Sport

South’s Chummy Shield three-peat

By Rowan Frazer

Oct 29, 2026

The Deniliquin South Public School team with the Chummy Bartlett Shield and Chummy’s daughter Eunice Bennett.

Local primary school multi-sport fun was celebrated during the Chummy Bartlett Shield last Thursday, at which Deniliquin South demonstrated dominance winning the shield for the third year in a row.

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It was a particularly warm day at Hardinge St oval, but that didn’t deter the students from Deniliquin North Public, Deniliquin South Public, Edward Public and St Michael’s schools.

The senior primary school students represented their schools in three rounds of either netball, football or Newcombe ball.

Despite plenty of close competition across the sporting round-robin Deniliquin South finished on top claiming their 12th shield since the sports day was established.

It was also their third shield in a row following St Michael’s win in 2023 after a forced hiatus in the competition due to COVID-19.

Named in honour of local sporting legend and junior sports advocate James ‘Chummy’ Bartlett, the day is built mainly on the physical health, enjoyment and sportsmanship of primary-level school students.

But, of course, the rivalry between schools adds to the day’s atmosphere.

Before his death in 2018, Chummy would be on hand to present the shield to the winning team. His family continues the tradition in his honour.

This year, Chummy’s daughter Eunice Bennett presented the shield to South School prime minister Gabbi Dunmore and deputy prime minister Peggy O’Donnell.