MonaroPostWednesdayOctober152025 by Provincial Press Group

Hostel hopes Resorts’ success

By TRISTA HEATH

The season started with a storm in June and ended with an October surprise of seven centimetres of snowfall.

Perisher Resort had an exciting season as they reported a snow depth of more than two metres, and debuted the $26 million Mt Perisher 6 chairli .

The launch of the highspeed six-seater chairli was a history-making event, and a game-changer for the Australian ski industry.

Perisher Resort general manager, Nathan Butterworth, said this year’s snow season was a return to form in terms of snow cover and length of season.

COMMUNITY RALLIES TO SAVE ‘VITAL’ ASSET

By NATHAN THOMPSON

Snowy Monaro residents are calling on council to keep the Snowy River Hostel in community hands amidt fears the site could be sold o .

At its meeting on Thursday, 16 October, Snowy Monaro Regional Council will discuss the future of the former residential aged care facility with residents urging councillors to keep the facility in as a community asset.

Snowy Monaro mayor, Cr Chris

Hanna, told this masthead he will support calls to not sell the hostel.

“I’m hearing from the community they are worried the facility will be sold,” Cr Hanna said.

“I support allowing the community to drive the future use of the hostel. We can’t give the hostel and site away.”

Cr Hanna said he feels the frustration of residents in waiting for council to settle upon the hostel’s future use.

“It has been a long process,” Cr Hanna said.

Residents’ concerns the site could be sold were not allayed when they saw the report listed in the con dential section of this week’s meeting.

Berridale resident, Sue Pritchard, said it is vital the hostel remains a community asset and can support the region’s older residents.

“I don’t want to see this facility sold. I don’t want it given for a peppercorn fee to someone. We need it in council hands until we can do something as a community,” Mrs Pritchard said.

“We want this to stay in our hands, set up a committee and set up something locally we can do.”

Berridale’s, Cheryl Mould, has been part of a steering committee that formed when the hostel closed as part of council’s residential aged care divestment process.

The hostel closed its doors in early 2024.

“The process has gone on for far too long. The community is worried that council wants to sell the site,” Mrs Mould said.

■ More on page 3

MASSIVE RECLINER CLEARANCE

COOMA FURNISHING CO

“We were open for skiing and riding every day from the long weekend in June right through to the long weekend in October,” Mr Butterworth said.

Thredbo’s general manager, Stuart Diver, said visitor numbers increased.

“This year’s snow coverage was a standout compared to recent years, thanks to a major snow event over opening weekend and consistently favourable snowmaking conditions through the rst third of the season,” Mr Diver said.

■ More on page 5

ACTION: Snowy Monaro residents, particularly Berridale locals, are urging council to put the community first and not sell the Snowy River Hostel facility and site.

PHOTO: Trista Heath

$3 million retail expansion to boost Jindabyne’s economy

As part of the Minns Labor government’s plans to strengthen regional NSW economies, create jobs and encourage investment, Jindabyne is now gearing up to become a year-round tourist destination with a $3 million major shopping centre expansion now in motion.

The Nugget’s Crossing shopping centre, serving almost one million customers annually, has used the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct’s streamlined planning process to expand the Woolworths and Beer Wine and Spirits (BWS) supermarket.

Other proposed works include car park enhancements, improved access to the shopping centre and additional oor space.

This expansion marks a signi cant milestone in delivering essential retail infrastructure faster to meet the needs of the growing Jindabyne community.

State MP for Monaro and Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said “Jindabyne is entering an exciting new chapter as a year-round destination, with major infrastructure works now underway to support its growing community and visitor base.

“Across the Precinct, we’re

seeing transformative progress, from the Claypits upgrades that ensure safe, year-round access to Lake Jindabyne’s foreshore, to the $47 million investment in the new Jindabyne Education Campus, complete with road improvements and a dedicated school zone.

“These projects re ect the NSW government’s commitment to building resilient, thriving regional communities.”

Director Nugget’s Crossing Pty Ltd, Bruce Marshall, said, “This proposed expansion represents a major investment in the future of our community.

“Thanks to the streamlined planning process, we were

able to work through a seamless process to advance our expansion and get shovels in the ground sooner.

“The Nugget’s Crossing upgrade and broader shopping centre expansion are about more than extra space, they’re about building a Jindabyne that re ects the needs and aspirations of the people who live here. We’re proud to be part of a project that will serve the community for generations to come.

“I’ve been part of this community for more than 45 years, and I’ve seen rsthand how much potential it holds. This expansion is about investing in that future. I’m proud to contribute to a project that will keep our com-

munity growing strong.”

Progress is also underway across other projects in the Precinct such as upgrades to the Claypits, including wider paths, a sealed carpark, and elevated infrastructure to ensure safe, year-round access to Lake Jindabyne’s foreshore.

The NSW government’s $47 million investment in the new Jindabyne Education Campus is taking shape, with road upgrades including a new intersection, roundabout, and school zone.

The Lake Jindabyne Foreshore Design is on track for completion by late 2025, with the NSW government exploring funding opportunities for future development.

Upgrades to the Jindabyne Sewerage Treatment Plant and Water Treatment Plant are currently in design and on track to start construction in 2026.

An upgrade of sewer pump station number 6, supporting the new education precinct and future growth is under construction.

Special Activation Precincts in Moree, Parkes, Wagga Wagga and Snowy Mountains are part of the NSW Government’s major and transformative infrastructure program that will bene t regional NSW for generations to come.

Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said,

“The Snowy Mountains Precinct plays an important role in creating long-term economic growth for the region and I am pleased to see key projects underway across the Precinct.

“The Nugget’s Crossing expansion is a great example of how streamlined planning pathways can deliver real outcomes for communities and meet the needs of a growing population.

“By creating a streamlined planning process, we’re not just speeding up approval, we’re accelerating economic growth. Projects like this shopping centre expansion help stimulate local business activity and strengthen the regional economy.”

Jindabyne.

UPGRADES: The front entry to Nugget’s Crossing complex in Jindabyne. PHOTOS: Supplied

Save our hostel: residents

Mayor backs calls to keep local facility

By NATHAN THOMPSON

Snowy Monaro, and in particular Berridale residents, are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this week’s council decision for the future use of the Snowy River Hostel.

As the two year mark approaches since council called for expressions of interest from providers to deliver short-term respite care at the hostel, locals have become increasingly worried council will sell the facility and land.

When residents saw the hostel matter was to come before council in the condential section of this week’s meeting, there concerns increased.

A majority of residents are calling on council to keep the hostel in community hands.

Close to 100 residents gathered at the hostel site in Berridale on Saturday for a photo with this masthead. The gathering turned into an un-

o cial community meeting with Snowy Monaro mayor, Chris Hanna, deputy mayor, Tricia Hopkins, and Cr Nick Elliott in attendance.

Cr Hanna told this masthead he will support residents’ calls to not sell the hostel and allow the community to drive the site’s future use.

“I’m hearing from the community they are worried the facility will be sold and that they want shortterm respite. I will support keeping the facility in community hands,” Cr Hanna said.

“I support allowing the community to drive the future use of the hostel. We

can’t give the hostel and site away.”

Cr Hanna said he feels the frustration of residents in waiting for council to settle upon the hostel’s future use.

“It has been a long process,” Cr Hanna said.

Cr Hanna said the matter is included in the con dential section because the report

contains gures from potential providers who submitted expressions of interest, considered commercial in condence.

Berridale resident, Sue Pritchard, said it is crucial the hostel remains a community asset.

“I don’t want to see this facility sold. I don’t want it

given for a peppercorn fee to someone. We need it in council hands until we can do something as a community,” Mrs Pritchard said.

“We want this to stay in our hands, set up a committee and set up something locally we can do.”

Bev Hedger is calling on council to listen to the community’s concerns and put the region’s older residents rst.

“Council could apply for cottage respite funding and run as a respite facility under council,” Mrs Hedger said.

Berridale’s Cheryl Mould has been part of a steeting committee that formed when the hostel closed as part of council’s residential aged care divestment process.

Hostel residents le the facility in early 2024.

“The process has gone on for far too long. The community is worried that council wants to sell the site,” Mrs Mould said.

“Our community doesn’t want to lose this asset. We have waited for over 18 months for a decision, we just want one made.”

The hostel rst opened its doors in 1993 a er years of hard work from the community to raise funds.

Council meets on Thursday in the Cooma o ce chambers at 1pm. The meeting is live-streamed.

DECISION TIME: Berridale residents are urging Snowy Monaro Regional Council to keep the Snowy River Hostel in community hands. Council will decide the site’s future at this week’s meeting.

PHOTO: Trista Heath

Hundreds watch large Snowy 2.0 load Council to elect deputy mayor

By NATHAN THOMPSON

Snowy Monaro Regional Council deputy mayor, Cr Tricia Hopkins, says she has enjoyed her 12 months in the role and will recontest the position at this week’s council meeting.

Council will come together on Thursday for its October meeting, where it will elect a deputy mayor for the next 12 months.

This current council was elected in October 2024 with its rst meeting this time last year. Cr Hopkins was elected deputy mayor ahead of Cr Andrew Thaler, who is currently serving a second suspension from the O ce of Local Government, and Cr Luke Williamson.

“I will stand again. I have really enjoyed the role although it really is challenging at times,” Cr Hopkins said.

Council elects its mayor every two years with Cr Chris Hanna in the role until at least 2026.

By NATHAN THOMPSON

Hundreds of locals lined Cooma’s main street on Sunday night to watch one of the largest Snowy 2.0 truck movements pass through town.

In Cooma’s CBD and along Sharp Street, hundreds gathered to witness the historic moment.

The truck movement saw ve trucks and a trailer, at nearly 100 metres long and 450 tonnes, transport the motor for the Snowy 2.0’s new tunnel boring machine (TBM) Monica to its worksite near Kiandra.

Snowy Hydro hosted a free event with live music, food and drinks as the community came together to share the moment.

“I’ve never seen so many people in Sharp Street on a Sunday night at that time. It was exciting to see and I’m glad to have been part of it,” Cooma resident, Betty Longhurst, said.

The truck movement made its way through Cooma just before midnight.

The rig had 30 axles, 210 wheels and was 7.7 metres wide.

Earlier this month, the large centre block of the 12 metre TBM Monica cutter-

head passed through the region at night.

The truck transfer took four night time movements to transport part of the cutterhead from Port Kembla to Marica (just north of Kiandra), passing through three police districts along its journey.

The TBM will be 178 metres long, and is purposebuilt to excavate ve kilometres through the complex Long Plains fault zone.

In mid-2024, Snowy Hydro submitted a modi cation application to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, seeking

approval to ‘excavate an additional construction access tunnel to connect to the western end of the headrace tunnel.’

At the time, Snowy Hydro CEO, Dennis Barnes, said the ‘disappointing’ performance of TBM Florence has contributed to the purchase of a new machine.

“It’s di cult to say with certainty whether the same action would be needed if Florence had performed as we had hoped.

“However, it’s likely that the fourth machine would still be needed,” Mr Barnes said.

TRADING HOURS

BIG HAUL: One of the largest Snowy 2.0 truck movements passes through Cooma. Hundreds of locals turned out to watch the 450 tonne movement head through town at close to midnight. PHOTO: Snowy Hydro

Strongest snow season in years

By TRISTA HEATH

It began with a seasonopening storm in June and ended with an October surprise of seven centimetres snowfall - a tting nale to a snow season that just kept giving.

Perisher Resort had an exciting season as they reported a snow depth of more than two metres, and debuted the $26 million Mt Perisher 6 chairli .

The launch of the highspeed six-seater chairli was a history-making event, and a gamechanger for the Australian ski industry.

Perisher Resort general manager, Nathan Butterworth, said this year’s snow season was a return to form in terms of snow cover and length of season.

“We were open for skiing and riding every day from the long weekend in June right through to the long weekend in October,” Mr Butterworth said.

“Guests have loved the comfort and speed of our state-of-the-art Mt Perisher 6, as well as the terrain it has opened up on Mt Perisher thanks to the removal of 17 towers as part of the li upgrades.

“Our sta have also bene tted – everyone from ski instructors who can now access the terrain for more laps with our guests during

SEASON END: Thredbo Resort celebrated a successful snow season with the Pondskim event on closing weekend. PHOTOS: Supplied

lessons, to ski patrollers with fewer towers to check on their rst lap down in the morning.”

Thredbo Resort also celebrated a successful season as winter mountain operations wrapped up for another year.

Thredbo’s general manager, Stuart Diver, con rmed visitor numbers were up this season compared to the last two years.

Mr Diver said.

“These factors helped establish a strong early-season base, setting the tone for what became one of the best starts in years, while several natural snowfalls followed.

Our extensive snowmaking operations were key to maintaining excellent coverage between storms.

“By 15 July, all li s were open, with the mountain operations team working tirelessly through June and early July to progressively open more terrain and deliver top-to-bottom skiing and boarding across the resort.”

The exceptional snow coverage of more than 300cm in September saw a feat that hadn’t been achieved in years at Thredbo, allowing the possibility to groom Funnel Web top to bottom.

Mr Diver said the Snowy Hydro reading at Spencers Creek was more than triple the depth recorded at the same time last year.

“The strong snow base and favourable weather created unreal conditions from as early as June, carrying

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Your power account is valuable to the power retailer. If we transfer our power accounts en-masse to one power retailer, this would be worth millions of dollars and demonstrate our collective power.

In the coming weeks and months as we transfer our accounts to the selected electrical retailer, the remaining retail companies will have no choice but to reduce costs, and o er you a better deal. This will result in an overall drop in power prices. A clear demonstration that consumers can inﬂuence the price of electricity.

The selection of our retailer will be at Buckley’s Crossing Hotel Dalgety at 7.00pm Friday 17 October. All are welcome to be there. The selected retailer will be named in The Monaro Post on 29 October, 2025.

LET’S DO THIS. IT’S TIME TO ACT NOW.

We are a powerful group of millions. We want the cheap and plentiful electricity that we had before Net Zero. Let’s bring it back.

through to late spring - a remarkable turnaround compared to our early close on 11 September the previous year,” Mr Diver said.

“Winter 2025 had it allhuge early snowfalls, unreal coverage, and an incredible community vibe. From our Legends of the Mountain skiing 50 days or more, to world-class events on and o the hill, it truly was a standout season.”

Charlotte Pass Resort general manager, Lucy BlytonGray, said the season was one of its strongest in recent years. With excellent visitation across the entire winter, and strong occupancy at the Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel.

“It was fantastic to see so many returning guests alongside plenty of rsttime visitors discovering Charlotte Pass,” Ms BlytonGray said.

“Snow coverage this season was exceptional. Regular top-ups throughout July and August ensured consistent conditions from early season right through to closing weekend. It was one of our best snow years in recent memory.

“This season stood out for its combination of incredible snowfall, strong visitation, and great energy throughout the village. Everything came together - the snow, the weather, and the enthusiasm of our sta and guests.”

Ms Blyton-Gray said as they wrap up the season, its focus now turns to the exciting construction of the new Guthrie’s Double Chairli , which will be ready for winter 2026.

“This marks a major milestone for Charlotte Pass and will further enhance the guest experience for years to come. The Stillwell Hotel will

also re-open in November for summer trade, welcoming guests back to experience the beauty of the Snowy Mountains in the warmer months,” she said.

While the snow season may be over, the work at Selwyn Snow Resort is only just beginning.

The Selwyn team has now shi ed focus to pack-down, carefully closing out the winter and preparing the resort for the months ahead.

From there, attention turns to maintenance and planning. Li s will undergo full servicing, snowmaking systems will be reviewed, and summer projects will be scheduled to ensure they’re ready to deliver an even smoother operation next season.

Selwyn Resort management said this o -season work is vital to keep Selwyn reliable, safe, and enjoyable.

Charlotte Pass Resort enjoyed a strong snow season this year. They are now preparing to open for the summer months.

Perisher Resort celebrated a successful snow season and significant milestones over this year’s snow season.

From Georgia heat to snowy peaks

Coleena McCarty finds home and career in Jindabyne

By TRISTA HEATH

Coleena McCarty, a Georgia-born and now based in Jindabyne, moved to the Snowy Mountains town eight years ago.

Once an American and now proud Australian citizen, she swapped the rolling farmlands of Georgia, USA, for the mountain peaks of Jindabyne.

Her journey to the Snowy Mountains is based on professional ambition, a quest for cooler climates, and a deep appreciation for small-town community.

Ms McCarty, originally from a hot, agricultural region in Georgia similar to Queensland, with sugar cane and Vidalia onions, moved to Australia 12 years ago, a careerdriven re-location for a pharmaceutical start-up company.

A er a company downsizing prompted her to seek opportunities abroad, she started looking into positions available in countries she had visited previously.

“Australia came through rst with the o er letter,” Ms McCarty said. She was the second

person hired to establish the so ware development implementations for the new venture on Australian soil starting in Melbourne, Victoria.

While Melbourne o ered a vibrant start, its warmth didn’t quite suit her.

“Originally hoping to stay in Victoria I explored the colder climate towns including those close to the snow elds but found they lacked the summer environment I was looking for,” Ms McCarty said.

Jindabyne, however, o ered the perfect blend of winter sports and thriving summer activities, cementing her decision to re-locate eight years ago.

Today, Ms McCarty is a solution architect for the global so ware company ServiceNow.

Her expertise extends to delivering training across the Asia Paci c and Japan region, but her proximity to Canberra o en sees her involved in federal and government contracts.

Professionally, Ms McCarty is continually pushing boundaries and always on the lookout to learn something new.

She is currently undertaking a demanding,

six-month Certi ed Master

Architect program – a prestigious quali cation held by only 21 individuals in Australia.

Her goal is to hold this advanced expertise to contribute at the board level, having already signed up for the NSW boards registry.

“I want to move into being on the board, focusing on “C-suite conversations” with top executives,” Ms McCarty said.

“This includes being in

discussions with CIO, CFO, COO’s helping them with their organisations from a board level.”

Beyond her high-level tech career, Ms McCarty is a deeply ingrained member of the Jindabyne community.

She is the president of the Jindabyne Lions Club and eagerly participates in local initiatives like the Lake Light Sculpture event.

At home, she enjoys gardening and hopes to rekindle her passion for acrylic painting.

Her constant companions are her two unique Bergamasco sheepdogs, an Italian breed.

“Zed, my dog, was the fourth one brought into the country, there are fewer than 80 of his breed in Australia,” Ms McCarty said.

“Zed is a greatgrandfather to the majority of the dogs running around in the dog shows, with his descendants consistently competing at events like the Melbourne Royal Show.”

She is o en seen walking

her beloved dogs twice daily, a sight loved by many because of the rarity of the breed.

Though from a non-snowy part of Georgia, Ms McCarty learned to snowboard in her late 20s in Ohio and Denver. Now, she embraces each winter season by jumping on her snowboard as much as possible.

While in the summer months she spends a lot of time at the lake, and occasionally y shing.

“What keeps me in Jindabyne is de nitely the community, I really like small town community. I like the fact that you can talk to your neighbours,” Ms McCarty said.

“Everybody in Jindabyne is friendly and outgoing.”

She nds parallels between Jindabyne and her agricultural hometown, right down to the number of grocery stores.

A er 12 years in Australia, and eight in Jindabyne, Ms McCarty has found her forever home.

“Jindabyne’s home now,” she said.

“I bought a house, and I am here for the long haul, you guys are stuck with me now.”

With her global expertise and local heart, Ms McCarty is an integrated and muchloved part of the Jindabyne community.

HOME: Jindabyne Lions Club president, Coleena McCarty, calls Jindabyne home and plans on continuing her community contributions for years to come. PHOTO: Trista Heath

Second birthday celebrations

Cooma’s The Kitchen Bench marks special occasion with storewide sale, beginning today

“This was all completely new to me. It’s been a huge learning experience, but one I’ve really enjoyed.

“My favourite place has always been around the kitchen bench, surrounded by loved ones, so creating a store that celebrates cooking, gathering, and sharing special moments felt like a natural t.”

To mark the store’s second year of business, a storewide sale is being held with 25 per cent o everything from Wednesday 15 to Saturday 18 October.

“We’d love to see everyone come in and help us celebrate this milestone,” Danielle said.

The Kitchen Bench is mainly aimed at the public, but Danielle is more than happy to help source products.

“We’re always on the lookout for new and unique pieces to bring into the store,” she said.

“We also refresh the shop

seasonally - slow cookers and stock pots in winter, picnic baskets and rugs in summer, and everything from cook ware to gi ing at Christmas.

“One of the biggest chang es in the two years of operation was launching our website, which has allowed us to grow from just a physical store into an online presence as well.”

“Supporting other small businesses is something we’re really passionate about.

“The local support has been amazing, and I’m so grateful,” Danielle said.

nice it is to have a place locally where you can nd quality and thoughtfully chosen products. The feedback really means a lot.

“It’s been such a rewarding experience, and I’m really proud of what The Kitchen Bench has become,” Danielle said.

in the birthday celebrations with Danielle.

“Retail can be challenging, especially when competing with big online retailers, but it’s so important for small towns to have small businesses,” Danielle said.

The Kitchen Bench stocks trusted brands like Mason

“We o en hear how beautiful the store looks and how

Make sure you call in to The Kitchen Bench, check out the shop and all its beautiful products and even share

“Local stores provide more than just products - they offer service, connection, and convenience. Every purchase made locally really does help keep our community strong.”

HUGE Birthday SALE

WEDNESDAY 15thSATURDAY 18th OCTOBER ONLY!

Be sure to visit The Kitchen Bench this week and enjoy the birthday sale.

The Kitchen Bench stocks trusted brands like Mason Cash, Chasseur, and Robert Gordon, as well as beautiful local products including oil from Snowy Mountains Estate and honey from High Country Honey.

A example of some of the beautiful styling inside The Kitchen Bench.

ANNIVERSARY: The Kitchen Bench, owned by Danielle Tobler, is marking its second birthday this week with a storewide sale.

PHOTOS: Melinda Cairns Hack

Essential tips for navigating unpredictable alpine terrain

Professional tour guide gives advice on hiking needs

By TRISTA HEATH

As spring grips the Snowy Mountains, outdoor enthusiasts ock to Jindabyne for the beginning of hiking season.

Owner and operator of Wilderness Sports in Jindabyne, Bruce Easton, warns that preparation is key for a safe and enjoyable experience in the region’s unpredictable weather conditions.

While spring has sprung there is still a lot of snow in the higher altitude backcountry areas. Depending on your destination, snowshoes will be required to make it through the trails.

From proper clothing to navigating rising river levels, Mr Easton highlights the diverse challenges that outback adventurers must consider.

Kosciuszko National Park is a popular destination for skiing, snowshoeing, and trekking around this time of year. However, many

visitors underestimate the complexities of the backcountry.

“It’s not just about grabbing a personal locator beacon (PLB) or lling out a trip intention form,” Mr Easton said.

“It’s about being equipped for the full spectrum of weather conditions. The day can start out sunny but quickly turn windy, especially this winter, which has been particularly gusty.”

Mr Easton emphasised the importance of layering and having the right accessories.

“Sunglasses are essential to prevent snow blindness, while a beanie and a sun hat can protect against the elements. Additionally, items like bu s or head socks provide that extra layer of weather protection.”

Mr Easton said with recent snowfall, snowshoes have become crucial, especially for those aiming to traverse upper peaks or make their way from Charlotte Pass to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko.

“One of the hidden hazards of winter trekking in this region is the rising water levels in the Snowy River,” Mr Easton said.

“People o en cross the ford in the morning when the water is low, but as the day warms and the snow melts, the water level can rise dramatically.

“Being aware of these conditions is vital for safety.”

Preparation goes beyond clothing and navigation.

“Having a reliable map is important,” Mr Easton said.

“If you’re relying on your phone for navigation, a battery bank can be a lifesaver. Cold temperatures can drain batteries quickly, and losing service can lead to disorientation.”

He advised adventurers to anticipate a range of weather conditions and to be prepared for the unexpected.

Mr Easton noted that even as the warmer months approach, snow dri s can persist well into spring.

“Certain areas, particularly around

Curruthers Peak and the trail to Lake Albina, traditionally have substantial snowpacks that can last until Christmas,” Mr Easton said.

“We see many individuals slide because they don’t have appropriate footwear or the necessary poles for stability.”

stashing extra food and water in vehicles so adventurers can replenish a er their trek.

He strongly encouraged the use of walking poles to maintain three points of contact, ensuring greater safety on challenging terrain.

In addition to safety gear and awareness of the environment, Mr Easton pushed the importance of proper hydration.

“When people head out into the mountains, they o en forget to bring enough water. Staying hydrated is just as crucial as having enough food,” Mr Easton said.

To mitigate this risk, Mr Easton recommended

To promote responsible outdoor activity this spring, Mr Easton and his team at Wilderness Sports o er essential gear and information to ensure visitors can fully experience the breathtaking beauty of the Snowy Mountains safely.

“We’re here not just to rent gear but to educate our customers about preparing for their adventures,” Mr Easton said.

His commitment to safety in the outdoors is echoed by many local operators who share the same mission.

As winter is le behind and the spring months are here, the landscape in the

backcountry continues to transform. The importance of proper preparation is vital to anyone wanting to venture the backcountry. By equipping themselves with the right clothing, gear, and knowledge of the terrain, adventurers can enjoy the stunning alpine environment while minimising risks.

“Being prepared doesn’t just make for a great trip; it can make the di erence between safety and danger,” Mr Easton said.

With the right precautions, winter in the Snowy Mountains can be a memorable and exhilarating experience for all.

Visit www.nationalparks. nsw.gov.au for more safety information.

OUTDOORS: Spring is the beginning of hiking season, bringing many to the trails of Kosciuszko National Park. PHOTOS: Supplied

Professional guide, Bruce Easton, gives advice to those heading to the park planning to hike the trails this spring.

Tips for riding into adventure

MTB beginner’s guide with expert, Nic Davoli

By TRISTA HEATH

As the weather warms and the trails call, more and more outdoor enthusiasts are trying their hand at mountain biking, a sport that o ers not only exhilarating thrills but also an opportunity to forge connections with nature.

Owner and operator of Sacred Ride in Jindabyne, Nic Davoli, a mountain biking expert, suggests that for those new to the sport, a well-planned start can make all the di erence.

“Renting gear for your rst experience and taking a lesson is essential,” Nic said.

“Lessons provide invaluable insights that can accelerate your progress while preventing the formation of bad habits.”

For anyone considering mountain biking this season, Nic’s expert advice enables beginners to navigate the o en-intimidating world of trail riding.

Starting on appropriate beginner trails, he encourages newcomers to concentrate on mastering basic skills like body positioning, braking, and maintaining focus on their intended path.

“The mountain bike community is welcoming, and riding with others can signi cantly enhance your learning experience. Consistency is key,” Nic said.

investing in essential equipment will enable the best and safest experience.

Nic said newcomers should prioritise a welltting helmet, comfortable athletic shoes - preferably bike-speci c for maximum grip - sunglasses, a hydration system, and gloves.

“While protective gear such as knee and elbow pads might seem optional, they will de nitely save you a lot of regret,” Nic said.

“Many people only purchase protective gear a er their rst injury, which can be a costly mistake.”

As riders become more experienced, Nic suggests gradually acquiring additional gear, including padded shorts, a multi-tool, a pump, and a tyre repair kit.

“Proper preparation for rides is vital,” he said.

“I advise that riders assess their route’s distance, terrain, and weather conditions, and ensuring you have a well-maintained bike is essential.

“I recommend performing a pre-ride check to ensure everything is in working order before hitting the tracks.”

Once on the trail, Nic encourages beginners to start with green-rated (easy) paths.

“Building con dence

Riders should practise techniques like cornering and climbing while remaining vigilant for obstacles.

“Don’t hesitate to walk your bike through sections that feel daunting; safety should always come rst; mountain biking is as much about connection as it is about skill.

“It’s important to focus on enjoying the ride and connecting with nature.”

Nic advises beginners to be patient with their progress and to take breaks when needed. A er each ride, maintaining the bike is also crucial.

“Cleaning and lubricating your bike a er every adventure ensures it remains in top shape for future rides,” Nic said.

There is growing popularity of mountain biking shows from across the globe and it is becoming a sport more and more people gravitate towards.

From the rush of navigating challenging terrain to achieving physical tness and the strong sense of community it fosters, this sport appeals to a wide range of individuals.

As the summer season approaches, exciting developments are on the horizon for mountain biking in the region.

underway around Cooma,” Nic said.

“These projects promise to improve the local riding experience, though many new trails will not be completed until later seasons.”

For those seeking guidance, Nic stresses the importance of connecting with local bike shops.

“If you’re unsure about anything, remember that mountain biking is new to you, and your local bike shop is always a great resource for advice, there are no stupid questions, so don’t hesitate to ask,” Nic said.

“Lessons aren’t just for beginners; you’ll continually be looking to step up your skills, there are many examples of local people who got into the sport and ended up making a living from it or achieving extraordinary high-level results.”

Nic said support your local dedicated bike shop; they are the heart of your MTB experience.

“They are involved in supporting local events, track maintenance, mountain bike clubs, and youth access to the sport, among other things.

“They need your support

just as much as you need them for a quick, last-minute repair - something you won’t nd online.

“And remember that those few extra dollars spent locally stay local and help your local shop stay in business. Too many shops that were successful for a very long time have disappeared in recent years due to a lack of support from locals buying online.”

For more information on everything that Sacred Ride has to o er visit www.shop. sacredride.com.au or visit the experts in store located at 1/3A Gippsland Street, Jindabyne.

The new shimano XTR Di2 derailleur, one of the novelties on the market at the moment and o ered at Sacred Ride Jindabyne.

The all-new Reign Advanced E+ from Giant, o ered in store at Sacred Ride Jindabyne.

THRILLING: Owner and operator of Sacred Ride in Jindabyne, Nic Davoli, a mountain biking expert gives tips and tricks of the trade.

PHOTO: Trista Heath

The other side of the fence

By PHIL DALEY OPINION

Like me, you probably don’t spend much time considering the Snowy Monaro Council’s fees and charges.

The fees and charges document is distributed annually for public comment under the suite of IP & R documents which can be viewed on council’s website or by visiting a council o ce.

There is a huge amount of nancial information in the document, which, when adopted by council are the fees you will be charged for a service provided by council excluding what is covered by your rates.

Possibly not many of you have

ever examined council’s fees and charges which traditionally increase by a percentage each year.

Under s610(D)(1)(a) of the act, council is supposed to consider “the cost to the council of providing the service.”

That suggests to me the charge should represent a fee that will be cost neutral, that is not losing money and not making an exorbitant pro t. Most of us only look at the annual waste management, waste collection, water and sewerage charges all of which are set by council and are shown on our rates notices.

There are many additional charges that we don’t examine unless the fee a ects us when we hire a hall, a sportsground, connect to a water or sewer main, submit a development application or a host of other things which we access from time to time.

Council enjoys monopoly status for some of its functions because there are no other providers permitted by council to contest the work.

As a public monopoly I believe council should practice

considerable social licence by not charging more than a particular service costs.

I am assisting neighbours with a subdivision application where council’s approval conditioned water services had to be connected to the water main which fronts each of the four new lots.

An “application” had to be made through the NSW Planning Portal with the fee to be paid to council.

Council’s 2024/25 fees document shows the fee for approval to connect as $314 “per application” but I was charged “per lot”.

So, due to the misinterpretation of those two words I was charged $1256 instead of the $314 (the amount appearing in the adopted fees and charges).

I challenged the overcharge many times by phone and email but to no avail. Ultimately, I received an email stating the charge was correct and he suggested that what he had written would satisfy my query. It didn’t.

He stated that only the council

Life on the funny farm

By Paul Dorin

can alter the adopted fees and charges but our council has delegated that authority to the CEO to vary the charges except for the legislated fees upon request.

He copied all of our councillors into his email to me but I didn’t notice the CEO on the list. As I was not satis ed with his response, I replied and copied all of our councillors into my reply.

I received only one response from our councillors! I thank that courteous councillor who o ered to raise the matter with councils new CEO.

As this is a simple short term issue to resolve, requiring only two words to be a changed, I thought there would be a report in the following months meeting business paper. There wasn’t. Nor was there one in the September business paper.

Let’s look at what I got for the $1256. I received an invoice and an acknowledgement of the “application” by email. A sta member performing at snail’s pace could not have spent more than three hours (excluding tea breaks) in preparing those two simple documents which are

GOOD MORNING, FIRE CHIEF REG. THIS IS HEAD OFFICE. AS YOU'RE AWARE, WE’VE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT BUDGET REDUCTIONS. AND WITH FIRE SEASON APPROACHING, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU BEGIN PREPARATIONS USING THE LIMITED FUNDS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

probably in a standard letter format anyway.

Let’s assume that to prepare those documents costs $100 per hour (overpaid I know). So in my opinion I was overcharged at least $956 because the words in the adopted fees and charges do not relate to the service that is provided.

Surely that inequity must have made some impression on the nine councillors who didn’t acknowledge my email.

The long term solution is that the fees and charges gures need to be calculated based on the rst principle of what it costs council to provide the service and avoid over or under charging.

Councillors will be amazed at how inequitable the charges are if sta advised the actual cost of providing the service shown in the document. Council needs to be transparent and be a “trusted community partner” when considering the true cost of providing the services it charges fees for.

The fees and charges document needs a major overhaul to be fair to our community.

Church service times

Cooma Baptist: 10am Sunday

St Patrick’s Catholic Parish: 10am Sunday, Weekday mass 10am Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays

St Paul’s Anglican Parish of Cooma: 9.30am Sunday

St Andrew’s Cooma Uniting: 9.30am Sunday

Lifegate Christian Church Cooma: 9:55am second and fourth Sunday each month, 4pm first and third Sunday each month

Cooma Presbyterian Church: 9am Sunday

St John’s Anglican Adaminaby: 3pm first and third Sunday each month

St Peter’s Anglican Nimmitabel: 11.30am third Sunday each month

St Andrew’s Catholic Nimmitabel: Saturday vigil mass 5pm on the weekend of the fifth Sunday

Alpine Uniting Church Jindabyne: 9.30am Sunday

Columbkille Catholic Church, Jindabyne: Mass 5pm Saturdays

Village Church Jindabyne: 5pm Sunday

All Saints Anglican Church Berridale: 9.30am Sunday

All Saints Numeralla: second Sunday of the month liturgy 5pm, fourth Sunday of month 5pm mass

St Matthias’ Bombala: 9am every Sunday

St Philip’s Delegate: 11am every third Sunday

St Matthew’s Bibbenluke: 3pm every 4th Sunday

If your church would like to be added to this list, please contact editor@monaropost.com.au

Reunion for Monaro High School class of 1995

On Saturday, 4 October, Monaro High School’s Class of 1995 celebrated its 30-year reunion, bringing together alumni who attended from Year 7 in 1990 up to Year 12 in 1995. The event, which was nostalgic and emotional, included a tour of the school, a walk through the hallways and classrooms, and a dinner at the Alpine Hotel in Cooma.

For many, the reunion was a surreal journey back in time. The recent renovations at the school le some areas almost unrecognisable.

“So many changes,” was the consensus of the group.

“It’s still Monaro, but it feels so di erent. It brought back so many memories.”

The tour was led by current teachers, Mrs Kari Ingram and Ms Alix Co a, who graciously showed the group around the school grounds, pointing out both old and new features.

The emotional evening continued at the Alpine Hotel, where old friendships were rekindled over dinner.

Some attendees hadn’t seen each other in 30 years, making the night even more meaningful.

Among the dinner guests were former teachers Mrs Sarah Wall (music) and Mr Rick Harris (technology), who enjoyed reconnecting with former students.

In a bittersweet moment, former year advisor Mr Chris Reeks tried to join the celebration

from Germany, where he was travelling.

Unfortunately, a poor phone connection while riding a train through the German Alps made the call impossible.

“We tried, but the reception just wouldn’t co-operate,” reunion organiser, Karen Vincent, said.

“He was able to send through a couple of photos and a lovely message, though, which we all really appreciated.

“A big thank you was extended to all who helped make the event possible, including the Monaro High School sta and the alumni who attended.

The 30-year reunion was not just about reminiscing but about appreciating how far the school and its students have come.”

Photo of the week

Nathan Thompson (02) 6452 0312 editor@monaropost.com.au

Trista Heath (Jindabyne) 0491 214 722 trista@monaropost.com.au

Melinda Cairns Hack (Cooma) (02) 6452 0312

mcairnshack@monaropost.com.au

Elle Thompson (02) 6452 0312 elle@monaropost.com.au

Monaro Post welcomes your thoughts and feedback on issues in the Snowy Monaro community. If you have a story lead or prepared article and photographs

like published contact the Group Editor Nathan Thompson on (02) 6452 0312 or call in to the Monaro Post o ice at 59 Vale Street between 9-5pm Monday to Friday. We also welcome letters to the editor.

Walker-Broose 0408 425 484 jim@monaropost.com.au

Keely Pressley 0456 217 012 keely@monaropost.com.au

CLASSIFIEDS (02) 6452 0318 classifieds@monaropost.com.au

their 30-year reunion at the Alpine Hotel.

PHOTO: Theo Schoo

The Brothers.

PHOTO: Holly Dowell.

This edition’s selection for photo of the week comes from Cooma photographer, Holly Dowell. While taking some family photos in paddocks near Cooma, Holly snapped this lovely shot of The Brothers.

Car sleep in to raise vital funds

By MELINDA CAIRNS HACK

Across the country the ongoing impact of rising rents, difculties in nding a ordable housing and increase in everyday costs is a ecting many Australians, including those living in the Snowy Monaro.

Mission Australia’s Murrumbidgee team is taking part in the charity’s inaugural Sleep In Your Car fundraiser on 24 October at The Y carpark in Cooma to raise vital funds for Mission Australia’s homelessness services, including those in Cooma. These include prevention and early intervention, crisis and transitional accommodation, outreach, case management and tailored support for young people, families and adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The local Mission Australia branch will be joining thousands across Australia taking part in Sleep In Your Car.

This new fundraising initiative comes as demand for Mission Australia’s homelessness services increased by 19 per cent over the past year, with more people than ever living without a safe, secure place to call home.

The 2021 census recorded more than 120,000 people experiencing homelessness in Australia, with many living in severely overcrowded dwellings,

TRAFFIC ADVICE:

MORE WIDE LOADS FOR SNOWY 2.0

refuges, boarding houses, couch sur ng, other insecure accommodation, on the streets or in their cars.

“Across Australia, individuals and families are feeling the ongoing impact of rising rents, the scarcity of truly a ordable housing and the increasing cost of everyday essentials,” Mission Australia acting co-ordinator, Cooma Region Homelessness Support Service, Brittany Hynes, said.

“In the Snowy Monaro region, the number of people experiencing homelessness is increasing and we’re seeing more people seek support from our service as they are forced to couch surf with friends or family, stay in overcrowded housing or sleep in their car.

“The Mission Australia team in Cooma is sleeping in cars as part of the charity’s Sleep In Your Car fundraiser to bring awareness to the impact of homelessness and housing insecurity on people across our community,” Ms Hynes said.

“We know that being uncomfortable for one night can’t compare to the experience of long-term homelessness, but we hope to gain more understanding and show solidarity with the people we serve.

“We hope the community will get behind us as we join the thousands of other people across the country taking part in the Sleep In Your Car initiative.”

To register, fundraise or learn more, visit sleepinyourcar.com.au

Are you getting better with age?

By NATHAN THOMPSON

An innovative, fun and free event being run on the Southern Monaro this month will explore some of the tools, tips and resources available for active and healthy aging.

The interactive community day, being held at Bombala’s Currawarna Assisted Living, has been organised by Southern NSW Local Health District and will see a diverse range of aged care industry, community and not-forpro t stakeholders come together to explore and celebrate ‘getting better with age’.

Volunteer MC for the day, journalist Sophie Campbell, said the event is a unique opportunity for people from across the region to consult with a range of experts and organisations working within the aged care space and to hopefully better understand the growing range of support services available to older Australians.

With everything from brain dancing and weight training through to healthy eating and mental health strategies on o er, Ms Campbell also hopes the day will help many locals to uncover lifechanging answers to what healthy and active aging looks like for them.

“Many industry experts are describing the next decade in Australia as a ‘Tsunami of need’ for older Australians,” Ms Campbell said.

“We’re all getting older, but for people living in rural and remote areas like the Southern Monaro, a ordable and accessible services can o en appear out of reach and simply nding the right resources you need to make

informed decisions around your own future or those of a loved one can be challenging.

“From deciphering the details around aged care packages and driver licences, through to discovering how to create a more accessible living space in your own home, the Getting Better with Age day in Bombala is just as much a day for family, friends and caregivers as it is for those older members of our community.”

Ms Campbell said there’s an amazing brains trust of experts who have been involved in putting this exciting community day together.

“I’d love to see this concept rolling out in other South East NSW communities in the future,” she said.

With Bombala’s recently opened Currawarna Assisted Living welcolming the public on the day, attendees will be able to explore this unique and hugely successful new model of community supported independent living.

As part of Mental Health month, the day will also explore the positive impacts that music and movement, tness, community connection and healthy eating can all have on our wellbeing and our daily lives.

Locals will also have a chance to explore Bombala Rural Fire Brigade’s brand new re tanker and chat to local re brigade volunteers about re safety and bush re preparation this summer. A light lunch and refreshments will be served on the day, so RSVPs to assist with catering can be made by emailing coordinator@currawarna.org or calling Maddi at Currawarna Assisted Living on 0484 068 399.

Sections of Snowy 2.0’s tunnel boring machine, TBM Monica, and components to build the underground power station are on the road, heading to worksites near Kiandra.

Oversize loads will be transported via Cooma and the Snowy Mountains Highway with appropriate escorts. Loads wider than four metres will travel at night.

Motorists may experience delays and should adhere to directions from pilot vehicles and NSW Police.

Heavy vehicle movements in the region are scheduled to increase.

Take care when driving around the Snowies.

For travel times and more detailed information on project truck movements, scan the QR code. Delivery schedules are subject to change.

Auto, Mitch Newman.

Holiday fun at libraries

By MELINDA CAIRNS HACK

Local libraries have o ered children on school holidays some great activities over the spring holiday break.

Cooma, Jindabyne and Bombala library activities included cra ing sessions such as paper mosaic artwork, STEM activities including making rockets, free movie screenings and Lego creative fun.

The children enjoyed the opportunity to ll in some time and get creative at their local library.

The sessions in general were well-attended and full of laughter and chatter as the children immersed themselves in the varied activities.

Check out Snowy Monaro Regional Council’s website or social media platform for information about regular activities hosted for people of all ages, held throughout the year.

Council updates

Bombala sewer upgrade project

Crews returned to the site of Bombala’s new sewer pump station on Mahratta St this week.

Construction on the major infrastructure project is now back underway until the end of the year.

Limited trafﬁc restrictions will be in effect.

Vehicle access using Mahratta St will be preserved, subject to minor delays. Use an alternative route when possible.

Bag a bargain at Garage Sale Trail

If you’re in need of a little extra spending money this spring, or just in the mood to bag a blooming great bargain or two – the 2025 Garage Sale Trail has you covered over two big weekends this year on 8–9 and 15–16 November.

Head over to www.garagesaletrail.com. au to plan your treasure hunt through the region’s yards, garages, carparks and halls.

Participants can expect to nd a wide range of items, from designer fashion and mid-century furniture to cookware, vinyl records, children’s items, and tools. On average, sellers make around $457 from their sales, proving that what’s pre-loved can be both planet and pocket-friendly.

If you’ve got some bargains of your own you’d like to bring to market, the site is simple to get signed up and secure your spot on this year’s trail.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) invites everyone across the region to join the fun this November, and help keep quality pre-loved goods out of land ll.

SMRC is hosting a 28-stall group sale at Jindabyne Memorial Hall on Sunday, 9 November from 8.30am to 12pm. Buyers can drop in anytime on the day, but stallholder spots are limited and going fast.

For sellers in other parts of the region, or those with more than a stall’s worth of items to sell, you can register to host your own sale as part of the trail online. You can also band together with your neighbours or friends to host a group sale.

Sign-up to host your stop on the trail, or browse the map and plan your bargainhunting odyssey.

Registration is free. Sellers receive access to how-to guides and promotional resources to help make their sales a success. Shoppers can plan their trail using the Garage Sale Trail website, ensuring they don’t miss out on any hidden gems.

Stay informed

Make sure you never miss another important update from Council.

Keep up-to-date by subscribing to our email newsletter today.

Visit https://qrco.de/smrc-newsletter now to sign up before the next edition.

With top stories on the topics that matter most to you and all the important information you need to know, our fortnightly Council News has you covered.

Council tabling annual ﬁnancial results at October meeting

Snowy Monaro Regional Council ﬁnished the year in a stronger ﬁnancial position than the year before.

Council added $1.4 million to unrestricted cash reserves for 2024–25.

This result is well above the $1 million annual target set by our Long-Term Financial Plan, Operational Plan, and the Ofﬁce of Local Government’s Performance Improvement Order.

The financial statements show a deficit for the year, however, several non-cash accounting adjustments contributed to this figure.

The draft annual ﬁnancial statements will be tabled at the October Ordinary Council Meeting on Thursday 16 October 2025.

Council’s draft ﬁnancial statements can be viewed as part of the October Ordinary Council Meeting business paper.

Jindabyne public toilet upgrade

Major upgrades to the Jindabyne Town Centre public toilets are underway.

The project will see facility internals replaced, exterior renovations, and improvements to paths and access points.

The site will be closed until work is complete in March 2026.

Temporary public toilets are available in the library carpark next to the existing site.

Following endorsement at the upcoming meeting, the draft statements will be audited by the Audit Ofﬁce of NSW.

Visit https://qrco.de/SMRCmeetings to access the meeting business paper and see the attachments.

To see a more detailed summary of Snowy Monaro Regional Council’s end-of-year ﬁnancial results, please visit our news page at https://qrco.de/SMRCnews

Sami and Sajjad Ullah get busy at the library making mosaic masterpieces.

Dad, Rob Harding with son Brock Jones begin to create their artwork at the Cooma Library’s cra session last Wednesday.

CHILD’S PLAY: Mum, Delfin Wycli , with her children Daniel and Joshua at the Cooma Library last Wednesday for the cra session.

Entries open for busking bonanza

Entries have opened for the nal heat and grand nal of the Australian National Busking Championships (ANBC), with an unprecedented prize pool of $14,000 cash up for grabs.

The not-for-pro t ANBC is seeking musicians and performers of all abilities, ages and locations to contest the Cooma regional nal on 15 November and has invited entry from winners of each category in all ve 2025 regional nals for the national championship to be held for the rst time the following day.

Usually, the Cooma heat is held early in the year and the national grand nal in November, but ANBC founder and president, Allan Spencer, said a decision had been made to create one large event to attract more spon-

Unlock arts trail

sorship and bigger crowds, to stay in the region longer.

“We are o ering three nights of live free entertainment and two days of busking competition, workshops, a street parade and markets,”

Mr Spencer said.

“We have had a huge response from sponsors offering everything from cash prizes to accommodation for our three esteemed judges, and goods.

“Now we just need busker entries and crowds to come to Cooma to support them and enjoy all that Cooma has to o er on that weekend.”

Mr Spencer said positions in the regional event were limited and encouraged buskers to secure their spot as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Categories include primary, secondary, open, mas-

ters, people’s choice, best duo and best band. Entrants will play four, 30-minute sets at designated busking stations outside Cooma businesses on the day with the announcement of winners and presentations made at the Alpine Hotel, along with winning busker performances and other live entertainment, at night.

Tamworth-based music publicist and journalist, Bec Gracie, who works with many Tamworth country music stars, will sponsor a major award for the best musician older than 50.

“There are so many amazing artists over 50 who are sharing their stories through music,” she said.

“I want to celebrate music being made by people of all ages and I think that passion and persistence deserves to

ing as an arts and cultural hub is improving each year with many ne artists and artisans calling the region home.

The Snowy Monaro is wellknown for its outdoor options come the warmer months. Be it mountain bike riding, shing, hiking, or watersports, the region has it.

The Snowy Monaro’s stand-

To help you unlock the best arts and culture spots the region has to o er, make sure you collect a copy of the Snowy Monaro Arts and Artisan Trail booklet produced by South East Arts.

The booklet is available at visitor centres, libraries, cafes and shops to provide visitors with a

be recognised.”

Judges will include Tam worth Country Music Fes tival busking co-ordinator, Kyle Kash, with Mr Spencer set to announce two more celebrity judges in the next few weeks.

“We are really excited about our judging panel this year, mostly because of their direct involvement with busking and busking compe titions and also the ANBC,” he said.

“More will be revealed soon.”

During its 14-year histo ry, the ANBC has produced many musicians who have gone on to great things, including Felicity Kirchner who won the Toyota Star Maker competition at the Tamworth Country Music Festival this year.

championships across one big weekend in November.

Arthur Hull, has been performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Berridale musician/singer/songwriter

Last year’s overall winner,

guide to the many cultural experiences available in the region.

The trail includes artists who have workshops or outlets you can visit, creative retail venues; cultural events; heritage trails and public art, which consists of mural art and world-class sculpture walks.

South East Arts produced the booklet to celebrate art and culture and give people another reason to visit the region.

Multiple gardens open to public

By MELINDA CAIRNS HACK

Cooma open gardens Rural Fire Service fundraiser will be held on Sunday, 26 October from 2pm to 5pm.

The event this year will be held in memory of Nella Bacon, the visionary leader of the Cooma Spring Open Gardens fund raising drive for 15 years.

These Cooma open garden a ernoons which Nella organised proved enjoyable for many over the years, with all money raised donated to cancer research.

Nella asked Judith Truter to take over in 2023 and last year was the rst open garden under Judith’s guidance.

Around 80 people attended last year, the majority from the Monaro, but about a dozen from as far as Bungendore and the south coast.

“Last year was the rst time we o ered tickets for sale on Eventbrite and I think that opened it up to people from outside our area,” Judith said.

One of the changes Judith made as organiser was

She said the Cooma Rural Fire Brigade became the bene ciary of the funds a er her husband “accidentally ‘allowed’ our green waste burn to get out of control”.

Four gardens will be featured on this year’s route and this includes businesses and private gardens. Ticket holders will start o at 20 Short Street - ‘Hollyberry House’ - and end at The Raglan Gallery in Lambie Street, where cake, tea, co ee and plants

Tickets are available from The Fabric Salon in Vale Street and online from Eventbrite.

Only adults need to pay $25 (includes ra e entry), all children under 18 years can enjoy the gardens free. Proceeds from the ticket and stall sales go directly to support the Cooma Rural Fire Brigade.

This year’s ra e prize is a photo of your property by famous local photographer, Wendy McDougall, worth

Authors on show

By CORALIE VERNON

Snowy Mountains author and organiser of A ernoon Tea with Children’s Writers of the Far South, Coral Lindt, is encouraging families to attend the event to hear from some of the region’s most talented writers.

Lindt is hosting the intimate free event at Tura Marrang Library and Community Centre on 17 October for children in preschool to Year 3.

Expect a ernoon tea, a bookshop, story time, author talks and family fun with a lucky door prize.

Jackie French AM, will attend via video with live sessions featuring award winning Sapphire Coast author Dr Helen Lewis, and exhibiting Snowy Mountains artist-authorillustrator Rowena Evans.

“The far south has so much beauty but our people are our greatest asset,” Lindt said.

“Our coastlines, mountains and forests are spectacular, but there’s also genius and opportunity here. Highly successful people live here. Some of those people write books for children, and it’s important that the children here get to meet them.

“We live in a time when literacy levels are dropping in Australia, so it’s more important than ever to instill a joy of reading in our children. We also live in times of con ict and di culty where empathy, kindness and critical thinking are essential.

Stories teach us these things.”

Deliberately timed on the eve of the Headland Writers Festival, Lindt

said that this event, whilst independent, supports the festival’s aims to showcase writers of the region.

“Meeting authors is important. It enlarges a child’s understanding of the world and their expectation of their place within it when they understand that they too, can develop a skill, excel in it, and become a success,” Lindt said.

“Children need to see examples as they grow up. It normalises the idea of accomplishment.”

For Snowy residents on the coast that weekend, A ernoon Tea with Children’s Writers of the Far South starts at 3pm on 17 October at Tura Marrang Library and Community Centre. Tickets are free but places are limited. Book via Eventbrite.

building.

PHOTO: Melinda Cairns Hack

NATURE’S BEAUTY: Cooma Rural Fire Brigade captain, Ben Morley (le ), Sean and Judith Truter, the late Nella and Alec Bacon at last year’s Cooma open gardens event.

PHOTO: Supplied

LAOKO busy through winter Rising Snowy River alert

The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has issued a rising river alert for the Snowy River between Jindabyne Dam and Dalgety today, Wednesday, 15 October.

The river will rise due to the last high- ow event in a series of three planned high- ow environmental releases from Jindabyne Dam to the Snowy River during 2025. This will be the largest release of 2025 and will occur via the dam spillway.

A daily ow volume of 5000 megalitres will be released over 24 hours from Jindabyne Dam from midnight (00:00am) on Wednesday, 15 October.

The release will include a peak ow rate from 8am to 4pm equivalent to 9000 megalitres per day for the eight-hour period. The ow rate will drop to a target of 2500 megalitres per day on Thursday, 16 October.

It is expected that the river level at Dalgety will rise by approximately one metre. Rainfall or wet conditions in the catchment may further increase ow rates and water depths.

The environmental bene ts from this release are expected to be greatest between the dam wall and the junction with the Delegate River.

However, the ow pulse will be noticeable well down into Victoria. Natural tributary in ows will also contribute to water levels as the pulse moves down the Snowy River.

Water released from Jindabyne Dam may take approximately seven to 13 hours to reach Dalgety Weir at this ow rate and around three to four days for the ow to arrive at Orbost in Victoria, subject to catchment conditions.

Landholders downstream of the Jindabyne Dam are advised to take all necessary precautions with stock, fencing and property in proximity to the river. As the release ows through the system people should refrain from entering or crossing swollen waterways.

Conditions will be closely monitored in the lead up to the release. Planned ows may be modi ed or cancelled subject to weather, environmental or operational conditions nearer to the time of release.

Volunteers care for 95 joeys during season

By MELINDA CAIRNS HACK

If you have been thinking while travelling around the region there appears to be an increase in road kill along the road sides this year, then you are right.

The Snowy Mountains Wildlife Rescue (locally known as LAOKO), an independently operated, 100 per cent volunteer run not-forpro t wildlife rehabilitation organisation based in the Snowy Monaro region, has been struggling to keep up with the demand.

Each year hundreds of native animals are orphaned, injured, sick or killed due to many factors. These animals as a result will often come into care with Snowy Mountains Wildlife Rescue where they are rehabilitated for their eventual release back into the wild. The group also provides a region-wide wombat mange treatment program.

LAOKO vice president (admin), Allyson Jennings, has con rmed volunteers were ‘incredibly busy’ over the winter season.

“Traditionally LAOKO follows the ski season from the June long weekend through to the October long weekend. We estimate by the end of the October long weekend we will have done more than 1600 animal cases for the ski season. In comparison, we have done 1300 animal cases this past 24-25 nancial year and 1200 the previous 2324 nancial year.

“And they are the ones we know about,” she said.

Vice president (operations), Kelly McMahon, said LAOKO volunteers cared for 95 joeys this winter season.

“It has been one of, if not the, busiest winter season we have experienced and we have struggled to keep our phone line manned,” Ms McMahon said.

“Some of those have stayed with us and others have been transferred to other wildlife rehabilitation organisations within the state so they can be buddied up for ongoing care. Our volunteers have worked incredibly hard while also juggling work, farms and family.”

LAOKO covers an extensive area of approximately 15,000 square kilometres (1.5 million hectares) encompassing towns such as

Cooma, Bombala, Delegate, Bredbo, Berridale, Jindabyne, Kalkite, Adaminaby and including Kosciuszko National Park plus the ski resorts of Thredbo, Perisher, Selwyn and Charlotte Pass.

“The Local Government Area (LGA) of Snowy Monaro Regional Council itself has a small population all year round, covering a really big LGA area,” Ms Jennings said.

“Our licence doesn’t fully cover this big area, just part of it - even still it’s a very large area to cover. We are doing big kilometres, trying to cover big areas...we’re always busy.”

The Canberra - Snowy Monaro route has been described as ‘carnage’ by Ms Jennings.

“The number of hit animals along this highway, especially in June and July was insane,” she said.

“The local population during the ski season explodes exponentially and it’s not just the visitors - there’s also an increase in transportation of goods coming here for businesses and increased truck movements.”

The responsibilities of a LAOKO volunteer are not only as a rescuer or carer.

Duties include answering phone calls and ad hoc pouch checking (driving along the road and if a

dead animal is observed, stopping to check and then marking it) and joey rescuing.

“A lot of people don’t realise none of us are paid. I work a fulltime job, like many of our volun teers, and then LAOKO is like an other full-time job,” Ms Jennings said.

“Our phone operators are o en abused as people don’t realise we are not employed - and sometimes can not get there instantly.

“Kelly McMahon has probably been the one who has been the busiest this season, she not only works at Monaro Veterinary clinic, but is also the person who oversees all of our animals’ carers, where the animals are going, if an animal comes into the clinic, what their fate is, and that sort of thing.”

Ms Jennings believes the uptick this year in animal reports/ rescues from motor vehicle collisions in particular could be due to a number of factors, with not only an increase in numbers travelling to the area, but also people being more aware of the legal requirement in NSW to report an injured animal.

“I have noticed when on a phone shi , people are calling in to say

she said.

“In other cases it’s been people calling us because they have seen someone hit an animal and drive on and leave it alive and injured, or they’ve come across the animal.”

LAOKO receives no re-current government funding and relies on the public for donations/bequests and support.

This along with its own fundraising initiatives enables the trained volunteers to rehabilitate native wildlife ensuring that they have the best chance of recovery before being returned to their natural environment.

For more information about LAOKO Snowy Mountains Wildlife Rescue (which is also a member of the NSW Wildlife Council) or to make a a tax deductible donation to the organisation visit the group’s website.

Report injured wildlife to 02 6456 1313.

p VOLUNTEERS: LAOKO’s Lisa Petro and Allyson Jennings, run a popular stall at the Berridale Spring Fair. The duo o en attend markets and fairs to promote the work of LAOKO and encourage new members to join the ranks.

PHOTO: Nathan Thompson

One of the joey wombats rescued gets a check up at the Monaro Vet Clinic.

PHOTO: Melinda Cairns Hack

Sheep market surge

Wagga Wagga sales yards 66,700 sheep, lambs

By LEANN DAX, MARKET REPORTER

The market experienced a sig ni cant surge following the recent price spike, leading to changes in supply and demand dynamics.

The quality of the yarding at Wagga Wagga sheep sale was fair to good, although the availability of new season lambs, particularly those exceeding 26kg in carcass weight, remained limited.

Trade lambs were in good num bers although some lots needed more nish. Store lambs were well-represented, with a substan tial number of well-bred second cross types presented.

A strong contingent of store buy ers participated in the sale, with a considerable portion of lambs des tined for southern regions, while others sold into the Forbes and Dubbo areas.

In terms of new season trade lambs, while there were good sup plies, not all processors were pre sent at the sale, which impacted pricing. Trade lambs sold for $10 to $24 cheaper than previous week, revealing gaps in the market as the sale progressed.

Trials offer hope for flystrike control

Researchers in South Australia are trialling a new sheep blow y method aimed at reducing ystrike.

Speci cally, lambs weighing between 20-24kg fetched prices ranging from $204 to $286, averaging 1123c/kg cwt.

Heavy lambs in the 24-26kg range sold for $286 to $315, while those weighing 26-30kg faced a downward trend, due to fewer buyers in the market.

Prices dropping to between

$300 and $333/head. Young store lambs met a large group of buyers. Their prices ranged from $143 to $259/head, re ecting a signi cantly weaker market of up to $26/head.

Meanwhile, old trade lambs showed mixed results, selling from $196 to $268/head, while heavy old lambs commanded prices between $290 and $360/ head.

Spring Monaro Ram Sales October 2025

“High Quality Monaro Bred Merino Rams”

Friday 17th

Monday 20th

Tuesday 21st

Wednesday 22nd

Thursday 23rd

It was a mixed yarding of mutton, however heavy sheep were still well represented, with a few more crossbred ewes in the mix.

Buyers were keen but at significantly cheaper price levels over all categories. In general sheep averaged 680-720c/kg cwt. Heavy sheep sold from $170 to $265/head. Trade sheep made from $153 to $195/head.

Based on Kangaroo Island, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is a chemical-free approach with potential applications on the Australian

Flystrike, caused by the sheep blow y Lucilia cuprina, costs the Australian sheep industry an estimated $350 million each year. Current management options – including chemical treatments, mulesing and crutching – can be costly, labour-intensive and face potential issues around insecticide resistance, welfare and negative community

South Australia Research and Development Institute (SARDI) senior entomologist, Dr Maarten van Helden, is leading the SIT research project, which is trialling the approach in a geographically isolated region before evaluating its broader

“In other y species, SIT has been a very e ective control method,” he said.

“We’re testing whether it can be scaled up and economically sustained to manage or even eradicate Lucilia cuprina in areas where reinfestation is minimal.”

How SIT works

The principle behind SIT is to release sterile male blow ies into the environment so they mate with wild females and prevent reproduction. Because female blow ies only mate once, these sterile pairings prevent

the next generation of ies and, over time, the population declines. With initial funding through the Local Economic Recovery program following bush res on Kangaroo Island in 2020, SARDI and the University of Adelaide established a modular insect-rearing facility on the island. This facility – which is built from shipping containers – can produce 50 million sterile blow y pupae each week, enough for large-scale aerial release across the 4,400km island.

Now in its second phase, the project is supported by MLA, Australian Wool Innovation, Animal Health Australia, the South Australian Sheep Industry Fund, the University of Adelaide and SARDI, and will continue scaling up production and release as it works toward the goal of island-wide eradication.

Island conditions

“Kangaroo Island provides an ideal environment to test this technique because of its isolation and relatively stable sheep population – around 500,000 to 600,000 depending on seasonal conditions,” Dr van Helden said.

The team has already trialled pupae-based releases – a di erent approach to the traditional adult y releases used in other SIT programs. The pupae are dropped by plane, allowing the ies to emerge in the environment, ready to mate.

“One of the key advantages of this approach is that it’s environmentally friendly,” Dr van Helden said. “It avoids the use of chemicals entirely and has no risk of residues or resistance developing over time.”

Hazeldean on property sale “Hazeldean,” Cooma 12:30pm

Adina on property sale “Overdale,” Peak View 12:00pm Greenland on property sale “Mountain View,” Cooma 3:00pm

Monaro White Wool Sale “Boudjah” and “Main Range,” Cooma Showground 12:00pm

Snowy Plain/Snow Vale Poll on property sale “Trappers Run,” Berridale 3:00pm

Bindaree on property sale “Bindaree,” Rocky Plain 11:00am

Conrayn on Property sale “Wheat Hill,” Berridale 2:30pm

Cottage Park on property sale “Cottage Park,” Cooma 3:00pm

UPDATE: The sheep market experiences a surge last week.

PHOTO: Nathan Thompson

‘The long paddock’ not just for stock, but recreation Fewer buyers

Yass cattle sale yards

288

With good rain around the district sale numbers on October 9 at Yass remained similar to two weeks ago with agents yarding 288 head.

There was only 41 cows penned, with yearling cattle limited and the majority of the yarding being young cattle to suit the restockers.

There was fewer buyers present and competing.

The well bred weaner steers topped at 600c/kg to average 513c/kg. The heifer portion reached 452c to average 406c/kg. The few yearling steers topped at 485c with yearling heifers selling to 440c to averaged 427c/kg.

A limited o ering of grown heifers reached 440c/kg with heavy feeder steers making up to 475c/ kg.

Heavy cows sold from 372 to 386c with plainer cows making from 319 to 394c/kg for some well shaped cows. Bulls topped at 350c/kg.

Did you know NSW’s Travelling Stock Reserves (TSR) o er beautiful spots for passive recreation?

TSR are parcels of Crown land reserved for livestock to move, rest or graze.

A NSW government response to the review of the travelling stock reserve network in NSW (published in November 2018) states TSRs were originally set aside for the purpose of travelling stock more than 150 years ago. While the uses of TSRs have evolved over time, the review found that there continues to be an important ‘highway’ of TSRs in the Central and Eastern Divisions that connects NSW with Queensland and Victoria, and also connects key agricultural regions within NSW.

The TSR review was conducted in close consultation with the community, partners and stakeholder groups with the aim of ensuring a useful and viable TSR network for the future.

Local Land Services (LLS) NSW cares for, controls and manages around 578,000 hectares of TSR in the central and eastern divisions. This is around 30 per cent of

the TSR in NSW.

The reserves, also known as ‘the long paddock’, are largely uncleared public land. In many cases they contain the highest quality and most interconnected remnants of native vegetation. The land is protected, with high levels of biodiversity and threatened species. They are also vital for supporting the agricultural community.

In relation to stock use, TSR are important for agricultural productivity including for travelling stock,

emergency refuge and transport to market.

Strategic grazing controls weeds, reduces re hazard and improves conservation.

Recreation use of TSR may not be something many people are familiar with. They provide public open space for passive recreation such as bush walking, horse riding, cycling and bird watching. They also provide important and valued access points to rivers and creeks for shing and boating.

In addition, TSR contain

many places of historic or scienti c signi cance associated with pastoralism, droving life and coach travel and rst nations people and European cultural heritage.

Why not pack your binoculars and camera to enjoy birdwatching, explore the peaceful landscape with some bushwalking, or simply relax and share a picnic with the family?

To plan your visit and nd out what activities are allowed on TSR, plus view the NSW TSR map go to the NSW government’s Local Land

Services website.

To protect the reserves and the stock that use them, activities like camping, motorbike riding, and 4WDing are not permitted on TSR.

Now the camping season is here it’s a good idea to take a look at the National Parks and Wildlife Service and State Forests websites which list great designated camping areas across NSW. A map of TSR in NSW can be found by visiting the NSW government website and searching for Travelling Stock Reserves.

Muniong - Thursday 23rd October 2025 Auction at 11am

from 9:30am Open Day Sunday the 19th October 10am - 3pm

FARM PLANT & MACHINERY: Slip-on fire fighter unit with Honda pump, Hardi boom - 8m 600L with new pump, unregistered dual axel 6x12 trailer, Old box trailer, Digga - hydraulic, Ripper, Shearer Gehl 1460 - parts only, Hydraulic Burder Silage Grab, Hustler 3pl Silage grab, John Berends jib, Hay forks, Shearer seeders - parts only, Poly rain tanks, 1000L Pods, Poly pipe, 7.5ft tractor blade, Back blade, Old slasher, Berends 8 tyne plough, Offsider Hay Feeder, Kuhn 7 disc hay mower, Aitchison 16 tyne 3pl 8ft plough, Crump 2T spreader, Howard Hay Rake, Case III 626 baler, Rawling & Co steel roller - 8ft, Grizzly disc plough - 24 disc bearings needed, 300L Diesel tank, Overhead Diesel tank, Michale Silage wrapper - bearings needed, Davey Firefighter pump, Cox Cruiser ride-on mower, Christie petrol post driver, Shipping containers x 2,

LIVESTOCK & FENCING: Old stock crate, Round bales - grass, Square bales - grass and some cereal, Corrugated iron, HT Wire, Old ute stock crate, Wire spinner, Old lamb marking cradles, cattle rail x approx 15 lengths, Iron posts, Steel strainers, Cub 2HSL Horse float, Numerous cattle panels, 2 x loading ramps, cattle crush, Hay Feeders, 25ft Stock crate, Syd Hill Stock Saddle, Livestock husbandry sundries, Fencing sundries.

MOTOR VEHICLES: Mitsubishi T653 old truck - not going, - 8ft, Hilux ute - not registered does go 358500km, Old Ford tractor - does go, Avan pop top caravan - not registered.

WORKSHOP &

Husqvarna 120

SUNDRIES:

chainsaw, Stihl M5311 chainsaw, Various tools, Power tools, Pallet silage wrap, Jerry cans, Bedside tables, Boss Weld Welder, Stihl Whipper Snipper, Shovels, Home made Anvil, Ladder, Golf sticks, Milk Can, Wheelbarrows, Garden Pots, Garden Ornaments

ENJOY NATURE: NSW’s Travelling Stock Reserves (TSR) o er beautiful spots for passive recreation. This TSR area is located five kilometres from Cooma along the Monaro Highway near Old Dangelong Road. PHOTO: Melinda Cairns Hack

Great Southern Bioblitz starts soon

The Great Southern Bioblitz (GSB) is back from 24–27 October, and this year the Snowy Monaro region is in viting families, schools, and nature lovers of all ages to get outdoors, explore, and learn while contributing to global science.

A bioblitz is a snapshot study where scientists and the community join forces to re cord as many species as possi ble within a set timeframe – in this case, 96 hours. Using the free iNaturalist app, partici pants can photograph plants, animals, fungi and insects, and upload their observations to be identi ed by experts and shared worldwide.

In 2024, Snowy Monaro participants recorded 827 ob servations of 325 species, in cluding threatened birds such as the Diamond Firetail and Flame Robin. With an exciting program of daytime bioblitzes and moth nights planned across Cooma, Berridale, and Jindabyne, organisers hope to build on last year’s e ort and showcase the incredible biodiversity of this region.

The GSB is not just about counting species – it’s about connecting people to place, Ms Stubbs said.

Every observation helps scientists and land managers understand how species are distributed, track changes in climate and habitat, and protect what makes landscapes

How to take part:

• Join an event – familyfriendly bioblitz walks and moth nights will run in Cooma, Berridale and East Jindabyne (details on Facebook and via Linktree).

• Explore your backyard –simply download the iNaturalist app, snap a photo of a plant, animal, or fungus, and upload it during the bioblitz weekend.

• Get schools involved –teachers and students can take part on campus and contribute their own records.

Blitz events will take place in:

Berridale on Saturday, 25 October, from 9am - midday (meet at Gegedzerick Cemetery, Gegedzerick Rd, Berridale)

RSVP: contact@uppersnow-

ylandcare.org.au

East Jindabyne on Saturday, 25 October, 1pm - 4pm (meet at the water tank at top of Heysen Drive)

RSVP: contact@uppersnowylandcare.org.au

At Cooma on Sunday, 26 October, 9.30am - midday (meet at Minawa St Gate, North Ridge Reserve, Cooma)

RSVP: coomalandcare@ gmail.com

Moth nights will be held in:

Berridale on Friday, 24 October, 6pm - 8.30pm (meet at Gegedzerick Cemetery, Gegedzerick Rd, Berridale)

RSVP: contact@uppersnowylandcare.org.au

East Jindabyne on Saturday, 25 October, 6pm - 8:30pm (meet at the water tank at top of Heysen Drive)

RSVP: contact@uppersnowylandcare.org.au

Binjura on Sunday, 26 October, Frog Watch and moth night 6pm - 8:30pm (Murrum-

bidgee Reserve, Mittagang Rd, Binjura)

RSVP: coomalandcare@ gmail.com

These free family-friendly events are open to observers of all skill levels.

Dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Bring your smart phone or tablet with the iNaturalist app installed (help available on the

day) or your camera to take photos and upload at home.

“The Snowy Monaro is full of surprises – from tiny moths to rare birds, every sighting adds a piece to the bigger puzzle of how our ecosystems work,” GSB Snowy Monaro region co-ordinator, Kelly Stubbs, said.

“It’s a great way for families to spend time together outdoors, learning and having fun, while also helping protect nature.”

GSB25 is your chance to discover nature, learn something new, and be part of a worldwide citizen science movement, Ms Stubbs said.

GSB Snowy Monaro webinktr.ee/gsbsnowymonaro

How to use iNaturalist: - inaturalist.org/pages/ video+tutorials Facebook: facebook.com/ gsbsnowymonaro

For more information contact Kelly Stubbs gsbsnowymonaro@gmail.com

BIOBLITZ: The Great Southern Bioblitz (GSB) is back from 24–27 October. Bioblitz participants from a past event are pictured at East Jindabyne.

PHOTO: Lauren Van Dyke

Barrons pleased

Adina Merino Stud was registered in 1986 and breeding quality Merinos is both the business and the passion of long time local family Ray and Margaret, James and Jules Barron.

Over the years, the aim has been to maintain micron without sacri cing eece weight or fertility.

Adina Merino rams are run on the tough Monaro, they have hardy constitutions with ne-medium wool on large frames. Adina sheep have become renowned for their

heavy cutting and superior long wool qualities. Ray and James continue to see the bene ts of selective mating, using sires not only from within the stud but also sourcing sires from leading studs to introduce new and desirable genetics to assist in achieving long term goals.

In 2011, Adina registered a Poll Merino Stud and this year Merino and Poll Merino Rams will be again o ered in the sale team. This year, Adina Merino

Stud will o er 40 one-yearold rams for auction and the principals are extremely happy with the growth, handle and wools of the sale team.

From the sale team, mid side samples have been taken and tested in, all rams to be o ered for sale are Brucellosis accredited, vendor declared footrot free, classi ed Monitored Negative (3V) status under the National Johnes Program and in addition they are 15th generation Johnes vaccinated.

Greenland genetics award winning

The Alcock family of Greenland Merino Stud, Bungarby, dominated the fleece competition at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Greenland claimed several major titles in the stud’s first entries into the housed and un-housed fleece competition with seven fleeces.

Greenland secured a clean sweep, winning the grand champion Merino fleece in the open section, reserve grand champion Merino fleece in the open section and grand champion Merino fleece for the best Merino fleece in the show.

The stud also claimed grand champion Merino fleece in the district court’s exhibit competition.

Royal Agricultural Society steward, Greg Andrews, believes it is the first time a competitor has claimed all three awards at the same show.

Both the grand champion and reserve grand champion fleeces scored 91 out of a possible 100 under judges Stuart Bailey, Techwool Trading and Mark Bazeley, Riverina Wool. They had to go back and choose between the

two fleeces.

The champion housed or rugged Merino ewe or wether fleece won the top crown.

The reserve grand champion fleece was the champion topmakers type wool Merino ewe or wether fleece, open classes.

There were 203 entries in the open section and 128 fleeces in the district exhibits competition.

Judge, Mark Bazeley, said there was a range in quality.

“Anything which was exceptionally well prepared came to the front,” he said.

The grand champion fleece had a greasy fleece weight of 6.7kg with 70.4 per cent yield and scored four and a half from a possible five for density, character, style, evenness of fibre diameter and handle. It tested 16.3 micron, 2.7 micron standard deviation (SD), 16.7 per cent coefficient of variation (CV) and 99.3 per cent comfort factor (CF).

Greenland’s reserve grand champion scored 90.5 points with 4.8kg greasy fleece weight and 80.9 per cent yield. It tested 16.5 micron, 2.7 micron

SD, 16.2 per cent CV and 99.9 per cent CF.

Greenland principal, John Alcock, said the family usually entered the district courts exhibit competition but entered the open competition for the first time.

He said the grand champion fleece came off a two-tooth Merino show ewe.

“She was one we were considering bringing down here to the show but we just reckoned she wasn’t quite wide enough across the scrag,” he said.

“But she had magnificent wool on her so I shore her up and entered the fleece instead.”

The reserve grand champion came off a commercial ewe.

In recent weeks, the wool trade has immensely improved with strong competition coming from the Chinese mills and a big reduction with supply of wool offered for sale. With the improved wool market and a strong mutton market along with exceptional lamb prices for anyone who can finish their wether lambs, makes a self-replacing Merino operation very profitable.

McBain talks emergency management - part two Upgrades at Jindabyne Town Centre

Earlier this year, Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain, took on the role of Minister for Emergency Management.

As the Snowy Monaro region enters the bush re danger period, and the nation braces for warmer conditions, this masthead asked Ms McBain how she has settled into this portfolio.

This is part two of the interview, with the rst half available in last week’s edition of The Monaro Post and Jindabyne Summit Sun.

What is in place now in preparation for the high-risk natural disaster weather across the spring and summer seasons?

Late last month, I joined the Bureau of Meteorology to launch the Higher Risk Weather Season Outlook.

October to April is the peak time for ooding, tropical cyclones, heatwaves, bush res and thunderstorms, with all of these severe weather events to become more frequent and intense.

The government is focused on helping communities prepare for and manage disasters.

A range of national preparedness activities are now underway ahead of the Higher Risk Weather season, including:

•Hosting the annual National Preparedness Summit to to provide information to stakeholders on what they can expect over the high risk weather season, and test their preparedness to respond;

•Providing funding to build the National Aerial Fire ghting Centre (NAFC) national aerial re ghting eet’s multi-role capability;

•Continued investment in the veteran-led Disaster Relief Australia to meet the growing need for boots on the ground when disasters hit;

• Holding brie ngs to priority sectors: Aged Care, Disability, Media, Industry and Local Governments; Continuing to consolidate the National Emergency Management Stockpile, ensuring specialist equipment can be rapidly deployed to support states and territories when needed;

• Leading Exercise Convergence, bringing together representatives from all levels of government, industry and non-government organisations across the emergency management sector to ‘war game’ a hypothetical all-hazards crisis scenario; and

• Delivery of Crisis Appreciation and Strategic Planning training across Australian government agencies. Australia is well prepared

for disasters, with all jurisdictions committed to supporting each other in any capacity required.

What are your thoughts on the current climate situation/ weather patterns, for example droughts, long-term low rainfall in parts of the country and increased fuel loads – resulting in an increased risk of re in regional areas; and your thoughts about climate change/ action?

We know that our climate is changing, and Australians can expect to experience more intense and more frequent natural disasters, which is why the Albanese government is acting to prepare and protect communities from natural disasters and their impacts.

We need to think about, prepare for and respond to disasters di erently.

We’re doing this by funding

projects through the $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) all across Australia.

The DRF funds a huge range of projects, from levee upgrades and ood mitigation works to bush re warning systems, evacuation centre upgrades, coastal protection works to enhancements to local emergency planning.

How are you managing the two roles as Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and Minister for Emergency Management?

It is an absolute honour to be the Minister for Emergency Management, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, and the Member for EdenMonaro.

I am determined to work hard each and every day to deliver positive outcomes for our community.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council contractors started major upgrades to the Jindabyne Town Centre public toilets from Monday 13 October.

The project will see the complete replacement of facility internals, major renovations to the building exterior, and improvements to surrounding paths and access points.

The site will be closed for the duration of the project from Monday until work is complete in March 2026. Temporary public toilets will be available, located directly next to the existing site in the Jindabyne Library carpark.

Ramp access to Jindabyne Town Centre will be unavailable during this project. One of two alternative options for accessible entry and exit will be available, via either the rear carpark or the rear laneway. Accessible entry points will be clearly identi ed on site.

Project highlights include:

- New internal ooring, ceiling, and lighting

- Upgraded water supply lines and drainage

- All-new internal xtures, including stalls, toilets, mirrors, and vanities

- New cubicle stalls

- Brand new parents room with change table

- New centrally-located accessible bathroom

- New exterior paint, masonry, tiles and privacy screens

- Upgraded roo ng, drainage, ventilation and skylights

- Footpath replacement

- New exterior safety lighting, bollards and security cameras

Ful lling a commitment made to the community in May 2025, this council upgrade project will ensure that the high-tra c town centre precinct is a clean, modern and welcoming public space for visitors and locals alike.

Some temporary path closures will be required at various stages throughout this project. Council said it will provide notice of any planned closures through public notices and site signage in the Town Centre precinct. Additional public toilets are available at nearby Banjo Paterson Park.

Auxiliary continues Cooma Hospital support

The Cooma Health Service has once again received some muchneeded equipment donations from members of the Cooma Hospital Auxiliary.

midwifery, Rochelle Woolf, has extended the hospital’s gratitude to the Cooma Hospital Auxiliary and the community for their generosity and ongoing support.

Items donated at a recent

presentation by the auxiliary include baby weight scales to support the implementation of the new model of care in the maternity unit, a ring cutter for the emergency department,

which will assist in safely removing rings from patients’ ngers following trauma and emergency presentations.

In addition, inpatient unit sta was delighted to receive a cuddle

bed, which will provide comfort and space for family members to be close to their loved ones during end-of-life care.

GOVERNMENT: Eden-Monaro member, Kristy McBain, is five months into her role as a local member and Minister for Emergency Management. PHOTO: Supplied

Cooma Health Service sta are appreciative of the fundraising work the Cooma Hospital Auxiliary carries out each year.

The Cooma Hospital Auxiliary recently presented items to the hospital from the group’s most recent fundraising e orts.

GRATEFUL: Cooma Health Service is grateful to have received more donations of equipment from the Cooma Hospital Auxiliary. PHOTOS: Supplied

UPGRADES: Jindabyne Town Centre toilet block renovations started this week.

PHOTO: Trista Heath

You can live large at 28 Iris

1876 square metres

ASKING: $530,000

Immerse yourself in the charm of 28 Iris Street, Bombala, a welcoming three-bedroom house offering an idyllic setting for ﬁrst-time buyers or growing families.

Boasting a generous 1876 square metre fully fenced plot with rear access,

this property combines space with the comfort of modern living.

Step inside to discover a fresh, revitalised interior, complete with new ﬂooring and a soothing palette of freshly painted walls. The heart of the home is undoubtedly its updated kitchen, ﬁtted with a sleek dishwasher and contemporary appliances ready to inspire your culinary adventures.

Each of the three well-appointed bedrooms offers a tranquil retreat, one of which features a practical built-in wardrobe.

Accommodating the needs of a bustling household, the residence includes two modernised bathrooms, with one cleverly incorporating a laundry area, ensuring functionality and efﬁciency are at the forefront of the design.

Living comfort is assured throughout the seasons with the inclusion of wood heating, an air cooler, and a gas bayonet, providing a cosy ambience and temperature control year-round.

Outdoors, the extensive land size invites endless possibilities for

entertainment, gardening, or future expansion.

The property includes a small garage for secure parking or additional storage, and with a dedicated living area, dining space, and a well-deﬁned kitchen. This house is poised to become a cherished home.

28 Iris Street awaits those looking to embark on their property journey or seeking a delightful family abode. Embrace this opportunity to craft lasting memories in a space designed for life’s evolving chapters.

Dual occupancy investment opportunity

ADDRESS: 27-29 Wellington Street, Bombala ASKING: $495,000

Featuring two houses on one title in a quiet neighborhood, this is a great investment opportunity.

27 Wellington Street features a comfortable three bedroom, one bathroom house with lounge room, kitchen/dining, enclosed verandah/sunroom, laundry, separate toilet and bathroom.

467 Bonang Road, Bendoc

Idyllic bush retreat

Located on the edge of Bonang this is an amazing bush block opportunity for those who love spending time in nature.

• Easily accessible with frontage to the sealed Bonang Road and has fire trails and bush tracks throughout for ease of getting around the property

• 169.2ha/418.118ac predominantly mature native eucalypts with small clearings throughout

• Approx 2kms of frontage to the Bonang River

• Former house site found not far into the property and just up from the river, would now make for an excellent camp site

• Property contains the entrance to a former gold mine owned by the Aurora Mining Company active around 1850’s-1890’s

Whether bushwalking, hunting, fishing or just enjoying the sensory experience is your passion in nature, this bush retreat should not be overlooked!

There is a good-sized backyard with garden shed. Property is currently leased to reliable long term tenants.

29 Wellington Street features a three bedroom, one bathroom house with open living/dining/kitchen with reverse cycle air conditioning and slow combustion heater, bathroom and external laundry.

There is a large backyard, ideal for a children’s play area. There is also a single car garage. Currently leased to reliable tenants.

Each house has its own fenced yard with low maintenance, established lawns and trees.

A short walk to the main shopping centre or Bombala River parklands.

Ideal investment with tenants already in place, this is a great opportunity to get two for the price of one.

Dalgety delight awaits new owner

Tucked away in the peaceful hamlet of Dalgety, just a short stroll, no more than 200 metres from the banks of the mighty Snowy River, lies a home that beautifully marries the warmth of midcentury charm with the ease of modern living.

Originally built in 1959 on the thenoutskirts of Canberra, this weatherboard home began a new chapter when it was re-located to Dalgety some 14 years ago.

In its current setting, the residence was stripped right back to its frames and meticulously reborn: rewired, replumbed, and set level on new piers.

With every wall, ﬂoor and ceiling insulated, and the exterior now clad

in low-maintenance PVC that retains the home’s traditional timber proﬁle, it offers both character and convenience in equal measure.

Inside, the design invites connection.

A galley kitchen ﬁnished with striking black granite benchtops opens into the dining and living areas, before ﬂowing seamlessly onto an expansive covered entertaining deck, a space created for gathering with friends and family.

The master suite, with its own private sitting retreat, provides a sense of sanctuary, while a generous second bedroom welcomes guests in comfort.

Practical touches enhance the ease of daily living: a centrally placed modern bathroom, a good-sized laundry, and

or 634

• Located approximately 20kms south of indabyne in the highly sought after Moonbah alley.

a second WC accessible directly from the yard and deck. The old woodfire has been replaced with a clean and efficient gas fireplace, complemented by two reverse-cycle systems for year-round comfort.

Outdoors, the property delivers both utility and beauty.

A four-car garage with workshop, plus a double carport, ensures ample storage for vehicles and tools.

Infrastructure includes 110,000 litres of water storage, an underground gas tank, town water connection, and an Envirocycle worm-farm septic system.

The landscaped grounds are no less impressive, with an orchard, manicured hedges and a collection of ornamental

trees that frame the home in seasonal colour.

Set on a gently sloping 2,049m² block fronting both Hamilton and Campbell Streets, the property offers room to grow, whether for families seeking space or those looking to downsize without compromise.

As the agents remark, the presentation and design are truly a credit to the vendors. This home embodies the simple elegance of a bygone era, refreshed with thoughtful modern updates.

Now part of a completed retirement plan, it awaits a new custodian.

The question remains, could that be you?

• Approximately 256.7 hectares or 634 acres of gently undulating alpine grasslands fenced into 5 paddocks.

• Granite derived soils with predominantly native pastures present. Approximately 30 arable land, a combination of Black Sallee, Snow Gum, White Gum, Manna Gum, Apple Gum and Wattle scattered across the remaining land.

• A secure water supply via 5 dams, an unnamed creek as well as numerous springs and soaks.

• Circa 1 70s built 3-bedroom home with kitchen, living, dining, full bathroom as well as laundry mud room.

• The second dwelling, a uaint 2-bedroom cabin with an open plan kitchen and living.

• Functional 2 stand shearing shed with a raised board, sheep yards and steel cattle yards.

• Further infrastructure includes horse stables, round yard, machinery shed and a bush hut.

• This property has previously run approximately 40 cows plus calves or e uivalently 350 ewes plus followers.

AGENTS COMMENTS: “Hobbs Range” is a rare si e holding in an accessible and desirable location. A proven gra ing property with secure water supply and an abundance of space and privacy. All the infrastructure and amenities you need tomove straight in and start making the property your own. Properties of this si e and proximity to indabyne are few and far between, don’t miss out on this uni ue opportunity to secure yours today! 256.7

Pendergast.

• Located in the peaceful hamlet of Dalgety, no more than 200 metres from the banks of the mighty Snowy River.

• The circa 1 5 built weatherboard home, originally situated on the then outskirts of Canberra, was relocated to Dalgety some 14 years ago.

• The home was then almost entirely stripped down to frames only, rewired, replumbed and levelled on piers in its current location.

• Walls, under oor as well as roof are now all fully insulated, the exterior weatherboard has been covered with a maintenance free P C cladding suiting the original timber profile perfectly.

• The oor plan has been designed with entertaining in mind, the galley style kitchen, fitted with black granite benchtops, open plan dining, living all opening onto a huge covered entertaining deck.

• Master suite has its own private sitting retreat, plus there is a second generous guest bedroom.

• The old woodfire was replaced with a gas fireplace, as well as two reverse cycle systems.

• A modern bathroom centrally located, as well as a good si e laundry plus second WC with easy access from yard and deck.

• Four car garage, workshop, all with concrete oor plus a car port for two more vehicles.

• 110,000L water storage, underground gas tank, town water, envirocycle worm farm onsite

Snowy Monaro

Your Snowy Mountains escape awaits

ADDRESS: ‘Eagle Heights’, 636 Caddigat Road, Dry Plain NSW 2630

Set within the heart of the iconic Snowy Mountains, this 14.45 hectare parcel (approximately 35.70 acres), “Eagle Heights” offers more than just land, it offers lifestyle.

Just 40 minutes north-west of Cooma and a short drive from the township of Adaminaby, ‘Eagle Heights’ blends

seclusion with accessibility.

The gently undulating terrain, rich with native gums and wattle, offers elevated views to the north-east, painting a landscape that changes with every season.

Fully fenced and featuring a dam, it’s ready for immediate enjoyment or future plans.

Whether you dream of building a peaceful country retreat (subject to all

• Located an estimated 50 minutes drive south east of Cooma.

• Access via council maintained gravel road, excellent all weather access.

• Fenced into 17 main paddocks, with approximately 11km frontage to the ybeyan River, as well as Mowitts Swamp Creek.

• Approximately 18 dams, plus springs, soaks and various smaller creeks, plus some 250,000L tank storage capacity.

• Approximately 40 open gra ing, 35 lightly timbered and 25 densely timbered.

• Pasture improvement over the last 6 years has a focus on cocksfoot, plantain, white clover, sub clover, strawberry clover and Italian ryegrass. Some areas also currently sowed down to turnips and oats as well as mixed pastures for winter gra ing.

• Predominantly granite derived soils.

• Circa 1 85 homestead, featuring vaulted timber ceilings in the main living space, four comfortable bedrooms plus o ce, ensuite bathroom, plus main bathroom.

• Other infrastructure includes 3 bay garage, large 3 stand wool shed, 2 x shelter sheds, undercover sheep yards, steel cattle yards, 42 tonne silo and chemical shed.

• “Moles Station” currently carries 200 cows plus followers as well as 2,500 ewes and lambs.

A : “Moles Station” is located among a tightly held enclave of productive gra ing properties. Positioned in a high rainfall area, often benefiting from easterly weather systems. A rare opportunity to purchase a first class High Country gra ing operation, all infrastructure in place, an excellent mix of improved land as well as native vegetation, ample shelter due to topography as well as tree cover. Timber including, however not limited to Ribbon Gum, Messmate, Snow Gum, Mountain Gum, Black Sallee plus others. For those wishing to find some balance between the working life of an income producing gra ing operation and outdoor recreational activities, there may not ever be a more suitable property than “Moles Station”, with trout fishing, endless tracks and trails suitable for mountain biking, hiking or horse riding the options are endless. Don’t hesitate, contact our o ce now for a comprehensive private inspection! on c : A on c : 02 6456 7232 : kirshnermackay.com.au

Auction: Tuesday 28th October 2025 Commencing 6:30pm nu : Online & In Room 1 Park Street, Berridale NSW 2628 n c : By Appointment with Exclusive Agent Only.

relevant approvals), creating a weekend escape, or simply owning a slice of Australia’s stunning alpine region, this property offers endless potential.

Maybe you’re an adventurer, nature lover, or someone seeking a quiet refuge, ‘Eagle Heights’ puts you right in the middle of it all.

Enjoy some of the best trout ﬁshing in Australia, explore nearby ski resorts, bushwalking, birdwatching or simply

unwind under the clear mountain skies. Don’t let this opportunity pass by, ‘Eagle Heights’ 636 Caddigat Road, Dry Plain NSW 2630 goes to auction, online and in room, on Tuesday, 11 November 2025.

Enquire now with Aaron Mackay on 02 6456 7232 to arrange your private inspection and take the ﬁrst step toward making this property yours.

Positioned in the heart of the stunning Snowy Mountains region, “Eagle Heights” offers a rare opportunity to secure 14.45 hectares (approx. 35.70 acres) of pristine high-country land. Located just 40 minutes north west of Cooma and a short drive to Adaminaby, this secluded rural escape combines peace, privacy, and convenience.

• Located approximately 40 minutes north west of Cooma.

• Gently undulating land with elevated north eastern views.

• Fully fenced into one paddock with one dam.

• Mixed native timber including gums and wattle.

• Power nearby and building entitlement subject to all relevant approvals.

• Zoned RU1 – Primary Production.

• Access via Caddigat Road.

AGENTS COMMENTS:

Don’t miss your chance to secure your own parcel of the Snowy Mountains, with access to some of the region’s best fishing, plus ski resorts just a short drive away. Whether it’s adventure or serenity you’re after, “Eagle Heights” is your gateway to it all. With Cooma and Adaminaby nearby, you’ll enjoy both seclusion and accessibility. Whether you’re dreaming of building a country retreat (subject to council approval), establishing a weekend getaway, or investing in a piece of nature, “Eagle Heights” delivers endless potential in a truly breathtaking setting.

LANDSCAPING

ROADS - Access tracks, driveways, subdivisions, and suppliers of decomposed granite.

WATER - Dams, water features, and agricultural water systems.

LANDSCAPING - Fence line clearing, site preparation and leveling, erosion control, drainage, and garden services.

BUILDING - Sheds, pergolas, retaining walls, fences, paths, and rock features. LOCAL.

• Structural landscaping services including paving retaining walls and irrigation.

• All tree services including pruning, removal and stump grinding.

• Consulting arborist tree hazard and risk assessment reporting.

• 20 meter elevated work platform for hire.

• Large block mowing, slashing and forestry mulcher clearing.

• Excavation and earthmoving services.

• Hydro mulching and turﬁng services.

• Servicing snowy mountains all areas.

PERSONAL FITTINGS

Pink Lady

Wendy Christensen

All shapes and sizes welcome Catering for everybody Bras and Breast Prosthesis Personal Mobile Service

Servicing Cooma and South East District E: wendyjean55@yahoo.com.au W: www.pinkladybras.com.au Pink Lady Bras

4 Sturgeon St, JINDABYNE Call Andrew on 0412 633 259

59 Vale Street, Cooma (02) 6452 0318

Classifieds

SEEKING CHEF

Vale Street Bistro is a popular dining spot in Cooma run by Porterhouse

Hospitality Group a young and vibrant team of culinary professionals working with di erent clubs across NSW. We mainly aim to o er modern Australian dining experience however we are continuously evolving and strive to extend our o erings.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $78k - $80k per year

Schedule:

A ernoon shi

Evening shi

Split Shi s

Rotating roster

Weekend availability

Responsibilities

• Preparation and cooking of food in accordance with our menu.

• Ensuring food handling and storage is in accordance with food handling regulations and is of the highest standard.

• Oversee food plating and garnishing, maintaining consistency and artistic presentation.

• Implements rosters within a strict budget

• Planning of menu items and estimation of food requirements.

• Estimates food and labour costs in consultation with management.

• Discussing food preparation issues with senior management

• Training and developing kitchen sta

• Managing cost of sales and labour

• Prepare food to meet special dietary requirements.

• Create and test new recipes, experimenting with flavours and techniques to innovate the menu.

• Regulate the temperature of stoves and ovens to ensure the dishes are cooked at appropriate levels.

• Check food is stored and handled as per food health and hygiene regulations.

• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, maintaining a clean and organized kitchen.

Skills and Qualifications

• AQF associate degree, Certificate III, Certificate IV, or Diploma in relevant Hospitality qualification.

• Prior experience as a Chef minimum 2 - 3 years

• Strong knowledge of cooking methods and operating kitchen tools and equipment.

• Ability to work Full Time.

• Flexible to work on a rotating roster. Please include a current resume and supporting documents to your application. Three current referees would be required. Email your CV to admin@porterhousegroup.com.au.

Bombala Club visits Orbost gardens

For the rst time since Covid-19 restrictions, the Bombala Garden Club ventured out for a bus trip.

On Saturday, 11 October, the club headed to Orbost.

It was an early start, arriving in Orbost about 10am where the CWA ladies had prepared a Devonshire morning tea and had cra s, preserves and plants on sale.

The CWA provided the Bombala Garden Club with a map to visit the gardens in the Orbost township.

“The gardens were small and it is amazing what you can do if you love gardening and have a great imagination,” Di Ingram of the Bombala Garden Club said.

The rst garden was a sculptured garden, growing mostly native shrubs. From there the tour went to a cottage garden, very pretty with the di erent spring plants all owering beautifully.

The next garden was all vegetables with huge cabbages. Garden club members were not sure how you would use all that cabbage.

and also keeping the roses damp.

“She has a huge variety and some are already out, they were beautiful. There were many more ready to open in the following week.”

The last garden the club visited was a native garden that the owner had created into varying ‘rooms’ o ering privacy. He had paved it, allowing you to wander through the sections.

“It was interesting to see with the warmer climate that the gardens were ahead of ours. Lemon trees seem to be popular and they were loaded,” Di said.

“Of course we couldn’t nish o the day without visiting a nursery. The majority of the group was happy to come home to our Little Garden Nook.

“We must thank Dane, our bus driver, who did a marvelous job driving us to the gardens and wherever we wanted to go and got us there and back safely.

PHOTOS: Bombala Garden Club

ADVENTURE: The Bombala Garden Club ventured out for the first time since Covid-19 restrictions ended with a lovely trip to Orbost.

There were vegetables everywhere which the owner lets go to seed, the owers attracting the bees. This

garden was most unusual.

Members then went to the rose garden.

“This was also interesting.

The owner has problems with her soil,” Di said.

“She grows the majority of her roses in large black tubs

which can get extremely hot and dries out quickly. She has set a sprinkler system for watering to cool the tubs

“We were lucky to get a beautiful day without the wind which made it a very enjoyable day. All have our thinking caps on for another trip in 2026.”

A busy day saw the Bombala Garden Club visit four gardens, each di

erent and interesting.

Garden club members enjoy their time visiting gardens around Orbost.

THE 2025 PORTA BOMBALA CUP

Porta, proud community partners

SAWMILL OWNERS SUPPORT BOMBALA RACES FOR 2025

There’s a new name behind the local sawmill, but the heart of Bombala’s timber story beats stronger than ever.

Earlier this year, Porta, part of the Australian-owned Borg Group, proudly welcomed the Bombala sawmill into its family.

For more than 17 years, the mill has produced top-quality decking, framing timber and

fencing that help build homes and communities across Australia.

Now, with Porta’s passion for craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability, the future of Bombala’s timber industry is looking brighter than ever.

“We’re proud to invest in regional jobs, local partnerships and the community that

makes it all possible,” a Porta spokesperson said.

“We are shaping Australia’s timber future, right here in Bombala.”

Porta stands as a testament to more than 90 years of excellence in the Australian timber industry, nurtured under the visionary leadership of John Pizzey and carried forward by ve generations of family commitment.

Specialising in high-quality timber products, Porta serves the home improvement, building, trade, and commercial sectors with unmatched craftsmanship and innovation.

The pioneering values and high standards set by John Pizzey continue to inspire Porta.

Porta is more than a key player in Australia’s timber industry; it symbolises a commitment to a sustainable and innovative future.

Porta pledges to uphold and build upon this legacy, embracing the challenges and opportunities it brings.

COMMITTED: Porta is a proud supporter of many Bombala community groups and events. Porta is the major sponsor of the 2025 Bombala Races.

PHOTOS: Porta

The Porta team is hard working and an integral part of the Bombala community.

THE 2025 PORTA BOMBALA CUP

Bombala Races, a great day out

One of the best days on the region’s calendar is the Bombala Races. It is a time for the community to come together, friends to re-unite and the hard work of the Bombala and District Jockey Club comes to fruition.

Country race meets are one of the best ways to experience a community’s spirit and hospitality, and the Bombala Races are no exception.

A er three years battling Covid and wet weather, the races triumphantly returned in 2023. Last year’s event was one of the best yet as thousands enjoyed their day at the Bombala Racecourse.

As race goers prepare for this year’s instalment, there are a number of things you should know before heading trackside to make your day more enjoyable.

The Porta Bombala Cup will be held on Saturday, 18 October. Gates open from 11.30am at the Bombala Racecourse.

A six-race program will showcase the best of the district’s horse trainers and jockeys. The highlight of the program being the running of the 1200 metre, race ve Bombala Cup.

There will be buses to and from Bombala to the racecourse. General admission tickets are $20 for single entry, $5 for pensioners, and $5 for a race book.

At the racecourse, there is set to be TAB facilities, a full bar (no BYO) and EFTPOS facilities. Food will also be on o er.

The Bombala and District Jockey Club said it is looking forward to holding another Bombala Races, and thanks all its sponsors for supporting the event.

Trainer, Fabian Assopardi, and granddaughter, Kyra Ru ell, strapper, with Look Only a er the eight-year-old mare won the 2024 Bombala Cup.

Jockey Glenn Cahill guides Look Only onto the track to the start of the 2024 Bombala Cup.

ACTION: The Bombala Races is one of the best days on the NSW country racing calendar.

PHOTOS: Monaro Media Group

THE 2025 PORTA BOMBALA CUP

Favourite Look Only runs solid race in 2024 Bombala Cup double

LOOKING BACK

Queanbeyan - trained galloper, Look Only, has won the 2024 Bombala Cup for the second consecutive year, much to the surprise of trainer Fabian Azzopardi who had not considered her to be in-form for the 1200 metre journey.

The eight-year-old chestnut mare by Knight Exemplar and out of Look and Feel ran a solid race under the stirrups of jockey, Glenn Cahill, starting fast and not falling back beyond fourth, to collect almost $10,000 in prizemoney for trainer Fabian Azzopardi courtesy of 2024 major sponsors Dongwha Australia.

Bookies had given her favourite’s odds of two to eight, with the starting price $3.50.

Second by 0.13 lengths was Michael Templeton trained Sharper and third with a margin of 0.24 lengths was Delightful Dream, trained by Mitchell Maloney-Stone.

Local, Anita Walder -trained, cup hope Big Steve, despite his popularity among the home town crowd, was back in eighth a er missing the start which cost him any place in the race.

The track was dry and in good shape for the race, the h on a six-race card, with early rain stopping and the sun eventually coming out although a cold wind stirred up both horses and contestants in the Fashion on the Field competitions.

Azzopardi said a er the race he hadn’t been at all con dent in Look Only’s chances at a win or a place.

“She hasn’t been going so good,” he said.

“I gave her three weeks o , then put her into work for three weeks, then brought her here.

“She had been going a bit ordinary for a horse that had won two races and gotten four places in Sydney, but she pulled it out today.”

The mare is owned by the trainer’s daughters and was purchased as a yearling seven years ago. She was handled on race day by his granddaughter Kyra Ruffell.

“She jumped out (of the barrier) fast and stayed at the front, not falling back further than fourth,” he said.

“Then she found her pace and got back on the train and coming into the straight was looking good.”

On hand for the presenta-

tion of the cup and winner’s rug were Dongwha general manager, Gabino Kim, sales manager, Jon Back, IT manager, Jung Hyun, HR manager, Min, and purchasing manager, John Kim.

At the 2024 races, the Bombala and District Jockey Club president, Brad Yelds, thanked the sponsors, the trainers, owners and jockeys and paid tribute to the large crowd of locals and visitors who turned out for the annual day of racing.

The main race might not have been what she hoped for with Big Steve, but Bombala trainer Anita Walder collected her first

home track win with Deadly Weapon in the Monaro Wool/Shute Bell and Browns Automotive Benchmark 50 Handicap over 1400 metres.

It was also strapper Darcy Wallace’s first win. Wallace has only had her licence a few months.

The six-year-old chestnut gelding by Extravagant from Gracefully Chic’s performance was somewhat of a surprise, after finishing last of eight in Canberra on September 28.

Before that he also came in last of seven at Goulburn after a promising fifth of 11 at Sapphire Coast on a soft track.

WINNER: First place in the 2024 Bombala Cup, Look Only, is surrounded by trainer, Fabian Azzopardi, and representatives of 2024 Bombala Races major sponsor, Dongwha Australia.

Guided by jockey, Glenn Cahill, the gelding found his form at Bombala’s race meet last year and it will be interesting to see what comes next.

“The little horse was awesome,” Walder said.

“I knew he could do it if he jumped out of the barriers good. And credit to Glenn Cahill the jockey who rode him perfectly.

“I just want to thank my family and friends who have helped me along the way.”

Walder also had Wanta Snitz in the Wilton Logging P/L and Wilton’s Firewood and Timber Maiden Handi-

cap over 900 metres, but the five-year-old bay gelding finished eight lengths back in last place. Another Walder-trained runner, Hey Dugee, finished fifth of eight in the Club Bombala Benchmark 50 handicap over 1100 metres.

A special feature on the race program on the day was race three, a 1200 metre maiden titled In Honour of the Late Sally-Ann Thompson, sponsored by Stewart Earthworx.

The race was won by Voriah trained by Jamie Stewart at Moruya and ridden by Ruby Scott.

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE BOMBALA RACES

PHOTO: Monaro Media Group

THE 2025 PORTA BOMBALA CUP

Out and about at Bombala Races 2024

SOCIAL: Bombala girls Harper Stewart and April Kimber, in the marquee at Bombala races last year. PHOTOS: Monaro Post

Fashions on the Field judges, Leisa Mackey and Stephanie Kwong, cast their eyes over the entrants.

Men line up for judging in the under 40 category.

Best dressed teen boy OIliver Stephen of Bombala and runner-up Joshua Tellis 16 of Bombala.

Best dressed couple Sally Martin and Trevor Dhu (right) with runners-up Michael and Judy Hannah of Tumut.

THE 2025 PORTA BOMBALA CUP

Recapping last year’s Bombala Races

Last year’s Bombala Cup featured a jam-packed six-race card, VIP guests, champagne, food, fashions and of course a community of friends and family coming together.

Bombala’s annual Bombala Cup meeting last year, hosted by the Bombala and District Jockey Club Inc, was held on a “good” rated green grassy track prepared the week before by local volunteers.

Wherever you went at the track, people were having a great time. The hard-core racing crowd circled the big screen, keeping an eye on the parallel Caulfield Cup program while lapping up the atmosphere at Bombala and darting across the TAB or bookies ring for a bet.

Last year was particularly special for local Bombala trainer Anita Walder, who achieved her first win on the home track in the fourth, a 1400 metre handicap, with six-year-old chestnut gelding Deadly Weapon. It was also a first win for newly qualified strapper Darcy Wallace.

The Cup win went to Queanbeyan galloper Look Only, which also won the event in 2023.

As is common at race meets all across the country, the Bombala Cup Fashion On the Field competition was as well supported and as competitive as the racing program.

Entrants in the competition, held in divisions between the horse races, showed an overall

RECAP: Look Only takes the 2024 Bombala Cup from Sharper ahead of Delightful Dream.

spring theme in their choices and the couples category was particularly eye catching.

category with Canberra couple Sally Martin and Trevor Dhu taking first prize on their first trip to the Bombala races.

Trevor said Sally had been in charge of the outfits. Runners up were Michael and Judy Hannah of Tumut, who have won similar competitions in Cootamundra and Wagga Wagga.

Judges Leisa Mackey and Stephanie Kwong said they had been looking for attention to detail, special effects, spring

Lainey Coates, eight, runner up. All young entrants won a packet of lollies.

The boys 12 and under category was won by Felix Gough, six, with Jasper Potts, 10, runner up.

Brandy Crotty, 17, of Bombala, having her first attempt at the competition, won the 13-18 years girls category with Jemima Merritt, 17, also of Bombala, second.

the track for last year’s

Best dressed teen boy was

making his debut appearance. The women’s 18-40 category was highly contested, with Laura Benwell of Bombala selected as the winner. She chose a blue dress with flowers and a complimentary hat, earning the judges’ praise for her classic style. Runner up Tayla Ventry of Bombala stood out in her striking patterned high fashion dress complimented with an orange hat and shoes.

The mens’ 40 plus category was

won by Mary Ventry of Bombala wearing a distinctive pink outfit accentuated by a large flower. Tumut’s Judy Hannah was runner up.

Let’s see if any of these winners will match last year’s performance, or if some new competitors will nose their way through.

Come along to the Porta Bombala Cup on Saturday, 18 October from 11.30am.

The Fashions on the Field competitions attracted well dressed racegoers of all ages.

Locally trained hope Big Steve heads onto

Bombala Cup, but finished well back in the field a er being caught inside.

PHOTOS: File

THE 2025 PORTA BOMBALA CUP Bombala Races has rich history

The Bombala and District Jockey Club’s history is shrouded in mystery, with no clear picture of when the club formed, or when racing began in Bombala.

Secretary, Pia Jackson, said the club would like to plan an anniversary celebration should it nd out its birthday.

One of the earliest records of racing in Bombala was in April 1868 when the principal race was the Bombala Town Plate over three miles, and worth £25. It was won by Mr Brook’s Swindler ridden by Freebody, beating Mr Eyrie’s Patch.

The next year the meeting was held on Tuesday, 13 April, 1869 when the feature race was the Bombala Town Plate over two miles, the results of which were:

1. Jimboy (5/1) owned by Mr W Coulter and ridden by Millington

2. Bronzewing (5/1) owned by Mr R Wilson

3. Swindler (1/2 fav) owned by Mr W Freebody

By the 1870s the principal race had become the Bombala Tattersall’s Cup, with three early results shown below:

February 1873

Tattersall’s Cup (60 sovereigns) over two miles

1. Maharattan (6/4) owned by Mr A J Joseph and ridden by Attwater

2. Ka r (1/2 fav) owned by Mr W Cosgrove and ridden by McAllister

March 1874

Bombala Tattersall’s Cup (80 sovereigns) over two miles

1. Premier owned by Mr W Kiss

Joseph

2. Beda owned by Mr A J

3. Greenboy owned by Mr H Underhill

After the 1875 meeting had taken place on Wednesday, 3

TRADING HOURS

March, the newspaper reporter visiting the race commented, ‘The racecourse offers a splendid view of the entire race but has not yet been classified as a

recreation ground. The Bombala Jockey Club is in the process of fencing it, and building a new grandstand as the current makeshift stand is ‘not at all ornamental’.’

Wednesday, 3 March, 1875

Bombala Tattersall’s Cup (100 sovereigns) over two miles

1. Starfish owned by Mr Thompson and ridden by Linegar

2. Emerald owned by Mr Shanley and ridden by Treeve

3. Beda owned by Mr A J Joseph and ridden by McGrade

Thursday March 4, 1875

Bombala Town Plate Handicap (50 sovereigns)

1. Banker (4/1) owned by Mr Brookes and ridden by Hurley

2. Starfish (3/1) owned by Mr Thompson and ridden by Treeve

3. Priam (2/1) owned by Mr A

4. Stockman (10/1) owned by Mr Reed

5. King Tom (2/1) owned by Mr Thompson

Bombala Digger’s Jockey Club offered a three pound prize pool for its 1959 Bombala Diggers Cup and the official program in that year cost two shillings.

By 1967, the renamed Bombala Jockey Club was offering $600 prize money for its race meeting and the official program was 20 cents.

Jindabyne Snow Dragons back on the water

By TRISTA HEATH

Jindabyne Snow Dragons are back on the lake a er a short hiatus over the winter season.

Plans are underway for their spring and summer season, with the group already out on the water training and getting back in the groove of things.

Club president, Jacky Wood, said they returned to the lake a month early to prepare for the 2025–2026 season and the Australian Masters Games being held in Canberra from 18 to 20 October.

“14 Snow Dragons will be competing as part of the Southern Warriors team,” Wood said.

“In preparation for Australian Masters our paddlers have been training hard all winter using every resource available, from the paddle ERG machine and pool sessions to gym workouts.

“Now we are nally back on the lake three times a week building our strength and endurance on the water, we’ve even been running drummer training sessions.”

The Masters competition will feature 200 metre sprints and one-kilometre races, over three days of racing.

The clubs new Paddler Program launched on 20 September.

Ms Wood said it has had a fantastic response with plenty of enthusiasm and interest.

“The four-session program teaches the basics of dragon boat paddling and introduces participants to racing,” Wood said.

“Once the program wraps up, paddlers are encouraged to join the club, continue developing their skills, and become part of our vibrant community.”

Jindabyne Snow Dragons is growing fast, and they’re on the

TRAINING: Jindabyne Snow Dragons are back on the lake a er a short break over the winter season.

PHOTOS: Supplied

lookout for a trainee sweep to join the team.

A sweep takes charge of steering and safety on the boat an essential and highly valued role in dragon boating.

All training is provided, all you need is a commitment to learn and willingness to be part of a fun, competitive and social club.

Wood said if you missed out on this round, there’s still an opportunity to sign up for a Dragon Pass and join a Saturday morning paddle.

A great way to give the sport a try in a friendly, supportive environment free.

“Dragon Boating is the ultimate team sport, high-energy, adrenaline- lled and built entirely on teamwork,” Wood said.

“Every paddler moves in perfect unison to power the boat forward with strength and rhythm. It’s a full-body workout like no other.

“At the Snow Dragons, we’re passionate about tness, racing, and camaraderie. We train hard Tuesday and Thursdays and love our Saturday social paddles followed by co ee.

Golfers battle blustery conditions

By BOMBALA GOLF CLUB

Golf on Saturday was played in very blustery conditions, as all sport in the district would have had to contend with.

Bombala Golf Club members played a stableford for club trophy. The conditions didn’t hold Pepper Thompson back, coming in with the great score of 39 points.

Balls went to Pepper, Nathan Thistleton 36 points and Leon Jones 34 points. Leon won nearest the pin and golden shot went to Pepper.

Match play - Pepper and Steve Tatham were far too strong for Neil Thompson and Nathan Thistleton 6/5.

The club is training

“We enjoy exploring our beautiful lake and value being part of our local community. We take on every challenge with enthusiasm but above all, we’re

For more information visit the Jindabyne Snow Dragons Facebook page or contact jindabynesnowdragons@gmail.com

On Sunday, golfers travelled to Delegate for the open tournament. Bombala golfers praised Delegate on staging a good tournament with the course in top condition.

Bombla golfers played well with Korie Elton the open winner, Shannon Gulliford claiming a B Grade trophy and Tony Baldwin runner-up in C Grade.

Program for the week

Ladies Wednesday, 15 October - stableford, club trophy

Members Saturday, 18 October - four-ball-bestball par, club trophy, Coolamatong Open

Sunday, 19 October - stableford, club trophy, Coolamtong Open

Haigh secures Coolamatong windy win

By COOLAMATONG GOLF CLUB

Visiting golfer claims Cooma Men’s Open

By COOMA GOLF CLUB

The Cooma Golf Club hosted the 2025 Alpine Ford Cooma Men’s Open last Saturday with a strong eld of players taking to the course.

Conditions were pristine early in the day, but a strengthening wind through the a ernoon made scoring increasingly di cult and tested even the most experienced players.

Despite the challenging conditions, there was some excellent golf on display. The winner was Jonathan Ricks of the Fairbairn Golf Club, who claimed the title of 2025 Alpine Ford Cooma Men’s Open Champion with a score of 76.

In A Grade, Thomas Stewart took out gross honours with a ne round of 77, ahead of Lyndon Taylor on 80 (countback). The nett winner was Lachlan Johnson with 73, with Sean Smith runnerup on 74 (countback).

In B Grade, Peter Smith won the gross with 86, followed by David Douglass on 88. The nett title went to Neil Mackenzie on

Thomas

out the Alpine Ford men’s open A

74 (countback), with Kenneth McGrath also nishing on 74 (countback) as runner-up.

C Grade gross honours went to Martin Gelling with 93, ahead of Laurence Cowie on 99. The nett winner was David Toghill with 78, with Frank McKnight close behind on 79 (countback).

Nearest the pins were claimed by: Neil Mackenzie on hole four,

Peter Devereux on nine, Matthew Bell in 11, and David Douglass on 17.

Longest drives on hole 15 were won by: Lachlan Johnson A Grade, Adam Scho eld B Grade, and Mark Cooper A Grade. Balls were won by: Peter Devereux, Tony Clark, Josh Bullock, Tony Clibborn, Tim Young, and Mike Introna.

“We thank Alpine Ford for their generous and ongoing support of the event. Their partnership continues to make the Cooma Men’s Open one of the feature tournaments on the local gol ng calendar,” Cooma Golf Club secretary, Angela Andrews, said.

Midweek golf on Wednesday, 8 October

A eld of 20 players enjoyed ne spring conditions for Wednesday’s medley stableford. The course was in great shape following recent work, and several players took advantage to post strong scores.

Barry Williams led the way with an impressive 42 points to claim the day’s honours and the club voucher. Brian Tugwell nished runner-up with 39 points, while Wayne Flynn secured third place on 38 points.

Balls went to Gino Cerro (37 countback), Kenneth McGrath (37), Mark Kenmir (36 countback), Gary Batten (36), Gaye Wilson (35), Warren Bray (34), and Garry Cornish (34 countback). Nearest the pin on 17 went to Barry Williams.

There was another windy Sunday at the Coolamatong golf course today. The conditions didn’t stop Megan Haigh who returned a great score of nett 66.

Showing that talent runs in the family, her father-in-law, Bob, produced a nett 71 as did her son Cole.

The ball competition went down to nett 76. This included Josh Shortland -73, along with Ron Duncan. On 74 were Gregg Quinn, Louis Fenelon, Dylan Hughes, and Steve Edwards. Geo Wilkenson on 75 and on 76 was Andrew Haigh (the fourth member of the family), Jason Christie and Maureen Rupcic.

Nearest the pin went to Bob Haigh on eight (narrowly missing a holein-one), Bruce Hart was closest on 15 and Josh Crawford claimed 17. In the ladies competition it was Jan O’Halloran on eight and 17 and Maureen Rupcic on 15.

This weekend is the men’s Coolamatong open with the four-ballbest-ball on Saturday and the singles on Sunday. The following weekend will be the ladies open with the Canadian foursomes on Saturday and the singles on Sunday.

The club’s par three charity day is on Sunday, 2 November.

TOP ROUND: Cooma Golf Club captain,

Stewart, takes

Grade gross honours with a round of 77. PHOTOS: Cooma Golf Club

hard in preparation for the Australian Masters Games in Canberra.

Batters dominate opening round

Big wins for Berridale, Cooma Titans in Monaro cricket

Bat dominated ball in round one of the Snow FM Monaro District Cricket Association T20 competition with wins to Berridale, Cooma Titans and Cooma based side, Rhythm.

Titans captain and big hitter, Hassan Nawaz, took to Dalgety’s bowlers at Nijong synthetic. Nawaz hit 10 sixes on his way to a commanding 114 of just 48 balls. Nawaz was well supported by Mohsin Imran who reached 55 o 39, the pair putting on 129 runs.

The Titans set Dalgety an imposing 234 for victory.

Best with the ball for Dalgety was all-rounder, Owen Freebody, who nished his four overs 2/13. Freebody then led the batting e ort for side, hitting 80 o 60 balls.

Dalgety nished 5/151, 82 runs behind the Titans.

In a second game at Nijong, Rhythm triumphed over Jindabyne in a 20th over thriller. Rhythm defended 128 with Jindabyne falling just two runs short.

Best with the bat for Rhythm was young opener, Azaan Sadaat, who batted through the 20 overs for 60 o 52 balls.

For Jindabyne, legspinner, Dave Oxley, collected two wickets while medium-pacer, Chad Steven, was the most economical for 0/15 o four overs.

In their run chase, Jindabyne opener, Kyle Hind, top scored for his side with 27. A top bowling e ort from Rhythm sealed a tight win.

At the Berridale sportsground, the home side featured in two matches. The current T20 premiers showed their might with two dominant wins.

Tom King smacked 82 o only 25 balls as Berridale chased Bombala’s 103 down in seven overs.

Batting rst, Bombala lost early wickets as Berridale quick, Jack Dunn, collected two wickets and spinner, William Lambert, snared three.

King, as he did on numerous occasions last season, made short work of the chase.

Bombala welcomed Monaro senior representative fast bowler, Rylee Holland, for his rst game for the club. Holland picked-up his side’s only wicket.

In Berridale’s second match, they raced to 3/110 o eight overs against Co ey’s. All-rounder, Zac McKenzie, belted 44 and Lambert 42 to have their side o and racing.

Tighter bowling from

Co ey’s slowed the scoring, but a composed 30 from Alex Thompson and 21 from Berridale captain, Russ Haylock, guided the team to 6/190. For Co ey’s, quick bowlers Kye Harrison 3/37 o four overs and Jacob Moon 1/29 o four overs, were the pick for their side.

Co ey’s lost early wickets in the run chase to fall well short on 8/115. Jumesh John top scored with 37. In a nice moment, Jumesh’s son, Nathan, scored his rst senior runs.

Berridale o -spinner, Dan Watts, proves hard to score o during his four overs. Watts collected two wickets for 14 runs.

Bombala’s, Jason Cikos, looks to cut during his innings of 10. Cikos was awarded Monaro cricket’s player of the year last season a er a dominant season.

Jack Dunn sends down an impressive spell. Dunn bowled well in both matches for Berridale on Saturday.

Berridale quick, Alex Thompson, bowled with great control to restrict Bombala’s scoring opportunities in round one of the Monaro T20 competition.

ATTACK: Bombala opening batter, Mark Tonks, looks to find the rope in his side’s match against Berridale at Berridale.

PHOTOS: Trista Heath

Milton returns

COMEBACK: Australia’s most decorated winter paralympian, Michael Milton, will return to competitive racing in a bid to qualify for his sixth winter paralympics.

52-year-old eyes sixth games

Michael Milton, Australia’s most decorated winter paralympian with 11 medals, has announced a return to the slopes as he aims to qualify for his sixth Winter Paralympic Games.

The 52-year-old, who won six paralympic gold medals during a career spanning almost two decades from 1988 to 2006, aims to qualify in the alpine skiing events, the sport that made him a national icon.

His results at this year’s Para-Alpine National Championships, where he won both the giant slalom and slalom, mean he has already qualied to race in the World Cup series in Giant Slalom.

The wins at home come just ve months a er Milton broke a hip in Austria while preparing to ski the Haute Route, a challenging seven day ski tour from Mt Blanc to the Matterhorn.

To qualify for the Australian Paralympic Team, Milton has just ve months.

His plans will see him training on a glacier in Europe in November and then racing from December to post qualifying times in ve disciplines by 15 February.

It means departing for Europe mid-November and commencing training in Aus-

tria straight away.

“I’ve already produced the results to qualify in giant slalom and I’m con dent I can work hard and race well enough in Europe to post the times I need to also compete in the other four disciplines,” Milton said.

“At 52, I may not be as t and strong as I once was but I de nitely have experience and mental toughness on my side.”

Milton’s return marks one of the most remarkable stories in Australian sporting history.

He will be targeting qualication in all ve alpine events: slalom, giant slalom, super-G, downhill, and the combined – an event that didn’t exist at his last games.

“A er everything I’ve been through, two cancer battles since my retirement from ski racing 20 years ago, surgeries, post-cancer fatigue, it might sound crazy to be thinking about elite racing again,” Milton said.

“But skiing is what I love. It’s who I am. Setting a big goal like this gives me focus, motivation, and energy. I don’t want to sit still; I want to live as fully as I can.”

As he is not part of the current Australian Winter Paralympic squad and therefore

PHOTO: Michael Milton

not funded by any o cial program, Milton is self-funding the training, travel and competitions on the journey to the Paralympic Games in Italy in March. The window is short and the funding is scarce.

“I would love to work with a sponsor, or two, to help cover the costs. I can’t do this on my own and perhaps there is an exec at a big company out there who can see an opportunity to use my journey back to the Paralympic Games to encourage people to dream big, set goals and live life with passion,” Milton said.

Milton’s imminent departure means leaving behind his family and his business, Quizzic Alley in Canberra, for up to four months.

“I am so fortunate to have the full support of my family. My kids have never seen me compete and I would love to have them and my wife there in Italy in March to watch,” he said.

His return comes at a time of signi cant growth in Australia’s Winter Paralympic program. Cortina 2026 will see the debut of an Australian Para Nordic team and the largest contingent of winter athletes ever sent.

“I know it’s going to be hard. But that’s not a reason not to go for it,” he said.

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Big scores in Monaro cricket PAGE 38

Mick’s heroic efforts

COOMA ATHLETE WINS 100KM

WORLD TRAIL RACE

By NATHAN THOMPSON

For most people, a trip to the stunning alpine region on the France, Italy and Switzerland border is a chance to admire some of the world’s most beautiful scenery.

But for Cooma athlete, Mick Sullivan, his recent trip the alps secured his place as one of the world’s fastest and ttest men aged between 65 and 69.

Sullivan has again tasted success in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) world series nal, nishing rst a er a gruelling 100km race through the three countries.

Competing in the CCC (Courmayeur/Champex/ Chamonix), Sullivan crossed the nished line under the iconic blue archway in Chamonix, 18 hours, 56 minutes a er leaving Courmayeur.

In a thrilling race, Sullivan overcame an eight minute de cit in the nal stage to seal his victory and standing as the number one athlete in his age category.

For most of the 100km, Sullivan was trailing a rival runner. With eight kilometres to go, he threw caution to the wind and li ed a gear.

“With just eight kilometres remaining, I managed to get data on my phone at last, and got the splits on my two rivals,” Sullivan said.

“To my horror, I noticed that KK (leading runner) had exited La Flegere (the last aid station), eight minutes before I got there, I thought he was behind me.

“I had to let it rip on the

downhill and apply all my trail cra , to get to Chamonix in time.

“I just ew down the hill, throwing out safety considerations and running hard in all sections.”

The streets of Chamonix were lined up with onlookers

as Sullivan ran into the French village. Cheered on by his wife, Jenny Sullivan, he nished at 4.11am. In his event (male 65-69), only ve of 19 runners nished.

“The elite runners who went the extra mile and clad themselves with extra protection, ended up

winning, as other runners got too cold and lost ground,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan ran through sunshine, rain, the cold and the night to complete the arduous 100km course. He traversed peaks as high as Tet de la Tronche at 2541

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metres, the biggest climb of the race. The next challenge will be the Chiang Mai by UTMB world major in Thailand, at the end of the year. Sullivan will race in the 162km ultra that will involve two nights of running through the Thai jungle.

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CHAMPION: Cooma athlete, Mick Sullivan, celebrates as he crosses the line of the gruelling UTMB 100km race in first place for his age category. PHOTO: Paul Brechu