On Monday evenings kids in the region participate in PCYC’s Basketball After Dark program, to learn new skills and spend time with friends.

Brett Slaughter coaches the session and he brings a heap of expertise and techniques to teach the kids.

Brett played in the Australia team as a junior and then went to Saint Leo University where he was inducted into the Hall Of Fame.

After University Brett came back to Australia and started a career in the NBL 1 league, the tier below NBL.

At the time, basketball did not have the finances it currently has so he retired from basketball at 25, but he has not lost his touch and says he now loves sharing his knowledge with the Whitsunday youth.

Brett believes it’s important that he passes his knowledge on to the next generation.

“I've had a lot of people give up a lot of time for me over the years and it's never really sat right with me to not try and give that back,” said Brett.

“Purely for the fact that so many people did for me, I feel like it's a responsibility to do the same thing and pass on what I know.”

PCYC Branch Manager Sergeant Billy Li, runs the program with Brett and says he is thoroughly enjoying it.

“I like the program because it brings young people together to engage in a sport that they like, especially basketball,” he said.

“I like the engagement, it’s an opportunity for them to just do something together.”

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Basketball After Dark

Brett Slaughter and PCYC Branch Manager Sergeant Billy Li

Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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As autumn draws to a close and winter looms, Airlie Beach Bowls Club finds itself amidst the pennants competition, encountering varied outcomes across its teams. Hopes are high for improvement in the matches ahead.
In Men's Pennants Division One, victories were hard-fought, with one narrow win against South Suburban and a loss to Proserpine. Warren Mills's team, featuring Peter Barrett, Andrew Butler, and Bob McMahon, displayed exceptional form, contributing significantly. Division Three saw similar results, with Tony Whitehorn showcasing impressive skill. Division 5 secured only one victory but discovered promising newcomer Wayne Tippett, supported by John Brown's stellar performance. However, losses to RSL Mackay and Proserpine tempered their progress, although newcomer Luke Fenney showed potential.
The Ladies' Pennants Teams mirrored these performances, with stalwarts like Ladda Purdie, Joan McGrath, Betty Nicole, Carol Crosbie, and Margo Stanley upholding high standards against tough opposition.
In Tuesday's Social Bowls, new players Kathy Remmerswaal, Dolph Lossberg, and Mark Mawson clinched the winning prize, while Lyn Hodder and Dawn Watson showed significant improvement.
Wednesday's event saw Mervyn Stewart's team securing victory among over 21 participants, despite the jackpot remaining unclaimed.
Wednesday night's Business House Bowls showcased new teams, with Rock Plumb leading, followed closely by The Burrows Girls, PRD, Battery Warehouse, and Hadlow Racing.
Friday mornings witnessed the Endeavour Foundation and Christian College competing to represent their school in the state competition, with fine players progressing well.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson.

Men's Division 1 Team after their thrilling victory against South Suburban

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Competition Games:
Club Pairs: John Trembath, Shane Spann defeated Aileen Fordham, Helen Jacobsen.

Ladies Singles: Robyn Stitt defeated Wendy Coles.

Sunday Social (19th May): MaryEllen Pratten, Gavin Charles defeated Peter Bruce, Ron Gould. Keith Kirk, Daryl Tuttle defeated Marion Tuttle, Jane Gilbert.

Wednesday Social: Tracey Roach, Jane Gilbert, Gus Munro defeated Anna, Marilyn, Daryl Tuttle. Maryellen, Phil, Dave defeated Ray, John, Ron.

Sue Fox, Wendy Cole, Steve Roome defeated Marion Tuttle, Ross Scanlon, Gavin Charles.

Robyn Stitt, Glen Doyle defeated Eddy Neylon, Bob Lindsay, emerging as the winners for the afternoon.

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Sunday 26th Winners: Dave McDonald, Wayne Crowhurst, Gus Munro. Photo supplied

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This past weekend was filled with tense moments for the Proserpine Bowling Club during their Division 1 and Division 5 Pennants matches, resulting in crucial wins that fortified their standings in the district pennants table.
Division 1 Triumphs in Nail-Biting Matches
In Division 1, Proserpine faced tough competition at Airlie Beach on Saturday. In a series of extremely close games, Proserpine managed to eke out a win with a final score of 58-57. They secured victory by winning one rink by 4 shots, losing another by 4, and clinching the third rink by a mere 1 shot.
Continuing their away games on Sunday, the team faced off against North Mackay. Toby Craig, Grahame Kinnear, Scott Hamilton, and Gavin Milne faced a setback with a 19-24 loss. However, Shane Kinnear, David Ling, Andrew Bell, and Wayne Handley narrowly won their match 21-20, while Michael Kinnear, Marcus Craig, Barry Saroglia, and Nathan Harriott secured a convincing 24-11 win. Proserpine triumphed overall with a score of 64-55, claiming 5 of the 6 available match points and a margin of +9.
Division 5 Faces Mixed Results
In Division 5, the weekend started off challenging with an away game at Souths Suburban. Despite a loss with a score of 59-28, Kendall Watts, Gavin Noonan, Dale Haack, and Brett Saroglia managed a 19-18 win. The team earned 1 of the 5 match points available.
On Sunday, the team rallied, with Brett Saroglia's team overcoming an early deficit to win 23-16. The reshuffled team of John Matterson, Mike Harrison, Harry Craig, and Todd Leys led throughout most of their game, securing a 19-14 victory. This strong comeback resulted in Proserpine taking all 5 available match points plus a margin of 12, marking a successful recovery for the weekend.
Social Bowls Draws Competitive Play
Amid the competitive pennants play, the club also hosted social bowls. On Wednesday, 11 players participated in tightly contested matches, including a 4s game that ended 23-21 and a pairs game with a score of 30-27.
The enthusiasm carried into Sunday, where despite lower attendance due to pennant commitments, Catherine Batchelor, Arthur Griffith, Sandy Daffara, and Heather Brown claimed a 20-16 victory, demonstrating the spirit and skill of Proserpine's bowlers.
The Proserpine Bowling Club continues to show its prowess and teamwork, both in official pennant matches and friendly social games, as it moves forward in the series.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown.

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Alligator Creek Ladies' President's Day concluded with triumphant wins for Jocelyn DeFranciscis, Lyn Danvers, and Penny Warren, marking a celebratory event for the club. The club also welcomed an influx of bowlers from the south, adding to the competitive spirit during the weekly games.
In Tuesday's social bowls, intense competition led to Glen Doyle, Denis Madeley, and Jim Steel clinching the top spot as they outplayed Hun Jack Stamp, Keith Armstrong, and others. Runners-up Heidi Reif, Terrie Crozier, and Michael Loughhead showcased their skills against opponents Merle Elphinstone and Lorraine Knight. Other notable games included victories by Leon Fox and Greg Colquhoun over Ron Hyde and Mark Drummond, while Sue Shearing, Robyn Stitt, and Penny Warren defeated Albi Vigar, Lyn Danvers, and Geoff Danvers. Despite the fierce competition, the jackpot remained unclaimed.
Sunday's games echoed the tight contests of the week, with John Hayson, Sue Shearing, and Allan Rolfe defeating B Sing, Brian Bellingham, and Ron Hyde. Additional wins were recorded by Carole, Jim, and Denis over Jenny, Peter, and Mark. M Collins, J Stamp, and P Tracey over J Dawson, C Frew, and K Whitton. M Nesbit, L Land, and M Loughhead over L Scells, M Hyde, and K Armstrong. L Fox, G Cornell, and J Steele over M Elphinstone, H Reif, and G Colquhoun. The team of K Baxter, A Vigar, and B Beel triumphed over P Mullins, L Knight, and N Dawson, yet the jackpot remained elusive once more.
Looking ahead, Alligator Creek's Ladies are set to compete in the prestigious Blue Pennant this week in Townsville. They will face teams from Suburban, Thuringowa, South Townsville, Ayr, and Macknade/Noorla in a challenging series of 10 games over four days. Representing the club in Team 1 are Robyn Stitt, Lyn Danvers, Terrie Crozier, and Tiarna Winter, with Team 2 comprising Denise Wallace, Teresa Willshire, Marg Wilson, and Penny Warren.
The community sends their best wishes to these skilled bowlers as they prepare to showcase their prowess and teamwork in one of the region's most anticipated lawn bowling tournaments.

Photos supplied

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Wednesday Results: In the men's competition, John Lawson emerged as the winner on a countback with 39 points, with Don Williams as the runner-up, also on a countback with 39 points. In the ladies' competition, Leanne Swan secured the win with 39 points, and Grace Nott was the runner-up with 38 points.

Pin shots were awarded to Kim Bennion, Claire Garrod, Janice Bates, Viv Clark, Brett Richards, Dan Windridge, Greg Carlyon, Ken Groves, and John Lawson, who received a Suntan Snack Bar voucher. Choccy chip-ins were awarded to Jane Seaborn (two times), Claire Garrod (two times), Janice Bates, and Lisa Raisbeck.

Saturday Results: A single stableford competition sponsored by LiveLife Pharmacy Bowen was held on Saturday. In the ladies' category, Bonnie Kohlhase won with 41 points, Kim Bennion was the runner-up with 39 points, and Marg Need secured third place with 37 points. In the men's category, Graham Smith won on a countback with 41 points, Coady Bell was the runner-up with 41 points, and John Turner took third place with 40 points.

Claire Garrod achieved an eagle shot on Hole 2. Pin shots were awarded to Raewyn Glover, Claire Garrod, Marg Tilbrook, Bonnie Kohlhase, Brendan Malone, Max Mahoney, Dan Windridge, and Graham Smith, who received a car wash. Choccy chip-ins were awarded to Penny Stewart and Pauline Martin (two times). We extend our gratitude to LiveLife Pharmacy for their continued support.

Upcoming Events: This Saturday, there will be a single stroke event for the June Monthly Medals.

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott.

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Winners of the Live Life Pharmacy Single Stableford. Photo supplied

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In a stunning display of skill, Barry Mortimer clinched victory in Tuesday's stableford competition, amassing a remarkable 44 points and outpacing his nearest rival, Jonny Brooks, by six shots. Notable performances in the pins category included John Oates, Ryan Wilkes, Craig McLean, and Mortimer himself.
The golfing action continued into Thursday with a four-ball event where David Scott-Smith and John Clark emerged victorious, scoring 47 points and edging out John Oates and David Woods by two points. Pin accolades were awarded to Lewis Tuck, Allen Roberts, Trevor Paroz, and Aaron Watts.
On Friday, Finbar O'Flynn led the Met run with 20 points, holding a two-point lead over Jason Ford. Pin winners for the day were Elise Hodgson and Christopher Bartlett, adding a competitive edge to the event.
The weekend featured the highlight of the week with Saturday's CQ RESCUE Charity Ambrose event, which successfully raised over $20,000. The team of Rob Smith, David Scott-Smith, and Ash Law took the top spot, with Andrew Mau, Justin Butler, and Matthew Goldman close behind.
The week concluded with Sunday's competition, where Michael Ward won with a solid 38 points. Christopher Bartlett followed as the runner-up with 36 points. Michael Ward, John Dodds, and Nathan Boys excelled in the pins category, each making significant contributions to the day's success.
This week of golf not only showcased impressive individual performances but also demonstrated the community's spirit through its successful charity event.

Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Golf Pro Shop

CQ Rescue Charity Ambrose event, Photo supplied

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This week's 9-hole weekly stableford competition was a tightly contested affair with Keith McNicol clinching first place with 20 points on a countback. Justin Gibbs also scored 20 points to secure second place on a countback, while Jayden Parata finished third with 20 points.
On Friday, the 9-hole stableford continued to showcase local talent with Rob Lodders taking the top spot with 22 points. Nicola McKenzie followed closely with 21 points, and Lenny Morris rounded out the top three, securing third place with 20 points on a countback.
Sunday's monthly medal competition highlighted some impressive performances. Ryan Kenny led the pack with a net score of 45, claiming first place. Glenn Rees was hot on his heels with a net score of 49 for second place, while Eric Gruszczynski took third place with a net score of 54 on a countback. Jayden Parata and Billy O’Connor were recognized for being nearest the pin during the competition.
Looking ahead, this Sunday promises more excitement with the Medal of Medalists Championship round scheduled. Participants are set to tee off between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM, promising another day of competitive golf and community engagement.

Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross.

Ryan Kenny, Photo supplied

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Last Sunday, Whitsunday Golf Club hosted the second round of the three-part 3-Ball Ambrose Championship, sponsored by Whitsunday Concrete Constructions. Despite a brief early sprinkle, conditions remained perfect for the competition.
In this round, eight teams competed fervently, with Sally Little stepping in for the traveling Robyn Whitham on Team Watts. The teams vied closely, but Team Reynolds clinched the top spot with a score of 57.667, narrowly edging out Team Watts who scored 57.833. Team Atkins claimed third place with a score of 58.333.
Highlights of the day included Darren Reynolds winning an Eagles Nest for his exceptional shot on the 16th green. Nearest to the Pin (NTP) accolades went to teams Winterbourn, Butchers, Atkins, and Reynolds. The longest drives were impressively hit by Anna Winterbourn, Jo Moynihan, Darren Reynolds, and David Hoy.
Next week, the club will host the June Monthly Medal and Least Putts competitions. Participants are urged to register early between 6:30 and 7:30 AM, and to activate the putt count feature on their MiScore app.
Please note, there will be no WGC competition on Sunday, June 9, due to the PGC Ladies’ and Men’s Foursomes event. Members are encouraged to prepare for another thrilling round of golf the following week at Whitsunday Golf Club.

Contributed with thanks to Tiina Randmae.

Photo supplied

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STARTS :  
 
WHITSUNDAY GOLF CLUB :  
 
3 BALL AMBROSE : ROUND 2 OF 3 : 26/5/2024 
 
8 teams returned to play the 2nd round in the Whitsunday Concrete Constructions sponsored 3 ball Ambrose Championship (over 3 rounds) in the Whitsunday Golf Club comp last Sunday. The weather was very kind with only a very light sprinkle at the beginning of the day, the rest of the morning remained dry. Sally Little substituted for Robyn Whitham in Team Watts, Robyn is away for 3 months. 
 
The teams were : 
   1. Cook -Andrew Albergo, Tina Cook and Mata Browne 
   2. Atkins -Ritchie Atkins/Lewy Tuck/Mark McDougal 
   3. Watts -Aaron Watts/Sally Little/Linda Wardroper  
   4. Meharry - Brendon Meharry/George Meharry/Jo Moynihan 
   5. Winterbourn - Anna Winterbourn/Ron Jamieson/ David Hoy 
   6. Nicol - Paul Nicol/Wayne Temby/PeterFox 
   7. Reynolds - Darrren Reynolds/Wilf Herweg/Tiina Randmae  
   8. Butchers - Don Cameron/Karen Rix/Pam Casey 

RESULTS : 
The Winning team :  Team Reynolds with a score of 57.667 
Runner-Up :  Team Watts with a score of 57.833  
3rd :  Team Atkins with a score of 58.333 

NTPs : went to Team Winterbourn, Team Butchers, Team Atkins and Team Reynolds. Darren Reynolds scoresd a very impressive Eagles Nest (box of balls) with a spectacular shot onto the 16th green. 

Longest Drives : went to Anna Winterbourn, Jo Moynihan, Darren Reynolds and David Hoy.  

NEXT WEEK : will be the June MM and Least Putts. Get your names on the timesheet between 6.30 and 7.30 asap so we can play in a block. Make sure you have enabled the putt count on your MiScore app. Go to Menu > Settings > top line - putts. 

The following Sunday 9/6 is the PGC Ladies’ and Men’s Foursomes so there won’t be a WGC comp that day 

ENDS 

 L > R : Team Reynolds : Wilf Herweg, Tiina Randmae and Darren Reynolds 

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Following their successes at the Townsville tournament last week, local pickleball players sharpened their skills under the guidance of coach Gordon Watson.

Watson travelled from Yeppoon this past weekend to conduct coaching sessions for 16 players from Pickleball Whitsunday in Cannonvale. Additionally, Mackay pickleball enthusiasts joined the coaching on Saturday.

Contributed with thanks to Lorraine Christiansen.

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The Anaconda Whitsunday Trail Fest, hosted annually by the Whitsunday Running Club, is set to take place on September 8th, starting at the Airlie Beach Foreshore. This vibrant event attracts trail runners from across Australia and overseas, offering a range of challenging races suitable for all ages and skill levels.

Event Highlights:
58k Accom Whitsunday Ultra: Now in its 6th year, this 58k ultra-marathon kicks off at 5:00 am. The course is renowned for its demanding terrain, featuring a mix of fire trails and narrow walking tracks with steep, rocky sections. This race has gained a strong reputation within the Australian trail running community for its tough and remote sections.

28k Anaconda Whitsunday Trail: Starting at 7:00 am from the Brandy Creek Trailhead, this iconic 28k point-to-point race finishes at Airlie Beach. Known as the original and most popular event of the festival, it continues to draw both local and international runners with its stunning off-road route.

11k Honeyeater Shokz Challenge: This 11k race begins at 9:00 am and is becoming a favorite among beginner trail runners. The course presents a challenging ascent to a lookout with breathtaking views over the Coral Sea, making it a rewarding run for those looking to test their limits.

Whitsunday Transit Kids Beach Bash: A special event for young runners aged 4 to 12, this race takes place at 10:30 am. The kids run a 1400-meter route along the foreshore to the Dugong and back, ensuring a fun and engaging experience for the little ones.
Survivors Beach Bash: Wrapping up the festival, the Survivors Beach Bash is a relaxed, fun run at 2:45 pm, open to all participants aged 13 and above.

WHAT: Whitsunday Trail Fest
WHERE: Airlie Beach Foreshore
WHEN: September 8

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The Australian propensity for gravitating to the seaside for holidays, or any excuse at all, exhibited itself from the earliest days of settlement in the Proserpine area. While it is not practical to say precisely when any particular beach became a feature of the area, “Coastline Calling” relates some of the highlights in the evolution of our beach scene.
Undoubtedly, the first to become popular was the beach at Cannonvale (or Cannon Valley Beach as it was originally known) with the spread of farming down Cannon Valley towards the end of the 19th century. The first inhabitants occupied Jubilee Pocket (later to become known as Airlie) in 1904.
Photographs of the time show a more extensive beach than exists today and as happened in the following years at other beaches, holiday shacks sprang up. For decades from 1911, Cannon Valley was regarded as the best place to be for the Boxing Day Sports each year.
Soon, however, a competitor beach appeared as farming spread into the Preston/Conway area. The “Bowen Independent” (January 7, 1911) described a picnic held by “Prestonites … at the mouth of the Proserpine River during the Christmas holidays.” This marked the beginning of a surge in popularity for today’s Conway Beach and in October 1912, farmers from the Preston area cut a rough track through to the beach which was first known as Preston Beach. Thereafter, the beach became the venue for annual formal picnics at Easter and Christmas which were important events on the social calendar for many years.
Next on the scene was New Beach on the western side of the Proserpine River mouth. In December 1922, the “Bowen Independent” reported that a group of local enthusiasts had cut a road to a “new beach” through the property of Goorganga, then owned by E. G. Lascelles who gave his blessing to the venture.
At first this beach was known as Goorganga Beach but the “Bowen Independent” description of 1922 stuck and this beach today is still known as New Beach. Difficulty of access denied its development which, in 1935, was measured in one spot to be about 80 metres wide. New Beach was also known as Shepherd’s Beach.  
Over the years, the track was maintained by locals, the council not willing to assist other than donating some culvert pipes in 1929. Old photographs of the road to the beach show a track that would quickly bring a modern car to a shuddering halt. Today, the access road has faded away and entry by land is practicable only by four-wheel drive and subject to the permission of owners.
Meanwhile, as settlement progressed swiftly and cars provided more mobility, yet another beach hit the headlines with the “Proserpine Guardian” (February 26, 1926) announcing the “discovery … (of) The Daddy of them all” when the local chemist, J. M. Harkness, forged a car track from Proserpine through to today’s Dingo Beach. This set in motion a series of picnics organised by the Automobile Club and established Dingo Beach as one of our premier beach sites. Today, it is still extremely popular with locals and visitors alike who also now venture a little further afield along this road to Hydeaway Bay, Monte’s and Cape Gloucester beaches.
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Our love affair with the beach continues to this day.
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Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum and including extracts from the weekly feature in the “Proserpine Guardian” written by past PHMS patron, Ray Blackwood.

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• Visibility: Operate slowly in rain, fog, mist, smoke and glare. Take special care when travelling at night as potential hazards are harder to see. Ensure you operate at a safe speed. Turn on your navigation lights at night, or in periods of restricted visibility.

• Other boats: Slow down in busy areas and when near moored or anchored boats, and remember — working boats and larger vessels may have difficulty manoeuvring.

• Navigation hazards: Slow down in shallow areas and when boating in unfamiliar water. Water depth can vary and change quickly in and around reef areas, and also in freshwater.

• Wind, waves and currents: These may affect the boat’s stopping and turning ability. The type of motor, hull and design will all impact on the boat’s manoeuvrability.

• Check your navigation lights are working and fitted correctly. We did have to assist one boat with the nav lights on the wrong sides! Did not know if he was coming or going!

Collision rules.  The ‘International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea’ (COLREGs) are the traffic laws of the sea. They give clear indication about passing, approaching, giving way and overtaking to avoid collisions with other boats. All boat skippers must thoroughly understand and apply the rules in all situations.

Channels: When navigating in narrow channels, all boats should travel on the starboard (right-hand) side of the channel and pass oncoming boats on the port (left) side. If plenty of distance separates two passing boats, there’s no need to deliberately alter course to pass to the right of the other boat. The rule is simply there to remove doubt in the event of a close situation. Small boats (including sailing boats) should keep clear of large boats that have limited room to manoeuvre in channels.

Giving way. All boats, whether power or sail, must always take action to avoid a collision. Power boats ‘Look all around, give way to the right, turn to the right and stay to the right’. Power boats must give way to a vessel under sail.

Head on. When meeting head on, both boats are required to alter course to starboard (right), never to port (left). Any turn should be large enough to be obvious to the other boat.

Overtaking.  If you are overtaking a boat, you can do so to either side of the boat you wish to pass.
However, you must keep well clear of the boat you are overtaking. This applies to both sail and powerboats. In narrow channels you must be particularly careful when overtaking. In all instances, make sure you do not cut in front of the boat you have overtaken.

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Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday VMR.

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As participants flocked to John Breen Park last weekend, the atmosphere was ablaze with excitement and anticipation. Families, friends, and even furry companions eagerly awaited the start of the Colour Frenzy Run, ready to immerse themselves in a kaleidoscope of hues and a day filled with vibrant experiences.
The exciting event, known for its burst of colours and festive atmosphere, promised a 2.5km or 5km journey filled with laughter, joy, and plenty of hues. With each step, participants knew they were not just embarking on a fun run or walk, but also supporting a noble cause – raising funds for Animal Rescue across Australia.
The Colour Frenzy team, fuelled by their passion for furry friends, set an ambitious goal for 2024: to raise $5000 for a local rescue and a combined $250,000 nationwide. It was a mission close to their hearts, and they knew that every stride taken, and every burst of colour unleashed would bring them closer to their target.
The fun run sent waves of colour enthusiasts dashing through a whirlwind of obstacles, foam, and of course, colour, colour, colour. At each Colour Station, participants were splashed with extra doses of pops of powder, transforming them into living works of art. The highly anticipated Bubbles Station brought squeals of delight as bubbles danced through the air, adding an extra layer of whimsy to the event.
As participants crossed the finish line, they were greeted with cheers, applause, and beautiful Colour Frenzy Finisher Medals – a symbol of their accomplishment and their contribution to a greater good. Even the doggos, adorned in their own vibrant hues, joined in the celebration, wagging their tails in delight.

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Photo credit: Colour Frenzy

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Brendan Whitby has padded up in first grade and rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in Queensland cricket.
The Mackay Magpies stalwart spent eight seasons with Toombul District Cricket Club in the Brisbane Premier League competition where he earned his top-grade spurs as a capable all-rounder.
Whitby’s cricket journey has taken the experienced campaigner and his three sons Jacob, Thomas and Nicholas to the Mackay District Cricket Association and the scene of many career highlights.
After a twelve-year hiatus, Brendan joined the Magpies Cricket Club where he has savoured some magic moments over the past two summers.
One of his proudest moments earlier this year was playing alongside eldest son Jacob, 13, for the Magpies in the Mackay District third grade Grand Final at Harrup Park.
Walkerston Red pipped the Magpies to lift the Maurice Blackburn Lawyers Cup but the thrill of joining forces with promising all-rounder Jacob in a title decider was worth the effort alone.
A proud Brendan skippered the young Magpies X1 and top scored with 40 after son Jacob compiled a valuable 21 runs off 74 balls to help their side register 7-143 off 35 overs.
Brendan faced 44 balls and smashed three sixes and two boundaries but to no avail as Walkerston (7-144) responded by eclipsing their target in the 34th over.
Whitby senior showed his wares with the ball – grabbing the remarkable figures of 4-17 off seven tidy overs and Jacob returning 0-9 off eighteen deliveries.
It capped an eventful summer for the talented father-son duo who also tasted success in the junior ranks.
Top prospect Jacob captained the Magpies Under 14s to a premiership triumph in the Mackay Under 15B competition – under the guidance of super coach Brendan.
“I have to thank Jacob and his junior teammates for persuading me to come out of retirement – they rekindled my interest after a long period out of the game,” revealed Whitby senior.
Cricket has been a way of life for Brendan, who made his senior debut for the North Tamworth Cricket Club in third grade many summers ago.

“After my stint with Toombul I honestly thought I would never play again but the kids were keen to take up the sport and encouraged me all the way,” he explained.
“When we moved to Mackay, I joined the Magpies and looked after the Master Blasters team that included Jacob before guiding my other sons Thomas and Nicholas the following season,” quipped Brendan, who has coached the Magpies since Under 11s.
Young gun Jacob starred for the Cyclones last summer and gained valuable experience when selected to play for the Northern Kings in the Brisbane Premier League Under 14s Twenty-20 tournament.
There was no prouder person than his father when rising colt Jacob made his senior debut for the club in third grade at the tender age of thirteen.
“Jacob made a good fist of his promotion and we managed to bowl a few overs together and open the batting which makes me proud,” exclaimed Brendan.
      “To play sport with your kids is an exhilarating feeling that brings plenty of enjoyment and overall it has been a wonderful journey so far.
“Even better is being a part of the Magpies cricket family,” beamed the evergreen warrior.

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Outstanding father-son duo Brendan and Jacob Whitby steered the Mackay Magpies Cricket Club to premiership success in 2023-24

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