BENDIGO Bank closed its last remaining banking service in an Aboriginal community 27 days before celebrating the launch of its Aboriginal Reconciliation Action Plan. The Aurukun agency in far north Queensland was one of 27 to be closed in 2022-2023 under the eye of the bank’s now chief executive Richard Fennell when he was in charge of the corporate and community branch network.

BENDIGO Bank has pulled out of fundraising partnerships with community groups that have been drumming up business for corporate branches since 2004.

THE Welsh Pony and Cob Society of South Australia once again proved why it is one of the hardest-working breed societies in the state, delivering another jam-packed performance event that felt more like a picture-perfect spring show than an outing in the depths of winter.

BENDIGO and Adelaide Bank has continued its assault on its community bank network, forcing the closure of 28 agencies run by community franchises. All the agencies are in regional Australia and 17 of the affected towns will be left with no banking services after the closures.

BENDIGO Bank has hit the headlines for closing 10 branches shortly followed by an announcement it was getting rid of all of its regional agencies but there are another 90-odd Bendigo-branded banks that have disappeared over the past five years it has managed to keep quiet.

WINTER is the time of year when many hug their fireplaces with a book and warm lap rug but it’s also when breeders of horses and ponies like to brave the cool breezes and join together at shows to compare their youngstock.

WITH the announcement that Bendigo Bank is closing two of its regional branches at Yarram and Korumburra this week, it’s time to again call bull#%*t on the claims this corporation makes about the size of its branch network.

THE Melbourne International Three-Day Event has again delivered a long weekend of highlights in spades.

THE 2025 Friends of Woady Yaloak Horse Trials at Smythesdale Victoria was so popular organisers had to close the entry book almost a month out and start a wait list.

JADE Woodhead Butler is one of those people you can’t help but admire for her ability to get jobs done. As a rider, coach and mother of a young baby, she was also the event director of Dressage and Jumping with The Stars, while at the same time still managing to keep one of the best dressage series in Victoria running.

THE Yarra Hills Hillbillies team of Jessica Welch, Annika Collins, Beth McCann and Paul Buckland from the Yarra Hills Equestrian Club was the winner of this year’s Top Teams Horse Trials.

ONE of the most important Federal Government inquiries into welfare issues specific to regional Australia in decades handed down its final report a year ago this week.

ADELAIDE’S city parklands have been once again transformed into the stage for one of the most prestigious equestrian events on the international calendar. The Adelaide Equestrian Festival, the only five-star eventing competition in the Southern Hemisphere, returned with four days of elite competition, drawing top riders from across Australia and New Zealand to contest the three phases of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping—right in the heart of the South Australian capi

THERE’S an old saying, "he's got a good eye for a horse". It means someone is skilled at recognising all-round quality and that undefinable “something” that is a combination of conformation, temperament and suitability for a specific purpose, such as racing or riding.

THE 2025 South Australian State Jumping Championships showcased the diverse showjumping talent in the region. Held across the ANZAC Day weekend at Talunga Park, Mount Pleasant, riders competed in two rings at the Equestrian South Australia event, culminating in a series of thrilling finales on the final day.

THERE’S always a story behind a great show horse and Global PPS –known at home as Harry – is no exception. Greg Mickan and Terry Van Heythuysen of Romsey Park have always had an eye for a potential star and bought Harry as a yearling from Parnell Park.

ABOVE: Margaret Sperrin and her Welsh Mountain Pony Mosman Park Foxtrot put in a consistent performance across the three disciplines to...

ABOVE: Alice Hogan and Curious George from Maldon Pony Club looking the perfect partnership competing in grade four. Picture: DEREK...

ABOVE: Champion leading rein show hunter pony was Sandy Beattie's Bamborough Catapulte ridden by Elizabeth Alexander. Picture: LORELLE...

CONSULTATION for the 2019 Bendigo Showgrounds Master Plan consisted of two workshops with the organisers of the project, a phone call about the Swap Meet, discussions with Energy Breakthrough and cycling clubs about potential future use and an online survey that attracted just 21 responses.