Monaro Post and Jindabyne Summit Sun 080524

Monaro breeds shearing success Have your say

LOCALS CHEER ON WORLD SHEARING RECORD

WITH a strong Monaro presence watching on, shearer Jeanine Kimm now has a world record to her name.

The former local shearer who has close ties with the Monaro, has set a new world benchmark for the most Me-

rino Ewes shorn by a a female in eight hours.

Jeanine finished with 358 Merino ewes shorn for an average time of 80.8 seconds per sheep.

Jeanine was targeting 351 Merino ewes but beat the mark by seven after finishing an impres-

sive eight hours of work.

Cheered on by her support team, the Hill End product was congratulated by friends and family as she reached the world record mark.

Jeanine had spent close to a decade on the Monaro. Jea-

nine’s coach Mark Constance was on hand to watch the talented shearer etch her name into the record books.

Jeanine’s sister Leita Moreing is well-known in the agricultural industry, particularly in Bombala.

By NATHAN THOMPSON

SNOWY Monaro ratepayers are being urged to have their say on Council’s proposed budget and operational plan for the next financial, following the documents being placed on public exhibition.

At an extraordinary Snowy Monaro Regional Council meeting last week, an hour long discussion concluded with the documents being released for community input.

To help overturn its budget deficit, Council proposes reductions to its economic, community development and biosecurity functions, cutting the mobile library service, and re-organising its staffing structures.

Snowy Monaro deputy mayor Tanya Higgins has called for the community development sector, which supports the Monaro Regional Interagency committee, to be spared.

“When looking at a list of things to save money on, you shouldn’t be looking at an area that helps the vulnerable members of our community,” Cr Higgins said.

“Cutting our involvement with community service organisations that support people who need help shouldn’t be on the table.”

Community consultation opened on Monday May 6 and runs until Monday June 3.

Feedback on Council’s 2022-26 delivery program, operational plan, revenue policy and fees and charges for 2024-25, can be provided online through Your Say Snowy Monaro and at a series of consultation sessions.

The first session will be held in Adaminaby at the School of Arts hall from 4pm to 6pm on Monday May 13. A popup Nimmitabel session is set for Tuesday May 14 in front of the Pioneer’s Hall from 10am to 12pm.

WORLD RECORD: Marianne Kimm, Jeanine’s mum; Margaret Johnson, Jeanine’s auntie who was a lefthanded shearer; Mark Constance who organised the world record attempt and is Jeanine’s coach; Jeanine Kimm; and her father Noel Kimm. PHOTO: Sarah Kimm

Tony’s passion for Cooma recognised Feedback closes for Big Trout

By NATHAN THOMPSON

YOU might know him as the restaurateur, Santa’s elf, or the president of the Cooma Car Club.

Cooma’s Tony Nassar wears many hats - he is the face of the popular Rose’s Restaurant, volunteer at the Cooma Little Theatre volunteer and a trusted therapist and life coach.

His passion for Cooma and its people means there is seldom a day where he is not helping a community organisation or someone better themselves.

Tony’s hard work has been recognised through a prestigious award - the Cooma-Monaro RSL Sub-branch ANZAC of the year. The accolade is awarded by the Sub-branch to a local making a difference in the Cooma-Monaro community.

Sub-branch president Ray Peters-Smith said Tony is a credit to the Cooma community and an easy choice for ANZAC of the year.

“Tony is involved in so many different groups and causes in Cooma. He has dedicated many

hours a week for almost 30 years in assisting various organisations in the Cooma district,” Mr Peters-Smith said.

“The selection committee for the award was very impressed with Tony’s contributions. His efforts in our community are much appreciated.”

Tony is well-known for his many community pursuits - be it helping with the Australian National Busking Championships, running the Cooma Billy Kart Derby, and helping feed the masses at local events.

Cooma resident, volunteer and former president of the

Cooma Car Club, Rogan Corbett, has worked with Tony for many years. Mr Corbett praised Tony’s positivity, drive and selfless attitude.

“Whether it’s an event in town or a job at our car club, Tony is always there,” Mr Corbett said.

“To find the time for all his volunteering as well as running Rose’s with his family and his therapy work, we can’t work out how he fits it all in.

The Nassar family is arguably best known for their popular Rose’s Restaurant, named after Tony’s mum. The Nassars moved from Lebanon to Sydney and

then to Cooma, where they have been for more than 30-years.

Tony has proved a popular choice for ANZAC of the year. Mr Corbett said the Cooma Car Club members are thrilled for Tony and proud he is their president.

“Tony loves his cars and is very passionate about our car club,” Mr Corbett said.

“One of Cooma’s most popular events is the Monaro Billy Kart Derby, an event Tony established alongside Kurt Wassink. Tony mentored Kurt and together they started the derby.

“Tony’s ANZAC award is very fitting and well deserved.”

FOLLOWING significant feedback from the community, Snowy Monaro Regional Council held a final poll on the design for Adaminaby’s Big Trout.

Council undertook consultation earlier this week following community concerns over the updated paint job unveiled at the icon’s 50th anniversary celebrations in December 2023.

The final round of consultation, that closed on Tuesday, asked the community to decide between the original 1970s paint design for the Adaminaby Big Trout and the most popular new option from the recent consultation.

Despite option four being the winner of the poll that closed last week, comments received alongside the vote showed that a significant number of people wish to see artist Andy Lomnici’s original design recreated – instead of a new design.

“We have listened to the passionate range of views our community have voiced about this important decision. That’s why we are asking for your help one final time to decide whether the Big Trout dons a new look or preserves its proud history,” a Council spokesperson said. Council’s project team hosted a pop-up in Adaminaby alongside the Big Trout on Monday to speak with the community about the final design, and take votes in-person.

Tumut River Works Program

The Water Group in the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is seeking applications from stakeholders in the Snowy Valleys council area interested in taking part in a reference group for the Tumut River Works Program.

The Tumut River Works Program focuses on bank stabilisation works and complementary activities to support an ecologically healthy and self-sustaining riverine environment along the Tumut River.

Landholders, property managers, business operators, First Nations people and the wider community are invited to apply to become a member of the reference group.

The purpose of the reference group is to provide insights from a local community and industry perspective to help inform key aspects of the program.

The group will collaborate with the program to enhance the future health of the Tumut River, including its tributaries and wetlands, from the Blowering Dam Wall to where it meets with the Murrumbidgee River.

Reference group members will:

• be updated and consulted on major program developments

• provide feedback and local knowledge and insights to help shape the program as it progresses

• provide further context and insights on any matters raised by the community or industry concerning the program.

Reference group members will be required to meet with the program at least twice in 2024.

and to view the selection criteria, Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct for the group:

• visit water.nsw.gov.au/tumut-river-works-program

• email water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au

• call 1300 081 047.

Applications close at 5pm (AEST) on Friday 17 May 2024

HONOUR: Tony Nassar is presented the Cooma-Monaro RSL Sub-branch ANZAC of the year award from Subbranch president Ray Peters-Smith.

PHOTO: Nathan Thompson

Wind farm meeting cancelled

By LISA ASHURST

LOCAL landholders who will be most affected by the proposed Coonerang Wind Farm development, have been left frustrated at what they believe was a wasted opportunity to sit down with representatives of the developer, Someva Renewables, at a meeting scheduled to take place in Cooma last month.

The meeting, arranged by Someva’s community consultants, Ms Felicity Stening and Mr Greg Ley, for Monday April 22, where they stipulated they would only consult with individuals, one at a time, was cancelled by Ms Stening and Mr Ley when the landholders arrived as a small group.

The landholders have repeatedly stated that they do not wish to participate in individual discussions with the developer, preferring group consultations, hence arriving together as a whole for the April meeting.

However, in an email sent out from Someva, dated April 19, Ms Stening reiterated Someva’s reluctance to meet with landholders in a group situation, as the

company claims it would be neither appropriate, nor constructive, to hold discussions in a group environment at this time.

When the landholders still arrived as a group however, Ms Stening and Mr Ley declined to meet with them and cancelled the meeting.

The group saw this as a lost opportunity, having made the effort to attend the meeting, only to have Someva’s representatives refuse to see them.

“They called this meeting with less than a week’s notice,” Cheryl Everett, one of the group of concerned landowners said

“They then refused to meet with us, which we found insulting and obstructive. This is not community consultation.”

Managing Director of Someva Renewables, Jamie Chivers, defended the company’s consultation methods.

“Someva is deeply committed to working with and listening to the local community on the design of the Coonerang Wind Farm. The Coonerang Wind Farm could provide a significant boost to the Monaro region, cre-

ating up to 82 full-time jobs during construction and generating enough clean energy to power 62,000 homes all while operating in harmony with existing agricultural practices,” he said.

“We have been consulting with the community since September 2022. As part of this process, two of Someva’s senior representatives sought one on one meetings with landholders located within three to five kilometres of the proposed project in April.

The group was upset at the short notice regarding the meeting, plus the failure to receive in advance, promised photomontages of what they will see from

their homes should the project proceed, which has also been an ongoing concern.

The group said Someva was not prepared to present them beforehand however, preferring to do so when speaking with landholders individually on the day.

Affected landholders deny claims they are opposed to renewable energy projects or have encouraged support from, or have interactions with, any anti-renewables organisations.

“We are not anti-renewables at all.” one landholders said. “We are just anti the location for this particular project.”

Mr Chivers said the purpose of these meetings was

to discuss preliminary individualised photo montages Someva has prepared that are unique to those landholders and their land.

“It is not fair or appropriate for individual landholders to discuss unique photo montages that are specific to them and their land in a large group,” Mr Chivers said.

“We have heard there are a small number of residents that would prefer to continue meeting in a group rather than one on one, and we have committed to that. We have also heard and noted the need for greater notice for meetings in the future.

“Someva has also created a series of publicly available

photo montages that we have re-designed following community feedback. These have been available to view on our website since January 2024. By working with and listening to the local community we have already committed to adjusting the layout of the turbines including reducing the number of turbines proposed for the project.

“There is an extensive consultation program to come over the coming 12 to 18 months as we prepare the environmental assessments required by the NSW Government, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the community.”

FRUSTRATED: Landholders affected by the proposed Coonerang Wind Farm are upset the developers, Someva Renewables, cancelled a meeting with the group. Someva says it was prepared to meeting individually with landholders. PHOTO: Supplied

Upset over arts budget cuts

By TRISTA HEATH

SNOWY Monaro Regional Council held an extraordinary meeting on Thursday May 2 as councillors discussed the draft budget and operational plan now on public exhibition.

Amongst the many amendments to previous Council supported programs, is the reduction in their involvement with the arts and culture throughout the region.

The business papers stated, ‘Reduce the capacity to develop community issue strategic plans by 50 percent and no longer support the Monaro Regional Interagency group or Arts and Culture Committee.’

By reducing their funds by 50 percent in this area, the estimated impact is expected to save $80,000.

Chair of Lake Light Sculpture Management Committee, Steve Cooper said Council’s financial struggles must be dire for a cut of $80,000 in the arts to be looked at as something that will make a difference to the gaping hole of the bottom line.

“To see the already small allocation in place to support arts and culture in the Snowy Monaro region slashed is disappointing,”

Mr Cooper said.

“This is a largely, almost exclusively in fact, a volunteer supported industry that provides a breadth of experience to visitors to the region and goes some way to demonstrate that the area is more than just snowy hydro, farming, and snow sports.

“Where we have seen recent investment in the regional sculpture trail (Snowy Valleys Council) SECCA - a revitalised state of the art gallery in Bega Shire and other similar ventures in thriving regional towns, this region is almost solely reliant on volunteers and limited physical space to support the arts.”

Council’s Financial Sustainability Review in 2022 identified that since the merger in 2016, Council has generated operating deficits each year indicating the organisation is not generating sufficient recurrent General Fund revenue to meet the recurrent op-

erational expenditure, including depreciation. The business papers stated that while there is significant variation from year to year, this report concludes there is likely an underlying deficit (or otherwise referred to as a structural deficit) of approximately $4.5-$5 million at least based on current service levels and asset maintenance activity.

Council says it has now reached a position where it has moved from making operating deficits to where it will be experiencing operating cash deficits unless it resolves its underlying financial issues and over commitment on services.

Mr Cooper said he hoped the cuts in spending did not translate into staff positions being lost in the arts and economic development.

“Does this reduction result in our access to the economic development team, whose in-kind support connects us to grants and critical events expertise?” Mr Cooper said.

“Is Council really going to proceed with the Bombala Arts Centre when it cannot

support the groups that will make sure something will go on within it?

“Arts and culture aids sustainable change, promotes coherent regional identity, and strengthens the local economy.

“Lake Light Sculpture can see the long term potential and the benefits of the arts and has a renewed commitment to supporting the arts in the region.”

Mr Cooper said the com-

mittee will continue to look forward to working with Council to identify in-kind support and other government funds to ensure some element of cultural development remains in place.

According to a recent report conducted by Deakin University, arts and culture within regional communities is very important for creating a sense of community identity and many regional arts activities and or-

ganisations are small, local and community focussed. They found that regional arts activities support the strengthening of community connectedness, social inclusion, civic pride, and community identity as well as providing opportunities for regional development and economic regeneration.

Lake Light Sculpture will return in 2025 with planning already underway.

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FUNDS CUT: Steve Cooper announces winners of the 2023 Lake Light Sculpture event. He is concerned Council plans to reduce its arts and culture spending. PHOTO: Trista Heath

Cooma welcomes new medical practice

By KAREN FORMAN

COOMA has warmly welcomed the addition of a new medical practice, with the official opening of Monaro Medical Practice in Dawson Street on Wednesday.

The new practice - owned by local general practitioner and Cooma hospital visiting medical officer Dr Dom Manassa - brings the number of medical centres in the town to three and will in the words of Member for EdenMonaro Kristy McBain, “hugely assist” with the regional GP shortage.

News of its opening has already delighted the local community, with Facebook groups and The Monaro Post’s Facebook post featuring a video of the event, attracting hundreds of positive comments and congratulations.

Locals have expressed their excitment that a third practice has opened, and will he headed up by popular doctors.

Opening the new practice surrounded by Dr Manassa, Dr Colin Zhu and Dr Jae Lee and their staff, along with Snowy Monaro Regional Councillor Narelle Davis, Ms McBain said a new medical centre would be much appreciated by the town.

“It is exactly what the area needs,” she said.

The centre, located in a former legal building, will

offer full general and family practice services. The fully renovated building features a large bright and airy reception area, treatment room, consultation room,

COOMA’S NEW CENTRE FOR YOUR HEALTH

offices, storage areas and staff facilities.

“We wanted it to be modern and fresh, because Cooma deserves something that is new and modern and

as good as what people in the city have,” Dr Manassa said.

Dr Manassa had been working in Cooma as GP for some years after initially

coming to the area for six months, as well as at the local hospital , but decided to buy the building and set up a new practice because he felt the area needed more

services, more availability of doctors and less wait times to see doctors.

“I fell in love with country practice, the lifestyle, the patients, the quick trips to work,” he said. “And decided to commit to staying in the area.”

He bought the building eight months ago and paid tribute Council for supporting its transformation into a medical centre, “especially in such a short space of time”.

Dr Lee has been in Cooma for a year and Dr Zhu has recently moved from Sydney to join the team of six staff

The new centre is accepting appointments and new patients immediately and will provide an after hours service in addition to its regular opening times from 8am to 5.30pm.

The opening follows reports of a rural and regional GP crisis.

Locally, the crisis almost resulted in one of Jindabyne’s two medical centres closing and has seen the Government offer incentives to doctors to consider relocating to the country. With news earlier this year the Snowy Mountains Medical Centre will remain open and Cooma’s third practice now open, the region’s health services have received a much-needed boost.

OPENING: Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain (far right), flanked by Snowy Monaro Councillor Narelle Davis (far left), officially opens Cooma’s newest medical centre. (Back from left) Dr Jae lee, Giovanna Henkle, Stefanie Storey, Nicole Evans; (Front from left) Dr Dominic Manassa, Alicia Aoun, Dr Colin Zhu. PHOTO: Karen Forman.

Cuts could impact vulnerable: Cr Higgins

By NATHAN THOMPSON

AS Snowy Monaro ratepayers start to have their say on Council’s proposed budget and operational plan for the next financial year, deputy mayor Tanya Higgins is calling for the region’s most vulnerable to be spared.

Councillor Tanya Higgins says the proposed budgetthat identifies cuts to Council’s community development functions - needs to consider the impacts reducing this service will have on the community.

“We need to make cuts but reducing our community development services isn’t

the answer,” Cr Higgins said.

“When coming up with a list of things you cut, you need to consider who is most impacted.

“Reducing Council’s community development function will only impact the most vulnerable members of our community.”

As part of this proposed cut, the Monaro Regional Interagency committee, and arts and culture committee, would no longer be supported by Council.

“The Monaro Regional Interagency committee brings together organisations that serves homeless people, those experiencing domes-

tic violence, illness and in need of mental health assistance,” Cr Higgins said.

“We need to support our community. I want to use my voice to support our vulnerable members.

“We can find the money elsewhere.”

With the the budget, operational plan and fees and charges now on exhibition, amongst other documents, Cr Higgins is encouraging ratepayers to have their say.

“It’s important people have their say. These are important documents and we want to hear from as many community members as possible,” Cr Higgins said.

BUDGET: Council’s Community development functions and services, such as the Cooma Library face reductions if the proposed budget goes ahead. The library would not operate on a Saturday, outside of school holidays. PHOTO: Supplied

Budget feedback opens

By NATHAN THOMPSON

FEEDBACK has opened on Snowy Monaro Regional Council’s suite of draft Integrated Planning and Reporting (IPR) documents and the 2024/25 budget following Council’s Extraordinary meeting last week where the documents were approved for community consultation. Feedback is now open until Monday June 3.

Council says it will undertake a range of community consultation and engagement activities within the public exhibition period of 28 days.

“The suite of IPR documents sets out the priorities, direction and expected levels of service that our community expects over the lifespan of the document in question,” a Council spokesperson said.

“The principal activities and actions included in the delivery program and operational plan have been developed based on feedback from our community during the consultation that took place to develop the Snowy Monaro 2042 Community Strategic Plan.”

Copies of the documents

can be downloaded on the Your Say Snowy Monaro page from the document library, or hard copies will be available for viewing at our Council offices and libraries.

A list of information sessions is available on the Your Say Snowy Monaro page or by contacting Council.

The first session is in Adaminaby on Monday May 13 for a drop-in-session at the School of Arts from 2pm to 4pm.

“As we prepare the next budget, we are now looking at a multimillion dollar operating cash shortfall just for next financial year,” Council CEO David Hogan said.

“In addition, Council is overcommitted beyond both its financial resources and internal capacity to meet broad and growing community expectations. You can only spend what you have and right now we are committed to projects and services we can no longer fund to the extent we currently are. I will be upfront with the community about that,” Mr Hogan said.

“As Council considers its next budget, councillors will be asked to prioritise

what must be done, what should be done, and the what’s ‘nice to do’ – subject to rigorous review. It’s time for an upfront and honest conversation with the community.”

Mr Hogan said that while councillors have already made a range of major decisions in recent years to deal with some of Council’s financial challenges, such as the special rate variation, financial sustainability review in 2022, and recent aged care divestment, there is more to be done.

“My team and I have been upfront with councillors about our situation, as we simply do not have the financial capacity to continue to deliver on everything we currently do. We must be upfront with the community about what we can fund,” Mr Hogan said.

The CEO said the next budget will require tough decisions to be made. We must focus on the facts and ask for the community’s patience in getting this right, which will take time.

“We are trying to fix issues years in the making and many of these challenges are not exclusive to SMRC but many councils across NSW.”

Steampunk drives Nimmity tourism

By KAREN FORMAN

COOMA couple Shannon and Leah Miller had so much fun at their first Steampunk @ Altitude Festival at Nimmitabel last year, they came back for a second one this year.

“Any chance to dress up is great,” Shannon said, showing off his Victorian style black felt hat adorned with aviator glasses, a splendid red embroidered velvet jacket with hobwatch and a walking cane complete with skeleton head.

“We had never heard about the festival before, but decided to support it when we did. It was so good, we are back for another go, with even better costumes.”

Leah chose a safari style hat with aviator glasses, a hooped skirt and carried a lantern.

Run over both days of the weekend and offering evening and daytime entertainment in the pub, the historic mill and the square, market stalls, scavenger hunts, old style games, Morris dancing and the essential chance to dress as ‘a Victorian looking into the future’ or ‘as a time that never was’, the 2024 event attracted hundreds of locals and visitors of all ages.

Some were coming for the first time; others were many times returning guests.

Some only attend the

Nimmitabel event. Others travel far and wide to wear their costumes, attending Steampunk, medieval and other festivals.

All had one thing in common, they love dressing up. And dressing up, adding to your costume each year, and networking with other Steampunkers seems to be the biggest attraction.

Music teacher Megan Hudsdon of Orange, who wore a hooped early Victorian velvet dress with a belt containing ‘all a Victorian

lady needed’ (teacup and saucer, watch, coin purses, parasol, lantern, fan) has come to all but one Steampunk @ Altitude Festivals.

“The first year I had no idea, Nimmitabel was just a name on a map. But I came and fell in love with the town and the festival and now it is an annual thing,” she said.

“It’s so much fun dressing up and checking out what other people wear. It’s adult play. You can also go to Ironfest in Lithgow and Goulburn plus medieval and

Nimmitabel to feature on ABC Back Roads

By KAREN FORMAN

THE Snowy Mountains town of Nimmitabel is to feature on an edition of ABC TV/ABC IView’s Back Roads travel program.

Producer Heather Ewart, producer Anna Jeffries and soundman Jimmy McLoy are in town for a week filming the town, surrounding farms, local businesses, the Steampunk @ Altitude Festi-

val and interviewing various local characters.

Ms Ewart said she had spent time in the region in the past, in the 80s, visiting farms with the Garnock family, who are still here, and was delighted to be back in the area.

“We are here for eight days, we always spend eight days in a location, to try to get a feel for the area,” she said.

“We started out with the Steampunk Festival. This is my first Steampunk experience and it is so great to see the energy of the people and the effort they take to dress up.”

The resulting TV program will be out later in the year and Ms Jeffries said local people would be informed on the date well in advance so they could ‘watch out for it.’

cosplay events. You could go somewhere every weekend.”

Owen Trott, Hanna Parson and Nathaniel Wilson, all of Cooma, came for their third year, their costumes inspired by wizardry, robots, lace and animal like masks.

Canberra mother Sam Keech-Marx brought sons Marko and Oli Davidovic from Canberra, dressed in suits with top hats, while John Liever from the ACT, having his first attempt at Steampunk attire, swapped

out his fluffy Russian hat during the day with a top hat purchase from one of the stalls selling everything from jewellery to cogs to dresses.

Nimmitabel’s Pond family Rebecca (mum) with Annabella, Juliette, Curtis, Xavier and Ben come every year, with the costumes changing ‘as they grow’.

“It is a really fun thing to do as a family,” Ms Pond said. “It brings people into town to do things they might not otherwise do.”

Body located

THE body of Cooma’s John ‘Tony’ Locker has been found on farmland near town after an extensive sixday search following his disappearance on Monday April 29.

Mr Locker, 78, was reported missing to Monaro Police on Monday after he was last seen on Culey Avenue about 1pm that day.

During the multiagency search, involving members of Mr Locker’s family and the community, his body was located south of Cooma at about 6pm on Saturday May 4.

Mr Locker’s dog Sophie was found safe and well in Zalka Heights, Cooma. Mr Locker had left his home in a white ute with Sophie by his side.

NSW Police said initial inquiries indicate there are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Police thanked the community for their assistance with the search.

Traffic advice: Snowy 2.0 oversized loads being transported to Lobs Hole

Delivery of essential Snowy 2.0 power station components is continuing with large loads transported via Cooma and the Snowy Mountains Highway

The shipment of componentsto build turbine units for the Snowy 2.0 undergroundpower stationat Lobs Hole is continuing.

Deliveries are enroute from Future Generation’s electro-mechanical subcontractor,Voith Hydro.

An increase in movements of oversized loadsisplanned over the coming months and these may involve some minor delays for motorists.

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.

Large, escorted loads will be transported during the daytime and at night.

To minimise disruptions to road users and the community, loads wider than 4metres will travel at night.

Please note, dates and times are subject to change at short notice based on weather and permit requirements.

These large deliveries of Voith components will continue throughout 2024.

For up-to-date traffic information visit futuregenerationjv.com.au/traffic

Thank you for your patience and take care when driving around the Snowies

Leah Miller of Cooma dressed to impress at this years event.

VICTORIAN: Shannon Miller of Cooma. PHOTOS: Karen Forman

TELEVISION: ABC Back Roads program presenter Heather Ewart (right) and producer Anna Jeffries (left) take in the ambience of the Steampunk Festival at Nimmitabel.

PHOTO: Karen Forman

Own a piece of Perisher history

PERISHER Resort say they are thrilled to give their guests the opportunity to own a piece of Perisher history after announcing the auctioning of Mt Perisher Double Chairlift’s original chairs.

Earlier this year, the resort announced the decommissioning of Perisher’s longest-standing chairlift, the Mt Perisher Double Chair, to make way for the construction of the new, highspeed, six seater chair, the Mt P 6.

The community is invited to attend Perisher Valley on Saturday June 8, where a handful of the chairlift’s original chairs will go under the hammer.

The Mt Perisher Double Chair was Perisher’s first chairlift,

It was a two-seater, fixedgrip chairlift that first opened to skiers in 1961.

Before it was decommissioned in early 2024, the iconic ‘Mt P Double’ dutifully carried six decades-worth of skiers (and later snowboarders) up Mt Perisher.

Prior to the construction of the Mt P Double, the areas which now form Perisher Ski Resort were serviced by

g

a handful of T-Bars and rope tows.

According to Perisher Historical Society, the construction of the Mt P Double was spurred on by the appetite for longer runs and the interest to open up new skiing areas on the Perisher Range. The chair’s construction represented a major step forward in Australian skiing.

In the winter of 1960, potential ski areas of Mt Perisher and Back Perisher Mountain were surveyed to identify the degree of skiing difficulty and snow depth.

It was Mt Perisher which received the go ahead to build the two-seater chairlift which would go on to service the area for more than 60 seasons.

The lack of access roads to the construction site resulted in a flying-fox being built to cart materials from Kosciusko Road to the Chairlift’s base station.

An excerpt from John Davis’ memoir titled ‘A History of the Early Development of Perisher-Smiggins’ describes the construction of the lift by ‘bare hands’: ‘All the time the workers

were running up the slope carrying all sorts of loads, running not walking. The Perisher locals were transfixed by their fitness and progress’.

After tackling early season snowfalls, torrential downpours, and gale force winds all while building by hand, the ‘Mile Long Chairlift’ was completed in time for the 1961 snow season. Lift operations commenced on June 9, opening up new terrain and possibilities to skiers of all levels.

The Mt Perisher Double Chair briefly operated at mid-station before it was removed. According to Perisher Historical Society, the lift’s mid station was installed due to concerns the final drop would be too steep for most skiers.

In 2016, one year after Vail Resort’s acquisition of Perisher and after 55 seasons of loyal service, the Mt P Double’s original chairs were replaced. The lift’s original chairs were stored and kept by Perisher, awaiting the day their legacy could live on in the homes of Perisher enthusiasts.

“We are thrilled to provide our guests with the chance to own an iconic piece of Perisher history with the auctioning of the Mt Perisher Double’s original chairs in Perisher Valley,” a Perisher spokesperson said.

The Mt Perisher Double Chair is a symbol of the enduring appeal of snowsports and the spirit of adventure that draws people to Perisher season after season.

Further information

about the auction will be released closer to the event date.

If you’re unable to attend the live auction, Perisher will be hosting an online, silent auction from Sunday June 9, giving everyone far and wide the opportunity to place a bid. All proceeds from the sale of the chairs will go to organisations that make a difference in the community, for the environment, and for youth.

Mt Perisher Double Chairlift was decommissioned earlier this year after 60 years in operation.

Construction of the chairlift was difficult, as the machinery nowadays wasn’t available back in 1960. PHOTOS: Supplied

HISTORY: Mt Perisher Double Chair services the skiing community for more than six decades and was Perishers first chairlift

Florence ‘fully’ operational

SNOWY Hydro says tunnel boring machine Florence is still working, despite reports last week suggesting the machine had ceased operations.

In a statement released last Thursday, Snowy Hydro said reports TBM Florence had stopped tunneling were incorrect and it remains ‘fully’ operational.

“TBM Florence remains fully operational and is now more than 800 metres into excavation of the Snowy 2.0 headrace tunnel at Tantangara. The TBM has operated successfully since its restart in December and has moved through identified soft ground into hard rock,” the statement said.

TBM Florence was grounded for 12-months after hitting soft-ground in December 2022.

In its latest project update, Snowy Hydro said the three Snowy 2.0 TBMs, working across the pumped-hydro renewable energy project, have tunneled approximately nine kilometres.

As provided in evidence at two recent Senate Estimates hearings, Snowy Hydro has been investigating options to de-risk the headrace tun-

“Building in steep terrain was challenging and required specialised rope access workers to install ground support for safety and stability.

“The road has been very carefully constructed in a tight envelope. It’s six and a half kilometre long, with an elevation change of about 320 metres from top to bottom and multiple water crossings have been created, including over the Eucumbene River.”

nel construction by excavating from the other end. This work remains ongoing.

At Marica, high in the Snowy Mountains, a very wide and deep surge shaft connecting to the Snowy 2.0 headrace tunnel is being built.

The surge shaft has two key purposes for the operation of a hydro power station: as a water storage and vacuum relief when the power station starts up, and to absorb the momentum of water movement within the headrace when the power station is shut down.

The Marica surge shaft is about 28 metres in diameter and is currently over 80 metres deep.

During its construction the walls of the shaft are supported temporarily by rock bolts and shotcrete and once it is excavated to its full depth of 250 metres, a permanent concrete lining will

be installed from the bottom up.

“We are excavating the shaft with a number of excavation methods, including using 36-tonne excavators that place loads of material into kibbles. This material is lifted out and dropped into a dump truck,” Snowy Hydro said in its project update.

“An integrated work platform and personnel hoist is in the final stages of commissioning to provide worker access now the shaft is becoming very deep.”

In the latest project update, civil engineer and Snowy 2.0 project manager, Richard Clarke, detailed the significant work undertaken constructing Marica Trail to create a new permanent access road into the surge shaft site.

“Marica Trail provides safe, all weather access for traffic, including heavy vehicles,” Mr Clarke said.

At Tantangara, drill and blast excavation to join the intake and gate shaft is underway from both structures. The transition from the intake changes shape as it is excavated to become the connection tunnel to the gate shaft

Snowy Hydro said it has started drilling and blasting from the gate shaft to merge into the headrace tunnel alignment excavated by tunnel boring machine (TBM) Florence.

“When completed, water will enter the headrace tunnel from the intake, on its way to the power station,” the statement said.

“Snowy 2.0 is being engineered to deliver clean and reliable energy storage and generation for the next 150 years. The target date for commercial operation of all units is December 2028, with first power expected in the second half of 2027.”

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SNOWY 2.0: TBM Florence is still progressing, says Snowy Hydro. The organisation says reports last week TBM Florence had stopped work were incorrect and the machine remains fully operational. PHOTO: Snowy Hydro

FISHING: The annual trout fishing spawning stream rules are in place until Monday June 10 in the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers. PHOTO: Supplied

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SNOWY Monaro Regional Council has placed its draft budget and operational plan for the next financial year on exhibition.

Council is proposing significant reductions across multiple service areas to help overturn its operating deficit.

A tough budget would be fair to describe what is now out for community comment with proposed cuts to the regional mobile library service, closing the Cooma Library on Saturdays (outside school holidays), and reducing the capacity of the biosecurity and economic development teams.

Council also plans to remove its youth services and community development functions.

It’s important to have your say and provide feedback on what service and delivery areas you think council should prioritise.

An extraordinary Council meeting took place last week where after much discussion, the draft budget, operational plan and fees and charges were placed on exhibition.

The Monaro has celebrated the achievements of shearer Jeanine Kimm who set the world record for most Merino ewes shorn in eight hours.

Jeanine shore 358 ewes in the staggering eight hour effort. The star shearer spent time working on the Monaro and her sister Leita - Bombala based - is well known in the community.

There was plenty of local support for Jeanine with messages of congratulations coming from across the region.

Did you catch the Steampunk festival in Nimmitabel over the weekend? There was a great crowd for the event. Steampunk combines the VIctorian-era and science fiction with an interesting array of characters, costumes and inventions on show in Nimmitabel.

Our thoughts are with the family of John ‘Tony’ Locker who passed away last week after his body was found on farmland near Cooma.

Tony, 77, was reported missing on Monday April 29. An extensive multiagency search took place over the following days as community members banded together to help search for Tony.

Many locals joined the search on foot, in their vehicles and even in the air.

Finally, a happy Mother’s Day to all the mums, grandmothers, carers, and anyone providing a maternal influence. We also think of those who will find the day challenging.

Someva community consultation disappointing

DEVELOPERS of the proposed Coonerang Wind Farm, Someva, were in Cooma recently to meet with neighbours most affected by the project.

However, the company refused to engage with a small group of neighbours saying they would only talk to affected landholders individually.

Someva’s community consultants Mr Greg Ley and Ms Felici-

ty Stening gave landholders less than one week’s notice to meet, discuss and receive images of the likely visual impact of the 266 metre high turbines from their dwellings.

They refused requests for images to be sent prior to the meeting so that neighbours could be prepared. They also dictated that the three representatives of Someva would only meet one

neighbour at a time.

When the small group of less than ten affected residents arrived, Someva refused to meet with them, restating they would only meet on an individual basis.

The group was astounded they refused to meet with us. After giving us only three business days notice, many changed appointments and work schedules.

Sacrifices needed for our future

WHY is it in the face of an emerging climate crisis that will affect the future of humanity, yes that’s your kids and theirs, do we even consider the nimbyistic nonsense of the local squattocracy and their fair weather friends, for the sake of a few pretty views, which have relevance to only them?

Most who visit this region would not even recognise what

they call ‘The Brothers’.

For close to two centuries, these same squatters have fundamentally changed these lands for their own profit, without thought to the consequences. It cannot be claimed to be a pristine landscape.

Let us not forget it belonged to others, before they arrived and claimed it as their own.

Those that were here before

us seem to have managed the same land quite well and sustainably for many thousands of years, but hey, we are not allowed to talk about that.

It seems to me such opposition is self-centred and belligerent.

We need a clean energy future today. Yes that’s right, the future of our children and theirs depended on it. There is no more

The group commented on how the representatives can purport to be community consultants butrefuse to meet a group of community members most affected by their proposal. It is outrageous and shows a complete lack of any real concern to truly consult with the community.

Real Monaro

time to waste. Wake up to yourselves.

We cannot continue to say ‘yes we understand, but what about our view’.

We will all need to make sacrifices if we want a future beyond our own.

If you care, stand up and be heard.

Bill Walker Cooma

Record Legacy Diggers Day, community thanked

APRIL 20 saw the annual Legacy Diggers Day golf fundraiser held.

A record 95 players registered to play resulting in $6,500 raised, a record amount.

This could not happen without the generous support of

our local sponsors. We thank Cooma Ex-Services Club, Kim and Ros Weston, Monaro Wool, Litchfield Wool, Carmichael & Co. Wool Brokers, Banjo Paterson Inn, Mainstreet Clothing, Hip Pocket Workwear, South East Rural Supplies, Berridale

Pharmacy, Snowy River Holiday Park Dalgety, Paul Sullivan, Jindabyne Brewing Company

Thank you to all the members and staff of Coolamatong Golf Club for all their hard work without which this event could not happen. Special thank you

to Ross and Betty Thompson for all they do for Legacy. To Colin and Cheryl Mould, thank you for your support.

Mick Meillon Chairman, Cooma-Bombala Legacy.

Nominate Your Local Mental Health champion

AS co-chairs of the Australian Mental Health Prize, we’re reaching out to Australian communities to encourage nominations for the 2024 Prize.

Recent events have underscored the importance of supporting one another during challenging times. It is also imperative that we have responsible conversations that challenge stigma and misinformation surrounding mental health.

With almost half of Aus-

tralians facing mental health challenges in their lifetime, it’s clear that no community is untouched by these issues.

Despite this, mental health funding remains disproportionately low, exacerbating service gaps and leaving marginalised individuals without essential support. The aftermath of COVID-19 has only intensified these challenges, emphasising the interconnectedness of mental health with broader societal issues.

The Australian Mental

Health Prize serves as a platform to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to mental health advocacy and service provision. Nominations for the 2024 prize are open until July 8, 2024, with winners announced on September 23, 2024. Categories include Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, lived experience, professional, and community hero.

We urge your readers to nominate deserving candidates who have shown out-

standing dedication to mental health in their communities. To nominate, visit www.australianmentalhealthprize.org. au Together, let’s prioritise mental well-being and create more inclusive and supportive societies.

Lucy Brogden AM and Allan Fels AO Co-Chairs of the Australian Mental Health Prize Advisory Group

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I HAVE noted online comment on the proposed closure of the Snowy Mountains Care and Early Learning Centre in Jindabyne by its management committee.

It is concerning that some of this comment is misinformed, perhaps even politically motivated misinformation, and I would like to make a few things clear.

I have had several discussions with the centre since I was elected last year, until recently those discussions focused only on a section of Department of Education-owned land, which the centre wanted on a longterm lease to use as a playground.

I specifically met with the Department of Regional Development and the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to ensure the transfer could occur when the Department of Education vacated the land.

Unfortunately, until the land was vacated it wasn’t possible to make the transfer. I confirmed only recently that, if the childcare centre was still operating, it was the state government’s intention to transfer the playground land.

The day before the recent parents’ meeting (that is, only in the last few weeks), I was advised of issues around obtaining a longterm lease from Snowy Monaro Regional Council for the land on which the centre is located.

To be clear, the land the childcare building is on is council-owned and not state government land, but I indicated I was happy to take up this issue with council to ensure certainty.

However, the centre manager advised of an issue securing volunteers to serve in key positions on

the board; and as a result, it had been decided, by the board, to close and assist the transition of clients to the new childcare centre.

I indicated that I was very willing to help with local and state issues if a management committee could be elected and the centre continued to operate. I am not aware if that offer was conveyed to the recent meeting.

I note comment from some suggesting there is a plan initiated by me in ‘secret’ to re-develop the site of the school and childcare centre.

In fact, the concept plan for the area was open for public comment late last year and early this year. It is included in the SAP Delivery Plan and many members of the community did comment (hardly secret).

The concept plan did not indicate the childcare centre would be replaced by five-storey buildings (as some have suggested) and it does not put a road through the childcare site, in fact, the draft use includes community and childcare.

I have a lot of sympathy for the many people in the Jindabyne community who have contributed to the childcare centre over the years, particularly those who have raised substantial funds for capital improvements and equipment. Unfortunately, the government can’t make people volunteer for management committees and it does not fund the operational aspects of childcare.

I remain more than willing to assist with the issues around land and leases if the committee decides it does have the resources it needs (human and financial) to continue.

Steve Whan Member for Monaro

IT IS gratifying to see the speed at which the land for affordable housing and the Southern Connector Road was acquired by the NSW Government and announced by our local member Steve Whan.

Your article on page 2 of the May 1 edition of the Post stated that the land was purchased from Snowy Hydro. Now this is where the history lesson starts.

Land throughout the Snowy Mountains was compulsorily acquired by the Australian Government (us as owners) for the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electricity Scheme (SMHEA). Shareholders in SMHEA were the Australian Government (us), NSW Government (us) and the Victorian Government (them).

In recent years, we, the Australian Government bought out the shares of the state governments (us and them) and we, the NSW Government was paid by us (owners of the Australian Government) to sell our share to us (owners of the NSW Government).

Prior to that event, the name of the SMHEA was changed to Snowy Hydro with the ownership of that

HAVE YOUR SAY

entity being the Australian Government (us).

When we (NSW Government) received the cash from the sale of the shares from us (Australian Government) to us it was commendably decided to use the cash for the benefit of regional NSW.

Hence Special Activation Projects (SAPs) were spawned to further develop some areas in regional NSW, the Jindabyne SAP being one of them.

So in purchasing the land for the affordable housing and the road reserve from Snowy Hydro (owned by us) we paid ourselves (Australian Government shareholder in Snowy Hydro) for land we already owned.

I wonder if Mr Whan can advise us how much we paid to ourselves, for the land we already owned or is the purchase price protected by a privacy or confidentiality clause so that we can’t find out how much we paid ourselves?

If the purchase price was more than $1, I would feel we are being ripped off by ourselves for our own benefit.

Phil Daley Berridale

The Monaro Post welcomes contributions of Letters to the Editor. Letters can be posted, emailed or dropped to our office. Preference will be given to letters concerning local issues. Letters may be edited for reasons of clarity, removing defamatory or o ensive content or due to space constraints. Preference will be given to letters which are less than 500 words in length. It is the editor’s prerogative to print or not to print letters. The editor’s decision is final.

Email editor@monaropost.com.au

Address 59 Vale Street, Cooma

By LISA ASHURST

I DID something somewhat out of character last week. I donated some books to my local street library. I’d read them, knew I wouldn’t read them again and decided I could reduce the growing piles of literature somewhat, but in a good way.

I rarely part with books if I’ve really enjoyed them. In fact, I don’t part with them at all because I know I can pick them up up again in a couple of years or so, read them again, and get as much enjoyment out of them as I did the first time around. But occasionally I come across one that I find just so-so, or one that is not bad, but I now I won’t pick it up again. It’s rare, but it can happen. Hence the decision to do a little bit of a cull.

I’ve also run out of book shelves, so unloading a few that I know I can live without was probably more practical then hanging onto them. People who know me well though may be shocked to read that I actually parted with a few.

But anyway…the street library. I love street libraries! I think they are a wonderful idea and allow anyone who enjoys reading to freely access some great books, so I am more than happy to contribute to the one near me, which is why I deposited around eight books. It sure beat putting them in the recycling bin.

That I could not do, even though it would be the second place to put them. A bin is a bin, even if it is a recycling one, and I am totally unable to bring myself to lift the lid and toss in a book.

The only downside to the street library is that before I popped mine in, I checked out what was already there and while one part of me was saying “Nooooooo! Do not take any of them home!” the other part was saying “Hey! What’s wrong with just one or two when you’re dropping off eight?”

So I took the two that had caught my eye. Yes, yes. I know.

But it’s kind of started something. I’ve begun looking more closely at the book towers (I told you I have a lot) and was surprised to discover some others that, while they had been an okay read, they would not warrant a re-read down the track. I could safely part with them and not succumb to tidal waves of regret from sending them the way of the other eight.

So why not make them available to others in the community? It could be very emotionally cleansing, if I want to get really trippy about it. I won’t be parting with any of my faves though, which means I’ll still be hanging onto most of my books. I mean, I might be doing a bit of a sort but there’s no way I would do something really drastic. I might be feeling all open-hearted and virtuous about releasing some (13 so far) to new homes, but not to the point where I might do something silly. The bulk of my books are staying put. Which means they are still kind of everywhere. But neatly everywhere. I don’t do messy.

I just so do books.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Painting a fish, how hard can it be?

I am writing to express my profound disappointment with the Snowy Monaro Regional Council’s ability to execute even the simplest of tasks and spend a significant amount of taxpayer/ratepayer’s money in doing so.

It appears that the council struggles to undertake basic assignments, leaving residents like myself questioning its competence and reliability. For example it doesn’t see the importance of notifying business owners when the road accessing their premises are closed because of road works and simply painting a Trout in lifelike colours.

The incompetence is astounding with the seemingly straightforward task of painting a Rainbow trout.

This simple endeavour has been botched repeatedly, raising doubts about the council’s capacity to fulfill even the most elementary

requests and achieve customer satisfaction.

It is disheartening to witness the council consistently falter in tasks that should be executed with ease. The inability to paint a Rainbow trout adequately symbolizes a broader issue of inefficiency and negligence within the council.

This example is further highlighted with council’s recent example of what they call consultation on the colours of a Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

As per the NSW Fisheries Department’s description, Rainbow trout are torpedoshaped and generally bluegreen or yellow-green in color, with a pink streak along their sides, a white underbelly, and small black spots on their back and fins. Nowhere in the description does it mention yellow lips. Therefore, it is perplexing and concerning that the council would allocate

COLINTON Rural Fire Service is a community focussed and positive volunteer Bush fire Brigade that is located on the Monaro Highway north of Cooma (between Bredbo and Michelago).

The brigade responds to fires in the local area, often assisting our neighbouring brigades and also to callouts for motor vehicle accidents on the highway.

The brigade was heavily involved in the 2019/20 major bushfires that severely impacted the area.

We’re an active brigade of more than 30 members who play an important role to support our dispersed community.

Unlike most brigades, who are village or town based, Colinton Brigade is made up of volunteers (farmers, land owners and

those willing to commute) and we don’t have a designated village community to support us.

Unfortunately, our sponsor for many years (a local business situated on the highway) has decided that it is no longer able to support the brigade with their $20 per month donation.

Although disappointing, this decision opens an opportunity for local businesses or individuals who may wish to make a small monthly/quarterly/annual donation to the brigade.

The amount can be any amount as all donations are gratefully received and assist to provide welfare support for the Brigade members.

What are the benefits of sponsorship? In addition to assisting the brigade financially, sponsors will

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funds for consultation on a matter that could easily be resolved by referring to existing descriptions provided by authoritative sources.

A more practical and cost-effective approach to accurately depicting a Rainbow trout would be to take a photograph of a freshly caught trout or a photo request which I am sure would be answered by more than one avid angler we have living in the shire, or one of the many specimens available at Gaden Trout Hatchery, and replicate its coloration accordingly. This not only ensures accuracy but also saves taxpayer money that could be better allocated to more pressing needs within the community.

However, this council prefers to spend money on a flawed consultation process.

It is disheartening to witness such wasteful spend-

be highlighted in our local Colinton Courier online publication, on the brigade website and Facebook page, and sponsors will be invited to visit the brigade and meet the volunteers, attend end of year BBQs and medal presentations etc.

Given the location of the brigade on the Monaro Highway, with good visibility, there is also the possibility of erecting sponsorship sign(s) on the brigade grounds.

If you are interested in sponsoring the Brigade (either as a business or individual) please contact the Colinton Brigade Treasurer, Paul Way, via secretarycolintonrfs@gmail.com.

We really appreciate the support of the local community towards our Brigade and a small regular donation would be most welcome.

Paul Way Treasurer, Colinton Rural Fire Service

GROUP EDITOR

Nathan Thompson (02) 6452 0312

editor@monaropost.com.au

JOURNALISTS

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

Luke Treadwell (02) 6452 0326

luke@monaropost.com.au

Karen Forman 0425 675 555 kforman@monaropost.com.au

ing and lack of attention to detail within the council’s operations. As a resident and taxpayer in the region, I expect greater accountability and efficiency in the utilization of public funds.

It is deeply troubling that the council’s consultation process restricts participants and forces a selection from a limited set of substandard examples, none of which accurately represent the genuine coloration of a Rainbow trout.

This way council does indeed get a response, but it in no way does it represent a proper public “consultation”. It only elicits one of the 4 choices Council is allowing to be considered. This type of “closed shop” consultation seems to be the standard by council. In that they give you only the examples they permit. If you do not choose any option and prefer just to give feedback you are unable to make a submission on Council’s “Have your say”. By doing so, the council not only fails to capture the

true preferences and opinions of the community but also perpetuates a flawed source of information.

Furthermore, the absence of an option for ratepayers to submit alternative suggestions severely undermines the credibility and effectiveness of the consultation process. Allowing for diverse viewpoints and contributions is essential in ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive decisionmaking process.

The inability of the Snowy Monaro Regional Council to conduct meaningful consultations without imposing limitations and flaws reflects a broader issue of incompetence and disregard for community input.

I strongly urge the council to revise its consultation methods to allow for greater flexibility and inclusivity. This includes providing an option for ratepayers to offer alternative suggestions and ensuring that consultation materials accurately reflect the subject matter at hand.

Transparent and participatory decision-making is fundamental to fostering trust and accountability within the community. Failure to address these shortcomings only serves to further erode confidence in the council’s ability to effectively represent the interests of its constituents.

I expect a prompt response from the Snowy Monaro Regional Council outlining steps to rectify the deficiencies in its consultation processes and uphold the principles of transparency and community engagement.

In the meantime I suggest you contact the “Australian Society of Marine Artists” who will supply a list of artists that are capable of painting the Adaminaby Trout so it again isn’t declared a waste of money by council.

People just want a trout to look lifelike. How hard can it be?

Life on the funny farm

By Paul Dorin

Elle Thompson On maternity leave

ADVERTISING

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

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

CLASSIFIEDS

Bridget Sommer (02) 6452 0318 classifieds@monaropost.com.au

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Aasta Arctander (02) 6452 0322

aasta@monaropost.com.au

FEATURES WRITER

Lisa Ashurst

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

Published by Hartley Higgins for Monaro Media Group Pty Ltd (ABN 121 288 060), 59 Vale Street, Cooma NSW 2630. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Group Editor Nathan Thompson. Copyright: All advertising and editorial content of this issue is copyright of Monaro Media Group Pty Ltd and cannot be used without the company’s permission. The Monaro Post is bound by the Standards of Practice of the Australian Press Council. If you believe the standards may have been breached, you may approach the Monaro Post itself or contact the council by email at info@presscouncil.org.au or by phone on (02) 9261 1930.

Member

Mick Newman Cooma

Financial Sustainability

Fact Sheet 1

In an effort to improve community challenges, below is a general overview of where Council s revenue currently come from, where funds are spent on average and a snapshot of our current services.

In summary Council is

•Currently spending more on services than we can afford

•Not investing in areas we should be

•Too reliant on government grants

Your rates account for less than a quarter of our total income.

We need to address these challenges starting now. We need to look at what’s important and do that well.

Next week we will provide a comparative rates and services overview to other similar regional Council s.

Nimmity Artz looks to expand

By KAREN FORMAN

NIMMITY Artz is looking to expand its membership and its offerings to provide a full service arts space to the people of not only Nimmitabel and the Snowy Monaro, but surrounding areas.

The organisation, which currently has around 20 members including a renowned television and movie star, Petra Jungmanoua and a local up and coming musician, aims to provide education and opportunities for anyone interested in the arts.

The group supports local arts, as well as serving as a home to hold workshops and exhibitions.

It is the representative organisation of the arts located in Nimmitabel township and the surround district and is registered as a nonprofit association.

Public officer/treasurer Kelvin Fahey said a number of workshops were already in the planning, including Morris dancing, line dancing, ukelele lessons, using the media to promote performers, textiles, woodwork and writing.

“Our members have expertise across many of the arts and we look forward to being able to share this in the coming months,” he said.

“Some things will be in workshop format, others will be a weekly series.

“We want to return what is formally called Nimmitabel School of Arts Inc to what it was historically - a community centre offering a place for people to meet, to learn and to explore the arts.”

Nimmity Artz is housed

in a building that is part of the Nimmitabel Motel complex at 15 Stanton St.

Currently the space features an art exhibition and a photography display by young local photographer Tiana Wrench, contains a piano and an organ, seating, warmth and plenty of floor space for activities.

It is open Thursday to Sunday from 10am-5pm.

The history of the organisation goes back to the original Nimmitabel School of Arts, established in the late 1800s.

“There were few schools in the area but a strong interest in learning craft, trades and fine arts,” Mr Fahey said.

“Most training was undertaken in homes or at workshops and soon an informal school of arts was formed comprising spinners, weavers, blacksmiths, music, poetry and limited painting.

“By the 1890s there was a call to formalise activities so the community built a hall which was completed in May 1901, opening with

the first Nimmitabel Ball.

“But then other schools were built and the building fell into disrepair until it was renovated in the 1960s and handed over the local council. The building was renamed as the Pioneer Memorial Hall.”

Mr Fahey and some other locals got together about six years ago and decided to reinstate the Nimmitabel School of Arts for what it was intentionally aimed at.

They set up a board of management and incorporated it as a non-profit organisation and found it a new home.

“We always have around 20 pieces of artwork for sale from local and interstate artists, plus will be doing the odd exhibition, including the photographic work of local young photographer Tiana Wrench, which we have on at the moment,” he said.

“Upcoming workshops include a ukelele workshop for those without previous experience, of any age and background, Morris dance workshops which will be interactive and instructional sessions teaching people the traditional English folk dance, guitar playing , wool spinning, ancient loom knitting and a drum clinic workshop.

“Information is available at the website nimmityartz. com.au or by emailing nimmityartz@aol.com”

“We are also keen to welcome new members from around the regional and further afield, especially if they have expertise they can share in their particular fields.”

Cooma project supports students

A COOMA project designed to help school students living out of home complete their studies has received funding through the latest round of the Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.

The Federal Government announced last week 58 locally-led projects in the country would be

supported by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal’s most recent funding round of the (SRC).

A $10,000 grant has been secured by Southern Youth and Family Services to run a program in Cooma, called Laptop for Learners. This will enable disadvantaged homeless high school

Boco Rock funding opens

APPLICATIONS for the Boco Rock Community Enhancement Fund are open for 2024, with the entire Snowy Monaro region now eligible to apply.

Local community groups, initiatives and events are invited to apply with Snowy Monaro Regional Council encouraging eligible applicants to get to work on their applications before the Friday June 7 closing date.

The Boco Rock Community Enhancement Fund was established as a condition of the NSW Government’s approval for the Boco Rock Wind Farm project. A portion of the revenue generated by the wind farm is reinvested into the local community through this grant program.

Earlier this year, Council announced the fund would be expanded to accept applications from all parts of the Snowy Monaro, rather than only areas in the former Cooma-Monaro and Bombala shires eligible in previous years.

This change was made following the NSW Government’s approval of the second stage expansion of the Boco Rock Wind Farm.

The 2024 Boco Rock Community Enhancement Fund application period is open now until Friday June 7.

students in the Cooma region to participate in their school education by providing laptops to complete their studies.

Member for Eden-Monaro and Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain, congratulated the Cooma-based project on receiving funding. Ms McBain

said the SRC program is supporting regional areas, not only in the Snowy Monaro, but across Australia.

“Our regional areas are known for their strong sense of community and that’s something we’re committed to strengthening, by revitalising community spaces and getting engaging workshops and education programs off the ground,” Ms McBain said.

“Our $480,000 investment in these 58 diverse projects is part of the $5 million we’ve delivered through this program, to support regional, rural and remote organisations improve their facilities and increase community engagement.”

ARTS: Nimmitabel photographer Tiana Wrench has a display of her work at Nimmity Artz, which is seeking to expand its membership and offerings.

PHOTO: Karen Forman.

Steampunk @ Altitude

Penny farthings were ridden up and down the road during Steampunk.

The Victorian tea cup challenge at Steampunk. try the Beat The Wheel Victorian game at Steampunk.

Nimmitabel family Annabella 5, Juliette 12, Rebecca, Curtis 3, Xavier 13 and Ben 9 Pond at Steampunk. They attend every year.

Neville and Terri Miller of Canberra at their first Steampunk festival.

John Lieber from Canberra had his first attempt at Steampunk dressing.

Shannon and Leah Miller of Cooma at Steampunk for the second year.

Cooma’s Owen Trott, Hanna Parsons and Nathaniel Wilson at Steampunk.

Music teacher Megan Hudsdon of Orange has attended all but one Steampunk@Altitude Festivals.

PHOTOS: Karen Forman

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n L nbe first attem mpunk dress g

Coo athanie

 Xavier and Juliette Pond

Ron returns to beloved Cooma theatre scene

By KAREN FORMAN

FOR someone who has such a big stage presence, theatre stalwart and recent Cooma Little Theatre past president Ron Dowd is remarkably modest, understated and even a tad shy.

The Cooma-based actor and director, who works as a volunteer with Cooma Little Theatre (CLT), co-hosts a live weekly Facebook trivia fun show The No Name Trivia Show and acts on American Radio and Internet serial

The Hawk Chronicles, says he prefers to be in character rather than out and only agreed to an interview because it might promote his beloved Cooma Little Theatre and the arts generally in the Snowy Monaro region.

“I really don’t like doing interviews,” he said over a cup of coffee as he took time out from his paid job as an IT consultant, which he does remotely.

“But I love the theatre and the arts, and we are lucky to have a really vibrant scene here in Cooma, as good as what I have seen anywhere, and people need to know about it.”

Certainly, Ron is the per-

fect person to share the news about the arts offerings in the region.

Born in Cooma and educated at Monaro High, he started his relationship with theatre at CLT, but spent 20 years living (and acting and producing) in the ACT. He has been back ‘home’ for five or six years, resumed his relationship with CLT and was president until handing over the reins to Caroline Fox at the end of 2023.

He says he wasn’t really an academic or sporty type but during his school years he was involved with most school productions on stage as an actor and enjoying some production work as well. His mum was in a choir and his brother was in a band (the pair have since done some shows together, mostly rock musicals in the ACT).

“I can’t play music,” he said with a laugh. “I can play records”.

After school, he got a ‘quick bank’ job, then worked for Snowy Hydro for 15 years while spending most of his spare time hanging around CLT, indulging his love of the arts as an actor and later, director and theatre commit-

tee member.

“I still haven’t figured out what career I want. I knew I never wanted to be in the arts professionally though. I figured if I wanted to wait tables I could do that here. I could do it as a hobby here and work or move to Sydney and do it as a hobby there and work in another field. There isn’t much money in the arts, but it is a wonderful hobby,” Ron said.

He worked his way from clerical jobs through to IT at Snowy Hydro, relocated to Canberra with the same company and continued to indulge in his theatrical pursuits and development with a couple of theatre companies there.

“My last show I directed before I left was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with a budget of around $3-4k. The first show I directed in the ACT had a $15k budget. What Cooma needs to appreciate, however, is our theatre. In the ACT the theatre companies rehearse in school halls, wherever, and build sets in garages, then the Sunday before the show move into whatever theatre they have hired, get seven days of rehearsals in the theatre space,

which is stressful, working out sound and lighting, etc.

“These are all extra costs. But here we have the theatre to rehearse in and perform in. We also have a giant wardrobe so don’t have to rent costumes.”

Unfortunately, CLT had struggled during and after the COVID pandemic when lockdowns meant people could not go out to rehearse or to see shows.

“We used to do four shows a year here and we struggled to stay alive in COVID, and now we have the increased cost of living, higher interest rates and rents, etc, but we are coming out of it and are planning some great things.”

Personally, Ron enjoys comedies. “Because I am an older guy, I tend to play older men, but when I was young, I could do older men with

some theatre makeup.

Ron has directed three musicals since returning to Cooma and now he is off the committee, is keen to get a one act theatre festival going in town, using the CLT theatre as a venue.

“We are very lucky here; the quality is as good as you would get anywhere else. We do interesting and different.”

Meanwhile, he enjoys his Facebook trivia hosting and perhaps more so, his online acting for http://www. hawkchronicles.com/

“To explain the show, I would have to say it’s a kind of Law & Order meets Star Wars, a Legal/Space Opera/ Spy Thriller genre,” he said.

“I play an Australian space Bounty Hunter part (but also have played a German spy bit for a few episodes).

“There are about 20 cast

members from around the world and we all self-record our parts and email them to the writer/producer who then assembles the episodes, sound balances and adds all the special effects and they are then broadcast as a weekly radio play/serial on WERA 96.7 in the US and then available on the internet.

“Being a part of this is seriously such a fun experience.”

Snowy Monaro Arts Council presents

Ron Dowd has returned to Cooma after working, acting and directing in the ACT. Here he is as Father White in The Butler Did It.

ARTS: Cooma actor and director Ron Dowd in Alladin. PHOTO: Contributed.

Raglan Gallery calls for entries Regional road repairs

SNOWY Monaro Regional Council has upgraded Avonside Road, with six kilometres of previously unsealed road now sealed and paved.

This transformation from an unsealed surface to a sealed road was made possible the NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads Program.

Council completed this project within the approved scope, timeframe, and budget set by Transport for NSW.

“Council’s focus on infrastructure continues with more road renewal and upgrade projects planned for 2024. Still to come this year is significant work on Mila Road, Shannons Flat Road and Dry Plains Road,” a Council spokesperson said.

Scheduled road maintenance and repair works for Jerangle Road have commenced. This project is funded specifically to restore sections of Jerangle Road damaged by recent storms back to their pre-storm condition.

Motorists are advised to be alert for road crews and heavy equipment, changes to traffic conditions, and to expect delays throughout the time that work is underway.

Jerangle Road will remain open throughout this maintenance work, with traffic control measures in place for the safety of drivers and workers.

These repair works have been funded to restore Jerangle Road to the same standard as before the storm damage occurred only, in addition to the earlier temporary repairs on the worst sections of the road.

Canberra’s Big Brass band returns

By KAREN FORMAN

SNOWY Monaro Arts Council will host Canberra Brass for a second big brassy concert in Cooma on Sunday May 19 following the success of the band’s visit last year.

Tickets for what is expected to be a full house concert, to be held at Cooma ExServices Club from 2pm, are now available at The Fabric Salon or from the club prior to the show.

SMAC president Caroline Fox said the band will be popular amongst locals.

“Canberra Brass’s tale is the story of big (brass) things coming from small beginnings,” she said.

“In 1984 four musicians began to get together to play music in the Hall Village Primary School and formed the Hall Village Brass Band.

“Over the years the group grew in both size and stature, changing its name to Canberra Brass in 2012. These days it has around 40 members.”

Now it its 40th year, Canberra Brass has recently returned from the National Championships in Adelaide. Meanwhile its ensemble group, Victoria Street Brass, is preparing the the Ausrtralian National Eisteddfod to be held in Canberra this month.

Ms Fox said the Cooma concert program would draw from a variety of genres, including music written by Roger Miller through to Rachmaninov and styles from ragtime to Rutter’s Gaelic Blessing.

“A feature of the concert will be Arutunian’s Trumpet Concerto, a true virtuosic piece showcasing the talents of soloist Michael Purcell,” she said.

COOMA’S Raglan Gallery is calling for entries for its new Inside Outside exhibition, which will showcase the 3D work of ceramic artists, sculptors and creators in any three dimensional medium.

The Raglan decided to host the unique exhibition this year in lieu of the Raglan Art Awards competition and exhibition, as it is hosting the CAM Art Awards, which involves a competition.

Inside Outside will open August 20 and close October 6 but entries close August 14.

Raglan spokesperson Jen-

nifer Coles said the board made a decision to support ceramic artists and sculptors by making a venue available to show their work.

“The majority of our exhibitions are 2D - this exhibition is for work in any 3D medium such as ceramics, sculpture in metal, wood, fabric, etc,” she said.

“The exhibition is called Inside Outside as the work can be for inside your home or outside in the garden.”

There is no entry fee for the exhibition, however the work needs to be available for sale.

Sculpture works can be in any medium, however must be portable and able to be safely exhibited and must be the original, new unaided work of the artist. Entry forms are available at the Raglan Gallery and further information can be obtained by emailing info@ raglangallerycooma.com

The Raglan Gallery is seeking indoor and outdoor 3D sculptures for its new exhibition. PHOTO: Contributed.

ACROSS

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

1 Name the first Australian Prime Minister, Sir Edmund ... (6)

7 Which neurological disease is usually characterised by convulsions (8)

8 Name a style of art, architecture and decoration of the 18th century (6)

9 What is a species of palm with fan-shaped leaves (8)

10 What is a relationship between two people who are not married to each other (6)

11 Which word describes letters (8)

14 Name an alternative term for dregs (8)

18 What is something puzzling or inexplicable (6)

19 Name a gigantic extinct reptile (8)

21 To engage for military service, is to do what (6)

22 Which skilled performers walk on tightropes and perform on trapezes (8)

23 What is a rope, chain, or the like, by which an animal is fastened (6)

DOWN

1 Bridgetown is the capital of which West Indies State (8)

2 What is another name for the chest (6)

3 Name an oil-resistant synthetic rubber (8)

4 What is the horizontal piece, beneath a window (4)

5 Who exercises ruling power during the absence of the sovereign (6)

6 Name a blood-sucking fly (6)

12 What is payment for money borrowed (8)

13 What might we call a rich and influential rural landowner (8)

E-QUATIONS

Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in

15 To show clearly, is to do what (6)

16 Which crustacean has seven pairs of legs (6)

17 Name a cereal grass, the seeds of which are fed to canaries (6)

20 What is an exclamation expressing sorrow, grief, etc (4)

Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.

1 PRIDIAN

a) Of the first order

b) Haughty

c) Pertaining to yesterday

2 RINGGIT

a) A Southern African venom-spitting snake

b) The monetary unit of Malaysia

c) A malignant, contagious cattle disease

Build it yourself using the clues and each of the twenty-four letters once only to form ten words: five across and five down. A key word (bold clue) builds on the letter set in the grid.

CLUES:

Blood-sucking insects (5)

Each and every one (3)

Etymology (abb) (3)

Female reproductive gland (5)

Flashy (coll) (5)

Frizzy long hair-style (coll) (3)

Insignificant (7)

Lift up (7)

Not dead (5)

Speak (3)

Solve

SEASONAL: Vele

Civijovski is busy preparing for the winter season. He is pictured in spring 2023. He says this winter will be a key time for local garlic growers.

PHOTOS: Supplied

By LISA ASHURST

WINTERTIME is often when many of us just hunker down and wait for spring, but for Monaro region garlic grower, Vele Civijovski, the seasonal shift towards the colder months still means there is plenty to do on the farm.

Vele’s growing network of garlic growers will be receiv-

ing their updates, there will be stock to pick up once the garlic has cured, and then the marketing begins along with the updates for the website, inventory levels, and any remaining orders are posted out.

“I’ll also be touching base with our new growers in relation to training,” Vele said.

“I’ll be providing guidance to our current growers with updates on what is happening in the current market.”

Vele will also be assisting his growers network with group information on how to tackle any challenges which arose during the previous season.

His garlic stock needs to be graded too, in preparation for the upcoming planting season.

Vele also runs growing workshops at the local Cooma Community Garden and where pos-

sible, in other regions as well. He said the workshops are fun, and have been successful, with many of the attendees now growing their own garlic, thanks to the opportunity to expand their knowledge, gained through their practical learning at the workshops.

“They don’t just learn how to grow better garlic but also how to grow more diverse ranges of garlic,” he said.

Planting time is now looming, but is dependent on being able to identify which are the best to plant and then to begin preparing the beds. This means weeding and adding a new layer of compost, and that’s just for starters. But it also means assessing which types of garlic have performed well and then expanding those varieties.

Garlic growers ready for winter season

June to October is usually a quieter time for Vele, which allows him to plan and begin building the new garden beds, and that requires plenty of physical work, as preparing the beds means plenty of moving, shovelling and wheel-barrowing the soils, composts and mulches out to where they’re needed for the new beds.

“Who needs a gym, when you can work out via gardening the eco-friendly way, Vele said.”

Garlic enthusiasts can stay updated via Garlic Kingdom’s website and also their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram, where garlic lovers will find new recipes, some great garden pics from Vele’s growers network, and lots of useful information on all things garlic.

Hazeldean bull sale tops $28K

HAZELDEAN’S autumn bull sale has been declared a success, selling to atop of $28,000.

Lot 23 was the top-priced bull, sold to the Corrie Vale Pastoral Company, Woodstock. Peter Godbolt Nutrien South East stud stock manager, said the sale was a terrific result for Hazeldean.

“It was an outstanding sale with lots of repeat buyers. Great result with an average of $13,193,” Godbolt said.

“The sale was a great result for the Litchfield family.”

Ed Bradley of Hazeldean thanked all buyers for their support.

“Our autumn bull sale was really well supported. Happy to see so many returning clients getting values our of their bulls,” Bradley said.

“We are looking forward to our coming sales.”

Hazeldean’s on-property spring bull sale is set for Thursday September 5.

Cattle market eases: MLA weekly report

By EMILY TAN, MLA MARKET INFORMATION ANALYST

THE cattle market generally eased last week with the exception of the feeder steer indicator. With ANZAC Day on Thursday April 25, all sales closed over the break, yardings eased significantly by 58,612 to 38,856 head.

The processor cow indicator eased by three cents to 199¢/kg liveweight (lwt), with yardings easing by 50 percent to 5,278 head.

Good prices for lambs

AT last week’s Wagga Wagga sheep sale, it was a bigger yarding, mostly due to the ANZAC Day public holiday the week prior.

It took a bit of time for buyers to find their footing, resulting in significant price fluctuations.

Woolly lambs were marked down, while buyers eagerly sought lambs with shorter skins, and became increasingly willing to pay premium rates as the sale unfolded.

Support from feedlot and restocker buyers helped underpin the trade market.

In the trade market, prices were fluctuating, with lambs weighing between 20kg to 24kg fetching anywhere from $128 to $177, averaging 680c to705c/kg, however it must be noted, top pens of lambs continually hit 750c/kg cwt.

Meanwhile, lambs weighing between 25kg to 26 kg sold for prices ranging from $171 to

$190/head. Better presented Merino lambs ranged from $124 to $198/head.

Lambs intended for the paddock or feedlots with weight and frame sold for prices ranging from $98 to $155/head.

In the export market, competition was inconsistent at times, with buyers showing a preference for larger, super-sized types. Lambs weighing between 26kg to 30kg sold from $174 to $209, while those over 30kg

cwt fetched prices between $202 to $257/head. Additionally in the mutton sale, not all buyers participated or were present. Buyers interested in heavy sheep aimed to secure stock under $100, with only a few sales surpassing this mark.

Prices for heavy sheep ranged from $80 to $110. Meanwhile, trade sheep faced varying levels of competition, resulting in an average price around 290c to 304c/kg.

The export market has seen a notable price correction with buyers not participating in the market and thus processor indicators have declined evident in the heavy steer indicator and processors cow indicator.

The feeder steer indicator lifted by five cents to 322c/kg lwt, scattered rainfall in Queensland has reduced yardings by 49 percent to 5,475 head.

This lift in prices is likely due to feeders and re-stockers buyers driving market prices as seen in the relevant indicators, with growing demand for lightweight yearling steers returning to the paddock.

The sheep market has been generally trended positively, after trending downward for the past two weeks. Yardings has tightened by 148,191 to 161,062 head with lamb and sheep yardings easing by 47 percent and 50 percent respectively.

A significant reduction in yardings have led to relatively more de-

mand for lambs as the heavy lamb indicator rose by 29c to 678c/kg carcase weight (cwt).

Market reports have indicated that heavy export lambs in demand relative to slaughter.

The restocker lamb indicator declined 64c to 433c/kg cwt, yardings eased by 18,050 to 12,735 head, a 58% reduction over the past week. There was increased interest from restockers and feeders but buyers with quality and supply being a limiting factor.

Cattle slaughter lifted by 3,414 to 134,475 head, making it the second largest weekly slaughter in 2024.

Slaughter has risen in most states with largest increase in NSW at 2,127 to 35,096 head. Year to date slaughter has increased by 35,994 head or a 37 percent increase from the same time last year.

Slaughter has continued to hover around 130,000 head each week with the exception of public holidays and the Easter break.

Lamb and sheep slaughter has achieved the second largest weekly slaughter on record only 273 head below record slaughter levels. Lamb slaughter lifted by 18,886 to 499,945 head – the second largest weekly lamb slaughter on record largely driven by South Australian slaughter rising by 28,101 head.

On the other hand, sheep slaughter eased 19,159 to 192,464 head largely due to slaughter in South Australia easing by 27,508 head.

LIVESTOCK: There was a larger yarding at last week’s Wagga Wagga sheep sale. PHOTO: Supplied

Scrap biosecurity bill: NSW Farmers Varroa Mite order lifted, industry boost

NSW Farmers has fronted a Senate Inquiry to call for the proposed biosecurity tax on farmers to be scrapped, saying farmers in the state are already paying their fair share of biosecurity dues.

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said despite a lastminute redesign, farm leaders remained opposed to the biosecurity levy bill and would continue to urge parliamentarians to vote against the levy’s introduction over the coming weeks.

“Farmers are already paying significant amounts of money in levies to fund biosecurity efforts in Australia,” Mr Martin said.

“So asking them to pay millions more is utterly unfair when importers – as the real creators of biosecurity risk –are left free to operate without the burden of this bill.

“Our farm leaders have spoken, and our message is clear: this levy is totally flawed and unfair, and we need to review and renew our biosecurity funding models so we can ensure passengers and products entering Australia are being adequately charged for the costs of the risks they create.

“The creation of a container levy is a key way that risk creators can contribute to the biosecurity cause and ensure fair

biosecurity funding moving forward.”

With an additional $51.8 million to be collected from farmers under the proposed levy bill, Mr Martin said farmers would be extremely disappointed to see the bill pass Parliament.

“There is no clear or logical plan to collect this levy, let alone a clear and logical outline of what biosecurity measures this massive tax will actually fund, and yet we have just eight

weeks until it is meant to be introduced,” Mr Martin said.

“Farmers have many questions about this proposed levy, and tokenistic attempts to consult us at the eleventh hour just aren’t going to cut it when the stakes are this high.

“We’re all for keeping exotic pests and disease out of our country, but why double tax farmers when we are already stricken with huge pressures and contributing a significant amount to the country.”

ACTION: NSW Farmers president Xavier Martin is calling for the Federal Government to axe the biosecurity bill. PHOTO: NSW Farmers

What new weeds are on my doorstep?

BY SNOWY MONARO REGIONAL COUNCIL

THE introduction of the Biosecurity Act 2015 has changed the way in which many weeds are managed in NSW and it focuses the use of regulatory tools on high impact weeds which are in their early stages of invasion.

For these new weeds, because they are in such low numbers within the state or within a region, it is considered technically feasible to eradicate, or at least contain them. Furthermore, the Biosecurity Act 2015 gives Council the tools, and in many cases requires Council, to enforce the control of these weeds.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council, as the Local Control Authority in the Snowy Monaro region, is the agency primarily responsible for managing these weeds.

But Council is often asked, what are the new weeds that have now taken precedence over Serrated tussock, African lovegrass and blackberry?

The following information, details some of the new and emerging weeds within the region and those which are on our doorstep that should be closely monitored and reported to Council if someone suspects their presence.

Orange hawkweed (Pilosella aurantiaca)

This highly invasive weed has allelopathic qualities which enables it to quickly out-compete beneficial plants and form a monoculture.

The only known infestations of orange hawkweed within the state of NSW are situated within Kosciuszko National Park to the west of Snowy Plains and in some isolated pockets on private land at Snowy Plains.

Drone surveillance identified several new sites during 2023-24. Immediate and persistent surveillance and

control efforts have been implemented by Council, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and private landowners to ensure the best possible chance of eradication

Mouse-ear hawkweed (Pilosella officinarum)

Like Orange hawkweed, this is an extremely invasive perennial herb and has become a major weed in New Zealand, Canada and the USA.

The only known occurrence of mouse-ear hawkweed in NSW is on the main range near Mt Kosciuszko. Both hawkweeds are Prohibited Matter within NSW and are subject to statewide eradication programs.

Mouse-ear hawkweed has a very limited distribution on the main range and its eradication is highly likely thanks to the persistent efforts of NPWS staff, sniffer dogs and the many volunteers and agencies involved in the eradication program. Only 64 plants have been found to date in 2023-24.

Silver leaf nighshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium)

Silver leaf nightshade significantly reduces pasture growth and crop yields. It can be toxic to livestock and is very difficult to control, having a root system that penetrates two metres to five metres in depth.

Silver leaf nightshade has previously been detected on a property near Cooma, where it is thought to have been introduced with fodder.

Silver leaf nightshade is known to occur extensively to the west of the dividing range; however very few sites are known to occur within the south-east region of NSW and no other infestations are currently known to exist in the Snowy Monaro region.

For this reason, the South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan

2023-27 identifies silver leaf nightshade as a weed which should be aggressively managed with an eradication objective.

Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus)

Parthenium weed is a major pasture weed in Queensland and is known to cause severe respiratory problems and allergic reactions in humans.

Tracing efforts have identified three potential incursions of parthenium weed into the Snowy Monaro region in recent times from infested properties in QLD; two through suspected fodder movements and one from imported cattle.

Each trace has been investigated by Council’s biosecurity team; however no plants have been identified.

Like hawkweeds, parthenium weed is Prohibited Matter in NSW. The Biosecurity Act 2015 prohibits any dealings with this weed.

Prohibited matter weeds are notifiable weeds, meaning that members of the public must report suspect sightings.

Council strongly encourages members of the public to adhere to this requirement to ensure that these weeds can be nipped in the bud before they have the chance to establish.

Council can access resources to assist landowners with their eradication efforts.

Alligator weed

Alligator weed is a major threat to waterways and floodplains. It can blanket the surface of waterways, restrict access, damage infrastructure and impact on flora and fauna. It is considered one of the world’s worst weeds, not only because of its impact on the aquatic environment, but also because of its ability to creep out into the terrestrial environment where it has proven to contaminate grazing pastures and threaten the viability of

BIOSECURITY: Orange hawkweed is a highly invasive weed.

PHOTOS: Supplied

COOMA

a number of commercial industries.

Alligator weed currently occurs in a number of waterways within the ACT where it is managed by the ACT Parks and Conservations Service.

Alligator weed reproduces vegetatively with new plants being produced from any root or stem fragment.

Alligator weed readily spreads on machinery, boats and trailers, hay, turf, landscape supplies or through any other movement of soil and has a high likelihood of spreading into our region.

Tell-tale features of Alligator weed are its hollow stem, leaves in opposite pairs and small white flowers on short stalks.

In tablelands situations, the plants breakdown and decay over winter and actively grow again during the summer months.

Alligator weed is managed in NSW through the imposition of a Biosecurity Zone, enabling different management responses to be adopted based on biosecurity risk.

Within the Snowy Monaro region and the broader South east region of NSW, Alligator weed must be reported to the local control authority (Council) and must be eradicated from the land.

For more information

Visit Council’s website to learn more about weeds and

biosecurity in the Snowy Monaro atwww.snowymonaro.nsw. gov.au/Environment-Wasteand-Weeds/Biosecurity-andWeeds

To speak with Council’s biosecurity team about managing weeds on your property, please email council@ snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 345 345 to get in touch. Can’t identify a weed?

Send in some photographs or request a free onsite inspection and one of our staff will promptly respond. Download the free NSW WeedWise app for detailed information on how to identify and manage weeds. Visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds Visit the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) website for information on weed control methods.

Alligator weed is a major threat to waterways and floodplains. It can be found in waterways in the ACT.

Tracing efforts have identified three potential incursions of parthenium weed into the Snowy Monaro region.

Buckets of charm for Cooma home

ADDRESS: 53 Egan Street, Cooma

AGENT: Boller & Company

LOCATED in a lovely wide street is this charming house that has been extended from the original structure of the circa 1900s cottage with a charming front façade into a six-bedroom family home with two lounge areas formal dining, family and sun room. The laundry is large with an extra shower and toilet. It has plenty of street appeal with its classic

painted timber façade. All positioned on a level 935 sqm block. As you enter the through the front door into the wide hallway it leads you through to the bedrooms, living, dining rooms and beyond.

The home is very comfortable with many

lovely original featureshigh ceilings, wide skirting boards and spacious rooms, well presented.

Key features include:

• Six bedrooms.

• Three bathrooms.

• Two living areas, formal dining, family and sunroom.

• Wood heating and reverse cycle AC.

• Solar panels.

• Two bay garage with potential for a third or keep as a large workshop area.

• Rear lane access.

• Double brick.

• Established gardens.

The forthcoming sale of 53 Egan Street, Cooma is a grand opportunity to acquire a unique home in an excellent town location with several business opportunities. Call Boller & Company on 6452 4155 for more information.

Great starter block or perfect add-on

ADDRESS: Fox Hill, 697 Bairds Crossing Road, Dalgety, NSW 2628

FOX HILL offers a quiet location while still within close reach of the mountains and surrounds including Thredbo, Perisher and Cooma alike.

Presenting a unique opportunity to secure your first block or add-on block for neighbouring holdings.

Dwelling entitlement exists with some magnificent possible building sites. Offering approximately 103.20 hectares

or 255.01 acres, enough room to keep some horses or run a small herd of livestock. Undulating to hilly topography with some open plains.

Accessed by a Council-maintained gravel road, 15 minutes’ drive south of Dalgety and only around an hour’s drive to Thredbo, Perisher and Cooma.

Consisting of mostly decomposed granite soils, with some lighter sandy soils present. Approximately 50 percent timbered, varying in density with trees including apple gum, wattle, black or

native pine and apple box just to name a few.

The property is fenced into three paddocks, with some give and take fence in place. Water supply via two dams (including one spring fed).

In addition to this, other improvements include a comfortable cabin all powered by solar power and with all facilities including a kitchen, bathroom and fireplace (cabin currently not approved as accommodation).

Horse yard, chook pen and shipping

container with a lean-to.

Extensive views to the north and east for some possible building sites for your holiday getaway or dream house. Perfectly suited for an independent selfsustainable lifestyle capable of running 80-100 sheep or equivalent with some scope to improve on, seasons pending. Don’t miss this opportunity.

Fox Hill goes to online auction on Tuesday May 14, 2024, commencing at 6.30pm via the Realtair website.

Beautiful Cooma home

ADDRESS: 9 Chapman St, Cooma:

9 Chapman Street, Cooma, offers a beautiful three bedroom family home with room to spare.

Situated on a large 1,296m2 (aprox.) block, with established front and rear gardens, this bright family home will surprise you.

Master bedroom featuring a large walk in wardrobe. Two remaining bedrooms, both with built-in-wardrobes.

Laundry located on bottom level with a large family room/potential 4th bedroom, ample storage and access from driveway or main floor.

Work area off the carport with second toilet on the lower level.

Property features:

• New flooring throughout

• Freshly painted

• Wood heating and reverse cycle

• Well thought out use of storage space

• ’Metters’ oven downstairs, still in use

• Carport under house

• Fully fenced rear yard

• Solar

• Gravity feed water tank for rear gardens

• Chicken coop

Renovated delight with so much character, you’ll have to see it.

AGENT: Canberry Property Cooma. Contact Leonie or Rikki for further information - 02 6452 4043

ADDRESS: Sharp St, Cooma:

UNDER the Elms, Cooma, is an outstanding opportunity to own your own popular coffee shop in the heart of the Snowy Mountains.

This popular cafe offers great positioning on the main street with high foot traffic and is easily recognisable when wandering through the park across the road or traveling through town. Under the Elms is in the perfect po-

sition when the local Cooma Rotary Markets are on in the park opposite the shop. With many events on throughout the year in Cooma, Under the Elms is well placed to capture the many visitors to town.

The current owner has successfully run the business for almost seven years.

AGENT: Canberry Property Cooma. Contact Leonie or Rikki for further information - 02 6452 4043

Snowy Monaro Region www.realestatecooma.com.au Shop 3 Centennial Plaza, Cooma Ph: 6452 4043

Renovated family home in Bombala ready to go

Address: 51 Queen Street, Bombala

Asking: $425,000

Renovated family home in a quiet neighbourhood.

Boasting three bedrooms, all with built in robes and plush carpet, one beautiful, newly renovated bathroom and spacious open living, kitchen and dining with reverse cycle air conditioning and slow combustion heating, this is a well-appointed home with quality finishes.

The deck off the front of the house that is accessed from the kitchen is perfect for barbeques and outdoor entertaining.

Under the house is a single car garage and another room suitable for mancave, teenage retreat or storage. Low maintenance backyard just needs the lawn mowed to keep it in check.

Suitable for first home buyers or investors this is a quality offering that should not be overlooked.

WEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAYSATURDAYSUNDAYMONDAYTUESDAY

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Four Corners. 10.45 Q+A. 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. 2.00 Brush With Fame. 2.25 Back Roads. 2.55 Ningaloo Nyinggulu. 3.55 Long Lost Family. 4.40 Grand Designs. 5.25 Antiques Roadshow. 6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG) 7.00 News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Hard Quiz. (PG) 8.30 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. Final. 9.05 White Fever. (M) 9.30 QI. (PG) 10.00 Planet America. 10.35 News. 10.50 The Business. 11.05 The Luminaries. (M)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Aust Story. 10.30 Compass. 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. 12.00 News. 1.00 This Is Going To Be Big. 2.00 Brush With Fame. 2.30 QI. 3.00 Ningaloo Nyinggulu. 3.55 Long Lost Family. 4.40 Grand Designs. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. 6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG) 7.00 News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Foreign Correspondent. 8.30 Martin Clunes: Islands Of Australia. (PG) 9.20 Antiques Roadshow. 10.20 Dream Gardens. 10.50 News. 11.05 The Business. 11.20 Love On The Spectrum. (PG)

News. 12.00 Movie: A Jealous Friendship. (2021) (M) 2.00 The Chase. 4.00 News. 5.00 The Chase Aust. 6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) 7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (PG)

8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. Return. (PG) Hosted by Ant and Dec. 9.55 Border Security: International. Return. (PG) 10.25 The Latest: Seven News. 10.55 The Amazing Race. (PG) 12.25 Fortitude. (MA15+)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Planet America. 10.30 That Pacific Sports Show. 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. 12.00 News. 1.00 Silent Witness. 2.00 Queen Of Oz. 2.30 White Fever. 2.55 Ningaloo Nyinggulu. 3.55 Long Lost Family. 4.40 Grand Designs. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. 6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 Gardening Australia. 8.30 Silent Witness. (M) 9.30 Hard Quiz. (PG) 10.00 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. Final. 10.35 White Fever. (M) 11.00 News. 11.20 Grand Designs. (PG)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 Seven Morning News. 12.00 Movie: Fatal Flatline. (2020) (M) 2.00 House Of Wellness. (PG) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna Griggs meets a motherdaughter team. 8.30 Football. AFL. Round 9. Fremantle v Sydney. From Optus Stadium, Perth. 11.30 Armchair Experts. (M) 12.15 GetOn Extra.

6.00 Rage. 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Rage. 12.00 News. 12.30 Call The Midwife. 1.30 Father Brown. 2.15 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. 3.00 Monty Don’s Japanese Gardens. 4.00 This Is Going To Be Big. 5.00 Creative Types With Virginia Trioli. 5.30 Landline. 6.00 Australian Story. 6.30 Back Roads. 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 Father Brown. (M) 8.15 Midsomer Murders. (M) 9.50 After The Party. (MA15+) 10.35 Shetland. (M) 11.35 Rage. (MA15+)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. The Coast Race Day, Caulfield Race Day, Hollindale Stakes Day and Goodwood Day. 5.00 News. 5.30 Border Security. (PG) 6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG) 7.30 Movie: The Day After Tomorrow. (2004) (M) Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal. 10.00 Movie: Midnight Run. (1988) (M) Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin.

6.00 Rage. 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. 11.00 Compass. 11.30 Praise. 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. 2.30 Monty Don’s French Gardens. 3.30 Forever Summer With Nigella. 3.55 Martin Clunes: Islands Of Australia. 4.45 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. 6.30 Compass. 7.00 News. 7.30 Call The Midwife. (M) 8.30 After The Party. (M) 9.20 The Luminaries. (M) 10.15 Shetland. (M) 11.15 Savage River. (M)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 Morning Show. 12.00 House Of Wellness. (PG) 1.00 To Be Advised. 4.00 Better Homes. 5.00 News. 5.30 Weekender. 6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PG) 8.40 7NEWS Spotlight. An exclusive special investigation. 9.40 The Latest: Seven News. 10.10 Code 1: Minute By Minute. (M) 11.10 Quantum Leap. (M) 12.10 Emerald City. Final. (MA15+)

8.30 Spacey Unmasked. (MA15+) A look at Kevin Spacey’s fall from grace. 10.30 9News Late. 11.00 See No Evil: Double Identity. (M) 12.00 The Equalizer. (M)

6.00 Everyday Gourmet. 6.30

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Movie: Love Stories In Sunflower Valley. (2021) 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 10. Dolphins v Manly Sea Eagles. From Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. 9.45 Thursday Night Knock Off. 10.30 9News Late. 11.00 Law & Order: Organized Crime. (MA15+) 11.50 The First 48. (M)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Movie: Romance At The Vineyard. (2023) (G) 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30 News. 6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 10. Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos. From CommBank Stadium, Sydney. 9.55 Golden Point. 10.40 Movie: The Foreigner. (2017) (MA15+) Jackie Chan.

6.00 Getaway. 6.30 ACA. 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. 12.00 Surfing Australia TV. 12.30 Explore TV. 1.00 Ageless. 1.30 The Pet Rescuers. 2.00 LEGO Masters Aust Vs World. 3.30 The Lap. Premiere. 4.30 Garden Gurus. 5.00 9News First At Five. 5.30 Getaway. 6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 ACA. 7.30 Rugby Union. Super Rugby Pacific. Round 12. Waratahs v ACT Brumbies. 9.30 Super Rugby Pacific Post-Match. 9.45 Movie: Sicario. (2015) (MA15+) 12.10 Movie: Child’s Play. (1988) (M)

6.00 Hello SA. 6.30 ACA. 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Wide World Of Sports. 11.00 NRL Sunday Footy Show. 1.00 Drive TV. 1.30 Mr Mayor. (PG) 2.00 David Attenborough’s Green Planet. 3.00 Rugby League. NRL. Round 10. Gold Coast Titans v North Queensland Cowboys. 6.00 9News Sunday. 7.00 The Summit. Return. (PG) 8.40 60 Minutes. 9.40 9News Late. 10.10 The First 48. (M) 11.10 Transplant. (MA15+) 12.00 David Attenborough’s Green Planet. 6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00

Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. 7.30 MasterChef Aust. 8.40 FBI: International. (M) 10.30 10’s Late News. 10.55 The Project. 12.00 Stephen Colbert.

6.00 Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final. 7.20 Cycling. Giro d’Italia. Stage 4. 8.20 WorldWatch. 10.00 Outta Town Adventures. 10.50 The Lost World Of Joseph Banks. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline. 2.30 Insight. 3.35 The Cook Up. 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. 5.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 4. Highlights. 6.00 Mastermind Aust. 6.30 News. 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.30 Swift Street. 9.30 Concorde: The Race For Supersonic. 10.30 SBS News. 11.00 You Shall Not Lie. 11.50 Hidden Assets.

6.00 Morning Programs. 8.00 Ent. Tonight. 8.30 Neighbours. 9.00 Bold. 9.30 Deal Or No Deal. 10.00 GCBC. 10.30 Judge Judy. 11.00 Dr Phil. 12.00 10 News First: Midday. 1.00 Ent. Tonight. 1.20 Judge Judy. 1.50 MasterChef Aust. 3.00 GCBC. 3.30 10 News First: Afternoon. 4.00 Neighbours. 4.30 Bold. 5.00 News. 6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. 7.30 Jamie’s Air-Fryer Meals. 8.30 Law & Order: S.V.U. 9.30 To Be Advised. 10.30 10’s Late News. 10.55 The Project. 12.00 Stephen Colbert.

6.00 WorldWatch. 7.00 Cycling. Giro d’Italia. Stage 5. 8.00 WorldWatch. 10.05 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out. 10.55 The Lost World Of Joseph Banks. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Alone Australia. 3.00 Mastermind. 3.35 The Cook Up. 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. 5.00 Cycling. Giro d’Italia. Stage 5. 6.00 Mastermind Aust. 6.30 News. 7.30 ABBA And The Secrets Of Swedish Pop. 8.50 Our Law. 9.25 Our Law. 10.05 Blue Lights. 11.10 SBS News. 11.40 Illegals. 12.30 The Responder.

6.00 Morning Programs. 8.30 Neighbours. 9.00 Bold. 9.30 Deal Or No Deal. 10.00 GCBC. 10.30 Judge Judy. 11.00 Dr Phil. 12.00 10 News First: Midday. 1.00 Ent. Tonight. 1.30 Judge Judy. 2.00 Ready Steady Cook. 3.00 GCBC. 3.30 10 News First: Afternoon. 4.00 Everyday Gourmet. 4.30 Bold. 5.00 News. 6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. 7.30 Ready Steady Cook. 8.30 The Graham Norton Show. 9.35 The Graham Norton Show. 10.40 10’s Late News. 11.05 The Project. 12.00 Stephen Colbert.

6.00 Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final. 7.20 Cycling. Giro d’Italia. Stage 6. 8.20 WorldWatch. 10.05 Peer To Peer. 10.35 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out. 11.25 The Lost World Of Joseph Banks. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Mastermind. 3.00 NITV News. 3.35 The Cook Up. 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. 5.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 6. Highlights. 6.00 Mastermind Aust. 6.30 News. 7.30 Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final. 10.00 ABBA In Concert. 11.05 SBS News. 11.35 L’Opera.

6.00 Morning Programs. 7.30 Escape Fishing. 8.00 Charming China. 8.30 Farm To Fork. 9.00 Exploring Off The Grid. 9.30 Food Trail: South Africa. 10.00 Ready Steady Cook. 11.00 MasterChef Aust. 1.00 All 4 Adventure. 2.00 Buy To Build. 2.30 GoRV. Premiere. 3.00 What’s Up Down Under. 3.30 GCBC. 4.00 Ready Steady Cook. 5.00 News. 6.00 The Brighter Side: Save. Grow. Dream. Premiere. 6.30 The Dog House. 8.30 Ambulance UK. Final. 11.00 To Be Advised. 12.00 Fire Country.

6.00 WorldWatch. 7.00 Cycling. Giro d’Italia. Stage 7. Highlights. 8.00 WorldWatch. 10.00 Phase III Odyssey. 11.00 Outside: Beyond The Lens. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Sailing. SailGP. Round 10. 3.00 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. 4.00 Sports Woman. Premiere. 4.30 Cycling. Giro d’Italia. Stage 7. Highlights. 5.30 War Gamers. Premiere. 6.30 News. 7.30 Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final. 10.00 Rock Legends: ABBA. 10.55 Secrets Of The Royal Palaces. 11.45 Everything You Love.

6.00 Morning Programs. 8.00 Everyday Gourmet. 8.30 Freshly Picked. 9.00 Pooches At Play. 9.30 Buy To Build. 10.00 Healthy Homes Aust. 10.30 Farm To Fork. 11.00 4x4 Adventures. 12.00 MasterChef Aust. 1.10 My Market Kitchen. 1.30 Cook With Luke. 2.00 Destination Dessert. 2.30 Hungry. 3.00 Taste Of Aust. 3.30 The Brighter Side: Save. Grow. Dream. 4.00 Everyday Gourmet. 4.30 GCBC. 5.00 News. 6.30 The Sunday Project. 7.30 MasterChef Aust. 9.00 FBI. 12.00 The Sunday Project.

6.00 Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final. 9.00 WorldWatch. 9.45 Cycling. Giro d’Italia. Stage 8. Highlights. 10.45 Phase III Odyssey. 11.30 Outside: Beyond The Lens. 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 PBS Washington Week. 12.55 Blind Sailing. 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. 4.00 Sports Woman. 4.30 Cycling. Giro d’Italia. Stage 8. Highlights. 5.30 War Gamers. 6.30 News. 7.30 Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final. 12.00 Jimmy Carter: Rock And Roll President.

6.00 Morning Programs. 8.00 Ent. Tonight. 8.30 The Yes Experiment. 9.00 Bold. 9.30 Deal Or No Deal. 10.00 GCBC. 10.30 Judge Judy. 11.00 Dr Phil. 12.00 10 News First: Midday. 1.00 Ent. Tonight. 1.30 MasterChef Aust. 3.00 GCBC. 3.30 10 News First: Afternoon. 4.00 Neighbours. 4.30 Bold. 5.00 News. 6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. 7.30 MasterChef Aust. 8.40 Have You Been Paying Attention? Return.

6.00 WorldWatch. 7.00 Cycling. Giro d’Italia. Stage 9. 8.00 WorldWatch. 9.30 Peer To Peer. 10.25 For The Love Of Dogs. 10.50 Grand Day Out. 11.40 Outside: Beyond The Lens. 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.15 Heritage Rescue. 3.05 Mastermind. 3.35 The Cook Up. 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. 5.00 Cycling. Giro d’Italia. Stage 9. 6.00 Mastermind. 6.30 News. 7.35 Marvellous Machines. 8.25 Secrets Of The Tower Of London. 9.20

7.05 Andy And The Band.

7.20 Bluey.

7.30 Would I Lie To You? (PG)

8.30 Movie: Going The Distance. (2010) (MA15+) Drew Barrymore, Justin Long. A couple attempts a long-distance romance. 10.15 Movie: Anthony. (2020) (M) Toheeb Jimoh. 11.45 Would I Lie To You? (PG)

6.00 Children’s Programs.

8.10 Open Season: Call Of Nature. 8.25 Almost Naked Animals.

8.35 Summer Memories.

8.50 Holly Hobbie. (PG)

9.10 Find Me In Paris.

9.35 Mimi On A Mission. (PG)

10.00 BTN High.

10.05 Rage. (PG) 11.20 Close.

6.30 Bargain Hunt.

7.30 Heartbeat. (PG) A young woman is hospitalised.

8.45 Judge John Deed. (M) After a young woman is beaten to death and a man confesses, the police are convinced they have the killer.

10.45 Air Crash Investigations. (PG)

11.45 Bargain Hunt.

6.30 Pawn Stars. (PG)

7.30 Highway Patrol. (PG)

8.00 The Force: Behind The Line. (PG) Narrated by Simon Reeve.

8.30 World’s Wildest Police Videos. (M) Footage of real life crimes.

10.30 Police Code Zero: Officer Under Attack. (M)

11.30 World’s Most Shocking Emergency Calls. (MA15+)

6.00 Everybody Loves Raymond. (PG)

7.00 The Nanny. (PG)

7.30 Seinfeld. (PG)

8.30 Movie: The Terminator. (1984) (M) Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton. A freedom fighter battles an android.

10.40 Seinfeld. (PG)

11.40 The Nanny. (PG)

6.30 Antiques Roadshow.

7.30 As Time Goes By. The producers request steamier re-writes.

8.40 Midsomer Murders. (M) After a local lawyer falls to his death from a house roof, it is not clear whether it is a case of murder or suicide.

10.40 Angel Of Vengeance. (MA15+)

11.40 Footy Classified. (M)

6.30 JAG. (PG)

7.30 Bull. (M) Bull defends his old university roommate.

8.30 NCIS. (M) After a 14-year-old foils a home invasion, Gibbs suspects the teenager is withholding pertinent details.

9.25 Hawaii Five-0. (M) Tani helps her brother Koa.

Teller: Fool Us. (PG)

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Would I Lie To You?

Adam Hills: The Last Leg.

6.00 Children’s Programs. 8.10 Open Season: Call Of Nature. 8.25 Almost Naked Animals. 8.35 Summer Memories. (PG)

8.50 Holly Hobbie. (PG)

9.10 The Next Step. 9.35 Ace My Space. 10.00 BTN High. 10.05 Rage. (PG) 11.20 Close.

6.30 Bargain Hunt. Presented by Eric Knowles. 7.30 Father Brown. (M) A new musical director causes chaos.

8.30 Shetland. (M) DI Jimmy Perez and his team look to a past crime to solve the present-day murder of a young teenage girl.

11.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (M)

12.00 Father Brown. (M)

6.30 Pawn Stars. (PG) The staff is offered a set of handcuffs and leg shackles once owned by the legendary Harry Houdini. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round 9. Carlton v Melbourne. From the MCG. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews. 11.00 Movie: Underworld. (2003) (MA15+)

6.00 Everybody Loves Raymond. (PG)

7.00 The Nanny. (PG)

7.30 Survivor 46. (PG) Hosted by Jeff Probst. 9.00 Movie: Hot Pursuit. (2015) (M) Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara. A cop protects a drug boss’s widow.

10.45 Movie: Like A Boss. (2020) (M)

6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Mega Zoo. (PG)

8.30 100 Days That Rocked The Royals. (PG) A look at 2024 for the royal family.

10.00 World’s Most Dangerous Prisoners: Geas. (M)

11.00 Police After Dark. (M)

12.00 The Real Murders Of Orange County. (M)

6.30 JAG. (PG)

7.30 Bull. (M)

8.30 NCIS. (M) The hunt for an escaped spy continues.

9.25 NCIS: New Orleans. (M) LaSalle tries to avenge his brother’s murder.

10.20 Evil. (M)

11.20 Diagnosis Murder. (M)

7.05 Andy And The Band. 7.20 Bluey.

6.00 Children’s Programs. 8.00 Hotel Transylvania. 8.10 Open Season: Call Of Nature. 8.25 Almost Naked Animals. 8.35 Summer Memories. (PG) 8.50 Holly Hobbie. (PG) 9.10 The Next Step. 9.35 Ace My Space. 11.20 Close.

6.30 Bargain Hunt.

7.30 The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard. (PG) Piglet deals with engine problems.

8.30 Escape To The Country. Ginny Buckley helps a young, canineloving couple from Hertfordshire who are hoping for a fresh start in High Weald. 12.30 The Real Seachange.

6.30 Pawn Stars. (PG)

7.30 Movie: This Means War. (2012) (M) Reese Witherspoon. Two spies vie for the same woman.

9.30 Movie: Air America. (1990) (M) Mel Gibson, Robert Downey Jr. A pilot is recruited into a corrupt CIA airlift. 11.50 Storage Wars. (PG)

7.30 Movie: Toy Story 2. (1999) Tom Hanks, Tim Allen. Buzz Lightyear and his friends try to rescue Woody.

9.30 Movie: Wonder. (2017) (PG) Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts. A 10-year-old boy with facial differences enters a mainstream primary school for the first time in his life.

11.50 Dating No Filter. (M)

6.30 Antiques Roadshow.

7.30 Take Me Home. (PG) Two puppies are in need a new home.

8.30 Movie: When Harry Met Sally. (1989) (M) Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan. Two friends who have known each other for years obsess over whether sex would ruin their relationship.

10.30 Movie: Analyze That. (2002) (M) Billy Crystal.

6.30 Soccer. A-League Men. Elimination final.

9.45 Bull. (M) Bull is asked to help a teachers’ union represent a woman who is being prosecuted by the district attorney.

10.40 NCIS. (M) The team and their allies in the FBI and MI6 continue their international manhunt for an escaped spy.

11.35 NCIS: Hawai’i. (M)

6.05 Children’s Programs. 7.30 Built To Survive. 8.00 Hotel Transylvania. 8.10 Open Season: Call Of Nature. 8.25 Almost Naked Animals. 8.35 Summer Memories. (PG) 8.50 Holly Hobbie. 9.10 The Next Step. 9.35 Ace My Space. 11.20 Close.

6.00 Heathrow. (PG)

6.30 Bondi Vet. (PG)

7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. (PG)

8.30 Escape To The Country. Jules Hudson is in Suffolk.

11.30 The Yorkshire Vet. (PG)

12.30 Escape To The Country.

7.15 Football. AFL. Round 9. Richmond v Western Bulldogs. From the MCG. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking a look back at all the action from the game. 11.00 Movie: Resident Evil: Retribution. (2012) (MA15+) Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory. A woman fights for her freedom.

7.30 Movie: Johnny English. (2003) (PG) Rowan Atkinson. A bumbling agent uncovers a conspiracy.

9.15 Movie: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. (1999) (M) Mike Myers, Heather Graham. A super spy returns to the ’60s. 11.15 Movie: Epic Movie. (2007) (M)

7.00 Rugby Union. Super Rugby Pacific. Round 12. Waratahs v ACT Brumbies. From Allianz Stadium, Sydney. 7.30 Jeopardy! Australia. 8.30 Movie: Bohemian Rhapsody. (2018) (M) Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton. Charts the life of Freddie Mercury.

11.15 Movie: Song To Song. (2017) (M)

6.00 JAG. (PG) The death of a pilot triggers an investigation into a new navigation system the man was testing.

7.00 Soccer. A-League Men. First Semi-Final. First leg.

10.15 NCIS: Los Angeles. (M) After a newborn child is found abandoned on a US Navy ship, Kensi and Deeks search for the mother.

6.10 Children’s Programs. 7.35 Built To Survive. 8.00 Hotel Transylvania. 8.10 Open Season: Call Of Nature. 8.25 Almost Naked Animals. 8.35 Summer Memories. 8.50 Holly Hobbie. (PG) 9.10 The Next Step. 9.35 Ace My Space. 10.15 Rage. (PG) 11.20 Close.

8.55 Endeavour. (M) DC Endeavour Morse pursues a serial killer who has been preying on married women.

Rage. (PG)

(PG) 6.30 Kath & Kim. (PG) 7.05 The Vicar Of Dibley. (PG) Geraldine is getting a little broody.

6.30 Bargain Hunt.

10.55 Hornby: A Model Empire. (PG) 11.55 The Vicar Of Dibley. (PG)

6.00 Border Security: International. (PG) 7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG)

7.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (M)

8.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. 8.30 Movie: John Wick: Chapter 2. (2017) (MA15+) 11.00 Movie: Non-Stop. (2014) (M)

7.30 Movie: Now You See Me 2. (2016) (M) Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo. A group of street magicians exposes the unethical practices of a tech magnate.

10.00 Movie: Roadkill. (2022) (MA15+) Alexander Whitrow, Robert Bell. An outback thief robs a serial killer.

12.00 Love Island UK. (M)

6.30 M*A*S*H. (PG)

8.30 Movie: Inside Man. (2006) (MA15+) Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster. A detective negotiates with a gang holding the staff and customers of a Manhattan bank hostage. 11.00 Chicago Med. (MA15+) 12.00 Ordinary Joe. (M)

6.30 JAG. (PG) Harm and his partner head to Iraq to defend US Marines accused of violating the country’s territory.

7.30 NCIS. (M) The team investigates a car explosion in Washington, DC that has been linked to a missing agent.

11.15 NCIS: Los Angeles. (M) Nate learns about a CIA project.

at a munitions works in what appears to be a tragic accident.

6.30

10.30 Frozen Gold. (PG) 11.30 Mountain Men. (PG)

Movie: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015) (M) Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer. The CIA and KGB participate in a joint mission. 10.50 Seinfeld. (PG) 11.50 The Nanny. (PG)

6.30 Antiques Roadshow. Hosted by Fiona Bruce. 7.30 Death In Paradise. (M) DI Jack Mooney and the team are put to the test when a celebrated artist is poisoned in her studio.

8.40 Harry Wild. (M) A dinner party goes awry when a vomiting bug hits all the guests but Harry. 10.40 London Kills. (M) 11.50 Footy Classified. (M)

6.30 JAG. (PG) A girl goes missing near an airfield.

7.30 Bull. (M) Bull helps sue a drug company.

8.30 NCIS. (M) After a US Navy officer dies while on Air Force One, NCIS agents are called in to investigate.

10.20 NCIS: Los Angeles. (M) The team investigates a woman’s murder.

11.15 Evil. (M)

6.30 Pawn Stars. (PG)

7.30 Outback Truckers. (PG) 8.30 Aussie Truck Rehab. (PG) The crew must complete 12 restorations. 9.30 Mega Mechanics. (PG) A vibrating feeder gate causes trouble. 10.30 Ice Road Truckers. (M) 11.30 American Wreckers. (M)

6.00 Everybody Loves Raymond. (PG)

7.00 The Nanny. (PG)

7.30 Seinfeld. (PG)

8.30 Movie: The Matrix Reloaded. (2003) (M) Keanu Reeves, Hugo Weaving. An army of machines prepares to invade Zion. 11.15 Seinfeld. (PG)

6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 New Tricks. (M) A decade-old murder is reinvestigated. 8.40 Agatha Christie’s Marple. (PG) Miss Marple’s stay at a luxurious London hotel is disturbed by the mysterious death of a maid. 10.40 A Wedding And A Murder. (MA15+) 11.40 New Amsterdam. (MA15+)

6.30 JAG. (PG) Harm defends a fellow officer.

7.30 Bull. (M) Bull finds himself working a case solo.

8.30 NCIS. (M) A navy commander’s body washes up on shore along with the bodies of two drug runners.

9.25 FBI. (M) A husband and father is kidnapped after accidentally getting involved in illegal dealings. 11.15 48 Hours. (M)

10.20 NCIS: Hawai’i. (M) 6.00 Frasier. (PG) 6.30

6.00 Frasier. (PG) 6.30 The Big Bang Theory. (PG) 8.30 Two And A Half Men. (M) 9.30 Two And A Half Men. (PG) 10.00 Impractical Jokers.

Two And A Half Men. (M) Alan and Walden befriend three mums. 10.00 South Park. (MA15+) 10.30 South Park. (M) 11.00 South Park. (MA15+) 12.00 Home Shopping. 6.00 The Big Bang Theory. (PG) 9.00 The Big Bang Theory. (M) Penny tries to sabotage Leonard’s plan. 9.30 The Big Bang Theory. (PG) Wil Wheaton hosts a celebrity tournament. 10.00 The Big Bang Theory. (M) 10.30 Two And A Half Men. (M) 12.00 Home Shopping.

and temples turned to rubble.

Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 9. Avezzano to Napoli. 214km hilly stage. From Italy.

The Food That Built

World: Breakfast Barons. (PG) Takes a look at two breakfast barons. 7.25 Impossible Engineering: Ford Class. Takes a look at the Fordclass aircraft carriers. 8.20 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 8. Spoleto to Prati di Tivo. 152km mountain stage. From Italy.

6.45 Jeopardy! 7.35 NITV News Update. 7.40 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M) Hosted by Jimmy Carr. 8.35 Adam Eats The 80s: Decade Of Change. Hosted by Adam Richman. 8.55 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 7. Foligno to Perugia. 38.5km individual time trial. From Italy.

6.45 Jeopardy! Hosted by Alex Trebek. 7.35 NITV News Update. 7.40 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M) Game show, featuring contestants Rob Beckett, Cariad Lloyd and Jamie Laing. 8.35 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 6. Torre del Lago Puccini to Rapolano Terme. 180km hilly stage. From Italy.

6.40 Jeopardy! Hosted by Alex Trebek. 7.30 NITV News Update.

7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M) Game show, featuring contestants tackling a words and numbers quiz. Hosted by Jimmy Carr.

8.35 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 5. Genova to Lucca. 178km hilly stage. From Italy.

FOOT Y TIPPING COMP 2024 FOOTY COMP

TRADES AND SERVICES

Adaminaby Bowling and Sports Club. May 18, 2024 at 12noon. At the Club.

All financial members are welcome to attend.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of Cooma Country Club.

11am, Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Cooma Country and Bowling Club

Several important items to discuss, all members are asked to attend. Mick Mayhew, President.

Notice of Intention to 1080 Bait Wild Dogs and Foxes

Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) will be conducting an ongoing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) ground baiting program for the control of Wild dogs and Foxes from the May 13, 2024 to October 31, 2024. This program may include the use of 1080 meat baits and Canid Pest Ejectors.

The program is part of a regional management strategy to control wild dogs and foxes using baits containing 1080 poison.

The areas covered in the plan include Bondi SF No. 128, Coolangubra SF 547, Nalbaugh SF No. 129, Craigie SF 1069, Glen Allen SF No. 1031, Glenbog SF No. 149, and Towamba SF No. 908. For further information or enquiries please contact the FCNSW Bombala Management Area Office on (02) 6459 5200.

The Owners Corporation of Strata Plan 37248(Lake Crackenback Resort) are seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified Grounds Maintenance professionals/businesses to undertake year-round grounds maintenance at the resort. The initial contract will be a three-year term with two one-year options for renewal (5 years total). The contract will commence in the spring of 2024. For further information please contact projects@sp37248.com.au or phone Eric Burns on 0447 560 584 during business hours. Applications close on May 31, 2024.

CLEARING SALE

fit above ute, 10’ x 6’ box trailer (made to fit ATV), CF Motor all-terrain vehicle (4WD, 172 hours, mileage 1159.8km), Artic Cat all-terrain 4x4, Tallon 22CC, 6 x 4 trailer (no rego), Hillman Arrow

Machinery/ Tools - Petrol blower-vacuum, Stihl Chainsaw Farm Boss plus accessories, GV35 Honda 4 stroke whippersnipper, Toro Ride on Mower (2 stroke 4200TF Time cuter ‘42’), Assorted electrical tools, Tool box, Socket set, Spanners, Assorted tools, Sthil RE108 Pressure cleaner, Water pump x 2, Industrial overlocker Household and Building - Weber BBQ, Beefeater BBQ (needs parts), Panasonic TV, Water tank 23, 000L (Not used), Roofing iron sheets, Guttering, Household furniture, Fridge/Freezer (excellent condition), Lounge 3-seater, 2 x armchairs plus accessory, Recliner chair, Late Victorian China Cabinet, Late Victorian Mercury glass vase,

CLEARING SALE - PRELIMINARY NOTICE

Account: ‘Est of Phillip Rumph’ ‘Wyandra’ Fishy Lake Road, Mt Cooper Ando, NSW Saturday, May 18, 2024

Start 10am onsite. Inspections from 9am

Cars and Motor Vehicles: Land Rover Series II Original Snowy Scheme vehicle (engine, will work with repairs), Land Rover Series III truck (no engine) Land Rover parts, Postie motorbike, 250 Honda motorbike, 2016 Toyota Hilux, Double axel trailer w cage, Toyota Corolla paddock basher (1200 CC), Box trailer + cage, Old timber tailer with metal frame, 4 wheeler w bull bar, Outside entry: 2018 CF Moto Quad bike with all accessories 6800kms. Farm Plant and Machinery: Ford Ferguson Tractor (needs battery), Backhoe + bucket + claw, Slasher (3-point linkage), Super spreader (3-point linkage), Cement mixer (3-point linkage) Red spray unit (3-point linkage), Lucerne mower, Harrows, Challenge tractor blade (orange), Grader blade (towed behind a tractor), Rock rake (McKay Pusher Rake), Bunyip plough slipper (Yeamans), Multiple truck wheel chains, Truck gate, Auger motor (parts only), Fuel drum pump, Connor Shea one way plough (14 disc), Harrow + tow bar, Yeamans Graham Holmes stump jump (9 tine, 3pt linkage), Piston pump, BandS motor, Firefighting motor (9-10 HP), BandS motor (9-10 HP). Electric blowers (for silos, 240v) 4-cylinder engine, Davey water pump fast fill + hoses (within a yellow frame), feed trailer x 2, Spray tank

Davey fire fighting pump, Bullock yokes, Heavy duty wheel chains (Marcedes truck), Husqvarna TS 138 ride on lawn mower, grain hopper Livestock and Fencing: Railway line, Head bail (in situ within race currently), Loading ramps, leather stock saddle, wool classing table (top only), Shearing Shed Engine (with water tank and belt) large bird avery, Outside entry: Iron post puller x 2

Workshop and Sundries: Old fire fighting pump (no motor, silver drum centrifugal pump), Dog kennels, batteries, Fuel tanks x 2, Wood pile (approx. 2mt + of split wood) tools – assorted, Portable Welding Kit, Oxy-acetyl cutter, Hydraulic floor trolley jack (garage jack) x 2 (big and little) 1.35mt capacity, AEG 550W bench grinder 200mm, Bosch PBS75A electric grinder, Hitachi electric grinder, Karcher x 2 (K2.54), Hanging pulley / universal ram, Endless chain/ motor pulleys x 2 (big and little) hanging from ceiling, Bag trolley, Drill press, Pipe bender and dies, Generator/alternator 6.5 KVA, Air compressor (Peerless) 275L, 10 cubic feet, Drum pumps x6, Diesel filler/filter, bench saw, Danham Tornade Mark II, Homelite series 1256070, Stihl brushcutter autocut, Sthil FS-90 brushcutter w metal blade, Husqvarna 36 air injection chainsaw, Stihl BGE61 electric blower, Husqvarna 18H 78 Noise dBA chainsaw, Stihl 070AV chainsaw, Husqvarna 236 8-series X-Toro chainsaw, Compound Miter Saw Makita LS1040, Bosch Belt Sander (PBS 75A), Electric meat saw, assorted shelves, metal welding table, garden tools – shovels etc, 2 x push mowers, Antiques and Furniture: Antique fertiliser spreader trailer, Old metal wool press (not working), Old hand saws (collectable items) x 4, Lucerne cutters/loose hay saws x 2, Kerosene fridge, Wagon wheel rims, Vintage restored horse wagon, Vintage chainsaws, Hand drill (antique), Antique firefighting hand pumps x 5, Garden decorations – potato ploughs, corn mill etc, Wine barrel, Pine kitchen dresser. Antique bedroom dresser, chest freezer, corner clock and shelving unit, 8 seater dining table x2, Metal Clawfoot bathtun, Wool bale scales (antique). Pianola, Gymnastics Horse w Leather Top, Wooden Gymnastics Springboard, large milk churn, Vacola bottles w lids x 3 wheelie bins. Outside entry: antique bottles, 2 x patio heater, 3 x mountain bikes, 2 x colour tv.

Outside entries welcome.

Please contact Damien with item details.

Drivers Licence/ID required to register to bid.

Cash or Eftpos payment on day.

Selling agents: Nutrien Cooma. Damien Roach – 0427 253 250.

Casual Staff Wanted

The Town Club in Berridale is seeking BAR STAFF

General bar work

No experience necessary on the job training available

Hours from 2.30pm to about 9pm

Approximately 3 to 4 shifts per week

Must have RSA and RCG competency card or be prepared to obtain

Contact Macca c/- the Town Club on 0418 475 131

NEAL, Beryl. Passed away peacefully on Monday, April 29, 2024 at her residence. Formerly of Commissioner Street, Cooma. Aged 98 years.

Dearly loved wife of Neville (dec). Mother of Beryl (dec), Carline, Lynette (dec), Neville and Donna (dec). Adored grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother to all her many grandchildren.

The relatives and friends of the late Berly Neal are invited to attend her funeral service, to be held in the St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Cooma on Monday, May 13, 2024 commencing at 11am. At the conclusion of the service, the cortege will proceed to Cooma Lawn Cemetery, Cooma.

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by family and

First game one to remember

By EM ROLFE

SATURDAY saw the under 10 Cooma Red Devils run onto their home field at Rotary Oval with the support of the under 14s and the entire Cooma rugby community.

The under 10s welcomed Marist U10 (blue) with respect and a country hospitality, stepping forward and shaking hands of the Marist players that jumped onto the Cooma side, so all players on the day were able to play a full game.

The referee was Langdon Gould, and with a hearty discussion with coaches, managers and players, he established the game would be about fun and learning.

This saw Red Devils coach Jack French out on the field along with the Marist coach, supporting all the players during the game.

The under 10s came out with a lot of spirit and excitement, which was maintained for the entirety of the game.

In the first half with the Red Devils dominating field position, Matty Alcock made an early run.

TRY TIME

An attacking raid by Blake French, supported by Bill Neilson, saw from the ruck Hayden Schubert find a clear line down the wing to secure his second (of three) tries for the game.

Bill Neilson’s sideline conversion attempt was a terrific effort, falling just short. A tough one to crack, this allowed for all the players to change their plan of where they scored, being between the posts.

Marist didn’t let up though and it saw the Red Devils really having to show up in their defence. Consistently, Braxton Benn, Luke Cook, Blake French and Bill Neilson were at the ready when the Marist forwards were on the attack.

Just as consistent were Patrick O’Neill, Anthony Backhouse, Francesco Maraviglia and Kodie Schubert, ensuring the Marist backs didn’t have the chance to get too far, and if they did they, ensured the try line wasn’t crossed.

The Red Devils defence was on fire early in the second half, continuing the side’s good form.

Marist made a break and were looking close to scoring, but a lost of the ball was pounced on by Red Devil Braxton Benn. He ran almost the length of the field, whilst dodging Marist defenders, to secure his first try in rugby union.

Patrick O’Neill made a confident break away, with the

Red Devils following close with support.

The ensuing tackles by Marist defence saw the referee stop play for some tackling lessons. All the players took this on board.

Francesco Maraviglia lead the way in one of the plays of the match, gaining amply meters for the team before passing the ball off, just in time to Kodie Schubert who made light work slipping through the Marist defence and landing his second try for the game

Anthony Backhouse secured the ball close to Red Devils tryline. With a strong defensive line waiting for him, Anthony found his groove and used quick foot work to carry

him through the line and scoring his first rugby union try.

Matty Alcock slotted the first conversion for the Red Devils.

Anthony was awarded player of the match, sponsored by The Cooma Barber- Dom Giagios - and on the day was presented by under 14 assistant coach Josh Barron. Final score of 37-0 to the under 10 Red Devils. Next week they take on Jindy Bushpigs at home, Rotary Oval.

Junior Red Devils find early form

By ROB WARD

THE Cooma Red Devils under 14s team played their first game of the season on Saturday at Rotary Oval against Marist.

The season is finally here and the side was hoping to continue their form from last year which saw them reach the grand final.

The game started very evenly with Marist turning up ready to play with a well drilled outfit.

Cooma spent the early part of the first half pinned on their own line, giving away penalties as they found it hard to adjust to the required height in the new tackle rule. Although they all defended strongly, the weight of possession led to an early try to Marist which was converted.

Cooma then turned the game in their favour with better discipline, they maintained possession and scored two quick tries which put them in front on the scoreboard.

The Cooma scrum was very impressive considering this was the first time in that position for a couple of the boys with everyone working well together, maintaining a great platform for their talented backline.

An injury to one of the Marist front rowers delayed the game for a good while. All precautions were taken and the young player was

cleared of any serious injury.

The long break might have caused the boys to switch off but after a period of equal competition where the Marist side got within five points of the young Devils.

The strong defence of Cooma and willing running saw them score a couple of tries later in the half to seal the result by 31 points to 19.

Ashton Jameison scored a couple, Ben Alcock got one from close range, while Jacob Wilson continued his front row try scoring run. He provided a great platform with Junior Moore and Henry Campbell in the front row to hold a solid scrum and go forward in the ruck and maul.

Newcomers Riley and Laird also moved into the scrum where they weren’t familiar but tried hard to

help the team and showed great effort in defence on their first outing for the Devils.

Cooma won being one player short with only 14 available. All the players were excellent in support of each other, none more than Ollie Paul who received man of the match. His defence is outstanding and puts some reluctance for the opposition to run his way.

Well done everyone and

congratulations on your performance in the first game of the season. Thanks also to all the senior players who came early to support the side who also supported the first outing for the mighty under 10 Devils whose happy faces give a great lift to all those who donate their time to make this club a great place to have some fun and enjoy being in a team environment.

AWARD: Ollie Paul receives the player of the match honour from award sponsor Dom Giagios (left) - The Cooma Barber - and Red Devils president Sean Neilson.

WINNERS: The under 14 Cooma junior Red Devils win their first match of the season. PHOTOS: Cooma Red Devils

TALENT: Cooma under 10 Red Devil Anthony Backhouse is awarded player of the match from Red Devils under 14 assistant coach Josh Barron.

The Cooma under 10 Red Devils score a long range try during the side’s first win. A new age division for the club, the under 10s win their opening match of the season. PHOTOS: Em Rolfe

Michael stars at Aus nationals

COOMA bocce star Michael Pevere has starred at the recent national championships, finishing with four gold medals.

Michael has already carved out an impressive bocce career with two international appearances at the prestigious Denis Ravera Championships in Monacco.

Michael headed to Melbourne, along with competitors from across the country, for the National Junior Bocce Championships.

Competing over the weekend of April 27 and 28, Michael did his Cooma community proud. He competed in singles, bowl throw, precision throw, progressive

throw and mixed bowl throw. Michael made the finals and came away with multiple gold medals and one silver medal and a best and fairest award. This effort has given Michael the opportunity to participate in the World Championships which will be held in Puerto Rico during December.

Michael Pevere of Cooma is congratulated by his dad, David, on winning multiple medals at the national junior bocce championships.

Supplied

Grand finalists ready for new season showdown

THE Jindabyne Bushpigs flying start to the season has continued with the current premiers recording their third consecutive win by more than 50-points.

This time it was the Australia Defence Force Academy who felt the Bushpigs’ might, as the Jindabyne side raced in eight tries.

A big weekend of rugby awaits the Bushpigs as the side faces last year’s grand final opponents, the Crookwell Dogs.

In a thrilling premier-

Riding for Reg WINNER

ship decider in front of hundreds of Bushpigs fans, the side won 50-33. The side expects a close encounter this week.

A big Saturday of rugby will see five junior sides in action before the Bushpigs at 2.30pm. The Miss Piggies are away in Canberra.

The junior Bushpigs took to the field over the weekend for round one. Showcasing their hard work in pre-season, the sides all played well.

Bushpigs results First Tracks Boardstore

U10s lost to St Eddies 17-22 Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety U12s lost to St Eddies 19-36

Birchwood Jindabyne U13s defeated Royals 50-17 Rip Curl Jindabyne U15s defeated Marist 26-15

Get Fenced U16s defeated Trinity 40-35

Jindabyne Real Estate U18s lost to Radford 5-23

Wildbrumby schnapps distillery Miss Piggies lost to ADFA 5-67

Banjo Paterson Inn Bushpigs defeated ADFA 50-0

THE Bombala Motorcross Club held a special event over the weekend in honour of Luke Alcock (Reg).

The club’s Ride for Reg memorial day held on May 4 attracted a large crowd, including family and friends of Reg.

Ride for Reg is a memorial ride this his friends and family have participated in since 2018 to celebrate Reg’s birthday (14-05-1991).

Reg was the nephew of the Bombala Motorcross Club president, and one of the most talented motorbike racers to come out of Bombala.

The Alcock family raced the Amcross series when it first started back in the early 2000s, state titles, and local rounds of the FSCMCC and CORC, and ACT Championships.

Reg was a natural rider, some local riders have many stories of his all or nothing racing style.

Reg was tragically taken on February 23, 2017.

There were 40-riders who attended the memorial ride.

PHOTO:

SUCCESS: The Jindabyne junior Bushpigs celebrate a winning start to the season.

PHOTO: Jindabyne Bushpigs

Riding to honour Reg saw more than 40 riders turn out at the Bombala Motorcross Club track.

RIDING: Bombala Motorcross Club riders honoured the late Luke ‘Reg’ Alcock with a memorial ride over the weekend. PHOTOS: Bombala Motorcross Club

Red Devils open season account

By NATHAN THOMPSON

THE Cooma Red Devils senior side had their first win of the season with a strong 40-14 victory over Batemans Bay.

The Red Devils attack was on song with some slick moves finally paying off from the backline. Centre Josh McDonald crossed for a hat-trick, continuing his fine start to the season. In the forwards, the Red Devils controlled possession and were clinical at the breakdown. Some great attacj and defence came from Jesse McMahon

In front of goal, Damien Roach slotted five conversions.

Another solid game from number eight Will Bucknell saw him score two tries. Cameron Kirk also played with strong runs and a try.

A terrific result for the

Tight finish in pairs final

By COOMA BOWLS

IN the second semi-final of the Cooma Bowling Club Pairs, patrons witnessed the closest match yet.

Colin Roberson and Don Menchin took on Max Butler and Rowan Venables, last Saturday.

Scores in the match went 6-6, 8-8, 12-12, 16-16. At this point, Colin and Don jumped four ahead. With three ends to play Rowan and Max bowled well to get back to 20-20 on the last of 21 ends.

A deciding end had to be played to get a result. Colin and Don were able to get three bowls close to the jack and although several of Max and Rowan’s bowls just missed by a whisker, the final score was 23-20 in favour of Colin and Don.

The club pairs grand final will now be played between Colin Robertson/Don Mechin against the formidable pairing of Mel Sorta and Geoff Venables.

Social bowls on May Tony Venables (new member), Renata Winckel, and Mark Buckley had a close match against Sarah Perkins, Bruce Stewart and Geoff Venables. The former won 14-13. Paul Faller (new member) and Daphne Buckly led well for Mick Mathew and they just held on 14-11 to beat grant Tillbrook, Tony Gray and Phil Hunter.

Mens singles championships

The draw is on the board at the club. All round one matches are to be played on or by 18th May and subsequent rounds are to played each week.

Smith claims monthly medal

By COOMA GOLF CLUB

THERE was a large field at the Cooma Golf Club over the weekend with the May monthly medal up-for-grabs.

The overall winner and A Grade medal winner was Peter Smith with a fine score of 68 nett. Helen Crawford took out the B Grade medal with 69 nett, and the C Grade medal went to Marty Gelling with 72 nett.

Balls were won byKen McGrath, Paul Dyball, Gino Cerro, Lyndon Taylor and Ben Smith.

Nearest the pin on hole four went to Phil Ingram, hole nine to Tom Stewart, hole 11 to Lyndon Taylor and Sean Smith was closest on 17.

Red Devils who have the bye this weekend.

Three points for the end of year awards went to Josh McDonald, two to Jesse McMahon, and one shared between Will Bucknell and Damien Roach. Player’s player went to McDonald.

In the long drives, Paul Dyball was the winner of the A Grade, Jason Brazulaitis won B Grade, Fletch Jones was the winner o C Grade and Helen Crawford won the Ladies.

In Sunday’s stableford, Brian Searl was the overall winner with 40 points followed by runner-up Bailey Burke.

Balls went to Jason

Brazulaitis, Shannon Fergusson, Stephen Young, Paul Dyball, Jai Burke, Mark Burke, Norman Marshall and Ben Rolfe. Nearest the pin on hole was won by Brazulaitis.

In last week’s midweek monthly medal, the medal winner was Brian Searl with a great score of 68 nett.

The A Grade winner was David Robinson with 71 nett, the B Grade winner was Gino Cerro, also with 71 nett, and the C Grade winner was Frank McKnight with 70 nett. Balls went to Helen Crawford, David Stewart, Mark Rainsford, Marty Gelling and Ken McGrath. Nearest the pin went to Mark Kelly on hole nine nd Ken McGrath on 17.

The Saturday, Sunday and the midweek competitions are all stablefords.

The draw for the pairs fourball-best-ball match play will be out this week. There are still a couple of spots available for any pairs wanting to join in - please speak to club captain Tom Stewart if you would like to sign up.

TACTICS: The brains trust behind the Cooma Red Devils - coaches James Quodling and Geoff Stokes, talk tactics during the side’s win over Batemans Bay PHOTO: Brian Coyte

Reserves fight hard

By DAVID BRISON

IN A strong start to the game, Stallions fullback

Declan Gregory made a break down the right hand side of the field and

slipped a nice pass to young centre Gus Brabham who flashed over for a try. Robbie Smith converted, 6-0.

Despite some patches of really good defence by forwards Mill Issa, Jake Byrne, Cameron Filtness and the father and son combination of Ryan and Lee Morgan, the Sharks were able to run in the next 22 points for a disappointing 6-22 half time score. After the break, Cooma looked to take more control with the Sharks just stopping a long Cooma

raid. Gregory at fullback did a great head-on tackle to cut down a long Moruya incursion.

The Sharks scored again before the Stallions halves of Jack Newson and Thomas King were able to work the homeside into a position where King was able to cross over from short range.

Gregory’s conversion hit the upright and bounced back, 10-26. The Sharks replied with a converted try, before Thomas King did a neat show and go on the half way line and went straight

Fillies clip Eagles wings

By DAVID BRISON

ON A cool, miserable, late autumn day at the Cooma Showground, the Stallions hosted the Moruya Sharks in first and reserve grade, and the Tathra She-Eagles travelled up the mountain to take on the Cooma side in league-tag.

The Tathra Ladies League Tag were undefeated so far this year. They got off to a good start immediaetly attacking the Fillies line.

Desperate defence by Captain Ruby Barnes and new recruit Jess Clarke saved certain tries.

However, they were able to capitalise on their field position and scored an unconverted try on our left edge, 0-4.

The Fillies got a bit of good ball and were able to work their way deep into the SheEagles red zone. Ruby Barnes scored after some good work by Maddie Barnes.

Ruby narrowly missed the conversion, 4-4.

With half time approaching young full back Bryanna Wittig was able to tag a break through She-Eagle to maintain a four all half time score.

After the break the She-Eagles scored almost immediately, 4-8. And they then got a bit of a roll-on. Desperate defence by Jordy Bredon and then Bryanne Wittig saved three almost certain tries.

In the play of the day, Jess Clark made a half-break passed to Maddie Banks who threw a speculator which was grabbed by Chloe Trevanion who scored.

Ruby just missed the conversion. 8-8. Shortly after and Maddie made a break, passed to Chloe who drew and passed back to Maddie who was tagged just centimetres from the line. An 8 all draw was a fitting result for the tussle between two evenly matched teams.

Three points and players’ player to Bryanna Wittig, two to Sophie Caldwell and one to Erin Trevanion.

Concentration lapse costs Stallions

By DAVID BRISON

THE first fifteen or so minutes saw both teams attack and defend well as the play went end to end.

Cooma forwards William Tutai, Richard Bensley and Klies Kaiarake laid a strong platform but the Moruya team was able to break through.

Stallions winger Jake Clare saved a try initially, but moments later and they were over, 0-6.

Fullback Keegan Caldwell defused a couple of high bombs and Riley Casey and Josh McDonald made strong runs.

Second rower Will Cahill grabbed an intercept and made a great run before finally being rounded up, the play broke down near their line with a lost ball.

The Stallions forced a line drop out onto Moruya and captain-coach Steve Dunn was stopped on the line, but no try.

through and out paced the opposition to score. Smith added the extras, 16-32. They scored again, 16-36.

From the restart Lee Morgan did a one-on-one strip of the ball and ran 25 metres to score next to the posts. Smith added the extras. 22-36. Not to be outdone they scored on the last play for a final scoreline of 22-40.

Three points to Thomas King, two to James Russell and one to captain-coach James Boller. Players’ player. Lee Morgan.

Shortly afterwards, a slick backline movement saw winger Kristian Zusak in for a try. Brother Nick narrowly missed the conversion, 4-6.

The Stallions dropped the ball on the second tackle, a scrum and then penalty to Moruya and they scored, 4-12.

The Sharks return the compliment by knocking on from the kick off. Levita Levita put Klies into a gap, but he was stopped centimetres from their line.

Quick hands out the back and fullback Caldwell put winger Kristian Zusak away down the sideline, with the cover defence closing rapidly, Zusak slowed and stepped

inside, accelerated again and was over for his second try. Nick converted from near the sideline for a 10-12 halftime scoreline.

For the first 25 or so minutes of the second half, Cooma looked the better team. Nick made a long break and was stopped just short of the line. Kristian was over for his third but apparently stepped on the sideline, so no try. Nick did another great, long run, but the ball was spilled over the try line.

With Caldwell off, Luke Bracher went to fullback and made a couple of great tackles. He broke through on a return run and was stopped with a very high tackle. So no try. Centre Jonah Perea was forced off with injury.

Immediately after the stop in play and Cooma’s concentration lapsed. Moruya was over for a converted tr, 10-18. Moments later and they again capitalised on another lapse and they scored again, 10-24.

Despite 10 minutes remaining and Cooma attacking strongly, they couldn’t haul back this deficit and the Sharks ground out a win.

Three points to Levita Levita, two to Nick Zusak and one to Klies Kaiarake. Players’ player Will Cahill. Next Saturday sees the Stallions again at home hosting the Snowy River Bears. At this stage Fillies will kick off at 12 noon, reserves at 1pm and first grade at 2.30pm. Lucky Joker did not get drawn and so $10K will again be up for grabs at the Cooma Hotel on Saturday May 11 after our games. Joker will be drawn at 7pm.

Father and son, Ryan and Lee Morgan played their first match together in the Stallions reserve grade fixture on Sunday. The special moment was celebrated by the two with proud family and friends watching on.

PHOTO: Bec Morgan MILESTONE

FORM: Richard Hendriks won on Sunday on a countback with 38 points.

PHOTO: Coolamatong Golf Club

Hot scores at Coolamatong

By COOLAMATONG GOLF CLUB

COOLER weather greeted golfers this past week, but running hot today on Sunday was Richard Hendriks who won the day with 38 points on a countback from big hitting Josh Shortland.

Hendriks’ back nine of 20 points clinched the day including three, three, pointers in a row from 12 to 14. Shortland had a very good round, shooting 76 scratch but scoring only 19 points on the back nine would land him in second place.

In the ladies Sunday competition, Kylie Woodcock was on top with 31 points from Jan O’Halloran 30 followed by Vickii Roarty and Virginia Logan.

In the men’s A grade, Shortland was atop with 38, Charlie Filtness 34 and Kevin Fielding on 33.

In B grade, Jason Christie had 37 points, Sam Noller 34 and three golfers on 33 points, Stephen Edwards, Ra-

nier Beisnner and Peter Hastings.

The C grade winner was Hendriks with 38 points, Bryn Nicholas on 37 and Robert Mullen 34.

The mixed four-ball 27hole championships on Sunday were won by Carolyn Major and Stephen Young, clear winners with 62 from Michelle and Roger White who shot 69.

Nearest the pins for men were Filtness on hole three, Beissner on eight, Andrew Haigh on 15 and Ken Kable on 17.

For the ladies near pins, Jan O’Halloran captured the third, Roarty on eight and 15 and Michelle White on 17.

Last Wednesday it was the battle of A grade for the day’s winner with Chris Brown scoring 37 points to take out the day. Stephen Jermyn was second with 36 points and Greg Quinn placed third in A grade with 33 points.

Captain Geoff Murphy led the charge in B grade with 34

points over David Rubin with 33 in second place followed by Bruce Hart with 32 points.

In C grade. Zac Norris had 34 points and Roy Gabriele 30 points.

Harros Cup on June 2

Before the snow season kicks off, all members and visitors are invited to play in the Harros Cup for handicap and non-handicap players.

David Harrison, who passed away in late 2021 was a much-loved member and friend of Coolamatong Golf Club and it would be great to see a huge turnout for this event.

Visitors can contact the golf club to register their name.

Town Club restaurant

This Wednesday night, May 8, the Town Club restaurant opens for guests looking for a delicious meal.

The restaurant will be open four nights per week, Wednesday to Saturday from 5.30pm and the club welcomes Lena and chef Morgan who have a great menu.

Pennants win for Bombala goflers

By BOMBALA GOLF CLUB

BOMBALA hosted the latest round of Pennants on Saturday. It was a chilly day that didn’t improve until the fog lifted.

Bombala defeated Coolamatong 1 – 5/0, Nimmitabel defeated Coolamatong 2 –3/2. At this point Nimmitabel is leading. The winner on Saturday was young Lakyn Tonks with 35 points. Nick Ryan had a big win also with 34 points.

Balls went to Leon Jones 32 points and Pepper Thompson 30 points.

Nearest the pin on 17 went to Ray Crawford. Golden shot was won by Pepper Thompson.

On Sunday, the event was a four-ball stableford for Murphy’s Transport and Bombala Electrical Trophies.

Pepper Thompson was on fire, his partner was along for the ride. Pepper and Brad Yelds had the great score of 49 points to win the trophies.

Balls went to Glen Hampshire 31 points, Ollie Chapman 31 points, Mitch Canty 30 points, Cliff Richards 30 points, Ray Fermor 29 points, Neil Thompson 27 points, Alan Parsons 27 points, Tony Perry 26 points, Bill Buckley 25 points, Nick Donnelly 25 points, and Roger White 25 points. For members not in the Pennant team, the winner was Wayne Elton 36 points.

Balls were won by Daniel Douch and Ray Crawford 44 points on a countback from Lakyn Tonks and Neil Thompson.

Nearest the pin won by Wayne Elton. Golden shot to Pepper Thompson. Program for the week

Ladies

Wednesday May 8 - Stableford. Club trophy.

Members

Saturday May 11 - Stroke. Monthly medal

Sunday May 12 - Stableford. J.Crawford trophy

Don’t forget members, the open tournament just around the corner

Saturday May 18 - Fourball-best-ball

Sunday May 19 - Stroke. Open tournament.

Rivalry reignited

STALLIONS, BEARS READY FOR LOCAL DERBY

IN country sport, there are few things better than a good old rivalry. Local loyalties will be put to the test this weekend when the Cooma Stallions and Snowy River Bears clash.

An exciting Saturday of local rugby league awaits footy fans with the Stallions and Bears in action at the Cooma Showground.

The Stallions have had a mixed start to their Group 16 campaign with two wins and two losses. The side is coming off a last round loss to

Moruya, going down at home 24-10.

The first grade squad has been bolstered by the key signing of playmaker Nic Zusak. Zusak has been in strong form and shapes as a key player ahead of the local showdown.

Wins have come for the Stallions against Eden in the first round of the season and over Bombala in the heritage round match on April 27. The Stallions proved too strong for Bombala, winning 36-18, in the round three match.

The Bears have started the season in fine form, registering three wins from as many matches. The Jindabyne club collected a first round win over Bombala 58-10, a second round triumph against Batemans Bay 46-24, and a third round win over premiers Merimbula-Pambula.

The Bears staged a memorable second half comeback to beat the 2023 premiers 30-20 in a nail biting second half.

After a dismal first half where they trailed 14 to nil,

and not looking any chance of victory, the Jindabyne team rallied in front of a boisterous home crowd scoring five tries to one in the last 40 minutes.

New winger Maika Rovouvou started proceedings with two tries in the 44th and 57th minutes, before Troy Freedbody dragged defenders with him to storm over and put the bears in front for the first time in the 61st minute.

In front on the scoreboard and now gaining huge mo-

mentum, the Bears had the greater will to win and shocked the visiting team with further tries to emphatic fullback Dean Wilson and a final nail in the coffin with a Brendon Taueki try in the 74th minute.

The Stallions will host three grades on Saturday. The Cooma Fillies play Bega at 12pm, reserve grade face the Bears at 1pm and the first grade encounter kicsk off at 2.30pm between the Bears and Stallions.

Bears fullback Dean Wilson shapes as a key player for his side in this weekend’s local clash. PHOTO: Steve Cuff

DERBY: The Cooma Stallions will face the Snowy River Bears in the latest installment of one of country rugby league’s great rivalries.

PHOTO: Nathan Thompson

Budget cuts shock arts, culture sector Residents called to have say

By TRISTA HEATH

SNOWY Monaro Regional

Council held an extraordinary meeting on Thursday May 2 as Councillors discussed the dra budget and operational plan now on public exhibition.

Amongst the many amendments to previous Council supported programs, is the signi cant funds slashed in their involvement with the arts and culture in the region.

The business papers stated, ‘reduce the capacity to develop community issue strategic plans by 50 percent and no longer support the Monaro Regional Interagency group or Arts and Culture Committee.

By reducing their funds by 50 percent, the estimated impact is expected to be $80,000.

Chair of Lake Light Sculpture Management Committee, Steve Cooper said Council’s nancial struggle must be dire for cutting arts funding to be looked at as something that will make a di erence to the budget bottom line.

“To see the already small allocation in place to support arts and culture in the Snowy Monaro region slashed is disappointing,” Mr Cooper said.

“This is a largely, almost exclusively in fact, a volunteer supported industry that provides a breadth of experience to visitors to the region and goes some way to demonstrate that the area is more than just snowy hydro,

farming, and snow sports.

“Where we have seen recent investment in the regional sculpture trail (Snowy Valleys Council) SECCA - a revitalised state of

port the arts.”

is almost solely reliant on volunteers and limited physical space to sup-

Arts and culture groups across the region are hoping funds will not be cut.

■ Read more on page 4

By NATHAN THOMPSON

SNOWY Monaro ratepayers are being urged to have their say on Council’s proposed budget and operational plan for the next nancial year, following the documents being placed on public exhibition.

At an extraordinary Snowy Monaro Regional Council meeting last week, a hour long discussion concluded with the documents being released for community input. Council proposes service reductions to its economic, community development and biosecurity functions, cutting the mobile library service, and re-organising its sta ng structures.

“I would love to see these documents out for exhibition to educate our community and let them have their say,” Cr Louise Frolich said.

“There are some alarming costs, let’s educate the community and bring them along with us.” Community consultation opened on Monday May 6 and runs until Monday June 3. Feedback on Council’s 2022-26 delivery program, and 2024-25 operational plan, revenue policy and fees and charges, can be provided online through Your Say Snowy Monaro and at a series of consultation sessions.

The rst of the consultation sessions will be held in Adaminaby at the School of Arts hall from 4pm to 6pm on Monday May 13.

A Jindabyne session will be held between 2pm and 4pm outside Council’s o ce on Gippsland Street on Monday May 27.

the art gallery in Bega Shire and other similar ventures in thriving regional towns, this region

COUNCIL BUDGET: Local Gordon Litchfield won the Lake Light Sculpture Environment Award in 2023 worth $7000 for his work Serated Tussock. Awards funding such as this are in jeopardy of being significantly cut.

PHOTO: Trista Heath

Jindabyne’s moguls star

LODGE AWARDED JUNIOR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Where

IT WAS a night to remember in Melbourne on Thursday May 2, as a phenomenal snowsports season was celebrated at the 2024 Snow Australia Awards.

The northern winter set new heights in Australian snowsports with athletes collecting ve Crystal Globes for topping the FIS World Cup standings.

Across Olympic and Paralympic disciplines, Australian athletes scored 53 World Cup podium performances which included 18 victories.

The next generation also performed strongly at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, Korea, bringing home three medals.

“The Snow Australia Awards are a fantastic occasion to recognise the incredible performances of our athletes who this season recorded our best international season in Australia’s history,” said Michael Kennedy, Snow Australia CEO.

“We are not only achieving podium results across multiple disciplines and events, but also achieving breakthrough results across our alpine and cross country skiing disciplines.

“Pleasingly we can see our next generation emerging and their performances at the Winter Youth Olympic Games are evidence that our sport has a healthy future for years to come.”

The Junior Athlete of the Year award was shared by freeskier Daisy Thomas and Jindabyne’s rising moguls skier Lottie Lodge.

The pair both represented Australia at the Youth Winter Olympic Games in January, coming away with silver medals.

In addition to the Award, both athletes will receive a return international airfare from long-time snowsports supporter, Karbon.

A debut appearance at last year’s Junior World Championships set Lodge up for a strong 2023/24 campaign.

A er competing in North America in December 2023, Lodge represented Australia at the Youth Winter Olympic Games, combining with Edward Hill for a quarter- nal appearance in the team event before taking dual moguls silver.

She was only beaten by an athlete who has since stood on the World Cup podium next to Jakara Anthony.

The Jindabyne and snow community congratulate Lodge on her achievements as she takes no breaks to further her moguls skiing this winter season, all while studying and completing her Year 12 HSC.

ATHLETE: Jindabyne’s Lottie Lodge (pictured) was awarded Junior Athlete of the Year at the 2024 Snow Australia Awards shared by freeskier Daisy Thomas.