ingham, Weipa, Yungaburra, Gordonvale, Cairns as well as Josh Kier, Jesse Turnbull and Tyler Pettigrew from Brisbane.
Lyons making his mark in SA racing industry
If Alan Lyons isn’t fulfilling his duties as clerk of the course at racetracks around the state, there’s a good chance you’ll find him at his Strathalbyn stables training ex-racehorses for the next stage of their career ... preparing them for clerk of the course positions. “The first thing is to take them away from what they’re used to,” Lyons said.
Concern grows for native wildlife and residents
The community is awaiting follow up from local Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards, regarding the petition to close local wetlands to recreational duck shooting and instead make them a sanctuary for the threatened species which call them home. The petition attracted just under 500 signatures, mostly local, compared to a petition by shooters to have duck shooting remain which obtained 21 signatures (11 local).
Hooper to add class and experience to Blues
The Coleambally Blues have added a bucket load of talent to their A-Grade netball side with the signing of new coach, Sarah Hooper. The Former Coolamon Hooper and CSU netballer was named the Riverina League captain in 2021 and was the Riverina League best and fairest player in A-Grade in 2019.
Uyanage top scores in final appearance
Kendall Jennings. Local doctor, Tharindu Uyanage, will be missed at the hospital and the cricket field. Yet, he has left the pitch in style, collecting the highest batting score against Kerang with 39 runs, capturing 3 wickets from his 7 overs and 5 balls, and taking a catch in the field.
Grafton Rowing Club 2021 Regatta set to make waves
Emma Pritchard. More than 70 competitors will make a splash on the Clarence River during the Grafton Rowing Club 2021 Regatta this weekend. Featuring 47 events including single skulls, double skulls, quads and open skulls, the event is the first Northern Rivers regatta to be held this season and has attracted a pleasing number of entrants from Lismore, Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads, the Lower Clarence and Sydney.
Grampians Peaks Trail opens
Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan said he was delighted to launch the 160 km world-class hiking trail Grampians Peaks Trail, starting at Mt Zero in the north, passing through Halls Gap and with highlights including Redman Bluff, Major Mitchell Plateau and Mt Abrupt before reaching Dunkeld in the south.
19th Classic Yacht Race BBQ fundraising for Lord Howe Island Central School
For 19 years, the Lord Howe Island Classic race has just been growing stronger and stronger. It has a long and interesting history. The snag, of course (forgive the pun), is getting there. Australia’s best barbie is held on Lord Howe Island, 420 nautical miles from Sydney. To work up a hunger, most guests like to spend at least three days heading as close as possible to 060 degrees while making the best of the challenging breezes and currents.
Geoff “Boots” Towner AFSM (Australian Fire Service Medal)
I first came to Lord Howe Island via Middleton Reef on board my friends prawn trawler “Sea Dreamer” in 1975. Unfortunately, the “Sea Dreamer” was wrecked on the Clarence River Bar with loss of life of my friend in 1979. Yamba was the home port for “Sea Dreamer”.

