CAS hosts successful 2026 EEPASSA Interschool Carnival

In blustery but warm conditions, Cummins proudly hosted the annual EEPASSA Interschool Carnival. The day began with an opening presentation, where guest speaker Casey Carr shared inspiring words of wisdom before officially declaring the carnival open.

Cummins started strongly in the distance events and maintained that momentum throughout the day. Cleve once again demonstrated their strength in the ball games, finishing equal first with Wudinna on 88 points.

The handicap pennants were awarded to Cowell in the Sub Junior and Intermediate categories, Kimba in the Junior division, and Wudinna at the Senior level. Cowell claimed the overall Handicap Shield with 1409 points, followed by Tumby Bay on 1294.

Cummins achieved a resounding victory in the Overall Shield, finishing on 1134 points ahead of Cleve on 980. Team captains Mitch Blacker and April Wagner proudly accepted the shield on behalf of the 67 athletes who represented Cummins Area School with great determination and sportsmanship.

The day concluded with a special presentation recognising Bronny Fitzgerald (Cummins) and Graeme Brynes (Cleve), both of whom are beginning to wind down their remarkable careers. Each has contributed over 30 years of service, leading their respective sports departments through countless carnivals.

Bronny has coordinated five EEPASSA carnivals hosted by Cummins and, fittingly, served as Head Timer this year. She has also been the CAS SAPSASA coordinator and coached Lower Eyre Peninsula District Tennis for  about three decades. Bronny was also head of the Cummins Area School Sports Committee which facilitates a huge portion of the planning to all areas of school sport. Her contribution to the Cummins Complex has been extensive, including managing bookings, organising cleaning, maintaining honour boards and sponsor boards, and countless behind the scenes tasks. A true quiet achiever, Bronny could often be found weeding around the tennis courts, setting up bins, and preparing nets at the start and end of each season. Her involvement extends to the Cummins Tennis Club and Great Flinders Tennis Association as well as the Cummins Ramblers Netball Club, where she has earned Life Memberships in each.

On behalf of Cummins Area School, we sincerely thank Bronny for her outstanding contribution and dedication over many years. She has been an exceptional contributor to our school and wider community. 

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to making the 2026 Interschool Carnival such a success:

• the Cummins Recreation Centre Committee for the use of the oval.

• Kit Williams and the Lower Eyre Council for preparing the long jump pits, providing equipment, and assisting with setup.

• Cougars and Ramblers for the use of their clubrooms and shade structures.

• Renee Rogers and the pool committee for running another fantastic carnival canteen. Their efforts this term have been outstanding. Thank you also to the Cummins Pool for the use of tables and chairs.

• Tegan Griffiths, Cathy Haarsma, Fiona Dahlitz, and all parent and student volunteers who supported the pop-up school canteen.

• the Food and Hospitality students, along with Alyssa Skinner, for running the slushie stall, and Rachel Green for providing her coffee caravan.

• Jenna Bellenger for creating the event program and managing administration, and to Anika Swaffer and Wendy Blacker for assisting with program sales.

• Georgia Kontas from Wudinna for organising the scoring system, her work each year is exceptional.

• Thank you to Cathy Haarsma and Fiona Dahlitz for providing First Aid support.

A special thank you to Casey Carr, our Interschool Sport Ambassador, and to Braden Holley and Hayley Fuss for representing our school so well as captains during the opening proceedings.

To the Cummins Area School staff, thank you for your early start to facilitate setup and after school pack up. To the school’s sports committee you go above and beyond to give our students additional opportunities to grow and develop as athletes. 

We also extend our gratitude to the regional sports coordinators for the significant effort involved in organising teams and officiating events.

Thank you to Shane Masson for supplying additional high jump equipment, and to James Pedler, Megan Briese and Tom Charlton for line marking.

A very special thank you to Megan Briese, who dedicated countless hours to helping organise the carnival. She played such a pivotal role in getting everything up and running.

Finally, we thank our generous sponsors: Lower Eyre Family Practice, Rabobank, Nutrien Cummins Ag Services, RSM Port Lincoln, Ramsey Bros, EP Livestock, Puckridge Ag, Quality Wool, and the Cummins Hotel. Your support is greatly appreciated—please support the businesses that support our students.

A special mention to Bendigo Bank, our major sponsor, for also providing marquees and shade structures. Thank you to Josie for presenting the Handicap and Overall Shields, and to the Lions Club for assisting with setup.