Latest news with #AvonValley
ABC News
10-08-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Strong rainfall doubles Avon Descent entrant numbers in river race
More than 300 competitors from around Western Australia have endured ongoing rain and rising river levels as day two of the annual Avon Descent gets underway. Power craft and paddlers took to the streams of the Avon River on Saturday for the 124-kilometre two-day white water time trial from Northam in WA's Avon Valley to Bayswater in Perth. Avon Descent committee chair Greg Kaeding said weekend rain had helped attract additional competitors. "With over 0.7 metre of water in the valley and the last 24 hours of rain, a similar level to 2024 is expected with similar times," he said. "Over 120 craft will now be attempting the ultra 124-kilometre challenge, up on 2024 numbers, with late short course registrations for Sunday still coming in." Paddling duo Brendan Rice and teammate Oscar Jones were the first paddlers to cross the day 1 finish line at Cobbler Pool in Toodyay on Saturday afternoon, closely behind solo paddler and last year's solo winner Luke Dooley. Rice took out the win in 2024 alongside partner Josh Kippin. Power craft day 1 leaders included Team 100, Sea School Fremantle, Send it Racing and Minijetwa. There are 330 competitors for the 2025 event, nearly double last year's field. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Angeline Prasad said heavy falls could potentially reach far enough inland and increase the river levels for Sunday's portion of the event. "It is possible that we will see rises in the river over the next 24 hours with this type of rainfall," she said. "At this stage, we're not looking at issuing a flood watch but it's something that we'll keep in mind, especially if those heavier falls extend further inland. "At this stage, I'm expecting the heavier falls to stay along the coast, but it's something that we're watching very closely." For the local Ballardong people, the lead-up to the event was a chance to reflect on the spiritual connection to the waterway. Elder Patricia Davis said her fondest childhood memories were of time spent at the river with her family. "As I was growing up, we used the river for swimming, catching our food. Most of our food came from the river, whether it was the birds, or from the trees along the river," Mrs Davis said. "My favourite memories are going down the river in old car top roofs that my dad used to cut off for us, not one, two, but a mob of us." She led officials and competitors through a river blessing ceremony before they took to the water on Saturday. "We want him to look after people while they are on their journey down the river so they can get home safely to their families." As part of Avon Descent celebrations, the Shire of Northam holds the Bilya Festival, made up of street parades and cultural ceremonies on the night before the big race. Shire President Chris Antonio said the organic transition to showcase and acknowledge cultural connection to the Avon River was vital to community cohesion. "I've talked to the elders and they call it 'bilya kep' which is 'river waters' and where they used to swim as youngsters," he said. "And that's especially important during the Avon Descent because we've got a lot of competitors going down the river and safety is important. "If we respect our cultural heritage and our river, it will respect the competitors and spectators."
West Australian
02-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Madame Magic stays distance no worries to land $100,000 WA Day Cup at Northam
Madame Magic may finally be delivering on some early Oaks promise with a taking win in the $100,000 Swan Draught WA Day Cup (1600m) at Northam. From the inside barrier, the $13 TABtouch hope tucked away three back along the rail with Idyllic Ruler ($20) and Snazzler ($11) ahead. Shuffled back to midfield through halfway, Tash Faithfull niggled the five-year-old along passing the 600m when the tempo increased. But by the 400m mark, Madame Magic was again travelling and as both Idyllic Ruler and Snazzler shifted off the inside, Faithfull shot the daughter of Real Impact up the fence. 200m later, Madame Magic had burst to the front with Ton Of Grunt ($11) – who had covered her every move from the outset – becoming the nearest pursuer. However, Dan and Ben Pearce's mare showed no signs of flagging and ate up the extended journey to win by almost a length from Ton Of Grunt. It was only the second time Madame Magic had seen 1600m with her previous effort a closing fifth on New Year's Day after having her momentum checked early in the straight. After the victory, Ben Pearce suggested she could now be destined for even more enduring targets. 'Going back to early on in her career, we thought she was an Oaks filly coming through,' he said. 'We've never really had a chance to get big preps into her and get her up to that trip. 'This time in, she's been up to go straight through 12, 14, to the mile. 'We're excited to see it and she did well. 'She's had a lot of bad luck throughout her career but she's been consistent and finally got the luck she needed.' Faithfull had ridden the mare at two of her three prior runs for the preparation for fourth places, missing the victory on May 3 when riding at Kalgoorlie. 'She was just travelling so beautifully underneath me. We got into a really nice rhythm and the flow of the race just suited me to perfection,' she said. The rider, who sits fifth on the WA jockey premiership with 108 wins, said Madame Magic went to the line with something left in the tank. 'I thought she ran it out really strongly and she gives me a feel like she'd get even further,' she said. Faithfull has formed a formidable alliance with the Pearce brothers across the season, guiding home Art Session, Rally The Troops, Famous Dain and Wineaclocksumwhere for them all inside the last month. 'They've been great. Big supporter of me and I can't thank them enough,' she said of their combination. + Across town, greyhounds Aston Maddox and Night Lighter took their respective heats of the Avon Valley series. Aston Maddox ($3f) scored by two and a half lengths from Weave The Ring ($10), while Night Lighter ($1.10f) clung on by three quarters of a length from Ruby's Rocket ($21).
ABC News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Liberal Party's Matt Moran concedes defeat in new WA seat of Bullwinkel
The Liberal candidate for Western Australia's new federal seat of Bullwinkel, Matt Moran, has officially conceded defeat. The Army veteran released a statement to his followers on social media on Saturday night, a week after the federal election. "The result in Bullwinkel is now clear, and while it's not the outcome we had hoped for, I called Trish Cook today to congratulate her," he wrote on Facebook. It was a tight race in the newly formed electorate on Perth's eastern fringe, with Labor's Trish Cook winning the seat by just 990 votes. Bullwinkel is made up of parts of six existing electorates and covers suburbs in eastern Perth and rural areas of the Avon Valley. Western Australia now has 16 federal seats in the House of Representatives. Mr Moran thanked his supporters and said he was proud of his campaign, which attracted a swing of 2.9 per cent towards the Liberal Party in the notionally Labor held area. "To my campaign team, thank you for your tireless dedication and belief in me," Mr Moran said. "It was an honour to be the first Liberal candidate for Bullwinkel and a pleasure to meet passionate people in our community, listen to your concerns and offer pragmatic solutions. "Thank you to the Liberal Party for backing me." Mr Moran ended the post alluding to a future in politics, adding that he would "continue to fight for the people of Bullwinkel". "I will remain active in the community, and I hope to seek elected office again in the future." Labor claimed victory in Bullwinkel on Friday. Ms Cook had been neck-and-neck with Mr Moran for much of the count, and at one point there were fewer than 100 votes separating the front-runners.
