Sports play a big role in the Upper Yarra, and 2025 saw some incredible feats both locally and nationally.
Sanders dominates:
In January the Three Bridges’ born rally raid motorbike rider, Daniel “Chucky” Sanders, shocked the world when he won the 2025 Dakar Rally.
Considered the biggest race in the world of motorbikes and off-roading, his Dakar Rally win put Three Bridges on the map.
He dominated the race with a comfortable eight minutes and 50 seconds between him and second-placed Spaniard Tosha Schareina.
Interviewed after the stage, Sanders said when he came out of the dunes, he could see the bivouac and just got instant chills through his whole body.
“I was super nervous. I couldn’t believe it. All the emotions started coming through and I could see the finishing line. It’s the biggest race in the world of motorbikes and off-roading,” he said.
“To win the six-day international enduro and now the Dakar, it’s just ticked off all the goals for my career and everything I’ve wanted to achieve. It’s a massive accomplishment,”
“For the team, my family, friends, my girlfriend and everyone who’s seen me undergo all the lows and highs along the way, it’s finally all paid off. They knew I could do it, everyone who’s backed me along the way, even after the last three years of a lot of lows, really, now we’ve got the up, so all the hard work has paid off”.
Wandin take the flag
Wandin Football Netball Club were a force to be reckoned with in the 2025 season of the Outer East Football Netball League.
On Saturday 20 September, the Dogs took the flag in a triumphant victory over Olinda-Ferny Creek Football Club, thumping the Bloods by 91 points.
Taking place at the Don Road Sporting Complex in Healesville, Both teams travelled out with legions of fans behind them.
Though the game started off on level terms, Tom Merlino’s brilliant snap from deep in the pocket set the tone, and Wandin never looked back.
Thriving in the open spaces of the Don Road Sporting Complex, Aaron Mullett put on a show, booting 10 goals and six behinds to claim best-on-ground honours.
It capped off a dream day for the club, with both A and C grade netball sides also lifting premiership trophies.
The celebrations back at Clegg Road reflected the magnitude of the achievement—three flags and one unforgettable night for the Bulldogs.
The Burras claim the premiership
Warburton-Wesburn’s Senior Women’s side conquered Emerald in the grand final to snatch up their first premiership as a team.
The game started just before midday, and the sun was shining out at Powelltown, and the girls had a tough battle against a strong Emerald
With seven scoring shots to Emerald’s one in the first quarter, the momentum was with the Burras, although they seemed to be filled with nerves in the opening quarter.
But the mighty Burras had shrugged off the pressure and by half time, they were 22 points above Emerald.
The last term was the most exciting with six goals scored, and when the siren sounded, supporters filled the oval celebrating with their loved ones on the clubs achievement of an undefeated season and a premiership win.
Warburton-Wesburn’s first Division Two grand final will be one to remember, with a final score of 94 to 21.
Mullett and Henderson finish with the golden boot
We were all privy to some standout individual talent in 2025, with Wandin’s Aaron Mullett and Warburton-Wesburn’s Sarah Henderson dominating the scoreboards.
Women’s footy history was made with Henderson slotting a total of 58 goals during the 2025 season – the first in the Outer East Football League to do so.
“I’m very happy with myself, very proud of myself for getting such a big achievement and I’m definitely looking forward to the years to come,” the Warburton-Wesbrun forward said.
Meanwhile Mullett made the men’s league look like a video game having kicked an insane 129 goals.
When Mullett sealed the deal, he said it was a moment he’ll “never forget”.
“I remember kicking that goal and just going on the run and kind of getting swarmed by all my teammates and a lot of friends and family came running out too,” he said.
Bike park lives up to the hype:
2025 was a big year for mountain bikers with the Warburton Bike Park opening on Saturday 19 July.
Over the opening weekend a total of 1100 excited riders gathered at the Wesburn Park trailhead to try the first 30 kilometres of mainly entry-level trails.
Yarra Ranges O’Shannassy Ward councillor Jim Child said it was a tremendous feat to have finally opened the trails.
“After years of planning and development, we’re thrilled to have opened the first 30km of the Warburton Bike Park network, and to be delivering this incredible asset for our community,” Cr Child said.
Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers president Andrew Howieson said the opening was an incredibly important moment in his life.
“The genesis of this project dates back to pre-2010, so to be there on opening day and to be a part of that was probably one of the highlights of my life to date,” Mr Howieson said.
The trails, built by contractors World Trail, were praised by riders both experienced and beginner.
