Upper Yarra
5 Tuesday, 16 April, 2019
Your Yarra Ranges budget
14
Covering the Upper Yarra Region of the Yarra Ranges Shire
Anzac Day
A Mail News Group publication
23-25
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
New bridge for Cement Creek Road
Tiny champ By Jed Lanyon Jess Sharp, 11, took first place in her age group at the 2019 Hufglocken Grand National, Saddle Horse and Rider Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre in March. Jess, who lives in Yarra Junction, competed in the Grand National Rider 9-under 12, hosted by the Show Horse Council of Australasia. Jess' mother Mandy Burge was very proud of her daughter for taking out the main prize. "She was chosen as the champion rider in her age group," she said. "It was quite a decent size class ... There were 37 riders in the class and each of those riders had to qualify to go. So they were from all over Australia and New Zealand. "Jess won some rider classes throughout the year to go on to compete at this competition," she said. Ms Burge said that only two riders from those competitions were invited to compete at the Grand Nationals. "It's the crème de la crème in the show horse scene ... It's one of the biggest events in Australia." Jess travels frequently to compete, having travelled to Adelaide three times this year and she will soon make her second journey to Sydney to compete at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Jess' pony is named Imperial Vagabond. "We've only had him for 18 months ... He's only five so he's very young and doing quite well," Ms Burge said. He's just quite willing to want to perform; he's a natural little performer ... Jess and him seem to have a nice combination happening, Ms Burge said. "He is a liver chestnut. He is the most willing-est pony and he's so good," Jess said. Jess won $300 in prize money at the Grand Nationals and said she plans to put that amount towards saving to buy a Shetland pony. Jess started riding when she was five and
Best in local sport
By Jed Lanyon East Warburton locals and visitors to the popular Redwood Forest will experience safer road conditions once a new bridge on Cement Creek Road East Warburton is built over the Yarra River. The federal government is contributing $165,000 towards the total project cost of $330,000. "The popular Redwood Forest is a significant tourist attraction in the Upper Yarra. The existing narrow bridge is inappropriate for the large number of cars now using it," Tony Smith said. "Visitors to the Upper Yarra region, including many from suburban Melbourne, would not be expecting to travel on a single lane bridge on a road that is narrow and winding. "A contribution of $165,000 of federal funding toward the overall cost will allow the Yarra Ranges Council to replace the existing bridge as well as attach a pedestrian/cycling horse board walk leading to this very popular tourist attraction," Mr Smith said. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the federal government are committing $640 million for vital bridgeworks between 2015-16 to 2022-23, with an ongoing commitment of $85 million each year following. "The Bridges Renewal Program provides up to 50 per cent of the cost of repairing or replacing old and unsafe local bridges, which is a fantastic win for local communities," Mr McCormack said. "Under Round 4, the Government has committed $57 million to help fund vital local bridgeworks following the completion of an open, merit-based selection process."
Jess Sharp and Imperial Vagabond at the Grand National, Saddle Horse and Rider Championships. Picture: LISA GORDON now takes weekly lessons in between travelling and competing. Ms Burge said that the sport is definitely a
large part of Jess' life. "She wants to be home schooled, so she can ride more," she joked.
YARRA RANGES 12399920-RA39-18
•SERVICINGincludinglogbook •fleetcare•efidiagnostics •brakes•tyres&alignment •rwctester•sUsPensions 652warburtonHwy seville“nearaldi”59642177 tHerear-652warburtonHwy
seville“nearaldi”
59642177
1216759-KK8-16
Ph: 5966 9999
12412846-LN11-19
•SplitSystems •DuctedHeating andCooling •GasApplianceSales andInstallation
AU36010
SPECIALISTS IN
12339093-LB07-17
GAS HEAT & COOL