Sport
3 December, 2025
Lightning force: teams take out Tri State Games
THE LIGHTNING Bolts returned home from the 2025 Tri State Games in Portland with bulging medal tallies, big smiles and plenty of stories to tell, after six action-packed days of friendly competition.
THE LIGHTNING Bolts returned home from the 2025 Tri State Games in Portland with bulging medal tallies, big smiles and plenty of stories to tell, after six action-packed days of friendly competition.
Running from November 9 to 15, the annual event brings together athletes of all abilities from New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, and this year the Bolts travelled from St Arnaud with a team of eight competitors supported by four dedicated volunteers.
Festivities kicked off on Sunday evening with a warm welcome event on Henty Beach, followed on Monday by the Parade to the foreshore and the Official Opening, where every athlete proudly received a participation medal.
Indoor sports opened the competition on Monday at the Portland Indoor Sports Stadium, where Chantelle Duncan set the tone early with a silver in the Basketball Throw.
Tuesday’s aquatics program at the Portland Leisure and Aquatics Centre battled wind and rain, but the heated pool kept spirits high—and so did the results.
Liam McSwain claimed bronze in the 25m Freestyle, Shaun Pavey took bronze in both Pool Walk and Barbell, and Duncan added to her haul with gold in both the 25m Breaststroke and 25m Freestyle.
Jodie Collins picked up an equal silver in Pool Walk, Karl Vanderlinden struck gold in Barbell, Michael Bearder claimed gold in Pool Walk, and Bradley Chester added a silver in Pool Walk and 25m Freestyle.
Wednesday offered a well-earned rest day before competition resumed on Thursday with Athletics, proudly supported by major sponsor Are-Able.
Track events filled the morning at Alexandra Park, with field events in the afternoon—and more medal success for the Bolts.Pavey earned silver in the 25m Walk; Duncan dominated with gold in the 100m, 200m and Tennis Ball Throw; Collins won gold in the 25m Walk, achieved a PB in the 50m Walk and added silver in the Tennis Ball Throw.
McSwain collected gold in the 50m Walk and silver in the Tennis Ball Throw; Damien Yole secured silver in the 50m Walk, 50m Run and Tennis Ball Throw; Vanderlinden claimed a PB in the 50m Walk; and Chester soared to gold in the 50m Hurdles. Friday’s team-based fun events on Bridgewater Beach saw the Bolts take to Beach Volleyball. No points were awarded—just plenty of laughs.
Evening dinners from Monday to Friday were hosted at the Bundarra School Stadium, with Thursday’s Mad Hatters Tea Party and Friday’s planned Beach Party.
A late switch back to a Gala dinner left many athletes still arriving in colourful beach gear, much to everyone’s amusement.
At Friday night’s awards presentation, Mildura claimed the overall points trophy, but the Lightning Bolts celebrated a major honour of their own—winning the Community Inclusion Award, recognising their strong engagement with local sporting clubs.
Star athlete Chantelle Duncan took home the Best Female in A Grade trophy and also earned a gold medal for Sportsmanship.
Across all events, athletes embraced the spirit of camaraderie that defines the games - friendly, upbeat and full of memorable moments.
Also representing St Arnaud as team Thunderstorm, Doug Walker and Faye Needs earned bronze medals in the carpet bowls, with Needs also securing gold in Assisted Pool Walk, bronze in Assisted Track Walk, and bronze in the Bean Bag Throw.
Competing individually, Stuart Pledger proudly received a participation medal.
Read More: Local