May 27, 2022
The Murgon Mustangs overcame the loss of the A Grade Nines competition, heavy rain and the last-minute withdrawal of several visiting teams to still host a successful Domestic Violence Awareness rugby league day last Saturday.
The focus at Murgon Showgrounds switched to women’s rugby league, with the South Burnett Eagles Open side taking on Central Burnett for the DVA Shield.
The crowds in the stand were testament to how this brand of sport is taking off in popularity.
Special guest for the day was former Indigenous All Star Ash Taylor who has played for the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and New Zealand Warriors.
Taylor presented the DVA Shield to Eagles captain Elle Mollenhauer after the local women ran away 36-6 winners.
Eagles’ try scorers were Nikkia Douglas (2), Jayme Hickey (2), Abbey Templeman (2) and Jaz Stephens. Stephens and Michelle Alberts kicked two goals apiece.
However, there were more important things to talk about on the day than just rugby league (and the rain).
The day was organised by the Mustangs to raise awareness about the serious issue of domestic and family violence in the South Burnett community.
Organiser Cole Cooper paid special thanks to the QRL Wellbeing team, the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation and sponsors Uniting Care Communities, Stanwell, Auswide Bank, South Burnett CTC and the South Burnett Regional Council.
“The Murgon JRL club has once again taken domestic violence head on in an effort to make a positive change for our community,” Cole said.
“Using the game we love, we reached out to the community, connecting with local schools and stakeholders, giving us the ability to educate, provide support and guidance to those in need.
“Throughout this week we have helped facilitate a number of workshops aimed at educating our young students, sporting stars and sporting leaders; sharing tools that can shape a new culture where equality, respect and suicide prevention in adolescence are at the forefront of the conversation.”
Cole thanked the people who had led this outreach: Ryan Charles, Ash Taylor, Brennan Brown, Clowry Kennel and Vanessa Fowler.
“Three workshops – Positive Behaviour and Respect; Sit, Talk and Yarn (STaY) and Allison’s Gift – helped break down the barriers which keep domestic violence out of sight, out of mind; and guide young people on a path to a healthy mind.”
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Last Weekend’s Results
At Murgon Showgrounds:
- Under 15s Boys – South Burnett 12 def. Valleys 10
- Under 16s Boys – Valleys 22 def. South Burnett 0
- Under 17s Boys – Valleys forfeited to South Burnett
- Under 14s Girls – Fraser Coast 18 def. South Burnett 16
- Under 17s Girls – South Burnett were leading Fraser Coast 18-0 when the game was called off
- Open Women – South Burnett 36 def. Central Burnett 6 – taking out the DV Awareness Shield
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Wide Bay Trials
Fifteen young players were selected to represent Wide Bay in schoolboys rugby league after two days of Under 11s trials at T.J. O’Neill Oval in Kingaroy last weekend.
Players came from schools across the South and North Burnett, Gympie, Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg to take part.
Rain fell across the weekend but that didn’t stop the action on the field.
The selected players will represent Wide Bay at the Queensland Titles which will be played from July 4-8 in Townsville.
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This Weekend’s Games
Junior SBRL games will be played at Nanango 8:00am, followed by:
- 3:00pm – Under 14s – Nanango v Kingaroy
- 4:00pm – A Grade – Nanango v Murgon
- 5:30pm – A Grade – Kingaroy v Wondai
NB. There will be no parking inside the grounds at Nanango’s Stags Oval on Saturday as the ground is still muddy. Parking will be across the road. Entry will be via the small gate near the creek.
At Chinchilla:
- Under 14s – Kingaroy v Chinchilla at Bulldog Park (SBRL)
South Burnett Eagles:
- Under 15s Boys – South Burnett v Gatton at Cahill Park, Gatton (TJRL)
- Under 16s Boys – South Burnett v Gatton at Cahill Park, Gatton (TJRL)
- Under 17s Boys – South Burnett v Gatton / Brothers at Cahill Park, Gatton (TJRL)
- Under 14s Girls – South Burnett v Tannum at Salter Oval, Bundaberg (WBF)
- Under 17s Girls – South Burnett v Fraser Coast at Salter Oval, Bundaberg (WBF)
- Open Women – South Burnett v Bundaberg at Salter Oval, Bundaberg (WBF)
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For the diary: Kingaroy Red Ants’ first home game of the 2022 season will be played at T.J. O’Neill Oval on June 4. It will be the club’s popular “Pink Day”, raising funds for breast cancer research.
[UPDATED with correction]
