As the days get longer and warmer and spring comes to our paradise, the bowls at our club are in full bloom all around the district.

Wednesday afternoon Jackpot bowls was won by Tony Whitehorn's team with a score of 33-14 with Graham Cowling and Eric Barnard.

Saturday morning Scroungers final game saw Warren Mills win again with some precision bowls and white washing the field.

The winners then played the final and first round winners of Russell Jackson, Gary Kiff and Margo Stanley play out the final.

It was Margo who won easily with 2 ends to be played she was so far in front and couldn't be beaten in an outstanding performance.

Meanwhile in Bowen, 14 teams playing for great prize money saw Tony Whitehorn's team of Betty his better half Helen Ward back from South Australia and the very reliable Col Morris beat all contenders to represent our little club in Paradise and do us proud.

Sunday afternoon Social bowls saw Fiona Greener draw out the lowest winning score.

It was John Askew with his team of Janet Jacometti and Graham Cowling taking home the winning prize, and it was the new A Grade Mens singles champion Alan Pershouse take home the prestigious Health Hub award.

Next week we shall report on the schools finals and the Champion of Champions and the Five a side competition at Seaforth

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson.

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This week has been a busy week once again.  

The Men's Senior Singles competition is underway.  

On Wednesday Philip Brown defeated Bruce Uhe 25 – 16.

On Sunday Mike Harrison defeated Bryan Davy 25 - 19.  

Dale Haack is to play Ken Watts and Sandy Daffara is to play Luchie Gardel.  

It is hoped that these games can be played this week so that the Semi Finals and possibly the finals can be played this weekend.  

Our club entry into the Champion of Champion events needs to be confirmed at the end of this week with the Champion of Champions being held at St Helens the following weekend.

Also in Club Competition was a game of the "B" Pairs Gavin Noonan and Todd Leys defeated Bruce Uhe and Mike Harrison 27-18.  

They are now ready for the other Semi Final to be played so that the Final can be played prior to the Champion of Champion event to be held at Proserpine October 21-22.

Our Men's Triples team competed in the Champion of Champion Triples held at Souths Suburban on the weekend.  

Shane Kinnear, Dale Haack and Wayne Handley were defeated in the Saturday afternoon game by Sarina.  

The event was won by Souths Suburban with runners up Marian.

Best wishes to Toby Craig who is playing in the Champion of Champion B Singles at Airlie Beach this coming weekend.

Nominations for Board positions for the Proserpine AGM close this weekend with the AGM being held on Saturday, October 7 at 10am.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown.

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Our Mondays self-selected triples Winners for the afternoon were R Stitt, A Vigar, and A Rolfe.

Best other were B Myers, C Frew, and L Knight.

On Tuesday winners were J Vigar, D Slater, and L Nightingall.

Winners for our Fun Friday afternoon were A Lancaster, L Fox, and J Chadwick.

Friday Barefoot bowls winners were Wendy, James, and Dave.

Sunday winners came out on Rink 4.

They were L Suann, I Wheeler, and W Coonan.

The jackpot didn’t go off.

In the Men’s Pairs Final: M Drummond A Rolfe defeated G Colquhoun G Danvers

As most of the visitors have headed home bowls will now be played Sunday Tuesday and Friday Night.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren.

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Jamie Maher and Jamie Woods kicked off the mornings action at the Airlie Beach Bowls Club, with a place in the preliminary final the reward for the winner.

Jamie Maher got out of the blocks early taking a slim 2/0 lead over Woodsy. Woodsy then took the 3rd leg, before Jamie went on a mini run to make it 4/1 at the break.

Woodsy looked a little out of sorts, and was doing all he could to stay in the contest when play resumed, but Jamie took full advantage of the situation, and claimed a spot in the preliminary final by winning the match 8/5.  

Woodsy had a second bite of the cherry thanks to his top 4 finish this year, where he took on, and dispatched of, Kameron Reason by 9 legs to 2 in the 1st semi-final of the day.

Woodsy upped his game and had to, hitting a fine 180 to empathise the point, as Kam was putting in some very good performances over the back end of the season.

That win put an end to Kam’s season however, and sets up a mouth-watering clash between Woodsy and Dom Friend in the first prelim final next week, where we will say goodbye to one previous champion.

There was a 180 in the other semi-final also between Joe Wilson and Gary Robbie, which went the way of Gary, but unfortunately for Gaz, that’s all he would be celebrating on the day, as Joe claimed a solid 9/2 victory.

Joe will take on Jamie Maher in the other prelim final in a week’s time, where he will be looking to make his first grand final appearance, whereas Jamie on the other hand, will be looking for back to back grand final appearances, and a chance to go one better than his disappointing runner up finish from 2022.

In the two Hetlock Cup semi finals, Andy Peel defeated Jayden Lloyd by 6 legs to 2, and in the other semi, Hawkeye Rick reached his first final in his debut season, as he defeated Art McMinn by the same 6/2 scoreline. That sets up a Hetlock Cup final between Andy and Hawkeye next week.

The Premier League is sponsored by Mika Airlie, Whitsunday Tattooing Airlie Beach and Master Butchers Whitsunday & MBW On the Barbie.

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher.

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Kam Reason (L) walks away as Jamie Woods (R) sets himself at the oche. Photo supplied

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Foursomes Club Champions Decided – Ryan Wilkes and Trish McNeill are the 2023 Foursomes Champions.

Gross Runner Ups were Jenny Hounsell and Lewis Tuck.

Nett Winners were George Meharry and Pauline Redpath, and Nett Runner Ups were Ray and Kerrie Johannsen.

Tuesday’s competition saw Peter Lindsay hit some form with 68 nett closely followed by Brian Smith on 69 nett.

Tina Badenhorst also played well to win the ladies with 72 nett, followed by Paula McQuat.

Diane Chard was too good in the PD Law Monthly Medal to win by 2 from Trish McNeill.

NTP winners were Trish McNeill, Pam Harrison, Di Chard, and Robyn Whitham.

Jacqui Wall putting well with 26.

Gavin Kerwand played very well with a 64 nett to win the VenueSmart Division 1 monthly medal ahead of Sean Fogarty on 67 nett.

Ron Jammo Jamieson was a clear winner in Division 2 with 66 nett beating Peter Lewis on 70nett.

NTP winners: Ron Jamieson, Peter Krause, Ken Todd, and Gavin Kerwand.

The A Grade winner on Saturday was Ryan Wilkes on a very nice 38 pts, ahead of George Meharry on 37pts.

Dean Kercher also played well to win B Grade with 39 pts and Laurie Dakin in second place with 37 pts.

NTP winners – Josh de Hutton, Rick Hamilton, Kelvin Stephens, and Jim Cochrane.

Di Dobbins is back in form, winning the ladies competition with an impressive 38 pts, ahead of Helen Deighton on 32 pts. NTP winners: Penny Wardroper and Di Chard.

Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Pro Shop Team.

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We had perfect weather conditions for last Tuesday's September Monthly Medal.

Peter Lindsay blitzed the field with an impressive score of 68 followed by Gary Scotford 70 on a countback from John Roser.  

Jenny Hounsell had an equally great score of 69 from Jan Shuwalow 71 from Tina Badenhorst 72.

Nearest the pins went to Ken Granger and John Strelec on Hole 2, Michael Cragg Hole 8 and Laurie Daiken Hole 13.  

Tina Badenhorst and Jacqui Wall Hole 2, Helen Deighton and Tina Badenhorst Hole 8 and Moya Bradley Hole 13.

Least putts went to Gary Scotford with 25 and Helen Deighton 27.

Next Tuesday we are hosting the final round of the Croker Shield.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat.

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The Clubs weekly 9-holes winner was Craig Smith with 22 points.

Second was Jacky Hayes Williams with 18 points and third was Alan Clinch with 17 points.

Fridays Prawn Run was won this week by Justyn Durbin with 22 points, second was Glenn Rees also with 22 points, third was Sacha Walton with 21 points.

Sunday’s 18-hole competition was very close, three players scored 41 points, so the placing was determined by count back.

The winner was Donavan Pettiford, Josh Barnard was second and third was Dave Thomas.

Nearest the Pin winners were Scott Morrissey and Dean Barnard.

This coming Sunday the 17th Is the Clubs Stableford Championship. 18-holes, please book your tee time at the Club.

Tee off available between 8am – 10am. The next Ladies Play will be this Thursday the 14th.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Green.

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Congratulations to all the Cannons selected for the SNQ State and National Development Squad.  Jy Parkinson, Noah Maltby, Remy Hedges, Jacob Bell, Holly Perrin, and Tora Delac attended a State and National Development Session in Bowen on Sunday lead by Queensland Coach, Barry Prime.  

Swimmers enjoyed participating in a range of activities in and out of the pool with other top swimmers from North Queensland. A big thank you to coaches, Ken Crittenden and Mark Erickson for coaching sessions and for SNQ for organizing the day.  

On Wednesday night, 30 swimmers participated at Club Night. Congratulations to Isabella Pisaniello and Ryan Clark for winning the Chocolate Awards (for best PBs). Congratulations to Harry Chegwidden, Noah Maltby and Andie Reynolds for achieving Upgrades.  

Top performers on Wednesday night were Trace Quick and Tora Delac. Trace swam 3 personal best times. His best swim was his Backstroke which he did a 8.87 seconds PB. Tora Delac swam an excellent 200 metre Breaststroke smashing her best time by over 1 min.  She swam a super time of 3.19.70.  

Noah Maltby, Maeve Dichiera, Jack Ganter, Isaac Pisaniello, Liam Filewood, Thomas Ganter, Lily Maher, Leo Mullis, Celeste Orenshaw, Ryan Clark, Jacob Bell, and Harris Delac swam extremely well and swam personal best times. Well done, swimmers!

A big thank you to all the wonderful parents and coaches for all your support!  New swimmers and their families are most welcome to come and try Club Nights on Wednesdays from 5pm.  

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen.

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Harry Chegwidden with his Upgrade certificate

Isabella Pisaniello with her chocolate award

Cannons ready to start

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Cricket loving dads were served up a Father’s Day treat last Sunday at Harrup Park when Mackay Junior Cricket clubs grabbed an opportunity to meet and greet members of the Australia A men’s cricket team.

Some 110 enthusiastic junior cricketers and parents from local clubs Walkerston, Brothers, Souths Sharks, Pioneer Valley, Northern Suburbs Devils and Proserpine caught up with the Australian squad at Great Barrier Reef Arena on the eve of the four-day international fixture against New Zealand A in Mackay.

Under the astute guidance of coach Adam Voges, the Australia A team - featuring star players such as Cameron Bancroft, Josh Philippe, Matt Kuhnemann and Mark Steketee - promised a week filled with riveting cricket action.

The heartwarming Q and A session with the Australia A team was a fascinating experience for Walkerston Cricket Club president Lance Ryan and his two sons Flynn, 11, and Austin, 17.

An excited Lance and sons along with fellow Walkerston juniors Riley Bourke, Lachlan Bath and Aiden Loader were thrilled to meet rising keeper batsman Josh Philippe.

Ryan senior plays third grade for Walkerston and Masters Cricket and has served as Club President for the past two summers.

Flynn, who will represent the Coastal Marlins Under 12s in the Junior BPL Twenty20 Challenge during the September school holidays, recently smashed 122 off 62 balls in the Mackay Junior Winter Whack.

He will be joined at the Under 12s BPL by club mate Bath, who will line up for the Northern Kings.

This week’s four day and limited overs fixtures are poised to deliver memorable moments for cricket enthusiasts and fans alike.

Mackay and the surrounding regions are abuzz with excitement, as the teams gear up to showcase their talent and sportsmanship on the field. This cricket spectacle not only celebrates the sport but also fosters a strong sense of community among residents and supporters.

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Photo credit: Cherrie Hughes

Ryan Family: Lance Ryan with sons, Flynn and Austin. Photo credit: Chris Karas

On Wednesday, August 30, North Mackay Bowls Club Ladies played their club selected 3 Bowls Triples Competition.

It was a wonderful turn out with 42 eager ladies competing.

The eventual winners after three games played were June Cousen, Maryann Bartolo and Deb Mackenzie.

Runners up, very close behind them were Lurline Ford, Bev McDonald and Anne Smith.

North Mackay’s Champion of Champion 4’s team, consisting of Marie Bragg, Christine Hall, Michele Stockton and Nuggy Pratt, travelled all the way to Longreach over the August 26-27 weekend to compete in the playoffs in this year’s Zone Final, and won all their games and the final game to come home the winners.

A massive congratulations to all four Ladies, from the club , and I’m sure most of the clubs in our district as well.

Contributed by Suzanne Hazledine

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Champion of Champion 4’s zone finalists. L-R  Chris Hall, Michele Stockton, Marie Bragg and Nuggy Pratt

Mavericks Prepare For Season Opener, First Home Game

A round two Reef Bowl replay at home is one of the many highlights in the Mackay Maverick’s 2023/24 season schedule, kicking off in October.

The Mavericks went down to the Townsville Cyclones in last season's ultimate decider and the local team are looking forward to bringing the game back to Mackay fans.

The round two clash will headline a triple header at Western Suburbs Leagues Club on October 28, with all six north and central Queensland teams playing in Mackay on the day.

But, ahead of the season opener, Mavericks coach Brad Sommerville is focused on preseason preparations.

“Preseason is all about learning our game plan and the way we want to play and then heading up to the start of the season, we’ll focus in on round one and who we’re playing there,” he said.

“The boys have been training for quite a while now, we started training a few months ago, so we’re all ready to go for our season opener.”

The growth of gridiron in Mackay has seen new members join the squad, some more familiar with the game than others, and Mr Somerville is hopeful for the season ahead.

“We have quite a few players who turn up without knowing the game,” he said.

“They might’ve seen a few games on TV and know the basics but not the many, many, many rules we have.

“It takes a little bit to get them across the line but so far they’re all looking sharp and ready to go.”

The Mavericks have also announced a training/come and try session in Moranbah, both to accommodate the Bowen Basin-based players and to give the town a taste of American football.

The Mackay squad will open their season on October 21 against Mulgrave Vikings in Townsville before their first home game at Western Suburbs Leagues Club on October 28.

“We’re hoping to bring a fun and festive atmosphere this year, hopefully very similar to what college football is like in the states with some pre-game and half-time entertainment, some pumping music and hopefully a lot of local supporters there to cheer us on,” Mr Somerville said.

Visit Mackay Gridiron on Facebook for more information.

Mackay Mavericks Home Games

October 28, 2023 vs Townsville Cyclones (triple header)

November 18, 2023 vs Rockhampton Wolverines

January 20, 2024 vs Townsville Cyclones

January 27, 2024 vs Rockhampton Wolverines

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Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures August 29, 2023:

Division 1:

Tibhar (Vince Boeske, Steven Whiting, Tim Sheehan) d Andro (Robbie Richards, Barry Patterson, George Camilleri) 8-3. Steven d Barry 12, -12, 8, -9, 10.

Radak (Graham Brake, Mick Ruhl, Lee Brake) d Donic (Anne Sheridan, Ian McKay, Ivan Perkins) 8-3. Mick/Lee d Anne/Ivan 6, -5, -8, 12, 5.

Joola (Andrew McHugh, Geoff Denman, Janice Kent) d Butterfly (Graeme Walker, Emma Widdup, Allan Edwards) 6-5. Geoff d Emma -11, 10, -8, 9, 9.

Division 2:

Yasaka (Andrea Nicholson, Peter Goodson, Noreen Fredericksen) d Victas (Steve Crocker, Mark Sleeman, Steve Mathieson) 6-5. Noreen d Steve C -7, 6, 7, -10, 7.

Nittaku (John McGee, David Ting, Will VanDeKaa) d Xiom (Duncan Treloar, Ishan Rana, Duncan Sheridan) 6-5. David d Duncan -6, 8, -6, 6, 7.

Stiga (Tony Bowman, Donna Abbott, Leo Gilbert) d Gewo (Trent Day, Matthew West) 10-1. Leo d Matthew -8, 12, -8, 6, 8.

Division 3:

Delta (Saisha Palod, Val Austin) d Zeta (David Symons, Bill Hey) 5-4. Val/Saisha d David/Bill -16, 6, -7, 3, 9.

Alpha (Ollie Hamelink, Rymer Tabulo, Misha Palod) d Epsilon (Daniel Warfield, Alok Rana) Daniel d Rymer 9, 7, -5, -11, 4.

Tuesday morning Mackay Table Tennis annual championships results:

A grade: Branko Vucurovic, r/u Tony Bowman. Doubles George Camilleri/Mike Ibbotson, r/u Branko Vucurovic, Peter Goodson.

Reserve grade: Marie Taylor; r/u Louise Gould. Doubles Robyn Bushell, Marie Taylor; r/u Iris Grasso, Cheryl Pearson.

Contributed by Charlie Payne

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Cheryl Pearson and Sharon Muller do battle in the Tuesday morning table tennis annual tournament. Photo credit: Charlie Payne

Champions Crowned

Branko Vucurovic is again the Avril Hodges Memorial Tuesday morning table tennis fixtures A grade champion.

Branko won his second successive title this week, overcoming Tony Bowman in the final.

The two both play a defensive style mixed with attack and there were many long rallies, but Branko’s overall consistency proved too much in the final.

George Camilleri and Mike Ibbotsen won the doubles against Branko Vucurovic and Peter Goodson.

The division 2 final went to Marie Taylor from Louise Gould. Marie teamed with Robyn Bushell to win the doubles from Iris Grasso and Cheryl Pearson.

Contributed by Charlie Payne

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Branko Vucurovic and Tony Bowman after the A grade final of the Avril Hodges Memorial Tuesday morning table tennis annual championships. Photo credit: Charlie Payne

Cricket is a way of life for outstanding Mackay juniors Jack Law, Matilda Wiggins and Maddie Searle.

The promising trio are pictured with local cricket legends and experienced educators Adam Knezevic and Chris Dunn after helping St Patrick’s College secure a unique treble of North Queensland Secondary Schools Twenty20 Challenge titles.

Following the Senior Boys championship triumph last month, the College unveiled its depth of talent to bring home the Junior Boys and Girls trophies with resounding victories at Harrup Park.

Aggressive stroke play from young guns Jack Law and Ben Garner and a stunning five wicket haul by Cooper Boyce piloted St Patrick’s (6-112) to an impressive victory over Proserpine State High (7-111).

Law cracked a superb 38 off 22 balls – thumping six boundaries and a six – while Garner hit five boundaries in a classy knock of 30.

The pair shared an opening stand of 58 before Boyce posted 14 runs to back up his figures of 5-16 with the ball.

Proserpine High were best served by talented all-rounder Jack Valmadre who hit 28 runs and snared 2-15.

There was no stopping St Patrick’s in the Junior Girls trophy decider after they registered a formidable total of 3-208 with top knocks from Matilda Wiggins (39 retired), Elisha Holdsworth (34 retired), Maddie Searle (26 retired), Holly Wardrop (26 not out) and Paytton Thompson (25 retired).

St Patrick’s lost their first wicket with the score on 146 and second wicket at 2-207.

Matilda Wiggins and Indy Jorgensen also shone with the ball as St Patrick’s rolled Proserpine for a paltry 78 with Kobe Manley top-scoring with 14.

Wiggins (3-6) and Jorgensen (3-11) collected three wicket hauls with support from Holly Wardrop (1-3), Eeden Thompson (1-8) and Paytton Thompson (1-9).

By Chris Karas

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St Patrick’s cricket stars Jack Law, Matilda Wiggins and Maddie Searle display their North Queensland Secondary Schools Twenty20 Challenge trophy with Mackay cricket legends Adam Knezevic and Chris Dunn

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Mackay Magpies have capped a successful campaign in the 2023 Junior League senior ranks with a deserved premiership treble.

Fresh from their Grand Final triumph in the Under 14 Girls competition, the Magpies have added the Under 20 and A Grade Men’s titles to their trophy cabinet.

In a top quality Under 20s decider at BB Print Stadium the Magpies edged out Brothers 26-18 with star five eighth Jaxon Purdue stealing the show.

The Queensland Schoolboys five eighth lined up against his great St Patrick’s College teammate Xavier Kerrisk and earned the spoils with another classy display.

In a game of fluctuating fortunes, Purdue and winger Balin Burnett crossed for try doubles with fullback Jaffahl Skillington scoring another to keep the Bulldogs at bay.

The Magpies forward pack led by props Levi Love and Nehemiah Wuatai-Davis, hooker Jaxn Sign, back rowers Jack Thorburn and skipper Reville MacPhee, lock Harry Thorpe and Liam Doherty provided the go-forward in an absorbing contest.

Brothers remained in the hunt with solid games from hooker Kerrisk, Hudson Camilleri, lock Noah Cookson, back rowers Patrick Vella, Reece Morris and centres Will Whippy and Rory Woodall.

The Magpies registered a 26-6 victory over Brothers in the A Grade decider with Zane Wallace, Kahlani Mooney, Joshua Kilpatrick, Andrew Borg and Maika Tudravu crossing for tries.

Brothers trailed 8-6 at the break but couldn’t contain the rampaging Magpies in the second stanza.

With clever halves Kayla Shepherd and Imogen Healy calling the shots, the Bulldogs were crowned A Grade Women’s champions after toppling Moranbah Miners 18-4.

Back rower Charlie Jackson, Keegan Irelandes, hooker Zoe Aitken and Alicia Martin nabbed tries for Brothers with star schoolgirl forwards Gracie Watt and Chelsea McLeod turning in powerhouse displays.

The Magpies proved too strong for Brothers in the Under 14 Girls Grand Final – chalking up a 16-0 victory with tries by dashing centre Jade Geiger (2), half back Veanna Sweet and second rower Tayla Hayles.

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Mackay Magpies captured the Under 14 Girls premiership with a 16-0 Grand Final triumph over Brothers

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