Gun Yarrawonga forward Nick Fothergill bombs the ball into the forward line in Yarrawonga’s grand final match against Balwyn in the inaugural Gather Round on the Murray at JC Lowe Oval.
Photo by
L.GARBUTT
Last Saturday, March 15 was a day to remember for the town of Yarrawonga, as it hosted the inaugural Gather Round on the Murray, a thrilling event that brought together sports, music, and an incredible sense of community.
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The concept, created by local Yarrawonga Football Netball Club legends Tyler Bonat, Andrew Mott and Bridget Cassar, saw an incredible fusion of football, netball, and live music — all set against the stunning backdrop of the JC Lowe ‘Grove’ Oval complex.
Inaugural winners of the Gather Round on the Murray, the Balwyn Tigers.
The day kicked off with some high-quality football and netball, with Harry Wheeler and Laura Irvine leading the charge on the field and court.
Despite soaring temperatures (40°C, as noted on the Nylex sign), players and spectators alike kept their cool, thanks to the abundance of ice, water, and a slight tweak to the match schedules with shortened quarters.
Yarrawonga Pigeons senior football coach Leigh Williams kicks the ball long towards goals in the grand final.
Photo by
L.GARBUTT
It’s no easy feat to keep top-tier sport going in such heat, but the teams powered through, playing their hearts out and maintaining incredible sportsmanship.
It wasn’t just the athletes who made this event so special. Many teams stayed in Yarrawonga over the weekend, making the most of the local accommodation and ensuring the whole town was buzzing with excitement.
Local team Rennie took part in the gather round with Charlotte Burrows stretching for this ball.
Photo by
L.GARBUTT
Accommodation was in high demand, and the event even drew visitors from many hours away who were eager to catch the headline act later in the evening.
Results of the round robin football and netball action
Netball
Yarrawonga Under 17s player Sienna Clarkson got some practice alongside O&M rivals Myrtleford.
Photo by
L.GARBUTT
Under 15 Grand final – Wodonga 11 v Shepp Swans 6
Under 17 Grand Final – Myrtleford 9 v Yarra 7
B Grade – Yarrawonga v Wodonga (Yarra winners)
A Grade – Yarrawonga v Myrtleford (Yarra winners)
Rianna Ewert from fellow local team Mulwala looks to keep the ball in the goal circle.
Photo by
L.GARBUTT
Senior footy
Balwyn v Yarrawonga (Balwyn winners).
Yarrawonga’s Laura Davis was pivotal in the A Grade grand final which Yarrawonga won.
Photo by
L.GARBUTT
Music that rocked the Grove
As the sun began to set, the energy shifted from the field to the stage. The JC Lowe Oval was alive with music as Furnace and the Fundamentals took to the stage, delivering an electrifying performance that had the crowd rocking and rolling.
The atmosphere was reminiscent of the glory days of Rockalonga, and it was clear that the music was the crowd favorite.
Grandparents, parents, and children alike could be seen dancing, singing along, and relishing the opportunity to experience live music in their hometown.
The Grove Oval was alive with music as Furnace and the Fundamentals took to the stage, delivering an electrifying performance that had the crowd rocking and rolling.
It wasn’t just the music that brought people together; it was the sense of unity and pride in their local community. This was more than just an event — it was a celebration to launch the Pigeons 2025 season.
None of this would have been possible without the generous support of local businesses and sponsors.
A big shoutout goes to Murray River Electrical, AXT Plumbing, Outdoor Indulgence, Bundalong Turf, M1 Traffic & Labour Services, Irvine Builders, Redback Waste, the Cummins families, the Sebel, and Aircharter Today for their contributions.
Their involvement ensured that this inaugural event was a success and helped bring to the local community a world class event.
Looking ahead to more gather rounds
Under 15 netball winners, Wodonga Bulldogs.
The success of the inaugural Gather Round on the Murray has set the stage for even more exciting events in the future.
With the perfect blend of sports, music, and community spirit, it’s clear that this will become a must-attend event for Yarrawonga and beyond.
If you missed this year’s festivities, be sure to mark your calendar for next year — you won’t want to miss it!
