Augusta Margaret River Mail | March 11, 2026

Cowaramup revs up for hot wheels

Cowaramup Primary School sta and students were treated to a special visit from some beautiful vehicles last week, as a collection of Variety Club Cars landed on the school oval. Students enjoyed checking out a range of luxury supercars, old classics, and even a couple of tricked out Kombi vans.

e Variety Club WA also delivered a special surprise to the school - a cheque for $6000 - as part of their annual Creative Car Cruise, which is travelling through the South West and visiting local schools and communities to provide a helping hand.

Photos thanks to Brooke @ Liet Photography.

NEW GROUP TO ADDRESS GROWING CONCERNS OVER RODENTICIDES IN SOUTH WEST

A NEW community conservation group, Owl Friendly Naturaliste, has formed, building momentum for stronger protection of native wildlife from the impacts of rodenticides across the Margaret River region.

e new chapter follows the success of Owl Friendly Margaret River Region and a newly-formed Bunbury chapter, and comes amid growing interest in establishing similar groups in Yallingup and Busselton.

Owl Friendly was founded by conservationist and former Nature Conservation board member Boyd Wykes in response to increasing evidence of harm caused by anticoagulant rodenticides to owls, raptors and other native wildlife.

ese poisons, commonly used

to control rats and mice, accumulate in the food chain.

Predators can su er fatal internal bleeding a er consuming poisoned prey.

e formation of the new Owl Friendly group comes as conservationists across WA and Australia are ramping up their campaign for stronger national restrictions on the most dangerous rodenticides, which are widely sold for household pest control.

e chemicals — known as second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides — are designed to kill rodents but persist in their bodies, meaning predators such as owls, eagles and hawks are o en poisoned when they eat contaminated prey.

Australia’s pesticide regulator is currently reviewing these prod-

ucts in what campaigners say is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reduce the risk to native wildlife at the source. Conservation groups are calling for tighter controls on the most toxic formulations and clearer warnings so households and businesses can switch to safer alternatives.

Local testing has underscored the scale of the problem.

Recent analysis of 13 masked owls from the South West detected rodenticide residues in every bird tested, highlighting how widespread the contamination has become.

In Margaret River, at least one pet dog has been poisoned from eating a rat suspected of su ering from rodenticide poisoning.

Campaigners say community ed-

ucation and local action are essential, but ultimately cannot solve the problem alone if highly toxic products remain widely available.

Without meaningful reform at the national level, they warn more Owl Friendly community groups may be needed simply to mitigate the damage being caused across the landscape.

Boyd said the formation of new local chapters showed growing community support for practical action.

“ is work has always been about empowering people to protect wildlife where they live,” he said.

“Seeing Owl Friendly Naturaliste come together shows how quickly awareness is spreading. Communities want safer alternatives, better information and stronger protec-

Join Tilly Kay and Ian Smith in the new Anne Shepherdson Courtyard as we gather to sing and remember Anne.

Together, we’ll lift our voices in one of Anne’s favourite songs — Thank You for the Music by ABBA — celebrating the joy she brought to us all.

So I say, thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty What would life be?

Without a song or a dance, what are we?

So I say, thank you for the music For giving it to me

tions for our owls and other native species.”

e new chapter emerged following discussions at an event hosted by the Capes Naturaliste Conservation Enterprise (CNCE).

e event brought together landholders, conservationists and wildlife advocates concerned about declining raptor populations and the ongoing use of toxic rodenticides.

CNCE coordinator Mandy Polley said the gathering demonstrated the power of collaboration.

“People came together around a shared concern for raptors and the health of the wider ecosystem,” she said.

“ ere was strong support for expanding the Owl Friendly approach into the northern Capes communities.”

Kids join creative collaboration for river

NATURE Conservation Margaret River Region, artists and cultural custodians are inviting the whole community to step into an immersive celebration of art, culture and river connection this Saturday, March 14.

e Wooditchup Bilya Wongi –Margaret River Talking Land Art Trail is at the heart of the inaugural 2026 River Celebration Month.

It’s an interactive trail that follows a short loop from the Old Settlement, bringing the Margaret River to life through temporary artworks created by Wardandi custodians, local artists, school groups and the community.

A free community event launching the trail will run from 1pm–5pm on Saturday, and will feature a Welcome to Country, cultural yarns, artist talks, conservation talks and stalls – all designed for families, locals and visitors to enjoy.

Guided by Wardandi culture and deep connection to Country, the trail has been shaped with the involvement of traditional custodians and artists Nan Vivian Brockman-Webb and Mitchella Hutchins, alongside land artists Elaine Clocherty, Kyllie Deltondo and Mick Hart, weaver Cynamon Aeria, and contributions from community members and students from schools throughout the Mar-

garet River catchment.

“ is trail is an invitation to experience the river in a completely new way,” says Nature Conservation’s Protect Wooditjup Bilya project manager Hannah Weir.

“It’s a beautiful meeting of creativity, culture and environmental care, with artworks that re ect the river’s spirit and the community’s love for this special place.”

1.00pm – Art Trail opens 2pm – Welcome to Country and yarns with Nan Viv and Mitchella Hutchins

3.00pm-4:30pm – Short talks with local conservation experts, including Obelia Walker (Nature

Conservation) – priority weeds, their impacts and how to get involved; James Bennet (Owl Friendly Margaret River) – controlling rats while protecting wildlife.

“ rough storytelling, art and hands-on experiences, the trail encourages people to connect with the river, Country and stewardship,” Hannah said.

“It’s fun, inspiring, and it helps build a legacy of care.”

e Wooditchup Bilya Wongi –Margaret River Talking Land Art Trail is one of a series of events across River Celebration Month, running from March 7–22.

Tickets are still available to the River Stewardship Sundowner and

Movie Night at the Margaret River HEART next Wednesday, March 18.

e evening will feature a short panel discussion exploring river stewardship, before diving into a full screening of the acclaimed documentary River, narrated by Willem Dafoe.

Prices are $15 for Nature Conservation members and $25 for non-members, including a free drink and canapes.

River Celebration Month is an important part of Nature Conservation’s Protect Wooditjup Bilya project, a four-year program of research, conservation action and community stewardship.

“Healthy rivers are at the heart of thriving landscapes,” Hannah said.

“By celebrating the river and bringing people together around it, we can inspire the care and action needed to protect biodiversity across the Margaret River catchment.”

e program is funded by the Ian Potter Foundation and receives support from the AMR Shire, Water Corporation, and generous philanthropic donors.

e River and Art Trail project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Festivals Australia program.

Review of the week

Zain Amjad helped us with the configuration of our Solar system and was very helpful in explaining the process to someone who was doing it for the first time.

We are based in Mandogalup and I wanted to Thank him for his patience and guidelines over the phone. I called him like 10 times. So yeah, Stinson Solar did a great job.

Dairai Blessed

Big Ideas Bold Conversations Brilliant Stories

Membership

Natural Wings and co will transform the Sound Shell grassed area outside Margaret River HEART into a 2.5-hour, pop-up festival of circus, music, and interaction.

Sun, March 15, 5.30pm Free. No Registration Required

Tourism businesses raise the bar for WA

SOUTH West businesses have collected a number of top honours at the recent Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, held in Fremantle.

A total of 16 medals were awarded to Western Australian tourism operators in the national awards, including Broadwater Resort, Busselton (Silver, 3 - 3.5 Star Accommodation) and Mandalay Holiday Resort (Silver, Caravan & Holiday Parks).

Sean Blocksidge from the Margaret River Discovery Co was in attendance at the awards ceremony, where his one-man tour operation landed him a Bronze medal in the Tour & Transport Operators category - making it the third best tour experience in the country.

He said while a Gold medal would have been nice, “when you’re competing against the Cathy Freemans and Ian orpes of Australian tourism, I’m pretty bloody happy to sneak into the medals”.

these things,” Sean said.

“ irty page submission requiring mountains of data and evidence.

“I have enormous respect for any one who undertakes this level of forensic analysis of their business by expert industry judges.

“ e whole process raises the collective bar of Australian tourism.”

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall paid tribute to all WA medallists and nalists.

depth of tourism product we have here, from Perth’s world-class city o ering to the remarkable experiences found right across our regions,” Mr Hall said.

“Now is a perfect time to book a trip in Western Australia and add these National Award winners to the list of must-do experiences.”

Businesses that took home Gold at the 2025 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards in November automatically progressed as nalists in the

WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S MARINE PLANTS | JOHN HUISMAN

U3A and Mediterranean Gardening invite you to join us at the Men’s Shed, Shepherdson Place, Margaret River

Stay for Afternoon tea. FREE event for members. RSVP by Monday 16th March. u3a@paramor.net.au 2.00pm Thursday March 19th

Dr John Huisman is the Curator of the Western Australian Herbarium and also undertakes taxonomic research into Western Australian marine plants. Mostly hidden beneath the waves, our marine plants include an impressive range of colours, shapes and textures. In addition to their important ecological role, marine plants have an incredible potential for human use, either as food or in a range of industrial and agricultural processes. John’s presentation will concentrate on the seaweed flora of Western Australia, including historical and recent studies, and will attempt to raise an appreciation of the value and beauty of this often-ignored group of plants.

We are a locally owned and operated occupational therapy practice servicing children and adults in Busselton and across the South West region.

We are a locally owned and operated Occupational Therapy practice seeing children, adults and aged care clients in Busselton and across the South West region.

What we do:

What we do:

•Sensory processing & emotional regulation

• Assistive equipment and home modifications

•Handwriting, fine motor & self care skill development

• Rehabilitation after injury or illness

•Rehabilitation after injury or illness

•Assistive equipment and home modifications

• Functional capacity assessments

•Functional capacity assessments

• Capacity building therapy

We are a locally owned and operated Occupational Therapy practice seeing children, adults and aged care clients in Busselton and across the South West region.

We are a locally owned and operated Occupational Therapy practice seeing children, adults and aged care clients in Busselton and across the South West region.

• Falls education and prevention

•Falls education and prevention

What we do:

What we do:

• Sensory processing & emotional regulation

•Support managing changed behaviours in dementia

•Sensory processing & emotional regulation

•Sensory processing & emotional regulation

• Fine motor and self care skill development

•Handwriting, fine motor & self care skill development

Please contact us for employment opportunities for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology via admin@baysideindependence.com.au

•Handwriting, fine motor & self care skill development

• Support managing changed behaviours in dementia

•Rehabilitation after injury or illness

injury or illness

•Rehabilitation after injury or illness

•Assistive equipment and home modifications

•Assistive equipment and home modifications

•Functional capacity assessments

•Assistive equipment and home modifications

•Functional capacity assessments

•Functional capacity assessments

•Falls education and prevention

For further information or to see how we can assist you visit our website email us at admin@baysideindepence.com.au or phone us on 9743 6399

•Functional capacity assessments

•Falls education and prevention

•Falls education and prevention

•Falls education and prevention

•Support managing changed behaviours in dementia

•Support managing changed behaviours in dementia

•Support managing changed behaviours in dementia

Please contact us for employment opportunities for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology via admin@baysideindependence.com.au

admin@baysideindependence.com.au

Please contact us for employment opportunities for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology via admin@baysideindependence.com.au

•Support managing changed behaviours in dementia

Please contact us for employment opportunities for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology via admin@baysideindependence.com.au

Please contact us for employment opportunities for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology via admin@baysideindependence.com.au

WHAT’S ON

Dive into forest of food

FROM permaculture design and rare fruit, to mushroom cultivation and backyard bees, there’s a big range of all-new workshops on o er to the community as part of this year’s Edible Gardens Festival.

e festival returns May 22–24 to the Margaret River region, and this year’s indepth, hands-on workshops are interactive sessions packed with practical skills and tips that attendees can take straight home to their own gardens.

For the rst time, the an-

nual not-for-pro t food growing and sustainability festival kicks o on Friday a ernoon with a full slate of in-depth workshops, with more sessions running throughout the weekend.

Alongside the workshops, festival-goers can explore six inspiring open gardens, enjoy live demonstrations, and hear talks from experienced local gardeners. See www. ediblegardensfestival.au for tickets, info and the full program.

“Our workshops are always popular, and this year

we’ve added even more,” says organiser and permaculture teacher Trevor Paddenburg. “ ey’re hands-on, inspiring, and full of practical tips for gardeners of all levels. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, there’s something for everyone.”

e 2026 workshop program includes Rare Fruit Workshop & Farm Tour at Wayne and Leisa Prangnell’s 20-year-old food forest, home to 500-plus fruit tree varieties.

Community Notices & Tenders

What’s On Wadandi Boodja in March

SHIRE

15 March - The legacy of beloved arts champion Anne Shepherdson OAM will be honoured with the opening of the newly revitalised Anne Shepherdson Courtyard at the Shire’s premier arts and cultural venue, HEART - Nala Bardip Mia, followed by a special Sunday Sundowner which will see the lawns outside the venue transformed into a pop-up festival of circus and music

14-21 March - Our partners, Nature Conservation are also leading a celebration of Wooditjup Bilya (Margaret River) with a fantastic series of events for the inaugural River Celebration Week

6-14 March - Margaret River Theatre Group’s latest production Cinderella In Space will showcase the outstanding talent of our Shire’s brightest rising stars, and there's some great workshops from our community partners MindED and the Margaret River Business Network, the FREE weekly Groove as you Move program from Movement Solutions and a chance to learn music production skills at the BeatLab Weekend

We’re so proud to support these diverse events through our Grants Program and Community Partnerships to celebrate the place we call home and the people who make it so special

Scan the QR code to check out the full list of events this month

Expressions of Interest

Expressions of interest are invited to operate a mobile sauna within Rivermouth car park, Reserve 41545, for a maximum five (5) month term, 1 May to 30 September 2026

To learn more:

Pick up an EOI document from Shire offices, request a copy by email permits@amrshire wa gov au or call 9780 266

Come to the briefing meeting at 11 30am on Thursday 19 March This is an opportunity to ask questions and clarify uncertainties Please confirm you are attending permits@amrshire wa gov au

Expressions of interest must be received by 4pm Wednesday 1 April 2026

Shire works watch

VICTORIA PARADE, AUGUSTA

We will soon begin upgrade works along Victoria Parade in Augusta to fix long standing drainage and pavement issues in the area

The project includes installing new sub soil drainage, renewing kerbs and pavement, upgrading drainage pits, and replacing the damaged sections of asphalt

Works are due to finish before Easter, weather permitting During construction, there will be some short term impacts, including detours and road closures Local access will be maintained at all times

ROSA BROOK ROAD

Upgrade works on Rosa Brook Road (between Jindong Treeton Road and Darnell Road) are continuing with final pavement works and sealing under stop and go traffic control

No property access impacts Works are expected to be completed by Easter (weather permitting)

GLENARTY ROAD

Bridge upgrade and road reconstruction works on Glenarty Road are continuing in February and March 2026

The road closure between the southern end of the Glenarty Road bridge and the Wilson Road intersection will remain in place while we finish these works, which should be before Easter

JINDONG–TREETON ROAD BRIDGE UPGRADE

Bridge replacement works have now started The road will be fully closed between Osmington Rd and Treeton Rd from this week, with local access only Detours remain in place for heavy vehicles

WALLCLIFFE ROAD

Stage two works begun on Monday 9 March, including shoulder works, line marking and audible edge lines

Detours and stop-and-go traffic management will be in place Please expect delays and take an alternate route if you can

Applications must be uploaded through Te T nderlink: https://portal tenderlink com/amrshire

Government of Western Australia WA Country Health Service

Patient Assisted Travel Scheme

The Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) provides financial subsidies for eligible WA country residents to reduce the cost of accessing the closest specialist health services where not locally available.

In 2025, we helped more than 35,000 rural and remote residents to access PATS. It’s just one of the ways we’re helping to make it easier for country patients travelling for specialist health services.

PATS is a subsidy program funded by the Government of Western Australia administered through WA Country Health Service.

Scan the QR code to learn more or search online for the latest information patient assisted travel scheme

Soul Masons make their mark on Settlers Tav

AFTER a huge debut gig at the Arts Margaret River Sunday Sundowners event at Cowaramup over the summer, Margaret River’s newest soul outfit, The Soul Masons, are landing at Settlers Tavern this weekend for another big show of beloved soul and classic tunes.

The eight piece band features some of Margaret River’s finest musicians, led by Michelle Spriggs and Damon Pyke and drawing on influences from Ray Charles, Etta James, Don West, and Amy Winehouse, blending classic and modern soul.

With a three-piece horn section and layered vocals, The Soul Masons deliver music designed for live performance and connection with the audience.

Catch them live at Settlers Tavern on Saturday, 14th March from 9:00pm to 11:30pm.

FROM PAGE 6 -

Explore their hot house, learn about homegrown herbal teas, and see how geese and chooks assist in the orchard. With practical tips on self-sufficiency, from growing ginger & using wicking beds to tackling tree roots in your veg patch.

Or, step into the garden of Witchcliffe Permaculture and Design founder and permaculture teacher Gillian Pearce for an inspiring tour that brings permaculture principles to life. Gillian will share how she plans with permaculture zones and designs integrated, multi-use systems that cycle nutrients, create natural windbreaks and invite wildlife in. A chance to see practical, creative solutions for building a resilient and abundant garden that works in harmony with nature.

Pruning can seem like a mystery, but Mark Tupman from Productive Ecology will show you how to confidently prune for tree health and abundant fruit. This hands-on demonstration in the Burnside Organic Farm orchard covers a variety of fruit trees, sharing expert tips from one of the region’s leading edible garden gurus and green thumbs. Plus enjoy free wine tasting at the cellar door after class.

Other workshops topics at the festival include: From Harvest to Hot Sauce: preserving and sauce-making with El Kapo, Big Yields on a Small Budget with David Hatwell, 5-Star Hotels for Busy Bees with Laura Bailey, Veg Gardening for Beginners with Jamie McCall, Fungi Fundamentals: Growing Your Own Mushrooms with David Harwood, Big Ideas for Small Spaces (Dec Davie from Wayfinder Wines & Glenarty Road), plus a special workshop talk from Steve Wood (All The Dirt podcast) on the benefits and reasons to grow some of your own food

Tickets remain at 2025 prices: $20 for a single-day open garden ticket (free for children 16 and under), and workshops $25 each. Early booking is strongly recommended at www. ediblegardensfestival.au, where the full program is also available.

Festival-goers can take the $10 festival bus to all gardens each day, and enjoy 20 per cent off fruit trees, potted plants and vegetable seedlings at Margaret River Mitre 10.

“Visiting the open gardens gives everyone the chance to pick up loads of ideas, knowledge and inspiration for your patch, and then the afternoon workshops build on that and dive deeper into a topic,” says Trev. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from one of the incredible local experts who are running each session.

“Our workshops are a highlight of the festival, giving people hands-on skills and inspiration to grow their own food and live more sustainably. With so many sessions on offer, it’s a weekend not to miss for gardeners of all levels.”

THIS WEEKEND IN TOWN

Cinderella In Space @ The HEART

Margaret River Theatre Group’s latest pantomime in its second and final weekend of shows. Tickets at artsmargaretriver.com

Arts Margaret River Sundowner @ The Heart

From 5.30pm on Sunday, Natural Wings and co will transform the Sound Shell grassed area outside Nala Bardip Mia into a free, 2.5-hour pop-up festival of circus, music, and interaction, featuring Miss Red’s Circus Club, Dawn Pascoe from Natural Wings, and musicians Tanya Ransom and Tilly Kaye.

More info at artsmargaretriver.com

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CLASSIFIEDS

Scoring sprees from Garstone, Saeed

ALLAN MILLER

TWO EXCEPTIONAL individual performances at A-Grade level dominated the last qualifying round of home-and-away fixtures in the Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association on Saturday.

At Bovell Park, Grant Garstone smashed 156 runs off 132 balls for Margaret River Hawks against Vasse, setting a record for the highest score this century, since Danny Hatton struck 167 not out for Abba River-Newtown 26 seasons ago.

The game was a scoring spree of epic proportions with no less than 578 runs scored in 100 overs including a record 26 sixes (17 by Hawks and 9 by Vasse), as Hawks amassed 7-324 in 50 overs and then contained Vasse to an impressive 7-254 in 50 overs in reply.

Garstone and Rumesh Silva added 158 runs before the first wicket of the match fell, while Vasse’s response included an innings of 110 off 81 balls from wicketkeeper-batsman Ajith Rajapaksha.

Meanwhile at the Dunsborough Playing Fields, St Mary’s wrested control over the home side on a pitch which strongly favoured the visitors, who batted first.

Saints tallied 193 all out, includ-

ing a solo performance of 102 runs by skipper Zoraiz Saeed.

The visitors then dismissed Dunsborough for 152 on a wicket which deteriorated badly as the game progressed.

Dunsborough were also handicapped by the inability of key batsman Taylor Ingham-Hill to take to

the crease after he suffered a nasty injury while fielding, which necessitated a trip to hospital.

The highlight of the Dunsborough innings was Saeed’s analysis of 5-15 from 6.2 overs of offspin.

This made Zoraiz Saeed one of only a handful of cricketers in the BMRCA’s 114-year history to have

Turnbull takes third place at Bondi

NICKY LEFEBVRE

A YOUNG Margaret River skater is about to take his career to the next level, after a strong performance at once of Australia’s most iconic skate bowl competitions.

Year 6 St Thomas More Primary School student Jake Turnbull headed to Sydney at the end of February to take part in the Bondi Bowl Bash, an annual grassroots skateboarding competition held at the iconic Bondi Skatepark by the Bondi Skateriders organisation.

Jake joined the event alongside top professional and amateur talent, taking part in the Junior 16 and Under division with 21 of the best junior skaters in the country.

With the Bondi terror attack still fresh in the minds of organisers and competitors, there was concern over whether the event would go ahead.

Closer to home, Jake was processing the news that the Margaret River skatepark would close for two weeks, hampering his training in the lead up to the competition.

scored a century and taken five wickets in an innings in the same game.

Saturday’s remaining A-Grade game saw minor premiers Cowaramup return to form with a strong win over Yallingup-Oddbods at Cowaramup.

Batting first in good conditions, the Bulls posted 6-273 from 50 overs (Fraser Oates hitting 64, Nathan Coulter-Nile 57 and Chris McLean 46) and then dismissed YOBS for 160 (Haig Colombera scoring 48).

This Saturday, Cowaramup will host St Marys in the A-Grade second semi-final while Dunsborough will host Margaret River Hawks in the first semi-final.

In last Saturday’s B-grade fixtures, an upset win by Vasse over Margaret River Hawks at the Vasse Playing Fields has cost Hawks the minor premiership.

Hawks batted first and totalled 168 all out, with Shane Joyce hitting 59 and Dennis Amour and Adrian Handreck taking three wickets each for Vasse.

In reply, Vasse got up with four wickets in hand and 14 balls to spare, Bodhi Wallace striking a match-winning 61 not out.

Dunsborough defeated St Marys by five wickets to ensure they finished as top B-Grade qualifier with Ashton McCarthy scoring 84 runs for the victors, while Yallingup-Oddbods enjoyed a huge 206-run win over Cowaramup in the remaining fixture, with James Trewren grabbing 5-24 for YOBS.

This Saturday’s B-Grade semi-finals will see Dunsborough host Margaret River Hawks in the major semi while Yallingup-Oddbods host Vasse in the minor semi.

The closest C-Grade qualifying games last Saturday saw St Marys sneak home by two wickets over Vasse at Churchill Park, while Dunsborough White defeated Dunsborough Blue in the battle of the top two sides to snatch the minor premiership.

YOBS Academy climbed off the bottom of the ladder with a win over Nannup to end their season, while Yallingup-Oddbods defeated Margaret River Hawks in the other fixture.

This Saturday’s C-Grade semi-finals will see Dunsborough White and Dunsborough Blue face each other in a rematch while Yallingup-Oddbods will be at home to Nannup.

Undeterred, the young skate star and his family made the daily round trip to train at the facility in Busselton before flying east to discover that the Aussie skate community had rallied together, to deliver a bigger and better turnout than ever before, including pro skaters like Rune Glifberg and Nikki Guerrero.

Jake turned out some top skating, battling it out in a close contest with just half a point separating the top three positions - landing himself the bronze medal and some epic prizes including the new Yepa helmet thanks to event sponsor, Tony Hawk.

His next adventure takes him to South Africa, where he will face off against some of the world’s best skaters.

As always, Jake is supported locally by the Margaret River Lions Club and Sportspower Margaret River, as well as skate and clothing sponsors Element, Step One, Carve eyewear, 187 Killer Pads and Triple 8 helmets.

To stay up to date with Jake’s progress, check out @ jakey_turnbull on Instagram.

Local rider selected for WA team

Margaret River-based rider Emily Keen will be heading to Darwin in June to compete in Polocrosse National championships after her selection in Western Australian Women’s Polocrosse Team.

The event at Fred’s Pass reserve in Bees Creek Darwin, will feature top tier teams from across Australia including divisions from sub –juniors to Masters.

It will be seven days of elite competition and high-speed equestrian action with over 400 competitors and around 4000 spectators expected to attend.

Emily, originally from Lake Grace, started riding before she can remember, learning at the Lake Grace Riding School.

Her parents took up polocrosse and Emily and her four brothers followed. Her first official game was at the age of 6, filling in for an injured rider at the Mobrup Polocrosse Tournament near Kojonup.

For Emily, the adrenaline of the game, the love of horses and the team aspect, makes polocrosse her horse sport of choice.

Polocrosse is the ultimate family horse sport, young or old, elite or beginner, if you love riding horses and playing team sports, polocrosse has a place for you.

With clubs across the whole of

Australia, in remote, regional and urban locations, Australia is the largest polocrosse – playing country in the world.

Polocrosse is played on one horse, (as opposed to polo which uses a string of up to eight horse), on a grassy pitch, with each rider using a cane or fiberglass stick which has a loose net racquet head.

A soft spongy ball is used, and the objective is to score goals by throwing the ball between the opposing teams goal posts.

Emily has travelled all over Australia and the world to playing polocrosse.

She even meet her husband Jonny Keen, the local equine dentist, through polocrosse and now her

primary school aged children are starting to play too.

Emily credits polocrosse with developing within her children’s confidence, resilience, independence and sportsmanship.

“They learn to play in a team, talk to other adults and meet children from all over the state”, she said.

Competing at such an elite level means Emily is juggling work, fitness training for the horses and herself as well as developing the mental strength required.

“The support of family, friends and the local Margaret River Polocrosse Club is crucial, I am super excited to be competing especially if WA can get the wins over NSW

World class swim clinic

SWIMMING

THE Margaret River swim club was buzzing with world-class energy on Saturday as local juniors hit the water with Olympic Silver Medalist and former World Record holder, Duje Draganja.

The exclusive clinic saw our young athletes learning the “sprint secrets” that took Draganja to the Athens podium, focusing on the elite

mechanics of the 50m and 100m freestyle. It wasn’t all high-intensity drills, though.

The morning wrapped up with a community BBQ, where the Croatian legend shared stories of his NCAA career at Berkeley and his time competing against the world’s best.

The success of the clinic has the Margaret River swim

and Qld,” she said.

Emily credits mentors Keith and Sally Scott, formerly of Osmington, as well as Paul and Fiona Brennan, Rosa Brook, for their support in helping her attend carnivals and the loan of horses when she was younger.

Paul operated the Jesters Flat Stock Horse stud with his sire Jesters Flat Regret being the sire of both mares Emily will compete on.

Paul was previously an international polocrosse player and coach.

Elite is a 12 year old grey mare who has competed at the previous National Championships, she is little and quick, and Ashes is a 5 year old mare, competing for the first time at this level.

For Emily it is an extra thrill to be playing on horses that she has

bred and trained.

The Australian stock horse has the speed, agility, endurance and competitiveness which makes them perfectly adapted to fast paced game.

As part of the WA team, Emily is benefiting from the expertise of South African coach Bruce McLarty. Bruce has a unique focus on players developing good stick skills to enable horse and rider to be a more harmonious partnership.

Past Margaret River local Adele Martin and past Margaret River Polocrosse team player Jodie Dunlop have also been selected in the WA team.

Find our more about polocrosse, and get in touch with the Club at www.facebook.com/MargaretRiverHorseandPonyClub

Club energized for the future.

With the momentum from this world-class experience, the club is now preparing for a big finish to the season and is currently accepting enrollments for the start of Term 2.

For more information and to make contact, visit margaretriverswimclub. com.au