Photos supplied

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Aussie rock fans gathered at the Harrup Park Great Barrier Reef Arena last Saturday for an electrifying live experience of Icehouse, Jet, Jon Stevens, Pete Murray, Baby Animals, 1927 and Bachelor Girl!

Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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The BMA Mackay Marina Run made history last Sunday with all event categories selling out for the first time, welcoming over 3,600 participants.
The 21.1km half marathon saw a record turnout of 640 runners, including international participants.
Over its 16-year span, the run has raised $600,000+ for the Leukaemia Foundation, aiding local services and support programs within the region.

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Photos supplied

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The 30th anniversary of Million Paws Walk was a woofing success last Sunday as dog lovers and locals alike gathered at Queens Park to enjoy a paw-fect morning filled with canine companionship and community spirit.

Joyful owners walked with their cherished fury friends in an attempt to combat animal cruelty, with each dollar donated set to help the Mackay RSPCA team rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs.

Overall, the 30th Million Paws Walk was a memorable occasion, bringing together animal lovers from all walks of life to support a worthy cause.

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Photos supplied

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Councillor Jan Clifford and Principal Leanne Riley

Abel

Mickyle

Kahu

Yolanda Hansen
Michael Bonanno
Peter Lock

Corbin and Jacinta

Jacob, Tyde, Max, Chelsea and Rose

Pippa

Serenity, Hudson and Malakai

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Presented by Kickass Women

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Photo credit: Indigo Blue Photography

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One of Australia’s cricketing greats, Glenn McGrath delighted the crowds at the 10th annual Bowen Pink Stumps Day which took place in Bowen last weekend.

Bowen Cricket Association were once again pleased with the turnout of over 200 ladies, who braved the rain and attended the event in an array of pink outfits that included everything from gum boots to elegant dresses. The afternoon ensued with delicious food, reels of laughter and of course important education on breast cancer.  

Over $6.5K was raised for the McGrath Foundation during the day and the event will once again enter the top 10 national fundraisers.

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Established in 2005, by couple Jane and Glenn McGrath, the McGrath Foundation is built on the basis of equipping people diagnosed and fighting breast cancer with the very best breast care, no matter where in Australia they lived.

In 2008, Jane McGrath unfortunately lost her life to breast cancer, having secured funding for 50 breast care nurses and leaving the legacy of the McGrath Foundation, for her husband, and Australian cricketing icon, Glenn McGrath to continue.

In 2011, the McGrath Foundation launched Pink Stumps Day, celebrated on February 18, as a way for local cricket clubs to fundraise for the McGrath Foundation, enjoy a charity match, and get their pink on.

And for the 2024 Pink Stumps Day, Glenn McGrath ventured to Bowen, to join the Bowen Cricket Association for their Pink Stumps Day.

“It’s incredible, to see a small community such as Bowen get behind our cause,” Glenn explained.

“And I think this is one of the reasons why we’ve been successful over the past 19 years, because of this support from local community. I’m a country boy myself, and to see smaller communities getting behind it, it’s very special.”

Joining the over 300 ladies donning their pink for the event, Glenn was not alone in his support for breast care.

“It goes to show that everyone’s got a story to tell about someone, family member or friend, that’s been through or going through breast cancer, and the support is invaluable. It’s important to know that you can make a difference in people’s lives, no matter if you’re sharing education.

“Early detection saves lives, with over 20,400 women and over 200 men expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this. There’s no shortage of a need for education,” Glenn explained.

“I wish I could wake up tomorrow and have no reason for the foundation, but it’s the awareness and it’s the support.”

With the two Mackay McGrath Breast Care Nurses also attending the Bowen Pink Stumps Day, the ladies were given key information for breast care, of signs to look out for, and where to go if they require further information.

The Bowen Pink Stumps Day has consistently been in the Top 10 of national donators for their Pink Stumps Day efforts for the last few years, with

“It goes to show that no matter where you live or how small you are, you can make a positive difference in people’s lives, that’s why I’m here today.”

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Glenn McGrath at the Bowen Pink Stumps Day last week. Photo credit: Moments by JLF

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While a wet day, the reception of the ladies at the Bowen Cricket Pink Stumps Ladies Day was great, with over 200 ladies celebrating the McGrath Foundation and breast care.

Organiser and Club President, Seth McIntosh was proud of the event.

“Even with the rain, it wasn’t a disaster,” he laughed.

With special guest Glenn McGrath, with Dr Adrian Westcott of the Mater Hospital in Mackay, Sue Murray Image Specialist with Coastal Radiology, and Mardi Mandersloot, who battled with breast cancer herself, the event spread the key topics of early detection and the importance of family history.

“Across the board, all our guest speakers shared risk factors of breast cancer, of genetic testing, methods of treatment, and self-breast monitoring,” Seth explained.

“Dr Adrian Westcott shared that three women of every two tables will suffer with breast cancer, and it really draws it home how prevalent this condition is.”

During the event, Glenn was sure to talk to every lady, hear their story and share as much as he could.

“It was great to have Glenn with us, sharing his story and talking to us,” Seth said.
“He was very accessible, and all the ladies enjoyed his company.”

The rain didn’t dampen the Pink Stumps Match too much, with Lee Watts captioning the Bulls to secure the Pink Stumps Cup.

“This means the Bulls took home both the Pink Stumps Cup and the Harold Watts & Ducky Lea Memorial Shield,” Seth explained.

All in all, Seth and the Cricket Association are proud of the effort, of the sharing of experience and knowledge with the wider Bowen community.

“Considering the difficult economic climate we currently are in, the amount that we were able to raise and gift to the McGrath Foundation is something we are proud to do.

“I have been doing this for three years now, and time and time again, we are able to pull off the Pink Stumps Day and do it well, I am incredibly proud of that,” Seth explained.

“The ladies had a good time, we fought through the conditions, and I am happy with that.”

The Bowen Cricket Association are proud to gift over $6,5000 to the McGrath Foundation from their Pink Stumps Day, putting them amongst the top 10 of national fundraisers in Australia for another year in a row.

Seth also shared: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors, particularly Hillary Group, Queens Beach Medical Centre, CBA, and Dobe Farms.”

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Lebanese migration and settlement in Australia began around 1880. These early migrants were known as Syrians but were classified as Turks by the colonial governments of the day because Lebanon was under Turkish control until the end of World War 1.

Life was not easy for these migrants who had no contacts and could not speak English. Undaunted, those with capital became small business men, opening warehouses as well as drapery, hairdressing and grocery shops. Others became itinerant hawkers, often selling the wares of their countrymen who owned newly established warehouses.

Eloas Abdnoor, born at Kousba, Mt. Lebanon about 1875, came to Australia as a young man. He was with a group of young Lebanese on his way to South Africa in 1899 when the Boer War broke out and the ship was diverted to Australia. He engaged in hawking activities in Rockhampton and Mackay districts before moving to Proserpine about 1909 after realising the opportunities in the district. Initially he was a hawker but within three years, in 1912, he established his own drapery and men's mercery business in Main Street, naming it The Bon Marche, French for 'cheap' or 'good value'.

All did not go well, as on the 8th January 1913 Mr Abdnoor's shop was set alight. He was awakened by the smell of fumes and discovered that kerosene and methylated spirits had been poured over goods. Neighbours, Mr Furminger and Mr Archer, helped save the store by throwing burning material into the street. It could have been disastrous for Main Street, with no fire engine or water on hand in those days. Eloas Abdnoor burnt his hands severely and lost uninsured stock worth 100 pounds.

Eloas became a member of the Chamber of Commerce in 1919 and was well respected by the district’s business community. He invested in farming property (at Strathdickie) and also did well in real estate, opening up a sub division where Robert and Marathon Streets are located.

Despite the regard in which he was held, there were times when people attempted to take advantage of him, perhaps because of his Lebanese roots.  In 1925, a customer walked into his shop and asked for a flannel shirt. He tore off the price tag and began putting it on as Mr Abdnoor was demanding payment. He said he would pay as soon as he had the shirt on but he then calmly walked out of the shop. The matter was reported to the police; the culprit caught, fined two pounds and ordered to pay eight shillings for the shirt. Eloas was not deterred by these events.

Showing faith in Proserpine's future, in 1932 he re-built his shop with a more modern design. The following year, he sold his Bon Marche store to Mrs Gillespie. He was then farewelled by the community as he set out on a world tour, visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, France and every capital in Europe before travelling to his native country and going home to Mt. Lebanon to see his only brother. While there, he married and returned to Proserpine with his wife.

In 1944, Mr and Mrs Abdnoor moved to Temora in New South Wales. It wasn't until 1951 that the sale of all his remaining properties was finalised.

Eloas Abdnoor, one of the district’s pioneers, died at Temora in November 1953 aged 78 years. And so passed yet another migrant who had formed an important part of the rich tapestry of life in our community in its early days.

Story courtesy of Proserpine Historical Museum. Photo courtesy of past resident Mrs Dolly Fahey (nee O’Hanlon)

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Photo credit: Bronte Hodge and Moments by JLF

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Photo credit: Bronte Hodge and Ruby Gorlick

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32 new Australian citizens have been welcomed in an official citizenship ceremony conducted by the Whitsunday Regional Council, at a special ceremony in Bowen earlier this week.

The 32 individuals, from 13 different countries were invited to the ceremony, held at Bowen’s Flagstaff Hill Function and Convention Centre on Tuesday, February 13.

“We meet today to acknowledge the individuals who are officially being Australian,” explained Deputy Mayor Gary Simpson.

“Australians have a unique national identity. Central to this identity is our willingness to have a go and our willingness to give others a fair go,” he said.

“We make the most of the opportunities present to us, and we recognise the importance of working hard and giving back to our community.

“Welcome to Australia!”

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Photo Credit: Bronte Hodge

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