On July 13 Aaron Rhind was informed of his selection in the 2012 London Paralympics. Aaron, who is an s6 division swimmer, managed to make two finals and post three personal best times. In the 50 metre butterfly final he broke the Oceanic record. Aaron is as motivated as ever and has his eyes firmly set on Rio, Brazil in 2016.

The Yass Redbacks had a year to forget in 2012, with no senior teams playing football after August. The division five side ended the season in seventh. This was especially disappointing as the side made the final in 2011. The division 11 side came in second last while Yass’ womens side, playing in state league four, finished sixth.

On September 15, after a stellar year in the Canberra Raiders Cup, the region’s premier rugby league competition, the Yass Magpies lost in their preliminary final. The Magpies looked the goods for a large part of the season but old nemesis the Queanbeyan Roos proved too hot to handle at Seiffert Oval. Queanbeyan was ultimately beaten by Belconnen United in the final. Yass Magpies will play in the George Tooke Shield in 2013.

On the first day in September the Yass Rams were beaten by the Goulburn Dirty Reds in the Monaro Cup final. Yass played out of its skin for a large part of the year and weren’t tipped to go as well as they did. Goulburn had too much fire power in the end, winning 30-17.

On November 9, crowds were treated to a high-class Yass rodeo. While crowd numbers were down on last year, talent was not and various locals performed well. Clay Bush was the stand-out, claiming the rope and tie event, while Corey Miles also performed strongly. The event was also the first under the supervision of new president, Gary Scanes.