One room in the house is plastered with medals, trophies and ribbons won by eight-year-old Pippa, nine-year-old Minda, 15-year-old Tom Arthur and father Matt.

The most recent were won by the young cyclists at the 2017 South West Open Track Championships in Hamilton on February 11 and 12.

Pippa came home with gold medals in the under-11 2000 metre scratch race as well as the sprint race, both ahead of sister Minda.

The positions on the podium were reversed in the 500 metre time trial when sister Minda won gold and Pippa silver. After only a short time racing, Tom also manged bronze medals in the under-17 500 metre time trial and the sprint race. Mother Sharon said sometimes it was a lot of work but it’s what the children enjoyed.

“On race weekends I have to do a lot after we are all packed in the car because Matt is focused on racing as well,” she said. “But it’s rewarding.”

Other trophies are scattered through the house and multiple bike frames hang on the back room’s wall next to cupboards full of cycling gear.

Sharon and Matt are also working together to buck a trend of cycling clubs getting smaller in the Wimmera.

“We have been travelling to Ararat, but they are getting smaller now,” Sharon said. “We want to get Horsham Cycling Club back up.”

Horsham has a rich history in cycling, with Tim Decker and Jason Niblett coaching at the Olympics and Paralympics last year. Matt cycled with both of them as a junior but had an 18-year hiatus from cycling before initially jumping back on to build up fitness and lose weight.

He said it was a great family sport that anyone could do and he got a lot of joy out of watching the children do well. “When I get to push the kids off in a race or when I’m out there and then they win I’ve got to quickly wipe the tears away,” he said.

“Even young Tom, just watching him develop in his first year has been unreal.”

Each Tuesday, weather permitting, the family heads down to the Horsham track to train. Slowly, other juniors are joining them and Matt takes the role as coach. Although the track cycling season draws to a close in March, Matt hopes to regularly race indoors in Melbourne.

“We can lend them bikes and equipment to start off with,” Sharon said.

“You do not need to go out and buy all the fancy gear because we have plenty to share to get people started.

“We get a lot of support from Bendigo Cycling Club’s Noel Sens. He has a lot of expertise he passes on. Also, his brother Peter, who is the Victorian junior coach.”

Anyone interested in cycling can contact Sharon and Matt on 0429 826 317 for more information.