Emerging Mackay rugby league forward Nehemiah Wuatai-Davis can realise his
childhood dream of playing in the NRL after signing a two year contract with
the Wests Tigers.

The rampaging 18-year-old Mackay Magpies prop is part of Benji Marshall¹s
new breed of Tigers in 2024 after impressing the club¹s talent scouts with
powerhouse performances in the Queensland junior development system.

Wuatai-Davis, a teak tough front rower with a huge motor, was named in the
Balmain S.G Ball squad that will compete in this year¹s Under 19 NSWRL
junior representative series.

He joins the Tigers after a decade with his beloved junior Magpies that
achieved tremendous success in the Mackay Junior League competition.
The former Mackay State High School student starred in the Magpies’
premiership-winning Under 20s team last season that defeated rivals Brothers
26-18 in the Grand Final at BB Print Stadium.

Strong-running Miah was one of the best players on ground with the deserved
trophy win capping a fruitful Junior League career for the talented forward.
He joined the club after his family relocated to Mackay from Townsville and
figured prominently as a back rower in the Magpies’ champion teams that won
the Laurie Spina Under 11 Shield; Jason Hetherington Cup (Under 12s) and the
Under 13s Mackay premiership and Nate Myles Cup double under the tutelage of
leading junior coach Scott Thorpe.

A fierce competitor and punishing defender, Miah represented Capricornia
Schoolboys and was part of the Mackay Cutters Junior Pathways squads.
Prominent Magpies coach Scott Thorburn predicts a bright future for the
promising front rower.

“Miah is tough and resilient with the power and skills to go a long way,”
revealed Thorburn.

 “He shows a great attitude to training with a strong work ethic and now has
a tremendous opportunity to impress the likes of Benji Marshall and his
Tigers’ coaching staff,” he added.

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Caption: Nehemiah Wuatai-Davis. Photo credit: Mackay Magpies Senior Rugby League, Facebook

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A huge weekend unfolded for Mackay Road Runners last week as they begun a parkrun last Saturday morning, followed by the set-up of the Jet Group Mackay Sports and Rec Expo held at the MECC, in which continued on through Sunday morning, not to mention their kick off of the first official Social 2024 Mackay Road Runners program that afternoon.

With the outcome of a very successful weekend filled with running, sporting and other recreational activities, the Mackay region’s amazing strength and depth presented itself within all ages, abilities and interests. 

A big thank you to all volunteers who assisted throughout the events as well as Mackay Regional Council and Jet Group Mackay for sponsoring the Expo. Thank you to Colin Meng OAM for accepting our invitation once again to be our amazing Patron for another great year.

Congratulations to the club’s most experienced and respected member who turns 80 this week, Stuart Sprott, who has been a great advocate and role model for his family and has been a valuable contributor to the club for approximately twenty-two years!  Additional congratulations to 2023 Male Club Champion of Mackay Road Runners, Paul MacKenzie who has been invited to a very prestigious endurance running event to be held in France in August, 2024.

This Sunday’s Mackay Road Runners Club event takes place from Wallmans Rd cul de sac, Rural View at 6.30am.  This will be a scratch start race with handicap points on offer. Ensure you are a registered member to start accruing points immediately towards end of year awards. 

Contributed by Janelle Tilse

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Caption 4193 – Masters runner, Stuart Sprott celebrates his 80th birthday milestone. Photo Credit: Janelle Tilse

Caption 4196 – Mackay Road Runners Club Patron, Mr Colin Meng OAM (far left) cuts the ribbon to the first race of the 2024 program

Caption 4273 - (left to right) Club Secretary and Treasurer, Julie Whibley and Tim Magoffin welcome new runner Mr Ogilvie to Mackay Road Runners first official run of the year

Caption 4199 – Alana Knezevic (centre foreground) gets a great start in the longer distance event

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Next Stars Sport Academy has returned for 2024 with a range of exciting new programs and an enthusiastic turnout of participants, revelling in the joy of staying active and healthy. Founder and Head Coach, Tim Oberg, expressed his delight, stating, "We were blown away by the levels of enthusiasm and participation across all of our programs.

“From Ninja to basketball and our running squads, all have seen record attendances which shows just how many families in the Whitsundays are focused on helping their children improve at sport and at life."

Established in 2022, the Next Stars Sports Academy has swiftly become a front-runner in sports coaching and mentorship for children in the Whitsunday region. The academy offers a diverse range of sports, including running, basketball, netball, and ninja, along with engaging school holiday programs.

The mission of Next Stars is to "inspire youth in regional and remote Australia to reach their full potential through sport."

The term 1 schedule is packed with exciting activities. The Ninja Squad, featuring functional fitness training and games for 5–12-year-olds, takes place every Monday at 4:30pm at Cannonvale Lakes Park (aka the Duck Pond), and these sessions are free of charge, courtesy of Next Stars' partnership with Move It NQ.

Tuesdays include Running Rookies/Momentum Speed Squad at 6:30am and back-to-back basketball sessions in the afternoon (Tip Off 4:30pm / All Stars 5:30pm) at Cannonvale State School.

The Momentum Speed Squad meets again on Thursday at 6:15am at Galbraith Park for Cross Country training.

For more information about Next Stars, visit www.nextstars.org or follow them on Facebook/Instagram @nextstarssportsacademy.

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Contributed with thanks to Next Stars.

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Bowen’s Port Denison Sailing Club had its first 2024 race and training session on Sunday the 11th of February, with sailors of all ages gathering together on the water.  

Making the most of the extreme high tide, the Green Fleet junior sailors had a practise session, sailing a long leg from the clubrooms on the Bowen foreshore towards the Big Mango and homeward again. Georgia Jeffrey, age 7, recently graduated from the beginner learn to sail programme run at PDSC and is enjoying sailing independently. She is well known among the other sailors for her sense of fun and smile every time she is on the water. Georgia’s highlight of the day was capsizing early on and righting the boat with a little assistance from instructor and coach Gary Bruce.  

Six junior sailors in Optimists, two teenagers in Lasers and three Windsurfers lined up for the windward leeward races which followed. Three season warm up races were conducted in the wavy 10 – 15 knot conditions to ease participants back into the racing calendar. The Green Fleet participants joined coach Gary on the coach boat to follow the race and learn by watching the more experienced children sailing their Optimists. Dave Martin, PDSC instructor, fresh from supporting his son Reid at the 2024 Musto Australian Optimist Championships in January in South Australia, cast his eye to the Optimist fleet on the water, giving them helpful tips for improvement.

Long term PDSC member Matt Bath stated that he was excited to be back on the water for 2024 and racing his Windsurfer LT.    

PDSC is a completely volunteer run club and would like to extend its thanks to the canteen volunteers for keeping members well fed and to the on shore and on water volunteers who ensure the weekend activities run smoothly.  

The next Bowen racing session is Sunday the 25th February and all members and affiliated club sailors are warmly welcomed.  Please see the Port Denison Sailing Club Facebook page for further details.  

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Georgia Jeffrey sailing her Qube dinghy. Photo supplied

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23 Cannonvale Cannons travelled to Brisbane to compete at the Queensland Sprint Championships on the weekend. This was the highest number of Cannons that have ever competed at a state competition. The coaches, Ken Crittenden, and Mark Erickson were very proud of all the Cannons and their achievements. It was the first state championship for many of the young Cannons and they all performed extremely well. The coaches would like to thank all the parents for supporting the swimmers and the team at the championships.  

Three Cannons made finals and received Top 10 ribbons. Ehsan Helou and Noah Maltby, both aged 15 years made the final for 50m Breaststroke.  Ehsan came 6th and Noah came 6th in Queensland. Jax Clayworth, aged 10 years made the final for 50m Butterfly and was excited with his 7th place and ribbon. Congratulations, Ehsan, Noah and Jax!  

The following swimmers performed extremely and achieved 2 or 3 personal best times:  Declan Dichiera, Don Algie, Tyler Bennett, Charlie Doherty, Tora Delac, Thomas Ganter, Ruby Harland, Indi Smith, Alex Trefz, Zach Trefz, Matilda Nicholes, Noah Maltby, Jax Clayworth, Celeste Orenshaw, Isaac Pisaniello, and Andie Reynolds.  

Special mentions: Harris Delac, aged 10 years, swam a fantastic 50m Freestyle in a time of 37.01sec.  Millie Groom’s best swim was her 50m Butterfly which she swam in 37.83sec.  Remy Hedges, aged 16 years, swam an excellent 50m Breaststroke in a time of 37.85s which was a 0.4sec PB.  Although Addie Sanders, Isabella Pisaniello and Anisa Helou didn’t swim personal best times they swam very close to their best and enjoyed the experience.  

Congratulations to the Cannons’ State Team!!!  

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Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen.

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1. Cannons State Team Feb 2024

2. Jax Clayworth with Top 10 Ribbon with coaches Ken and Mark

3. Noah M and Ehsan H with Top 10 Ribbons. Photos supplied

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Mark Richards won the Tuesday stableford with 41 points, one ahead of Scott Mason. Lyn Muller had 35 points to beat Tina Badenhorst by one. Pins went to Gerard Lovell, Kev Cooper, Diane Chard and Tina Badenhorst.

The PDLAW Wednesday monthly medal winner was Penny Wardroper over Pam Harrison, both with 72 net. Pins went to Jacqueline Wall, Rehab Hull and two to Penny Wardroper.

Following several days of the back nine holes under the lagoon, a big clean up allowed the full course to be open for the Venuesmart Thursday monthly medal which was won by Blake Alty with a net 65. Jason Bourke was 3 shots behind in A division while Nicola Apruzzese took out the B division with 69 net by a shot from

Luke Wayth. Pins went to Nicola Apruzzese, Barry Mortimer, and two to Rob Stanley.

Carwyn Moon had 25 points to win the Friday Met run by a shot from Troy Leisch. George Meharry won the pin shot.

Mason Johnson blitzed the Allenbuild Saturday stableford with 46 points. His B division runner up on 37 points was Kyle Kendall, who had the same score as the A division runner up in Matthew Goldman who was one shot behind the A division winner in Laurie Dakin.

Jordyn Albergo was a whopping twelve shot lady winner over Ann Gardel who had 32 points. Pins went to Michael Ward, Diane Chard, Marlene Gray, Lyn Muller and two to Jacob Nightingale.

Paul Nicol had 39 points to win the Sunday competition by a shot from Ned Davies, while Tiina Randmae had 37 points to beat Paula McQuat by three. Pins went to Mata Browne, Anna Winterbourn, Karen Rix, Sam Blake, Fraser Simpson and Ben Smith.

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Contributed with thanks to the Proserpine Golf Pro Shop.

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The slightly cooler weather bought out more players with 19 WGC competitors in the single Stableford competition.

LADIES A GRADE :

Winner: Tiina Randmae with 37 points

Runner-up: Anna Winterbourn

LADIES B GRADE :

Winner: Jo Moynihan with 26 points

Runner-up: Pam Casey

MEN’S A GRADE :

Winner: Jason Bourke with 35 points

Runner-up: Darren Reynolds

MEN’S B GRADE :

Winner: Paul Nicol with 39 points

Runner-up: Scotty Vlismas

LONGEST DRIVES :

Ladies’ A: Tiina Randmae

Ladies’ B: Sally Little

Men’s A: No-one on the fairway

Men’s B: Gerald Lovell

NEXT WEEK :  a 4BBB is currently scheduled, this may change due to the Charity Day on Saturday, we’ll keep you informed.

In any case, get your names in early, so we can play in a block.

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PHOTO : L > R : Paul Nicol, Anna Winterbourn, Jo Moynihan, Tiina Randmae, Darren Reynolds. Photo supplied

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The weekly 9-hole stableford saw Matt Baines take first place with 23 pts, second with 21 pts c/b was Tim Walton and third place with 21 pts was Matt Burke.

Fridays 9-hole stableford saw Jimmy Millar take first place with 23 pts, second with 22 pts was Billy O’Connor and third place with 21 pts was Tim Walton. 

Sundays 18-hole stroke competition was a great turnout, coming in first c/b was Brad Low, second place was Glenn Rees, and third place was Tyson Flavel.

Nearest the pin this Sunday was Glenn Rees. 

This Sunday 18th February will be 4 ball better ball tee off at 8.30am – 9.30am. 

Pictured: ‘Funky shirt Fridays’ Andrew Gomez and Kendal Nash. Photo supplied

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Nominations are open for all Proserpine Bowls Club competitions. Get your names in as soon as possible to allow plenty of time in order for us to get our draws out and games progressing.

On Wednesday, we had 11 players enjoying games of Social bowls. Jim Bownds, Barry Zillmann and Peter Lawton defeated Alen Sanderson, Pat Bownds and Bryan Davy 21 - 11. 

John Anderson, Heather Brown and Philip Brown defeated Mary Hedgelong, Heather Brown and Mike Harrison 20 - 12. 

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Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown.

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The district bowls Aussie Day Carnival was once again organised and celebrated in style at Mackay City Bowls Club on Shakespeare Street.

Most of the district’s top bowlers were there to enjoy spirited games and sharpen their skills leading into a packed bowls calendar of 2024.

For the fifteenth year in succession, Jetson Salvage and Scrap Metal, PBC Compliance and R&T Pumps once again sponsored the event. These three businesses were acknowledged and thanked for their continuous ongoing support.

Congratulations goes to the winning team of Rob Menzies, Les McDermott, David Maskell and Trevor Kelly, who dedicated their win to the late Ashlee Knight of City Bowls.

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Contributed by Warren Sturgeon.

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Winning Team with Sponsors. Sean Dolan (Sponsor Jetson Salvage and Scrap Metal), Trevor Kelly, Les McDermott, Bob Menzies, David Maskell and Tony Warne (Sponsor R&T Pumps)

Colourful shirts aplenty on the green for S.Spann’s Airlie Beach team and J.Neeve’s City team

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The bowls community and wider Mackay community was saddened to hear of the passing of Ashlee Knight last month. Ashlee was diagnosed with an optic nerve glioma and intercranial hypotension on 27th July, 2020.

Chemotherapy for Ashlee included completing twelve cycles over roughly what was an arduous eleven months of treatment.

During this period, Ashlee was on track to completing and graduating from her final days of Year 12, even finishing her English assessment hours after treatment, against her doctors’ advice.

Ashlee went on to graduate with flying colours at the top of her class, even continuing to play lawn bowls for the district, where she was selected for the Queensland Junior Squad.

Ashlee represented the QLD U25 Team in 2022 and 2023 versus NSW, won the QLD Secondary Schools Cup in 2019, was runner up in the QLD U18 Girls Singles in 2021 and was an inaugural member of the 2023 QLD High Performance Academy.

Condolences to Ashlee’s family and close friends.

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Ashlee Knight

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Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures January 30, 2024:

Division 1:

BMW (Emma Widdup, Tony Bowman, Ian McKay) d Lexus (Barry Patterson, Andrew McHugh, Janice Kent) 9-2. Andrew d Emma -7, -13, 7, 12, 8.

Ferrari (Geoff Denman, Goncalo Serra, Robbie Richards) d Audi (Lee Brake, Lily Boland) 9-2. Lee d Robbie 7, 9, -7, -8, 5.

Jaguar (Tim Shehan, Anne Sheridan, Vince Boeske) d Mercedes (Graeme Walker, Steven Whiting, Graham Brake) 6-5. Steven d Anne 7, 9, -3, -13, 5.

Division 2:

Isuzu (George Camilleri, Steve Mathieson, Mark Stam) d Kia (Matt West, Geoff Cowan, Peter Goodson) 6-5. Geoff d Steve -10, 11, 3, -6, 11.

Nissan (Duncan Treloar, Simon Hogan, Will VanDeKaa) d Hyundai (Marie Taylor, Donna Abbott, Delma Knight) Donna d Simon -6, -10, 8, 7, 9.

Honda (Leo Gilbert, Andrea Nicholson, Jye Callander) d Mazda (Duncan Sheridan, Mark Sleeman, Niro) 7-4. Andrea d Duncan 14, -6, 8, -8, 9.

Division 3:

Alfa (Craig VanDeKaa), Kade Wright, Nehmat Dhaliwal) d Ford (Misha Palod, Tiffany Camilleri, Ollie Hamelink) 6-5. Nehmat d Tiffany 6, -7, 18, -6, 4.

Fiat (Tim Montford, Trent Day, YiLin Jiang) d Holden (Saisha Palod, Rohit Bansod, Anaya Reelh) 6-5. Anaya d Tim -6, 9, -5, 8, 8.

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixtures January 30, 2024:

Division 1:

Cheetahs (Donna Abbott, Doug Dungavell, Val Austin) drew Leopards (Charlie Payne, Steve Mathieson, Judy Zahn) 6-all. Doug d Charlie 7, 8, -5, -9, 10.

Jaguar (Branko Vucurovic, Peter Goodson, Kevin Abbott) drew Pumas (George Camilleri, Rhonda Payne, Coral Morgan) 6-all. George d Peter -8, 10, 4, -6, 6.

Lions (Tony Bowman, Pam Joyce, Bryan Marshall) d Tigers (Delma Knight, Iris Grasso, John McGee) 7-5. Delma d Bryan -6, 7, 13, -13, 8.

Division 2:

Cyran (Charles Hamlett, Marie Taylor, Louise Gould) d Teal (Ken Best, Kim Daffy, Cheryl Pearson) 10-2. Ken d Louise 7, -6, -7, 8, 6.

Aqua (Judi Hicks, Gloria Vella, Gerry Synnott) drew Lime (Helen Ware, Fred Saliba, John Hamelink) 6-all. Fred d Gloria 5, -7, 9, -5, 12.

Division 3:

Sapphires (Pam Keune, Madge Saunders, Darryl Ross) d Emeralds (Ian Dodds, Glenda Brookes, Trish Zamparuti) 9-3. Glenda/Trish d Madge/Darryl -8, 8, 8, -8, 7.

Diamonds (Frank Caruana, Bill Hey, Myles Dutton) d Rubies (Sharon Muller, Thelma Caruana, Glenda Dutton) 8-4. Sharon/Thelma d Frank/Bill -5, 10, 8, 12.

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Steven Whiting in action in Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures. Photo: Charlie Payne

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Ten Mackay teams played in the GNOT (Gold National Open Teams) 1st qualifying event on Saturday 3 February. Gold points are sought after by players as there are limited events that award Gold Points. Team Bugeia is currently in the lead, also congratulations to the novice players who entered this event. Good luck to all for the next round.

Weekly Results

Monday 29 January 2024 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

E/W

1st

Terry Sheedy / Janelle Conroy

1st

Noel Bugeia / Geoffrey Patterson

2nd

David Ting / Eric Goodchild

2nd

Geoff Cowan / Sandy Patterson

3rd

Janine Rodgers / Richard Wix

3rd

Nancy Martin / Margaret Lane

4th

Susan Ross / Vicki Howard

4th

Helen Van Den Broek / Jan Harris

Tuesday Evening 30 January 2024 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

E/W

1st

Terrence Sheedy / Helen Van Den Broek

1st

Marilin Robins / Faye Wright

2nd

Eric Goodchild / Noel Bugeia

2nd

Richard Wix / Janine Rodgers

3rd

Janet Hansen / Lorna Shuttlewood

3rd

Susan Gibson / Karen Caldwell

Wednesday 31 January 2024 –10 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

E/W

1st

Terry Sheedy / Eric Lievesley

1st

Max Holewa / Diane Holewa

2nd

Janet Hansen / Alan Brown

2nd

Geoff Taylor / Ted Cullinan

3rd

Joy Brunette / Don Poole

3rd

Debra Goodchild / Ming Ting

4th

David Ting / Eric Goodchild

4th

Nancy Martin / Kath Poole

Thursday Evening 1 February 2024 – 6 Table One Winner

1st

Janelle Conroy / Janine Rodgers

2nd

Vicki Howard / Richard Wix

3rd

Ken Seaniger / Robert Carless

4th

Geoff Taylor / Annie Lynch

5th

Mick King / Patricia Garner

6th

Frances Brown / Ann Whitmore

Friday 2 February 2024 - 12 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

E/W

1st

Sandy Patterson / Eric Goodchild

1st

Joy Robinson / Geoff Taylor

2nd

Antonia Taradas / Graham Smith

2nd

Lorna Shuttlewood / Debra Goodchild

3rd

Terrence Sheedy / Noel Bugeia

3rd

Richard Wix / Edward Kliese

4th

Ming Ting / David Ting

4th

Jewel Schmidt / Annette Howe

Saturday 3 February 2024 – GNOT (Gold National Open Teams) Gold Points

Teams

Players

1st

Bugeia

Noel Bugeia - Terry Sheedy - Janelle Conroy - Geoff Taylor

2nd

Brown

Alan Brown - Frances Brown - Janet Hansen - Diane Morgan

3rd

Goodchild

Eric Goodchild - David Ting - Debra Goodchild - Ming Ting

4th

Shuttlewood

Lorna Shuttlewood - Susan Wright - Faye Wright - Christine Nice

5th

King

Mick King – Patricia Garner – Julie O’Neill – Griffin Bancroft

6th

Darley

Monica Darley – Ken Seaniger - Nancy Martin – Margaret Lane

7th

Saunders

Noel Saunders – Ted Cullinan – Sandra Morris – Annie Lynch

8th

Schmidt

Jewel Schmidt – Diane Stokes – Annette Howe – Ann Whitmore

9th

Gaskell

Ian Gaskell – Carol Gaskell – Geoff Cowan – Sandy Patterson

10th

Lutz

Anne Lutz – Karen Caldwell – Susan Ross – Vicki Howard

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Contributed by Joy Block.

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(L to R) Noel, Terry, Janelle, and Geoff. Photo supplied

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Walkerston Roosters Cricket Club are Mackay Cricket Association’s newly crowned Twenty20 First Division Shootout champions for the 2023-24 season.

The resurgent Roosters powered their way to a deserved title with a thrilling 14-run Grand Final victory over Pioneer Valley last Saturday night at Great Barrier Reef Arena to cap a memorable campaign.

Experienced stalwarts Sam Vassallo, skipper Chris Mceldowney, pace ace Adam Knezevic and quick Nick Lotarski featured prominently in the Roosters’ charge to the championship with top performances throughout the series.

Walkerston elected to bat first after winning the toss and posted a competitive 6-126 with valuable contributions from Masters representative skipper Vassallo (36 runs off 32 balls including five boundaries), Mceldowney (26 not out off 29 balls) and Neil Gustavson (20).

Pioneer bowling trump cards Dion Krisanski-Kennedy (3-26 off four overs) and Bailey Camilleri (3-29 off four) kept the Roosters in check with wholehearted performances.

Krisanski-Kennedy was close to best on field – nearly pulling off a sensational victory for the Valley with a dashing knock of 48 before he was stumped by Walkerston keeper Vassallo off the bowling of spinner Adrian Young.

The talented all-rounder cracked six boundaries during his 42-ball stint at the crease and shared a vital third wicket partnership of 76 with opening batsman Mitch English (39 off 47 balls) after the Valley lost two early wickets with only nine runs on the board.

At 2-85 the Pioneer outfit seemed on track to reach their target before the accomplished trio of the lethal Lotarski (3-22 off four), Mceldowney (2-20 off four) and cagey Knezevic (2-24 off four) masterminded an epic Walkerston victory after restricting the Valley X1 to 8-112.

The previous day the Roosters advanced to the trophy decider with a 22-run semi final triumph over Norths Devils at Great Barrier Reef Arena.

Vassallo (43 runs off 38 balls with four boundaries and a six), vice captain Jakob Frerichs (34 off 23 balls), Knezevic (27 off 14 balls with three boundaries and a six) and Luke Jackson (23 not out off 20 balls) helped the Roosters amass 6-143 with Kerrod Tortora (3-19 off four) the pick of the Devils’ bowling attack.

Norths (7-121) fell short in their run chase with opener Darryn Dyer (41 runs off 37 balls) looming as a potential batting hero before he was run out with the Devils well placed at 2-87.

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Captains and Umpires for the Twenty20 First Division final played at Harrup Park last weekend. Photo credit: Mackay Cricket

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Hundreds of people flocked into the Whitsunday Sportspark on Saturday to enjoy the ninth annual Whitsunday Sports Expo.

Dozens of stalls were hosted by enthusiastic sports coaches, players and other volunteers who were all keen to impart their knowledge and meet potential new club members.

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Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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