MP300425DigitalEditionAastaArctander by Provincial Press Group

Eden-Monaro to cast vote

AGED CARE, HEALTH,

ROADS

FRONT OF MIND FOR REGION

By NATHAN THOMPSON

SNOWY Monaro residents and community groups say aged care, health, and the cost of living will dictate their votes at this Saturday’s Federal Election.

Eight candidates are contesting the seat of Eden-Monaro with Labor’s Kristy McBain the current member with a six per cent margin.

Following the re-distribution of the seat last year, Eden-Monaro now takes in Goulburn while Yass and Tumut are now part of the seat of Riverina.

The addition of Goulburn is tipped to help the chances of Liberal candidate and Cooma resident, Jo van der Plaat.

Contesting the seat of Eden-Monaro, in ballot paper order are: Andrew Thaler, independent; Wade Cox, Trumpet of Patriots; Fraser Buchanan, HEART - health, environment, accountability, rights, transparency; Jo van der Plaat, Liberal; Brian Fisher, independent; Kristy McBain, Australian Labor Party; Emma Goward, Greens; and Richard Graham, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party.

The region is also represented on the Senate ballot paper, with Cooma teacher Kerrie Harris standing for election.

Issues set to dominate the agenda this election for locals include improved aged care services for the region, boosting healthcare funding, increasing

the support for the local government sector, roads infrastructure and supporting small businesses.

A candidates’ forum was held last week by the Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce. Six of eight candidates appeared, answering questions relating to aged care, tourism, energy and small business.

Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce president, Olivier Kapetanakos, said the meeting helped locals better understand their candidate’s views on a range of issues, particularly those facing business and tourism operators.

“I believe that the major parties understand our issues though no new commitments were made to help solve the problems,” Mr Kapetanakos said.

“Small business is hurting at the moment and for sure everyone agreed with the notion to simplify the tax code as too much time and money is spent on compliance.

“It’s not an easy x, but it must be tackled over a period of time with community as a stakeholder.

“At the same time we had candidates who were clearly not there to listen or engage, but rather to inform us of their particular view of the world and not how it applies to our region.”

ANZAC spirit on show

By NATHAN THOMPSON

COOMA-Monaro RSL sub-branch president, Ray Peters-Smith, believes this year’s ANZAC Day crowds are the largest he has seen.

Mr Peters-Smith said the ANZAC spirit is alive and well in Cooma following hundreds turning out for the dawn and morning services.

“We had a wonderful crowd at the dawn service, it’s the largest one I have seen,” Mr Peters-Smith said.

“The morning service crowd was again terrific. It’s a sign our community values highly the sacrifices of our service personnel.”

■ ANZAC Day coverage from across the region on pages 2, 9, 17 and 31

The forum heard candidate’s views on nuclear energy, Snowy 2.0 and aged care services for Jindabyne and the Snowy Mountains.

■ More on page 3

REMEMBERING: Commodore Robyn Phillips, Royal Australian Navy, Heather Little representing the Australian War Widows, Dennis Feaver, Cooma-Monaro RSL sub-branch and Ray Peters-Smith, president of the sub-branch, at the Cooma ANZAC Day morning service. They praised locals for their support.

PHOTO: Nathan Thompson

Nimmitabel honours the ANZAC spirit

By MELINDA CAIRNS HACK

THE ANZAC Day service at Nimmitabel, marking 110 years since the Gallipoli campaign, was attended by a large crowd at the Nimmitabel War Memorial.

The autumn trees within the memorial grounds created a beautiful back drop to the order of service with a calling raven adding to the solemn setting.

The commemoration began with a march along Bombala Street led by war veterans and relatives of war veterans, followed by local school students, residents and community group members.

“War is something to be avoided, but when necessary we must stand up for our values,” Master of Ceremonies, Cli Richards, said.

He said while ANZAC Day requires Australians to reect on the past with pride, it also encourages the nation to look ahead and build on the achievements of its predecessors.

“By displaying the characteristics of ANZAC spirit, comradeship, unsel shness, courage and tenacity of spirit, we can enrich the Australian tradition.”

Beau Taylor, from St Patrick’s School, Cooma read the ANZAC Requiem, while students Jack Jardine (Cooma North Public School), and Isabella Lucas (Nimmitabel Public School),

LEST WE FORGET: Preparing to march along Bombala Street to the Nimmitabel War Memorial (from le ) Darren Miller, Ray Williams of Queensland, Peter Lewis, Gary Nichols, Carolyn Hovi of Cooma, Capt Jace Hutchison of Canberra and Howard Charles. PHOTOS: Melinda Cairns Hack

read the poem In Flander’s Fields by John McCrae, and The Ode, respectively.

The commemorative address was delivered by Captain Jace Hutchison, Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

“ANZAC Day is a day of profound signi cance for our nation,” Capt Hutchison said.

“As we stand here in reection, we are reminded of the enduring spirit of the ANZACs and their legacy that continues to guide and inspire us today.

“ANZAC Day is more than just a day of remembrance, it’s also a day of re ection and renewal.

“It’s a time when we consider not only the past, but also the enduring legacy of those who have served.

“The ANZAC spirit, born

on the Gallipoli peninsular over a century ago, has become woven into the fabric of our national identity.

“It is a spirit de ned by courage, resilience, loyalty and mateship.

“A spirit that continues to inspire us and guide us as a nation.

“The ANZAC spirit is not con ned to the pages of history books or the stories of battle elds far from home, it is alive in the values we cherish and the actions we take every day - professionalism, honour, tenacity and above all the willingness to put others above ourselves.

“These are the qualities that shaped the ANZACs and they are the qualities we strive to embody as Australians now.

“Let us remember we are

FLANNELETTE

“Thousands upon thousands of Australians have joined the call to ght for our freedoms and the life we enjoy today.

“Let’s strive to embody their courage, sacri ce, mateship and resilience not only on ANZAC Day but every day.” regularly and attend the Nimmitabel service every year,

Amy, Benny, Maggie and David Wade.

Attendees of the ANZAC Day service at Nimmitabel were surrounded by stunning autumn trees.

Region to decide next member

Residents, community groups have their say

By NATHAN THOMPSON

FOR many voters, this Saturday’s election will be decided upon which major party they believe will ease the cost-of-living, deliver reliable and cost-e ective energy, keep the nation safe, and tackle housing a ordability.

While these issues are front of mind for many Snowy Monaro voters, more localised issues such as aged care services, better healthcare resources for regional and rural areas, and roads infrastructure improvements are on the agenda

In Michelago, the village’s peak community group is

calling for much needed funding for the Monaro Highway.

“Monaro Highway safety is the biggest concern for all Michelago residents. Everyone who lives in and around Michelago must use the Monaro Highway,” Michelago Region Community Association, president, Kerry Rooney said.

“While this is normally a state government issue, we have been raising this with federal candidates as the Commonwealth can and does contribute funding to improve road safety.

“To improve safety we need the speed limit reduced to 80 km/h from Wil-

lows Rd to Mt Livingston Rd, a distance of 5.8 km, turning lanes for those intersections with the most tra c (eg Micalago Road), and wide, long, sealed verges for all the other intersections with the highway.”

Eight candidates are contesting the seat of EdenMonaro with Labor’s Kristy McBain the current member with a six per cent margin.

Following the re-distribution of the seat last year, Eden-Monaro now takes in Goulburn while Yass and Tumut are now part of the seat of Riverina.

The addition of Goulburn is tipped to help the chances of Liberal candidate and

Cooma resident, Jo van der Plaat.

The region is also represented on the Senate ballot paper, with Cooma teacher, Kerrie Harris, standing for election.

Six candidates appeared at last week’s candidates’ forum in Jindbayne (Brian

Fisher was not present, and local Greens member John Castellari lled in for candidate, Emma Goward).

Questions focussed on aged care services, nuclear energy, small business help and the future of Snowy 2.0.

Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce president, Olivier Kapetanakos, asked candidates how they would support elderly residents being able to stay in Jindabyne to access aged care services.

“It’s a disgrace in Jindabyne there is no aged care facility. People deserve to stay here,” Mrs van der Plaat said.

Ms McBain said Jindabyne would need a private provider to deliver aged care service. She noted a $1 million federal government allocation to Snowy Monaro Re-

gional Council to maintain aged care beds in Cooma.

“We need to look at delivering extra home care services. We are hearing the community wants to stay at home for longer,” Ms McBain said.

Independent candidate, Andrew Thaler, said Jindabyne deserves its own facility.

“Jindabyne should have an aged care facility, we need to nd space for it,” Mr Thaler said.

When asked about Snowy 2.0, candidates agreed the projects needs completing but would not support anything further.

All candidates agreed on the need for tax reform, and to support Jindabyne’s yearround tourism season.

ELECTION TIME: Eden-Monaro candidates at the Jindabyne meet the candidates event last week.

PHOTO: Nathan Thompson

Abandoned trolleys ... there’s an app for that

By MELINDA CAIRNS HACK

ABANDONED shopping trolleys in random places not only creates an eyesore in scenic areas, such as parks and waterways, they are o en mis-used by those who decide they are fun “joy rides”.

Suzanne Dunning, a member of the Cooma Chamber of Commerce, is keen to put an end to unsightly supermarket shopping trolleys le in Centennial Park and the Cooma CBD by encouraging the community to install the free Snap, Send, Solve app on their mobile phone so the aban-

doned trolleys can be directly reported to the supermarkets they are from.

“At one of the last chamber meetings it came up that some people were concerned about the trolleys le around in Cooma,”

Mrs Dunning said.

“We have had this amazing app available for many years and some people aren’t aware of Snap, Send, Solve.”

Mrs Dunning has used the app herself many times and has reported the multiple trolleys she observes le around the town, with immediate results.

A report can be sent directly to

Coles, Woolworths or Aldi.

“We can become citizen solvers using the app. It’s useful to report issues to local council, Telstra and supermarkets.

“By using the app I have seen responses to many of the reports I have made.

“Instead of people complaining about the things that need attention, they can be pro-active by reporting them to Snap, Send, Solve. It is easy and takes only a couple of minutes. If the businesses or council don’t know about these issues, then they can’t be xed,” Mrs Dunning said.

“The council is not responsible

for picking up these trolleys, it is the supermarkets and they are good at it, as long as they know where the trolleys are. If they are alerted to the fact there is a trolley in the creek, or in a street somewhere, then they will get it. In my experience they generally do a good job of following up these reports.

“Sometimes you need to be persistent, depending on what the issue is, but generally the response is immediate through the app.

“Things like trolleys though, it’s a very easy x,” Mrs Dunning said.

Cooma CWA calls for new members

THE Cooma branch of the Country Women’s Association is encouraging local women to join its ranks and find their place in the community.

In what has already been a busy year for the local branch and CWA statewide with multiple advocacy activities, Sydney Royal Easter Show events and the annual state conference, Cooma CWA members believe now is the perfect time to join the organisation.

During April and May, the Find Your Place campaign is calling on women to consider joining their local branch.

“The CWA of NSW is a group where

you can become involved with so many different activities, from fundraising for your local community and broader causes, to helping set association policies that become part of a wider advocacy agenda,” Cooma CWA branch president, Margaret Peterson, said.

“Our branches are also places where women can find new friends, learn new skills and enjoy new experiences, and feel encouraged and empowered to advocate and achieve positive change for our community.”

Ms Peterson said the Cooma branch is keen to grow its membership base to ensure a strong future

for the association, which turned 100 in 2022.

“The CWA has achieved so much for women and children in regional, rural and remote NSW communities, which has been possible through a united and passionate voice,” Ms Peterson said.

“We want to keep that voice strong into the future.”

The CWA of NSW has appeared before a number of inquiries this year, making multiple submission on a range of issues including telecommunications, feral animal controls, affordable housing for older women and improved maternity service in regional and rural areas.

Branches also have the opportunity to put forward policy motions to the association’s state conference, held in Wagga Wagga this May.

“Becoming a member of the CWA offers so many new opportunities and experiences,” Ms Peterson said.

“Within our branch I know you will find a supportive and friendly group of women, who may come from different backgrounds but who are all united by the desire to make a positive change for women, children and communities right across the state.”

To find out more about joining the Cooma branch, contact secretary Kaye Anderson on 6452 1782.

JOIN NOW: Debbie Bartlett, Gwen Shawcross, and Margaret Peterson of the Cooma CWA branch are encouraging local women to join the organisation and

place in the community. PHOTO: Nathan Thompson

CITIZEN SOLVER: Suzanne Dunning of the Cooma Visitors Centre encourages the community to install the Snap, Send and Solve app to report any issues which need attention to the relevant organisation or business.

PHOTO: Melinda Cairns Hack

Cr Stewart backs alternate locations

Cr Rose calls for Cooma-only council meetings to save costs

By KAREN FORMAN

COOMA-only meetings of the Snowy Monaro Regional Council would be detrimental to both the Bombala community and the council, according to Bombala-based councillor, Bob Stewart.

Cr Stewart, a former Bombala Shire Council mayor prior to amalgamation, was responding to a motion before council suggesting all meetings be held in Cooma, to save costs.

Currently, two meetings a year are held in Bombala, two in Jindabyne and the rest in Cooma.

The motion, by Cr Reuben Rose, is yet to be discussed, but is likely to come up at the May meeting.

“There is more to it than Cr Rose realises, I think,” Cr Stewart said.

“I can see where he’s coming from, with wanting to save money, but when the amalgamation happened, there were conditions, like sharing the meeting venues around the whole region.

“This idea is centralising the whole council more to Cooma, which would be, I believe, detrimental to both the council and Bombala residents.”

Cr Stewart said the council needed to remain as transparent as possible and show it is a council for all of the towns within its boundaries.

He also said Bombala residents needed to be able to attend meetings without the inconvenience of having to travel to Cooma.

“I hope that it’s not supported,” he said.

“To nitpick over a small amount of money like that, especially when it could have such a negative effect, is not right.

“We only have two meetings here, two at Jindabyne, the rest at Cooma including council and briefing meetings, so it is a very small price to pay for those communities to see the council and not have to travel.

“I think people are more comfy having the meeting close to home and they like seeing the council getting out to the other areas.”

Cr Stewart, who supports de-amalgamation, said he felt it was about the structure of the whole council.

“We need to get away from centralised management in Cooma,” he said.

“The amalgamation has not been successful for the whole of the region. Unless we can turn it around shortly, within 10 years, the next closest thing is for council to have a non-centralised management; to get a regional manager south and north. If we can do that we might start getting better successes.

“That has not been moot-

ed at this stage. Hopefully when we appoint a new general manager we can look down that path.

“Unfortunately we got involved in the Towards Excellence Program which I believe has not worked and been costly. It is about getting better management through council.”

Delegate resident, Penny Judge, told last week’s council meeting that any move to remove meetings from Bombala would be wrong and unjust.

“It’s anti-democratic,” she said.

“Council is supposed to be a place where voices can be heard.”

She suggested if the council could not work out how to afford the IT to provide live-streaming of meetings in Bombala, then it should spend more money to ensure they could happen.

“The feeling in Bombala is that small, poor towns could be treated as poor relations: ignored.”

In Cr Rose’s motion, he states holding meetings in Cooma would save money and improve the quality of the live-stream.

“To ensure accessibility for residents across the region, the council previously decided to hold meetings in Jindabyne and Bombala, in addition to Cooma,” Cr Rose said in his motion.

“While well-intentioned, the logistical and nancial burden of moving meetings outside Cooma is challenging and stressful for IT sta .

“The council is mandated to live-stream all meetings, and transporting audio visual equipment, setting it up, and troubleshooting technical issues at remote locations requires signi cant sta time and resources.”

Cr Rose said this incurs substantial costs and operational challenges that outweigh the bene ts.

“By holding all regular meetings in the Cooma chambers, where permanent, high-quality audio visual and broadcasting infrastructure is in place, the council can ensure reliable access for all residents via live-stream while signi -

cantly reducing costs and logistical strain,” he said.

“This decision would enhance e ciency, free up resources for essential services, and maintain transparency without compromising public engagement.”

The cost of holding the meetings at alternative locations is estimated to be in the range of $15,000 to $20,000 per annum.

COUNCIL: Bombala-based Snowy Monaro Regional Councillor, Bob Stewart, is calling for meetings to continue being held across the region. PHOTO: Nathan Thompson

The Big Chair Lift stays in Jindabyne

By TRISTA HEATH

THE Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce announced on Sunday 20 April that, thanks to overwhelming community support, The Big Chair Li sculpture by local artist Darragh Walsh will remain in Jindabyne permanently.

Over the Easter long weekend, a spirited communityled GoFundMe campaign raised $25,535 in just four days, surpassing the $25,000 purchase target set to secure the sculpture from the 2025 Lake Light Sculpture Festival.

More than 175 individuals, businesses, and organisations came together to contribute, re ecting the deep pride and a ection the community holds for this striking piece of public art.

Among the major supporters were Snowy Monaro Regional Council mayor, Cr Chris Hanna, who personally donated $5000, and Shaun Turner from Doppelmayr Australia, whose $5000 contribution early on Easter Sunday morning helped seal the deal and push the campaign over the line.

“Lake Light Sculpture is a great event and when I saw The Big Chair Li and that a GoFundMe page was set up to keep the chair as a permanent feature in Jindabyne, I thought that was right up our alley as we build chair li s,” Mr Turner said.

and Brett Parsons decided to dress up for the occasion in full ski gear. PHOTO: Michal Bierczynski Li

“It would be a good addition to Jindabyne.

“What an excellent opportunity for Jindabyne to have another attraction added and as a local company that builds chair li s for the resort we had to donate,” Mr Turner said.

Created by Dalgety-based artist, Darragh Walsh, The Big Chair Li was inspired by the nostalgic silhouette of the old double chair li s now removed across Snowy Mountains resorts, a loving nod to Jindabyne’s alpine heritage and adventurous spirit.

Installed on the foreshore of Lake Jindabyne in the 2025 Lake Light Sculpture Festi-

val, the sculpture quickly became a fan favourite.

The large piece of art attracted plenty of attention from locals, tourists, and social media audiences across the region.

It became one of the most photographed pieces of the festival, including some going as far as dressing up in ski gear to really capture the alpine feel, leaving many willing it to be “a future landmark for the town”.

So, the Jindabyne Chamber decided to spring into action and make it happen.

“Not only is The Big Chair Li a magni cent sculpture, it’s a tting symbol of our town’s identity, our shared

this piece, which will be a most welcome contribution to the installation costs.

The energy around this project has also inspired conversations about the broader role of public art in the region.

Any surplus funds raised from the GoFundMe campaign will be re-invested into future art installations around the Lake Jindabyne foreshore.

These installations will reect the area’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and community values.

memories, and our alpine spirit,” president of the Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce, Olivier Kapetanakos, said.

“The response has been nothing short of phenomenal, and we’re so proud to help keep it here in Jindabyne for locals and visitors to enjoy for years to come.

“As Australia’s alpine playground, Jindabyne is the ideal setting for public art that re ects adventure and our seasonal rhythm from winter snowsports to mountain biking in the green season, capturing the true spirit of a town shaped by life in the alpine outdoors.”

The Jindabyne Cham-

ber of Commerce is now working closely with local stakeholders, including the Snowy Monaro Regional Council and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, to determine a permanent location for the sculpture and to ensure the Big Chair Li becomes a lasting visual symbol for Jindabyne and a welcoming marker for all who arrive.

The permanent location should be determined before the June long-weekend, in time for the start of the ski season.

The Lake Light Sculpture committee generously halved the commission on

The Jindabyne Chamber sees this initiative as a starting point for a longer-term commitment to bringing meaningful, place-based art to public spaces across the town.

This project is a big win for the arts, it’s a celebration of Jindabyne’s character and capacity to unite behind a shared vision.

“I wanted to bring something to town that would become something iconic to the area, other places have ‘big’ things that showcase their region,” Mr Walsh said.

“I thought The Big Chair Li ts perfectly with our alpine town.”

Through grassroots generosity, artistic passion, and civic pride, The Big Chair Li has a forever home in Jindabyne, and a legacy as big as the mountain spirit it represents.

The Big Chair Li has solar lights attached for people to still enjoy a photo on the iconic landmark at night time.

PHOTO: Trista Heath

Michal Bierczynski

GoFundMe fundraiser announcement.

PHOTO: Trista Heath

95 years of Monaro merino ewe history

By MELINDA CAIRNS HACK

THE oldest Merino ewe competition in Australia, run by the Berridale Agricultural Bureau, starts on Friday, 2 May providing local entrants with the opportunity to learn more about Merino sheep, visit farms, and get together with farmers and like-minded people.

The ewe competition is a social two-day event held across the Snowy Monaro. The only occasions when the competition has been cancelled in its 95 years was during WWII in 1943 and in 2020 during the COVID pandemic.

The entrants will be judged this year by returning judge, Scott Thri from Narromine, and Garry Kopp from Peak Hill, who will accompany junior judge, Jamie Lette from Berridale’s Conrayn Merino Stud.

Properties entering ocks this year are located as far south as Numbla Vale, Berridale, Rocky Plains area, around the Cooma airport, Nimmitabel, Numeralla and Adaminaby.

There is no limit to the number in the ock but selection is restricted to no older than one-and-a-half-year-old ewes, and importantly, they are not allowed to carry more than 12 months’ wool.

Some graziers who have entered ocks judged as winners in past competitons, have had the con dence to establish Merino studs in their ock.

Berridale Agricultural Bureau president and competition entrant since 2016, Neil Lynch, said the sheep presented to the judges are of the highest quality.

“Perhaps with their own belief or with the prompting of the judges

comments, previous winners have decided to move into the stud Merino side of things and breed the rams for sale,” Mr Lynch said.

“I have seen that with the Adina stud. They are operating a very successful Merino stud at Peak View. Yarrawonga - another very big Merino stud that originally started at Jerangle - won the Merino ewe competition, and then moved on to bigger things with their stud now at Harden.”

Mr Lynch has been looking into the extensive history of the Merino ewe competition.

“We have found a box of original old journals, and there’s some very good reading in them. They are very well written, from the original meeting, and report on the decision to stage a ewe competition,” he said.

“Over the years it has changed a lot, the Merino sheep have changed, the sheep ock in general has had a huge shi in numbers, and there’s been a big move towards the production of protein with the shedding breeds of sheep, the cross-bred sheep, so away from the Merino sheep for wool production.”

Bus timetable:

Friday, 2 May

The bus will pick up in Cooma at 7.30am at Centennial Park and then travel to the Berridale Inn 8am and will visit ve farms before returning to Cooma at 4pm and then Berridale at 4.30pm.

Saturday, 3 May

The bus picks up at 7.30am at the Centennial Park bus stop, and then Berridale at the Berridale Inn at 8am, visiting six farms before returning to Berridale at 3.40pm and Cooma at 4.10pm.

Is

your child starting school next year?

GREG COWELL LANDSCAPING

LEARNING: Kindergarten students at The Alpine School in Cooma.

PHOTO: The Alpine School

Do you know how to make your vote count?

Federal election, Saturday 3 May 2025

It’s important that you understand how to vote correctly.

On election day you need to complete two ballot papers:

• a green one for the House of Representatives

• a large white one for the Senate.

On the green ballot paper you are voting for a representative of your local area or electorate in the House of Representatives.

On the white ballot paper you are voting for representatives of your state or territory in the Senate.

Don’t worry if you make a mistake. Just ask for another ballot paper and start again.

White ballot paper – you can choose to vote either above or below the line

Green ballot paper –number every box in the order of your choice

EITHER

Vote above the line Number at least 6 boxes for parties or groups, in the order of your choice.

Vote below the line Number at least 12 boxes for individual candidates, in the order of your choice.

ANZAC Day Berridale attracts huge crowds

By KAREN FORMAN

AUSTRALIANS would keep gathering before the dawn, gathering together and gathering in memory of the ANZACs and those who followed them, speaker Warrant Ofcer Class 2 (Retired) Chris Napstone told the several hundred people who gathered for Berridale’s two ANZAC Day services.

Mr Napstone, who travelled from Canberra to be the guest of Snowy River RSL sub-branch, said although all hoped one day war would be done and there would be no need for names to be inscribed on memorials, ANZAC Day services would continue in memory of those who had been responsible for the phrase, “the ANZAC spirit”.

“Over 100 years ago our rst ANZACs set o in their boats,” he said.

“This dawn we remember them and all who followed.

“Gallipoli is relevant for all Australians for the spirit behind it. The qualities shown by all during the landing are invaluable and enduring; (they showed) great courage, dedication and erce determination.

“Thousands were killed and wounded and it was because of the way Australia and New Zealand fought and their behaviour and demonstration of sel essness to protect our way of life that the ANZAC spirit, the ANZAC legend was born.” The dawn service saw up to 200 people gathering in the dark, warmed in the seven degree temperature by a re and a Berridale Lions Club barbecue, to hear the address, sing the National Anthem and re ect as The Last Post and Reveille were played.

tralian and New Zealand National Anthems.

The morning service, meanwhile, featured a parade of local schools, community groups, defence families and the State Emergency Services, with wreath laying and the singing of both Aus-

Another 200 or so people attended the morning commemoration, with many staying around for some hospitality and traditional twoup at the Berridale Country Club.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS

Adaminaby | 6 May, 6pm

Warrant O icer Class 2 (Retired) Chris Napstone of Canberra (centre) with Snowy River RSL sub-branch representative Mark Davis (le ) and Leading Seaman Chris O’Connell from Berridale at the Berridale Dawn service.

Berridale Lions provided a barbecue breakfast at the town’s dawn ANZAC service (from le ) president Stuart Reid, Ann Munslow, Dave Johnson, Simon Munslow and Alfred Hacker.

A family member of a serviceman lays a wreath during the Berridale service.

PHOTOS: Karen Forman

ANZAC Day commemorations across the Snowy Monaro saw record attendances in some locations and large crowds at all services.

Our RSL sub-branches said they were very pleased with numbers at dawn and morning services, declaring the ANZAC spirit is alive and well.

ANZAC Day serves as an important occasion to say thank you to the men and women who have served our nation, and those who are currently serving.

Lest We Forget.

Saturday will see voters in EdenMonaro head to the polls to elect our member for the next three years. There are eight candidates contesting the seat.

Labor’s Kristy McBain is the current member with a six per cent margin.

Within this masthead are profiles on each candidate, see pages 15 and 16.

The region has a candidate contesting a spot in the Senate. Cooma teacher, Kerrie Harris, is running as the only female, independent candidate for the Senate.

Mrs Harris is running a no-cost campaign, with her focus on improving regional and rural representation at the federal level.

We know the cost-of-living, health services, and aged care are three of the broader issues that will weigh on voters’ minds when casting their vote.

In the way of election promises, there have been announcements for Cooma, Jindabyne and Adaminaby. An elected Labor government will deliver a $3.1 million MTB expansion in Cooma, linking the Mt Gladstone trails to Cooma’s township.

An elected Liberal government will allocate $900,000 to upgrade Adaminaby’s Seymour Park. Liberal candidate, Jo van der Plaat, also committed $500,000 to construct female-specific change rooms for the Cooma Stallions.

A list of the election promises from both major parties can be found at monaropost.com.au

At a candidates’ forum hosted by the Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce last week, in Jindabyne, it was interesting to hear the response each candidate gave to the last question of the night - if you could accomplish one thing if elected, what would it be?

Answers ranged from improving health resourcing, fighting for truth, turning around a perceived globalist agenda and improving our nation’s defence capabilities

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Australia’s green dream hypocrisy

I HAVE to congratulate Channel 7 for their Spotlight program that was shown on Sunday, 6 April. Liam Bartlett investigated the “Dirty Nickel” industry that is devastating some parts of Indonesia.

This program should be compulsory viewing for all people who have bought an electric vehicle or those who are considering buying an electric vehicle.

Millions of people in the western world have been brainwashed and made to feel guilty about our coal, oil and gas production.

Most of the Chinese-owned nickel factories in Indonesia are causing massive environmental devastation to thousands of acres of rainforest and farmland.

Entire villages have had their shing industries wiped out. Their populations are being poisoned by heavy metals, in particular mercury and arsenic. Where are the world’s environmentalists? Where is our humanity for these people. The human misery that is being caused by the world’s crazy green dream is immeasurable.

We only have look in our own back yard, in Kosciuszko National Park. Hundreds of acres of native forests, native habitats and productive farmland is being destroyed for transmission lines. What do our local environmentalists have to say about this?

Many rural towns and rural areas around Australia are being destroyed in the pursuit of Australia’s green dream. Where are the environmentalists when koala colonies in Queensland are being devastated.

Is it ok because it’s for the green dream and it is not happening in their backyard? What has happened to Australia’s once thriving Nickel industry that employed about 7000 people? I know, we cannot compete against “Dirty Nickel”. Please do your own research. Find out where the nickel that is in your EV comes from. There is plenty of information out there. This is the hypocrisy of Australia’s green dream.

Vote wisely, election most important in

I AM writing this on Anzac Day, following on from ‘meet the candidates’ in Jindabyne (thank you Chamber of Commerce), which just happened to be the evening of St George’s Day. Each candidate introduced themselves before answering

YOUR SAY

a ‘set of questions’ from the Chamber of Commerce, ending with questions from the oor. For me the two standout candidates were Wade Cox, passionate about the defence of the country, and Kerrie Harris standing as an independent

for The Senate. She is a true independent with no nancial backers, so no baggage, and a Cooma local. A true voice for regional and rural Australia. We need to remind those who claim to lead that we are watching and monitoring their

‘lifetime’

promises and performance; and we will hold them accountable. This is probably the most important election in my lifetime. We should use our vote wisely.

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

Church service times across the Snowy Monaro region

Cooma Baptist Church: 10am Sunday

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

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

St Andrew’s Cooma Uniting Church: 9.30am Sunday

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

Cooma Presbyterian Church: 9am Sunday

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

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

St Andrew’s Catholic Church Nimmitabel: Saturday vigil mass 5pm on the weekend of the third Sunday, Liturgy with Holy Communion other Saturdays 5pm

Alpine Uniting Church Jindabyne: 9.30am Sunday

Columbkille Catholic Church, Jindabyne: Mass 5pm Saturdays

Village Church Jindabyne: 5pm Sunday

All Saints Anglican Church Berridale: 9.30am Sunday

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

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

Karen Evans Numeralla

Lindy Rose Cooma

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Quarry queries remain over landfill solutions

I WAS interested to read the Monaro Post’s article last week relating to the Jindabyne Lions Clubs community engagement session with o cers of the Snowy Monaro Regional Council.

I was disappointed to see in print that the quarry adjoining the present waste facility was not being proposed to be used for expansion of the facility land ll area.

The interim CEO is quoted as saying that “Council and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are not contemplating using the quarry”.

Unfortunately there was no reason reported in the Post for that emphatic denial of the use of that site which means we, the public, are again kept in the dark as to why that option is not being pursued.

I can only assume that leechate from the site might be an issue but there is always an engineering solution to protect the environmental problems

Life on the funny farm

By Paul Dorin

caused through waste disposal.

One only has to look at the Canberra waste disposal area near Hume where a mountain is being formed through the clever disposal of waste. Obviously leechate is either not an issue there or it is being controlled at the site which is upstream of the Molonglo River and Lake Burley Gri n eventually discharging into the Murrumbidgee River.

The runo from the Cooma land ll site similarly discharges into the Murrumbidgee River so I wonder how environmental issues created by that land ll are controlled.

The projected life of the Jindabyne site has been subject of much deliberation since at least the early 2000s so there has been more than adequate time to sort out the issues instead of waiting until time is too critical to allow the issue to be satisfactorily resolved.

Now, the EPA being the autonomous department that it is, seems to have its decisions taken as gospel so I wonder if council has ever had the fortitude to challenge the reasons the EPA decided the former quarry site was unsuitable to be used for waste storage.

When factoring in the cost of transporting the waste to Cooma and elsewhere and the effect the extra waste will have in shortening the lifespan of the Cooma site, considerable funds could be committed to ensuring the safe use of the former quarry as a landfill site.

If nothing is done to use that site it will be a blight on the landscape for generations to come, not to mention the danger to any kids who might see the site as an interesting adventure destination which could result in falls or even deaths.

Phil Daley, Berridale

By LISA ASHURST

OH, the fibs we tell our kids.

Like, we have a direct line to Santa and the Easter Bunny, which means we can dob them in if they don’t stop misbehaving and the consequences could seriously impact the haul of pressies and chocolate eggs.

As a child, I was amazed that my mother could just pick up the phone to dob on my sister and me. But the result was always the same.

We would become compliant on the spot. I even remember telling my own kids that a good shout across the paddocks would alert Santa and the Bunny and then I’d ask if they really wanted to risk me doing that?

You never saw a lounge room floor get cleared of toys etc so fast in all your life.

Daughter and son-in-law have made good use of the Elf on the Shelf to curtail any issues in the lead up to Christmas, but they have a really great ally for the Easter dob-in. Their pet rabbit, Pai Pai. A big, floppy-eared ball of glossy black fluff and my two grandchildren are still young enough to believe Mum and Dad when they say she is the Easter Bunny’s cousin and will dob big time if they don’t do as they’ve been asked. Surprisingly, they still love Pai Pai, despite her tendency to tell on them.

Anyway, they were visiting me over Easter and naturally brought Pai Pai the dobber, sorry, I mean rabbit, with them, so whatever was on their plates got eaten, toys and games were picked up and put away, any arguments were quickly settled, and Pai Pai must have given a very positive report because the Easter Sunday haul was impressive. So is it a bad thing to fall back on those kinds of fibs to blackmail your children into behaving themselves? Not when it’s that successful, no. And besides, once you start having children, blackmail and coercion are an open book anyway.

Then there’s the Tooth Fairy. But I don’t think she can be weaponised as she pays you for those teeth despite any behavioural issues, but the Birthday Fairy apparently operates on the same agenda as Santa and the Easter Bunny. She keeps tabs, so it’s not worth getting on her bad side either.

But getting back to Easter. We all had chocolate for breakfast, chocolate for lunch and afternoon tea, and by then we were on a bit of a chocolate break and had a delicious lasagna for dinner. Then chocolate for dessert. But that’s Easter, isn’t it? Chocolate all day long, and then a walk to the beach for us, for a couple of hours of letting the little ones run themselves ragged to work it all off (the weather here was divine) so they would be ready to sleep like little logs come bedtime.

With the children down, we got into the chocolate again over some great games of Scrabble.

So does that mean I must be all chocolateed out now? Don’t be silly. Women have a remarkable capacity for ingesting copious amounts of chocolate and I’m not the exception here. I am Woman etc, and besides, I still have some Easter treats in the fridge.

I’m telling you, that rabbit was seriously generous.

Hence great time had by all.

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

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

JOURNALISTS

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FEATURES WRITER

Lisa Ashurst

Madelaine Last crowned people’s choice awardee for second year

By TRISTA HEATH

VICTORIAN artist, Madelaine Last, travelled almost six hours from Swi s Creek to Jindabyne to showcase three of her pieces at the Lake Light Sculpture 2025 event.

Ms Last was presented with two awards, the Waste to Art Award and the most impressive, People’s Choice Award, for her piece ‘Conspiracy at Copper Tom’, winning her a combined $7500 in prize money.

No stranger to Lake Light Sculpture, having entered pieces in the 2019, 2021 and 2023 event, Ms Last showcased three pieces in this year’s event including ‘Conspiracy at Copper Tom’, ‘Geodome’ and ‘Banksia Seedpod’.

Capturing the attention of attendees, winning Ms Last the People’s Choice Award, ‘Conspiracy at Copper Tom’, features an incredible copper metal base, trunks, branches and 1400 leaves, made of old knife handles.

The piece was inspired by Ms Last’s stay in Jindabyne in 2023 during one of the last times she was here for Jindabyne’s Lake Light Sculpture event.

She had set up camp at Copper Tom Point and was sitting in a camp chair when ravens ew over from the direction of the land ll.

“With all these ravens ying around above me, before landing in the trees around us, it was a really cool moment and that is what inspired me to make this piece,” Ms Last said.

“As soon as the committee an-

nounced this year’s event was going ahead, I started working on the piece immediately, taking almost three months to complete it.”

Discovering she had a bit of a knack for shaping metal and making sculptures from scrap metal, a er a year of creating bits and pieces, she entered some of her creations into several sculpture events.

She realised her work was appreciated when she began collecting awards.

Her popularity as an artist was conrmed a few years ago among the Lake Light committee and attendees of Lake Light Sculpture Jindabyne after also winning the ANU Artist Residency Award at Jindabyne’s event in 2019 and the People’s Choice Award in 2023.

“Having entered pieces in past Lake light sculpture events, I keep coming back because I love the atmosphere here, it’s such a tight knit community event,” Ms Last said.

“There are artists from all levels, including little kids in primary school to the top tier professional artists, it’s so awesome that an event like this can bring all artists together to be celebrated.”

A er packing up her sculptures in the rain on Monday 21 April Ms Last is back on her property in Swi s Creek, working on more pieces, doing what she loves as a full time metal artist.

Visit website www.madmetalcreations.com.au and Facebook MadMetalCreations for more information and to see her pieces.

Great results for annual art show and sale

JINDABYNE Lions Club’s Easter Art Show and Sale had more than 300 entries from 102 artists including categories of painting, drawing, sculpting and photography from both adults and school aged children, and sold 94 pieces.

There was a great variety in the artworks this year, with many showcasing the beautiful Snowy Mountains and surrounding areas.

“We were so pleased to be able to hold a tribute to the late George Kraus at the entry of the Art Show where we displayed some of his stunning artwork and an informative article about his amazing life,” Ms Lee said.

“Throughout the weekend visitors were able to vote for their favourite piece, and we congratulate Jenna Bird who won the Viewer’s Choice award for her piece, ‘Colours of the Sky’.

“We’re looking forward to holding the show again next year and hope lots of artists have found inspiration over the Easter weekend.”

Committee member, Erin Lee, said they had a steady stream of visitors over the four days of the weekend a er a great opening night, and the feedback was very positive with many visitors impressed with the local artists and their talent, and also with the friendly and helpful volunteers who make the show happen.

Viewer’s Choice Award winning piece ‘Colours of the Sky’ by Jenna Bird.

SUCCESS: Committee members, from le , Terry Chalk, Erin Lee, Lorraine Young and Becca Moe.

PHOTOS: Trista Heath

stay at Copper Tom Point in Jindabyne in 2023.

Waste to Art Award and People’s Choice Award went to Madelaine Last’s piece, ‘Conspiracy at Copper Tom’.

WINNING: Sculpture artist, People’s Choice Award and Waste to Art Award winner, Madelaine Last.

PHOTOS: Trista Heath

charity collection ahead of the Duntroon Army Band’s ‘Music at Midday’ concert.

PHOTO: Supplied

Tapping toes with Duntroon Army Band

By COOMA LADIES PROBUS CLUB

COOMA Probus ladies joined WerriNina friends on a trip to Canberra Theatre to hear the Royal Military College Duntroon Army Band present a concert in their Music at Midday series.

The program ranged from traditional military march music to big band. The program included, Glenn Miller’s ‘In the Mood’, ‘How to Train your Dragon’ arranged by the band’s flautist, and Crowded House’s song

‘You’d Better Be Home Soon’ arranged for the band by its conductor, Major Douglas Hall. In preparation for ANZAC Day, an exquisite arrangement of The Last Post and ‘Lead Kindly Light’ was played with the two well known tunes melding together. The army band also presented their vocalists who showed great presence on stage during jazz numbers. The concert was well attended with gold coin donation entry to support a local charity. Contributions were collected by Rotary members including former Cooma resident Darrell Gaukrodger who was delighted to meet and reconnect with the Probus ladies.

New citizens welcomed

FOURTEEN Snowy Monaro residents are now Australian citizens following the region’s latest citizenship ceremony.

The ceremony was held at the Cooma Multicultural Centre with the new citizens welcomed and congratulated by dozens of community members, Snowy

Monaro

The new citizens are:

Szu-Chiao Feng

Natasha Myers

Chu-Chiao Tseng

Gayani Kadawathalage

Udaya Pituwala Liyanage

Dulana Pituwala Liyanage

Yenula Pituwala Liyanage

Dulya Pituwala Liyanage

Rehana Kousar

Wali Muhammad

Sami Ullah

Sara Muhammad

Muhammad Sajid

Sajjad Muhammad

Council updates

Council meeting this week

An extraordinary meeting is scheduled for 1pm on Thursday 1 May 2025 in Cooma.

Visit https://qrco.de/SMRCmeetings to see what’s on the agenda, watch the live webcast on the day, or ﬁnd out more about Council meetings in our region.

A full recording of the day’s proceedings will be available online within 48 hours of the meeting’s close.

Claypits carpark closing for upgrades

Work commences on Monday 5 May 2025 at Jindabyne’s Claypits carpark, as stage one of the Claypits Foreshore Upgrade Project ofﬁcially gets underway.

The Claypits carpark will be closed to the public until early 2026, and some access restrictions will be required in the vicinity of the work-site. Detour routes will be established for any paths and trails affected by this work.

Job vacancies at Council

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

Visit our website to learn more about working with us, application tips, or to see more of our current opportunities.

Head to https://qrco.de/SMRCjobs today to take the ﬁrst step in an exciting new career, and help us as we work to build a better Snowy Monaro.

The existing lot will be replaced with a paved and line-marked parking area, improving access and providing more parking spaces for residents and visitors.

This project is a joint initiative of the Australian Government, NSW Government, and Council, led by the Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation as part of the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct.

Free online compost workshop

Council is hosting a free online compost workshop next week on Thursday 8 May 2025 that will help you make the most of your kitchen and garden waste.

Join expert hosts from Sustainable Gardening Australia from 6.30pm for an hour-long session on home composting, worm-farming, and bokashi.

The workshop covers everything you need to know to get started and hit the ground running with home composting.

Learn how to tackle common compost problems, and get specialist advice on how to handle the challenges posed by our region’s cooler climate.

By the end of the hour, you’ll be all set to get composting at your place. Reducing waste, giving your garden a boost, and doing your part for the climate all at once.

Visit https://qrco.de/smrc-events today to book your ticket. Limited spots remaining.

We’re here to help. Contact our friendly customer service team today. Email: council@smrc.nsw.gov.au | Phone: 1300 345 345 | Facebook: Snowy Monaro Regional Council

Yvi Henderson, Cr Chris Hanna and MLC Nichole Overall with (le to right): Yenula Pituwala Liyanage, Udaya Pituwala Liyanage, Dulana Pituwala Liyanage, Gayani Kadawathalage, and Dulya Pituwala Liyanage (front).

Yvi Henderson, Cr Chris Hanna, and MLC Nichole Overall, congratulate new citien Chu-Chiao Tseng.

WELCOME: Back row le to right: Cooma Multicultural Centre co-ordinator, Yvi Henderson; Snowy Monaro mayor, Chris Hanna; new citizens Wali Muhammad and Rehana Kousar; and Member of the Legislative Council, Nichole Overall. Front row le to right: Sajjad Muhammad, Muhammad Sajjad, Sara Muhammad, and Sami Ullah received their citizenship certificates. PHOTOS: Nathan Thompson

mayor, Cr Chris Hanna, and Member of the Legislative Council, Nichole Overall.

RECONNECTING: Former Cooma Rotarian, now member of Gungahlin Rotary Club, Darrell Gaukrodger, encourages Judy Knighton and Margaret Wainwright to give to the local

Steampunk festival to attract hundreds

By KAREN FORMAN

ALL roads will lead to Nimmitabel this weekend (3-4 May) for the 2025 edition of the nationally renowned Steampunk@Altitude Festival, with many treats, both free and ticketed, in store for people of all ages.

Host organisation Nimmitabel School of Arts spokesman, Kelvin Fahey, said all was set for a huge weekend of fancy dress, events, experiences, markets and music.

“Hundreds of people are coming from all over NSW, Victoria and South Australia plus day-trippers from Canberra,” he said.

“Accommodation has already been booked out, so we are directing people to Cooma and other nearby centres if they want to stay overnight.

“That said, the festival also lends itself to a day trip and we are expecting it to be great.”

Steampunk is a sub-genre of science ction and speculative ction that blends Victorian-era aesthetics and technology with futuristic inventions, o en featuring steam-powered machinery and a romanticized view of science.

“Steampunk attracts both experienced Steampunk folk and people who have not

SPECTACULAR:

heard of it, but curious to nd out, as well as local families looking for a fun day or two out,” Mr Fahey said.

“You can come with your costumes already sorted, or just wear your normal clothes and maybe pick up a Steampunk styled item from one of our many market stalls to get you into the mood of the event.”

The Nimmitabel Steampunk@Altitude event has been held for a number of years, previously hosted by the Nimmitabel Chamber of Commerce and then for the rst time this year, by the Nimmitabel School of Arts.

This year, Steampunk@Altitude has the theme chronicles of altitude, a Steampunk Odyssey.

The event gets underway at 10am both days. Activities will include a promenade up and down the main street, buskers, a pageant, displays, Morris dancers, books and artworks, teapot duelling and wordsmiths.

The Lions and Men’s Shed will provide barbecues, there will be snail races, woodturners, lm classics, a

pet parade and a broadcast by Monaro FM.

“We want people to reimagine history, re-de ne adventure, have a a Weekend of the wildest imagination,” Mr Fahey said.

SteamPunk @ Altitude has no general entry fee, but tickets are required for some events which need to be booked on the website

https://steampunk.in/

More information is available on the Facebook page Steampunk At Altitude.

The ticketed events include high tea at the Royal Arms - ‘an exquisite experience t for royalty at the Royal Arms’; dinner at the Royal Arms - ‘Indulge in a dinner experience cra ed for those who appreciate the ner things”’.

The Dungeons and Dragon workshop will transform you into a legendary adventurer in just one hour.

There is the Steampunk ball and awards 2025 -celebrating gears, glamour and grit. The Steampunk ball awaits, don your nest waistcoats, corsets, and goggles for a night of dancing, decadence, and mechanical marvels. Don’t miss the live music, curious performances, and surprises tucked behind every gear.

Steampunk is a genre known for its focus on alternate histories, fantastical technology, and a distinctive style characterised by gears, cogs, brass ttings, and a blend of Victorian and futuristic elements and many people put a lot of time and e ort into creating costumes for the event. It has a large following around the world and many people travel widely to attend various festivals.

Lake Light Sculpture returns to foreshore with record-breaking crowds

WITH just under 22,000 visitors, and perfect weather conditions, this year’s Lake Light Sculpture marked a powerful return to the lake foreshore a er years of challenging conditions, including event cancellations and re-locations.

The 2025 festival re-established its roots on the Lake Jindabyne foreshore, where 70 large sculptures lined the waterfront and lit up the nights, while more than 30 small pieces lled the dedicated gallery space at Horizons, Jindabyne.

From sunrise to sunset, the nightly ‘Light It Up’ quickly

became a crowd favourite, celebrating the unique illumination aspect of Lake Light Sculpture. Next year marks the 25th anniversary of Lake Light Sculpture, and the committee is already dreaming big.

“Twenty- ve years is a huge milestone - and we’re inviting the whole region to get involved,” chair, Dani Kel, said.

“We’ve got Easter landing at the start of the school holidays, so the timing is perfect to create something unforgettable for 2026.”

More than $43,500 in prize money was awarded across

13 categories this year. The committee thanked its esteemed judging panel of Rebel Penfold-Russell, Denise Ferris, and Anwen Keeling.

The Big Chair Li created by local artist Darragh Walsh was one of the most photographed sculptures of the weekend, drawing in families, kids, and locals alike.

Thanks to a communityled GoFundMe campaign, Darragh’s crowd-favourite will now stay in Jindabyne permanently. Backed by more than 170 local supporters, including the Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce, mayor Chris Hanna, and a

$5,000 contribution from Doppelmayr, the campaign raised over $25,000.

Lake Light Sculpture 2025 was made possible by an enormous collective e ort, with more than 70 sponsors and partners helping nancially support the not-forpro t event.

With the support extending to volunteers, artists, and an enthusiastic new event committee who all worked tirelessly to bring the event back to life.

Event feedback has been overwhelmingly positive the Lake Light Sculpture committee has reported.

Ambrusch.

Echo of the Ribbon Gums by Ulan Murray and Rachel Burns. Spirit of the Mountain by Somerset Coke.

SUCCESS: Huge crowds gather on Jindabyne foreshore to take in the sights of Lake Light Sculpture. PHOTOS: Trista Heath

ABC Back Roads presenter, Heather Ewart, covered the 2024 Steampunk@Altitude Festival. PHOTOS: Karen Forman

Amazing costumes are a feature of the annual Steampunk@Altitude Festival, which is on in Nimmitabel this weekend. Hundreds are set to attend.

Get to know your Eden-Monaro candidates

EIGHT candidates are contesting the seat of Eden-Monaro in Saturday’s Federal Election. Get to know more about the candidates in the following profiles.

Profiles appear in ballot paper order.

Andrew Thaler, independent

I WELCOME the opportunity to contest the 2025 Commonwealth of Australia election, as an independent candidate, again.

This year follows on from earlier campaigns through 2013, 2016, 2022 and continuing to now, at state and local levels.

I am a councillor on the Snowy Monaro Regional Council, despite aggressive e orts by the major parties to have me cancelled.

I am standing to protect individual freedoms and rights. Opposing future lockdowns and restrictions on movement or travel, and importantly preserving the idea of our great nation as the land of opportunity.

I am standing to preserve the full rights and freedoms of my ve children, so please don’t doubt my motivation or drive. More importantly I stand for all our children, for all our families, for all our rights.

We need to get everybody back to work, preserving the right of everybody to be able to work are important issues.

While some parties may claim to be making a renewed focus on solving mobile phone connectivity issues and the dreaded black-spots, I am here, again this year to highlight the complete lack of action despite the party false promises over previous campaigns.

I stand to show that neither the red team nor the blue team should be rewarded with a further term representing Eden-Monaro, and that the smarter way forward is for voters to support a solid tried-and-tested independent candidate. Together we can make Eden-Monaro marginal again.

A marginal electorate, where the vote is required by both the government and the opposition to further their respective legislative agenda sets up Eden-Monaro to see more funding and services.

I will argue for stronger support to aged care, ageing-in-place, drinkable town water, safe roads, and

opposing local council rate rises. I will ght to end the absurd ‘gender identity’ wars. You might have heard some of the rumours about me being a bit of a tough nut. Surely the electorate needs a tough nut in parliament to ght for the issues we all face, and not some wishy-washy party acolyte who simply follows the orders from above.

If you want to bring about change and see the EdenMonaro region thrive and prosper, please cast your vote for me rst and the other freedom-friendly parties, and put the major parties last, right where they put you.

Wade Cox – Trumpet of Patriots

I AM proud to stand as a candidate whose life’s work has been grounded in service, to his country, his community, and his faith.

As one of the founders and the current co-ordinator general of the Christian Churches of God, I bring decades of leadership, academic rigour, and a deep commitment to Australia’s heritage and future.

I have lived in Eden-Monaro for some 47 years in the past and my grandmother was born in Tilba Tilba in 1875 and her grandfather came to Braidwood ca 1830 at Dr Reid’s northern property.

With university quali cations in Philosophy, Religious Studies, Public Law, and a Master of Letters (Hons) in the Philosophy of Religion and Ethics, I am a proli c author of multiple books and hundreds of academic papers.

My works span topics from theology and British history to

defence reform, and are studied internationally, serving as reference material in universities around the world.

My military service is both distinguished and deeply personal.

A graduate of the Australian Army O cer Cadet School, Royal Australian Infantry, and Royal Australian Regiment, I served with honour as a Major and military linguist, completing two years of service in Southeast Asia before being severely injured in Vietnam, a sacri ce that le me permanently disabled.

My dedication was recognised with multiple service medals, and the Infantry Combat Badge.

In public, I have served at multiple levels of local government, as councillor, deputy president, and president of my local shire and as director of his regional Pastures Protection Board.

My leadership is de ned by integrity, accountability, and a erce dedication to preserving Australia’s sovereignty, values, and people.

Our campaign is driven by a vision to reclaim Australia from the grip of globalist institutions and political complacency.

We reject the false choice between Liberal and Labor, two sides of the same coin and instead o er a path forward rooted in national interest, economic independence, and moral clarity.

We believe:

•Australia must retain ownership and control of its land, industries, and resources.

•Our manufacturing and industrial capacity must be revitalised to serve Australians rst.

•National budgets should be balanced without excessive borrowing that burdens future

generations.

•Immigration must be sustainable and re ect our capacity to provide quality services to all.

•Women’s rights to safe, sexbased spaces must be protected.

•Our education system must be freed from ideological capture and serve Australian values.

•Families, veterans, the elderly, and the vulnerable deserve real support, not rhetoric.

•Law and order must be restored through discipline, accountability, and a zerotolerance stance on organised crime and the drug trade.

We recognise the reality of climate change but reject that it is man made when there is scienti c and historical evidence that this is a 1100 cyclical period.

Current policies will lead to energy shortages and food insecurity. Our approach is practical, sovereign, and pro-Australian.

This election is about choosing between continued decline or serious change. We stand for those who have served, those who have built, and those who want to preserve Australia for future generations.

Fraser Buchanan – HEART (Health Environment Accountability Rights Transparency)

I AM a local from the coastal town of Merimbula, having grown up and worked in various trades over the years. I have a deep love for the ocean, particularly sur ng.

I am a passionate advocate for both the natural environment and the well-being of the community, I have always championed justice and fairness for all, starting from a young age.

I served on the local council from 2004 to 2008, driven by a desire to tackle pollution from ocean outfalls and manage the growing development pressures in the area. During this term, I made several signi cant changes.

For ve years, I led a local residents’ and ratepayers’ association. When COVID-19 emerged, I was highly skeptical of how it was being portrayed

by the media and government, anticipating it would lead to mandatory vaccinations – an expectation that was ultimately realised.

I also led a group of concerned citizens who shared my belief that there was an underlying agenda behind the COVID-19 response.

I believe that government overreach into the lives of Australians is growing, driven by a globalist agenda in uencing major political decisions.

I see the two main political parties as two wings of the same bird, pushing the country toward a globalist, technocraticcontrolled system.

My core beliefs include:

• Independence in health decisions: I don’t support the World Health Organisation’s in uence on Australia’s health

policies and opposes any commitment to the UN, an unelected body aligned with the globalist agenda.

• Opposition to corporate in uence: I am concerned about the corruption and undue in uence big business has over government, particularly in health regulations where bodies like the TGA receive substantial funding from the industries they oversee.

• Support for bodily autonomy: I will not participate in forced medication, vaccines, drugs, or uoride. I advocate for natural health and freedom of choice.

• Questioning the carbon narrative: I am critical of the push for net-zero policies, particularly when they burden those who can least a ord it. While I support the transition

to renewable energy, I oppose policies that cripple small businesses and harm families nancially.

• Over-regulation: I am alarmed by the increasing and o en unrealistic regulations placed on businesses, and individuals.

• Cost of living concerns: The rising cost of living, housing, and rentals is unsustainable. I believe the in ux of 1.5 million immigrants over the past 18 months is exacerbating these issues, hurting Australians in the process.

• Freedom of speech: I am concerned about the growing push to restrict free speech in Australia, a country where open expression has always been a cornerstone of its identity.

Independent candidate for Eden-Monaro, Andrew Thaler, with wife, Alisa.

Wade Cox, Trumpet of Patriots.

Fraser Buchanan, HEART party

I AM Jo van der Plaat, your Liberal candidate for Eden-Monaro.

I’ve lived and worked in the Snowy Monaro for over two decades, raising my family on a rural property near Cooma, practicing law, and giving back to the community I love.

As a country lawyer for more than 20 years, I’ve stood beside local families, small businesses, and farmers, helping them navigate challenges with integrity and practical advice. In 2022, I was honoured to serve as President of the Law Society of New South Wales, advocating for better legal services in rural areas and supporting the wellbeing of our legal professionals. But my passion for service goes beyond the legal profession. I’m

Jo van der Plaat, Liberal

a volunteer with my local rural re brigade, I’ve sat on the board of a local aged care facility, and supported local education as a school board member. I know rsthand the issues our region faces, rising costs, infrastructure gaps, and access to vital services.

Having spent more than a year listening to communities up and down the electorate, I’m hearing that the problems they’re seeing, whether it’s getting to a doctor, the state of the roads or the rising cost of everyday essentials, aren’t being addressed. People are really hurting.

I’m running because Eden-Monaro deserves a strong local voice in Parliament. I’ll ght to strengthen the economy, ease the cost of living, and ensure our communities get the

services and investment they need.

This is my home. My family, my work, and my community are here. I understand the region, and I’m ready to deliver for it.

Since I began my campaign in 2023, I have travelled more than 110,000 km listening to locals, engaging with our amazing local community organisations and sporting clubs and ghting for a better deal for regional Australia.

I will always put in the hard yards for you and I promise to be a strong and dedicated representative for every part of our electorate.

I ask for your support to be a voice for Eden-Monaro, grounded in experience, driven by community, and focused on results.

Let’s get Australia back on track.

I AM Brian Fisher, your independent candidate for EdenMonaro.

I am 57, born and raised in Central West NSW. I have worked on the railways in Eden-Monaro since about 1988. That work goes on. So, I have close links with the region for 27 years.

Brian Fisher, independent Kristy McBain, Australian Labor Party

I am passionate about our country and its citizens. I have decades of experience in transport. I am the son of a train driver.

I spent almost two decades with the NSW government railways progressing through the ranks from fettler to track manager at Harden with Rail Infrastructure Corp in charge of 560 km of track infrastructure including the main south from

Yass to Cootamundra.

I was a bus and coach operator for a decade, with ve government school bus contracts and a eet of eight buses and coaches. I also hold a commercial pilot’s licence.

The two-party system is failing Australia, with centralised policy development and parliament members who are puppets to a party hierarchy, on both the le and the right side of the political spectrum.

Regional Australia is the nancial backbone of our economy. However, under Labor and the LNP, regional Australia has been decimated by centralised policy making focused on the large coastal cities.

With the looming possibility of a hung federal parliament in May 2025, this is a real opportunity to make your vote count for EdenMonaro and Australia’s future.

Emma Goward, Greens

BORN and raised in the Bega Valley, my family has dairy farmed for generations. I’ve seen rsthand the challenges our region faces, from bush res to droughts and I’m determined to ght for real climate action and sustainable farming to protect our land for the next generation.

I’m committed to amplifying diverse voices, advocating to end native forest logging, empowering our arts and live music scenes, and creating a future where rural communities and farmers lead

the way in tackling the climate emergency.

If you‘re worried about the cost of living, housing, or climate crisis, you‘re not alone.

We can‘t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a di erent result. The Greens are within reach of winning new seats across the country.

With a minority government, the Greens will keep Dutton out and get Labor to act.

If you want change, the rst step is to vote for it.

THE Snowy Monaro is a great place to live, to work and to raise a family – and I’ve had the privilege of representing this great region in federal parliament as the Member for Eden-Monaro since 2020.

I’m proud to have worked with our community to secure more funding to make our local roads safer, to deliver local infrastructure upgrades that will have lasting bene ts, to improve health and aged care services, and to provide important cost of living relief to ease pressures on our local families and

Richard Graham, One Nation

I HAVE proudly called EdenMonaro home for nearly 30 years. Drawn by family, friends, and the pristine environment of Mulloon Creek near Bungendore, I settled in the region in the 1990s and by 1996 had purchased land to establish Landtasia, a certi ed organic cattle farm built on sustainable farming principles and environmental stewardship. Before farming, I built a distinguished 35-year career in the technology sector, serving as an entrepreneur, company director, and chairman across successful private and public companies.

In 2008, I decided to give back to my local area, serving two terms as a councillor on the former Palerang Council.

Being on council taught me that good government isn’t about just winning arguments, it’s about listening, respecting di erences, and doing what works for locals.

I know the struggles of

everyday Australians rst-hand.

In recent years, my partners and I ran a café in Bungendore through the di cult COVID years and beyond. I have seen how rising costs are pricing people out of every day experiences like going out for a meal or a drink, and how pensioners, families, and small businesses are being squeezed more than ever.

That disconnect between political spin and real-life challenges led me to One Nation. I was drawn to the party’s straighttalking values and common-sense approach from cutting fuel tax and boosting housing a ordability to letting pensioners work without penalty and protecting Australian farmland from foreign ownership.

At 72, running for parliament wasn’t part of my retirement plan. But, like many Australians, I believe the nation has reached a tipping point.

I don’t think we can keep going

down the same road. It’s time to trust Australians to build, work, and shape their own future.

I also pushed back on the idea that voting for a minor party is a wasted vote. History shows it’s minor parties that keep the big parties honest and that’s exactly what I want to do in Canberra. If elected, I pledge to represent Eden-Monaro with honesty, integrity, and unwavering commitment to locals.

But I know there’s more work to do – and I’m respectfully asking for your support at this election so I can keep working hard for the Snowy Monaro. Standing up for regional communities like ours is something that I’ve always been passionate about – because our postcode should not impact the quality of services we can access or limit the opportunities

I say this as someone that’s always lived in our regions –where I’m raising my kids with my husband Brad, and where we’re running a small plumbing business – and as someone that remains committed to ghting for our fair share.

Over the past ve years, I’ve travelled hundreds of thousands of kilometres across EdenMonaro as your local Member, and have a track record of delivering for our community, including:

•$25 million to expand the Bombala Multipurpose Service

– to increase the number of residential aged care beds at the MPS, plus $1 million to save aged care beds in the Snowy Monaro, ensuring we have high-quality aged care services

•$23.6 million with the NSW Government to deliver enabling infrastructure at Cooma, helping to unlock 177 new homes in the future

•$10.7 million for upgrades to the Snowy Mountains Highway

•$15.3 million in Roads to Recovery funding for the Snowy Monaro – a $6.6 million boost over the current funding period, which is supporting a

pipeline of local road upgrades

•$1.52 million to upgrade Jindabyne skatepark

•$1 million to seal and upgrade the Jindabyne Claypits car park

•$1.2 million for six new emergency accommodation units in Cooma, which are now complete

•I’m proud to have secured this funding to improve our local services and facilities, which will have a lasting impact in our community.

As part of a re-elected Labor Government, I have a positive plan for our future, including delivering $3.1 million towards developing Cooma’s mountain biking trails into a world-class destination.

This investment will support developing 54 kilometres of new trails, and the construction of a large-scale asphalt pump track to suit all skill levels on bikes, skateboards and scooters.

This project would be a boon for our local businesses –particularly the hospitality and accommodation sectors – with a signi cant in ux of riders yearround.

As your federal member, I will continue working with anyone to get outcomes for our community.

Thank you for your incredible support – I’m proud to be your MP and will always stand up for you and our community.

Jo van der Plaat, Liberal candidate.

Brian Fisher, independent candidate.

Emma Goward, Greens candidate.

Richard Graham, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.

Kristy McBain, Australian Labor Party.

Record Cooma crowds pause to reflect

By NATHAN THOMPSON

COOMA-Monaro RSL subbranch president, Ray PetersSmith, believes this year’s ANZAC Day crowds are the largest he has seen.

Mr Peters-Smith said the ANZAC spirit is alive and well in Cooma following hundreds turning out for the dawn and morning services.

For more images from Cooma’s and the region’s ANZAC Day commemorations, head to

The Cooma First Scouts march proudly. Joey Nicholson leads the Scouts cohort.

Benji and Paula Johannson march during ANZAC Day commemorations in Cooma.

Bryce Williams of the Cooma District Band plays The Last Post.

Commodore Robyn Phillips, Royal Australian Navy, Director of Maritime Geospatial Branch, lays a wreath at the Cooma Cenotaph.

The march along Sharp Street saw veterans, schools and community groups take part.

Veteran Andrew Mould stands proudly during the morning service at the Cooma Cenotaph.

Vietnam veteran and Cooma Monaro Sub-branch president, Ray Peters-Smith, praised the community for its attendance at both services.

PROUD: Cooma Monaro RSL subbranch secretary, Don Murphy, believes this year’s ANZAC Day crowds were the largest in many years.

PHOTOS: Nathan Thompson

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 1.00 Sherwood. 2.00 Restoration Australia.

3.00 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. 3.30 Grand Designs: The Streets. 4.15 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 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Sweet Revenge: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. (2021) 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. 9.35 The Amazing Race. 11.05 Born To Kill? 12.05 Emergency Call. 1.05 Travel Oz. 2.00 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 9.00 Medical Emergency. 9.30 NBC Today. 12.00 Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 My Impossible House. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Father Brown. 8.30 Murdoch Mysteries. 11.30 Late Programs. 6.00 Morning Programs. 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 8. Essendon v North Melbourne. 10.30 AFL Post-Game. 11.00 Kick Ons. 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Kids’ Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 The Hundred With Andy Lee. 1.00 Getaway. 1.30 Young Sheldon. 2.00 Pointless. 3.00 Tipping Point. 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. 5.30 WIN News. 6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. Women’s State Of Origin. Game 1. Queensland v New South Wales. 9.45 NRL Women’s State Of Origin Post-Match. 10.00 9News Late. 10.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Get Clever. 7.00 It’s Academic. 8.30 Larry The Wonder Pup. 9.00 Shopping. 10.30 House Rules. 12.00 Angel. 3.00 10 Years Younger In 10 Days. 4.00 Puppy School. 5.00 Bondi Vet. 7.00 Judge Judy. 7.30 Kitchen Nightmares. 8.30 Ramsay’s 24 Hours To Hell And Back. 11.30 First Dates UK. 1.40 Kitchen Nightmares. 2.30 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 The List. New. 8.30 Taskmaster Australia. 9.40 The

6.00 Morning Programs. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. 12.00 Yes, Prime Minister. 1.00 Midsomer Murders. 3.00 Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 MOVIE: The Maggie. (1954) 5.30 The Travelling Auctioneers. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 RBT. 8.30 Emergency. 9.30 A+E Crash Scene Emergency. 10.30 My Feet Are Killing Me. 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 News.

1.00 Bay Of Fires. 3.00 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. 3.25 Grand Designs: The Streets. 4.15 Long Lost Family. 5.00 A Bite

To Eat With Alice. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.

Great Australian Doorstep. 2.30 Weekender. 3.00 Animal SOS Australia. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Wildlife ER. New.

6.00 Morning Programs. 2.30 Whose Line Is It Anyway? 2.50 Doctor Who.

3.40 A Bite To Eat. 4.05 Would I Lie To You? 4.40 MythBusters. 5.30 Heartbreak High. 7.00

6.30 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30: Australia Votes. 8.00 Gardening Australia. 9.00 Sherwood. 10.00 Gruen Nation. 10.35 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. 11.05 Big Boys. 11.30 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 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 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: The Marry Me Pact. (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 9. Sydney Roosters v Dolphins. 9.55 Golden Point. 10.45 MOVIE: RoboCop. (2014) 1.00 Young Sheldon. 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. 2.00 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.20 MasterChef Australia. 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.

Storage Wars. 6.00 American Pickers. 7.00 AFL: Friday Night Countdown. 7.30 Football. AFL. Round 8. St Kilda v Fremantle. 10.30 AFL Post-Game. 11.15 GetOn Extra. 11.45 Late Programs.

6.00 Get Clever. 7.00 It’s Academic. 8.30 Larry The Wonder Pup. 9.00 Shopping. 10.30 House Rules. 12.00 Angel. 3.00 Ed And Karen’s Recipes For Success. 4.00 Puppy School. 4.30 Frogger. 5.30 The Amazing Race. 7.00 MOVIE: Smurfs: The Lost Village. (2017) 9.00 MOVIE: Last Cab To Darwin. (2015) 11.35 MOVIE: Happiest Season. (2020) 1.45 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 1.10 MOVIE: Please Turn Over. (1959) 3.00 Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 MOVIE: Tender Mercies. (1983) 5.30 The Travelling Auctioneers. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 West Coast Cops. 8.30 MOVIE: The Accountant. (2016) 11.00 MOVIE: Aces High. (1976) 1.05 Late Programs.

SEVEN NINE

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 sub-divided 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, it lends the property as ideal for beef and lamb production with a high carrying capacity.

The Pines is set up with all the infrastructure needed.

 Four stand shearing shed with mains power

 Four bay machinery shed

 Machinery/hay shed

 Horse stables

 Steel cattle yards with crush and loading ramp

309 Bucky Springs Road, Bombala

Nothing idle about “Glenidle”

Looking for a lifestyle opportunity with little to do? Glenidle inspections will not disappoint!

• Located 5 minutes from Bombala along the sealed Bucky Springs Road

• Renovated 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom homestead set amongst 23.07ha/57.006ac

• Secure fenced house yard and established low maintenance gardens

• large fenced/netted raised vegetable garden

• Water security with good rain water storage, 3 spring fed dams and bore

• Additional improvements include double garage, 3 bay machinery shed, meat safe/ cool room, 1 stand shearing shed, cattle yards with crush and loading ramp. Don’t delay, grab this wonderful lifestyle opportunity while you can!

 Sheep yards

 Reticulated water system with 14 troughs throughout the property

 Electric bore pump

 Ramshackle cottage

 Fencing in good to excellent condition

The property is 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 matthew. green@nutrien.com.au for more information.

Fantastic opportunity to purchase a family home with beautiful views over the town and local countryside.

•3 good sized bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 toilets

•Spacious kitchen with island bench, open dining and lounge

•Extension suitable for 4th bedroom, teenage retreat/games room etc

•Front patio with elevated views over town

•Rear patio suitable for outdoor entertaining

•Electric ducted heating/cooling and slow combustion heater

Great location for an active family within walking distance to the CBD and major sports ground, book your inspections today!

48 Mercy Street, Bombala

Elevated views over

Five tips for boosting street appeal

By SONIA TAYLOR for view.com.au

WHEN it comes to selling a home, looks do matter. The key to getting feet in the door and tugging on buyer heartstrings? Street appeal.

First impressions are important when selling a home.

Curb appeal is the best way to impress prospective buyers before they’ve even crossed the threshold.

“Street appeal increases the amount of emotional buyers that you’ve got,” property expert, author and former real estate agent, Todd Sloan, said.

“You’re creating a feeling that captures buyers on an emotional level, and that’s going to push the price up.”

The facade of your property is what draws buyers in and sets the tone and expectation for the interiors.

However, the exterior presentation also alerts buyers whether a property has been cared for or neglected.

“It sets the expectation of, am I onto something good here, or am I in for problems?” he said.

Here are ve simple ways to boost charm and curb appeal - and your sale price.

1. Get to know your market

Before getting started, you’ll want an idea of how much work you should put in to meet buyer expectations without overcapitalising.

“Look at the comparative sales

that you actually want to hit,” Mr Sloan said.

He recommends then getting a few addresses of properties that meet the mark you’re going for, and taking a drive to look at the houses in these streets to see how yours compares.

2. Fix and tidy the facade

A freshly updated facade packs a punch with instant appeal. No buyer wants to see peeling paint or dated nishes on a house they’re considering. The aim is to get your home clean, tidy and functional.

“You want to make sure that you’re shrinking the buyer’s to-do list. Buyers tend to overshoot how much it costs to x things they’ll need to do, so you want to remove those concerns,” he said.

“If you’re aiming to appeal to a renovating market, you can leave it all.

“However, if you want to appeal to people who are going to pay top dollar, it’s about switching them over to their emotions and making sure you’re painting the picture that they can move right in.”

Repainting the house is a great way to breathe new life into your property.

If you have brick or other material that doesn’t need painting, use a pressure washer and clean things up, including driveways and pathways.

Mr Sloan also advises on ensuring you go the whole hog.

3. Spruce up the front door

A solid, sturdy, quality front door is like a rm handshake - it makes quite an impression and puts you at ease about what’s next.

“You want the heaviest, solid front door you’ve got,” he said.

“It’s also a touch point - you do not want to skimp on your front door handle.

“You want to make sure that you’re actually getting something that has a nice, solid feeling. It triggers your brain into associating quality.”

4. Tackle the landscaping

Landscaping plays a major role in overall charm and appeal, but it also adds value in the longer term.

“The rst stage is making sure the lawn is green and everything is manicured and tidy,” he said.

“Mow the lawn, pull the weeds out, make sure your edges are trimmed.”

A month or two out from the marketing photos, he recommends getting a lawn greener, like urea, to bring life back into your grass.

“The greener the lawn, the better,” he said.

5. Light it up

If you want your home to feel like The One, highlight and illuminate its trees and garden.

Once twilight hits, the right lighting helps the property feel a little bit magical.

“If you’ve got established trees or a plant with a bit of height, getting a sparky to put some in-ground lighting that points upward toward the tree is a game changer,” he said.

“You can get this done with solar lights, but it’ll never look quite as good.”

Snowy Monaro

Lamb numbers fall

short, quality remains

By MEAT AND LIVESTOCK AUSTRALIA

FOLLOWING the Easter holiday break, the lamb market experienced a notable shi , with numbers falling short of expectations.

Despite this, the quality of the lambs presented ranged from fair to outstanding, particularly those exceeding 24kg cwt.

Heavy lambs, which had been hard-fed, o ered buyers excellent yields. While there was a noticeable absence of supermarket competition at the sale, a big eld of domestic and export companies along with feed lotters who actively participated, contributing to a dynamic sale.

The introduction of forward winter contracts for producers significantly influenced prices, resulting in a jump of $10 to $20 and more in places for certain categories.

This momentum created a robust trade market, particularly for well-shaped, shorter-skinned lambs weighing between 22-26kg.

Trade lambs in the 22-26kg range saw prices improve to sell between $173 and $234/head, averaging an impressive 859c/kg.

Merino lambs also emerged as a hot ticket item, with trade lambs

fetching between $147 and $216/ head.

Feeder-type lambs were in high demand, with buyers paying from $148 for the plainer types up to $184 for those with better weight and frame.

Re-stockers were at the sale but mainly concentrated on the lighter weight lambs.

An exceptional lineup of heavy lambs was presented, particularly those weighing between 27-30kg cwt, which frequently broke the 900c/kg cwt barrier.

Prices for these lambs ranged

from $227 to $268, while those over 30kg fetched between $258 and $300.

It was a very mixed yarding of mutton with all weights and grades represented. There are now more light sheep entering the market with bigger numbers of one and two score ewes. Light sheep sold from $104 to $119/head. Trade sheep prices varied greatly at times selling from $134 to $164/head for the better presented.

Heavy sheep sales were just as erratic, with long bidding duels throughout the sale.

Prices ranged from $163 to $264/ head to average 577c to 622c/kg cwt.

Bi-partisan backing for farm safety a lifesaving move

THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed bi-partisan support for a $2.5 million commitment to save lives on farms following a horror year of fatalities.

The latest AgHealth Australia data shows a concerning spike in 2024: 72 deaths and 133 people seriously injured – more than double the previous year.

NFF president, David Jochinke, said the funding would allow Farmsafe Australia to continue its critical work to reverse these alarming numbers.

“We thank both sides of politics for stepping up and committing to this investment in saving lives,” Mr Jochinke said.

THE rst of ve workshops to get the facts and bust the myths around carbon, emissions and farming is being held today, Wednesday, 30 April at Club Bombala.

Monaro Farming Systems (MFS) will run ve workshops across the region over the next 12 months, each tailored to local conditions and farmer needs.

The workshops are part of a national outreach initiative supported by the Australian Government’s Carbon Farming Outreach Program, co-ordinated locally by Monaro Farming Systems under project manager, Rebecca Kading, in partnership with the Grower Group Alliance.

They aim at helping farmers and land managers understand how emissions, carbon, and environmental markets relate to their farm businesses.

Topics across the workshops

bust myths, explain key concepts, and leave plenty of space for open discussion and questions.

Andrew Rolfe is an agronomist

“Every death shatters a family. There are 72 families across Australia grieving from just one year. This funding sends a signal that the safety of farming families matters – and that Government has a role to play in fixing this.” Farmsafe Australia Chair and farmer, Felicity Richards, thanked Labor and the Coalition for their leadership and commitment to building on programs to ensure generational change. She said the funding would be a gamechanger for safety efforts on the ground.

“This support comes at a critical time. We’ve seen far too many tragedies over the years, and we know that with the right information and education, many of these could have been prevented,” Mrs Richards said.

“This funding enables us to deliver more practical, farmerfocused resources and campaigns that speak directly to the realities of working in agriculture. It also gives us the confidence to continue building a national culture where safety is not an afterthought but part of every decision on the farm.”

The format will be interactive, with local farmers in the same room able to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from one

Scientists and technical experts will also be attending to support and enrich the conversation.

The project is funded by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and brings together 39 farming and land management

Merino ewes sell to $197/head

By MEAT AND LIVESTOCK AUSTRALIA

fered a reduced number of lambs at last week’s Yass sheep sale.

The quality was better with more well nished trade and heavy weights. Light store lambs under 16kg were back in volume and there was a smaller run of secondary trade weights going back to the paddock or onto feed.

All the usual buyers were operating and demand was

sold to s slightly cheaper rate ranging from $95 to $130/ head while lambs upto 20kg were $10 to $16 stronger and ranged from $152 to $169/ head. Trade lambs were $2 to $6 dearer selling from $160 to $196 and heavy lambs gained $7 to $8/head selling from $196 to $250/head. Most of the lambs averaged between

Mutton numbers were also back and the quality was mixed. Demand was very strong and prices li ed $25 to $30/head on average. Medium weight ewes sold from $96 to $140 and heavy crossbred ewes reached $211/ head. The best for Merino ewes reached $197/head. Heavy Merino wethers highlighted the strong sale selling from $168 to $199/head.

groups from all states and the Northern Territory. These groups will collaborate with local farm advisory service providers to deliver tailored training sessions.

The initiative aims to build capacity within the farming sector to adopt low-emission technologies and practices, and to facilitate access to reliable, independent advice for an estimated 3500+ farming enterprises.

Mrs Richards acknowledged the importance of bi-partisan support as deeply encouraging.

“It’s heartening to see both sides of politics recognise the importance of what we do. Farm safety is a responsibility for all of us. It’s about making sure the next generation grows up with their parents, their siblings, and their neighbours still alive,” she said.

“This funding allows us to focus on what matters most: preventing injury and saving lives.”

CARBON CHAT: Local agronomist and grazier, Andrew Rolfe, is one of the presenters at the Monaro Farming Systems’ carbon conversations workshops. The first workshop is in Bombala.

PHOTO: Nu ield Australia

PHOTO BY KRIS TIAN ON UNSPLASH

ACROSS

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

4 Who landed in NW Australia in 1688 and 1699, William ... (7)

8 Name an Australian painter and teacher, Thea ... (7)

9 If one receives superannuation, one is what, perhaps (2,5)

10 What is violation by a subject to one’s state (7)

11 What is a military commander (7)

12 To push forcibly, is to do what (6)

14 Name a renowned city in Texas (6)

18 Which cold, dry, northerly wind is common in southern France (7)

21 La Paz is a capital of which S American republic (7)

22 Which syrup is obtained in reﬁning sugar (7)

23 What are uncommissioned sailors called (7)

24 What do we call the loud cry of an elephant (7)

DOWN

1 Which term applied to a person expresses an attribute (7)

2 What, in golf, is a score of one over par (5)

3 Name an alternative word for hoards (7)

4 What, colloquially, is a slow-witted person (6)

5 Which person works with stone (5)

6 To endanger, is to do what (7)

7 Which term implies country life (5)

13 Who was known for quotes, Jean Jacques ... (7)

15 What is competence in any ﬁeld of action (7)

16 Name the region of contact between processes of two or more nerve cells (7)

E-QUATIONS

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

17 What was the given name of Einstein, the Germanborn physicist (6)

18 To have encountered something, is to have done what (3,2)

19 To replace a section of the tread of a tyre, is to do what (5)

20 Who explored the NSW Blue Mountains and Bathurst districts in the 1800s; George William … (5)

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

(a)

(b) Gout

(a)

(b)

(c)

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:

All the same: as ... (3)

Capital of Egypt (5)

Flashy young men (5)

Gravely culpable (7)

Local environment plan (3)

Precipitating (7)

Soft headdress (3)

Total (3)

Transparent refractor (5)

Written language (5)

Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.

LANDSCAPING

BUILDING

TRADES AND SERVICES

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you don't use it...

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DUNCAN, Elizabeth ‘Ann’. Passed away at Kurri Kurri Masonic Village on Monday, April 21, 2025. Aged 88 years.

Mother and mother-in-law to Peter Gunnell and Sue, Jenny Gunnell and David. Gran to Robynne, Amanda and Benjamin. Great-Gran to Anthony, Isabella and Olivia. Formerly a dedicated member of the Cooma community, involved in the Cooma North Ridge Reserve, Raglan Art Gallery, Cooma Garden Club, and Probus Club. As per her wishes Ann will be interred at the Kurri Kurri Cemetery, May 5, 2025 at 11.30am.

MINERS, Geo rey William. Passed away peacefully on Saturday, 19 April 2025 at Cooma Hospital. Formerly of Polygon, Dry Plains. Aged 83 years.

Beloved husband of Maureen. Father of Leanne (dec), Sharon, Carolyn, Alison, and Brett. Feared, then revered father-in-law of Mark, Neil and Georgina.

Cherished Pa of Laura, Sarah, Grace, Samuel, Jack, Jessie, Alyssa, Aidan and Liam.

Devoted son of Alice Ruby and Frederick William Miners and adored brother of Janelle, Maxwell (dec), Kevin (dec), Shirely (dec), Rex (dec), Daphne (dec), Colin (dec), Marlene (dec), and Anthony (dec). Fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends of the late Geo rey William Miners are invited to attend his funeral service to be held in the St Johns Anglican Church, Adaminaby, on Friday, May 2, 2025 commencing at 1pm. At the conclusion of the service, everyone is welcome to a ernoon tea in the Church Hall whilst Geo ’s immediate family proceed to a private burial, a er which they will return to the gathering.

In loving memory of our father and grandfather

LOCKER, Tony “John”. It’s been a year since you le us, we miss you every day. In our hearts always. ~ Sharon, William and Harry.

In loving memory of LOGOVIK (Roberson), Heather Passed away April 23, 2017. This day will be remembered and quietly kept, no words are needed, we will never forget. So dearly loved, so sadly missed. ~ Je rey, Victoria, James and families.

Hundreds gather in Jindabyne

Community remembers those who served, sacrificed

By TRISTA HEATH

REMEMBERING

Snowy River RSL sub branch member, Jimmy Crocker, one of many to honour those who served and sacrificed.

Many wreaths were laid by community members at the ANZAC Day service in Jindabyne.

TS Orion Jindabyne navy cadets took part in the ANZAC Day commemorations.

Children laying wreaths at the Jindabyne ANZAC Day service last Friday.

Joining the commemorations was 723 Squadron, a RAN Fleet Air Arm squadron stationed at HMAS Albatross near Nowra.

Huge numbers turned out in Jindabyne on Friday for the march and service at the war memorial by Lake Jindabyne.

Among those to lay wreaths at the ANZAC Day service were members of the Jindabyne CWA branch.

THE Jindabyne ANZAC Day commemorative service saw hundreds gather at both the dawn service and the main service.

Nowra Navy 723 squadron marched along with TS Orion Navy Cadets, Snowy River SES Unit, Snowy River RSL Branch, and other community groups and schools.

Navy helicopters and war birds performed a yover during the ceremony before the Australian and New Zealand anthem, performed by Berridale’s, Gabi Forman, and the laying of the wreaths.

THE FALLEN: A large contingent attended the ANZAC Day march and service at Jindabyne including those on horseback. PHOTOS: Trista Heath

Nowra Royal Australian Navy (RAN) 723 squadron marches to the war memorial in Jindabyne.

One of the largest attendances in recent memory gathered in Jindabyne.

Swimmers celebrate to end terrific season

THE Cooma Swimming Club has celebrated one of its best seasons in many years with its presentation night recognising the hard work and improvement of swimmers.

Season 2024/2025 saw lots of new swimmers join the club, along with many experienced members return.

“The progress and improvements throughout the season have been fantastic to witness and we’re so proud of all our members and all their amazing achievements,” the Cooma Swimming Club said.

A highlight of the season was the race development day sponsored by Snowy Hydro’s Community Grants Program, which enabled the club to hire the Cooma pool for the day and contract Michelle and Lorraine from Michelle’s Swim School to coach members ahead of their school carnivals.

“A special thank you to Betty Longhurst for all of

AWARD WINNERS

Time trials - points are earned for each race entered throughout the season and additional points when times are improved over each distance.

 Eight years and under boys: First - Finn Dietrich; Second - Ryan Evans; ThirdJack Brigden

 Eight years and under girls : First - Kalarni Tenkate; Second - Felicity O’Ryan; Third - Anna Payne

 Nine/10 boys: FirstSimon Evans; Second - George Morley; Third - Cooper Shaw  Nine/10 girls: FirstAddison O’Ryan; Second - Eliska Pendergast; ThirdHarmony Varcoe

 11/12 boys: First - Boston Varcoe; Second - Jarrah Riley; Third - Koen Tenkate

 11/12 girls: First - Ada Redman; Second - Ella Probert; Third - Emily Payne

 13/14 boys: First - Mitchell Adams

 13/14 girls: First - Kirra Tenkate; Second - Gabby Lloyd; Third - Charlotte Morley

 15 and over girls: FirstNevaeh Moore

 Overall highest point scorer: Kalarni Tenkate

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPSHELD OVER THE FINAL TWO WEEKS OF THE SEASON

her hard work behind the scenes. Thanks to Elly for joining us on deck this year to help out, and of course to Carol and Henry for ring up the barbecue every week to keep us fed,” the club said.

The club’s AGM is 6.30pm Tuesday, 13 May at the Cooma Ex-Services Club.

The club thanked its sponsors:

Major sponsor - Monaro Meats.

Sponsors - Leah Redden Fitness, Cooma Car Club, Tyrepower Cooma, Mainstreet Clothing, Cooma Furnishing Co, Rose’s Restaurant, and Betty Longhurst.

Weekly sponsorsBerridale Phamacy, Co ee 2630, Cooma Bowling Club, Dusty Heifer, Ignite Digital, Kenmir Accounting, Monaro Medical Practice, One Agency Jodi Alexander, Outback Fudge, Paci c Furniture and Bedding Cooma, Sapphire Coast and Snowy Mountains Physiotherapy, SportsPower Cooma, and Tony’s Clip.

 Six-year-old boys: FirstJack Brigden

 Seven-year-old boys: First

- Ryan Evans

 Seven-year-old girls: First - Kalarni Tenkate; Second - Olive Neilson; Third - Inara Freeman

 Eight-year-old boys: First

- Finn Dietrich

 Eight-year-old girls: First

- Anna Payne; Second - Zarlia Shaw; Third - Ava Bilish

 Nine-year-old boys: First - George Morley; SecondSimon Evans; Third - Morrison Lyons

 Nine-year-old girls: FirstBella Rose Brigden

First - Harmony Varcoe; Second - Maddison Hopkins; Third - Grace Coombe

 10-year-old boys: FirstCooper Shaw; Second - Jack Payne; Third - Charlie Redden

 10-year-old girls: First - Grace Brigden; SecondChelsea Lloyd; Third - Addison O’Ryan

 11-year-old boys: FirstKoen Tenkate; Second - Karem Kaytan

 11-year-old girls: First - Rebecca Jamieson; SecondElla Probert

 12-year-old boys: FirstBoston Varcoe; Second - Jarrah Riley

 12-year-old girls: First - Emily Payne; Second - Ada Redman

 13-year-old boys: FirstMitchell Adams

 13-year-old girls: FirstKirra Tenkate; Second - Lilly Jane Curtis; Third - Charlotte Morley

 14-year-old girls: FirstGabby Lloyd

 16-year-old girls: FirstNevaeh Moore

 Club person of the year: Shane Bilish

 Junior club person of the year: Boston Varcoe; Charlie Redden

 Rookie of the year: Kirra Tenkate

 Encouragement awards: Maddie Jamieson; Payton Greenwood

Two tight wins for Cooma senior rugby sides Historic weekend for Red Devils

By NATHAN THOMPSON

IN their rst o cial match in about 25 years, the Cooma Red Devils women’s side started its season in style with a 29-10 win over Yass.

A er receiving a forfeit in round one, it was tting the side’s rst match in their return season took place at Rotary Oval in front of a large crowd.

The Red Devils raced out of the blocks, crossing the line for the opening try just minutes into the match. Much of the rst half was lost a er a Yass player was injured.

The side showed plenty of skill with the ball and commitment in defence, playing the majority of the second half with nine players following a red card.

The Red Devils sit atop of the country section of

the ACT/Monaro 10 a-side women’s competition following a rst round forfeit to the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Five tries were scored by the home side, with Emily Quodling crossing for a double.

Following the women’s team success, the Red Devils men’s side prevailed in a penalty riddled match. Another close encounter with Yass was decided by just two points, with a Damien Roach penalty goal securing a 27-25 win.

The win was the Red Devils third of the season a er a round one triumph over Jindabyne and a forfeit by Braidwood in the second round.

Yass took advantage of a high Red Devils penalty count, regularly attacking inside the 22. The visitors

Emily Quodling makes a break through the middle and runs away untouched for a try.

opened up a nine point lead deep into the second half, before a late try to prop Nic Maclean and the penalty goal to Roach delivered the win.

Maclean received the side’s player of the match honours.

A highlight for the Red Devils was the rst half try to fullback Hunter Caldwell. In only his second senior game of rugby and rst season in a number of years, the talented 17-year-old was a constant threat returning the ball from the back.

A Yass kick was taken by Red Devils winger Jakob Stewart about 40 metres out from the tryline. He threw a long pass to Caldwell who started his run in the middle of the Rotary Oval, before carving through the Yass defence to cross in the le corner.

Devils fullback Hunter Caldwell produces a scintillating run from the back to slice through the defence and score the Red

Josh McDonald brushes a tackle close to the line. McDonald’s run sets up an attacking opportunity for the Red Devils to score from a few phases later.

Red Devils flyhalf and captain, Damien Roach, looks to pass to his outside backs.

Red

Devils opening try.

SUCCESS: The Cooma Red Devils women’s side secures a win in its first match in 25 seasons. Leah Rogers is about to deliver a pass during the second half of the side’s match against Yass.

PHOTOS: Nathan Thompson

ANZAC Day matches draw bumper crowd produces Chebeci for victory

IN RUNNING second at Canberra recently at odds of 50-1, the Matt Kelley trained Chebeci, gave notice of her ability and, last week at Queanbeyan, starting as $1.75 favourite, franked her form and won a Country Boosted Maiden Hcp over 1460 metres.

Ridden by Coriah Keatings, the three-year-old filly took the entire length of the straight to run down Closethedoordarcy to win by a nose margin.

Chebici is raced by an excited ownership group of Narrele Kelley, Wayne Holdsworth, Mr A D Phillips, Brent Williams, Craig Newton, Darryl Adams, David, Irene and Bill Snowden, Dianne Blyton, Leone Venables, Marcus Witt, Matt Lane from Canberra, Merise Johnson, Mick Schofield, N Murphy and P S Murphy, Miss S Adams, Terry Schofield and Tony Brooks.

In other races on the day, Matt Kelley had second placings with Macclesfield and Kotaishi.

Also at Queanbeyan, Becky Byrne had a winner with Jacob Joe, raced by Messrs Palombi and Rich, in a Benchmark 50 Hcp over 1000 metres and Sean Coady produced Fourcade to win a BM 58 over 1200 metres with Jade McKenzie riding.

Fourcade is raced by Len Manton, Brendan and Maryanne Rudd, Tony Russell, Jackie Harmey and Chris Byrnes. Also in the ownership syndicate are Neville and Lesley Clarke, Lachie and Mary Owen along with ‘Nifty’ Noel Bridle, all from the Tumut district.

At Canberra last Saturday, I am a Rockstar, raced by Rosemary Lewis from Cooma and trained by Matt Kelley, was on the wrong end of a photo finish to be second with only a bare margin discernible in a 1400 metre maiden event.

This three-year-old gelding, a Waterhouse and Bott cast off, could be worth following.

Meanwhile, Cooma trainer, David Kelley, is having an unscheduled spell after an accident involving sheep and a quad bike on 14 April. With nine rib fractures and lung trauma to heal, the saddle and helmet will be stored for a while.

He is the second Cooma trainer to sustain such injuries in the last six months, Stephen Johnson having spent time in hospital having been thrown from a horse on the Cooma track in late December.

and

In his club debut, Tristan Hamilton worked hard for the Stallions first grade outfit.

Stallions reserve grade fullback, Brock Halls, delivers a pass to centre, Jake Clare. Halls was dynamic for the Stallions.

Stallions hooker, Lee Morgan, impressed during the reserve grade clash with Bombala. Morgan burrows over for a try in his side’s win.

The Bombala High Heelers showed they will again be tough to beat with a dominant performance against the Cooma Fillies. Abbey Kimber looks to evade being tagged.

SPECIAL: The Cooma Stallions hosted a number of club legends, who returned to the Cooma Showgrounds to present players making their first grade debut

the side’s captains with their playing jerseys. Cooma product and Parramatta Eels forward, Jack Williams (far le ), presents co-captain James Cahill (second le ) with his jersey. Co-captain Noah Saddler (second from right) receives his jersey from Ian Freeman (right). Freeman was a key member of the Western Suburbs first grade side in the 1980s.

Local stars awarded

RECOGNITION: Jindabyne’s Josie Ba has been honoured for her terrific 2024/25 season, being awarded the Snow Australia

Snow Australia honours for Jindy talent

THE 2024/25 snowsports season yielded some of the nest results for Snowy Mountains athletes with World Cup medals secured and national records set.

A number of local talents have been recognised as Snow Australia’s female athletes of the year in Olympic disciplines. The discipline winners are now in line to be crowned the female athlete of the year at the Snowy Australia awards on Thursday, 1 May.

Cross country skiing female athlete of the yearRosie Fordham Rosie Fordham will forever be remembered for her performance at the 2025 Under 23 World Championships where she achieved an Australian Wintersports rst.

Never before had an Australian stood on a cross country podium at a major event, however Rosie changed all that in Italy when she nished second in the 10km freestyle.

She backed up that form at the 2025 World Championships where she contested every event, helping Australia to an historic top 15 results in the team sprint and women’s relay, on top of a top 20 nish in the 50km freestyle.

Freeski park, pipe female athlete of the year - Abi Harrigan

Abi Harrigan skied strongly throughout the season however the biggest moment of her career arrived at the Tignes World Cup in March.

Having already claimed her rst-ever World Cup top 10 at Stubai in November, Harrigan quali ed sixth in Slopestyle at Tignes before skiing her way to a silver medal.

Abi’s performance was Australia’s rst World Cup podium in women’s freeski park and pipe since 2013.

Snowboard cross female athlete of the year - Josie Ba Ba continues to establish

herself as one of the world’s leading athletes in Women’s Snowboard Cross.

Ba added three more individual World Cup podiums to her growing collection on her way to fourth place on the overall standings.

She also nished second in the Team event in Montafon with Adam Lambert, and scored a World Cup victory with Cam Bolton in Turkey.

Snowboard park, pipe female athlete of the year (slopestyle/big air) - Tess Coady

Olympic bronze medallist Tess Coady’s comeback from injury limited her to just a pair of World Cups.

However fourth and sixth place nishes at those events showed she still has what it takes to be a threat at Milano-Cortina 2026.

Competing at her fourth World Championships, Tess’s best result came in slopestyle where she nished 12th.

Southern Cats pounce

THE Southern Cats men’s side has registered a 76-point win to maintain its unbeaten start in the AFL Canberra community men’s division two competition.

A 10-goal e ort by Cameron Moore led the Cats to an emphatic victory over Cootamundra.

The Cats opened up a four goal lead by the main break to lead 42-18. Five goals in the third quarter and a strong defensive e ort put the match beyond reach when the Cats opened up a 46-point lead.

The side slotted a further ve goals in the fourth quarter to run out winners 15.17. 107 to 5.1. 31.

Both the women’s sideplaying in its inaugural season - and men’s team take on the Australian National University this Saturday. The women’s game starts at 10am at ANU South before the men’s rst bounce at 12pm. The Cats men’s side is second on the ladder, with two wins from as many games. Moore is the leading goal kicker with 17.

snowboard cross female athlete of the year. PHOTO: Chris Hocking

Damien Asanovski, Southern Cats women’s coach

Cooma swim club’s best season PAGE 32

Bumper weekend

WINS ACROSS BOARD FOR SPORTING OUTFITS

By NATHAN THOMPSON

HISTORY made in Group 16 rugby league, a milestone win for Cooma Red Devils women’s side and a return to form for the Jindabyne Bushpigs have crowned arguably one of the busiest weekends in local sport.

In a rst for local rugby league, matches were held ANZAC Day with all grades in action as the Cooma Stallions and Bombala Blue Heelers faced o in round one.

Hundreds turned out at the Cooma Showgrounds for the special occasion, which saw The Last Post played, a minute’s silence for the passing of Queanbeyan rugby league icon, Ian Baker, and the presentation of Stallions’ rst grade jerseys to players making their club debuts.

The jerseys were presented by Cooma rugby league legendsSam Williams, Jack Williams, Ian Freeman, Stuart Flanagan and Leigh Hennessy.

Stallions president, Todd Williams, said it was a special moment for both clubs to play on ANZAC Day.

“We are really pleased with how it all went. Initially we were hesitant to play on such a sacred day, but we incorporated a ANZAC day commemoration and had a such a great crowd,” Williams said.

“It was special to share this with Bombala who embraced the idea.”

On the eld, the Bombala High Heelers showed why they are regarded as Group 16’s best side. The High Heelers were too strong for the Cooma Fillies, winning 56-0.

In reserve grade, the Stallions squared the ledger, accounting for Bombala 42-6. The Stallions o ered plenty in attack with fullback Brock Halls a constant threat, as too ve-eight, Thomas King, and hooker, Lee Morgan.

The scrappy a air saw Cooma prevail 13-6.

The rst grade clash was a lowscoring, tough encounter. Both sides dropped the ball regularly and gave away frequent penalities.

In local rugby union, the Jindabyne Bushpigs bounced back to form with a 105-5 win over Taralga. Arriving with only 10-players, Taralga faced a harder than usual challenge to beat the Bushpigs on their home turf.

Where the Flick

The wins kept coming for the Cooma Red Devils with victories for its women’s and men’s teams.

The Red Devils women’s side won its rst ‘o cial’ match this season following a trial win over Jindabyne and forfeit in round one to the Australia Defence Force Academy.

The Red Devils women’s side defeated Yass 29-10.

A penalty goal to Red Devils men’s captain, Damien Roach, sealed a 27-25 win over Yass. In a game riddled by penalties, the Red Devils held rm to score a late try and then the penalty goal to seal a tight win.

LOCAL TALENT: Cooma Stallions legend, Sam Williams, (right) presents Dempsey Woolf with his first grade Stallions jersey ahead of his club debut. Woolf is a talented young rugby league player and was thrilled to receive his jersey from Williams, who amassed more than 100 NRL games.

PHOTO: Nathan Thompson

Jindabyne Bushpigs prop and captain Billy Smalls runs away for a try against Taralga. PHOTO: Steve Cu , Snowy Mountains Magazine

ELECTION ISSUES ON AGENDA

PAGE 3

GET TO KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES

PAGES 15-16

Jindabyne to have its say

AGED CARE, HEALTH, ROADS

FRONT OF MIND FOR REGION

By NATHAN THOMPSON

SNOWY Monaro residents and community groups say aged care, health, and the cost of living will dictate their votes at this Saturday’s Federal Election.

Eight candidates are contesting the seat of Eden-Monaro with Labor’s Kristy McBain the current member with a six per cent margin.

Following the re-distribution of the seat last year, Eden-Monaro now takes in Goulburn while Yass and Tumut are now part of the seat of Riverina.

The addition of Goulburn is tipped to help the chances of Liberal candidate and Cooma resident, Jo van der Plaat.

The region is also represented on the Senate ballot paper, with Cooma teacher Kerrie Harris standing for election.

Issues set to dominate the agenda this election for locals include improved aged care services for the region, boosting healthcare funding, increasing the support for the local government

sector, roads infrastructure and supporting small businesses.

A candidates’ forum was held last week by the Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce. Six of eight candidates appeared, answering questions relating to aged care, tourism, energy and small business.

“I believe that the major parties understand our issues though no new commitments were made to help solve the problems,” Mr Kapetanakos said.

“Small business is hurting at the moment and for sure everyone agreed with the notion to simplify the tax code as too much time and money is spent on compliance.

“It’s not an easy x, but it must be tackled over a period of time with community as a stakeholder.

“At the same time we had candidates who were clearly not there to listen or engage, but rather to inform us of their particular view of the world and not how it applies to our region.”

The forum heard candidate’s views on nuclear energy, Snowy 2.0 and aged care services for Jindabyne and the Snowy Mountains.

By TRISTA HEATH

BUMPER SPORTING WEEKEND

SPORT

■ More on page 3

REFLECTING: Jindabyne CWA branch members, Sheila and June, proudly march during the Jindabyne ANZAC Day morning service.

PHOTO: Trista Heath

PAGE 32

Bumper weekend

WINS ACROSS BOARD FOR SPORTING OUTFITS

By NATHAN THOMPSON

In a rst for local rugby league, matches were held ANZAC Day with all grades in action as the Cooma Stallions and Bombala Blue Heelers faced o in round one.

Hundreds turned out at the Cooma Showgrounds for the special occasion, which saw The Last Post played, a minute’s silence for the passing of Queanbeyan rugby league icon, Ian Baker, and the presentation of Stallions rst grade jerseys to players making their club debuts.

The jerseys were presented by Cooma rugby league legendsSam Williams, Jack Williams, Ian Freeman, Stuart Flanagan and Leigh Hennessy.

Stallions president, Todd Williams, said it was a special moment for both clubs to play on ANZAC Day.

“We are really pleased with how it all went. Initially we were hesitant to play on such a sacred day, but we incorporated a ANZAC day commemoration and had a such a great crowd,” Williams said.

“it was special to sahre this with Bombala who embraced the idea.”

On the eld, the Bombala High Heelers showed why they are regarded as Group 16’s best side. The High heelers were too strong for the Cooma Fillies, winning 56-0.

In reserve grade, the Stallions squared the ledger, accounting for Bombala 42-6. The Stallions o ered plenty in attack with fullback Brock Halls a constant threat, as to ve-eight Thomas King and hooker Lee Morgan.

The scrappy a air saw Cooma prevail 13-6.

The rst grade clash was a lowscoring, tough encounter. Both sides dropped the ball regularly and gave away frequent penalities.

The wins kept coming for the Cooma Red Devils with victories for its women’s and men’s teams.

The Red Devils women’s side won its rst ‘o cial’ match this season following a trial win over Jindabyne and forfeit in round one to the Australia Defence Force Academy.

The Red Devils women’s side defeated Yass 29-10.

A penalty goal to Red Devils men’s captain Damien Roach sealed a 27-25 win over Yass. In a game riddled by penalties, the Red Devils held rm to score a late try and then the penalty goal to seal a tight win.

LOCAL TALENT: Cooma Stallions legend Sam Williams (right) presents Dempsey Woolf with his first grade Stallions jersey ahead of his club debut. Woolf is a talented young rugby league player and was thrilled to receive his jersey from Williams, who amassed more than 100 NRL games.

PHOTO: Nathan Thompson

INSET: Jindabyne Bushpigs prop and captain Billy Smalls runs away for a try against Taralga. PHOTO: Steve Cu , Snowy Mountains Magazine