The sun was shining for Mental Health Round as Whitsunday Sea Eagles recognised the importance of starting conversations and being able to access appropriate support services with all players and their families. All gate takings will be donated to Headspace Whitsundays who concentrate their efforts in the youth area, whilst blue armbands started conversations around the grounds about player’s mental health and support available. New Sea Eagles guernseys were also revealed much to crowd and player delight with teams putting on some great displays of teamwork to christen the new kit.

Sea Eagles Senior Women had game of the day with a cracking come back in the last quarter against the reigning Premiers Bakers Creek Tigers to win by 4 points 32 – 28. Sea Eagles Senior Women achieved all they wanted and more with a long awaited win against Bakers Creek cementing their second place on the ladder and setting up an exciting year ahead.

Sea Eagles Senior Men took on Bakers Creek Tigers with a slow start allowing Bakers Creek to get the jump in the first quarter unable to claw it back with a 25 – 49 loss.

Sea Eagles Under 17s took the field with enthusiasm in front of the home crowd as a full team for the first time this season playing like they were there to win and smashing Bakers Creek Tigers 73 – 13(adj).

Sea Eagles Under 15s were eager to take on the Eastern Swans heading out there looking organised and team oriented. From the first bounce to the final siren Sea Eagles worked together with some tough opposition for the 53 – 32 win.

Sea Eagles Under 13s had a tough day out against the ladder leading Eastern Swans losing 20 – 55 after Swans took off in the second quarter.

Sea Eagles back up another home game this week Saturday 14th June. Juniors take on North Mackay Saints from 9:15am and Senior Men and Women against Eastern Swans from 1:50pm. Canteen open 9am, Bar open 1:50pm.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Sea Eagles

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Whitsunday Sea Eagles U'13s Guernsey reveal. Photo credit: Cody Fowler

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Nine dedicated swimmers from the Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club travelled to Mackay over the weekend to compete in the Pioneer Short Course Transition Meet at the ARC. Representing the club were Ella Bounden, Jax Clayworth, Zane Clayworth, Evelyn Doherty, Thomas Ganter, Lucas Korosec, Ruby Lawson, Matilda Nicholes, and Celeste Orenshaw.

Several swimmers delivered standout performances, with Ella Bounden, Lucas Korosec, Ruby Lawson, Matilda Nicholes, and Celeste Orenshaw achieving personal bests in the majority of their events. A special mention goes to Ruby Lawson, who recorded PBs in all her events—an exceptional effort that reflects her hard work and determination.

The 100IM event also brought rewards for three of our athletes, with Jax Clayworth, Zane Clayworth, and Lucas Korosec each earning cash prizes for their impressive swims.

In other club news, coaches Mark Erickson and Raylene Rasmussen, along with swimmer Nelson Malady, travelled north to Townsville for the TOWSA Open Water Strand Swim. They were joined by former Cannonvale swimmer Jacob Bell, who now resides in Townsville where he is attending university.

Mark, Raylene, and Jacob all took on the challenging 4KM event, while Nelson competed in the 2KM swim. Congratulations to Jacob, who was the first swimmer to cross the finish line in the 4KM event—a remarkable achievement. This swim served as a pre-qualifying event for the upcoming Townsville to Magnetic Island swim, and we’re proud to report that all four Cannon representatives successfully met their qualifying times.

Well done to all our swimmers and coaches for representing the Cannonvale Cannons with pride and passion, both in the pool and out in open water.

Contributed with thanks to Jade Korosec

Celeste Orenshaw at Pioneer Meet with Medals
Pioneer Swim Meet Athletes
Pioneer Swimmers
TOWSA Swimmers

Photos supplied

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It was a bumper week of bowls action at Airlie Beach as the first week of winter delivered packed greens, thrilling finishes, and a welcome return of the club’s much-loved June Carnival.

Tuesday afternoon saw over 40 players take to the green, including more than 20 social bowlers, while Ladies Pairs and Triples competitions continued to advance. One of the day’s most gripping moments came during the singles match between Betty Whitehorn and Ladda Purdie, with Whitehorn edging out the Thai favourite 25–24 in a stunning upset to book her place in the final.

Wednesday’s social bowls welcomed a strong contingent of visitors, with bowlers arriving from across the country. Players included Andrew Lloyd and Robin Smith (Club North Haven, NSW), Peter Downes (Victor Harbour, SA), Ettore Tiraboschi (Mareeba, QLD), Susan and Dermot Wilford (Picton, NSW), and Malcolm Townson (Glasshouse Mountains, Sunshine Coast). Club regulars Janet and Michael Jacometti also returned for the season. In a friendly but competitive afternoon, 24 bowlers competed in three games of triples, with the winning team comprising skipper Andrew Lloyd, lead Robyn Smith, and second Betty Whitehorn—rounding out a stellar week for Whitehorn.

Wednesday night’s Business House Bowls resumed with plenty of energy. Team results will be published in next week’s issue.

Friday welcomed participants from the Endeavour Foundation. John stepped onto the green for the first time and showed promise, while Michael and Cathy continued to make steady progress with their game.

The weekend brought the highlight of the week—the Whitsunday June Carnival. Sixteen teams travelled from across the state, with representatives from Townsville, Mackay, Wangaratta, and Noosa. Organiser Margo Stanley once again delivered an exceptional event, supported by Jill Spencer, Fiona Greener, Maureen Barnard, and a hard-working team of volunteers who kept bowlers well-fed and refreshed across the two-day competition.

After seven closely contested games, the final placings were announced. Third place went to F. Watson’s team from Townsville, while the talented Penny Warren and her team—France, Denise, and Joanne—claimed second in a remarkable showing. But it was the powerhouse team of Manny Isgro, Davey Peats (Queensland representative), Peter Knight, and Paul Foot who clinched the title yet again, marking their fourth or fifth carnival victory in what’s become a formidable streak.

To cap off the week, the club is celebrating the long-awaited commencement of the new cover over the greens, with construction set to begin Monday and expected to be completed within two weeks.

This week’s photo features the winning team alongside event organiser Margo Stanley: Manny Isgro, Peter Knight, Paul Foot, and Davey Peats—champions both on and off the green.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

The winning team and Margo Stanley organiser, Manny Isgro, Peter Knight, Paul Foot, and Davey Peats. Photo supplied

BMA CQ Rescue has responded to a high number of callouts over a busy start to June, taking to the sky 15 times between Monday 1 June and Sunday 8 June.

The rescue helicopter completed flights to a wide range of locations including Clermont, Moranbah, the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island, Dysart, Bowen, Townsville, Palm Island and throughout the Isaac region. One of the 15 flights was a training mission.

Among the week’s missions was a call to Hamilton Island, where the crew stabilised a patient and began treatment for pneumonia. The patient was then flown to Mackay for further medical care.

BMA CQ Rescue also attended two separate incidents in Bowen. One involved a patient who required urgent care and transfer to Mackay, while the second was in response to a suspected snake bite.

The service plays a crucial role in responding to emergencies across Central and North Queensland. Each flight ensures people in remote and regional areas have access to urgent medical assistance when they need it most.

Contributed with thanks to BMA CQ Rescue

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Whitsunday Sailing Club (WSC) is excited to announce 74 Islands Distillery as the Naming Rights Sponsor for the 2025 Airlie Beach Race Week (ABRW), boosting anticipation as entries surpass 100. This comes shortly after Whitsundays and Townsville were named venues for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games Sailing Competition.

Terry Archer, ABRW Regatta Chairman and regular competitor, said, “A local artisan gin and vodka distillery on the Whitsunday coast, 74 Islands Distillery is one our club and competitors can relate to, so it’s a win-win situation for all concerned.”

Terry also mentioned the upcoming Olympics.

“We could not be happier. This is an amazing opportunity that will have a major impact on our region. It will have massive benefits not only for sailing, but the whole community as a whole and we are looking forward to welcoming sailors from around the world, along with their families and friends.”

WSC, recently upgraded and ideally situated, has hosted major sailing events for years, including the signature ABRW, attracting up to 200 keelboats and off-the-beach boats annually. Competitors enjoy the stunning Whitsundays location, with restaurants and accommodations just steps or a short drive away.

This year’s 37th edition of ABRW will also serve as a trial run to prepare for the Olympics, with global attention on the Whitsundays’ offerings.

No matter the boat type, there’s a division for everyone at Airlie Beach Race Week. Interested sailors can enter and view the Notice of Race at https://www.abrw.com.au/.

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Airlie Beach Race Week will be held from 7-14 August this year. Photo credit: Shirley Wodson

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Sunset Bay Outrigger Canoe Club has returned from a strong showing at the Australian National Long Distance Titles, held in Mooloolaba from May 23–25, 2025. With just nine senior paddlers attending, the team still managed to bring home a haul of medals and proud performances.

Friday brought cool conditions, but it didn’t take long for Bryan Wilkinson and Steph Lomas to find their rhythm, earning a silver medal in the 16km Senior Master OC2. New club member Peter Drew made a bold debut in a field of 102 competitors, paddling in the 10km Novice OC1 and securing a bronze medal for his efforts.

Bryan also backed up his OC2 result with a solo 10km effort in the Senior Master Men OC1, finishing 4th out of 10 contenders. Meanwhile, Oscar Grey took on the 16km V1 challenge and proudly brought home a bronze medal.

Saturday's focus shifted to the club’s OC6 crews, with excitement building as the team rigged the canoe for both the 18km long and 10km short course events.

First on the water were the Senior Master Women, who competed in the 18km race. While they didn’t medal, they delivered a spirited performance, catching bumps and overtaking canoes throughout the course. “We had a lot of fun, tried hard, and will improve for the next regatta,” said club steerer Renee Martin.

Later that day, the Master Mixed crew took on the 10km short course and earned a silver medal, finishing in just under 51 minutes and placing 11th out of a competitive field of 51 canoes.

Keeping the momentum into Sunday, Sunset Bay's Master Mixed crew added another bronze medal in the 18km long course, capping off a successful weekend.

Next up, Sunset Bay Outriggers will travel to Townsville in June for sprint and 37km regattas across two action-packed days.

Anyone interested in trying outrigger canoeing is welcome to connect with the club via the Sunset Bay Outriggers Facebook page.

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Sunset Bay Outrigger Canoe Club delivered a strong performance at the Australian National Long Distance Titles in Mooloolaba, during May 23–25, securing multiple medals across solo and team events despite a small nine-paddler squad. Photos supplied

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Local Women Pack Power At Weekend Self-Defence Workshop

Over the course of a weekend, a diverse group of women and girls, spanning various ages and physical abilities, came together to learn practical self-defence techniques aimed at increasing personal safety both at home and in the community.

The sessions were led by Helle Smith, who also runs the Northern Beaches Karate Club (Shyto-Ryu), and supported by Sergeant Steve Smith from the Crime Prevention Unit, along with Volunteer in Policing, Gerri Kissner. Together, they provided important information about community safety, legal considerations around self-protection, including the concept of reasonable force, and shared useful tips to help participants stay safe.

Held in a safe and supportive environment, the sessions gave participants the opportunity to openly discuss personal safety concerns and learn effective defensive techniques. Highlights included participants testing their strength and resolve by punching bags and breaking wooden boards – an empowering experience that left many feeling more confident and aware of their surroundings.

A special guest on the day was MP for Mackay and former Sergeant Nigel Dalton, who attended to offer his support and relay apologies from Amanda Camm, MP for Whitsunday and Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence.

The next self-defence session is scheduled for Saturday, 13th September, from 9am to 3pm. For more information, contact Helle on 0488 146 644.

Contributed by Gerri Kissner

Women and girls of all ages came together for a weekend of self-defence training, gaining practical safety skills, legal insights, and a boost in confidence through an empowering and supportive workshop led by local experts. Photos supplied

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The ladies at the club have been busy contesting the Championship Triples, which commenced on Tuesday, 21st May, with the final played on Thursday, 29th May.

As expected, the competition was fierce, with many closely fought ends and the head often tightly packed with both teams’ bowls. After a strong display of skill and teamwork, the eventual winners were Marie Bragg (Lead), Val DePinto (Second), and Nuggie Pratt (Skip).

The runners-up were Daphne Offield (Lead), Jean Schmidtke (Second), and Lidia McCarthy (Skip).

Well done to all competitors who took part in this exciting event.

A special thank you to the ever-supportive umpire, June Cousen, for her continued dedication to all the club’s competitions.

Looking ahead, the Championship Singles will begin on Wednesday, 4th June, with matches scheduled alongside the B Singles through until 18th June.

Also worth noting is the launch of the Ladies Warehouse Bowls Fun Night, held each Tuesday evening from 6:30pm to approximately 8:30pm. All are welcome to come along, watch, or join in by putting their name down at the club. A $15 entry covers green fees and a delightful supper. New bowlers are especially welcome – equipment is provided.

Finally, Pennant season for all district clubs kicks off on 23rd June and will run until 31st July. Best of bowls to all clubs participating!

Contributed by Sue Hazledine

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Championship Triples Runners Up (L) Daphne Offield, Jean Schmidtke, Lidia McCarthy. Photos supplied

Winner of the Championship Triples Competition are (L) Marie Bragg, Nuggie Pratt and Val De Pinto

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Young rookie ballers are progressing nicely, showing improved skills each week. They’re playing harder, stronger, and with growing confidence – all while keeping the fun alive. A special highlight came when Asher Rootes was ecstatic after hitting a live pitched ball from Zac Hargraves for the first time. Ollie Baxter also impressed, showing great form behind the plate with confident catching.

The Joey Ball troupers are also having a great time, with plenty of enthusiasm on the field. A big thank you goes out to all the grandparents, parents, and coaches who help out each week, making it such an enjoyable experience for the littlest players.

In Under-14 action, Dragons Get The Power defeated Angels North Jacklin choas 7–5. Get The Power took the lead from the outset, scoring five runs in the first dig. Noah Baxter and Connor Doolan were dominant, each scoring three runs. Baxter smashed the ball to centrefield for a home run in the second dig, while sisters Lily and Chloe Mackenzie picked up two walks each to get on base. Riley Taylor had a ripper hit to left field. Zoe Fry, Darcy Dolgner and Macee Dolgner each drew walks, bringing each other home to score runs for choas.

Young Guns overcame the Dragon Slayers 15–4. Although not the best day with the bat for the Slayers, they did hold the lead for the first two digs. Tyler Nolan, Latoya Latimer and Audra Pollard all took smart catches in the field. For the Young Guns, Cooper Maluga led the charge with three hits to the outfield and pitched a solid game. Eli Neilson impressed with a superb batting display, bashing a three-bagger and bringing more runners across the plate.

Connor Doolan added a highlight-reel moment with a sharp line drive catch at shortstop.
Hawks PM Diesel defeated Xtreeme Angels 11–5 in a contest that remained close until the fourth dig, when PM Diesel surged ahead. Miley Barrow and Tiffany Martin came home three times each, while Amy Goodwill, subbing in, had two key hits and added to the scoring for the Hawks. Pitcher Erin Rutherford grabbed two catches and combined with Charlotte Whittaker for a slick double play.

For the Xtreeme Angels, Bailey Sleeman, Nerida Bates and Kacee Schultz all fired big hits to the outfield, with Schultz carting the ball for a home run. In the field, Yodene Schoeman took a sharp catch and made a quick release to Latoya Latimer, resulting in a brilliant double play.

Results:

Dunbar Angels  v Dragons Tyre Power 10 -3
Get the power - nth jacklin choas  7 -5
Angels Golden oldies -   Pink Hawks  17 - 4
Young Guns -  slayers    15 - 4
Ausgroup  -  Devils  14 -12
Heavy Iron Hawks  - Custom Angels  11 - 6
PM Diesel Hawks  - Xtreeme Angels  11 - 5
Dragons men  -  Hells Angels  11 - 3

Contributed by Cheryl Martin

Rookie ballers are growing in confidence and skill, U14s delivered thrilling matchups - including a standout win for Young Guns - while thanks flowed to families and volunteers supporting the youngest players each week. Photos supplied

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Red point week

The weekend saw the Whitsunday Zone Teams played in Mackay. Ten teams of four players competed for Red Points in the competition. Team Brown won after winning all nine rounds, a fantastic result! After three rounds of play with three different partners in the Remembrance Pairs Debra Goodchild came out as a winner, with Sandy Patterson winning the under 100 mps section. Fourteen other players in the competition also received a portion of red points.

Weekly Results

Monday 26 May 2025 –- 5 Table Mitchell Green Points
N/S E/W
1st Margaret Lane / Barbara Tait 1st Diane Morgan / Marilin Robins
2nd Nancy Martin / Terry Sheedy 2nd Sandy Paterson / Mary Rose Ramsden
3rd Edward Kliese / Diane Stokes 3rd Helen Van Den Broek / Jan Harris
Tuesday Evening 27 May 2025 – 4 Table One Table Green Points
1st Terry Sheedy / Helen Van Den Broek 2nd Sandra Morris / Diane Morgan
3rd Marilin Robins / Faye Wright 4th Mick King / John McGee

Wednesday 28 May 2025 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points
N/S E/W
1st Joy Robinson / Robert Carless 1st Terry Sheedy / Lorna Shuttlewood
2nd Karen Caldwell / Geoff Taylor 2nd Frances Brown / Alan Brown
3rd Josie Crowley /Barbara Tait 3rd Susan Wright / Bob Ellis
Thursday Evening 29 May 2025 – 3 Table One Winner Green Points
1st Jan Harris / Frances Brown 2nd Adrian Westcott / Faye Wright
3rd Ken Seaniger / Robert Carless 4th Terry Sheedy / Noel Bugeia

Friday 30 May 2025 – Remembrance Day Pairs Week 3 of 3 - 11 Table Mitchell Red Points
N/S E/W
1st Eric Goodchild / David Ting 1st Janine Rodgers / Richard Wix
2nd Terry Sheedy / Janelle Conroy 2nd Frances Brown / Patricia Garner
3rd Roland Taylor / Lynne O’Neill 3rd Mary Cruickshank / Geoffrey Patterson
4th Joy Robinson / Geoff Taylor 4th Ming Ting / Eric Goodchild
4th Alan Brown / Diane Morgan 5th Noel Bugeia / Anne Lutz

Remembrance Pairs Final results after 3 weeks of play – Individual Winner Red Points
1st Debra Goodchild 1st Novice – Sandy Patterson

Saturday 31 May & Sunday 1 June 2025 – Whitsunday Zone Teams – Red Points
Team Members
1st Brown Alan Brown / Frances Brown / Marilin Robins / Diane Morgan / Janet Hansen
2nd Sheedy Terry Sheedy / Janelle Conroy / Geoff Taylor / Noel Bugeia
3rd Shuttlewood Lorna Shuttlewood / Susan Wright / Geoffrey Patterson / Faye Wright
4th Goodchild Debra Goodchild / Eric Goodchild / Ming Ting / David Ting

Contributed by Joy Block

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Marilyn, Alan, Frances, Diane (Janet absent). Photos supplied

Debra Goodchild

Sandy Patterson

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Monday’s self-selected triples saw Jim Steele, Chris Healey and Jenny Healey emerge victorious over Keith Janette and Norm Dawson in a strong performance. In other matches, Ron Hyde, Maureen Hyde and Alby Vigar defeated Sugar Brunker, Kevin Daniels and Kennedy Whitton. Trish, Bob and Leon also claimed a win over Robyn, Isobel and Merle. The jackpot remained elusive.

On Tuesday, winners were decided on Rink 4, with Lindy Suann, Margaret Wilson and Penny Warren defeating Merle Elphinstone, Gavin Charles and Maureen Hyde. Other results saw G. Tartaglia and B. Dykstra defeat I. Laird and R. Hyde, while Sue Shearing, John Hayson and Denis Madely triumphed over Bron Tolcher, Louise S. Collins and Rodney. Once again, the jackpot didn’t go off.

The Ladies’ Club Pairs Final was held on Sunday morning, showcasing a high standard of play and enthusiasm. Denise Wallace and Penny Warren took home the title, defeating Jocelyn Defranciscis and Tiarna Rogers.

Sunday afternoon featured three triples games and two pairs matches. The standout team of the day was Graham Smith, Mark McHorgan and Joe Paynting, who secured a win over Shirley Smith, Sue Simons and Denis Madely.

Meanwhile, the Men’s team represented the club proudly at the District Purple Pennant, taking on strong competition from Hughenden, Charters Towers, Thuringowa, Ayr, Giru, Bowen and Alligator Creek. Congratulations go to Bowen, who won the event, with Ayr finishing runners-up. The Ladies Purple Pennant will be held in Bowen in a fortnight.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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Ladies Club Pairs Champions Denise Wallace and Penny Warren. Photo supplied

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As we wrap up our 2025 end-of-season presentation series, we highlight the swimmers whose dedication, consistency, and sportsmanship stood out over the entire year – along with the parents and volunteers whose efforts help keep the Cannonvale Cannons running strong.

One of the most respected honours each year are the Trainers Awards, selected by our coaching team to recognise consistent effort and a positive attitude at training throughout the full 12 months of the season.

Trainers Awards

Junior Trainer:

Evie Doherty
Harris Delac
Senior Trainer:

Zach Trefz
Ruby Harland
Andie Reynolds
We also celebrated swimmers who achieved incredible speed milestones in our own pool. The following swimmers earned their place in two of our club’s most exclusive honours:

Mudie Family 70s Club
(Awarded to swimmers who complete 100m of any stroke, including IM, in under 70 seconds – one time per stroke)

Roxy Groom – 100m Freestyle
Isabella Pisaniello – 100m Freestyle (absent)
Tyler Bennett – 100m Freestyle
Jax Clayworth – 100m Freestyle
Zach Trefz – 100m Backstroke

Minute Club
(Awarded to swimmers who complete 100m of any stroke, including IM, in under 60 seconds – one time per stroke)

Jacob Bell – 100m Butterfly
Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of our major annual awards:

Swim of the Year
Awarded to Tora Delac for her performance at Nationals this year.

Sportsperson of the Year
Awarded to Jacob Bell, recognising not just his achievements in the pool, but his leadership, sportsmanship, and positive presence within the club.

We also took time to thank the many hands that make the club function week in and week out. A heartfelt thank you goes to our dedicated volunteers who help behind the scenes and on pool deck.

Special thanks to our Race Secretary Theresa Manning, who keeps our meets running like clockwork. She also brings a touch of fun to our presentation nights with her parent timekeeper awards – and this year’s Timekeeper of the Year was proudly awarded to Ginger White.

To our Officials – Andrew, Danny, Kristen, Theresa, and Jade – thank you for your time, training, and ongoing commitment to fair competition.

As we celebrate the season just gone, we also look ahead. Our club relies on the involvement of our parent community, and we warmly invite all families to attend our upcoming Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 10th June.

Contributed with thanks to Jade Korosec

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We’re stoked to report that it’s been a great week in fishing, and that the weather conditions for the week ahead are looking stellar.

Dam
With the mornings and evenings being colder, barra fishing at the dam has continued to get slower. We have had reports of some being caught in the middle of the day when it’s warmest, with barra sunning themselves in the weed beds. Sight casting and top water lures are most effective here.

Estuary
Good numbers of mud crabs have been reported across the Lethebrook region. Most reports we’ve received have been caught up the back of narrow creeks as opposed to the wider river mouth.

Grunter continue to be about in good numbers. The key to catching them is using fresh bait, with poddy mullet and herring being the best options. When casting, get up into sandy and rocky areas.

Mangrove jack are also still around. If you’re chasing bigger ones, use fresh or live bait.

Islands & Offshore
With the recent nice weather, lots of boats have finally been getting out to the reef. Micro jigging in 20-30m of water has been producing lots of coral trout and slow-pitch jigging in 50-60m of water has produced several great red emperor. Once again though, the challenge for many has been getting their catch past the sharks.

Lots of large Chinaman fish halve also been landed, but please remember that these are a protected species and need to be sent back down.

Best of luck out there!

Contributed with thanks to Beth Hockley and Jason Fisher from Tackle World Airlie Beach

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Whitsunday local, Ryan Hutchinson, with a GT caught at Knuckle Reef. Photo supplied

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As the final week of autumn wrapped up, club members had plenty to celebrate both on and off the green. The biggest news? The long-awaited cover installation is expected to take place after next weekend’s 16 Teams competition, organised by Margo Stanley.

Tuesday saw a thrilling 22-all draw between Skippers Joan McGrath (with Greg Fennell at lead) and Tony Whitehorn (with Mel Fennell at lead). The overall winners were Regina Aquilina’s team, who clinched a 23–21 win with Mark Mawson and promising new bowler Gina Passfield.

On Wednesday, 20 bowlers took to the green. A warm welcome was extended to visiting players Malcolm Townson from Glasshouse Mountains Bowling Club (Sunshine Coast) and Roslyn and Ian MacRae from Woodend Bowls Club in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges. The big winners of the day were skipper Betty Whitehorn and Roslyn MacRae, who defeated Regina Aquilina and Ian MacRae. Well done, ladies!

There was no Business House Bowls on Wednesday night due to the State of Origin.

Friday morning saw further impressive development from the Endeavour Foundation participants. Michael, Jett, Kathy and Keana continue to improve with every game and could well be gold medal contenders for the 2026 Disability Games.

The Christian College group is also making significant progress, with Riley Jacobson, Shannon Matthews, Nadia Piggott and Ella Jones showing excellent potential. Several others are close behind and, with focus and application, could become fine bowlers.

Saturday morning saw Division One take on North Mackay, with all three teams playing impressive bowls. Newcomers Tony Whitehorn and John Matterson slotted seamlessly into the squad. At home, Manny Isgro’s team defeated a strong South Suburban side, while Bob McMahon and Harrison Quad’s teams were gallant in narrow defeats.

Division Three travelled to Sarina on Saturday and played well despite the loss, bouncing back on Sunday with a win over North Mackay. Division Five struggled against Proserpine but found form on Sunday, delivering a strong victory over RSL Memorial. Congratulations to skippers Mervyn Stewart and John Askew and their teams for their determination and teamwork.

Division Six secured a strong win against Mackay Bowls Club on Saturday. On Sunday, they faced a tough test at RSL Memorial on a challenging green. Steve Lawrie’s team (Tony Kelly, Greg Fennell and Mark Mawson) fought hard but were edged out 17–16 on the final bowl. Dennis Donnadelli’s team of Des Ballance, John Brown and Bob Fenney also put in a solid performance.

With a two-week break for the Australian Open, attention now turns to the final rounds of the season. Current standings:

Division 1: 4th position
Division 3: Last, but within striking distance of two other teams
Division 5: Second-last, with confidence for a strong finish
Division 6: 4th, but just a few points from first—still in the hunt for the title

A huge few weeks ahead as the season reaches its exciting conclusion!

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

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Division 6 skippers Dennis Donnadelli and Steve Lawrie at RSL Memorial Grounds

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This week’s social bowls were played under perfect weather, with the cooler, drier conditions showcasing the excellent state of our grass greens thanks to consistent care.

On Wednesday, Henny Tattam and Barry Zillmann defeated Alen Sanderson and Philip Brown 26–14, while John Anderson, Bruce Uhe and Mike Harrison edged out Trevor Parsons, Arthur Griffith and Heather Brown in a close 21–20 game.

Sunday afternoon’s social bowls began later than usual due to Pennants, and we appreciated the patience of our regulars. It was great to welcome back Garry Alexander and introduce two visiting Germans to the game. In the afternoon matches, Alen Sanderson and John Anderson defeated Wayne Melrose and Arthur Griffith 16–12. Marieke, Henny Tattam and Heather/Philip Brown defeated Bastion, Mary Hedgelong and Garry Alexander 20–12.

The Social Participation Tally continues to tighten: Arthur Griffith leads with 49 points, Bruce Uhe and Philip Brown follow on 47, Heather Brown and Alen Sanderson sit on 40, and Sandy Daffara has 35.

In Pennants, Division 1 played two away games. On Saturday, they defeated Sarina 66–53, earning 5 points. On Sunday, they lost to North Mackay 53–68 but claimed 1 point.

Division 5 had an excellent weekend. On Saturday, they won 46–37 at Airlie Beach for 4 points. Sunday saw them dominate North Mackay 50–24, securing all 5 points.

Current standings see Division 1 in third place with 20 points, and Division 5 also in third on 16 points (on margin).

Thanks to Ken Watts for providing smoko on Sunday, and to Philip Brown for umpiring and helping run the bar.

Pennants will now pause for two weeks to allow district players to compete at the Australian Open. Best of luck to all representing Proserpine!

Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Bowls Club

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