MP20250423

VISITOR BOOST

attracted thousands of visitors to the Snowy Monaro with organisers reporting some of their best numbers in years.

On Easter Saturday, the popular Adaminaby and Berridale Easter Fairs drew thousands of visitors, mostly from the Canberra region, Riverina and Far South Coast.

One of the Adaminaby Easter Fair organisers, Tim Corkill, said this year’s event proved to be one of the best.

“The fair was very busy this year, we were very happy with the crowd,” Mr Corkill said.

Berridale’s fair attracted thousands as did the returning Lake Light Sculpture event in Jindabyne, and the Jindabyne Lions art show.

region’s events on pages 15, 16, 20 and 21.

Meeting mayhem

By NATHAN THOMPSON

A DRAMATIC Snowy Monaro

Regional Council meeting has seen five councillors leave the table during a notice of motion and an altercation requiring police attendance.

The meeting and the altercation has been described as ‘absolute chaos’ by Member of the Legislative Council and former Member for Monaro, Nichole Overall.

NSW Police told this masthead police were called to a local council building on Commissioner Street Cooma, following reports of an altercation.

“Officers attached to Monaro

Police District arrived and were told three men had a physical altercation in the building (with the men aged 52, 59 and 64) with one of the men sustaining a minor arm injury,” NSW Police via its statement to the Monaro Media Group

“Police are investigating the incident.”

The incident is believed to involve two members in the public gallery and Cr Andrew Thaler, who confirmed via his social media platform he was involved in the incident.

The altercation started when one of the men allegedly began filming the other.

The man was asked to stop filming, and allegedly continued

recording on his phone.

The other man, allegedly reached for the phone.

In the altercation that followed, he sustained minor injuries and has been receiving medical treatment at Cooma hospital.

Cr Thaler said he intervened to assist the man filming, alleging the other man had dispossessed him of his phone.

Cr Thaler denies any wrongdoing.

Before the altercation, the meeting saw five councillors - Crs Stewart, Davis, Rooney, Summers and Higgins, leave the table during a notice of motion.

The motion regarding a

property in Nimmitabel, was deemed ‘unlawful’ by meeting chair, Cr Tricia Hopkins, due to an alleged conflict of interest

Cr Thaler has with the property owners.

The motion was removed from the agenda.

Mrs Overall has called on the Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig to take decisive action on ongoing issues emerging from council warning of negative implications for councils across the state.

Mrs Overall said the escalating breakdown at council, including a flood of code of conduct complaints against a single councillor, a walkout of five councillors, and an alleged

physical assault at a council meeting, is ‘unworthy’ of local government.

“Almost three months after the Performance Improvement Order, in Parliament in March, I called for the Minister to take immediate action to preserve the integrity of local government following serious complaints and concerns I was receiving from that community, particularly in relation to one councillor,” Mrs Overall said.

“The fallout is councillors unable to do the job they were elected to do.

“The well-being of council staff is being impacted, and ratepayers are the ones paying the price - in all ways.”

PROUD: Two of the organisers of the Adaminaby Easter Fair, Tim Corkill and Heather Quinlan, are all smiles during one of the biggest fairs in the event’s history. PHOTO: Nathan Thompson

NSW Parliament ‘show’ heads to the regions

THE NSW Parliament’s 2025 Regional Roadshow arrived at Queanbeyan last week and among the student leaders involved were Zara Mesley and William Broe from Snowy Mountains Grammar School.

The second year the initiative has been staged, the roadshow focuses on promoting civic engagement among young people in regional communities and encouraging their active participation.

Six regional centres were selected for 2025, including Queanbeyan.

Hosted by the NSW Legislative Council’s president, Ben Franklin MLC, and Nichole Overall, also a Member of the Legislative Council, was present for the event.

“It was terrific to welcome student leaders from around Southern NSW to participate, and from a local perspective, it was great to hear the thought-provoking contributions of Zara and Will,” Mrs Overall said.

“Our young people in our regional communities have a vital role to play in shaping the future of our state and this is a positive and constructive way to have meaningful conversations on what’s important to them.”

The day featured a public speaking competition with seven student speakers and a

Youth Forum where 26 young leaders raised issues of concern, explored solutions, shared lived experiences, and discussed how they envision their futures.

“These forums gave the students an opportunity to express their ideas and engage directly in the democratic process in the presence of Parliamentarians,”

Mrs Overall said.

“I appreciated the chance to discuss with them issues

including their decisions on choosing university or a trade, housing, and social media and the rapid development of AI.

“I also asked about the Netflix series Adolescence, and was very interested to hear their responses on the need to have these difficult conversations and the differences in the challenges affecting young people today.”

The Regional Roadshow will travel to Tamworth, Griffith,

Cessnock, and Orange in the coming months.

“The success and popularity of these events reinforces the importance of initiatives like this to create meaningful exchanges and avenues to raise issues, but also potential pathways forward,”

Mrs Overall said.

“It was an inspiring day where both current and future leaders listened and learned from one another.”

CANDIDATES contesting the seat of Eden-Monaro will address voters at the Snowy Monaro’s only federal election candidate’s forum in Jindabyne on Wednesday, 23 April.

The Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce is hosting the forum to offer community members the chance to hear directly from candidates contesting the seat of Eden-Monaro.

Candidate forums have been held for the electorate in Goulburn and Wamboin.

Jindabyne’s forum at Horizons Lake Jindabyne is the only ‘meet the candidate event’ taking place in the region. It starts at 6pm.

The Chamber said it is hosting the event to promote informed voting and to facilitate policyfocused discussion on key local issues affected by federal government decisions.

Chamber president, Olivier Kapetanakos, has identified the Southern Connector Road, and further tourism funding as some of the key issues facing Jindabyne this federal election.

Jacko and Sue return to area by popular demand to save Berridale’s historic pub

By KAREN FORMAN

FORMER Berridale couple Ron “Jacko” and Sue Jackson have come out of retirement to return to the Snowy Mountains town to save the historic Berridale Inn.

The well-known and respected couple, who had sold their lease on a South Coast pub in anticipation of retiring after years of working in hospitality, responded to “phone call after phone call” from locals to take on the Berridale pub and give it back a community hub.

“We were aware the pub needed some improvements and had been empty and that people had been without a place to go with their families where they could eat, feel safe and entertain, for a while,” Mr Jackson said.

“We are both from the area and we really couldn’t say no when so many people were asking, so here we are, set to open on 1 May with a full weekend of live entertainment on 3-4 May from South Coast band, Driving Sideways.

“We are really happy to be here and hope that we can provide the community with what the pub

Locals strive to re-create a family friendly community hub have been better.

did historically. We are all about the community and families and making sure Berridale’s history is preserved.”

Mrs Jackson attended school in Berridale and Mr Jackson’s father worked at Cooma airport.

Mr Jackson has previously worked at Coolamatong Country Club, Snowy Valley at East Jindabyne, ran the Tourist Hotel in

Cooma and a pub in Kulpi, Queensland.

The couple brought their daughter, Brooke, and grandchildren, Xavier, seven, and Piper, nine, with them and the children are looking forward to attending Berridale Public School.

Although they have only had the keys for a week, the family has worked hard with local tradies

they say “have been incredibly supportive” to renovate and create a more welcoming, community, family atmosphere at the pub in time for the opening.

Mrs Jackson’s brother, Alex, and his wife, Leanne, had been particularly helpful, providing plumbing services on a very tight schedule.

The timing couldn’t

have been better.

Berridale has a population of around 1500 and its growth has been recognised with two new subdivisions underway and the Snowy Monaro Regional Council approving the expansion of the cemetery at Gegedzerick, where the historic Anglican church is being restored.

As well, winter is coming and the snow town, which was the administrative centre of the Snowy River Shire until 2016 and then merged with two others, is 25 minutes drive from Jindabyne and less than an hour to the popular ski resorts of Thredbo and Perisher.

It has long been a popular locals’ haven and has several hundred private winter rentals listed online to cater for the overflow of visitors seeking quieter accommodation.

(the country club has

Meanwhile, at Berridale Inn, the front bar will undergo some minor changes, with the front dining area pool tables being re-located to allow for more family friendly dining.

The kids play area has also been re-located to the front dining area.

The large Merino Room at the back will be available for functions and community groups for meetings and open mics and live entertainment.

“We really want to encourage local groups to come in and run raffles, open mics, support local musicians, bring in visiting acts, and make the pub a safe place for women to come alone,” Mr Jackson said.

“We will offer a family friendly menu with lots of variety.”

Mr Jackson is seeking kitchen and bar staff for the pub and encouraged interested people to send resumes to berridaleinn66@gmail.com

With the pub empty after its previous lessee departed suddenly and the Coolamatong Country Club’s restaurant closed, Berridale residents have been crying out for somewhere to call their own (the country club has recently announced its pop-up restaurant will return for winter, to a great online reception).

GREG COWELL LANDSCAPING

BERRIDALE INN REVIVAL: Sue and Jacko with daughter, Brooke, and grandchildren, Xavier, and Piper.

PHOTO: Supplied

Council to lobby for school hall

By TRISTA HEATH

THE OLD Jindabyne High and Public School site has remained empty since the end of the school year last year, leaving residents questioning its use in the future.

At a Jindabyne Lions Club meeting held on Wednesday 9 April, Snowy Monaro Regional Council mayor, Chris Hanna, and the interim chief executive officer, Stephen Dunshea, updated community members on the latest happenings from the State Government and NSW Department of Education.

Cr Hanna said Council is currently in negotiations with the state government regarding the old school site’s hall, they want local government to take it on for the time being until they know what is happening with the entire site.

“We are just waiting to find out what that looks like in terms of who is going to manage the ongoing cost involved,” Cr Hanna said.

“While state government is still deciding on what is happening with the site, what is it important is that there is a good hall there in good condition, so can we utilise that hall somehow?

“However, we don’t want to take it on if we have to pay for any maintenance or issues.

“We don’t want the asset, we just want to be able to use the hall so the community can get something out of it for at least a couple more years.”

While Council continues to negotiate, Cr Hanna said they do not want to see the site fenced and locked off, as it will not look good and

would be a wasted space.

Mr Dunshea said Council has monthly meetings with state government on the Special Activation Precinct and various other projects in Jindabyne and on that agenda is a standard item brought by former CEO, David Hogan, on what is happening with the school site.

“Four months ago, we discussed what the latest update is, what the concept

is, what the plans are, and these are all with the Department of Education now,” Mr Dunshea said.

“I meet with government representatives, but I am not privy to discussions with the head of the Department of Education.

“I only meet with representatives who are relaying the requests of the Council back to the department of education.

“At our next meeting this

item will be on the agenda again, and I will mention I attended this meeting, and the community of Jindabyne is desperate to have an answer.

“I will also relay how the department of education should hold further community consults or meetings to help explain what is going on and when it will be going on and what the community can expect.”

Structural re-design was undertaken by New England Constructions on the old school site hall to address the existing structure and complex site conditions back in 2016.

The hall remains in good condition today despite weather conditions including rain, snow and hail.

Mr Dunshea said, as the mayor discussed, Snowy Monaro Regional Council was approached to manage the hall.

“What we went back with is exactly what that meant.

“If that means as a community facility Council is managing the booking side, like any other community facility, then we can do that, but if it means managing the maintenance, restorations, utility costs and all the rest of it that goes along with managing any community facility of that nature, then we would need to know very clearly what that is and what costs are associated before we make an agreement to take it on,” he said.

Suggestions on what the hall space could be used for within the community include community events, markets, classes, workshops and more.

COMMUNITY: The old Jindabyne School hall sits empty and unused as Council negotiates using the asset for community purposes.

PHOTO: Trista Heath

Jindabyne Op Shop receives improvements

By TRISTA HEATH

JINDABYNE Op Shop volunteers welcomed back the community after a short two-week closure as the grounds received an upgrade.

Three years ago, the op shop received a government grant of $300,000 through the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program.

This program supports the recovery efforts of communities in eligible Local Government Areas affected by the 2019–20 bushfires.

Chairman of the Alpine Op Shop management committee, Don Hayman, said after receiving the grant the volunteers jumped into action to make the Jindabyne Op Shop and Alpine Uniting Church Hall the town’s emergency shelter location.

“Upon receiving the funds, we started immediately on making plans and organising the contractors to begin the first stage of the upgrades,” Mr Hayman said.

“The funds went towards improvements to the site to ensure its better equipped to become an emergency shelter, a place for people to come when their homes have been affected by a disaster of some sort.

“To improve the

resilience of this community facility we first completed the extension of the pantry in the hall, which was completed months ago, to allow for excess fridges, freezers and pantry space to store food.

“If there is a disaster the hall has a stock of food and equipment to help feed and keep people comfortable and safe.

“In addition the sheltered areas out the front of the op shop building were

extended recently.

“We also have the added outdoor umbrellas and picnic tables and purchased two additional outdoor heaters.”

With the Op Shop winter meals gaining popularity over the winter season on Monday nights, seeing around 200 people in the hall, the extra seating outside under the shelter of the umbrellas means volunteers can cater to more people more comfortably.

Mr Hayman said the

purpose of the grant money, in which the whole amount has now been spent, is to ensure the place has what it needs to fit this emergency service purpose.

“The op shop, which has also been carpeted when the new site was built, would act as a big open space to fit at least 50 people in when needing a safe space to sleep during an emergency.

“It makes the op shop a better facility and we hope

that we never have to use it for that purpose, but it is there if we need it.”

The op shop and memorial hall in Jindabyne are the only two ‘emergency shelter locations’ in town which have a full kitchen, pantry and bathroom facilities with enough space to house people during a disaster.

“These upgrades will benefit us immensely.

“It makes the area a more attractive place to come, it gives families the

STONE SUPPLIES

opportunity to sit at our picnic tables in the shade and watch their children play in the yard.

“Not only will it benefit our community during an emergency situation, but it also enhances connectivity among the community who spend time at the Jindabyne Op Shop.”

Back up and running on Saturday 12 April, volunteers were kept very busy processing 169 transactions in just three hours after its short closure.

Community members enjoying the shade from the new umbrellas.

UPGRADES: Jindabyne Op Shop’s new awning over the main doors will make entry and exit much more pleasant on windy or rainy days. PHOTOS: Supplied

95th year of oldest merino ewe contest in Australia

BERRIDALE Agricultural Bureau will stage the 95th year of the Monaro Districts Maiden Ewe Competition.

The event will be held over two days, Friday, 2 May and Saturday, 3 May.

Over the 95 years of this Maiden Ewe Competition there have been two gaps.

During WWII the event was cancelled in 1943, and then again in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the 95 year span

the merino sheep industry has experienced many changes and challenges, but the Monaro Maiden Ewe Competition has survived and this year will host 11 entrants showcasing their flocks to returning judge Mr Scott Thrift from Narromine, NSW.

Mr Thrift is a stud sheep and wool specialist with AWN Rural.

Mr Garry Kopp from Peak Hill, NSW, Towonga Merino

Stud, will be the second judge to accompany junior judge, Jamie Lette from Berridale, Conrayn Merino Stud.

Despite parts of Monaro experiencing very dry conditions, verging on drought with grass and stock feed becoming very limited, most of the flocks will present in a healthy presentation.

A bus will run over the two days with pick-up in Cooma and Berridale, morning tea will be provided and lunch

Can’t make it on Election Day?

will be available.

Students from Monaro High School, Snowy Mountains Grammar School will travel around the first day of competition.

The presentation dinner will be held at Cooba Motel Berridale, Saturday 3 May at 6.30pm.

For enquiries or information please contact secretary, Zoe Fraser on 0448 726 966, or president, Neil Lynch on 0423 935 304.

Delegate water supply works

SNOWY Monaro Regional Council is conducting water infrastructure work in Delegate until early May, weather permitting.

No interruptions are planned and all properties will continue to have access to their usual water supply during the works schedule.

Residents may notice a change to the colour or clarity of their water over the course of the next several weeks.

This is an expected improvement and not cause for concern.

Delegate town water remains non-potable.

Residents must continue to take the necessary precautions before using Delegate tap water for consumption or bathing.

Work begins on new Bombala Showground sporting facilities

WORK has begun on new sporting facilities, pathways and seating at Bombala Showground as part of stage one in the long-awaited Bombala Sporting Facilities Upgrade project.

Co-funded by the Australian Government and NSW Government through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, this project will provide greater access to sporting and recreation opportunities for communities in the Bombala area.

Weather permitting, stage one is expected to be complete and ready to open to the public later this year.

“Council is really excited to kick off another great sporting infrastructure project here in the Snowy Monaro,” SMRC mayor, Clr Chris Hanna, said.

“These facility upgrades at Bombala Showground are another big investment in the Bombala area and are really going to help people in this part of the region stay active, healthy, and connected as a community.”

The new cricket practice nets will provide local clubs and recreational enthusiasts of the summer game more options to get outside and practice getting bat on ball or toppling middle stump.

Three new spectator seating areas are set to be built to round out stage one of this project, linked together with accessible pathways to ensure friends, family, and fans of all ages and abilities can enjoy the game.

“We’ll be keeping the community updated as we make progress on delivering these new facilities,” Clr Hanna said.

“Council thanks the Australian and NSW Governments for the grant funding that made this project possible.”

For more information about the Bombala Sporting Facilities Upgrade project, please contact Council on 1300 345 345 or send an email to council@smrc.nsw. gov.au

If you can’t vote on Saturday 3 May, you may be eligible to vote early.

All Australian citizens aged 18 years and over are required by law to vote.

Want to do business with Council?

COUNCIL is inviting business operators in the Snowy Monaro to register a free account on the VendorPanel procurement platform, a one-stop-shop for all local government tenders, expressions of interest, and requests for quotation in the region.

So, if you can’t make it to a polling place on election day, you may be eligible to: · vote early at an early voting centre, or · apply for a postal vote.

If you’re travelling, working or will be outside the electorate where you’re enrolled on election day, you can vote early.

To check early voting options and eligibility, visit aec.gov.au/early

Your vote will help shape Australia.

To learn more aec.gov.au/early 13 23 26

This unified platform makes it easy for businesses interested in working with Council to find out about new opportunities, submit and track the progress of bids, quotes and expressions of interest, and simplifies the administration work for all contracts from start to finish.

Visit https://qrco.de/VPregister to sign up for a free account and gain access to Council opportunities, plus thousands of other public and private sector organisations looking for suppliers.

Earlier this year, Council completed a transition of all request for quotation, request for tender, and expression of interest processes over to the VendorPanel platform.

As of April 2025, any business looking to submit a quote, tender bid, or expression of interest must be registered and make their submission through VendorPanel.

Managing every stage of the procurement process in one place is significantly more efficient for Council’s procurement and finance teams, while making it simpler for more businesses – especially small local businesses – to work with Council.

Visit above website or head to https://vendorpanel. com/marketplace-faqs-and-resources for further information about the platform and sign-up process. If there are any problems getting setup, just reach out to the customer support team at support@ vendorpanel.com.au for assistance.

Once registered, there are resources available to help make the most of the opportunities on offer. Businesses with questions can contact 1300 345 345 or council@snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au to find out more.

Ground breaking HeartBug heart service now available in Cooma

By KAREN FORMAN

SNOWY Mountains residents are set to benefit from a fully Medicarefunded, state-of-the-art heart monitoring service, that is now available from Cooma.

HeartBug is a 28-day cardiac monitoring device that provides patients with longer term, non-invasive and 24-hour cardiac monitoring, without having to travel too far from home.

Available from the Monaro Medical Practice (MMP), which has 20 of the devices, with more to come, it can replace the old bulkier 24-hour halter monitors which had to be booked in advance and fitted by pathology staff.

“The big pluses are that people can shower in them, they are fully Medicare rebatable, and the monitoring is done via an app on the patient’s smartphone, linked to a cardiologist who can see what is going on,” MMP principal, Dr Domonic Manassa said.

“Previously to use a HeartBug, people had to travel to Canberra.

out on over 95 per cent of the diagnoses HeartBug

HeartBug is an Australian owned company which uses unique Australian technology.

Dr Manassa said traditional 24-hour halter monitors tended to miss

“We are happy for our or cardiologist so that Medicare is happy to cover the costs.”

“The HeartBug system tion of arrhythmias and manual detection triggered by the patient based on their symptoms,” he said.

“It is paired to an app on the patient’s mobile device, allowing live transmission of this data. All ECGs are reviewed and triaged by

COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS

the dedicated HeartBug Cardiology team and the clinic and the referring doctor are alerted to significant events within one business day of the event.

“This means you can comfortably send the patient home, for example, from the emergency department, and be able to make clinical decisions while the patient is still wearing the HeartBug monitor.”

Registered Nurse, Tyla Owen, said the device was simple to fit in five minutes, with another 15 minutes required to set the patient up with the app and login details and ensure the device was connected.

Cooma woman, Kim, (last name withheld for private reasons) was one of the first to connect to the new Cooma HeartBug service.

She said she was excited to wear a device that was not bulky and liked the cute ladybug themed electrode.

“I have problems with my heart and I used to have to go to Canberra for monitoring, so it is great to be able to have it here,” she said.

“It really means a lot and I am grateful to Monaro Medical Practice for providing the service.”

OLD AND NEW: The HeartBug heart monitor on the le is minimally invasive compared to the traditional 24-hour halter monitor on the right.

STATE-OF-THE-ART HEART MONITORING: Cooma woman, Kim, is fitted with the HeartBug monitor by registered nurse, Tayla Owen.

Mission Australia calls on NSW young people to have their say

MISSION Australia’s annual Youth Survey is open now and the charity is urging NSW young people aged 14-19 to share their views in the largest survey of the nation’s young people.

Now in its 24th year, the Youth Survey is designed to provide an insight into what young people think about life in Australia. The survey gives them the chance to share their opinions on the issues impacting the country, open up about their aspirations and share their lived experience.

In 2024, more than 3500 NSW young people completed the survey, naming cost of living (55 per cent), mental health (28 per cent) and climate change and the environment (24 per cent) as the top issues in Australia.

“Listening to young people allows us to understand the challenges they face, and it’s important given that their voices are often missing from discussions that directly impact them,” Mission Australia state director NSW, Di Kapera, said.

“Last year, for the first time, cost of living was the number one issue of concern for NSW respondents. The data reflected the impact that the high cost of housing and essentials are having on young people and their families.

“We are still experiencing a housing emergency and it’s likely that this year’s responses will similarly highlight the financial pressures that many families in NSW and around the country are feeling.”

Results of the survey will be published in November and are shared with government, non-government organisations, schools and the public.

“Data from the survey is used by a range of organisations and decision makers to inform policies, research and the development of programs and services that support young people,” Ms Kapera said.

This year, the survey has been expanded to include 14-year-olds, to allow for year nine students to participate and share their perspectives.

“Fourteen-year-olds, like their older peers, are thinking about their future and what work and educational opportunities they want to pursue,” Ms Kapera said.

The survey focuses on a wide range of topics, including questions on mental health and wellbeing, sources of support and community connections, housing and financial situation, climate change, study and work and hopes for the future.

Youth Survey 2025 is open to August 15. Respondents can complete the survey online, either through arrangements with participating schools or groups or individually through Mission Australia’s website. Go to www.missionaustralia.com. au/youthsurvey and spread the word using #YouthSurvey2025.

Y Space, strengthening young people’s lives

By MELINDA CAIRNS HACK

HAVE you ever wandered past the Vale Street building that houses Y Space in Cooma, and thought about what’s inside? The small book unit at the entrance with an assortment of books spilling off the shelves is all that can be seen from the outside, but upon walking through the front door, it’s like the Tardis or an Aladdin’s cave - an impressive space that serves a real purpose for the town’s youth.

With the recent announcement the latest Mission Australia Youth survey for the year is now underway, The Monaro Media Group has looked into how Y Space assists with the town and region’s own youth challenges and issues.

Local youth have revealed, in general, they are having trouble in finding a safe and affordable place to live, especially when they have the income to pay rent but are still not able to gain housing - most likely due to their age and no references available.

Although there are support options available while some have been struggling with family and mental health, the main issue they encountered was when things went wrong during the night or on weekends and services were not open during these times.

Over time some of those who needed support learnt skills to help work through their crisis.

Cooma program co-ordinator The Y NSW (formerly YMCA), Cathy Guion, knows first-hand what young people are facing and how it affects their lives.

“In my role I’ve had the privilege of working with young people across the Snowy

Monaro for more than 12 years,” Cathy said.

“It’s a role that’s both incredibly rewarding and challenging, especially in a regional area where access to services is often limited and many young people face complex challenges.

“Y Space Cooma, operated by YMCA NSW, provides a vital support hub for young people aged 12 to 17. It’s a safe and welcoming space where young people can drop in after school, access psychosocial support, connect with workshops and life skills programs, and get help navigating everything from job applications to family challenges.”

Y Space services include:

 Face-to-face support for issues like homelessness risk, disengagement from school, and mental health challenges;

 After-school drop-in sessions with recreational activities and peer connection;

 School holiday programs and creative workshops;

 Life skills and employment readiness workshops;

 Special interest and peer support groups, including LGBTIQ+ youth; and

 Outreach programs and partnerships with local schools and community organisations.

“As youth workers, we become creative problem-solvers,” Cathy said.

“Every young person’s situation is different, and we often have to adapt our supports based on the resources available.

“We’re constantly finding new ways to connect the dots and make the most of the limited resources we have, it’s about being flexible, creative and focused on what will truly help.

“Young people deserve to feel

heard, supported and empowered to build their future. Sometimes, they just need a voice beside them until they find the strength to use their own.”

The main issues facing youth in Cooma are deeply interconnected, according to Cathy.

“Rising cost of living, housing insecurity, poverty, and growing mental health concerns to name a few.

“Unfortunately, the support services simply don’t match the level of need.

“Many young people are doing it tough, and without access to consistent, local resources, particularly outside of Cooma in surrounding towns, their ability to thrive is limited.

“Our Y Space team sees firsthand how a lack of affordable housing, limited mental health support, and financial stress can compound and lead to young people falling through the cracks.

“There is an urgent need for greater investment in youth-specific services across the region to ensure no young person is left behind,” she added.

To try and cater for this need Y Space Cooma provides support and advocacy, tailored workshops, focusing on wellbeing and mental health and a safe welcoming space with access to engaging activities during school holidays and after school. All of these are available alongside psychosocial support and life skills – social skills, relationships, financial management and budgeting, career advice and support.

While Y Space Cooma offers a lot, the need often exceeds what’s available. Young people outside of Cooma, those in

Bombala, Jindabyne, and smaller areas, have even less access to direct support. Outreach helps, and technology plays a role, but it’s no substitute for consistent, in-person connection, especially when mobile coverage or internet access is unreliable.

To continue offering these vital services, the Y NSW relies on government support, community partnerships and individual donations.

“Programs like Y Space Cooma often operate on limited funding, and every dollar helps us expand our reach, run more programs, and respond when young people need us most. If you’re able to support, a donation to the Y NSW is an investment in the wellbeing and future of local young people,” Cathy said.

“One of the biggest gaps in our region is also youth-specific housing or emergency accommodation. If a young person becomes homeless and has no immediate safe alternative, the nearest youth crisis refuge is in Queanbeyan. That means pulling them away from their friends, school, job, and everything familiar at a time when they’re already in crisis.

“What I see every day is young people who are doing their best to navigate a world that can feel overwhelming, especially when the resources just aren’t there. And yet, they are resilient, creative and full of potential,” Cathy said.

“For me, it’s all about the little wins. Seeing a young person re-engage with school, land their first job, or take a small step toward independence, those moments make it all worthwhile.”

The front of the Y Space building in Vale Street featured information about youth homelessness.

VITAL SERVICES: Cooma program co-ordinator The Y NSW (formerly YMCA), Cathy Guion, believes every young person deserves to feel heard, supported and empowered to build their future.

PHOTOS: Melinda Cairns Hack

Jo van der Plaat and the Liberals will help with the cost of living

Immediate relief. The Liberals will halve the petrol tax, saving you 25 cents every litre, or around $1,500 over 12 months.

Tax Relief. Up to $1,200 in tax relief for Australians earning up to $144,000.

Cheaper energy. We will reserve more natural gas for Australians as part of a balanced energy mix.

Affordable homes. We will fund infrastructure required for housing, assist first home buyers, and place a two-year ban on foreign investors and temporary residents purchasing existing homes.

Abolish Labor’s Ute Tax. By abolishing Labor’s unfair tax on families and small businesses it will result in savings of around $2,375 per vehicle by 2029.

nswliberal.org.au/our-plan

THE region was bustling over the weekend, giving businesses much-needed revenue after a quiet few months.

Jindabyne Lake Light Sculpture was a huge success and was a drawcard for hundreds of visitors to holiday and spend time, there was not a shortage of activities, that’s for sure.

Impressive sculptures, both large and small, dotted the pathway of the foreshore and after its last event in 2021, it was more spectacular than ever.

Just across the road at the Town Centre Memorial Hall, the spectacular annual Jindabyne Lions Club Easter Art Show and Sale, featured local artists and photographers from across the region showcasing their talent for everyone to see.

Guest judge from Rodger Skinner Photography, spoke of the incredible talent in the region and named the Easter event one of his favourite to attend each year in the Snowy Mountains.

Bluebird skies saw plenty of mountain bike enthusiasts travel up the mountain to Thredbo to partake in a day of racing, whether it was for leisurely fun or to practice for Thredbo’s Chainless Champs competition at the end of the month before the trails close for the season.

Also on the Easter agenda was the Berridale Easter Fair which grows more in popularity and in stall holders each year, it’s a wonderful event to bring the entire family, support locals and to pick up something unique.

Followed by a quacking good time at the Adaminaby Easter Fair, as community and visitors gathered on the village green to browse the market stalls, take in the big trout and watch one of the most anticipated races of the year, the Wacky Quacky Duck Race.

The community and visitors really embraced the region’s Easter activities this year, a great thing to see after volunteers dedicate so much time and effort to keep these events alive and running in the Monaro.

ANZAC Day services in the Snowy Monaro

DELEGATE

AY STAN, I JUSS WANNA SAYS THAT I REALLY APPRESHHHIATE YA GIVIN’ ME A LIFT HOME. YER A REALS MATE !

110th commemorative service of ANZAC Day Dawn service at the Cooma cenotaph at 5.45am.

Veterans intending to march are to assemble in Centennial Park at 5.30am

Morning service will start at 10.55am after the parade has arrived at the Cooma cenotaph.

Veterans and other organisations should assemble between Mack’s Corner and the Sharp Street bridge from 10.30am.

The parade will step off at 10.45am.

Family members of passed service men and women are welcome to take part in the parade, ancestors medals to be worn on the right side.

This year’s parade will feature the Cooma and District band and be led once again by the Kokoda Company from Royal Military College, Duntroon, followed by veterans and current serving personnel.

Local organisations, such as first responders and schools are welcome to participate in the parade.

This year’s guest speaker will be Commodore Robyn Phillips, RAN, Director of Maritime Geospatial branch and holds the role of hydrographer of Australia.

Members of the public who would like to lay wreaths are welcome to do so, however it is requested they register their details via Cooma-MonaroSB@ rslnsw.org.au specifying which service they will do so, dawn or morning.

Political Point

Scoring

IN THIS age of political point scoring, it is difficult for the public to sort fact from fiction. Unfortunately, scientific facts are disregarded or lost in the rhetoric. This makes it harder for the average person

ADAMINABY

The Adaminaby ANZAC Day service will be held at the School of Arts Memorial Hall, at 11am.

The march will start at 10.50am; marchers are to assemble at the Big Fish at 10.45am.

A community morning tea provided by the Adaminaby Red Cross will follow (gold coin donation appreciated).

Lunch for RSL Sub Branch members, family and friends will start at 1pm at the Snow Goose Hotel.

Two-up at the Snow Goose Hotel at 2pm.

BREDBO

10am March from Cnr Walker and Bunyan Streets to the Memorial at Bredbo Centennial Park, step off 10.15am. 10.30am ceremony at Bredbo Centennial Park followed by morning tea at the hall. Bring a plate to share post ceremony.

2Up in the beer garden from 2pm at the Bredbo Inn Hotel.

6am Dawn service at the Cenotaph followed by Gunfire breakfast at Delegate RSL Hall.

10.30am Marchers to assemble at Cenotaph, step off at 10.45am to the Memorial Gates for 11am commencement of main service.

Followed by lunch and 2up at the Delegate Country Club.

MICHELAGO

10am Commemorative ceremony at Michelago Railway Station.

NIMMITABEL

10.30am Marchers to assemble at the Pioneer Memorial Hall. 11am Main service at the Cenotaph.

BOMBALA

Dawn Service: the Cenotaph, Maybe St, Bombala, 6:15 am Breakfast after the service at Club Bombala March: Maybe St, Bombala 11am Begins at the corner of Caveat and Maybe streets outside Club Bombala and marches down Maybe St to the Cenotaph. Main Service: Cenotaph, Maybe St, Bombala, 11.10am.

JINDABYNE

The Jindabyne ANZAC Day 30th commemorative service 6am Dawn service at the war memorial site in Banjo Paterson Park, next to the Strezlecki monument followed by gun

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

to understand what is true and what is just politically motivated in the climate change space.

The disastrous impact climate change will have, and is having on our world, means we owe it to ourselves and our children and grandchildren, to make the effort and access reputable scientific sources to

make informed decisions on climate change.

For example, CSIRO says farm profitability in some areas could decline by up to 50 per cent by 2050*- a fact that should concern every landholder and agriculturedependent community.

Science should guide us on what we can do to protect our

barrel breakfast at the Memorial Hall in the Town Centre.

Meet at the Town Centre car park at 9am for formation, march to begin at 9.30am to the war memorial site for main service to commence.

Nowra Navy 723 squadrant will be marching along with community members, groups and schools.

War birds doing a flyover at 10.15am followed by a morning tea hosted by Jindabyne CWA members at the Memorial Hall in the Town Centre.

Lake Jindabyne Hotel and the Banjo Paterson Inn will be holding 2Up at 12pm.

BERRIDALE

6am Dawn Service at the war memorial site along Kosciuszko Road, opposite the Berridale Council building.

Meet at the Berridale Inn car park at 11am to start march at 11.30am followed by the main service at the war memorial site.

LEST WE FORGET

world as much as we possibly can from the effects of rising temperatures.

Scientifically proven information is what we should allow to guide our lifestyle and way of thinking, not politically motivated promises and untruths.

Christine Clarke Rock Flat

COOMA

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Time to take climate change seriously

I HAVE just returned from a week in Vietnam, first cycling then travelling by bus around the Mekong delta. The delta is enormously fertile and is home to 17 million people.

It supplies more than half of Vietnam’s rice production. In 2024, Vietnam exported nine million tons of rice, making it the world’s third largest rice exporter, behind India and Thailand.

Rice is crucial to the national diet and to the economy.

Yet trouble brews because of climate change.

In the south of Vietnam, there are two seasons, wet and dry.

The dry season occurs in the first few months of the year, including April when I was there, but people told me it had rained heavily a month or so before.

They were also worried about

sea-water incursions near the sea which had ruined rice crops with the land taking two years to recover.

Given the land usually produces three crops a year, that meant the loss of not just two crops, but six.

They said it was a combination of sea-level rise combined with too much water being taken from the river upstream which runs south for 4900 kms from Tibet through 10 countries.

The very low elevation of the delta – only 80 cms above current sealevel - makes it a hotspot for rising sea level.

Projections of future sea-level rise for the end of the century range between 24 cm to 84 cm, which means large parts of the delta could be inundated by then, or even earlier, should polar ice-sheets melt faster than anticipated.

Where will 17 million people go?

What will they eat? What has this to do with Australia?

The same changes in precipitation and temperature will affect us as well, particularly farmers.

We don’t have to worry about sea-level rise on the Monaro, but we do need to worry about changed rain and seasonal patterns and how that will affect local grazing and cropping.

For those of us who like rice, the reduction in supply, and probable increase in price, because of inundation of foreign deltas like the Mekong, is a real worry.

As we start pre-poll voting in the federal election shortly, we need to direct our votes to those candidates who take climate change seriously, and have credible policies to mitigate it.

Jenny Goldie Cooma

Cooma Post Office access concerns

AT MY prompting, council wrote to the communications minister Michelle Rowland regarding the inadequate access to the Cooma Post Office building.

The minister delegated the reply to Australia Post CEO Paul Graham.

A letter of response from that office stated that they were unable to do anything because the building had heritage listing and it is privately owned.

This does not preclude the building from having the access upgraded.

A question to Kristy McBain, as I have brought this issue to your attention over the past couple of years, what action have you taken to ensure that this issue can be resolved?

HAVE YOUR SAY

The federal government has the ultimate authority in this matter and should take responsibility as the building was commissioned without a reasonable access away from the front steps.

It is important that people who have limited mobility, have reasonable access to postal services that also includes banking and paying bills, as banks continue to close down.

As Snowy 2.0 seems to have an open cheque book, solving this problem would not break the bank!

Upgrading the access would be more cost effective than relocating to another building.

To Jo van der Plaat, Liberal candidate for the upcoming election,what is your position on

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 offensive 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

this issue?

To Andrew Thaler, independent candidate for the upcoming election,what will you be able to do regarding this issue if elected?

To the Mayor, Chris Hanna, has your office replied, as a matter of courtesy, to the Australia Post CEO regarding the response from his office, and has council followed up to the minister regarding this issu ?

The lack of reasonable access has persisted for decades and it seems that to date, no-one in authority has had the capacity to resolve the matter. Will someone stand up and be counted!

Anyone taking this issue on will get my vote.

Cliff Richards Nimmitabel

Riposte

By LISA ASHURST

Is it maybe time for little kids’ birthday parties to go back to basics? Like, held at home or at the local park? Without the jumping castles, pony rides, five star hotel with waitstaff (yep) or other over-the-top activities?

I’m only asking because of the odd story coming out about the occasional party planner doing a runner with the money, and these organised events don’t come cheap.

There was a time when a child’s birthday party consisted of simple party food like mini sausage rolls and pies or those little frankfurt things, fairy bread (always), a nice selection of cold meats and chicken (if you got really lucky), little fancy sandwiches, and lots of sweet stuff. Activities were simple games, which were fun, followed by the ritual of the birthday cake, and then the guests went home with a bag of sweets, an extra slice of birthday cake, and a sugar high which lasted well past bedtime. Almost stress-free organisation and everyone had a great time.

So does a party for one-year-olds really need a chef, musicians, magicians and other flamboyance? Will they even remember a day later?

But children’s birthday parties had a makeover some years back and over-the-top became the norm, because competition for who threw the best do was rife and primary schoolers were comparing notes.

Parents were too until it got to the point where some decided enough was enough. They balked at holding a weekend event with ponies, dancing fairies, helicopter rides, a ginormous jumping castle, and a special visit from that famous pop star.

Okay, fine. I made up the bit about the pop star. But whatever, the oneupmanship was getting out of control and parents who lacked the funds and the space for such major productions decided to opt out. Good for them, I say.

Birthday parties are supposed to be fun, and they don’t need all the trappings of a mega event to achieve that. They don’t need the services of an event planner. They can do without the stress and the expense. It’s a young child’s birthday. But like I said, parents are starting to realise that their child and their child’s little friends can still have a fun time, even if the last party they attended did have ponies and helicopter rides and this one doesn’t, and let’s face it, dancing fairies are only good for about ten minutes anyway. After that, kids lose interest and want food. The ponies would definitely fare better, but give some thought to the size of the back yard and would any parent really want to run the risk of little feet traipsing pony poo through the house? Because at least one child will manage to step in some, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.

So perhaps the era of the mind-boggling child’s birthday party is coming to an end and I think most parents will agree that’s a good thing.

I mean, helicopters are noisy (think of the neighbours) and ginormous jumping castles could be hazardous and launch a child over a dividing fence (the neighbours again…) and the fairies would leave sparkly dust on everything.

Have you ever tried sweeping that stuff up?

Simpler is sounding good, yes?

And what’s wrong with fairy bread anyway?

Independent newspapers serving the Snowy Monaro Region. Subscribe to our Digital Edition at www.monaropost.com.au

The Monaro Post welcomes

Monday to Friday. We also welcome letters to the editor.

GROUP EDITOR

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

JOURNALISTS

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DESIGN & PRODUCTION

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FEATURES WRITER

Lisa Ashurst

Berridale trio awarded at Braddon

BERRIDALE musi-

cians Gabi Forman, Justin to perform in the ACT under the Snowy Mountains Folk were really happy when they made a spot for us,”

As well as taking away $600 prizemoney, the trio also won the opportunity to perform live for pay after the prize ceremony at the Bent Spoke Brewery in

“We had a great day and really liked the way the event was run, with buskers playing three one hour sets around Braddon,”

“Canberra is a real cafe

town and there were big crowds in the cafes and stopping to support the 24 buskers. The vibe was amazing.”

The trio’s repertoire included some of Gabi’s original songs from her EP I Feel You along with covers by Molly Tuttle, Avi Kaplan, Old Crow Medicine Show and The Carter Family.

Braddon is one of seven regional heats of the ANBC which will culminate in the national grand finals in November in Cooma.

MFSS holds successful community mystery event

MONARO Family Support Service (MFSS) held a successful first community mystery event in Cooma on Saturday, 12 April as part of National Youth Week.

The local Leo Club, run out of Monaro High School, supported the planning of this event. SES volunteers opened the event and supported teams as they searched for Alex Lemonade (a character missing as part of the myster event).

The MFSS thanked the generous support of the many local businesses who took part.

“The event was a fantastic success, bringing together around 50

participants across 12 enthusiastic teams, ranging in age from three to adults,” Kinza Newman of the MFSS said.

“We had a full day of fun, adventure, and community spirit. Participants followed a trail of twists and turns through the town center in an exciting search to find Alex Lemonade, a fictional local teenager who had gone missing.”

Along the way, participants faced challenges such as paper plane competitions, toothpick cake eating, and obstacle courses, while solving clues that led them through various locations in Cooma.

Just over two hours in, the first team to find Alex

was the Nicholls family of five. Minutes later, another team cracked the full mystery.

“A special thank you to The Outdoor Store and SportsPower for providing amazing prizes, and to Mission Australia, Country University Centre, and the SMRC for your generous merchandise donations,” Ms Newman said.

“This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of local businesses. We’re already looking forward to planning next year’s event, and we would love to have your involvement again as we continue building a strong and connected community.”

Another opening of another show for Cooma Little Theatre

By KAREN FORMAN

JUST three weeks remain until the opening of Cooma Little Theatre’s first play run for the year - Barefoot in the Park, by Neil Simon.

The delightful romantic comedy will be the first play Jayne Keegan has directed at the theatre for several years.

Ms Keegan was the director of the MCCR’s 2017 fundraiser of Calendar Girls, although that was not a Little Theatre project.

Before that she codirected the pantomime Once Upon a Witch in 2013, and directed Stepping Out in 2009.

With this upcoming play, Jayne has enjoyed exercising her talents as an artist by creating the most divine set.

Part realistic, part vintage illustration, and with lighting cleverly designed by Liz Sherlock, it is the perfect backdrop for a fabulously feel-good story set in the sixties in New York.

Ms Keegan has an ensemble of experienced and gifted actors in this show, and says she has ‘hardly had to direct them at all’, as “they are intuitive and skilled”.

They include Ron Dowd and Nell Pernitsch, both of whom Jayne has worked with a number of times over the past 40 years, along with Trish Rowling, Fran Robinson and Chris McNally.

There are two motherand-son teams involved in this production: Nell

Pernitsch and Chris McNally, who were in The Flint Street Nativity late last year, work so well on stage together.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, there is another excellent team, Tennille Casanova-Sturgeon and her son, Charlie, forming the crew.

Tenille first trod the Little Theatre boards in Alice In Wonderland in the ‘90s, and has been involved in dance and theatre all her life.

2025 is Cooma Little

Theatre’s 70th year of continuous theatre in the local community, and it’s a busy year.

Before Barefoot opens on 2 May, work will already begin on the second show for the year.

Director Samuel Pevere has conducted auditions for Seussical, the musical based on the stories of Dr Seuss.

Samuel is seeking cast and crew aged from 12 up for his show which will go on stage in August.

As well as the plays,

Cooma Little Theatre is hosting external performers, including outstanding guitarist Daniel Champagne, and comedy show Tinderella and the Eight Unique Uses of Tinder, both also in May.

Tickets for Barefoot in the Park are available at www.clt.org.au.

Anyone interested in the offerings coming up at the theatre is encouraged to follow the theatre’s Facebook page as well.

PRIZEWINNERS: Snowy Mountains Folk Youth Band (from le ) Filip Klempfner, Justin Klempfner and Gabi Forman in action at Braddon Busking Festival.

PHOTO: Karen Forman

Voting underway

VOTING for the next member for Eden-Monaro is underway with the voting period starting this week.

Two early voting centres in the Snowy Monaro have opened for those unable to vote on election day, Saturday, 3 May. They are located at the Cooma Multifunction Centre and Horizons Resort Jindabyne. Given the increasing trend of voters heading to the polls early, the Australian Electoral Commission anticipates about half of all voters in the nation will cast their vote during the early voting period.

Each centre is open this week (Tuesday-Thursday) between 8.30am and 5.30pm. They are closed on ANZAC Day, Friday, 25 April.

The centres re-open on Saturday, 26 April and run until Friday, 2 May.

Eden-Monaro has eight candidates contesting the seat. Candidates will appear on the ballot paper in the following order.

1. Andrew Thaler –Independent

2. Wade Cox – Trumpet of Patriots

3. Fraser Buchanan –HEART (Health Environment Accountability Rights Transparency) party

4. Jo van der Plaat – Liberal Party of Australia, NSW Division

5. Brian Fisher – Independent

6. Kristy McBain – Australian Labor Party (NSW branch)

7. Emma Goward – The NSW Greens

8. Richard Graham – Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.

Conrayn Stud achieves further Sydney success

THE LETTE house in Berridale is becoming packed with trophies and ribbons following another successful Sydney Royal Sheep and Fleece Show for Conrayn Merino Stud.

Peter Lette has described this year’s event as “a great show and lots of fun with our sheep family.”

Results from the show:

Royal Agricultural Society March Shorn Pair; Stonehaven Perpetual Cup Best Exhibit of five Merino Sheep; Grand Champion Ultrafine Ram; Grand Champion Ultrafine Ewe; Grand Champion

Superfine Ewe; Reserve Grand Champion Superfine Ram; Champion Junior March Shorn Ewe; Reserve Champion Junior March Shorn Ewe; and Reserve Champion Ultrafine August Shorn Ewe.

The family has received congratulations from far and wide on their latest achievements.

They are one of many representing the Snowy Monaro who have achieved success at this year’s show.

Other top performers will be recognised over the next couple of weeks.

Attempted murder charge over Cooma crash

A MAN has been charged with attempted murder following a fail-to-stop crash in Cooma earlier this year.

About 1.30am on Saturday, 4 January, emergency services were called to Mittagang Road following reports of a crash.

On arrival, officers attached to Monaro Police District found a 23-year-old man suffering serious injuries after allegedly being hit by a car. The driver of the car, a 22-year-old man, allegedly left the scene prior to police arrival.

The 23-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for a head injury before being taken to hospital in a serious condition.

About 3.30pm on Sunday, 5 January, a 22-year-old man attended Queanbeyan Police station where he was charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle, fail to stop and render assistance, not give particulars to other driver and drive while license suspended.

Following further enquiries, on Monday, 31 March, officers laid a further charge of attempted murder.

He appeared before Cooma Local Court earlier this month.

Council updates

Job vacancies at Council

If you’re looking for a career with purpose, consider joining the team here at Council.

Visit https://qrco.de/SMRCjobs today to see our current open vacancies, or find out more about working with us.

Don’t bin your batteries

Council is reminding residents and businesses to use, store and dispose of batteries safely to help combat a nationwide surge in house, rubbish truck and waste facility fires.

In the Snowy Monaro used batteries can be disposed of for free at many shops, Community Recycling Centres, and other Council facilities. Visit our website at https://qrco.de/SMRCrecycle for battery drop-off locations across the region.

Claypits carpark closing for upgrades

Work commences on Monday 5 May 2025 at Jindabyne’s Claypits carpark, as part of the Claypits Foreshore Upgrade Project.

The carpark will be closed to the public until early 2026. Some access restrictions are required during these works, with detours for paths and trails. Visit https://qrco.de/Claypits for further information about this project.

Anzac Day | Services in the Snowy Monaro

Visit https://qrco.de/eventsSMRC for full details and further information.

Adaminaby

Big Trout at 10.45am for march, 11am at hall for ceremony

Berridale

Berridale Inn at 11am for march, ceremony at cenotaph follows

Bredbo

10am at corner of Walker and Bunyan St for march, Centennial Parkservice follows

Bombala

Dawn Service: 6am at cenotaph

Morning: 10.45am at Club Bombala for march, 11am service follows at cenotaph

Cooma

Dawn Service: 5.30am at Centennial Park for march, service follows at cenotaph

Morning: 10.15am at corner of Sharp/Bombala St for march, 11am service at cenotaph

Delegate

Dawn Service: 6am dawn service at cenotaph

Morning: 10.30am march followed by service at Memorial Park gates

Jindabyne

Dawn Service: 5.30am at Banjo Paterson Park

Morning: 9am at town centre carpark for march, service follows at Banjo Paterson Park

Michelago

10am ceremony at cenotaph

Nimmitabel

10.30am at Pioneer Memorial Hall for march, 11am service at cenotaph

Council opening hours and closures

• Bombala Visitor Centre open 12-4pm and Cooma Visitor Centre open 12-3pm

• Scheduled kerbside bin collections will occur as normal

• All other services and facilities are closed, including support programs, pools, libraries, offices, waste facilities, and ScrapMarts

Anzac Day services and public holiday closures

Conrayn’s Cade and Jamie Lette with the RAS March Shorn Pair.

LOCAL SUCCESS: Sydney Royal Easter Show Stonehaven Perpetual Cup Best Exhibit of five Merino Sheep was awarded to Conrayn Merino Stud, Berridale.

Jake seeks more members as he takes the helm at St John

By KAREN FORMAN

“I THINK I have sprained my ankle’.

The runner has approached the St John Ambulance tent at an orienteering event at a limp, covered in dust, with a scratch on his leg.

“Can you help me?”

Jake Mason is immediately on his feet. The recently appointed superintendent of St John Ambulance Cooma Unit directs the 20-something-year-old male to a chair, places his leg on a stool and runs through a check list.

“What happened, where does it hurt, what is the level of pain?”

His voice is calm, friendly and capable.

While Jake is grabbing an icepack and bandages and some saline for wound cleaning from the containers on a table under the tent, one of his colleagues is settling a young girl who is crying after being stung by a wasp and offering an ice pack and sting ointment.

Before long, another runner arrives with a suspected sprained ankle and Jake’s mum Tracey, who was inspired to join St John Ambulance after he did, is there with another ice pack and concern.

Such is a typical day when the unit, which has just eight members “but needs around 100 more” according to Jake, provides first aid services to organisations running events all around the Snowy Monaro region.

“It could be something like this, where runners tend to hurt ankles, or it could be a motocross event, where we see spinal injuries and concussions,” Jake said.

“We really have to be ready for anything.

“The work is rewarding, interesting and educational.”

Cooma-born Jake, 25, is somewhat of an emergency services professional. He is also a member of the Cooma Monaro State Emergency Services (SES) and Rural Fire Service (RFS) while holding down a government job.

To say he is passionate about his volunteer work would be an understatement.

Having served in an acting role for over a year, Jake is now keen to boost the numbers of volunteers working for St John Ambulance.

“We are only small here in Cooma and we cover a huge area, from the mountains to the sea and the Victorian border.”

There was a time when St John Ambulance had a bit of a reputation as a “bandaids and first aid courses” brigade.

It wasn’t a bad reputation, but the self-funded, volunteer staffed organisation was flying a little under the radar compared to other emergency services organisations and had a lot more to offer.

These days, St John Ambulance provides essential first aid services, treating more than 100,000 people at public events around Australia each year, is a leading provider of first aid training, services and products and responds to disasters.

In 2025 it is working to

support other emergency services organisations at cyclones, floods and other disasters.

Jake’s goals are to build the division as best he can.

“Recruitment is number one, so we can take on more events,” he said.

“I want to build up the division from nine members, get more equipment, vehicles. We have one vehicle and are based at the Monaro Rir Rifle Club in Cooma, where we meet for training on Saturdays each fortnight. I would like another 100 members.

“We are looking for people of all ages, the minimum age is 18, to do clinical, non-clinical and support roles.”

Cooma covers a huge region, from Tumut to the Victoria border and across to Bega on the coast. The closest St John Ambulance group to Cooma is Queanbeyan.

Its members come from Jindabyne, Berridale, Cooma

“My team impresses me, I am really proud of them,” he said.

He joined the Cooma branch St John Ambulance in 2019.

“I joined the Rural Fire Service (RFS) at 18 and decided I wanted to learn a bit more about emergency services, so I joined Cooma Monaro unit of the State Emergency Services (SES) as well the following year.”

He rose through the ranks of St John Ambulance quickly, thriving on the first aid training and the sense of giving back to the community.

His enthusiasm was infectious, with mum, Tracey, joining two years later.

“Mum helped me out a lot and even before she achieved her First Aid Certificate was going to jobs and helping in a nonclinical way,” he said.

“Eventually she saw a need and got her First Aid qualifications and started helping out,”

Jake attended Cooma North, Monaro High schools and was also home schooled.

“I was reasonably good at school and was fit and my goals

were to be a firie, police officer or join the army as a medic,” he said.

“Things didn’t work the way I wanted, but I have made it happen in a different way.”

By working with all three organisations, he has amassed a lot of qualifications, all paid for and supported by the organisations.

“I have General Land Rescue with the SES, basic fire fighting with RFS and with St John, a Cert IV in leadership and management, Cert Three in basic health care and Cert Two in medical services and first response, along with advanced resuscitation and advanced first aid.”

Because all three organisations are volunteerbased, Jake also holds down a full-time paid job in the government sector.

Previously he was a hospital wardsman, balancing his volunteer work with his paid job.

He often goes to Sydney to undertake training courses; otherwise he attends them via Zoom.

“The courses are open to all members and there are no outof-pocket expenses with being a member of St John’s,” he said.

One of his more exciting jobs was to help out during the Lismore floods.

“We were activated through NSW Health,” he said.

“A lot of nurses at the Lismore hospital couldn’t get to work as they were cut off by flood water, so we had teams of St John Ambulance volunteers working on the wards and in other areas.”

He has been deployed three times.

“Some years are busier than others. In 2024 we had 38 events. 2025 has so far been quieter but we are always looking for more duties.

“There are many opportunities for people to grow. It’s their own journey. Up to them what pathway they want to take.

“The sky is the limit,” Jake said, “if they want to be a commissioner one day, they can aim for that.”

MORE THAN BANDAIDS: St John Ambulance Cooma members (from le ) Superintendent Jake Mason, Tracey Mason, Louise Tracey and Peter Hickling on the job at Bombala Show.

PHOTO: Karen Forman

Jindabyne Lake Light Sculpture winners announced

By TRISTA HEATH

LAKE Light Sculpture in Jindabyne was a great success over the Easter weekend and offered record prize money this year with $43,500 divided between 14 category winners.

Boasting more than 100 sculptures, judges Rebel Penfold-Russell, Denise Ferriss, and Anne Keeling, who meticulously viewed each

piece, judged the winning pieces which were announced at the official opening on Friday 18 April.

Committee chair, Dani Kell, thanked the community, sponsors, and volunteers for making the event such a success and announced the induction of new life member, Todd Costa, an avid artist and supporter of the event since its beginning in 2000.

Secondary School Award Snowy Hydro

$1000 Newcomer Award South East Arts

$1500 Waste to Art Award Perisher Resort

$2000 Youth Award Rebel Penfold-Russell

$3000 Emerging Artists Award Thredbo Resort

$3000 Clean Energy Award Boco Rock

Snowy Hydro relations manager, Dean Lynch

Alandra Swain on behalf of Kate Bradbury

Perisher Resorts services director, Andrew King

Rebel Penfold-Russell

Thredbo Resort general manager, Stuart Diver

Councillor, Nick Elliott

$2500 Small’s Major Award Jindabyne Pharmacy and Mountain Munchies Scott Frize

$5000 Illumination Award Snowy Regional Solar and Sun Power

$10,000 Major Award Mountainside

Russell Vine

Bruce Marshall

$6000 People’s Choice Award Belle Property Escapes, Patrick, Lisa,

Snowy Mountains Grammar School secondary students for We Live Among the Stars

Michael Ferriss for Framework of Growth

Madelaine Last for Conspiracy to Copper Tom

Jessica Hellyar for Everlasting Whoops-a-Daisy

Tom Buckland for Flock of delightfully whimsical birds

Ulan Murray and Rachel Burns for Echo of the Ribbon Gums

Maria Zylinski for Cocoon

Jordan Tarlington for Clarity, a light bulb moment

Sian Watson for Gathered Skylark

Madelaine Last NewsExpress Jindabyne, Sticky Deon, Michelle and Dani for Conspiracy at Copper Tom Fingerz Jindabyne Real Estate

$1000 People’s Choice small Bendigo Bank Tumbarumba Lake Light Committee

Alexander Dalton for Patch and Mum

AWARDED: People’s Choice Award winner, Madelaine Last, for Conspiracy at Copper Tom.

PHOTOS: Trista Heath

Scott Frize presenting the Small’s Major Award to Maria Zylinski.

Award to Tom Buckland.

Rebel Penfold-Russell presenting the Youth Award to Jessica Hellyar.

Andrew King presenting the Waste to Art Award to Madelaine Last.

Alandra Swain presenting the Newcomer Award to a representative for Michael Ferriss.

Dean Lynch presenting the Secondary School Award to Snowy Mountains Grammar School.

Dean Lynch presenting the Community Award to TS Orion Navy Cadets.

Dani Kell presenting a life membership to Jindabyne local artist, Todd Costa.

Lake Light Sculptures draws hundreds to Jindabyne foreshore

Spirit of the Mountain by Somerset Coker.

Madelaine Last.

TS Scrapwave by TS Orion Navy Cadets.

Joyful Jingling Jellyfish by Jindabyne Public School, Year 1 class.

SCULPTURES: Highlanders by Somerset Croker.

PHOTOS: Trista Heath

and Claire Seymour.

Coral by Christian Oyrer.

Patch and mum by Alexander Dalton.

Grant - Water Dancer.

Vikki Holik-Blazley - Eclipse.

Echo of the Ribbon Gums by Ulan Murray and Rachel Burns.

Ironbark Series by Todd Costa.

Gathered Skylark by Sian Watson.

Awaken by Rhonda Castle.

Conspiracy at Copper Tom by Madelaine Last.

We live among the stars by Snowy Mountains Grammar School Secondary Students. Clarity by Jordan Tarlinton.

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 My Impossible House. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Escape To The Country. 5.00 Seven News Special: Lest We Forget Service. 6.00 Heathrow. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Father Brown. 8.30 Murdoch Mysteries. 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 2.15 Whose Line Is It Anyway? 2.40 Penn & Teller:

9.30 Gruen. 10.10 Guy Mont Spelling Bee. 10.55 Planet America. 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Hailey Dean Mysteries: Deadly Estate. (2017) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 7News Local. 6.30 7News @ 6:30. 7.00 Home And Away. 7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. 8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. 10.00 The Amazing Race. 11.30 Born To Kill? 12.30 Spitfire Guardians. 1.30 Travel Oz. 2.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 1.00 Sherwood. 2.00 Restoration Australia. 2.55 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. 3.25 Grand Designs New Zealand. 4.10 Long Lost Family. 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. 6.30 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Restoration Australia. 9.00 Grand Designs Australia. 9.55 Bill Bailey’s Wild West Australia. 10.45 ABC Late News. 11.00 Late Programs. 6.00 Kids’ Programs. 4.25 Builder Brothers Dream Factory. 5.20 Kangaroo Beach. 5.50 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Dino Dex. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.45 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.25 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. 10.05 Merlin. 10.50 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 2.05 ER. 2.45 Doctor Who. 3.35 A Bite To Eat. 4.05 Would I Lie To You? 4.35 MythBusters. 5.30 Heartbreak High. 7.00 My Family. 7.30 QI. 8.00 Would I Lie To You? 8.30 MOVIE: Midnight Special. (2016) 10.20 ER. 11.05 Breeders. 11.30

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 American Pickers: Best Of. 1.00 Pawn Stars. 1.30 Highway Patrol. 2.30 The Force: BTL. 3.30 Duck Dynasty. 4.00 Mountain Men. 5.00 American Resto. 5.30 Storage Wars. 6.00 American Pickers. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round 7. Melbourne v Richmond. 10.30 AFL Post-Game. 11.00 Kick Ons. 11.30 Late Programs. 6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: The Love Hunt. (2023) 2.00 Pointless. 3.00 Tipping Point. 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. 5.30 WIN News. 6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 8. Brisbane Broncos v Canterbury Bulldogs. 9.45 Thursday Night Knock Off. 10.30 9News Late. 11.00 Outback Opal Hunters. 12.00 Young Sheldon. 12.30 Late Programs. 6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 Yes, Prime Minister. 1.00 Antiques Roadshow. 1.30 MOVIE: The Captive Heart. (1946) 3.30 MOVIE: The Colditz Story. (1955) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 RBT. 8.30 Emergency. 9.30 A+E Crash Scene Emergency. New. 10.30 My Feet Are Killing Me. 11.30 Late Programs. 6.00 Morning Programs. 8.30 Larry The Wonder Pup. 9.00 Shopping. 10.30 House Rules. 12.00 Rebel Wilson’s Pooch Perfect. 1.30 A Foodies Guide To Kyushu Japan. 2.00 Dancing With The Stars. 4.00 10 Years Younger In 10 Days. 5.00 Bondi Vet. 7.00 Judge Judy. 7.30 Kitchen Nightmares. 8.30 Ramsay’s 24 Hours To Hell And Back. 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 Good Chef Bad Chef. 12.30 Family Feud. 1.00 10 News First: Lunchtime. 2.00 Wheel Of Fortune. 2.30 Lingo. 3.30 10 News First: Afternoon. 4.00 Neighbours. 4.30 The Bold And The Beautiful. 5.00 10 News First. 6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. 7.30

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.30 Gallipoli Dawn Service. 1.30 Villers-Bretonneux Dawn Service. 2.25 ABC News On Anzac Day. 3.00 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. 3.25 Grand Designs NZ. 4.10 Long Lost Family. 5.00 A Bite To Eat. 5.25 Antiques Roadshow. 6.25 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 Gardening Australia. 8.30 Sherwood. 9.30 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. 10.00 Hard Quiz. Final. 10.30 Late Programs. 6.00 Kids’ Programs. 5.20 Kangaroo Beach. 5.50 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.00 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 8.30 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses. 10.40 Late Programs.

6.00 Today. 10.00 Today Extra. 11.30 9News Morning. 12.25 Gallipoli Dawn Service. 1.35 Villers-Bretonneux Dawn Service. 2.35 9News. 3.00 Rugby League. NRL. Round 8. Sydney Roosters v St George Illawarra Dragons. 6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 8. Melbourne Storm v South Sydney Rabbitohs. 9.55 Golden Point. 10.45 MOVIE: Criminal. (2016) 12.40 Tipping Point. 1.30 Late Programs.

AFL Pre-Game. 2.30 Football. AFL. Round 7. Collingwood v Essendon. 6.00 AFL Post-Game. 7.00 AFL: Friday Night Countdown. 7.30 Football. AFL. Round 7. Fremantle v Adelaide. 11.00 AFL Post-Game. 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 Good Chef Bad Chef. 12.30 Family Feud. 1.00 10 News First: Lunchtime. 2.00 Wheel Of Fortune. 2.30 Lingo. 3.30 10 News First: Afternoon. 4.00 Family Feud. 4.30 The Bold And The Beautiful. 5.00 10 News First. 6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. 7.30 Airborne: Nature In Our Skies. Final. 8.40 The Graham Norton Show. 11.00 10’s Late News. 11.25

6.00 Get Clever. 7.00 It’s Academic. 8.30 Larry The Wonder Pup. 9.00 Shopping. 10.30 Rebel Wilson’s Pooch Perfect. 1.05 Dancing With The Stars. 3.30 The Goldbergs. 4.00 Jabba’s Movies. 4.30 Frogger. 5.30 The Amazing Race. 7.00 MOVIE: The Smurfs 2. (2013) 9.15 MOVIE: Wild Hogs. (2007) 11.15 MOVIE: Hollow Man. (2000) 1.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. 12.00 Avengers. 1.00 Antiques Roadshow. 1.30 MOVIE: Against The Wind. (1948) 3.30 MOVIE: The Thousand Plane Raid. (1969) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 West Coast Cops. 8.30 MOVIE: Dunkirk. (2017) 10.30 MOVIE: Valkyrie. (2008) 12.50 Late Programs.

Huge support for biggest art show and sale yet

JINDABYNE Lions Club

Easter Art Show and Sale was a great success with a total of 308 artworks entered for judges Brad Spalding and Roger Skinner to crown the winners.

Adult award winners

Best in Show (All Media) $250.00 Peachy Trio by Sukhvinder Saggu

Best in Category (Oil)

$250.00 Peachy Trio by Sukhvinder Saggu Best in Category

(Acrylic) $250.00

Mountain Pygmy Possum by Carol Spicer

Best in Category (Watercolour) $250.00

Lough Leane by Finn

Stensrud

Best in Category

(Drawing) $250.00 The Man From Snowy River by Sidney Tulau

Best in Category (Print Making) $250.00 Man & Woman by Katrin

Hackney

Best in Category (Mixed Media) $250.00 Last Light At Cootapatamba by Alexandra Poulos

Best in Category (Photography) $250.00

Blueprint In Blue by Alexandra Poulos

Best in Category

(Sculpture & Craft)

$250.00 Fruits of Cedar by Richard Nutt

Youth, secondary award winners Youth-Best in Show

(All Categories)

$100.00

Portrait Using Charcoal by Dakota Clark

Secondary Youth-Best in Category (Painting)

$50.00 Swan Lake by Natasha Barton

Secondary Youth-Best in Category (Drawing)

$50.00 Portrait Using Charcoal by Dakota Clark

Secondary YouthBest in Category (Photography) $50.00

Sunlit Path by Emerson

Mar

Secondary Youth-Best in Category (Sculpture & Craft) $50.00 Cityscape by Poppy Witherdin

Secondary Youth-Best in Category (Mixed Media) $50.00 Sydney Harbour by Poppy Witherdin

Primary Youth-Best in Category (Painting)

$50.00 Gerald by Charli Butterworth

Primary Youth-Best in Category (Drawing)

$50.00 My Family by Jackson Butterworth

Primary Youth-Best in Category (Photography)

$50.00 Murphy by Xaiver Mar

Primary Youth-Best in Category (Sculpture & Craft) $50.00 Woof by Harrison Kable

Primary Youth-Best in Category (Mixed Media) $50.00 Daisy The Highlander by Holly Witherdin

Sylvia Wall’s adult acrylic piece ‘Favourite water jug’.

Jenna Bird’s adult acrylic piece ‘Colours of the sky’.

Jindabyne CWA ladies provided the canapés for the evening of the opening night.

Artwork judge, Brad Spalding, an artist and owner of Wildbrumby Distillery.

Easter fairs attract thousands

ORGANISERS of the Adaminaby and Berridale Easter Fairs believe record crowds were in attendance on Easter Saturday as thousands flocked to both towns for the popular events.

With more market stalls, activities and entertainment of offer, families from across the region and further afield enjoyed their time at the fairs.

More photos from the fairs at - monaropost.com.au

Paula and Lloyd are having a busy weekend attending the many events on around the region, including the Berridale Easter Fair on Saturday. PHOTOS: Nathan Thompson

Rogan and Bev Corbett, and Pauline Johnson (right) came from Cooma to check out the Berridale fair o ering.

Zoe, Jack and Daisy Rolfe are having fun checking out the dozens of stalls at the Berridale fair.

Cooma musician Jay Podger had the masses entertained at the Adaminaby fair.

Members of Made in Monaro enjoy their time at the Adaminaby fair selling their handmade items.

The Easter Bunny makes a grand entrance at the Adaminaby Fair, heading down Denison Street to deliver chocolate eggs to children.

Nimmitabel landholders, LLS combine to tackle lovegrass

By MELINDA CAIRNS HACK

A COMMUNITY activity

to spray African Lovegrass (ALG) around Nimmitabel provided some locals not fully familiar with lovegrass a chance to learn more about the invasive weed.

Several landholders volunteered to spray lovegrass, supported by the Local Land Services (LLS) ALG co-ordinator, on Sunday, 6 April.

The feedback at the end of the day was positive, with some stating it helped to identify ALG at different stages, and a lot of the town was cleaned up by volunteers on quick sprays.

Nimmitabel landholder, Ant Waldren, said LLS and Snowy Monaro Regional Council have stepped up in supporting the volunteer approach in cleaning up the town to make it proud and fire safe.

He made special mention of the spot spraying efforts of Richard Blyton, Chris Haylock and John Harrington. The community

volunteer day was followed by a visit from the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to parts of the Monaro.

The commission is preparing a report for the government on the native vegetation laws. The first report is due to go to the Ministers of Environment and Agriculture by 30 June with public submissions to close on 27 April (submissions can be made via the NRC website).

“During the recent meeting with the NRC, council’s weeds department and LLS were supporting concerned landholders and Landcare representatives, who were showing the NRC why the Monaro needs to have a pilot plan for ALG,” Mr Waldren said.

Monaro graziers Ross Sherlock and Richie Taylor hosted farm visits with the delegation from the NRC, Snowy Monaro Regional Councillors and biosecurity officers, Landcare group leaders, LLS regional officers, and local landowners. According to Mr

Waldren, the pilot plan would involve farmers on the Monaro focusing on protecting areas of high value native grasses that are left, by planting competitive improved species

cohesion in tackling the complex ALG problem between council, councillors, landholders, landcare, Indigenous leaders, LLS and Rural Fire Service has been unique, and the trust developed with all involved has been pivotal around council’s manager and the council weeds department.

“Council’s support in working with LLS in community awareness has lifted community trust, which was at an all-time low 18 months ago.”

Mr Waldren stated the lovegrass problem is so big that council’s biosecurity department are stretched too thin.

“But they continue to do all they can in areas like Nimmitabel – with the community help – which they appreciate,” he said.

to buffer the spread of ALG and protect communities from being overrun by fire.

“On the day of the visit the NRC was told the current state and federal environment acts are stopping ethical land managers from spraying out this environmental nightmare and planting competitive exotic grasses, while at the same time these acts are promoting zero action from less ethical private and government owned land tenure, as well as the government stopping roadside spraying,” Mr Waldren said.

“To be fair a lot of landholders have been unaware of the damage ALG is doing to our environment and economy, as well as the massive fire risk they are surrounding themselves with, and the effect this has on their neighbours.

“The community

“As a landholder I find it naive and disappointing how much pressure some councillors are putting on the weed control budget.

“We need to impress upon them that weed management is a high priority to our rural community before they cut it out altogether.

“We thank them for trying to reduce council expenditure, but this is not the place to do it.”

In a letter to Teal independent members and Senator David Pocock earlier in April Mr Waldren appealed for more assistance.

“As independents with priority on the environment we ask for your help to support Member for Monaro, Steve Whan, and member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain, to curb an environmental crisis on the Monaro,” he wrote.

“African Lovegrass, as even the NSW Premier has said, is like a slow-moving bushfire.

“It is at an increasingly

rapid pace taking over massive areas of native grasslands, creating a monoculture, which is halving farmers stocking rates, and at the same time doubling their cost of production.

“This nasty noxious weed has such a high oil content, that it has created a year-round fire season on the Monaro, and locals around Bredbo are saying it is a matter of time before the town is overrun by fire.

“High infestation of this weed in 1986 was around 3000HA on the Monaro.

“The high infestation today is around 150,000 HA.

“State and federal environmental acts make it Illegal for farmers to spray and crop out this weed, and since this legislation was introduced has increased exponentially the spread of this weed,” Mr Waldren said.

“Landholders are urging the federal government to re-think the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act on the Monaro.

“Legally locking up country has caused government and a large number of landowners to stop any attempt to prevent the spread of African Lovegrass on their land.”

Mr Waldren requested Teal members and Senator Pocock contact Snowy Monaro Regional Councillors, and actively support the community taskforce in tackling the ALG problem.

“Also, Senator Pocock, please contact ACT Rural Fire Service and secure funding for a fire management program around ALG in the ACT and actively promote cross-border awareness and co-operation around mitigation of ALG fires,” Mr Waldren concluded.

SPRAY: African Lovegrass is an invasive weed taking over rural properties. PHOTO: Supplied

The Snowy River Way, Bungarby

A beauty from another era

Nestled in the rolling hills of Bungarby, “Brooklyn” is a unique opportunity for those who love a vintage renovation project or two!

Once part of a larger property, “Brooklyn” now stands alone on 2.428ha/6.0ac and features Brooklyn Homestead and Cottage.

• Brooklyn homestead has loads of art deco features including geometric ceiling patterns, parquetry flooring, classic kitchen cabinets and beautiful picture rails

• 3-4 Bedroom, 1 bathroom, spacious lounge room, dining sitting room, kitchen with WIP

• Brooklyn Cottage - Ramshackle 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom cottage

The Maclaughlin River is a few hundred meters from the homestead and features some of the best trout fishing in the Snowy Mountains.

If you like a little quirky in your life, and don’t mind some renovating, then this property is a must to inspect!

The Pines

ADDRESS: Lot 44 Cathcart Road, Cathcart

Auction: May 29, 2025, 11am Bombala Golf Club

THE Pines with highly fertile basalt soils and high average rainfall is consistently performing fattening country for sheep and cattle.

The property is well subdivided into 14 main paddocks that lead into holding paddocks around the shearing shed and yards for the ease of stock management. With approximately 50 per cent pastured improved to phalaris, cocksfoot and sub-clovers and boasting an average rainfall of 800mm on the fertile basalt soils, the property is ideal for beef and lamb production with a high carrying capacity.

The Pines is set up with all the infrastructure you need.

• Four stand shearing shed with mains power

Four bay machinery shed

Machinery/hay shed

Horse stables

Steel cattle yards with crush and loading ramp

Sheep yards

Reticulated water system with 14 troughs throughout the property

Electric bore pump

Ramshackle cottage

Fencing in good to excellent condition

In an easily accessible location, with the benefit of being highly productive, The Pines is an ideal stand-alone or fattening property.

The combination of rainfall, quality soil and location in one package is hard to overlook and commands an inspection.

Contact Matthew Green 0429 991 241 or matthew.green@ nutrien.com.au

•

and

• Spacious covered outdoor entertaining area at rear, verandah along the front

• 3833.2m2 (approx) block size with open established lawns, gardens and trees

• Double car garage with internal access to the house

• Raised vegetable garden beds, garden sheds and under house storage with power

to become your family oasis, book your inspection today.

Discover your dream family home

ADDRESS: 42 Egan Street, Cooma

Six beds, two bath, two car

ASKING: $855,000

NESTLED in the heart of Cooma, this captivating sixbedroom house at 42 Egan Street offers a blend of classic charm and modern convenience, perfect for the growing family seeking space and comfort. With a generous land size of 1517 square metres and a sturdy double brick rendered exterior, this residence stands as a testament to solid construction and timeless design.

Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by an inviting ambiance created by fresh paint, new carpet, and abundant natural light. The home boasts a well thought-out layout featuring two spacious living areas that provide ample room for relaxation and family gatherings. All six bedrooms come equipped with built-in wardrobes (BIW’s), ensuring that storage will never be an issue. Additionally, the property

includes a study, ideal for working from home or for children’s homework sessions.

Practicality is evident with 2.5 bathrooms and three WCs catering to the hustle and bustle of family life. While the kitchen and bathrooms recommend updates, they present a fantastic opportunity to infuse your personal style and increase the home’s value.

The exterior offers just as much to admire: a large, level, fully fenced yard affords privacy and security, while the lovely covered rear patio is perfect for al fresco dining and entertaining. The rear lane access leads to a sizable double garage, providing plenty of parking and storage solutions.

Heated by both wood and gas, the house remains cosy throughout the changing seasons. The ideal location close to the town centre ensures convenience is at your doorstep.

At 42 Egan Street, embrace the potential to create your ideal family haven. Welcome home.

Snowy Monaro

FOOTY TIPPING COMP 2025

The Trades Directory is a great way to promote your business to potential customers.

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

PHONE: 02 6452 0313

EMAIL: sales@monaropost.com.au

VISIT: 59 Vale Street, Cooma NSW 2630

TRADES AND SERVICES

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 12th of May 2025 to October 31st, 2025. 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 and Tallaganda SF No 577

For further information or enquiries please contact the FCNSW Bombala Management Area Office on (02) 6459 5200.

Notice of 1080 Aerial Baiting

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be conducting aerial baiting programs using meat baits containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs. The program will be CONDUCTED between Monday 28 April 2025 and Friday 9 May 2025

Baiting programs will be conducted in the Rocky Plain, Snowy Plain, Thredbo/Ingebyra, Adaminaby/Yaouk, Dalgety/Paupong and Corrowong/Tombong/Merriangaah Wild Dog Plan Areas. This includes the following sections of Kosciuszko National Park: the Eucumbene; Happy Jacks; Snowy Plain; Kalkite Mountain; Thredbo Valley; Moonbah; Ingebyra; Paupong; Numbla Vale; the Snowy River; Byadbo Wilderness Area and Corrowong. Baiting programs will also be undertaken in Scabby Range, Yaouk, Merriangaah and Quidong Nature Reserves. All baiting locations will be identifiable by signs.

Please be reminded that domestic pets are not permitted on NPWS Estate. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

For further information please contact the NPWS Jindabyne Office (02) 6450 5555

LOG SPLITTER

Whitlands Engineering Superaxe WS3150. Vertical hydraulic log splitter with 9hp Honda engine. Very good condition. Australian made. $6000. Ph (02) 6454 6463.

White Landcruiser 1998 HJ75

Diesel, tray, bull bar, winch, tow bar, snorkel, Mickey Thompson tyres, toolbox, Stratos driver’s seat. 470,855km.

Reg 29/10/25. (VLX 366) $18,000 ONO.

Ph (02) 6454 6463.

HATZANTONIS (nee Lawrence), Coral Marjorie. Passed away peacefully on Friday, April 11, 2025 at BUPA Aged Care, Willoughby. Aged 82 years.

Proud Granddaughter of Eliza Ray Flanagan. Dearly loved mother of Stephen, Katya (dec), Crisanthe, Sheldon and Joey.

The relatives and friends of the late Coral Marjorie Hatzantonis are invited to attend her funeral service to be held graveside at the Gegedzerick General Cemetery, Berridale TODAY Wednesday, April 23, 2025 commencing at 3pm.

WHITING, Dorothy Enid.

Passed away peacefully on Monday, April 14, 2025 at her residence. Formerly of Respect Hudson House, Cooma. Formerly of “Dry Farm” Cooma. Aged 85 years.

Dearly loved wife of Gordon (dec). Mother and mother-in-law of David and Noelene, Colin (dec) and Leone and David.

Adored Nanny Dot to Rebecca, Kristen, Christopher, Matthew, Sara and Shane.

Great-Grandmother to Mason, Archer, Felicity, Dion, Amberley, Joseph and Rory.

The relatives and friends of the late Dorothy Enid Whiting are invited to attend her funeral service to be held in the Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, Cooma TODAY Wednesday 23, 2025, commencing at 11am.

At the conclusion of the service, the cortege will proceed to Cooma Lawn Cemetery.

Alan Dodd – Director Family owned and operated (02) 6452 2094

SALVESTRO, Anna. It’s been 30 years since you le us Mum. We remember your funny jokes like, “Faccia da Pet” and your wonderful Nonna’s cake. You will always be missed and are forever in our hearts.

~ Carlo, Stella, Lilli, Nina, Ines, Lorenza, Robbie and families.

Weaner selling season finishes strongly

By DAMIEN ROACH NUTRIEN COOMA

NUTRIEN and Elders held their second weaner sale for 2025 last Wednesday,16 April.

Agents yarded 3270 cattle with calves again presented in excellent condition given the dry season over the last six months.

The sale was in line with the current market being observed in Southern NSW at the moment. Buyer attendance was once again very solid with calves heading to Southern Queensland, all across NSW and into Victoria as well as some locals securing lines of well-bred cattle.

The volume buyers were the two commission buyers all competing for the lines of easy doing cattle the Monaro is known for, many of these return orders.

Yearling steers were first off the block with the top pen making $2000. Hereford yearlings sold well, topping at $1620.

Weaner steers kicked up a notch with buyers from Queensland to Victoria competing hard to secure the larger lines.

Topping at $1500, the

majority of the well bred Angus steers were again making $4.10c/kg or a touch over, with the lead runs all over $1200.

The lighter end of Angus steers got out to $4.85 for a pen of 35 Sparta blood steers. Heavy Hereford steers sold well, with most pens making $3.70-$3.80, topping at $1210.

There was a very good run of heifers penned, again all in fresh condition.

The best of the weaner heifers reached $1060 with majority making $3.30-$3.40.

The heifer portion of the sale was approx. $50-$100 dearer than the sale last month, with most heading North towards the rain and grass.

Nutrien Cooma, Nutrien Bombala and Elders Cooma again sincerely thank all vendors for entrusting their cattle to them, the yard staff and scanning crew who helped make the sale happen, the buyers for their continued support and to the catering staff who kept everyone fed for the two days.

The next Cooma cattle sale will be held on 16 May with this being a feature store and fat sale with some runs of PTIC cows expected.

Platts

Agents yarded 3270 cattle with calves again presenting in excellent condition given the dry season over the last six months.

into Victoria as well as some locals securing lines of well-bred cattle.

Elders agents auction weaners at last Wednesday’s Cooma sale.

The volume buyers were the two commission buyers all competing for the lines of easy doing cattle the Monaro is known for, many of these return orders.

STRONG FINISH: Nutrien livestock agents at last Wednesday’s weaner sale at the Cooma sale yards. PHOTOS: Melinda Cairns Hack

ACROSS

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

1 Which horse won the 2009 Caulfield Cup (6)

8 Which horse won the 1945 Melbourne Cup (8)

9 Name an inflammatory disease of the skin (6)

10 Which geometrical plane curve is formed by an intersection (8)

11 Name a blood-sucking African fly (6)

12 What was the Kon-Tiki (4)

13 Which term indicates 12 dozen (5)

16 What are some British noblemen called (5)

19 To expel from a place, is to do what (4)

21 Name the natives of Baghdad (6)

22 Which persons avoid traditional conventions of behaviour (8)

23 What are farewells called (6)

24 Who discovered X-rays in 1895, William ... (8)

25 How many players are there in a cricket team (6)

DOWN

2 Which tooth is adapted for cutting (7)

3 What are circular bands of flowers left at graves (7)

5 Which musical direction suggests moderately slowly and evenly (7)

6 Which mental disorder is marked by alternating periods of excitation and depression (7)

7 Name the US film director known especially for the Pink Panther films, Blake ... (7)

14 What are narcotics also known as (7)

15 Which poems have 14 lines (7)

17 Name an alternative term for insatiable greed for riches (7)

18 What is unoccupied time called (7)

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

WHICH WORDS

1 RAMATE (a) Difficult to control (b) Chaffy (c) Branched

E-QUATIONS

4 Who deals in textiles and cloth goods (6)

Letters have a number

Some

Create remaining

13 Who collaborated with Sir Arthur Sullivan, Sir William ... (7)

7

20 What is herbal tea known as (6)

2 VITIATE (a) To make lifelike (b) To use abusive language (c) To render faulty or defective

E-QUATIONS

using

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

BIYWORD

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:

Fire fighter (7)

Guardedly cautious (7)

Mix of original tracks (5)

Railway carriage (3)

Refurbishment (5)

Top student (3)

Travel costs (5)

Tree (3)

Was concerned (5)

Was seated (3)

Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.

Red Devils ready for exciting double-header

By NATHAN THOMPSON

IS 2025 the year of the Red Devil?

While the rugby union season is only two matches old, there is an enthusiasm and optimism amongst the ranks of the Cooma Rugby Union Club not felt for some years.

Players and coaches aren’t getting ahead of themselves but for Red Devils fans, this season is shaping as one of the most promising in recent memory.

Saturday, 26 April is set to be one of the great rugby afternoons at Rotary Oval, Cooma, when the Red Devils host a double-header with its women’s and men’s senior sides in action.

Women’s rugby has returned to Cooma after a 25-year hiatus with much excitement generated by the side’s return.

The women’s side will run out for its first ‘official’ match of the season on Saturday when they take on Yass at 1.15pm. Playing in the 10 a-side competition, the team’s first match against the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) was deferred.

Impressive efforts in trial matches, including a one-point win over the Jindabyne Miss Piggies, has the side well placed for a top

showing its first match of the season.

At 2.30pm, the men’s side takes on Yass for the coveted Gordon Litchfield Wool Boots N All trophy. The trophy is contested over the two matches Cooma and Yass play in the season with the side accumulating the most points claiming the trophy.

The Red Devils have two wins from as many matches following a comprehensive win over premiers Jindabyne in round

Egg-cellent rounds for Stevenson

By COOMA GOLF CLUB

TWO excellent rounds for Jamie Stevenson has secured the Cooma Golf Club’s Easter Cup.

Sponsored by Kenmir Accounting, the Easter Cup is held over two days with the winner determined by the lowest aggregated nett score over two rounds. Stevenson finished with

Contesting

minus seven, 137, ahead of Greg Abraham and Wayne Flynn. Stevenson claimed Saturday’s round and Flynn was the overall winner of the Sunday stroke event.

The Cooma Golf Club is calling on local businesses interested in sponsoring a trophy and supporting the club to contact the organisation - coomagc@ bigpond.net.au

and Phil

one and receiving a forfeit to Braidwood in the second round.

The men’s team has a larger playing squad this season through active off-season recruitment and a club culture where returning players want to once again don the red and black jersey.

Flyhalf and captain, Damien Roach, said there is a positive feeling in the club as it heads into a busy month featuring two important homes games – against

Yass on Saturday and the popular Old Boy’s Day on May 17.

“We’ve got a real focus on home games this season. We want to play well for our supporters and sponsors and create a real fortress at Rotary Oval,“ Roach said.

“There is a lot of depth in the playing squad. Playing spots are hotly contested, we are training well and feeling strong.

on the back nine including one four pointer and five three pointers.

His score even included a triple bogey wipe on the par three eighth hole.

Three players finished with 37 points, Alan Butterworth in A grade shooting two over par, Bruce Hart in B grade and Jan O’Halloran topping the C grade.

Jan O’Halloran managed to snag a great birdie two on hole 17, Alan Butterworth had three consecutive birdies from the third hole to the fifth and would rue having two double bogeys, and Bruce Hart complimented his round with five three pointers.

Veteran Ross Thompson does not let his age be a golfing barrier, again breaking his age shooting 84 and a very consistent round of 36 points.

In the 4BBB Clive Bunn partnered with Glen Staker to win with 44 points.

“For 2025, our goal is definitely finals rugby.”

Runner up was the duo of Mick Thoms and Rainer Beissner with 43 points on a countback from Owain Jones and Louis Fenelon.

Last Wednesday in the par event, junior Cole Haigh enjoyed the school holiday break carding a plus five in the par event to win on a countback from Sam Reid.

In A grade Cody Dixon had square, and the ball comp ran down to minus two on the day.

The Wednesday near pins were won by Louis Fenelon on three, Ross Thompson on eight and 17 and Sam Reid on 15.

The ladies near pins were won by Carolyn Major on three and 17 and Jan O’Halloran on eight.

Jakob Stewart heads towards the tryline in the Red Devils first round win over Jindabyne.

Coast/Monaro rugby union season. McDonald is a key player in the backline. ready to make a mark this season.

PHOTOS: Melinda Cairns Hack

COMPETITION:

the Cooma Golf Club Easter Cup is Mark Kenmir, Martin Gelling

Ingram. PHOTO: Cooma Golf Club

Matilda achieves selection to compete on the international stage

By MELINDA CAIRNS HACK

YOUNG Cooma track and field athlete, Matilda Wilson, is eagerly awaiting an opportunity she has earned to compete in Canada but first there is a financial obstacle to overcome.

Matilda has been selected among an Australian contingent to compete at the Jack Brow Memorial meet in Kelowna and the Trevor Craven Memorial track and field meet in Vancouver to

be held in June and July this year.

Matilda’s family is assisting to raise the approximately $10,000 needed to get Matilda on the plane, through a ‘Cans for Canada’ fundraising quest which requires community involvement and support.

Matilda’s mum, Tonya Evans, is right behind the drive, and her 14-yearold daughter’s desire to compete on the international stage.

“We received the news from Sports Travel Australia,” Tonya said.

“The organisation selects athletes who are not at the highest level but in the top 10 of their state but haven’t been able to get to that point of going to nationals.”

The trip involves the two main meets, training camps plus a couple of smaller meets.

“Hopefully from that these young athletes will gain more experience

BOMBALA ANZAC

FAMILY SPORTS DAY

Bombala Exhibition Ground 11am, Saturday April 26

with different coaches as well,” Tonya said.

The Monaro High School student, and Cooma Little Athletics member, will compete in discus, hammer throw, high jump and shot put.

Matilda trains in Canberra twice a week at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) under Matt Wecker and has been a member of Cooma Little Athletics for five years.

SCHOOL AGE FOOT RACES & BIKE RACES FOR CASH PRIZES

She recently won gold in discus, silver in high jump, hammer and shot put, and a bronze in javelin in the ACT Underage Athletics Championships at the AIS.

“Matilda loves athletics,” Tonya said.

“She’s also a dancer, she dances with Monaro Dance Centre, and she was one of those lucky ones who got to go to America last year to dance at Disneyland, hence why we need to raise funds for her to go to Canada, as it was only 12 months ago we forked out a lot of money for that.

process, she comes with me, and we collect the cans together and feed them into the machine.

“It’s a life lesson for her as well that you have got to work for things to make things happen,” Tonya said.

Fun novelties, including Treasure Hunt, Egg & Spoon, Sack Races, Three-Legged Dash, Egg Toss, Wheel Stand Comp

Just $2 entry per child for all age races and novelties all day

*Helmets compulsory for all bike events.

FEATURE EVENTS

CHANGI CHALLENGE AND CALLIPOLI GALLOP OVER OBSTACLE COURSE FAMED BUKALONG MILE

(BIKE RELAY FOR TEAMS OF THREE)

1 BIKE PER TEAM (SOME BIKES WILL BE AVAILABLE)

OPEN MALE & FEMALE SPRINTS STARTS AT 2PM. ENTRY IS $10 HUGE CASH PRIZES FOR MALE AND FEMALE 100M SPRINTS

“Now this is an amazing opportunity that we think she should take up, but this time round we are asking local business if she can get some sponsorship, and have started a drive called Cans for Canada…we’ve dropped flyers around the streets near us and we have had a good response.

“Residents are ringing me and donating their cans and bottles, and as word spread others have been ringing to donate cans and even some money, which has been really positive,” Tonya said.

“Everyone is doing it tough, so I was very mindful of this when asking for donations.

“Cans aren’t something that really comes out of anyone’s pocket, although some people rely on them to put petrol in their car or buy groceries. So, I thought it might be easier as most people might donate cans and bottles.

“It also means Matilda can get involved in the

“I have contacted a few businesses in town for sponsorship, but I really haven’t had much response from this, however I haven’t yet followed up. I thought I’d give it a few weeks to see where they were at with that.”

The family hopes to raise about half of the total cost for the 19-day tour but would be more than happy with any amount.

“It would be marvellous if we could get half, if we could reach $5000 it would be an amazing pressure off us to get Matilda there.

“I looked at grants or sponsorship through Australian Athletics, but none of them support individuals, they will do teams – but because the team is spread across Australia, I am unable to do this,” Tonya said.

“For individual sport it’s tough to get sponsorship, that’s what I have found in trying to get this going.

“Chris from Mitre 10 in Cooma has kindly put out some recycling bins in the store, with Matilda’s details and why they are collecting cans. If anyone wants to drop in their cans and bottles there, he is happy to take them for us.”

Matilda is keen on

pursuing her athletic development, but Tonya said she does not look too far ahead, which keeps her grounded.

“She competes in many different meets, and she strives for personal bests for every one of those. It’s always in the back of her mind, that it gets her the next step further.

“But she openly doesn’t say to me she wants to be in the Olympics, in case she may get disappointed. But certainly, she has on occasions spoken about the Olympics in Brisbane.”

Two Australian track and field heroes of Matilda’s are discus thrower, Matt Denny, and high jumper, Eleanor Patterson.

According to Tonya, Matilda is very excited and can’t wait for the opportunity to compete in Canada.

“She has some training goals she’s trying to reach between now and June, so she can peak at the right time,” Tonya said.

“She will be happy to get a pb, as that is the goal always for Matilda, but it’s nice to bring home some bling too.”

To be a part of Matilda’s journey contact Tonya on 0490 026 409 to arrange bottle and can collection from your home or to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

“We are very grateful and humbled by the response so far, some of the collections from homes have been quite substantial.”

Proudly sponsored by

TALENT: COOMA TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETE, MATILDA WILSON. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

MATILDA WILSON (MIDDLE), AT THE ACT ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP IN FEBRUARY.

Billingham stars at junior worlds

A SUCCESSFUL 2024/25

northern winter has finished with more silverware for Australia at the Snowboard Cross Junior World Championships at Isola 2000 in France.

The nine-strong Australian contingent all performed strongly on the opening day of competition with every athlete making it through to the elimination phase.

Maya Billingham finished second behind 2025 Crystal Globe winner Lea Casta (FRA) in the women’s individual event, then teamed with Cameron Turner for another silver medal in the mixed team.

“It feels absolutely amazing to be able to get not one but two podiums,” Billingham said.

“It has been a dream for me to be able to even come close to a podium at Junior Worlds and to come

away with two silvers is so exciting.

“The course was super fun with some really interesting features that we don’t usually get to ride.”

Billingham said the soft snow was not ideal for most competitors but her love for those conditions definitely helped.

“I love riding heats and I love the intensity and quick decisions you have to make, some of my heats were chaotic to say the least with girls super close at all times, which was super fun,” Billingham said.

“Tactically the most important thing for my race was riding the correct lines in the turns and being ready for anything to happen.

“If I was on the right line I knew I would be fast.”

Abbey Wilson finished second in the women’s

small final to finish in sixth place while Turner won the men’s small final to be placed fifth.

William Martin and William McCarthy also finished inside the top 10.

While Billingham and Turner stood on the podium in the team event, two more Australian teams finished in the top eight with McCarthy and Wilson in seventh while Martin and Lara Walsh were eighth.

The Junior World Championships brings to a close an action-packed snowboard cross season with NSWIS and Emerging Talent Program athletes enjoying success alongside the senior World Cup athletes.

Athletes are now returning home to Australia for a short break before the start of the domestic season.

Snowy River Bears ready to roar

IN WHAT must feel like one of the longest preseasons, the Snowy River Bears will finally start its George Tooke Shield campaign on Saturday, 3 May. The Bears has a first round bye this weekend before the club takes on the North Canberra Bears at Kaleen Oval.

Bears supporters are looking froward to the side’s round two clash against University of Canberra, the first home game of the season. The Bears will run onto John

Connors Oval for the first time in 2025 on Saturday, 10 May. Kick-off 2.30pm.

The George Tooke Shield comprises the following sides: Binalong, Boorowa, Bungendore, Crookwell, Googong, Harden, North Canberra, Snowy River Bears and University of Canberra.

Matches in the George Tooke Shield are played on Saturdays.

The Bears left the Group 16 competition, citing the challenges of having to field first and reserve grade sides.

The Bears broke a 28-year first grade title drought when the side was crowned Group 16 premiers in 2024, following a tough win over Eden.

With a large numbers of players from the premiership squad moving on, the club decided it would be unable to fill reserve and first grade sides in the Group 16 competition. The George Tooke Shield is a Canberra region based competition, allowing clubs to enter just one side.

Red Devils ready

Historic moment for local footy

By NATHAN THOMPSON

THE opening to the Group 16 season will be a historic moment for local rugby league sides with matches to be held for the first time on ANZAC Day.

The Cooma Stallions will host Monaro rivals, the Bombala Blue Heelers, in what is being described as the ‘most exciting’ start to a Group 16 season.

On Friday, 25 April, three grades will take to the Cooma Showground for round one of the new rugby league season.

The Blue Heelers will return to the reserve grade fold, creating a triple-header between the clubs.

At 1.30pm, the Cooma Fillies and Bombala High Heelers meet in the league-tag fixture.

The High Heelers won the 2025 premiership, further strengthening the side’s standing as the most successful team in Group 16.

The side’s appearance in last year’s grand final was its seventh in a decade. No side in Group 16 has won more titles in the last

LARGEST RANGE IN THE REGION

10 years than the Bombala High Heelers.

The Fillies have a talented side this year, building on strong efforts over the last few seasons.

Captains Jess Clark and Ruby Barnes have declared the team is excited for the season ahead and ready to make its mark this Friday.

In reserve grade, the Stallions boast greater playing depth this year and have its sights set on finals footy. The Blue Heelers

return to the reserve grade competition after a strong offseason recruitment. Kick off for reserve grade is 2.30pm.

The Stallions have assembled arguably its strongest first grade squad in a number of years.

James Cahill and Noah Saddler will co-captain the side this season, an honour Saddler said he is very proud of.

“Cooma is home for me and it’s a real honour to captain the team alongside my mate Jimmy

(Cahill),” Saddler said.

“To captain my home club is a big deal, particularly as my Dad played and won a premiership with the Stallions.”

Saddler and Cahill, join a number of returning players for the Stallions, who started the game as juniors with the Cooma Colts.

“I haven’t played with my mates since juniors, so I’m really looking forward to running out with them,” Saddler said.

Saddler is hoping 2025 has a change of fortunes after suffering two ACL injuries in last two years.

“A big reason for signing with Cooma was to play with my mates and under the coaching of Jason Kelly. I want to be back around my family and find that love for footy again,” Saddler said.

“I’m excited about playing in front of a large home crowd.”

The first grade fixture gets underway at 4pm.

FOCUSED: Cooma Stallions first grade co-captains, James Cahill and Noah Saddler, are hoping a large crowd will cheer the club in the first matches to be played on ANZAC Day. INSET: Ruby Barnes and Jess Clark have the honour of leading the Cooma Fillies throughout season 2025. PHOTOS: Melinda Cairns Hack