This week’s stableford 9-hole at Whitsunday Green Golf Club was won by Ryan Kenny on 22 points, followed in second by Scott Hayes Williams on 22, and third went to Marc Belke with 21.

The Club’s weekly Friday 9-hole competition was won by Michael Bond on 22 points, coming in second was Neil Boland, also on 22, and third went to Tyson Flavel on 21 points.

On Sunday Whitsunday Green held its last Monthly Medal for 2022: 18-holes, taking the win was Brad Low on 52 nett, second with a close 53 nett was Elise Hodgson, and third was Adam Singleton on 54.

Nearest the Pin on Sunday was Jimmy Millar and Marc Belke. There is no competition this Sunday.

Club and Community Manager at Whitsunday Green Golf Club, Kate Cross extended from the team their well wishes to all members and guests for the holiday season.

“A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,” Ms Cross said.

“We are looking forward to having you play with us in 2023. Please see below for Christmas trading hours.”

Holiday Opening Times: Christmas Eve, 8am to 4pm; Christmas Day, closed; and Boxing Day 12pm to 6pm.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Green Golf Club

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Whitsunday Green’s 9-hole stableford third place finisher Brad Low

Image 1: Mackay Whitsunday girls Back L-R Kelsey Waldon, Sorayah Cross, Matilda Faulkner. Front L-R Matilda Wiggins, Kiana Dunn, Jade Gersch

Image 2: Mackay Whitsunday players joined forces with Central Queensland players to form the Central Infernos. Photos supplied

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A group of young cricketers from the Mackay Whitsunday and Central Queensland zones recently formed to represent the Central Infernos at the Queensland U15 Female State Cricket Challenge, led by Coach Paul Anderson and Assistant Coach and Paul’s daughter Ella of Mackay.

The U15 Central Infernos squad was selected from a carnival pitting Mackay Whitsunday, Central Queensland, North Queensland and Far North Queensland against each other, with Queensland Cricket selecting the Infernos from the Mackay Whitsunday and Central Queensland teams.

Kelsey Waldon, Jade Gersch, Kiana Dunn, Matilda Faulkner, Matilda Wiggins and Sorayah Cross were selected from Mackay Whitsunday with Paul and Ella in the coaching positions.

The Infernos came up against teams from north Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, the Darling Downs and Gold Coast and, despite winning one of five games, Paul said all players stood up to the task.

“They all played well and above what we expected from them, so they all tried their best and improved over the carnival,” he said.

“They all showed potential and all did something outstanding.”

Paul has coached at similar cricket carnivals for the last five years and said the quality of cricket has improved every year.

“This year, people were hitting a lot more boundaries, hitting sixes, the total scores teams were posting were much higher than in previous years, so the girls are certainly learning to play cricket in a more positive way,” he said.

18-year-old Ella came through the pathways system herself, playing at her first carnival at age 14 and filling the role of Assistant Coach at the last two carnivals.

“She really connects with the girls on a player level having been at the carnival before,” said Paul.

“She’s a good role model to have there for the younger girls and they really respect her input, and she respects them as well.

“It’s a really good thing to see those girls who have played in the pathway and are now coming back and taking up a coaching role.”

The official representative cricket calendar has wrapped up for 2022 with more games to be played in the new year.

“There’s certainly a lot of girls and women that want to play more representative cricket so we’re trying to organise some more games between Mackay Whitsunday and Central Queensland,” said Paul.

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Images: Oliver Rule (inside) and Cameron Wonnocott running in the 1500m

Hayley Colless in the U14 80m hurdles

Kayce Hoani-Vincent won bronze in the U16 pole vault

Mikayla Webb was part of the gold-winning Queensland 4 X 100m relay team

Toby Rule with his silver medal from the 3000m

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While December has been a month of wrapping up 2022 for most of us, a group of talented Mackay athletes trekked across the country to the All Schools Track and Field Championships held in Adelaide. There was no winding down or early trifle for this group, who put it all on the line in one of the biggest competitions of the season.

Brothers Oliver and Toby Rule started the competition strong, with Oliver running a 1-second personal best in the 1500m and Toby finishing 4th in the steeplechase. The next day, Toby pulled out a superhuman effort to run a 31-second personal best in the 3000m, which awarded him richly with a silver medal.

Toby described the event as the “race of my life.”

“Crossing the finish line knowing I had placed at nationals was a competition highlight,” Toby said.

“I felt tired as I took the podium but happy with what I achieved.”

Oliver ran a competitive steeplechase, finishing in 8th place.

Oliver completed Year 12 this year and is planning to stay in Mackay to work, study and compete in 2023.

“I’ve started a traineeship with EHW Tech and will start at CQ University studying IT in February. I hope to compete for the Mackay Athletics Club and represent Queensland in 2023,” he said.

Speedster Mikayla Webb continued to show promise as one of the fastest teenagers in Australia by making both the 200m and 100m finals. She narrowly missed the podium in the 200m placing 4th, but snatched the bronze in the 100m by 0.002 of a second. Representing Queensland in the 4 X 100m relay, Mikayla helped anchor her team to a win, coming home as an Australian champion.

Kayce Hoani-Vincent won bronze in the U16 pole vault to cap off an impressive season.

James Galea came close to a podium place in the discus, placing 4th with a huge 5m personal best throw. He backed up with 5th placings in the hammer and shot put.

It was the first time at the championships for athletes Adison Byrd and Drew Lawn. Adison finished 10th overall in the U16 long jump equalling his personal best and ran a leg in the 4x100m final. He came 9th in the high jump and 9th in the triple jump. Drew finished 4th in the U17 triple jump, just short of his personal best and just outside the medals. Drew came 9th in the long jump and 11th in the high jump.

Jacob Adams ran a personal best in the U16 100m to place 11th and in the 200m to place 12th. Hayley Colless in the U14 came 10th in the 80m hurdles. Cameron Wonnocott ran a great personal best of 39 seconds in the 1500m placing 12th, and then running a 23-second personal best in the 800m to place 9th.

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Images: End of year Saturday bowls at NMBC (Goosies)

Winners of Saturday bowls – Alan Dillon and Peter Cowling

Great Barrier Reef Arena (GBRA) won the finals of the 2022 Warehouse bowls at Goosies. Trophy presented by the organiser Don Agnew

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SOCIAL RESULTS

Monday – mixed pairs draw Pam Louis and Gloria Sam. Runners up Bev Svenson and P. Shephard. Lucky draw Eric Skellern and Lawrence Borg.

No Wednesday bowls until 2023.

Thursday – Winners Margaret Fogg and Peter Rintoul. Runners up Sylvia Maikler and Ronny Maikler. Kitty toucher was not won.

Friday – Overall winners Michelle Stockton and Chris Banney. Winners lucky draw Tony Allsop and Val De Pinto. Runners up lucky draw Bevan Cooper and John Priest. Kitty toucher Alan Dillon and Peter Cowling.

Saturday - Winners Alan Dillon and Peter Cowling.

Runners up John Helenius and Asko Helenius. Jackpot Vic Gaudion and Peter Deleney.

Club organised bowls have finished until January 2023. Have a great Christmas and a safe, healthy New Year in 2023.

Contributed by Ian Rowan

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Paityne And Xavier Are Top Of The Nines Crop

Image: Queensland Country Under 17 representative hooker Xavier Kerrisk will spearhead a powerful St Patrick’s College Mackay squad in 2023

Outstanding St Patrick’s College and Capricornia representative hooker Paityne Johns is one of the best young number nines on the Queensland Girls rugby league scene

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Rubbing shoulders on the training paddock with your NRL idols are moments to savour for any aspiring rugby league colt.

Mackay’s rising 17-year-old hooker Xavier Kerrisk tasted that thrill last week when he was part of a select band of St Patrick’s College footballers that participated in the North Queensland Cowboys pre-season Young Bucks Camp in Townsville.

Kerrisk was joined by skilful half back Jaxon Purdue, lock forward Kayne Smith and classy utility back Will Shears at the Bucks Camp where 25 of the Cowboys’ contracted schoolboys experienced “a week of a first grade NRL player” as part of the club’s Pathways Program.

The Mackay products joined other 17- and 18-year-old schoolboys from the northern Queensland region as they were educated on “game sense” and put through their paces with intensive skill sessions plus speed and power testing to prepare them for the rigours of top-grade rugby league.

During the Camp the players trained alongside the Cowboys Young Guns’ semi-professional squad that featured St Patrick’s College graduates in crack centre Kai Simon and power forwards Liam Doherty and Matthew Watts.

It was a fascinating experience for the emerging Kerrisk, who is regarded as one of Queensland’s finest up and coming number nines.

The Queensland Country Under 17 representative hooker produced superb performances to help St Patrick’s College finish runners up in both the 2022 Confraternity Shield and Aaron Payne Cup competitions and spearheaded the Walkerston Wanderers to an Under 18s premiership at the Mackay & District Junior League Grand Finals.

In fact, St Patrick’s College can now arguably boast the best two number nines in the respective schoolboy/girls rugby league ranks in the Capricornia region.

While the crafty Kerrisk continues to carve up the opposition in various Boys competitions his female colleague Paityne Johns has been dubbed the “Little Maestro” and premier hooker in the Girls cauldron.

Pocket dynamo Paityne proved a revelation on the Girls rugby league scene this season – impressing keen judges with her guile, vision and speed around the rucks and ability to lift teammates with her tremendous work ethic.

Her leadership qualities shone like a beacon at this year’s inaugural Confraternity Games Girls Rugby League Carnival in Mackay when she steered St Patrick’s to the Shield decider against champions Marymount College at BB Print Stadium.  

The talented Johns nabbed a crucial try and performed strongly in a heart-breaking 18-10 loss to the Burleigh Waters school and capped a memorable Games experience when she was later named St Patrick’s Best & Fairest player by tournament officials.

Tough-tackling Paityne also skippered her club side Norths Devils to the Under 18 Girls Grand Final in the Mackay & District Junior League competition where they were outclassed 38-4 by a red-hot Wanderers outfit and featured in the Mackay Cutters Under 19 Harvey Norman Women’s squad.  

All eyes will be on the Capricornia representative and fitness guru when she commences her 2023 campaign in the best shape of her life.

By Chris Karas

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Image 1: Swimmers from Pioneer Swim Club competed in the Queensland Championships in Brisbane last week

Image 2: Annaliese Miles, Isabelle Miles, Stevie Brand and Georgie Brand

Image 3: Ella Bounden, Kylie Smith and Jade Bounden

Image 4: Kylie Smith, William McGrath, Jade Bounden and Ella Bounden

Image 5: Stevie Brand and Georgie Brand

A number of Pioneer swimmers travelled to Brisbane for a week of swimming at the 2022 McDonald’s Queensland Championships held at the Sleeman Aquatic Centre last week.

Kylie Smith, who also coaches, swam in three events over three days, swimming in the 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly events.

Kylie swam within her time for each event but achieved a 0.04 second personal best in her 50m butterfly on her last day which she later described as the highlight of her week.

Jade Bounden swam in 2 events, swimming in the 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly.

This wasn’t Jade’s first rodeo for State level competition, and she did the Club proud swimming strong.  

And a huge congratulations to Ella Bounden (younger sister to Jade) who qualified for the first time to swim at the Championships.

Ella’s highlight of the week was achieving a whopping 0.20 second personal best in her 50m backstroke.

She also swam in the 50m freestyle, swimming within her time.

William McGrath also swam at the Championships in the 50m backstroke.

Will has always been a Pioneer swimmer but since moving to Brisbane has transferred to another club, still frequenting Pioneer training when returning to Mackay for school holidays.

The Club still claims him as ours and cheered him from within the arena and afar nevertheless!

Pioneer Swim Club also had three swimmers attend to represent Swimming North Queensland in the relays: Isabelle Miles, Stevie Brand and Georgie Brand.  

Annaliese Miles and Kailu Bellear also qualified as reserves for the relays.

This was Isabelle’s first-time swimming in the Sleeman Complex and excitement was high.

Pioneer coaches, swimmers and families congratulate all swimmers on strong performances at the Championships.

Each and every one of you have done your club proud.

Contributed by Tahnie Malagueno

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2023 North Queensland Athletics Championships Heading To Mackay

Images from the 2022 NQ Championships held in Townsville. In 2023 the event will be held in Mackay. Photos: ANQ – Brodie Cross

Another huge event is heading to the MARC next year with Athletics North Queensland announcing that the Mackay Regional Council will be the Major Partner and Host of the 2023 North Queensland Championships

The North Queensland Championships, which is the largest regional athletics Championships in Australia, will see athletes head to Mackay from the 22nd – 24th of September 2023, bringing in over 800 athletes and 150 volunteers for three days of action.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said having Mackay as the host city in 2023 was an amazing opportunity and a testament to the world-class nature of the Mackay ARC (Aquatic and Recreation Complex).

He said Mackay Regional Council, through its Invest Mackay Event and Conference Attraction Program, had worked hard to secure the event, which was expected to generate about $1.5 million for the local economy.

“To be able to boast facilities that put us on an even playing field with the capital cities of the Oceania region is a huge coup for Mackay,” Mayor Williamson said.

“We look forward to welcoming athletes from across Australia and hope they take the time to enjoy some of our region’s must-do activities – like see a platypus at Eungella, meet the Cape Hillsborough wallabies on the beach at sunrise or simply enjoy a meal in our City Centre,” he said.

The 2023 edition of the Championships aims to maximise athlete opportunities and highlight athletes’ performances.

The North Queensland Athletics Championships has had a strong history, holding successful championships since first established in 1957. Attracting and supporting all ages and abilities, from club to world champions. These championships have been hosted by multiple cities/towns in North Queensland. The Championships also act as the qualifying event for North Queensland school-based athletes competing in the North Queensland Team at the 2023 Australian All Schools Championships. This is the pinnacle event for secondary school-based athletes across the country.

Athletics North Queensland President, Shane Watson, is looking forward to the Championships in Mackay.

“Mackay has proven itself to host major sporting events, including athletics competitions, over the past few years, and we are pleased to be working with the Mackay Regional Council as the major partner and sponsor of the Championships,” Mr Watson said.

Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Centre is no stranger to holding large events, with the Oceania Area Championships and Oceania Masters Championships having recently been conducted at the venue.

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2022 Bike Winner Hugo Connors with Zac Schwarzrock (Corry Cycles)

Photo credit: Deanne Woods Photography

Louis Connors with the family’s new Dirty Possum Rack

The final event in the 3-part Tri-ActiV8 Kids Tri-Series was held on the 11th of December at the MARC (Mackay Aquatic & Recreation Centre) with 76 kids completing either a triathlon or aquathlon.

Every year Tri-ActiV8 holds a 3-part triathlon and aquathlon event known as the Kids Tri-Series at the MARC.

This non-competitive series targets kids aged 5 to 12 years.

“Triathlon is a great sport for kids” says Nikki Giles, Tri-ActiV8 Founder and accredited Triathlon Performance Coach

“The non-competitive nature of the Tri-Series allows kids to grow in confidence, become more determined and feel satisfaction in their own abilities.”

The Kids Tri-Series is always delivered with an emphasis on safety and support for the kids.

“Our Tri-ActiV8 Triathlon Tribe are incredible,” says Nikki

“At every event our Tribe shows to support every child from the beginning to the end.”

Each year Corry Cycles owner Evan Corry gives away a Mountain Bike to one lucky participant at the final event of the series.

“Corry Cycles has been proudly supporting the Kids Tri-Series from the very beginning,” says Evan

“As a local Mackay business it is important to give back and support community events and families wherever we can.”

In 2022, Dirty Possum also got behind the Tri-ActiV8 Kids Tri-Series and gave away a 4-bike carrier to one lucky family.

“Our Tri-Series sponsors are a really important part of being able to run the series,” says Nikki

“Dirty Possum coming on board this year to provide a fantastic prize to one lucky family shows how much the series has grown in support.”

Although it was a random draw, both major prizes were won by the same family who had two children participating in the series: Hugo and Louis Connors.

“We couldn’t believe it,” says Hugo and Louis Connors’ Mum, Vanessa.

“Our boys are growing so fast so to have a new mountain bike for Hugo at the start of the school holidays and then to have a bike carrier for our car so that we can go places with our bikes is truly amazing.”

The Tri-ActiV8 Kids Tri-Series will be back in Term 4 in 2023. Dates are yet to be announced.

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Division 1 winners Geoff Denman, Emma Widdup and Vince Boeske. Photos by Andrea Nicholson

Division 1 runners-up Lee Brake, Barry Patterson and Steven Whiting

Division 2 winners Will VanDeKaa, Lily Boland and Duncan Treloar

Division 2 runners-up Simon Hogan, Noreen Fredericksen and Mark Sleeman with treasurer Donna Abbott

A mother and daughter tasted victory in Mackay Table Tennis night fixture finals this week.

Emma Widdup led her team Bream to a 6-1 win over Barra in division 1, while daughter Lily Boland scored wins over Noreen Fredericksen and Simon Hogan as her side Prawn got up 7-4 over Lobster in division 2.

Emma, Vince Boeske and Geoff Denman had a dream start, racing to a 5-0 lead over Barra (Lee Brake, Barry Patterson and Steven Whiting).

Steven kept his side in the match with a win over Emma -7, 9, 8, -3, 7 but Geoff closed it out for Bream with a win over Barry 9, 8, 9.

Lily is playing her first year of senior fixtures with several other juniors, who are all improving rapidly.

Prawn (Duncan Treloar, Will VanDeKaa and Lily Boland) got up 7-4 over Lobster (Mark Sleeman, Simon Hogan and Noreen Fredericksen) in division 2.

Will and Slee played the match of the night, Will up 9, 6, -10, -11, 10.

Emma lost only one match all season to be leading player in division 1, while comeback king Ian McKay lost just three to take the division 2 prize.

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This week 69 people ran, jogged, and walked the waterfront course at Airlie Beach parkrun, of whom 20 were first timers and eight recorded new personal bests.

Well done to Ulrika, Shailee, Calvin, Katie, Warren, Blake, Anne, and Jai.

The event was made possible by 14 wonderful volunteers: Nick, Rebecca, Bossie, Ronald, Ashley, Shane, Jess, Sebastian, Lilliana, Laura (Run Director), Ken, Lynne, Joanne, and Margaret.

One of the parkrun’s ‘Tail Walkers’ reached the milestones of 50 volunteers this week - Jo!

Upcoming special runs will see runners take part in a Christmas Eve parkrun, Christmas Day parkrun, New Year’s Eve parkrun, and a New Year’s Day parkrun – start those resolutions bright and early.

Every Saturday (and for the Christmas day/New Year’s Day special parkruns) 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 My Rainbow Bakery, Shingley Beach.

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), 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 – our amazing 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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This week's amazing volunteers at the Airlie Beach parkrun

Jo, our Tail Walker, reached her 50th volunteer milestone this week, with Run Director Laura

Some Airlie Beach kids enjoying the parkrun

Just over two months ago, scores of Whitsunday locals signed up for an ‘Eight Week Challenge’ to pit themselves against themselves at F45 Airlie Beach.

What exactly is an eight-week challenge? It’s in the name: A two-month fitness program combining F45’s signature 45-minute circuit workout classes with a detailed meal plan - and a lot of motivation, extrinsic and intrinsic.

The group cut their daily calories in half or more, upped their gym-going, and tried to transform their bodies, and in turn, their mindsets over a little more than 60 days.

So, how did they go?  Well, you can change your life in just two months – take it from Whitsunday Life journalist Declan Durrant.
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Team Training, Life Changing

With Declan Durrant

I like to think that there is often - and this is not a one-size-fits-all (pardon the pun) – a correlation between weight gain and contentedness.

Over the last three or so years, I fell in love with two things: My partner and food.

And I don’t think those two things are unrelated, and they certainly have a strong relationship to my happiness. We eat delicious things together which are usually (and unfortunately) bad for us, but we do it together.

But I think the major problem for me was moderation, not necessarily the cookie itself, it was the volume of cookies – and that’s plural.

Over those three years, I put on roughly nine kilograms. And I’m lucky enough to be the kind of person who seemingly carries their weight well – you wouldn’t necessarily see it, although I did.

I signed up, alongside my partner, for the F45 Eight-Week Challenge expecting results if I stuck to it – no one is immune to the laws of biology; you can’t take out more calories than you put in without it coming from somewhere else.

At the start I weighed in at 89.5 kilograms, with 22.1 per cent body fat.

The eight weeks had their extremely difficult moments, undoubtedly as it did for all the challengers, I’m sure (Plenty of Christmas parties spent eating apples and cashews in the corner while we watched others dig into dishes of chocolate mousse), but we stayed strong.

At the end, on Saturday of last week, they unveiled the winners - people with the biggest drop in body fat percentage compared to their starting weight: In the Female, Angela Blake won, losing 11.5 per cent.

And me: I ended up losing 9.5 per cent of my body fat (8.5 kilograms), going down to 81 and taking my percent body fat to 16.6.

I didn’t expect to win anything, let alone a ‘Golden Kettlebell’. All I wanted was to achieve my personal goals – I think I’m in line with every challenger there. For me, this challenge shifted my perspective on myself, my body, and my mind. And I can’t recommend it highly enough.

F45’s motto is “Team Training, Life Changing”. And I believe it.

F45 Airlie Beach will run its first six-week challenge in 2023 starting January 30.

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Whitsunday Life journalist Declan Durrant won the male ‘Engine’ division of F45 Airlie Beach’s eight week challenge, winning a Golden Kettlebell for losing close to 9 kilograms

Female F45 ‘MVP’ Rene Campisi and F45 ‘Engine’ Winner Angela Blake

Seven Cannonvale Cannons participated at the 2022 McDonald’s Queensland Championships in Brisbane last week, representing the club and the region in the relays.  

Tora Delac, Holly Perrin, Remy Hedges, and Tiana Bell swam an awesome time of 2.03.62 in the Girls 16 years and Under Freestyle relay, while Jacob Dewis, Jy Parkinson, Remy Hedges, and Holly Perrin swam in the Cannons’ Open Mixed Freestyle relay.  

The Open Mixed team completed an excellent time of 1.49.87.  

Jacob Dewis and Jy Parkinson were selected to compete in the NQ 15 years and Over Male Medley relay and were very excited with their silver medal.  

Coach Mark Erickson said he was very pleased and proud of all the Cannons and their achievements. During the first few days of the championships.

The star performer was 17-year-old Jy Parkinson who competed in six events and made four finals.  

Jy won a bronze medal for his 100-metre Backstroke in a time of 58.93, and a silver medal for his 200-metre Backstroke in a time of 2.08.78.

Jy made the final for 50-metre Backstroke and came fifth in Queensland, as well as making the finals for 100-metre Butterfly, where he placed sixth. Unfortunately, Jy had to pull out of his last few events due to a shoulder injury.  

Jacob Dewis, also aged 17, swam very well in his 50-metre and 100-metre Butterfly.  

Holly Perrin, 15, swam a super 50-metre Backstroke and 50-metre Butterfly.  She swam a 0.88 second personal best in her Backstroke.

Jacob Bell, aged 15 years, swam a big programme of six events. Even though he swam personal bests in his 50-metre events, his best swims placing third and fifth in Queensland were his 1500-metre Freestyle and 800-metre Freestyle. He was surprised with his bronze medal in the 1500-metre.  

Remy Hedges, aged 14, competed in four individual events: 200-metre IM, 50-metre, 100-metre, and 200-metre Breaststroke.

Her best swims were her 50-metre Breaststroke with a 0.1 second personal best and her 200-metre Breaststroke which placed her first reserve for the final.  

Tora Delac, aged 12, swam a terrific 50-metre Freestyle in 32.04 seconds.  

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

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Cannonvale Cannons State Team for 2022

Competitor Jacob Bell with his bronze medal

Jy Parkinson and coach, Mark Erickson

Breaking The Stigma Of Muscles In Endurance

“If I can inspire someone to get out of the door and run, then that’s pretty special.”

His goal was to run one marathon, but fate had a different set of plans for Kay Nyenuh.

This December, Kay completed his sixth marathon in six months, including the world’s largest marathon in New York City a month prior.

It all started with a desire to run the Gold Coast Marathon, but COVID-19 restrictions put a spanner in the works.

“My goal was only ever the one marathon, but one week before the event in 2021, it was cancelled because of COVID,” Kay said.

Not deterred, Kay ran the marathon anyway here in Mackay, but he hadn’t lost the hunger to pound the pavement on the Gold Coast. Setting the plan in motion for a re-do in 2022, he tackled the Hamilton Island Hilly Half in May and the Mackay Marina Run in June, to prepare for the big show.

“Just before the Gold Coast Marathon, I ran the Mackay Road Runners 30km championships and ran my best ever time over 30km. That gave me so much confidence heading towards the Gold Coast,” Kay said.

With more than 1,400km of training behind him, Kay entered the Gold Coast Marathon in the best running shape of his life. He ran his best-ever marathon time of 3:15:50, despite experiencing cramps during the race for the first time.

In the best shape of his life for long-distance running, Kay didn’t want to stop after the Gold Coast. Having experienced Christmas in New York with family the year before, Kay entered 2022 with a new perspective on life.

“Coming home at the start of the year it was a very different time in my life as my marriage had broken up,” Kay said.

“For the first time I had to deal with not having my kids there when I woke up every morning, not having them there every night. It was a challenging time. I’d come home from work and on the weeks that I didn’t have the kids, it was like, ‘what do I do now’?

“Running is one of those things that helped.

“After I completed the GC Marathon, I walked out of my counsellor’s office and he said, ‘this is your life now, you need to decide what you want to do’.

“And I thought, ‘this is my life, what do I want to do’?

“So, I decided I wanted to travel the world and run marathons. I set the goal to do a marathon every month. I did Townsville in August, then September was the Sydney Marathon, and in October I ran the Melbourne Marathon.”

Kay had his eye on an even bigger challenge.

“I made the decision to do the Abbott World Marathon Majors, which are the six most renowned marathons in the world; Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City Marathons,” he said.

“New York wasn’t meant to be first up, it’s nearly impossible to get in. I didn’t have the qualifying time needed to enter, the charity options were full, and the marathon tour groups were all booked.

“However, I received an email that a spot opened up with one of the tour groups, so New York was suddenly on the list for November.”

Kay said that experiencing the New York Marathon was almost impossible to put into words.

“It’s you and 50,000 other people. It’s the biggest marathon in the world, it’s like nothing else.

“I also had family cheering for me which made it really special.”

Kay ended a phenomenal year back on the Gold Coast in December to run the 50km event, 8km longer than a normal marathon.

“The Gold Coast Marathon is my favourite in Australia,” Kay said.

“It’s along the coast, with people cheering the entire way along the course. When you’re running you spend a lot of time in your head, so when you have people cheering to take your mind off the run, it’s beautiful.”

Kay plans to continue to conquer the Abbott Majors.

“Next year (2023) I’m aiming to run the London Marathon in April, and then Berlin later in the year.

“Berlin is the fastest marathon course in the world so it will be special to do that. London will be cold, but the colder the better.”

He is also hoping to run the Gold Coast Marathon again, which in 2023 falls on his birthday.

Kay says that running has helped him through a difficult year and is hoping to break the stigma that you need to be a certain body shape to run.

“Because I’m in the fitness industry I come into contact with people who say ‘I’m not a runner’, and I think nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.

“My mantra is nobody was born a runner. When I do these events and people look at me like, wow, the big guy is running a marathon. It’s about changing people's perspective on what’s possible.

“If you say, ‘I can’t do that’, if you accept it, then that’s true, but if you say you can, it can be done.

“People have said ‘what are you running away from’ but running this year has represented freedom. I’m in this unique state of my life that I haven’t been in for a very long time, so it’s an expression of freedom.

“Make it a year you do something that’s crazy. Step outside your comfort zone and move yourself forward.”

Kay has recently announced that a fourth gym under his Muscle Garden brand will be opened in 2023 in the Northern Beaches.

“As well as those three marathons, my challenge in 2023 will be the growth of my business and raising my children so they know they are loved. It’s a new world for me as a single dad, that will be a challenge in itself.”

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Kay proving muscles can move long distances at the GC50 event earlier this month. Images supplied

Kay’s beaming smile after completing the New York Marathon, wearing a top featuring his three children for inspiration

Kay’s best ever marathon time at the Gold Coast Marathon earlier this year in July

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Tributes have flown following the passing of Mackay rugby league legend Mick ‘Wombat’ Aprile last month.

A tough second row forward who always made 50 tackles a game, Mick played first grade for Mackay Brothers from 1963 until he retired as a player in 1971, winning premierships with the club in 1967 and 1970.

“Mick was a Mackay Brothers man through and through,” said rugby league author and historian Tony Price.

“He might even have been a Leprechaun in another life.”

On the representative front, Mick played Foley Shield for Mackay from 1963 until 1966 and said his fondest memory was playing against the mighty St George club from Sydney in 1964 and 1966 which featured future icons of the game including John Raper and Norm Proven.

Coaching was a natural progression for Mick, taking charge of many junior, school and first grade rugby league teams and as well as serving as a selector, referee and administrator.

When approached by St Patrick’s College to coach their First XIII, he jumped at the challenge, leading the school to five straight Confraternity Shields from 1988 to 1992.

“Mick simply loved ‘Confro’,” said Mr Price.

“He felt his St Patrick’s players lifted as soon as they pulled on the jersey and his natural good humour and tactical mind would turn average players into superstars.

“The young players simply loved the guy.”

Along the way, Mick coached and mentored talented young players including Brett Dallas, Shannon Hegarty and Wendell Sailor, who all went on to play representative football for Queensland and Australia.

After over 50 years involved in the game, Mick was presented with Life Membership of the QRL Northern Division in 2017 and was also recognised as a Life Member of Brothers Junior Rugby League, Brothers Senior Rugby League and Mackay & District Rugby League.

He was awarded Rotary Awards for his services to junior and school sport.

Mick passed away on November 29, 2022 and will be remembered as a legend of the game.

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Mick Aprile (third from left) was presented with Life Membership of the QRL Northern Division in 2017

Mackay Cutters Hooker Kyle Schneider has re-signed with the club following a terrific 2022 season that led to his representative debut for Scotland in the Rugby League World Cup.

Eligible through the Scottish heritage of his grandparents, Kyle donned the dark blue jersey for the first time in October, making three appearances throughout the tournament and finishing the World Cup with an 80-minute performance against Fiji.

“It let me play my style of footy with myself generally being an 80-minute hooker and will definitely be something I can bring back to the Hostplus Cup this season and build on,” Kyle said.

Kyle said the highlight of the tournament came when Scotland came up against Australia.

“You grow up watching a few of these players for a number of years, but to be out there playing against them tops it for me,” he said.

The opportunity to play for his country allowed Kyle to grow on a professional and personal level.

“On a trip like this you tend to learn quite a bit about yourself, whether it’s how to make sure you can put your best foot forward in a different setting each week or what you need to do to continue to build and better yourself as a player,” he said.  

“It’s quite tough initially coming into a new setting with boys from all over, but all the players were open and inviting which made it easy for us all to be quite close off the field.

“The results didn’t pan out how we wanted them but for us to pull together and put in a solid effort against Fiji in the last game I think reflects that.

“We had a good bunch of blokes around camp, and it was an honour to be able to represent my heritage and my family on a world stage.”

Kyle is one on many players the Mackay Cutters have retained for the 2023 season including Ross Bella, Sean Mullany, Blake Paskins, Kyle Krasinski-Kennedy, Flynn Camilleri, Brandon Finnegan, Matthew Vessey, Henri Stocks, Jake Riley, Jack Hoffman and Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano with the club also announcing new recruits Logen Dillon and Jacob Schill.

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Cutters Hooker Kyle Schneider debuted for Scotland at the Rugby League World Cup in October