On Wednesday, February 15, the Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders Rugby Union held its annual general meeting at the Whitsunday Sportspark clubhouse.

The 2023 committee was formed and discussions around this year’s plans were held, with Steve Ward taking the reigns as president, Leanne Hoffman and Maddy Spruce as Senior and Junior Secretary, and Hanny Spence as Treasurer.

Trent Elson retired as President, joining Andre and Karla Houston, who announced they would be stepping down as well after a momentous five years on the executive committee -- they have taken the mighty Raiders from strength to strength and are commended for steering the club to several minor premierships and an unmatched history of more wins than any other regional club.

New President, Steve Ward, was also quick to praise Andre with his passion for coaching not only for the Raiders as well as leading the way to take the boys to representative teams.

“This season will give Andre the time to dedicate his wisdom and experience into taking our team to the next level with his coaching skills,” Mr Ward said.

The remainder of the committee was formed by general committee members Davina Briskey, Jasmin Reynolds, Toni Ward, Sharron Pratt, Craig Spence..

“We’re also proud to announce our womens representative, Shakaya Costello, and our Men’s representative, Shakane Costello,” Mr Ward said.

The 2023 coaches for Senior Mens will be Andre Houston, Craig Spence, and Steve Ward, while proudly heading up the club’s Senior Womens will be Nathan Sainsbury and Maddy Spruce.

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The Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders Rugby Union 2023 Coaching Staff, Andre Houston, Nathan Sainsbury, Craig Spence, and Steve Ward

Raiders executive committee members for 2023 Maddy Spruce, Leanne Hoffman, Hanny Spence, and Steve Ward

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The Bowen Cricket Pink Stumps Ladies’ Day event hosted over 350 women at the Bowen Sporting Complex last Saturday in its annual fundraiser for the McGrath Foundation Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.

The event is one of Bowen’s largest social outings of the year, as well as one of the country’s most successful Pink Stumps Day fundraisers – it has tallied close to $50,000 since beginning in 2015 and was the fifth largest McGrath Fundraiser nationwide last year.

The current tally for this year’s event - prior to sponsorship funding’s addition- is $6,500, with the final number to be calculated in coming weeks.

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Images: Declan Durrant

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This week Airlie Beach parkrun celebrated inclusivity with a Pride themed event with 78 motivated people running, jogging, and walking the five-kilometre waterfront course, of whom five were visitors.

The cooler conditions enabled 10 participants to record new Personal Bests, well done to Ella, Warren, Hudson, Isla, Addison, Cheryl, Alihra, Lilly, Ben and, Heidi. James, Matteson, Elizabeth, Artiqua, Aaron, Joanna, Jessica, Emma, Mellissa, Matilda and Christine completed their first parkrun.

The event was made possible by 17 amazing volunteers: Peter, Nick, Kara, Maree, Nathalie, Christopher H (Race Director), Natasha, Susanne, Ronald, Laura, Louise, Ken, Jarrod, Lynne, Dennis, Anne, and Margaret.

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 lower carpark till 9.30am if a parkrun barcode is placed on the dashboard. Post parkrun coffee and chat is held at Bohemian Raw 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 five-kilometre course - pushing a pram or with one dog on a short lead if you want to – or 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 – only 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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Airlie Beach parkruns’ group of volunteers last weekend

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The Ladies were in fine form at Whitsunday Social Golf’s Four-Ball-Best-Ball stableford held on Sunday, February 19.

Multiple Birdies were scored by Pauline Redpath and Tiina Randmae alongside the field of 28 players.

Winners of the day were the team of Darren Reynolds and Mark McDougall, next in the rundown were Anna Winterbourn and Ron Jamieson - again with lady scoring the highest points - Pauline Redpath and Mark OÇallahgan, and Tiina Randmae and Joanne Moynihan.

Nearest the pins went to Jason Whitney, Don Camelleri, Darren Reynolds, Pauline Redpath, Tiina Randmae, and Joanne Moynihan.

Longest Drives were earned by George Meharry, Brendon Meharry, Tiina Randmae, and Pam Casey.

Ther NAGA went to Andrew Albergo and Tina Cook and the meat raffle was won by George Meharry.  

Next Sunday the club will hold a single stableford.

Contributed with thanks to Joanne Moynihan

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This week’s 9-hole weekly stableford competition at Whitsunday Green Golf Club was won by Chris Bartlett on 22 points countback, and second place was Andrew Gomez with a 22 point win, third to Elise Hodgson, 19.

The Club’s Friday 9-hole prawn run was won by Jay Angel on 21 points, second place was Glenn Rees with a 20 win, and third to Ron Thynne with 19.

Sundays 4 Ball better ball comp was a great turn out; taking the win were Tyson Flavel and Wayne Singleton on a 39.5 nett, second place was Scotty Hayes Williams and Mark Belke on 40 nett, coming in third were Jack Hayes and Cory Belke with 41.5 nett.

Nearest the pin were Wayne Singleton and Tyson Flavel.

This Sunday, February 28, will be the Club’s 18-hole Monthly Medal tee off at 10.00am.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Green Golf Club

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There was another great rollup for the Proserpine Veteran Golf’s Monthly Medal last weekend with some new faces on the course.  

The Valentine’s Day event ended in perfect fashion: Men's and Ladies winners were the couple of Gary and Elspeth Scotford.  

Gary had a fantastic score of 66, followed by John Wallace, 69, and Gerald Lovell, 71. Elspeth also had a great score of 70, followed by Lyn Muller on 75, and Leanne Alexander with 76.

Pin shots for the men went to Len Booroff on the second hole, and Warren Deighton and Colin Hounsell on the 16th.  In the ladies, it was Lyn Muller on second, Leanne Alexander and Kathryn Borer on 13th, and Elspeth and Rehab Hull on 16th.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

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Proserpine Veteran Golfers Elspeth and Gary Scotford

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The Tuesday Competition at Proserpine Golf Club was won by Mason Kuchel, who lost a stroke because of his nice round of 41 points in the Club’s Tuesday Stableford, edging out Trish McNeill on 37, and Karl Kirkwood close behind on 36.

NTP’s were won by Brad Fleet and Mason Kuchel

At the Wednesday Competition, Pauline Redpath and Lyn Muller were the winning pair in the random draw on Wednesday’s 4BBB multiplier with 68 points, closely followed by Heather Luvis and Noelene Spurway on 67, and Anna Winterbourn and Trish McNeill on 57 in joint third.  

NTP’s went to: Trish McNeill x 2 and Pauline Redpath x 2

On Thursday, 51 players watched as Nathan Holohan won Division One with 38 points, with Paul Gray and Michael Ward on 37 and 36, respectively.

James Devery won the Division Two competition with 37 points, followed by Ken Lovett, 35, and Ash Morley-Hart in third on 33.

NTP’s: Brad Fleet, James Devery, Paul Gray and Steven Johnston.

The Saturday Competition acted as a catchup round for the delayed February Monthly Medal, with 93 players attending to contest the crown.

Heather Luvis led the ladies with a very tidy 73 nett, beating Toni Clauss on a countback. Pauline Redpath in third with 75 nett.  

NTP’s were won by Mandy Patterson, Di Chard, and Trish McNeill.

Some great scores in the men’s competition, with Patrick Camm winning A Grade with a brilliant 66 nett, with Lew Tuck shooting the same score however coming second on a countback. Larry Muller completed the podium for A Grade with 69 nett.

B Grade was won by Theunis Venter, again winning by a countback from Lance Lloyd both on 69 nett, George Meharry coming in with 70 nett for third.

Marcus Heathcote shot a very nice 67 nett to win the RGH C Grade Monthly Medal ahead of Dean Kercher and Sam Marschke both on 69 nett.

NTP’s were won by Ken Granger, and Warren Deighton claimed an NTP twice.

Sunday Competition was won by Darren Reynolds and Mark McDougal – a 4BBB competition which they topped with 44 points, narrowly defeating Anna Winterbourn and Ron Jamieson on 43, who in turn narrowly defeated Mark Cranston and Paul Gray on a countback.

NTP’s: Don Camerson, Michael Cradd, Darren Reynolds, Scott Coleman, Tiina Randmae, and Joanne Moynihan.

Contributed with thanks to the Proserpine Golf Club Pro Shop

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The Wednesday competition at Bowen Golf Club was a single stroke event for the February midweek monthly medals.

Ladies’ winner was Kim Bennion, 69 nett, followed by countback runner-up Grace Nott, 70 nett. Men’s winner was Brett Carlyon, 62 nett, and runner-up Bruce Moriarty, 66 nett.

Saturday’s competition was a stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club, with Ladies’ winner Robyn Newell, 37 points, and runner up Trish Sellen, 36.  

Pin shots to Rhiannon Nott, Meg Garrod, Sarnie Eisemann, and Julie Mawson.  

Men’s winner on a countback was Paul Burgis with 40 points, and runner up John Turner, also 40.  

Pin shots to Grant Poole with an OBP, Kevin Cross, Bruce Moriarty, and Kurt Gaudry. David Martin also had an IBP and Dylan Bartlett made an eagle on number five, earning himself an Eagle Glass.

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

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Dylan Bartlett with his Eagle Glass claimed at the Bowen Golf course on the number five hole

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On Tuesday at Wangaratta Bowls Club, two triples were played with results heading Merle Elphinstone, Teresa Willshire, and Mark Drummond’s way.

They defeated Lindy Suann, Deb Retchless, and Kevin Jewel, while the game between Stumpy Adams, Isobel Wheeler, and Penny Warren ended with a win against Roger Mumby, Bron Tolcher, and Irene Laird.

Sunday’s winners were Sue Shearing and Barry Beel against Kent Moriarty and Kennedy Whitton. Irene Laird, Penny warren, and Greg Colquhoun defeated Deb Beel, Linda Scells, and Sugar Brunker, and the final winners were Bill Myers, Kevin Jewel, and Geoff Danvers.

Sunday’s games will begin at 10.00am with names required in by 9.30am.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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Sunday winners at Wangaratta Bowls Club Barry Beel and Sue Shearing

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Proserpine Bowls Club’s Wednesday games featured five brave souls: Warren Wilson at double second with Bruce Uhe and Philip Brown against the team of Alen Sanderson, Warren, and Heather Brown, which ended 23-14.

On Sunday, fourteen players played in hard fought triples matches: Josh Wilson, Gavin Noonan, and Heather Brown came from behind in the last end, scoring three shots to secure a 15-14 win against Ken Watts, Kendall Watts, and Philip Brown.  

In a game of Three bowl pairs, Jim Quod and Barry Zillmann defeated Mary Hedgelong and Warren Wilson, 22-16.  

In a game of traditional pairs, John Anderson and Bruce Uhe defeated Alen Sanderson and Peter Lawton, 16-12.

Reminder that nominations are open for all club competitions and will be closing at the end of this month.  

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

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Results of competition games played this week at Bowen Bowls Club: In singles, Steve Roome defeated Peter Thomson, while Ian Best beat Brett Lampard, and Daryl Tuttle won against Lloyd White.

In pairs, Peter Bruce and Daryl Tuttle defeated Joan Edwards and Shane Hornbuckle, while Tiarna Rogers and Mark Rogers won against Doc Fordham and Lou Fordham.

Wednesday Social Bowls winners were Peter Thomson, Ron Gould, and Steve Roome, beating Peter Wilson, Herb Dalton, and Brett Lampard. Joining them at the winner’s table was Jan Randall, Gavin Charles, and Allen Williams, who won against Fely Duncan, Paula Welsted, and Jill Brabon.

Contributed with thanks to Ron Gould

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Bowen Bowls Club’s Sunday Scroungers winners Mark Rogers, Jane Gilbert, and Ron Gould

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The ladies played round one of the fours championships on Tuesday at Airlie Beach Bowls Club this week.

Winning teams were Carol Crosbie, Elaine Hadlow, Margo Stanley substituting for Ladda Purdie and Betty Nicolle, and Karen Jensen, Lu Rogan, Betty Whitehorn and Lyn Skeen.

Bev Taylor defeated Juanita Matterson in a B singles game.

The social games winner on Tuesday was Maureen Barnard, Henny Tattam, and Russ Jackson who defeated Pam Collins, John Brown, and Tony Whitehorn.

Men’s singles have started and results are in: Bob Spees, showing exceptional form, winning against Neil Moore.

John Trembath came from behind to defeat Rick Galea in a nail-biting game, 25-24, and Nik Fernbach defeated Russ Jackson in another very close game 25-22.

One game that didn’t go ahead as scheduled was Bill Gordon versus Noel Crosbie; Bill has damaged both legs in an accident and will not be playing bowls for a while. All members wish Bill a speedy recovery.

Wednesday social day this week all the games played were pairs.  Nik Fernbach and Henny Tattam won the day with the largest winning margin. One of the very close games was won by John Askew and David Meiklejohn against Col Morris and Mario DeMartini. Members were delighted to have good friend Graeme Herd visit from Atherton.

The school children's competition is continuing. It starts at 4.30 each Thursday afternoon. Coaches are Margo Stanley and Mark Mawson. Margo can be contacted on 0412 469 989 or contact the club phone: (07) 4946 7656.

Sunday afternoon social bowls had Nik Fernbach continue his winning streak, skipping the team that won the day.

Contributed with thanks to Betty Whitehorn

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Airlie Beach Bowls Club Coach Margo Stanley alongside school children’s competition stars Mayson, Alistair, Demika, Katarna, and Zaiden

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Seven Whitsunday Touch Football Association (WTA) members attended a Level One (Foundation) Referee Course last Saturday morning, facilitated by Jason Miller from Mackay Touch.

Mr Miller was an “engaging presenter and ensured that the course was enjoyed by all participants,” according to Whitsunday Touch’s Alita DeBrincat.

“He was quite impressed with the level of understanding of the rules throughout the group and stressed that refereeing would help their progress as players as well,” Mr DeBrincat said.

“Congratulations Bryson, Hudson, Aiden, Wendy, Coralie, Laine, and Claudia -- our new Level One Referees.”

Jason also committed to visiting game nights in the future to continue mentoring the club’s new referees.

Saturday was a busy day with a spectacular “Festival of Footy” sponsored by Whitsunday Sports Park, which WTA members were actively involved in before, during and after.  

The club extended its thanks to all who generously volunteered.

Round Two Results

Mixed A

In the Crear (7) d Vipers (4)

Raiders A (7) d Whitmonday Eagles (3)

Trusty (11) d Concrete Feet (1)

Mixed B

Ray White Mudcrabs (10) d Full Boar (3)

Slipper Salmons (5) drew G.E.T. Touch (5)

Mixed C

Fumble This (2) d Touch It (1)

Flametree Flames (3) d On Time (2)

Stingers (9) d Whitsunday Warriors (8)

Mixed C (Family)

Raiders Family (7) d Escapees (3)

Mainlanders (8) d Hamo Rent (4)

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The Cannonvale Cannons took up the challenge of swimming longer distances and swam extremely well on the club’s Wednesday Distance Club Night.  

Congratulations to Holly Perrin for setting a new 200-metre Backstroke record and to Ehsan Helou for setting a new 50-metre Breaststroke record.  

Stevie Lee hit the “jackpot” and was presented the Swim Star Award, the Chocolate Award, and an Upgrade Certificate. Declan Dichiera, Harry Crisp, and Millie Groom achieved upgrades as well.  

Charlie Doherty swam an exceptional 1500-metre Freestyle, while Jacob Bell, Don Algie, Nelson Malady, and Tora Delac swam 800-metre Freestyles – congratulations to all.

The 400-metre races were impressive: Tora Delac and Millie Groom swam super times in their 400-metre IM.  

Well done to the 400-metre Freestyle swimmers Sophie Fletcher, Thomas Ganter, Millie Groom, Mason Harland, Tiana Bell, Lily Maher, Matilda Nicholes, Jy Parkinson, and Holly Perrin.  

Declan Dichiera, Roxy Groom, Anisa Helou, Harris Delac, Lily Maher, Matilda Nicholes, Celeste Orenshaw, Roxy Groom, Andie Reynolds, Levi Smith, and Addie Sanders all swam outstanding times in their 200-metre IM.  

Jax Clayworth swam a cracking 200-metre Freestyle in 2.57.58.  

Young Cannons who performed well included: Eloise Chegwidden in her 100-metre Freestyle and Backstroke.

Japser Korosec swimming two 20 second personal bests in his 100-metre Backstroke and 100-metre Breaststroke.  Jasper’s brother, Lucas swam an excellent 50-metre Butterfly in 1.08.00, achieving a 30.31 second personal best.  

Indi Harland, Owen Maher, Trace Quick, Zane Clayworth, Evie Doherty, Miller Eaves, Connor Lee, Stevie Lee, Isaac Pisaniello, and Isabella Pisaniello all swam extremely well in their  Freestyle events.

Congratulations to all the swimmers who participated on Wednesday night and thanks to all volunteers and parents who assist running Club Nights.  

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

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Declan Dichiera with his Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club Upgrade Certificates

Stevie Lee with her Club Night Chocolate Award

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Twilight Race: Whitsunday Sailing Club hosted a fleet of 15 yachts with 62 crew on board for a Wednesday featuring a light south easterly breeze with flat seas -- idyllic sailing conditions.

First away was Division Two, with Wide Load (Shannan Hart) timing their run to the starting line to perfection to take the Doyle Sails sponsored best start prize.  

Once on course, the fleet soon established a normal racing pattern with Smooth Criminal (Iyas Shaheen) and QMS Ponyo (John Galloway) battling at the front.  The other front runner, Bobby’s Girl (Mark Beale), made a slow start, but soon worked through the fleet into third place on the water.

These three boats established a four-minute lead over Reignition (Charles Wallis), Wide Load and Twister (Kevin Fogarty).  Although QMS Ponyo crossed the finish 26 seconds ahead of Smooth Criminal, the corrected time results were reversed, with Smooth Criminals 32 seconds in front, and Bobby’s Girl in third.

Lighthorse (Dianne Forster) led the fleet away in Division Three, but Wobbly Boot (Craig Piccinelli) soon took control at the front, developing a five-minute lead.  

A close battle between Rossgo (Greg Hammon) and Masquerade (Tom Vujasinovic) prevailed for most of the race, only for Masquerade to drop back toward the end.

Light conditions did not suit Aquatarius, dropping them back into a mid-fleet position while even the use of a spinnaker did not help Shiraz (John Cable).

Ultimately Norbert G (Ghigo Casalini), with a new mainsail sponsored by Portland Road, took the corrected win by five minutes over Rossgo and Lighthorse.

Races continue every Wednesday from 4:30pm, with limited crewing positions available. Those wishing to participate as crew need to be at the club by 2:30 pm (limited spots available).

Contributed with thanks to Ross Chisholm

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The boats Norbert G and Smooth Criminal in the Whitsunday Sailing Club Twilight Race last week

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