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SNOWY MONARO FARMER RFS HONOURS FOR LOCALS

McBain re-elected

SNOWY MONARO VOTERS PREFER VAN DER PLAAT

By NATHAN THOMPSON

LABOR’s Kristy McBain has secured another term as the Member for Eden-Monaro with a four per cent rst preference swing in her favour.

Ms McBain recorded 42,605 rst preference votes (at the time of going to print on Monday), ahead of Liberal candidate, Jo van der Plaat on 31,815.

Ms McBain, who is also the Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, o cially announced her victory on Sunday morning, with more than 90 per cent of the vote counted by then. Her return to o ce followed nationwide swings in favour of Labor, with the Coalition su ering one of its worst federal election defeats.

Ms McBain thanked the EdenMonaro community for its support.

“My deepest thanks to our amazing community for putting their trust in me again to represent them,” Ms McBain said.

“I will continue to work hard for everyone in Eden-Monaro in a positive way that unites us.

ELECTION: Eden-Monaro voters have re-elected Labor’s Kristy McBain with a swing in her favour. Locally, more Snowy Monaor voters preferred Liberal candidate, Jo van der Plaat.

“Thank you to my family, my team, my volunteers and my colleagues, it’s a privilege to do this job and I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”

Ms van der Plaat, a Cooma resident, polled strongly in the Snowy Monaro. She won the majority of polling booths on election day, and nished with 1932 rst preference votes at the Cooma pre-poll. Ms McBain

received 1607 rst preference votes at the Cooma pre-poll, which saw a record turnout with 4467 formal votes recorded.

Ms van der Plaat said she will rest and recharge before deciding if she will have another tilt at the seat or pursue a career in either

local or state politics.

“Being a candidate for 18-months has given me the incredible opportunity to get to know my community and I will never be able to thank the community enough,” Ms van der plaat said.

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Across the 12 Snowy Monaro polling places (including Cooma and Jindabyne pre-poll), Ms van der Plaat received 5635 votes using the two candidate preferred count, while Ms McBain received 5078.

More election coverage on pages 3 and 4

PHOTO: Kristy McBain’s o ice

Reed’s remarkable response

Baby’s life saved, two fire call-outs in 12 hours

By NATHAN THOMPSON

IN THE space of 12-hours, Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteer Anthony Reed saved a five-monthold baby’s life, responded to a vehicle fire and then a structure fire - all at the same address.

The Delegate RFS Group Captain has been honoured for his bravery and quick thinking with a Commissioner’s Commendation for Service in the RFS St Florian’s Day awards.

Group Captain joined Adaminaby RFS volunteer and Snowy Monaro District RFS operations officer, Adrian Butters, to receive his award in Dubbo on Sunday.

Group captain Reed’s incredible 12-hours took place in February last year. He responded to a call at 5pm to assist an un-responsive infant in Delegate.

Enroute to the property, Reed discovered the closest NSW Ambulance was more than an hour away. He commenced CPR, brining the infant to his vehicle for transportation to the Bombala hospital.

Butters’ leadership honoured

ADRIAN Butters has been involved with the Adaminaby Rural Fire Service for more than 40-years.

His distinguished service has been recognised with a Commissioner’s Commendation for Service at the NSW RFS St Florian’s Day awards.

Butters travelled to Dubbo for the awards, named after the Patron Saint of firefighters.

With a member of the public driving, he continued CPR. At the hospital, medical staff rendered assistance before the infant was flow to Canberra hospital in a critical condition.

According to the citation for Reed’s award, the infant was reported to have made a full recovery, a ‘direct result from Reed’s selfless actions’.

At 4am the next day, Reed was called to a vehicle fire at the same property the infant was at and then later a structure fire at the same address at 5am.

He co-ordinated the response to the fire with NSW Fire and Rescue NSW Police and RFS crews in attendance.

In his citation, Butters was praised for his decades of leadership within the Adaminaby brigade and role at a district level. The citation highlighted a number of road fatalities

and accidents Butters has responded to as part of the Adaminaby brigade. T

The Adaminaby RFS is one of just a number in the state to be tasked with motor vehicle accident response, often being the first responders to accidents around Adaminaby and on the Snowy Mountains Highway.

“Over 41 years of service to the RFS, operational officer, Butters, has demonstrated great leadership, commitment and unwavering dedication to the Adaminaby community and the RFS,” the citation said.

Butters is highly regarded amongst his peers for his leadership and experience.

RFS volunteer and Snowy Monaro District team member, Adrian Butters, for his 41 year service to the organisation.

HONOUR: Rural Fire Service Delegate Group Captain, Anthony Reed (centre) is thanked for his service by NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib (le ) and RFS Commissioner, Rob Rogers.

PHOTOS: NSW RFS

Vinnies seeking support Post office opens in new site

Winter appeal more needed than ever

By NATHAN THOMPSON

COST-of-living pressures are putting increased demand on local service providers and charitable organisations, with more families seeking assistance heading into winter.

helpline and Canberra volunteer, Paula Bounds, said.

By NATHAN THOMPSON

THE former Cooma Post O ce building on Vale Street is regarded as one of the town’s most iconic structures. Built in 1879, the building has long been the site for Cooma’s postal services and distribution. An end of an era dawned on Monday as the Cooma Post O ce opened in its new location in Centennial Plaza.

Australia Post said the old building is no longer suitable for running Cooma’s postal services, citing ongoing maintenance issues as a major factor for moving the post o ce.

An Australia Post spokesperson said relocating was the best way forward and will provide a more accessible option for locals.

“The Vale Street site, currently leased by Australia Post, is an older building that is unfortunately no longer t for purpose,” the spokesperson said.

“While some delivery operations will continue at Vale Street for the time being, all retail services including parcel pickup, banking and bill payments are now available at the new location.

The Vinnies Canberra and Goulburn network has set a $450,000 target for this year’s appeal. Funds raised will assist people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, poverty, and cost-of-living pressures.

Every day, Vinnies volunteer members provide es-

Cooma Vinnies has launched its 2025 Vinnies Winter Appeal to support the most vulnerable individuals and families in the Snowy Monaro.

sential support such as food, clothing, fuel, utility and medical bills to those at risk, working to ensure that shortterm hardship does not turn into long-term disadvantage.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of people calling our emergency relief helpline for assistance in the ACT and surrounding regions,” Vinnies emergency

“In the past six months, we have seen a 15 per cent increase in calls for assistance as compared to previous six months.

“Shockingly, 62 per cent of all calls received during this period have come from women.”

To support the appeal, a taxdeductible donation can be made before the end of nancial year. Call 13 18 12 or visit www.vinnies.org.au

“We are pleased to have secured a safe, accessible and central premises for the Cooma community and our team members. We will continue to renovate this new space in coming weeks and keep customers updated.”

Post o ce box users will be required to collect their items over the counter at the new location. Australia Post said the new arrangement is temporary until the post o ce boxes are installed at the new site. Delivery services are still occurring from the old post o ce building.

The new site has extended opening hours from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

HELP NEEDED: Cooma Vinnies team members Kelly, Janine, and Darrelle, are calling on the community to support this year’s Vinnies Winter Appeal.

PHOTO: Nathan Thompson

Berridale Lions in need of members

By KAREN FORMAN BERRIDALE’s population

is increasing. Two new subdivisions have opened up. The Christmas and Easter Fairs and ANZAC Day events are getting bigger and bigger each year.

Yet, despite all of this growth, the local Lions Club is, in its 51st year, struggling to attract enough volunteer members to run its events and maybe even to remain viable.

President, Stuart Reid has now put out a call to all residents, especially younger people who might be new to the area, to consider joining the Lions to meet new people, make lifelong friendships and contribute to the local community.

“We can’t work out why people aren’t wanting to volunteer anymore,” he said.

“People say they are time poor, but all our members all balance family life and work life with serving with us.

“Attracting volunteers isn’t just a challenge for us in the Lions, but also many other organisations. CWA is not there, Red Cross is less active, the church congregations are smaller. You tend to lose that group interest in your own community.

“But we don’t require a lot of time, just help running our big events like the Christmas and Easter fairs, and we all enjoy our month-

Town growing while service club numbers reduce

ly dinner meetings which are sociable and not too time consuming and a great outlet for members.

“Lions is a great organisation for younger people, single or couples with young families, especially those who are moving in and would like to make friends and become part of the town.”

Mr Reid said despite the Lions Easter Fair attracting hundreds of people, it had been run by only a handful of volunteers, including

“We had a magic Easter fair this year with more than 50 stalls,” he said.

“I think we had more people this year than we have ever had. But to keep the momentum going, to provide this sort of thing for people, we need more volunteers, more Lions.”

Mr Reid, who has been president for 12 months and has stood again for the next

“I was married and had a couple of kids and my wife suggested to me because I was on the land and working alone all the time, that I needed an outside interest.

“She organised for me to join the Lions Club and I’ve absolutely enjoyed it, it’s been great.

“Back then all the local tradesmen were in the club, and were out doing work on

your house and doing all the di erent jobs. You meet a whole heap of men you

“As well, you get some great experience you can use in other parts of your life. I’ve been secretary, treasurer, president. It is a great way to get a few skills on managing meetings and that sort of thing, without being too hard on anyone if they make mistakes.”

Mr Reid said Berridale Lions had tended to move between 15 and 25 members,

which worked reasonably well.

“However, at the moment we have only got eight or nine regular members, who have all basically got two jobs to do in the club to make it run.

“We had some younger people and one couple pulled out due to a job change. We try to tell them your family comes rst, job second and what is le over can do in Lions or community service. But it is very difcult to get younger people involved.”

Mr Reid is also a member of the Rural Fire Service and active in his church.

“They say if you want something done, get a busy person,” he said.

“I was brought up by a father born in the second World War. That generation came back and was so prepared to put time into the community. But they don’t seem to be as driven like that now.

“We’ve tried a few things, like a members a ernoon. The best way is to invite people, but once you ask them two or three or times, you don’t feel inclined to ask them again.

“You want them to want to join because they want to, not because we are pressuring them.”

For more information about Berridale Lions Club contact Stuart Reid 0428003366.

Development application

Council has received the following development proposal, which is being advertised for public exhibition.

APPLICATION NUMBER

10.2025.91.1

PROPERTY ADDRESS

3 Thurrung Street, Cooma 2630

LEGAL DESCRIPTION

Lot: 2 DP: 860934

DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

20 Lot Staged Residential Subdivision

APPLICANT

Jack Atkinson Surveying Pty Ltd

CONSENT AUTHORITY

Snowy Monaro Regional Council

This application and its accompanying documents will be on display at all Council offices and online at Council’s website at https://qrco.de/SMRC-DA or https://qrco.de/masterview for twenty-eight (28) days, ending Wednesday 4 June 2025.

Council is seeking community comment on this proposal. All submissions should be made in writing to CEO Stephen Dunshea. All submissions will be treated as a public document. Any person making a submission is required to disclose any reportable political donations or gifts at the time of making the submission. For more information, please contact Council’s development and planning department at the Jindabyne Council office. Visit our website at https://qrco.de/DAinfo to learn more.

24/7 customer service line 1300 345 345 E council@snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au

Proudly supported by The Monaro Post

VOLUNTEERS: Berridale Lions members serve up breakfast at the town’s ANZAC Day Dawn service. They are looking for new members to help continue to serve the community.

Cooma artist receives Latvia’s highest honour to manage grasslands

DO YOU have an interest in the wildlife found in the Snowy Monaro’s native grasslands? Would you like practical information on how to manage grasslands for biodiversity?

A walk and talk will be held on 10 May at Dry Plains re shed (Top Hut TSR), Dry Plains Road, between 10am and 1pm.

Join Local Land Services and guest speakers Dr Monica Knipler, Saving our Species Project co-ordinator discussing the ecology and biology of the unique Monaro Grassland Earless Dragon and the results from the latest surveys and new innovative survey techniques; and David Eddy, of Local Land ServicesLand Management discussing grassland management and grassland ora and fauna.

The day will also include a eld walk with native plant identi cation and a demonstration of monitoring techniques.

By KAREN FORMAN

COOMA artist, Imants Tillers, has been honoured with Latvia’s highest honour - the Order of the Three Stars.

Mr Tillers, who has Latvian heritage, was one of two people to be appointed O cers of the Order for the Three Stars, along with writer, poet and translator Viktors Kalnins, at a ceremony at Riga Castle on 4 May.

The patron of the Raglan Gallery said he was honoured and humbled to receive the award. He is in Latvia for the presentation ahead of a major exhibition in Germany in October.

Imants Tillers presented with Order of Three Stars

Those attending are reminded to wear appropriate clothing for eld walk and the weather conditions on the dayincluding a hat, sunscreen, water bottle and appropriate footwear and also be aware of farm hygiene protocols. This includes arriving with clean footwear and the ‘come clean - go clean’ principle for vehicles. Once on site, participants are required to stick to designated vehicle tracks and cleared parking areas.

Contact senior NRM advisor, Leon Miners, for further information on email: leon.miners@lls.nsw.gov.au; telephone 02 6455 7200 or mobile 0427 212 428.

with native plant identi cation and a page

Registration can also be made online on the South East Local Lands Services web page www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/ south-east

TRAFFIC ADVICE: Wide loads for Snowy 2.0

Meanwhile, the creators of the animated lm Flow were awarded the Order and appointed as Commanders of the Order of the Three Stars by Latvian president, Edgars Rinkevics and the Chapter of Orders.

Established in 1924, the Order of the Three Stars is awarded for meritorious service to Latvia.

The award can recognise achievements in state or regional government, public, culture, education, science, sport or commercial elds.

Mr Tillers was born in Sydney from Latvian parents who were displaced persons.

The Chancellery of the President of Latvia said that the creators of the animated lm

“Flow” - producer and co-author of the screenplay Matiss Kaza, co-author of the music and composer Rihards Zajupe and the director, screenplay and music author Gints Zilbalodis - would be awarded the Order and appointed as Commanders of the Order of the Three Stars. Along with receiving the Order, Parsla Zemite, a long-standing Latvian radio broadcaster and news editor of the Latvian Radio News Service will be appointed

as a Cavalier of the Order of the Three

while

Head of the

Assembly Department of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet, will receive the Order of the Three Stars First Class Badge of Honour.

Delivery of major components for Snowy 2.0 is continuing with large loads transported via Cooma and the Snowy Mountains Highway

All oversize moves will be transported under pilot escort and at times, depending on size, police escort. Please always adhere to directions from pilots and NSW Police. These moves may involve some minor delays for motorists.

To minimise disruptions to road users and the community, loads wider than 4 metres will travel on the Snowy Mountains Highway at night. A number of overnight loads are scheduled during May.

For travel times and more detailed information on escorted loads please visit futuregenerationjv.com.au/ traffic-notifications

Please note, dates and times published on the Traffic page of the project website are subject to change at short notice. Heavy Vehicle deliveries will increase over the coming months. Thank you for your patience and take care when driving around the Snowies.

For more information contact the Snowy 2.0

Development application

Council has received the following development proposal, which is being advertised for public exhibition. APPLICATION

PROPERTY ADDRESS

410 Cottage Hill Road, Bunyan 2630

LEGAL DESCRIPTION Lot: 76 DP: 750568

DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

Extraction of groundwater for commercial purposes and new farm building for use as a facility for bottling and storing mineral water

APPLICANT

Design Link Australia Pty Ltd

CONSENT AUTHORITY

Snowy Monaro Regional Council

This application and its accompanying documents will be on display at all Council offices and online at Council’s website at https://qrco.de/SMRC-DA or https://qrco.de/masterview for fourteen (14) days, ending Wednesday 21 May 2025.

Council is seeking community comment on this proposal. All submissions should be made in writing to CEO Stephen Dunshea. All submissions will be treated as a public document. Any person making a submission is required to disclose any reportable political donations or gifts at the time of making the submission. For more information, please contact Council’s development and planning department at the Jindabyne Council office. Visit our website at https://qrco.de/DAinfo to learn more.

Stars,

Taunis Grube,

Scenery

AWARDED: Cooma artist, Imants Tillers, will be presented with Latvia’s highest honour in May.

PHOTO: Karen Forman

Students encouraged to apply ANZAC spirit in school life

By KAREN FORMAN

COOMA Public School students have been encouraged to endeavour to apply the famous ANZAC spirit in their school and daily lives.

Guest speaker at the school’s ANZAC assembly, Royal Australian Navy Warrant O cer Geo Stokes told students from kindergarten to Year Six that the spirit shown by the men and women who served in ANZAC Cover 110 years ago could be applied to the everyday lives of young people today.

“It was because of the way those Australians and New Zealanders fought and the way they faced the hardships and dangers which confronted them that the initials became a word - ANZAC - which today is respected in both Australia and New Zealand,” Mr Stokes, who was the Australian team leader and coach at the 2018 Invictus Games, said.

“Their actions forged what has become known as the ANZAC spirit and that spirit has been the driving force behind all Australian servicemen and women ever since - in France, later on in World War II, Korea, Malaysia, Borneo, Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan; many of which happened long before you were born.

“It is also present in the peacekeeping operations

our service people under take today.”

ANZAC was a short word for a number of qualities which all people, not just those serving in the Navy, Army and Air Force, could use in everyday life.

“The ANZAC spirit represents a sense of purpose and direction,” he said.

“The original ANZACs knew what they had to do,

obeying their orders.

“You can apply this to your everyday life. You know what work you have to do at school and what jobs your parents may have set you to do about the house.

“No matter what di culties you think are in the way, think of the ANZACs and oth-

Mr Stokes said the ANZAC spirit represented an acceptance of responsibility, another quality students should apply in their everyday lives.

“Take responsibility for everything you do. It is easy to say, ‘I did that’, or ‘that’s my work’ when everything goes right.

wishes of your parents and teachers. Remember the ANZAC spirit and take responsibility for what you are doing.”

He also spoke about the ANZAC spirit’s sense of compassion and suggested students watch out for their mates, help them at all times

and “don’t poke fun at other people at school because they may have had some misfortune or come from a di erent part of the world”. The assembly featured the laying of handmade wreaths by each year group, the National Anthem, The Last Post and Reveille. Student leaders Gordon Adams, Lucia Alvarado, Baxter Green and Finn Caldwell addressed the gathering.

Local men invited to talk, laugh and share together

By KAREN FORMAN

MEN who live in Cooma and surrounds have been invited to attend an entree dinner event to ascertain interest in setting up a Men’s Table organisation in the area.

The entree dinner has been set down for 26 May in the private room at Cooma Car Club, with a 6.30pm start.

Co-ordinator, Michael Collins, said The Men’s Table created a unique, safe environment for men to share openly about their

lives, their challenges, their highs and lows.

“Over dinner once a month, the proven format creates a sense of belonging, community, peer support and camaraderie that is lacking for many men, even for some who already have a group of mates,” he said.

Mr Collins said The Men’s Table entrée nights were information nights where men could nd out if The Men’s Table was for them.

“Interested men are encouraged to register to come along and experience the

bene ts that hundreds of men across the country enjoy every month,” he said.

Due to space limitations, only 16 places are available, so Mr Collins said interested men should register as soon as possible at - themenstable.org/ cooma-entree-mon26may/

“Once you’ve been to the dinner, you’ll be clearer about whether you’d like to be part of starting a new local Men’s Table, and we can help Cooma men with the relevant next steps,” he said.

The Men’s Table began in 2011 when a group of men decided to have dinner with the intention of having a place to connect with other men, and talk about the highs and lows of their lives.

They’ve been meeting once a month ever since to talk, laugh and share about what’s going on for them, and have forged meaningful relationships based on trust and acceptance of each other and the network has grown to be Australia-wide.

Mr Collins said belonging to a Men’s Table contributed to

mental, emotional and social wellbeing whilst being a powerful support to individual members travelling their life journeys.

“Each table is distinct and has its own personality, guided by the Fundamentals. These are practical guidelines drawn from the experience of existing Tables.

“All tables are supported by the kitchen (central o ce) of The Men’s Table, a registered notfor-pro t organisation formed in 2019 by co-founders Ben Hughes and David Pointon, both members of that rst table.”

ANZAC SPIRIT: Guests (from le in back row): Royal Australian Navy Warrant O icer, Geo Stokes; Mayor, Chris Hanna; and Salvation Army Aux Lieutenant, Debbie Bartlett. Students (front, from le ): school leader, Gordon Adams; vice captain, Lucia Alvarado; captain, Baxter Green; and vice captain, Finn Caldwell at the Cooma Public School ANZAC assembly.

Maxx shines during work placement

MONARO High School student, Maxx Povey, has made an excellent impression during his primary industries work placement at Baker & Provan in Cooma.

Workplace learning is intended to apply and re ne classroom learning in an authentic work environment. During his placement, arranged by Enterprise Plus, Maxx showed dedication and professionalism. According to his host, he consistently displayed courteous behaviour, excellent listening skills, and a commendable ability to remain focused, free from distractions like his mobile phone. This level of commitment has not gone unnoticed.

Baker & Provan said from the rst day, Maxx demonstrated a strong work ethic, showing initiative by proactively picking up a broom and seeking out tasks to keep himself engaged, especially during quieter moments.

His host employer said his willingness to go above and beyond set a positive tone in the workplace and

earned him the respect of his colleagues.

“Maxx’s proactive adaptability and eagerness to learn have truly impressed us,” his host said.

Maxx said he was grateful for the opportunity, which he embraced enthusiastically.

“I have enjoyed everything about my time here,” Maxx said.

“I’ve learned how to use new tools, including a mill, and I feel like I’m getting to try out the industry to see if I like it.”

Enterprise Plus Work Placement co-ordinator, Mindi Smart, said Maxx’s experience is a heartening success story.

“Maxx’s journey is an example of the valuable experiences that work placements can provide, not only bene ting students but also enhancing local businesses,” Ms Smart said.

“With such dedication and a positive attitude, Maxx is on a path toward a successful career in the primary industries or engineering sector.”

Monaro High to host public speaking competition

MONARO High School has been chosen as the host for the upcoming Plain English Speaking Award local nal on Monday, 12 May.

The Plain English Speaking Award aims to encourage the use of clear and e ective spoken English. Since its inception in 1978, the competition has provided an invaluable opportunity for NSW senior students to improve their con dence and to develop

their speech-writing and public speaking skills.

“The Plain English Speaking Competition is a great opportunity for students to compete in public speaking with students from around the state,” MHS English teacher, Ms Patricia Rowling, said.

“Last year, due to the tyranny of distance we were forced to Zoom in the competition for our speakers, which certainly changes the dynamic and

immediacy of the experience for the students. This year, I was able to secure a hosting position for Monaro High School, which is super exciting.

“Students from Braidwood Central School, Bombala High School and Jerrabomberra High School will be travelling to Cooma to compete in this local nal. Students will participate in both a prepared and an impromptu public speaking speech.

“We are very proud to welcome them to our school and we wish our students who are representing Monaro High School all the very best for the competition.” Each school can enter a maximum of two contestants, who must be aged between 15 and 18 years. The students can choose any topic for their prepared speech, which is to be eight minutes. For the impromptu speech, the

adjudicator choses the topic and the contestant is given three minutes of preparation time and is to speak for three minutes.

The adjudicators will be looking for knowledge of the subject matter, skilful development of the theme and the e ective use of plain English during the speeches.

They will also expect contestants to be con dent and engaging.

WORKING HARD: Monaro High School student, Maxx Povey, enjoys his work placement at Baker & Provan in Cooma. PHOTO: Supplied

WHILE we should be thinking about mum’s health and wellness year-round, let this Mother’s Day be the start of putting mum’s wellbeing rst.

Mums, aunts, grandmothers, and all maternal gures are in need of a break. But let’s do something better than a cup of tea and reassuring pat on the back.

The gi your loved one really wants is a session with Alisha Kelland, the mastermind behind Bombala Massage and Wellness Centre.

Alisha is a massage therapist and she has created a serene sanctuary close to Bombala to help you unwind, relax and rejuvenate your body.

Her unwavering commitment to your health is evident in every precise stroke and knead, ensuring that with each visit, you’re not just getting a massage, but an immersive healing experience.

Let Alisha’s skilled hands lead you to a state of harmony and balance and make her holistic services your trusted companion on your journey toward complete wellbeing.

Contact Alisha on 0488 490 309 or head online to the user-friendly website – just google Bombala Massage and Wellness Centre – to book an appointment now and give that special mum in your life a gi she would really love. GIFT:

Alisha is ready to help the mum in your life relax and unwind.

Help mum relax, unwind in serene Bombala setting here to help

IF YOU are still searching for the perfect Mother’s Day gift or just realised this important occasion is only days away, you better hurry to Jindabyne Mitre 10.

Once there, you will instantly feel more relaxed, knowing a present for the special maternal figure in your life is right at your fingertips.

Jindabyne Mitre 10 boasts an impressive array of products, covering everything from hardware to outdoor living, lighting, electrical, paint, decorating, tools, bathroom supplies and gardening.

Whether your wife, mum, aunt or granny is into DIY projects, loves gardening or is keen to spruce up a room at home, there is a gift at Jindabyne Mitre 10 to make her Mother’s Day.

The friendly and knowledgeable Mitre 10 team is ready and willing to help narrow your search down.

The store on Snowy River Avenue is open seven days a week, including this Mother’s Day, so if Sunday does roll around and you still haven’t found a gift, you better pop-in quickly.

Celebrity judge connects Tamworth to Cooma

TOP NEW JUDGE

By KAREN FORMAN

COOMA’s Australian National Busking Championships (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.

Now, the ANBC has made a formal connection with the world famous Tamworth Country Music Festival, by securing Toyota’s Best of the Buskers coordinator, Kyle Kash, as a judge for both its Cooma regional heat and its national grand nal, both to be held in Cooma for the rst time over one big weekend15 and 16 November.

Tamworth-based music publicist and journalist Bec Gracie, who works with many Tamworth country music stars, will also sponsor a major award for the best Masters Muso (a musician over 50).

“I’m really proud to sponsor the Masters Muso Award,” Ms Gracie said.

“There are so many amazing artists over 50 who are sharing their stories through music. I want to celebrate music being made by people of all ages and I think that passion and persistence deserves to be recognised.”

ANBC president and

founder Allan Spencer said securing Kyle is a huge boost for the event.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have him onboard. And we welcome Bec back again, this time sponsoring the Masters Muso prize for the national grand nal.”

Mr Kash is employed by the Tamworth City Council to coordinate the massive busking competition run at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and has a huge amount of experience managing and supporting buskers and working in the music industry.

“He seems to be happy to do some judging for us and apparently is very keen to go for a hike to Mt Kosciuszko while he is here,” Mr Spencer said.

Mr Spencer said the ANBC board was particularly excited to build a connection with the Tamworth festival given so many ANBC participants and winners who had started out busking at ANBC regional heats and the national grand nal were now part of the Tamworth scene, busking and performing in the festival and taking part in the CMAA Academy of Country Music’s junior and senior programs.

“Charlotte Rose, now Charley Castle, won the Australian National Busking Cham-

pionship in the open division in 2021 and this year, she won the Best of the Buskers in Tamworth with her new band, The Boys in The Well, beating out more than 530 other buskers for the honour,” Mr Spencer said.

“As well, we have Bombala and Braddon secondary winner Ruby Holden from Queanbeyan; Owen Smith; Braddon second open placegetter and nationals third placegetter Gabi Forman making Top 100 of the Tamworth buskers; Leilah Baines at the Academy and performing in Tamworth; The String Family; 2019 winners Haystack Mountain Hermits now performing at Tamworth along with their breakout band, The Inadequates; former ANBC winner and 2025 Starmaker Top 10 Felicity Dowd; Ruby Jane; Lily-Grace who has moved to Nashville; all having started out with us.

“We also have our junior champions, LilG and Noah Robertson who have been touring the US in 2024.

“The ANBC is a great opportunity to li people’s prole to a bigger event. The two events compliment each other perfectly.

“We are all about the buskers and giving them a chance to go to the next level and there hasn’t really been any-

thing like that before.

“It is quite a unique opportunity.”

To add to the excitement, Mr Spencer said more towns had recently come on board to join the current seven running regional nals - Uralla in NSW (one hour from Tamworth) on 25 October and Goolwa South Australia.

Mr Kash, meanwhile, said he was very excited to join the ANBC family.

“I have become very passionate about buskers and cannot wait to meet them in Cooma and see how the ANBC all works,” he said.

“In my current role with Tamworth, I am very passionate about making sure everyone is safe and well looked a er.

“Now I am meeting people who are new to the industry and have no idea what to expect. It can be a very di cult space to navigate especially for younger people and their parents.

“I have access to thousands of artists and I love being able to help them work towards realising their dreams. Some people are born in to that world, I identify with the ones who were not, coming from a poor background.”

Mr Kash was born in Fremantle, Perth and was a child actor who took acting into his adult life.

At 17 he headed for Sydney University but returned to Western Australia a er three friends died suddenly and he decided to write, produce and folk a self-funded TV pilot lm.

He nished his Bachelor of Arts in Performance at Curtin university then headed into the acting world, working and studying in Adelaide and Perth and in New York.

Acting being acting, however, he always supported his dream job with other work.

When the COVID pandemic struck the performing arts industry hard, he found himself isolated early as an airport worker and needed to nd a new direction.

“I was heading to Tamworth where my mum lived and I saw a job advertised with Tamworth Regional Council for a contracted busking coordinator for the Tamworth Country Music Festival,” he said.

“I gured I could marry my skills as a producer and actor with the music industry. I did a Zoom interview the day before I le and got the job. I was given the liberty to reinvent it.

“I wanted to honour what input had been made but also change the direction and really put on a show, as I knew how to do that. I got onto this thing of having secret judges

for the busking competition. I used local leaders and local celebrities and no one knew until the night.

“The rst year the festival was postponed until April, a week out. So what was meant to be a three to four month job became a 10 month job which gave me a lot of time to think about what we wanted.

“A er COVID, we had to get people outside again. It was like waking up grumpy teenagers, but it has been happening and the 2024 Tamworth Country Music Festival was bigger than ever, usurped by 2025 with a record number of buskers signing on to busk and compete in the Best of the Buskers comeptition.

“The trends were showing that people were really invested in the festival. The majority of people who come to busk are there to be discovered and network.”

Mr Kash’s job requires him to coordinate the Tamworth competition, liase with buskers and busking spots, run the top 100 on stage show at The Courthouse Hotel, organise judges and the Top 10 on the Toyota stage.

In Cooma, he will work with two other judges to decide the winners of primary, secondary, open and other categories and make prize presentations.

Tamworth Country Music Festival’s Kyle Kash with Emma Bailey from 88.9FM, cohost of the Best of the Buskers which Mr Kash runs every year. PHOTO: Contributed.

Late sown cereals boosted by recent rain

Seasonal update

By IMOGEN MCGRATH, AGRONOMIST NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS COOMA

THE dry start to 2025 for much of the central and northern Monaro has compounded feed shortages resulting from a belowaverage nish to the previous year.

Weed control, maintenance fertiliser and investment in inputs, like quality seed, all fell to the backburner for those graziers who were busy feeding livestock over summer.

As a result, some farmers are likely to emerge from winter this year with a feed gap still to manage.

Luck has favoured graziers who were holding o on sowing lucerne or pastures, with some late sown cereals also bene tting from the recent falls of rain – Cooma certainly didn’t see the totals that Bombala or Delegate recorded, but clients have still welcomed between 10mm and 85mm over the last fortnight.

Lime and fertiliser are rolling out onto properties at the moment, with spreader trucks likely to be busy through most of winter this year.

Out and about

Both the Local Land Services (LLS) and Monaro Farming Systems (MFS) are continuing to inspire and support landholders with a range of eld days and resources covering weed control, pest management, soil health and pasture solutions.

The recent MFS information day about carbon conversations was a success.

The LLS African Lovegrass co-ordinator will be holding information sessions at Cathcart and Mila on 16 May for anyone needing a refresher on African Lovegrass identi cation and best management practices.

Nutrien is proud to once again have supported the Berridale Ewe Competition, which took place on 2 and 3 May. Congratulations to all participants – especially to the new entrants. It’s great to see continued support for a competition that has just completed its 95th year.

Keep an ear out for more events

running through winter and over spring.

Setting up for spring

With the weather now predicted to cool down, sowing and paddock preparation will cease until spring, so it’s the perfect time to sit down and take stock of the plan for the season ahead.

Have you fertilised your top

performing paddocks since the wet years of 2021-23? Have you looked to your soil for an accurate assessment of how your paddocks are tracking?

Do you have fallowed paddocks that were abandoned because last year was too dry, or because autumn this year came too late?

Taking the time through winter

to plan for the warmer weather means you can be more organised ahead of time and be ready to go when the rainfall arrives. As always, feel free to reach out to Nutrien in Cooma for any and all agronomy, livestock, merchandise, insurance and nance related service and advice.

Rain has finally fallen in region; April report

THERE has been very welcome rain across the region over the past fortnight.

After a very dry start to the year, some areas within the Snowy Monaro have received good falls of rain, while other areas have experienced patchy showers that have been welcomed nonetheless.

Dalgety and Bombala have received widespread rain,

according to figures from farmonline weather.

Total rainfall in Bombala for April is 96.4mm (spread over nine days), with 41.4mm the highest daily rainfall for Bombala on April 23 and 35.0mm the day prior.

Through the month of April, Dalgety received rain on 11 days, recorded at the Dalgety Weir weather station.

This is a monthly record for April, since records were kept at this weather site 18 years ago.

The most rainfall during the month (for the 24 hours to 9am) occurred on 24 and 25 April, with 60.8 and 60.0, recorded. Then another 39.8mm fell on April 28.

In Cooma the highest rainfall over April was 5.4mm on April

23, with a total over four days of rainfall of 14.0mm.

The first wet day for the month in Cooma (recorded by Cooma Visitors Centre) was 21 April recording 4.4mm, then 5.4 on 23 April, 2.2 on 28 April and 2.0 on 29 April.

For Jindabyne a total of 33.4mm has fallen in the area last month, the biggest fall recorded for the month was

on 23 April with 11.8mm after 9.4mm the day before.

Rain fell across 11 days in the last 30 days at Jindabyne, according to Elders weather online.

The variable figures across the region last month were gratefully received and all rain is welcome, with many farmers, small rural property owners and residents hoping for more.

PREPARATION: Nutrien Ag Solutions agronomist, Imogen McGrath, says with the weather cooling down and paddock preparation easing, now is the time to sit down and properly plan for the season ahead.

PHOTO: Nathan Thompson

Cooma young leader awarded best in state Heavy cows reach 317c/kg

By MELINDA CAIRNS HACK

MONARO sheep and wool enthusiast, Miranda McGufcke, has continued the region’s long history of success at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, being awarded the NSW State Champion for both wool and meat sheep judging.

She now progresses to the 2025 national competition to be held at the Royal Adelaide Show in September.

“To be awarded the NSW state champion for both eece and meat breeds is a wonderful and very exciting opportunity,” Miranda said.

“I am looking forward to representing the state at nationals and to be able to come back and continue mentoring and encouraging other young people to participate and put their hand up at attending their local zone competitions.

“I am grateful for the support that Agshows NSW and the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) have given in supporting and encouraging all participants that enter the junior judging competitions. I am also very grateful for the mentorship and support I have been shown over the years.

“Participating in these competitions is a way to challenge myself, expand my comfort zone, increase my public speaking skills and to meet new people.

Saying yes to these opportunities has been a foundational experience.”

Miranda is excited about participating at the Adelaide Royal again having previously attended the show in 2023 as an RAS Rural Achiever representative.

“I rst attended the Adelaide Royal in 2023 and I am looking forward to returning and meeting fellow young judges.

“I loved the atmosphere and focus their show has on showcasing the agriculture success of their state.”

Miranda’s interest in all things sheep and wool began when she was very young.

“I have always loved wool; I have been in shearing sheds and sheep yards since I was born,” she said.

“I learnt a lot of what I know from working closely with my Dad and family. Being in such a

Miranda to take judging skills to Adelaide Royal

family-orientated and hands-on business structure has meant I can be immersed into all aspects of production.”

Miranda was initially exposed to the young judge’s competition when she was a student attending Frensham School in Mittagong.

“Our school hosted zone events along with the Robertson Show for schools around the Southern Tablelands,” Miranda said.

“My teachers and the show stewards from the Robertson Show were instrumental in encouraging myself and other students to have a go and try our best.

“Over the years it has been wonderful to see them supporting students to branch out of their comfort zone and develop new skills.

“In recent years I have supported other students through providing public speaking skills and classing knowledge and strongly encouraged them to have a go and try their best.

“Being provided various opportunities throughout my

school and university journey has meant I can expand my knowledge and create a more rounded and holistic perspective.”

“These competitions are not everything though. The main thing I got out of participating was personal growth and con dence at presenting, which I believe should be the main aim. For people who are new to agriculture or di erent enterprises such as grains and di erent animal breeds it is a great way to learn more about di erent industries.”

The judging competition involves assessing four di erent items of the one product e.g four medium eeces, four Corriedale ewes, four white Su olk rams etc and an entrant’s task is to score them from rst to fourth.

While assessing the commodities the entrant is being marked individually on their presentation and conduct of assessing the animals or eeces. How closely an entrant ranks their animals or eeces to the judges, and their handling, determines if they

move on to speak in the oral round.

Half the group or less is chosen to speak publicly to the judges, fellow competitors, and the audience.

They are asked to discuss why they ranked the animal or eece in its rank, and are marked on how well they speak but more importantly how much they compare the individual commodities and state clearly why they ranked them above or below the others.

“These competitions are more about you, your presentation, handling and your ability to subjectively score the items based on your knowledge of the breed, the item and its qualities and convey your rankings to the judges,” Miranda said.

Miranda hopes to give back to an industry that has given her so much already.

“I look forward to giving back more to the junior judging community and encouraging more youth to have a go and feel empowered to extend their comfort zone,” she said.

By MEAT AND LIVESTOCK AUSTRALIA

FOLLOWING the Easter holiday break, numbers were not as high at last week’s Wagga Wagga cattle sale.

The standout of the sale is a substantial reduction in weight compared to previous sales. Also noted is the sell o of lighter weight weaners due to the extremely dry conditions. Dry dams are now a common part of the farming landscape across the supply area.

With rain in the north, re-stockers travelled from Dubbo, Tamworth, and Longreach. There were more feedlot orders in play along with the usual processors.

Demand from re-stockers and feedlots was signi cantly higher resulting in signi cant prices rises.

One of the features of the market has been the heightened demand for lightweight steers, particularly from northern re-stockers.

These cattle, weighing less than 300kg, have reaped signi cant interest, with prices ranging from an impressive 360-481c/kg.

The heifer portion also saw strong competition, topping out at 360c/kg, with certain breed attracting additional buyer interest and premiums.

Trade cattle in the 400kg to 500kg weight range were in limited supply considering the number of cattle offered. The market saw prices uctuate, with the bulk of cattle selling between 340-404c/kg.

Vealers were in high demand selling from 380-432c/kg. Feeder steers were keenly sought, although some buyers have struggled to nd the weight they require.

The bulk of feeder steers sold for between 356-434c/kg, gaining 14-30c/kg.

Feeder heifers in the 340-400kg saw a li of 4c/kg, selling within the range of 340-385c/kg.

Once again, buyers are actively pursuing weight, underscoring the competitive nature of the market.

The export market faced challenges, particularly with a lack of heavier cattle.

Heavy steers destined for processors sold between 356c to 420c, while bullocks engaged in lengthy bidding duels due to limited supply, with prices ranging from 365-416c/kg. Heavy cows have attracted a large eld of buyers, leading to a price improvement of 22c, averaging 317c/kg.

Leaner cows weighing under 520 kg sold within the range of 270-298c/kg.

Meanwhile, store cows were well supplied, achieving prices between 292 to 316c/kg for those with substantial weight.

BEST IN STATE: Cooma’s Miranda McGufficke will head to the Royal Adelaide Show to compete in the national wool and meat judging following winning both state titles at the Sydney Royal. PHOTO: Royal Agricultural Society

Kosciuszko Wild Venison to open plant

Enterprise to curb wild deer problem, put region on culinary map

By TRISTA HEATH

THE Snowy Mountains agricultural sector is about to receive a signi cant boost with Kosciuszko Wild Venison opening its processing plant in Jindabyne.

The business has been labelled a ‘game-changer’ by highly regarded Jindabyne graziers and landholders, who, along with managing director Adam Digby, envisage the region becoming home to the nation’s best venison.

Mr Digby showcased the Kosciuszko Wild Venison shop front at Leesville to the community recently, bringing ve years of hard work to fruition.

Mr Digby said the idea of opening a venison processing plant has been years in the making, coming about as a way to curb the wild deer problem in the region while developing a marketing for sought-a er venison.

“Kosciuszko Wild Venison is an enterprise that will produce tangible results in wild deer management, create a market for highly nutritious and delicious venison, create direct local employment opportunities and support a halo of local services that will be required in its operations,” Mr Digby said.

“This investment isn’t a bit of my something, it’s 100 per cent all my everything. I’m proud to start this business for myself, but it’s my greater hope that I’m starting an industry for my community.”

The plant was open for inspection by the public for a onetime only event with well-known pillars of the community, Tom Barry, and Ian ‘Doc’ Pendergast, conducting the o cial opening.

Mr Barry and Mr Pendergast spoke on the history of the area before Mr Barry o cially recognised the business’ foundation by cracking a

stockwhip to break a ribbon at the front door. Mr Pendergast revealed the new street signage and logo followed by a barbecue venison tasting.

Mr Barry said Leesville used to be a residential township, founded by Harry Lee, the one-street estate was named Harry Lee’s Plain.

The Kiandra goldrush in 1859-60 gave the area a brief boost and that’s when a hotel and police station were rst built at Leesville. It became known as the industrial estate when Mr Barry was on Council in the early 1980s.

Mr Pendergast said since the old town moved, which had two killing pens, there had not been a processing plant in the township.

“Utilising these feral resources shows that processing the meat professionally can be done, and this industry could work wonders for the community,” Mr Pendergast said.

“Adam sees an unutilised market and the opportunity for a great business, one where stock is plenty.”

The community had the opportunity to tour the processing plant starting with the shop front, a retail space with a refrigerated cabinet.

The space will feature shelves of dried goods, condiments, and ingredients to go with venison including a few heirloom vegetables.

“We will stock everything you need, just stop in pick up a leg of venison and get what you need for dinner that night,” Mr Digby said.

“There will be equipment for sale for your own butchering or carving needs at home, some camphor laurel cutting boards, handmade knives and more, I want this place to be more boutique than butcher.”

Popular in Europe and some other countries, venison is known

for its nutritional value and exceptional avour.

“Full of all the good omegas, high in protein, low in fat and a wonderful product that we should not be ignoring, and that is what I am hoping to resolve with Kosciuszko Wild Venison,” Mr Digby said.

“What I am happy about is that we are taking a problem that has been treated with disdain and helping nd a solution with minimum waste.

“Spending millions of dollars ying helicopters to shoot deer is not an economic way to deal with the problem, where if we are here harvesting the meat of the animal day in and day out, we will slowly suppress and manage the numbers rather than the numbers growing.”

The trucks will pull in the back, the carcass is li ed by crane to the meat rail where it is weighed and the harvesters tag is applied,

tracing where the animal was harvested from, through to which retailer received the meat before hanging for 24 hours.

The idea ourished while sitting at the Wildbrumby Distillery with a friend from Austria eating a Jagerwurst and drinking schnapps.

Five years later his dream is a reality as Mr Digby prepares for production to start in May.

Licenced wild harvester, Steve Maxwell, has been hunting for decades and was a professional jackaroo.

Fully licensed and food handling and hygiene approved, he knows how to deliver a single head shot to ensure the animal dies humanely.

He can dress a deer in one minute and holds a vehicle approved by the meat and food authority that ensure the trucks are hygienic and t for purpose.

“We hunt the deer in a relaxed natural state and engage the single

headshot, there is no stress, no rounding up to put on trucks like cattle,” Mr Maxwell said.

“We engage the animal when it is foraging in its natural environment, it is very humane and quick and not leaving a natural resource to be wasted.

“We come in at the dead of night, shoot, then the carcases get taken away and end up on the table as food.

“The deer are in high population throughout the area now, they are a menace on the road and to farmers.

“This new enterprise will be good as we will be able to keep levels down and not leave the carcases to go to waste.”

Mr Digby has an array of venison recipes on his website koscivenison.com.au and will be launching a YouTube channel with more recipe ideas once the shop front opens.

The Barry family has a long history with Jindabyne and the mountains, dating back to European settlement. Tom Barry speaks about the history of Leesville and praises Mr Digby’s vision and tenacity for opening Kosciuszko Wild Venison.

Mr Digby is congratulated on opening his business by one of Jindabyne’s most respected and well known locals, Ian ‘Doc’ Pendergast.

Adam Digby is the proud managing director and owner of Kosciuszko Wild Venison. The business has a venison processing plant in Leesville, Jindabyne, along with a shop front.

PHOTOS: Nathan Thompson INNOVATION

•

Rural splendour, modern comfort

ADDRESS: 467 Caddigat Road

Approx two hectares

Three bed, two bath, two car

ASKING: $795,000

NESTLED amidst the serene landscape of Dry Plain, this charming brick abode at 467 Caddigat Road offers a perfect blend of rural splendour and modern comforts, ideal for families seeking a lifestyle retreat.

This exquisite property spans approximately two hectares, providing an idyllic setting for both relaxation and recreation.

The home has been thoughtfully converted from a four-bedroom structure into an expansive three-bedroom sanctuary, boasting a spacious parents’ retreat with an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe.

The semi-open plan design integrates a modern kitchen, ensuring a seamless flow for family living and entertaining.

Comfort is assured year-round with a

ducted reverse cycle unit discreetly installed in the ceiling, keeping the space cosy in winter and cool during the summer months.

Surrounding the home, you’ll find a wellmaintained garden featuring established fruit trees, native flora, and stately pines.

External amenities include a large shed with a convenient double carport and workshop space, catering to all your storage and hobby needs.

The property also benefits from an easement to Caddigat Creek for water access, with a filtration system installed at the house. A solar system is also installed to keep cost down

The expansive wide verandah encircling the home offers a peaceful vantage point to take in the tranquil surrounds.

Located a mere 25 to 30 minutes from Cooma, this property presents an unrivalled opportunity for families to embrace a peaceful country lifestyle without sacrificing convenience.

secure the strategically located Whinstone Valley in the heart of the Monaro district. This property is situated only 56 km northeast of Cooma and 110km south of Canberra in the higher end rainfall area securing an annual average in excess of 700mm or 28 inches.

Valley is the Stephens family who have had continuous ownership since 1964. Prior to this the main house was operated as the local post office and telephone exchange.

Bill and Sue are very keen to share the property history. The name Whinstone is a term used to describe a hard dark-coloured rock such as basalt. Whinstone Valley is a well-established holding offering excellent production for both cattle and sheep breeding and fattening operations. There

time was estimated to be 3500 D.S.E.

The improved granite pastures have been predominately sown to phalaris, cocksfoot, fescue, ryegrass and clovers. There are scattered gums providing excellent shelter for the livestock.

Fencing is also a feature with the property subdivided into 31 paddocks consisting of netting, hinge joint and plain wire together with electric fences. There is approximately 7 .5 km of new

eldersrealestate.com.au ‘WHINSTONE VALLEY’ Jerangle/Monaro, NSW | 961 HA / 2,374 AC

fed from a 44,000-litre tank off the woolshed.

In 2008 a decision was made to semi-retire and sell all the sheep and run a herd of 50 Angus cows with agistment stock. The agistment stock consisted of 150 cows and calves plus more recently up to 400 sheep. This property has always been lovingly cared for by the Stephens family.

Large flat bottom silo

Small holding paddocks adjacent to yards

The Peak View road provides for an excellent laneway for stock movement Whinstone Valley is for sale at $4,000,000.00. Call the exclusive selling agents to secure an inspection.

A wonderful opportunity to purchase a prime grazing property on the Monaro

•Ideally located 56km north east of Cooma

•Suited to cattle and sheep grazing

•High Rainfall-Average 700 mm or 28 inches

•Improved granite pastures & native grasses

•Gently undulating paddocks, scattered gums providing ideal shelter

•Double frontage to Peak View Road

•Two bedroom weatherboard home C1890

•Three bedroom weatherboard/ bro cottage C1950

•Established gardens

•Three stand raised board shearing shed

•Two sets of sheep yards

•Steel/timber cattle yards with Vet crush

•Well fenced into 31 paddocks

•Machinery shed & workshop

• Two silos

•Conservatively estimated to carry 3,500 DSE. Call the exclusive selling agents to secure an inspection.

Snowy Monaro

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 1.00 Sherwood. 2.00 Restoration Australia. 3.00 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. 3.25 Grand Designs: The Streets. 4.15 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. 5.00 A Bite To Eat. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. 6.30 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Restoration Australia. Final. 9.00 Grand Designs Australia. 9.55 Bill Bailey’s Wild West Australia. Final. 10.45 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 9.00 Medical Emergency. 9.30 NBC Today. 12.00 Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 My Impossible House. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Father Brown. 8.30 Murdoch Mysteries. 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. (2023) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 7News Local. 6.30 7News @ 6:30. 7.00 Home And Away. 7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. 8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. 10.30 The Amazing Race. 12.00 Raines. New. 1.00 Travel Oz. 2.00 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 1.00 Pawn Stars. 1.30 Highway Patrol. 2.30 The Force: BTL. 3.30 Duck Dynasty. 4.00 Aussie Lobster Men. 5.00 American Resto. 5.30 Storage Wars. 6.00 American Pickers. 7.00 AFL Pre-Game. 7.30 Football. AFL. Round 9. Fremantle v Collingwood. 11.00 AFL Post-Game. 11.30 Late Programs.

(1960) 5.30 The Travelling Auctioneers. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Yes, Prime Minister. 8.40 Midsomer Murders. 10.40 The Closer. 11.40 Late Programs. 6.00 Get Clever. 7.00 It’s

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 The Hundred With Andy Lee. 1.00 Drive TV: Drive Car Of The Year. 1.30 Young Sheldon. 2.00 Pointless. 3.00 Tipping Point. 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. 5.30 WIN News. 6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 10. Parramatta Eels v Dolphins. 9.45 Thursday Night Knock Off. 10.30 Rise Of The Dolphins. 12.00 Late Programs.

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6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 Good Chef Bad Chef. 12.30 Family Feud. 1.00 10 News First: Lunchtime. 2.00 Wheel Of Fortune. 2.30

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6.00 Kids’ Programs. 3.00 Play School: What’s Cooking? 4.00 Andy’s Safari Adventures. 4.25 Builder Brothers Dream Factory. 5.20 Kangaroo Beach. 5.50 Paddington. 7.05 Dino Dex. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.40 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.25 Saved By The Barn. 10.05 Merlin. 10.50 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 Pointless. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. 12.00 Midsomer Murders. 2.00 Yes, Prime Minister. 3.00 Explore. 3.15 MOVIE: Summer Holiday. (1963) 5.30 The Travelling Auctioneers. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 RBT. 8.30 Emergency. 9.30 A+E Crash Scene Emergency. 10.30 My Feet Are Killing Me. 11.30 Late Programs.

Morning Programs. 12.00 Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 The Great Australian Doorstep. 2.30 Weekender. 3.00 Animal SOS Australia. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Wildlife ER. 8.30 Escape To The Country. 11.30 Late Programs. 6.00 Morning Programs. 1.30 Pawn Stars. 2.00 The Car Club. 2.30 Desert Collectors. 3.30 Timbersports. 4.00 Aussie Lobster Men. 5.00 American Resto. 5.30 Storage Wars. 6.00 American Pickers. 7.00 AFL: Friday Night Countdown. 7.30 Football. AFL. Round 9. St Kilda v Carlton. 10.30 AFL Post-Game. 11.15 GetOn Extra. 11.45 Late Programs. 6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Bad Tutor. (2018) 2.00 Pointless. 3.00 Tipping Point. 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. 5.30 WIN News. 6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 10. South Sydney Rabbitohs v Brisbane Broncos. 9.55 Golden Point. 10.45 MOVIE: Looper. (2012) 1.00 Drive TV: Launch Pad. 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. 2.00 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 2.30 Whose Line Is It Anyway? 2.50 Doctor Who. 3.40 A Bite To Eat. 4.05 QI. 4.40 MythBusters. 5.30 Heartbreak High. 7.00 Hard Quiz. 7.30 QI. 8.00 Would I Lie To You? 8.30 MOVIE: Mother’s Day. (2016) 10.25 ER. 11.10 Breeders. 11.35 Rage.

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 1.00 Bay Of Fires. 2.00 Restoration Australia. 2.55 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. 3.25 Grand Designs: The Streets. 4.15 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. 5.00 A Bite To Eat. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. 6.30 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 Gardening Australia. 8.30 Sherwood. 9.30 To Be Advised. 10.10 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. 10.35 Late Programs. 6.00 Kids’ Programs. 4.00 Andy’s Safari Adventures. 4.25 Builder Brothers Dream Factory. 5.20 Kangaroo Beach. 5.50 Paddington. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.00 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 8.30 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars: Battle Of The Stars. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 Good Chef Bad Chef. 12.30 Family Feud. 1.00 10 News First: Lunchtime. 2.00 Wheel Of Fortune. 2.30 Lingo. 3.30 10 News First: Afternoon. 4.00 Family Feud. 4.30 The Bold And The Beautiful. 5.00 10 News First. 6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. 7.30 The Graham Norton Show. 9.50 10’s Late News. 10.15 The Inspired Unemployed: The

6.00 Morning Programs. 2.00 Are You Being Served? 3.00 Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 MOVIE: The Getting Of Wisdom. (1977) 5.30 The Travelling Auctioneers. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 West Coast Cops. 8.30 MOVIE: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. (2011) 10.55 MOVIE: Safe Haven. (2013) 1.15 Late Programs. 6.00 Get Clever. 7.00 It’s Academic. 8.30 Mystic. 9.00 Shopping. 10.30 House Rules. 12.00 Code Black. 3.00 Ed And Karen’s Recipes For Success. 4.00 The Goldbergs. 4.30 Frogger. 5.30 The Amazing Race. 7.00 MOVIE: The Karate Kid. (2010) 9.50 MOVIE: Shanghai Noon. (2000) 12.05 MOVIE: Sea Fever. (2019) 2.05 Shopping. 3.05 Army Wives.

SEVEN NINE

Digging Up The Dirt On The Monaro For Over 40 Years

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

Sand, Aggregate, Bagged Cement, Concrete & Clay Pavers, Concrete Retaining Wall Blocks

The Trades Directory is a great way to promote your business to potential customers. It is cost effective, stress and hassle free, and most importantly, effective.

If you’re interested in booking your spot, contact our sales team to discuss different options.

PHONE: 02 6452 0313

EMAIL: sales@monaropost.com.au

VISIT: 59 Vale Street, Cooma NSW 2630

CLEARING SALE

Saturday 10th May 2025

47 Upstream Road, Bumbalong NSW 2626 A/C: Oranom Farming Enterprises

Vehicles/Trailers/Boats – Ford Territory (registered); Mercedes SUV; Isuzu tray truck (not running); Old stock crate; Box trailer; Datsun car (burnt); Savage tinny & Johnson motor on trailer (registered); Old car parts; Building Equipment – Metal work lathe; Husqvarna 236 chainsaw; ABLE 713cc V-twin motor; Drill press; Assorted steel; Trusses; Windmill parts; Farm Machinery – Belarus 562 FWA Tractor w front end loader; Tractor bucket; 3PL forks; Fiat 2WD tractor; Case Internation 626 round baler; Chaff cutter; MF80 combine (small seed box); 3PL bale loaders; Honda XL 125; 3PL ripper; Bale prong; Old combine; 3PL cement mixer; 3PL rotary hoe; Steel roller; Plough points; Tyre roller; Small square accumulator/grab (Jadan); PTO slasher; PTO super spreader; Hay rake; PTO finger mower; 3PL grader blade; 3PL post hole digger; Class small square baler; Irrigation pipe lengths; Travelling irrigators; Motors & pumps; Boom sprays; Grain feeders; TAARUP 206 old mower parts; Hammer mill; PTO auger; 4-wheeler bike; Troughs; Round hay feeders; Fencing supplies; Grain feeders; Lamb cradles; Various Fiat tractor parts; Disc plough & parts; Outdoor/Garden – Walk behind rotary hoe; Assorted garden ornaments; Miscellaneous – Old style auto tuner; Plus so much more!

Inspections: 8am | Auction: 9am

Pre-registrations available via the KMPL office Refer to kirshnermackay.com.au for further details, photos & inventory.

P: (02) 6456 7232 E: info@kirshnermackay.com.au W: kirshnermackay.com.au

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment

The owners of Lot 12 DP1277125, Hickeys Road, Dalgety are proposing 5 lot subdivision of this land and are currently preparing an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment (ACHA) to inform a Development Application (DA) for the proposed subdivision.

In accordance with the Aboriginal cultural heritage consultation requirements and National Parks & Wildlife Act 1974, Aboriginal people holding cultural knowledge about the significance of Aboriginal objects that may be located there are invited to register interest in the community consultation process.

The purpose of consultation is to assist the proponent prepare an ACHA and Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP) application if required and assist Heritage NSW consider and assess that application. Please register interest by 22 May 2025.

On Site Cultural Heritage Management PO Box 574 NAROOMA NSW 2546 gerard@onsitechm.com.au 0414 441 896

Saturday 17th May 2025

Dalgety NSW 2628 A/C: Downs C Kolano

Vehicles/Trailers – Nissan 2007 T30 Trail Wagon (10 mths rego one owner); Dodge 600 Diesel 1 74 (GVM 10861, Tare 4520, approx. 78,850km); Toyota Diesel HJ45 1 80 (original motor, approx. 60,115km); Bedford truck; Dodge 575 truck; 6 x 4 trailer; Bogie Tagalong trailer; Pa ero (Model L047GW); o ec a e Wire spinner;

u n a e a s o s op u pmen oo s 2 x Maxiheat u kits; 520 Mono pump (trailer mounted, 10hp diesel motor); Boxes of tiles; Electrical saws, planer, sander, drop saw; CUT 40 air plasma cutter; 3 x SD100 smoke alarms; Compressor; Foam marker unit; Hole saws; Door locks; Bolts; Assorted tools; 3 x Centrifugal pump; 2 x Centrifugal skid mounted pump w motor; 3 x 12m struts; 4 x 7m struts; ty tin sheeting; Approx. 400 LM 700mm w cliplock (new); ty scrap steel; Extendable ladder; Approx. 20 lengths of 6m, 400mm wide panels; Solar light system; Wedgetail woodchipper (6hp Suburu motor); a m n u pmen a e a s Agmax EFI 500 w tipper tray, winch onfront, steel construction; Digga Ramdrill post hole drill (tractor mounted, 100, 200, 300, 400mm augers); Agrimaster KP2400 Flail mower; Schulte SRW800 rock rake; 1,000L steel tank & stand; 600L spray tank with pump; 400L Gold Acres spray tank w hose, spray gun, & pump (skid mounted); Crump Kurra ong 1000 spreader (towing); Tractor mounted spreader; Teagle tractor mounted spreader, versatile broadcaster; ty star posts; Bee hives; Selecta 400L diesel tank; 3 Tyne rippers (tractor mounted); Cattle crate; Tyne ripper (tractor mounted); Traveling irrigator; 3 x Gates; Hay baler; 6 suction pipe, 20m; Various spray fittings; 2 x 4m ramps; ew Holland hay cutter; Rolls used fencing wire; Harrows; Post hole driver; Two man post hole digger; XT250 Yamaha bike; 2 x Excavator buckets; u oo a en Garden pool pump; amaha 2HP outboard motor; Irrigation fittings; Flow metre; 2 x 200m roll 1.35mm irrigation pipe; 4 x rolls Dunlop rubber hoses; 2 x rolls 6.5mm OD sprinkler hoses; 2 x rolls Powa ex Safety hoses (12.5mm, 3,000 W.P. PSI); Set of Wilson golf clubs plus Ping driver; 2 x BB s; ouse o I ems Assorted light fi ngs; Glass cabinet; Carl Ecke Berlin Dresden Posen piano; Various mirrors; MyGenie H2O Pro 2in1 cordless vacuum cleaner & mop; Fowler preserving ars; Assorted glassware; Gas stove; sce aneous GME TX4600 UHF CB radio & aerial; 2 x Uniden 77 (narrow band channels); 2 x Steel bath tubs; us so muc mo e e on s ne mac a com au

Inspections: 8am | Auction: 9am

Pre-registrations available via the KMPL office Refer to kirshnermackay.com.au for further details, photos & inventory.

DEATH NOTICES

COWOOD,

Pete.

Passed away peacefully on Friday, April 25, 2025 at Cooma Hospital, Cooma, formerly of Peak View Rd, Numeralla. Aged 72 years.

Dearly loved husband of Jeannette. Father of Alison and Robert. Granddad to Sophie and Emily.

The funeral service for the late Pete Cowood was held at the St Paul’s Anglican Church on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

A er which a private cremation took place.

ROBINSON, Brian Keith

“Keith”.

Passed away peacefully on Monday, April 28, 2025 at Cooma District Hospital.

Aged 68 years.

Dearly loved husband of Rosemarie, Father of Robert and Kelly, Grandfather of Rose and RJ, Great-Grandfather to 3.

The relatives and friends of the late Brian Keith Robinson are invited to attend his funeral service to be held in the Cooma Car Club on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 commencing at 10.30am.

At the conclusion of the service a private cremation will be held.

In loving memory of Leigh Thomas Stewart

24.08.1930 – 06.05.2022

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by family and friends.

Always in our hearts

Record visitors, costumes for 2025 Steampunk festival

By KAREN FORMAN

THEY came in record numbers from a record number of locations, wearing a record number of costumes and Nimmitabel was alive with music, colour and atmosphere for the 2025 Steampunk@ Altitude Festivalat the weekend.

Markets, workshops, buskers, performances, events and photo opportunities abounded and anyone passing through town could have been excused for thinking they had driven into a parallel universe, either back in town, or forward in time - or a mixture of both.

There was even a penny farthing bicycle being ridden up and down the street by a gentleman wearing a suit, a pocketwatch and a top hat.

Nimmitabel School of Arts (Nimmity Artz) has estimated 3500 visitors attended the eighth festival and the rst run by the local arts society.

“It would have been a record,” organiser, Kelvin Fahey, said.

“Numbers were up 30 per cent on last year.

“And this is the second year in a row where there were more people dressed up than not, even people just wearing colonial clothing so they had something on that tted within the Steampunk genre.”

Mr Fahey said people who had never Steampunked before made an e ort to dress up, with whole families showing up clad in clothing inspired by the subgenre of science ction that combines retrofuturistic technology and aesthetics with 19th-century settings and themes.

“Our market stall holders sold out of the aviator style goggles at least,” he said.

Mr Fahey attributed the increase in numbers to the ne weather.

“People look out their door, see the sunshine and feel like a trip to Nimmitabel for the day, along

with the huge publicity brought by the festival’s appearance on ABC’s Back Roads program last year,” he said.

“The show really brought people from long distances.

“We saw people from Canberra, Gippsland, the NSW south coast as well as Queensland, Melbourne, Adelaide and further a eld.”

Accommodation was booked out in Nimmitabel, with Cooma accommodation providers taking up the slack.

Highlights included the annual Steampunk ball on Saturday night, featuring regional performers including Je Aschmann, Sahal, Steampunk

Pete and Tailgater Janine, and Dragon Whisper.

A rst this year was the inaugural Steampunk awards, conducted during the ball.

Winners were: Vendor Presentation 2025 - Tribe Of The Fae Folk; Steampunk Cra work 2025 - Janna Van Raaphorst; Outstanding Entertainment 2025 - Sanjex Seratti; Steampunk Characterisation 2025 - Lordfoxworth; Lifetime Achievement Award 2024Tess Hudson and Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 - Dijor Scott Machon.

With funding assisted by grant sponsorship by Snowy Hydro and the Nimmitabel School

of Arts, with in-kind support from Nimmitabel Show Society, Men’s Shed and Lions Club, the event featured a lot of audience interaction.

“I think its success came down to retaining a lot of favorites on the program, double the number of musicians and buskers and the ABC show,” Mr Fahey said.

“Dancers from Snowy Monaro Performing Arts Academy attracted big crowds on Sunday, which is normally a quieter day, which is fabulous.”

The 2026 event has already been scheduled for the rst weekend of May 2026.

Jindabyne’s Ella Meyer with son Michael, who launched his book at the festival and his wife, Anna.

Dona Lelliot of Credens Hall Home Apothecary with her wares at the Steampunk Festival.

FAMILY AFFFAIR: Melissa, Isabel, Emily and David Norton dressed for the occasion.

PHOTOS: Karen Forman.

Cooma friends Charlotte Stone, 12 and Ashton Farrell 13 show o their Steampunk costumes.

Sanjex Seratti on his penny farthing. He won the Entertainment Award 2025.

Town crier Alan Moyse is always a popular part of the Steampunk festival in Nimmitabel.

EVENT: Klaus Menze of Wonthaggi, Victoria shows o his spendid Steampunk inspired hat.

Strong fields contest Bombala golf stablefords

By BOMBALA GOLF CLUB

ON Saturday, once the fog li ed it was a beautiful day for golf.

The event for the day was a four-ball-bestball stableford for Bombala Electrical and Bombala Hardware trophies.

There was a good roll-up with some good scores. The winners of the trophies were Darren Forrester and Glen Hampshire 41 points.

Ball were won by Darren and Glen and Brendan Weston and Ray Crawford 39 points.

Nearest the pin was won by Weston. Golden shot won by Wayne Elton.

Sunday golf saw a large eld contesting a stableford for club trophy.

Considering it was a fantastic day a er the frost, the scores were not re ective of the top conditions.

Members are pleased to see three juniors playing in the competitions.

Sunday’s winner was one the juniors, Laykn Tonks, who came in on 35 points to win the trophy.

Balls were won by Lakyn, Glen Hampshire 34 points, Shannon Gulliford 34 points, Joel Cherry 33 points, Brad Yelds 33 points.

Weston again won nearest the pin. Golden shot went to Steve Tatham.

Program for the week

Ladies Wednesday, 7 May – stableford, club trophy

Members Saturday, 10 May – stroke, monthly medal Sunday, 11 May – stableford, late J. Crawford trophy

Young wins Cooma monthly medal

By COOMA GOLF CLUB

COOMA golfers contested the monthly medal on Saturday with Stephen Young winning following an impressive 68 nett.

Je rey Lobley from Shortland Waters Golf Club won A grade with 70 nett, while Jason Brazulaitis on 72 nett claimed B grade, and Mark Kenmir won C grade with his 71 nett.

Place-getters on Saturday were: Alan Kelly, Dylan Litch eld, Marcel Too, Simon White, Wayne Ryan, Gary Batten, Nate Quodling and Ben Smith.

Nearest the pin on hole four was David Douglass, Victor Carroll was nearest on the ninth, 11 went to Tony Clark and on 17, David Stewart was the closest.

The monthly medal also included the long drive competition sponsored by Burke’s Plant Hire.

The A grade long drive went to Phil Ingram, B grade was won by Simon White, Fletch Jones again took the C grade long drive and Claire Caldwell won the women’s long drive. The four-ball-best-ball competition was won by Dylan Litch eld and Jason Brazulaitis.

Sunday’s stableford competition was won by Mark Burke with 36 points on a countback from David Stewart.

Place-getters on the day were: David Stewart, Kenneth McGrath, Leo Percy, Stephen Young, Wayne Flynn, Shannon Fergusson, Ben Rolfe and John Harris.

The midweek competition this week was a stableford, with Craig Scho eld taking the win with 38 points.

Cli Richards was the runner-up with 36 points on a countback. Place-getters on the day were: David Stewart, Garry Cornish, Steven Wheatley, Simon Allen, Martin Gelling, Peter Devereux, Wayne Flynn, Helen Crawford, Brian Johnson and Harry Mould. Nearest to the pin on 17 was Brian Johnson. This week, the Wednesday competition is the midweek medal stroke event. Saturday is a stableford alongside a split sixes event and the Sunday competitions is a stableford.

White pairing claim club championship

Husband, wife pairing win mixed stableford

By COOLAMATONG GOLF CLUB

THE ladies and men played their annual mixed four ball stableford championship on Sunday, with husband and wife pairing of Michelle and Roger White winning with a 61 total.

Runners-up with a score of 53 were Glen Staker and Karen Caban.

In the men’s Sunday stableford competition, Michael Justen had 37 points to win the day, his second win a er capturing Wednesday’s event.

Justen had a great front nine, scoring 22 points with consecutive birdies on the eighth and ninth holes, before four singlepointers hurt his back nine and overall score.

He has shot consecutive fourover-par rounds of 75 in his last two outings.

Runner-up was Scott Frize on

36 points, followed by Andrew Haigh with 35 points.

In A grade, Michael Justen was top with 36 points, with Andrew Haigh and Owain Joines lling the places. In B grade, Scott Frize had 36, Tim Caldwell 35 and Ewan Murdoch 35.

Benje Munce won C grade with 35 points.

The ball competition ran down to 31 points on Sunday.

The men’s near pins were Ian Wheeldon on three, Owain Jones on eight, Lochlann Colin on 15, who also captured the

eagles nest money, and Andrew Haigh on 17.

The ladies near pins were Michelle White on three, Janeece Peters on eight, and Maureen Rupcic on 17.

In the recent monthly medal stroke rounds, the two male quali ers for the medal nals in November were Aaron Fenton with 64 nett and Lochlann Colin with 66.

The two lady quali ers were Carolyn Major with a 73 nett on Wednesday and Janece Peters with 79 nett last Sunday.

Next Saturday, all golfers are invited to play in the inaugural Crackers Cup at Lake Crackenback Resort.

Crackers Cup Charity Golf Day on Saturdau, 10 May will consist of nine holes of golf, $3000 worth of ra es, drinks, and is a three-club event on the par three course.

Cost is $40, and all funds raised will support the Rob Kneller Youth Foundation.Tee o is from 10.30am, and anyone interested in playing can nd all the information on the website. www.harrosnowsports.com. au/crackerscup/

Cats women deliver best effort yet

AUSSIE RULES

THE Southern Cats women’s Aussie Rules team is continuing to build momentum following its best e ort of the season in Saturday’s round four clash.

A er a two week bye, the team ran onto eld for their match up against reigning premiers, the Australian National University Gri ns.

A er a slow start in the rst quarter, the Cats showed strong defensive pressure in the second and third quarters and strung together a positive o en-

sive set to record their rst goal. ANU started well with the ball as the Cats conceded 20 points in the rst quarter. A er returning to the eld a er the quarter break, the Cats li ed defensively. The defensive e ort was led by Erin Donnelly with strong support from Anna Bakker, Bethany Ammann, and Lauren Crawford.

Sarah Burns continued a strong showing in the ruck, while Meg Pearce and Erin Pearce proved vital support through the mid eld. The

reigning premiers were kept to zero points in the third quarter.

A er heavy action in the Cat’s o ensive end during the third quarter, Meg Pearce managed to secure the team’s rst goal in their inaugural season. Pearce kicked a 20m goal from a turnover. The nal score was 7 (1.1) to 54 (8.6). Best on eld were Anna Bakker, Sarah Burns, Erin Pearce, Meg Pearce, Emily Perkin and Pip Golding.

A er consecutive wins in their opening rounds, the Cats’ men came up against a strong

ANU team. The Cats matched up well against the opposition in the rst quarter, keeping the scores close at the quarter siren. But the home team pulled away in the remaining quarters to secure a win. The nal score was 44 (7.2) to 103( 16.7). Best on eld were Sean Bourke, Jordan Lopes, Jarad Clarke, Connor Bourke, Aaron Scandrett and Sam Bennett. Next week, both teams play Woden at EPC Solar Park in Phillip, the women starting at 10am and the men at 12pm.

WINNERS: Michelle and Roger White won the mixed four ball stableford championships on Sunday.

PHOTOS: Coolamatong Golf Club

Roger hits a drive during the mixed stableford event at Coolaamtong.

Coyte recognised

COOMA rugby union life member, Brian Coyte, had no idea his name would be used for the inaugural Snowy Monaro Interschools Cup, but he is pretty humbled at the honour.

The longtime junior rugby volunteer was on hand to present the cup to the winning team from Jindabyne

after the inaugural carnival on Thursday, which attracted 120 junior players.

“I had no idea about it,” he said.

“The rugby committee decided it would name the competition after me without me being aware. I am very honoured.”

Coyte has never played

for the club, having given the game away after leaving the Northern Beaches, but has given 18 years of service to the juniors in Cooma.

Club president, Sean Neilson, said organisers were happy with the numbers.

“We hope to double it next year,” he said.

PHOTO: Karen Forman

Fordham honoured with Chumpy Pullin award

PERISHER cross country talent, Rosie Fordham, made Australian snowsports history last season and her landmark result has seen her receive the Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin outstanding achievement award.

Named a er Australia’s two-time Snowboard Cross World Champion, the outstanding achievement award has previously been taken out by Danielle Scott, Tess Coady, Scotty James, Valentino Guseli and Jakara Anthony.

Fordham’s victory is the rst time an athlete from outside of freestyle skiing or park and pipe has taken out the award. Fordham received the honour at Snow Australia’s gala awards night last week.

With university commitments keeping Fordham from attending the Snow Australia awards, she explained via video how thrilled she was to receive

such an honour.

“I’m humbled to achieve such an incredible awardnamed in honour of such a legend of Australian snowsports - considering all the exceptional results that were coming in across the winter from all the disciplines,” Rosie said.

“A massive thank you to the Australian cross country community because I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without their support.

“This was a massive win for all of us this season and it’s such a privilege to be able to dream big.”

While most recent recipients of the ‘Chumpy’ Award have been recognised based o a body of work over the course of a season, it took just 33 minutes of racing on 8 February for Fordham to break down barriers which had previously proved impassable.

Never before had an Australian cross country skier

fought their way to the podium of a major international event, however in extremely tough conditions at the under 23 Junior World Championships in Schipario, Italy, Fordham did just that, starting hard and holding strong as others faltered to take silver in the women’s 10km freestyle.

Finn Marsland, Snow Australia cross country program director said Fordham’s performance at Schipario was a hallmark day for cross country skiing in Australia.

”What Rosie managed to do is an amazing achievement and a signi cant milestone for the sport,” he said.

“We knew she was in great shape and thought she could be ghting for a top 10, but a podium result wasn’t quite on anyone’s radar.

“Everything aligned for Rosie to produce an incredible e ort in tough conditions and write some Australian winter sport history.”

JUNIOR RUGBY: ACT Brumbies representative Reinhold Kamilo, Cooma junior rugby union club president, Rebecca Abraham, Jindabyne Primary School player Tommy Tripet, Jindabyne High School player Chloe Frost, Cooma rugby union club life member, Brian Coyte and club president, Sean Neilson at the inaugural interschools presentation.

Olympic dream

WALKER-BROOSE READY TO FULFILL DREAM

By NATHAN THOMPSON

WITH less than 12 months until the 2026 Winter Olympics, Cooma athlete Bentley Walker-Broose is working harder than ever to ful ll a lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics.

The cross country skier is hoping a promising Northern Hemisphere winter season in 2024/25 and a busy few months training in Australia will have him ring come selection time for the national team.

With only three spots expected to be allocated for the men’s and women’s cross country ski team, Walker-Broose, ranked fourth in the country, is focussed on achieving his Olympic dream.

“My winter campaign was really positive. I was able to race illness and injury free for the rst time in a long time, and I’m happy with how I went,” Walker-Broose said.

“Now I’m back home it’s time to train hard and do everything I can to put myself in a position to compete for a spot on the Australian Winter Olympic team.”

The 23-year-old delivered strong results in his Northern Hemisphere campaign, impressing at the World University Games.

He had the honour of carrying the Australian ag at the opening ceremony, and was part of a relay team which nished eighth. The team beat nations ranked much higher than Australia.

Walker-Broose delivered strong results in his Northern Hemisphere campaign, impressing at the World Uni Games.

LARGEST RANGE IN THE REGION

A highlight of his winter season was making his debut in the world championships in Trondheim, Norway.

“Racing in Trondheim was an amazing experience,” he said.

“It was the most intense and insane crowd I’ve raced in front

of. There would have been tens of thousands of spectators. Norway loves their cross country sking.

“It will be impossible to forget that experience. Cross country skiing is by far the most popular sport in Norway, they really do embrace it.”

In local racing, Walker-

RACING: Cooma cross country skier, Bentley Walker-Broose, has his sights set on being selected for the Australian Winter Olympic team. He enjoyed a productive Northern Hemisphere racing season. PHOTOS: Supplied

Walker-Broose was pleased with his performances during a gruelling winter campaign in the Northern Hemisphere.

Broose competed in the the 2025 Australian National Roller Ski Championships at Mt Stromlo last month.

The men’s racing was a tight battle between Walker-Broose and European based Lars Young-Vik, with Young-Vik taking both the gold medals and Walker-Broose the silver medals.

On-hand to present the medals was Norwegian Ambassador Anne Grete Riise, who was full of praise for the Australian snowsports program.

Walker-Broose is training in Cooma currently, improving his skills and tness.

HIRE: CANOE, SAIL, WAYDOOS + MORE

J IND ABYNE