At Queensland Masters State Swimming Titles

North Mackay Sinkers claimed top ranking in Combined Teams Scores at the recent Masters Swimming Queensland State Long Course Championships at the Mackay Aquatic & Recreation Complex.

The Sinkers club posted 1366 points from both male and female division events to finish in first place ahead of University Queensland (1156).

In the Womens Team rankings the Sinkers grabbed top spot with 839 points from Noosa (515) while Miami club were first in the Mens Team standings with 635 points with the Sinkers fourth on 437.

The Masters Swimming Carnival proved a resounding success with 113 records broken during the three day event including 27 National, 82 Queensland and four Victorian.

Competitors from local clubs North Mackay Sinkers, Mackay Swim Academy and Pioneer Oldphins produced stand out swims to come away with a swag of medals.

Record breaking Kylie Smith,40, was the star swimmer for Pioneer Oldphins – claiming gold medal wins in the Womens 40-44yrs 100m Backstroke (1:15.76 sec); 50m Butterfly (30.10 Qld record); 50m Freestyle (28.66) and 50m Backstroke (32.64 Qld record).

She was supported by club mate Ben Miles,43, who shone in the 50m Butterfly (31.08); 100m Butterfly (1:15.00) and 200m Freestyle (2:20.34).

Mackay Swim Academy’s Andrew Gillespie dominated his 30-34yrs age group with superb swims across various disciplines.

Gillespie, 31, was successful in the Mens 400m Backstroke (5:00.00); 100m Backstroke (1:03.00); 800m Backstroke (10:40.00); 200m Backstroke (2:20.00); 50m Backstroke (29.25) and 50m Butterfly (28.23) as well as the triumphant Relay teams in the 120-159yrs 200m Medley and 200m Freestyle with club mates Jesse Eggins, Michael Rafter and Greg Born and Mixed 160-199yrs 200m Medley with Jesse and Jane Eggins and Linda Single.

Other MSA entrants to impress were Jane Eggins – gold in Womens 60-64yrs 100m Freestyle (1:19.94); 50m Butterfly (45.14) and 200-239yrs 200m Medley Relay with Rachel Bidgood, Linda Single and Candace Grady (2:45.31); silver 50m Freestyle and 400m Freestyle plus bronze 100m Backstroke; 200m Freestyle; 50m Backstroke and 200-239yrs 200m Freestyle Relay.

Jesse Eggins - gold in Mens 30-34yrs 50m Breaststroke (32.69); 100m Breaststroke (1:15.27) and Mixed 160-199yrs 200m Medley Relay; silver 50m Freestyle; 100m Freestyle; Mixed 160-199yrs 200m Freestyle Relay.

Greg Born – gold Mens 50-54yrs 400m Breaststroke (7:07.58); 1500m Backstroke (26:26.37); 120-159yrs 200m Freestyle Relay and 200m Medley Relay; silver 400m Freestyle; 800m Freestyle; 100m Breaststroke; 100m Butterfly and bronze 200m Freestyle.

Michael Rafter – silver 200m Backstroke; Mixed 160-169yrs 200m Freestyle Relay; bronze 50m Breaststroke; 50m Backstroke;

50m Butterfly; 100m Freestyle; 400m Backstroke and Linda Single – gold 40-44yrs 200m Freestyle.

North Mackay Sinkers paraded quality swimmers in Naomi McGilvray – gold 40-44yrs 50m Breaststroke (43.81); 200m IM (3:01.27); 100m Butterfly (1:26.72); silver 200m Breaststroke; 800m Freestyle; 200m Freestyle;100m Freestyle; bronze Mixed 160-199 800m Freestyle Relay with Megan Taylor, Nigel Dalton, Timothy Caris; Lola Fisher – gold 50-54yrs 100m Backstroke (2:13.28); 200m Backstroke; 800m Backstroke; silver 50m Backstroke; 400m Backstroke; 200m IM; 400m Breaststroke; bronze 50m Butterfly; 400m IM; Jaime Patten – silver 35-39yrs 1500m Freestyle; 400m Freestyle; 800m Freestyle; 200m Freestyle; bronze 35-39yrs 100m Freestyle; 100m Breaststroke; Suzanne McBride – silver 70-74yrs 50m Breaststroke; 100m Breaststroke; 800m Freestyle; bronze 400m Freestyle; Megan Taylor – silver 40-44yrs 200m IM; 100m Breaststroke; bronze 100m Backstroke; Fiona Cheeseman – gold 50-54yrs 100m Breaststroke (1:47.83); 200m Breaststroke (3:48.54); silver 200m Freestyle Relay with Megan Taylor, Naomi McGilvray, Susan Dalton; Club President Daniel Stampa – silver 60-64yrs 1500m Freestyle; 200m IM; 50m Backstroke; bronze 50m Breaststroke; 200m Freestyle; 400m Freestyle; Timothy Caris – silver 30-34yrs 50m Butterfly; 200-239yrs 200m Freestyle Relay with Greg Armstrong, Nigel Dalton, Terence Beaton; bronze 50m Freestyle; 100m Freestyle; Mixed 200m Freestyle Relay with Nigel Dalton, Megan Taylor Toni Enright); Terence Beaton – gold 65-69yrs 200m Freestyle (2:44.63);silver 50m Freestyle; 100m Freestyle; 400m Freestyle; 800m Freestyle; Greg Armstrong – gold 55-59yrs 200m Freestyle (2:27.55); 400m Freestyle (5:21.14); 1500m Freestyle (21:37.57); silver 800m Freestyle; bronze 50m Butterfly; 50m Freestyle; 100m Freestyle;

Nigel Dalton – gold 55-59yrs 400m Backstroke (6:25.47); silver 200m Backstroke; 800m Backstroke; 1500m Backstroke; 200m Freestyle; Mixed 200-239yrs 200m Medley Relay with Jaime Patten; Megan Taylor; Terence Beaton; bronze 100m Backstroke; 50m Backstroke; Christine Webb – gold 55-59yrs 100m Butterfly; bronze 400m Breaststroke; Brian Keogh – silver 65-69yrs 1500m Freestyle;  

Alison Friswell – bronze 55-59yrs 200 IM; 100m Backstroke; 50m Butterfly; 100m Breaststroke; Sue de Meer – silver 65-69yrs 800m Breaststroke; Jo-Anne Shanks – gold – 50m Backstroke (59.54);  

silver 50-54yrs 100m Backstroke; Toni Enright – silver 45-49yrs 100m Breaststroke; 200m Breaststroke; 200m Freestyle Relay with Alison Friswell, Suzanne McBride, Lesley Thorpe; bronze 50m Freestyle; 50m Backstroke; Steven Burchill – 65-69yrs 200m Breaststroke; bronze 100m Breaststroke; 50m Backstroke; Cameron Turnbull – silver 25-29yrs 200m Freestyle; 100m Butterfly; 400m Freestyle and Lesley Thorpe – bronze 65-69yrs 100m Breaststroke.

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North Mackay Sinkers tallied the Highest Club Points at the recent Masters Swimming Queensland State Championships. Photo supplied

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They are more renowned for their rugby league, basketball, boxing or touch football prowess – now a batch of athletic St Patrick’s College Mackay students have banded together for a crack at Boys Netball at this year’s Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball Carnival in Brisbane.

Fresh from a maiden appearance at last year’s inaugural QISSN Boys Netball event, the new look 2023 combination coached by Phil Dreghorn and Nina Gaviglio has an exciting look about it.

Early indications show a natural flair among the group with the player mix quickly adapting to the fundamentals of netball.

The team doesn’t have far to look for inspiration with rookie players from last year’s foundation squad in centre/wing attack Ben Pease and shooters Will Randell and Baxter Norsworthy gaining recognition and proving ideal role models.

At the conclusion of last year’s QISSN Carnival staged in Mackay, Pease and Randell were selected in the tournament’s inaugural All Stars Team while the promising Norsworthy was named in the Rising Stars squad.

And the squad have been buoyed by the rapid success of the versatile Pease, who will represent the Queensland Suns Under 20s side at the National Boys Netball Championships to be staged in Perth from April 7 to 17.

Only two members of the College’s original 2022 team are back on deck this year - the capable Norsworthy, who is a gun goal shooter, as well as talented centre/wing defender George Mann.

“We have a new look side that is developing quickly and improving each week,” revealed mentor Nina.

“The players look up to someone like Ben who has forced his way into a State representative netball side in such a short time while having a basketball and AFL background,” she said.

Having cut their netball teeth in recent weeks in the Fast Five Boys competition, the team is now gearing up for the Mackay Schools series that commences in the opening week of Term 2.

Under the astute coaching of Phil and Nina, the squad should be in good stead in the lead up to QISSN (June 25 to June 30) and the qualifying tournament for the Vicki Wilson Cup State Championships on August 5-6.

By Chris Karas

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Standing L-R George Mann, Matthew Hof, Baxter Norsworthy, Joshua Venz, Joshua Williamson; Seated Jacob Elbourne, Trae Cora, Toby Falconer, Oscar Bishop, Lance Allan. Photo supplied

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Summer heat and humidity has made games at Mackay Bowls Club an exercise in maintaining grip and focus.

Tuesday afternoon, 23 players saw a mixture of hot steamy conditions to start the afternoon, ending up with a downpour of rain to finish the day.

Winners of Winners

K Stranberg, M Mayfield, D McNamara

Winners of Losers

B Cuttris, A Pagdwn, M. D'Alisso

Thursday Afternoon Scroungers saw 28 players taking to the rinks and good close games were witnessed.

Semi-final winners Mick Coll and Dot McNamara played off in the final with Dot running out eventual winner.

A good afternoon was had by all.

Weekend of April 15-16 will see the start of Men's Pennants with Mackay Club playing in Divisions 2,4 & 6 with away and home games on both days.

The Mackay Club (Ladies Section) PAH will be conducted on Friday April 14. All Ladies wishing to attend must register names on form on notice board Bowling Activities this week. Tuesday Men’s Social Day 1.00pm, Thursday Scroungers 2.00pm.

The Club thanks Russel Fry for organising the Easter Raffle which was a wonderful success  - thanks to all for buying tickets and donating prizes.

Contributed by Mike Irving

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Photo credit: Mike Irving

Results:

Sabot Class

1st Immogen Trewavis representing Mackay Sailing Club in Black Pearl

2nd Jesse Jordan representing Whitsunday Sailing Club in Bandit

3rd Alec Billett representing Mackay Sailing Club in Admiral T

Tacker Class

1st Darcy Kennedy representing Port Denison Sailing Club, Bowen, in Ice Berg

2nd Alexandra Tewavis representing Mackay Sailing Club in Sea Pearl

3rd Kodi Wong representing Port Denison Sailing Club, Bowen, in Hire

Junior Division – Optimist Class

1st Emily Franceschin representing Keppel Bay Sailing Club in Dreaming

2nd Nathaniel McCarthy representing South of Perth Yacht Club in Splash

3rd Reid Martin representing Port Denison Sailing Club, Bowen, in Plan Sea

Junior 2 Division – Sabots Class

1st Alyssa Mathieu representing Townsville Sailing Club in Breezy

2nd Finlay Campbell representing Townsville Sailing Club in Seriously

3rd Bailey McKensie representing Townsville Sailing Club in It’s All G

Mixed Monohulls

1st Maximillian Rott representing Hervey Bay Sailing Club in Jeanie Too, an MG 14 class

2nd Sue Smith representing Townsville in Boyz Light, a Tasar class

3rd Camille Gallais representing Whitsunday Sailing Club in Sean O, an RS Quest class

Mixed Multihulls

1st Steven Nelson representing Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Not That Way, a Nacra 4.5 Super Sloop class

2nd Joseph Finch representing Whitsunday Sailing Club in Deez Knots, an A class

3rd Jesse Frisch representing Whitsunday Sailing Club in Fibrefoam, an A class

Windsurfing Division Class

1st Sam Belyea representing Port Denison Sailing Club, Bowen, in SIROCCO

2nd Marc Belyea representing Port Denison Sailing Club, Bowen, in Groover

3rd Paco Parigi representing Townsville Sailing Club in Windy

Mixed Laser & Aero

1st Joshua King representing Whitsunday Sailing Club in Overdrive Racing

2nd Darryl Beattie representing Tinaroo Sailing Club in Dazzler

3rd Jack Reynolds representing Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Floater

Tropical Rentals Most Valuable Person MVP

Robert Deards representing Keppel Bay Sailing Club

1st Encouragement Award – Junior Fleet

Jessica Sinnanmon representing Southport Yacht Club

Encouragement Award

Lucas Dickson representing Southport Yacht Club

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A new sport in the Whitsundays is hoping to capitalise on Queensland’s two great loves: the swimming pool and rugby.

Columbian expatriate Nathalie Hartman has launched ‘Come and Try’ sessions in Airlie Beach for her chosen sport of underwater Rugby, a team game where the objective is to score more goals into a basket lying at the bottom of a pool.

Wearing flippers and using a ‘negatively buoyant’ ball in a completely three-dimensional sport, underwater rugby players can pass up, down, and sideways in an amalgam of sports, closest to a zero-gravity version of a full-contact European handball.

Ms Hartman, who was integral in the sports’ expansion in Australia in 2014, has run several tryout training sessions at her home in Cannonvale and at Cannonvale Swimming Pool. She hopes to bring the sport to prominence in the region.

“The closest sport is underwater hockey, though they’re still very different,” Ms Hartman said.

“It’s not like land rugby at all except for the name. The only close part is the tackling!”

The sport is played by two rotating teams of 12 - six players in the pool always, six on the surface ready to substitute – each member wearing a diving mask, snorkels, fins, and a water polo cap with the goal being to score into heavy metal buckets on the pool floor.

“You have eight seconds you spend at the surface, watching the game before you go and replace another player quickly,” Ms Hartman said.

“It’s a great sport. It keeps you fit, and it’s amazing fun. You can play from any age because swimming is so relaxed on your joints.”

Underwater rugby players need strong swimming ability – something Ms Hartman said is inherent for most Australians - alongside attributes like speed, strength, agility, and good teamplay.

“If you like contact sport and you like swimming, you’ll love it,” she said.

The sport is ever-growing in Australia, having made national news on several occasions for its novelty alone, but what players get in return from the sport speaks more than its strangeness.

“The best thing about this sport is that anyone can play it – male, female, young, old – it’s a community as much as it is a competition,” Ms Hartman said.

The next session of Underwater Rugby will be at Cannonvale Swimming Centre from 5.30pm on April 21. Bring a snorkel, fins, and mask.

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Nathalie Hartman is bringing underwater rugby to the Whitsundays

“If you like contact sport and you like swimming, you’ll love it!”

The sport is played between two teams of 12, each trying to score into a basket on the bottom of a swimming pool

Fresh off the bounce of being crowned this season’s regional champions in several of the junior cricket divisions, the Proserpine Pitbulls were celebrating again as Club President Mark Valmadre was awarded Volunteer of the Year.

Mr Valmadre was awarded Queensland Cricket Volunteer of the Year for the Mackay-Whitsunday region, as well as the Mackay Cricket Association Volunteer of the Year in a clean-sweep for the Pitbull President.

At Queensland Cricket’s celebration of a number of volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to making the game “Queensland’s favourite sport,” Mr Valmadre was awarded for his outstanding contribution.

He and twelve others were cited as the building blocks which contribute to the success of cricket in Queensland at the grassroots level across the state.

At the Queensland Cricket Awards Gala his remarkable “passion for cricket and drive for creating opportunities for kids” was recognised.

Mr Valmadre, when he isn't involved in training sessions or umpiring games, is always out and about maintaining the grounds, lining pitches, liaising with other clubs in the region, and designing programs and more possibilities for kids to get involved in our great game.

He created a junior team of 15- to 20-year-olds, who play in the Proserpine Senior Cricket competition as there was historically no opportunity for kids older than 15 to play in the local region. This allowed players who normally would not have continued to play cricket to stay and or come back and participate.

There’s a common saying at the club: If you call Mark at 7pm on any night, he’ll be out at the club mowing, or fixing something, or covering pitches just in case of rain.

The change Mark has brought to the club goes beyond the increase in participation numbers. Volunteer involvement has also significantly improved, and the club environment is friendlier, livelier, and overall, a welcoming club to be a part of.

Proserpine Junior Cricket Association is extremely lucky to have him.

“We are extremely lucky as a club and community to have you a part of it,” Proserpine Junior Cricket Association Secretary Danni Green said.

“The dedication and hours of work you put in everyday is amazing. Can you imagine what we could achieve as a club if we all had just a drop of Mark’s passion?”

Mr Valmadre thanked the club-members and his fellow committee members for everyone for their kind words.

“There are many others out there that deserve recognition just as much for the work that they do, behind the scenes not just in cricket,” he said, “but in all junior sporting clubs and events.”

“With a great team of committee members and coaching staff behind us, working tirelessly, pointing me in the right direction and our awesome Pitbull players, parents and sponsors, it’s me that feels lucky.”

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Proserpine Cricket Association President Mark Valmadre was honoured as Mackay Cricket Association and Queensland Cricket Mackay-Whitsunday Volunteer of the Year

Over Easter, five Cannonvale Cannons travelled to the Gold Coast to prepare for the Australian Age Swimming Championships.  

The Cannons commended Jy Parkinson, Jacob Bell, Holly Perrin, Ehsan Helou and Anisa Helou for successfully qualifying for the Australian Championships.  

Jy and Jacob have competed at this level before but for Holly, Ehsan, and Anisa this is the first national meet.  The swimmers are supported with coach Mark Erickson and team manager Tony Parkinson.  Over the weekend, the team have collected their kits and accreditations and completed a couple of swim sessions.  

This week’s programme:  Monday, April 10:  

Jy and Holly  -   50m Backstroke    

Tuesday 11th April: Ehsan -    50m Breaststroke    

Wednesday 12th April: Jy -  100m Butterfly  & 200m Backstroke & Anisa  -  50m Butterfly          

Thursday 14th April:  Jy    -  100m Backstroke  &   200m Freestyle

Friday, 15th April : Jacob   -  400m IM  & Jy -   100m Freestyle  & 200m Butterfly  

The Cannonvale Cannons would like to wish the National team all the best!  

Meanwhile, coach Ken Crittenden is ensuring the swimmers back at home in Cannonvale are keeping up their fitness over the school holidays.

Just before Easter, there were some swim training sessions with a touch of Easter fun.  

A big thank you to Tiana Bell, Jacob Bell, Ruby Watson, and Jarrod Keys for their assistance with the fun activities on Thursday.  School holiday swim training will continue next week.  

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

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Tony, Jy, Jacob, Holly, and Mark at Australian Age Swimming Championships

Cannonvale Cannons Swimming with Easter bunny ears

Airlie Beach Bowling Club celebrated a special event last Tuesday, with over seventy ladies from the district welcoming visitors from Bowen, Mackay, and Sarina. The occasion marked the 36th anniversary of ladies bowling, and it was a fabulous event with all rinks being utilised.

John Askew volunteered his time as the umpire for the event. Joan McGrath's team emerged as the big winners of the day, with Eddy Naylan, Bertha Archer, and Marie Fredrickson, congratulating the team on a wonderful display. Sandra Argo from ABC Distillery also made an excellent donation of beautiful spirits.

On Wednesday afternoon, Merve Stewart brilliantly ran the Jackpot Bowls, which saw a huge win to Merve as skipper with Russell Jackson at lead and Eric Barnard at second overwhelming the rest of the field. Mario De Martini was awarded the prestigious Health Hub award.

Saturday morning saw the return of Scroungers, with Terry Clarke, Merve Stewart, Betty Whitehorn, Russell Jackson, and Peter Barratt emerging as first-round winners.

The final was played between Peter Barratt and Russell Jackson, with Peter winning Round 7, while Shane Spann won the B Division prize.

Sunday afternoon bowls saw Margo Stanley's team of Dawn Dowell playing wonderful bowls at lead with Lyn Graham at second run away with the prize money. Our Chairman, Ash Warland, won the prestigious Health Hub award.

The club is also organising a mega raffle for Luke Kinnear, with details of the prizes set to be revealed next week.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson.

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On Wednesday Proserpine Bowls Club had two games of triples played in Social Bowls.

John Anderson, Warren Wilson, and Trevor Herd defeated Nick Fernbach, Pat Bownds, and Mike Harrison, 19-11.  

Alen Sanderson, Bruce Uhe, and Heather Brown defeated Jim Bownds, Philip Brown, and Tony Whitehorn, 23-19.  

In the Club Championship Singles game played on Wednesday afternoon, Brett Saroglia defeated Dale Haack 25-15.

On Friday, a postponed game of Club Championship Pairs was played with Scott Kinnear and Shane Kinnear defeating Michael Kinnear and Grahame Kinnear, 22-10.  

On Sunday, there were six players for a game of Triples: Alen Sanderson, Bruce Uhe, and Philip Brown against Ashley Phillips, Barry Zillmann, and Heather Brown, which finished 22-19.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

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Wangaratta Bowls Club member Lyn Danvers reached a significant milestone in bowls on Tuesday, being presented with her Veterans badge by President Margaret Wilson.

Across the region, Wangaratta Players represented the club at Airlie Beach Ladies President’s Day and a team of four players played in the Suburban Centenary Fours two day Carnival in Townsville.

Congratulations to Denise Wallace, Teresa Willshire, Penny Warren, and Fely Duncan in coming third place in the tournament.

With so many players away, the crowd was small on Tuesday but the enthusiasm was there with Greg Colquhoun and Kevin Jewell defeating Graeme Read and Geoff Danvers.

Bron Tolcher, Roger Mumby, and Linda Smith defeated Stumpy Adams, Sue Shearing, and Lyn Danvers.

Club Competition: Ladies A Singles Penny Warren defeated Robyn Stitt, while in the Men’s Fours final played on Sunday Morning, Lloyd White, Steve Roome, and Jason and Mitch Wright narrowly defeated Bill Myers, Greg Colquhoun, Peter Hinschen, and Geoff Danvers.  

Winners on Sunday social bowls were Merle Elphinstone, Penny Warren, and Mark Drummond, who defeated Bron Tolcher, Pat Tracey, and Kevin Jewel. Irene Laird, Denise Wallace, and Geoff Danvers defeated Debbie Retchless, Sue Shearing, and Greg Colquhoun.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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Lyn Danvers Veteran 2023

Third Place Centenary Fours Suburban 2023

Wednesday’s competition was a single stroke event for the April Midweek Monthly medal sponsored by Bowen Golf Club.  

Ladies’ winner was Sue Heisswolf 69 nett, runner up Julie May 71 nett, while Men's winner was Wesley Smith 64 nett, Marcus Yasso 65 nett.

Saturday’s competition was a single stableford event with Ladies’ winner Donna Wright on 40 points, runner up Grace Nott, 39.

Pin shots to Penny Stewart, Grace Nott, Michelle Campbell, and Donna Wright. Pauline Martin had an OBP.

Men’s winner was Chris Fellows, 43 points, runner up Ian Garrod 40 points. Pin shots to Brian Martin, Ryley Malone, and Mark Robinson.

Benny Bon won the car wash voucher and also had an eagle on number five, while Eagles went to Matthew Yasso and Daniel Borg.  

Dylan Nott had an OBP and Brett Richards had a hole in one on 12.

Sunday's competition was a 2 person Ambrose: Winners were Chris Fitch and Ryan Watters, second place to Brendan and Grace Nott, third place Donald Williams and Gregg Aplin. Pin shot to Jeremy Britton.

This weekend's competition is a single stableford event sponsored by the North Australian Hotel.

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

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Bowen Golf Club’s Easter Saturday winners

Bowen Golf Club’s Easter Sunday winners

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Louis Neethling shot a brilliant 65 nett to win the Club's Tuesday Men's Monthly Medal and Peta Thomas was in form with a very nice 68 nett to win the ladies Tuesday Monthly Medal.

John Grosskreutz was in 2nd place with 69 nett and Len Boofoff in 3rd with 70 nett for the men, Tiina Randmae and Di Chard claiming 2nd and 3rd for the ladies both on 75 nett. John Grosskreutz won the only NTP for the day.

Wednesday saw Noelene Spurway shoot a very impressive 63 nett to win the PD Law Monthly Medal, streets ahead of Trish McNeill and Pauline Redpath on 73 nett, winning 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Trish McNeill won both the Division 1 NTP's.

The Venue Smart Thursday Monthly Medal was hotly contested, with Matt Camm the eventual winner of Division 1 on 69 nett, Paul Joice in 2nd Place on 72 nett. Jim Cochrane was the winner of Division 2 monthly medal also with 69 nett and Rob Webb securing 2nd place in Division 2 with 70 nett. Overall 3rd place was won by Peter Elms on 71 nett.

NTP winners: John Grosskreutz, Matthew Muller, Ken Lovett and Levi Holmes.

Friday's Easter Stableford was won by Rod Wecker on 37 points, closely followed by Shaun Tyrell and John Clark both on 36 points.

Saturday's Easter Stableford was won by Middlemount Golf Club's Ewan Wilson with a very tidy 45 points, followed by Steve Hickey and Aaron Prosser on 38 points each. Heather Luvis on 29 points was too good for the ladies edging out Di Chard on 28 points.

NTP winners: Michael Cragg, Penny Wardroper, Theunis Venter and Heather Luvis.

Easter Sunday competition was won by Carl Goss on 39 points, closely followed by Clay Coles on 38 and Kason Bourke on 35 points. Anna Winterbourn won the ladies competition on 32 points ahead of Tiina Randmae and Sherri Meade on 27 points.

NTP winners: Tiina Randmae, Rod Wecker, Anna Winterbourn and Jason Bourke

Highlight of Easter Monday competition was the hole in one by Ross Meade on Hole 2, congratulations!

Scott Dwyer was the winner of the men's stableford with a handicap reducing 42 points, followed by Brendan Spann and Darren Reynolds on 34 points. Heather Luvis and Di Chard both carded very tidy rounds of 38 points, Heather winning on a countback and Lyn Muller won 3rd place with 35 points.

NTP Winners: Ross Meade, Anna Winterbourn, Brendan Spann, Di Chard.

Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Golf Course Pro Shop

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Proserpine Veteran’s Golfers arrived in great number for the April Monthly Medal – including two new members.

Weather forced the Club to play the front nine twice but the conditions didn't seem to worry Louis Neethling, who finished with a fabulous score of 65.

Louis was followed by Billy Jesser on 69, and new member Laurie Dakin came in third on 70.  

Tiina Randmae was the ladies winner on 75, followed by Heather Luvis on 77 and Helen Deighton on 80.  

Pin shots went to Gerald Lovell and Frank Maloney on two, John Roser and Colin Hounsell on five, and Lee Shaw - another new member – with Nic Apruzzese on nine.  

On Thursday, May 29, players travelled to Pioneer Valley for the first round of the Croker Shield with Billy Jesser the men's winner and Mandy Patterson the ladies. Proserpine now leads Pioneer Valley by a close margin of six points.

Contributed with thanks to Joanne Moynihan

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Monthly medal winners at Proserpine Veterans Golf Club Tiina Randmae and Louis Neethling

This past week with the cooler weather and school holidays was a great one at Whitsunday Green Golf Club.

The weekly competition winner was Jack Hayes – Williams with 23 points, this was a narrow count back win over Zac Flynn also on 23 points. Kody Ribaux was third with a hearty 22 points.

For Good Friday we hosted a 4 Ball Ambrose, the winning team consisted of Justyn Durbin, James (Jimmy) Millar, Scott Morrissey, and Guy Wilmont.

The team in second was Danny York, Dean Barnard, Josh Barnard and Deeray. Third place was Rhys Bartholomew, Tyson Flavel, Glenn Scott, and Michael Bond. Nearest the Pins were won by Glenn Scott and Justyn Durbin.

For Sundays stableford, Nathan Nikolich was first with 42 points, second was Bob Nikolich and 3rd Andrew Farrrow both with 38 points, Bob taking the second on a count back.

Nearest the Pin wins were both Nathan Nikolich, Good Job Nathan!

Another big shout out for Jack Hayes -Williams who has been selected to represent the Northern Region School team (10–12 yrs) in a 54-hole event at Palmer golf resort in Coolum and, Mick Bond for his ‘Hole in One’ on the 7th.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Green Golf Club

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Whitsunday Green Golf Club player Joshua Barnard taking a swing

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Despite humid conditions last week, 107 inspirational people ran, jogged and walked the 5km waterfront course.

Participants that completed their first ever parkrun included Chloe, Steven, Jason, Julie, Samantha, Sean, and Jennifer.

Visitors to Airlie Beach parkrun included Christopher, Angus, Tom, Aiden, Luke, Tim, Harrison, Cheryl, Christine, Henry, Cameron, Samantha, Matthew, Tracey, Jarrod, and Michelle.

Personal Bests were achieved by Kendell, Timothy, Tanya, Anne, Stephanie, Leigh, Tony, Grant, and Elizabeth. Thanks for coming and safe travels.

Sarah completed her 25th parkrun and Nathalie completed her 50th volunteer.

The event was made possible thanks to RD Maree and her team of 20 wonderful volunteers: Jet, Nick, Michelle, Kara, Wendy, Maree, Kirsty, Nathalie, Chris, Wade, Christopher, Erin, Susanne, Carys, Seren, Ashley, Jarrod, Lynne, Joanne, and Diane.

There were many Easter treats with thanks to Shane, Maree, Kara and Bara.

Airlie Beach parkrun started on 5th December 2015. Since then 4,714 participants have completed 24,452 parkruns covering a total distance of 122,260 km, including 2,813 new Personal Bests. A total of 395 individuals have volunteered 3,592 times.

Every Saturday Airlie Beach parkrun meets at 6:50am for a briefing at area D, Coral Sea Marina (adjacent to the top carpark). Parking is free in the lowest carpark till 9:30am if a parkrun barcode is placed on the dashboard. Post parkrun coffee and chat is held at My Rainbow Bakery & Cafe.

The best-kept secret about parkrun is that it’s not about running - it’s about bringing people together in public parks and open spaces across the world to have some fun in a friendly, social and supportive environment. You can walk or run the 5k course (pushing a pram or with one dog on a short lead if you want to!), lend a helping hand as a volunteer in a wide range of super-easy roles, or simply spectate and socialise on the sidelines.

There are no winners at parkrun and nobody comes last – the Tail walkers do. Regular participation is rewarded rather than performance, with ‘parkrun milestone shirts’ available to people to recognise their achievements in coming along.

Contributed with thanks to Airlie Beach parkrun

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Some of Airlie Beach parkrun’s fantastic volunteers decked out in Easter gear

The Airlie Beach parkrunners are away!