Big increase in tri-state athletes

Tri-state games participant for 20 years, Yarrawonga’s David Ryan, 46, legally blind, won gold in the walking race and two silver medals in other events.

The tri-state games returned to Cobram, Barooga and Yarrawonga from November 12 to 17 with a significant increase of some 60 athletes on last year’s total of 189.

Raymond Buncle of Yarrawonga, 33, won gold for freestyle and two silver medals in medleys in swimming.

The week’s program was: Monday, Indoor Sports Cobram Sports Stadium, Tuesday, Swimming Yarrawonga, Thursday, Athletics and Friday, Team Sports (Soccer, Cricket, Lawn Bowls, Croquet, Netball) at Cobram Barooga.

Young volunteers at the Yarra Mul Swimming Pool were, (from left) Annabel Hart, Noah Cox, Frazer Nagel, Keira Buerckner, Lara Angwin, Emily Judd, Emily Buerckner, Lexi Nagel and Flynn Cox.

Grey skies met athletes on the Tuesday at the Yarra Mul Swimming Pool, with many people commenting that the pool water was warmer than the temperature outside the pool.

“The Yarrawonga-Mulwala Swimming Club and its members were enormous again filling all the volunteer positions for the swimming events,” Heath Wharton, Valley Sport Project Officer told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.

“Without their support the swimming day wouldn’t have been possible and we can’t thank them enough.

“I would like to thank all the other community volunteers and local sporting clubs who provided volunteers and their facilities for the week.”

Best overall team for the week went to the PALS Panthers (Moria Shire based). Nathan Hendrie of PALS Panthers took out joint winner of the Best Male athlete, Category A.

Mr Wharton also expressed his appreciation to host committee organisations, and the Councils of Moira and Berrigan Shires.

After two years in our region, the Tri State Games will move to Portland for the next two years.