Travis and Harper Dhu Shine in 2024 Karting Championships

By Jeff Gibbs

Travis and Harper Dhu, siblings with deep motorsport roots, are continuing their family’s racing legacy as 4th Generation Racers, with a heritage dating back to their great-grandfather Fred’s speedway days. Spending most weekends on the track, the duo has achieved outstanding results in the 2024 karting season, competing across Northern NSW and Southern QLD.

Travis Dhu: Rising Star in 4SS Juniors

At just 12 years old, Travis competes in the 4SS Junior’s category and has had an incredible year:

• QLD State Cup Champion: Travis claimed the QLD 1 plate at the Ipswich Kart Club, triumphing in a competitive field of 16 racers.
• City/Country Series Winner: This victory also secured him the top spot in the 2024 4SS City/Country Series, crowning him series champion.
• NSW State Cup Runner-Up: At the Lismore Kart Club, his home track, Travis delivered a stellar performance in the NSW State Cup. Despite tough competition from the talented White Brothers, Jarrad and Nathan, he maintained consistency and fought fiercely in the final, finishing 2nd out of 11 racers.

Harper Dhu: A Trailblazer for Girls in Racing

At just 9 years old, Harper races in the 4SS Cadet category and is an advocate for ‘Girls Race Too.’

• QLD State Cup Success: Harper earned an impressive 4th place in a strong field, which helped her secure 3rd overall in the City/Country Series for 2024.
• NSW State Cup Heroics: Balancing her karting career with her Physical Culture competition, Harper returned to Lismore on the final day of the NSW State Cup. Starting from the back in her heat and final races, she navigated her way through a field of 10 competitors to finish an incredible 2nd place.

Family Ties in Karting

Karting is a family-oriented sport, and Travis encouraged his cousin Tyler Neale to take up racing. Now in his second season, Tyler competes alongside Harper in the 4SS Cadet category, adding another chapter to the family’s racing tradition.

Christmas Event at Lismore Kart Track

As the 2024 karting season concludes, both Travis and Harper will return to the track on 23rd November 2024 for the Lismore Kart Club’s annual Christmas event. This event promises plenty of excitement, including the much-anticipated Mothers Mayhem Race, where mums take to the track to showcase their skills and rivalries.

Travis and Harper’s dedication and achievements in 2024 highlight their bright futures in motorsport, with their passion for karting inspiring a new generation of racers.

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Finalists Announced for the 2024 Australian Surfing Awards

By Jeff Gibbs

The highly anticipated 2024 Australian Surfing Awards, incorporating the Hall of Fame, will celebrate Australia’s exceptional surfing talent and the individuals driving the sport behind the scenes. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

Among the notable finalists are some of the sport’s biggest names, including Mick Fanning, Nathan Hedge, Laura Enever, Sally Fitzgibbons, Molly Picklum, Jack Robinson, and Ethan Ewing. The awards feature 19 categories, recognising not only athletes but also contributions in coaching, shaping, media, and community initiatives.

A Celebration of Surfing Excellence

Hosted by surf media icon Vaughan Blakey, the evening will culminate in the induction of Luke Egan into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame, honouring his legendary contribution to the sport. Other highlights include the announcement of the Hyundai She’s Electric competition winner, showcasing emerging female talent.

Surfing Australia CEO Chris Mater expressed excitement about this year’s awards:

“From legends like Mick Fanning and Sally Fitzgibbons to rising stars, these surfers—and many others behind the scenes—are what make our sport so special. We’re thrilled to bring everyone together at HOTA to celebrate, share stories, and honour the world-class talent that defines Australian surfing.”

2024 Australian Surfing Awards Finalists

High-Performance Categories

• Female Surfer of the Year presented by BC™ Snacks:
  • Laura Enever
  • Sally Fitzgibbons
  • Molly Picklum
• Male Surfer of the Year presented by Boost Mobile:
  • George Pittar
  • Jack Robinson
  • Ethan Ewing
• Stephanie Gilmore Female Rising Star Award (Under 18) presented by QAS:
  • Milla Brown
  • Sierra Kerr
  • Ziggy Mackenzie
• Mick Fanning Male Rising Star Award (Under 18) presented by AIS:
  • Kai Colless
  • Dane Henry
  • Hughie Vaughan
• Female Para Surfer of the Year:
  • Emma Dieters
  • Jocelyn Neumueller
  • Sam Bloom
• Male Para Surfer of the Year presented by URBNSURF:
  • Kirk Watson
  • Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart
  • Kai Colless
• Heavy Water Award presented by Zuum Energy Gum:
  • Ned Hart
  • Laura Enever
  • Soli Bailey
• Shaper of the Year presented by Blackroll:
  • Dylan Longbottom – Dylan Shapes
  • Dylan Perese – DP Surfboards
  • Darren Handley – DHD
• Coach of the Year presented by Surfing Australia High Performance Program:
  • Bede Durbidge
  • Matt Bemrose
  • Pete Duncan

Media & Film Categories

• Australian Surf Photo of the Year presented by Tracks: To be announced.
• Surfing Australia Surf Clip of the Year presented by Surfline:
  • Milla Brown & Ryan Williams
  • Soli Bailey & Chris Peel
  • Nathan Hedge & Adrian Emerton
• Surf Film of the Year presented by Channel Nine:
  • Jay Phillips Isn’t Dead
  • Desensitised
  • The Notes In Between

Participation & Community Categories

• Peter Troy Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Surfing World:
  • Phil McNamara
  • Max Wells
  • Gail Austin
• Simon Anderson Boardrider Club Award presented by Jim Beam:
  • Northern Beaches Para Surfer Boardriders Club
  • Burleigh Boardriders Club
  • Le-Ba Boardriders Club
• Surf School of the Year presented by Cooee Toys:
  • Surf Camp Down Under Surf School
  • Surfing Services Surf School
  • Salty Girls Surf School
• Greater Good Award presented by Kennards Hire:
  • Surfing Services Surf School
  • Mick Fanning
  • Surfrider Foundation
• Breakthrough Surf Brand of the Year presented by QMS Media:
  • Rivvia
  • URBNSURF
  • Leash Bar
• Indigenous Surfing Community Celebration Award presented by ASC:
  • Soli Bailey
  • Jordie Campbell
  • Russ Moloney
• Sustainability Award presented by ACCIONA:
  • YETI
  • Patagonia
  • Rip Curl

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024
• Location: HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast, QLD

For more details about the finalists and categories, visit Surfing Australia.

The winners of the NSW awards will also automatically qualify for the 2025 National Awards for Planning Excellence.

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Big wet can’t dampen key contests

By Tim Howard

Clarence River Cricket Association officials called off all first grade cricket matches after heavy rain during the week made all grounds unfit for play.

All three games: Harwood v South Services/Westlawn at Ulmarra; Tucabia Copmanhurst v Coutts Crossing at Ellem Oval and GDSC Easts v Lawrence at Lower Fisher Turf have been re-scheduled as one-day games on Saturday.

Attention will again be focussed on the top-of-table clash between premiers Harwood and Souths/Westlawn.

The shorter format games can throw the form book out the window, but Harwood’s form so far this season still makes them favourites.

They have scored heavily and quickly in all three games played and legspinner Jacob McMahon has been devastating securing 20 wickets.

Souths/Westlawn have ridden their luck to the top of the competition table and will find Harwood a true test of where how their season is going.

While fortunate in a couple of games, their last outing against Easts when they bowled Easts out for 74 and raced to 5/152 on day one to bank the points, was a more clinical effort.

Tucabia and Coutts will be looking to recover some confidence after copping some hidings in the opening games.

Tucabia held on to some points by avoiding an outright loss against Harwood, but they were never in the game as a contest.

Coutts were also crushed when they took on Harwood, so this game will be an opportunity for both sides to find some confidence.

Lawrence will need to be wary of Easts, which has a proven match winner in all rounder Shannon Connor.

He is explosive with the bat and relentless with the ball and if he gets away Easts can build big scores.

But Lawrence has a heap of cricketing house and won’t be overawed by a few big hits.

In other cricket news a big day is just coming onto the cricket horizon as Clarence cricket goes pink to support the McGrath Foundation and its crusade to fund community nurses for breast cancer patients.

The CRCA has issued an invitation to the community to get down to McKittrick Park, South Grafton, on December 21.

CRCA president Anthony Dickson said preparations were well under way for a fun-filled day of watching local cricket with a barbecue provided.

All funds made will be donated to McGrath foundation.

He said raffles will also be run and drawn again with proceeds going to The McGrath Foundation.

“Pop on down bring the family and your mates and have an afternoon of cricket supporting a worthy cause close to the cricket communities heart,” Dickson said.

If you would like to donate prior to the event, visit here.

The McGrath Foundation raises money to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia and invests in their professional development to ensure people with breast cancer receive the highest standard of care.

The foundation has 233 McGrath breast care nurses, who help people and their families experiencing breast cancer by offering medical expertise, clinical care and psychosocial support, for free.

From the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment, the foundation’s nurses are available to help.

So far more than 143,000 families have been supported since 2005, but the foundation looks to build on that record.

More nurses are needed to meet the growing rate of breast cancer diagnosis in Australia.

McGrath Foundation nurses work across Australia including many regional and rural centres, where breast cancer treatment and support may be harder to reach.

The McGrath Foundation has become one Australia’s most recognised and respected charities since Jane and Glenn McGrath’s very public experience with breast cancer.

When Jane was diagnosed with cancer for a second time, she had the support of a breast care nurse, who both empowered and comforted her, and her family.

This experience set the mission for the foundation, which has become an enduring commitment: to ensure every family experiencing breast cancer has the support of a Breast Care Nurse, no matter where they live – for free.

We rely on the heartfelt support we receive from individuals, communities, corporate partners and government to continue providing and growing our nurse support across the country and increase breast health understanding.

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