Marking a decade of teaching the children of the Whitsundays how to swim, Airlie Beach Swim School by Danielle has carved out a reputation for quality instruction and dedication to safety while nurturing the unique personalities of each child.

Taking home three national awards over the past few years, they were awarded Best Swim Safer Swim School in Australia for their advanced system which sees them run a Swim Safer Week each term instead of once a year.

“Living so close to the ocean and with swimming part of our everyday lives here in the Whitsundays, it is so important for all children to learn how to swim safely in the water,” said owner, Danielle Shea.

The PJ Masks National Swim Safer Week took place last week and students learnt how to pull themselves out of the water wearing clothes, what to do if they accidentally fell in and the importance of not jumping in to rescue a friend, among many other safety tips.

Having also won the Swim Australia Swim Teacher of the Year in 2021, Danielle has reached the pinnacle of her career and frequently travels the country giving informational talks for Swim Australia.

Celebrating 10 years in business, Airlie Beach Swim School by Danielle is inviting everyone in the community to come down to their pool party on Saturday December 10 from 12pm – there will be the Rilo ice-cream van – bring your swimmers along for some fun in the pool.

You can also register for the school holiday five-day Intensive Week from December 12-16 and enrol for term 1, January 2023 on the day.

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Last week’s Swim Safer Week

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Image: The end of year festivities have begun for Pioneer Swim Club. Photo credit: Trevor Seedwell

The Festive Season has been welcomed with a bang by Pioneer Swim Club.  

The past week has seen our final Club Night for 2022 where our annual Christmas Party was enjoyed by all swimmers as well as our Club travelling to Bowen for the last carnival for 2022 and more Christmas fun.

The last Club Night for 2022 was held Thursday, November 24.  

All swimmers received a gift from the club and many swimmers acknowledged for results achieved at recent meets and those travelling to Queensland Championships in December.

Fun then transpired with the parents’ race (with a side of heckling), parents versus kids relays and an inflatable relay.

The Bowen Carnival holds a special status for our club – although a small meet, it is one that our club does not like to miss.

Over 40 swimmers travelled to enjoy not only a weekend full of swimming, sun, beach and exceptional results but also more Christmas festivities.  

Coach Igor took on the role of Santa handing out gifts to each of the children and a Christmas feast then followed.

The Club will now break for a few weeks, but will be back in the New Year, Club Nights recommencing on 5 January.

Pioneer Swimming Club wishes all its members and their families a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday.

Contributed by Tahnie Malagueno

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Bowen local Beau Willis competed in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Grand Finals held in Townsville last Friday night.

Having spent 15 years competing professionally in the sport, the 32-year-old Willis has achieved the rank of 106th in the world.

Knowing he wanted to be a bull-rider from the age of six, Willis participated in the high school rodeo and has since travelled the world, competing professionally and going up against the best in New Zealand, Mexico, America, and Malaysia.

Ranked within the top 18 in the country, Willis recently made the APRA (Australian Professional Rodeo Association) finals in Rockhampton earlier this year.

Last weekend, however, was the main event for the Bowen-born lad at the PBR Grand Finals.

Going into the event with a hand injury, Willis tried his best but unfortunately was thrown off the bronc each time.

Despite the setback, Beau is forging onwards and looking forward to the next event.

Determined to bring bull riding back to Bowen, he is currently raising funds to bring an annual rodeo to the famed mango town.

To do this he will need to re-build the arena at the Showgrounds, turning it into a multi-sport complex.

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Beau Willis competing

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Weekly Results

Monday saw the playing of a B4 Red Points event. Winners Janelle Conroy & Terrence Sheedy, followed by Helen Van Den Broek & Jan Harris. Sunday was the final Novice monthly Sunday for 2022, winners Faith Hutchinson & Griffin Bancroft, followed by Geoff Cowan & Sandy Patterson.

Monday 21 November 22 – 7 Table One Winner B4 – Red Points

1st Janelle Conroy / Terrence Sheedy

2nd Helen Van Den Broek / Jan Harris

3rd Monica Darley / Nancy Martin

4th Ian Cruickshank / Maria Cruickshank

5th Robert (Bob) Ellis / Noel Bugeia

6th Margaret Lane / Barbara Tait

Tuesday Evening 22 November 22 – 5 Table One Winner Green Points

1st Terrence Sheedy / Helen Van Den Broek

2nd Eric Goodchild / Noel Bugeia

3rd Faye Wright / Marilin Robins

4th Diane Morgan / Sandy Patterson

Wednesday 23 November 22 – 8 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

1st David Ting / Eric Goodchild

2nd Richard Wix / Geoff Taylor

3rd Noel Bugeia / Doone Mitchell

4th Joy Brunette / Don Poole

E/W

1st Josie Crowley / Barbara Tait

2nd Ian Cruickshank / Antonia Tarradas

3rd Terrence Sheedy / Eric Leivesley

Thursday Evening 24 November 2022 – 4 Table One Winner Green Points

1st Ken Seaniger / Terrence Sheedy

2nd Janine Rodgers / Janelle Conroy

3rd Jan Harris / Sandy Patterson

4th Debra Goodchild / Eric Goodchild

Friday 25 November 22 – 6 Table One Winner Green Points

1st Monica Darley / Griffin Bancroft

2nd Ann Whitmore / Julie O’Neill

2nd Nancy Martin / Kath Poole

4th Marie McGuire / Diane Stokes

5th Richard Wix / Janine Rodgers

Saturday 26 November 22 – 8 Table Mitchell Green Points

1st Doone Mitchell / Lorna Shuttlewood

2nd Joy Brunette / Helen Van Den Broek

3rd Ann Whitmore / Sandra Morris

4th Annie Lynch / Diane Stokes

1st Janet Hansen / Diane Morgan

2nd Janelle Conroy / Robert Carless

3rd Frances Brown / Alan Brown

4th Julie O’Neill / Richard Wix

Sunday 27 November 22 – 4 Table One Winner Novice Play

1st Faith Hutchinson / Griffin Bancroft

2nd Geoff Cowan / Sandy Patterson

3rd Robert Carless / Diane Stokes

4th Carol Gaskell / Ian Gaskell

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This week 62 motivated people ran, jogged and walked the 5km waterfront course, of whom 8 were first timers and 5 recorded new Personal Bests. Well done to Mikayla, Robert, Mark, Duanne and Lilliana. There were no new milestones to celebrate.

The event was made possible by 16 amazing volunteers: Nick, Kara, Maree (run director) Chris, Sylvie, Margaret, Greg, Nathalie (photographer), Shane, Michael, Jess, Lilliana, Laura, Ken, Lynne and Joanne.

Airlie Beach parkrun started on 5th December 2015. Since then 4,361 participants have completed 22,732 parkruns covering a total distance of 113,660 km, including 2,644 new Personal Bests. A total of 365 individuals have volunteered 3,231 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 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.

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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Parkrun fun!

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This week, Manny Isgro entered the finals at Pioneer Valley and Luke Kinnear and Warren Mills performed well in Mackay.

Tuesday afternoon bowls saw Lyn Graham and Ladda Purdie running away from all other players to win on the day.

Wednesday afternoon Jackpot Bowls was also hotly contested and arranged evenly by Merve Stewart.

Skipper Tony Whitehorn, however, had other ideas and, teaming with Elaine Kippen, beat a star studded field for the prize money and Graham Cowling was delighted to win the prestigious Health Hub Award.

Wednesday night’s Business House Bowls is coming to an exciting conclusion with Airlie Splash of Colour (consisting of Brett Simpson, Matt Francis , Dan Grant and Ricky Parker) defeated for the first time by an amazing display of teamwork from skipper Glenn Frederiksen, Keith Dornoch and their team from Whitsunday Gold Coffee.

Wins to Blockheads, Hadlow Racing , Tuk Tuks and Woolies mean they can all win the coveted trophy.

Saturday morning Scroungers had its finale for the year with Graham Cowling winning the last spot for the semi-finals over Juanita Matterson and Steve Lawrie.

After the semi-finals, we were left with Andy McDougall, Nik Fernbach and Mark Mawson.

However, no one could stop Andy McDougall who ran away with the first prize.

Sunday afternoon saw Mario De Martini playing absolutely sensational bowls to run away with the prize and Lu Rogan winning the prestigious Health Hub award.

Late last week we also welcomed our new club Manager Phil Compling, owner of the Malpas Hotel in Home Hill, who will be using his years in the industry to make the club bigger and brighter so stay tuned for some amazing news to come.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson.

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Finalists of Scroungers 2022: Mark Mawson, Andy McDougall and Nik Fernbach

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Wednesday Social Bowls winners at Bowen Bowls Club were Paula Welsted, Jane Gilbert, and Jeff Tierney, with the trio defeating David Moodie, Gavin Charles, and Allen Williams.

Peter Wilson, Lorraine McArthur, Peter Bruce, and Daryl Tuttle joined the winners’ circle, defeating Mary Ellen Pratten, Peter Thomson, Ross Scanlon, and Steve Roome.

Sunday Scroungers Winners were Jill Brabon, Peter Bruce, Daryl Tuttle, and Daryl O’Connell.

Contributed with thanks to Joan Edwards

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Sunday Scroungers Winners Jill Brabon, Peter Bruce, Daryl Tuttle, and Daryl O’Connell

On Tuesday, Bron Tolcher, Penny Warren, and Margaret Wilson defeated Deb Retchless, Irene Laird, and Mark Drummond to begin the week at Wangaratta Bowls Club.

The final of Men’s Triples was played on Saturday, which was won by Laurie Land, Kevin Daniels, and Barry Beel after defeating Greg Colquhoun, Peter Hinschen, and Geoff Danvers. This concluded club competition for the year.

On Sunday our bowls sections’ AGMs were conducted, with thanks  to club members who took on executive positions to continue the successful running of the club for 2023.

Congratulations to new Ladies President Margaret Wilson and Men’s President Mark Drummond.

After a High Tea and presentation, members enjoyed a game of bowls. Winners for the afternoon were Irene Laird and Geoff Danvers defeated Isobel Wheeler and Sugar Brunker.

Other winners were Deb Retchless, Penny Warren, and Kennedy Whitton defeated Bill Myers, Lyn Danvers, and Pat Tracey.

Laurie Land, Margaret Wilson, and Greg Colquhoun joined the winners’ circle too, defeating Sue Shearing, Robyn Stitt, and Allan Rolfe, Bron Tolcher, Linda Scells, and Mark Drummond claimed a victory as well, beating out Russell Tolcher, Peter Warren, and Ted Evans.

The club’s social bowls will continue as normal on Tuesday and Sunday afternoons, with names needing to be in by 1pm for a 1.30pm start.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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2023 Ladies’ and Men’s Presidents Margaret Wilson and Mark Drummond

Wednesday’s competition at Bowen Golf Club was a single stableford sponsored by the club.  

Ladies’ winner, Jo Goldup, finished with 38 points, followed by runner up Leanne Swan with 37. In the men’s it was a similar score: winner Kevin Cross topped the charts with 38, too, and runner up on a countback was Colin Stewart, 37.

Saturday’s competition was a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club.

Men's Winner was Chris Matheson, 41 points, with runner up Peter Randle on 39.  Meanwhile the Ladies' winner was Julie Martin with 36 points, followed by runner up on a countback, Leanne Swan, 35 points.

This weekend’s competition at Bowen Golf Club is a single stroke event for the men’s and ladies December Monthly Medals sponsored by Bowen Meat Supply and Bowen Golf club.

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

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Tuesday Competition

The Club’s Tuesday Stableford with 15 players was won by Chris Brett on 37 points ahead of Peter Lewis on 36 points, Brian Smith 35 points, Michael Ward 34 points and Paul Gray 34 points taking the rundown positions. NTP’s were won by Albert Pini and Paul Gray.

Wednesday Competition

A Versus Par competition for the ladies on Wednesday saw 15 players competing with Trish McNeill winning top spot with a +3 score, closely followed by Brenda Cowan on +2 and Heather Luvis on +1, Leanne Alexander and Mandy Patterson completed the run down with –1.

Mandy also featured in the Division 1 NTP’s on 1 and 5, with Ann Gardel winning 1 and 5 also in Division 2.

Thursday Competition

A nice 41 points by Josh Norris on Thursday helped him into 7th and 9th position in the 4BBB competition played by 56 golfers. Nathan Sothmann and Trish McNeill were the winners on 46 points narrowly beating Jalen Jarvis and Elliot Woo on 45 points. Wayne Temby and Ron Jamieson were in 3rd place with 43 points. NTP’s went to Nathan x 2, John Grosskreutz and Brendon Meharry.

Saturday Competition

74 players competed in the MBW Stableford this week. Jayden Lloyd shot a very nice 3 over par round for 42 points to take out the men’s competition. Closely followed by Sam Deicke on 41 points, and Jason Bourke and Ken Granger in the run down with 38 points each. Jayden also took home the only 2 shot of the day, nice little pick up! NTP’s went to Steve Kelly, Ryan Wilkes, Rod Wecker and Matthew Goldman. For the Ladies NTP Trish McNeill and Jill Farinelli were the closest. Trish McNeill also won the ladies competition with 36 points, just edging out Jill Farinelli and Sherri Meade, both on 35 points. Penny Wardroper was in the rundown with 32 points.

Sunday Competition

Aaron Prosser continues on his handicap destroying run handing in a great score of 42 points on Sunday. A single figure handicap is within reach, keep up the good work! Ken Granger claimed 2nd with 37 points, and Ryan Wilkes, now on a +1 shot an even par round to take out 3rd with 35 points. Renae Maxwell shone in the ladies, winning the Sunday comp with 30 points, closely followed by Tessa Aitken and Paula McQuat, 29 and 28 points respectively. NTP’s were won by Ken Granger, Paula x 2 and Michael Jarvis.

Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Golf Club.

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The Men’s and Ladies’ foursomes championships were held with 26 players competing.

Ron Jamieson and Don Cameron were the winning team for the men’s division followed by Danny York and Lew Tuck as runners up.

Penny Wardroper and Joanne Moynihan claimed the Ladies’ winning team with Pam Casey and Vicki Tuck taking the runners up.

Pin shots went to Danny York and Lew Tuck, Jason Bourke and Clay Coles, Geoff Harrison and Wayne Temby, Dean Kercher and Darren Reynolds.

Next Sunday will be Monthly Medal.

Contributed with thanks to Joanne Moynihan.

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Another great day of golf at Proserpine Veteran’s Golf on Sunday with 27 players out on the course.

It was President's team taking on the captain’s team, with the former taking the win the day with 402 points to the captain’s 387.  

All the President's men and ladies received a free ball and now have bragging rights until next year when we will do the same again.

The major Stableford winners on the day for the ladies were Rehab Hull with 37 points, followed in second by Leanne Alexander with 35.

For the men, Billy Jesser topped the charts with 39 points and second was John Roser with 38.  

Nearest the pins for the ladies went to Leanne Alexander, Mandy Patterson, in the hole, Jacqui Wall, Rehab Hull, and Paula McQuat on 9th, also in the hole. As well, Lyn Muller and Paula McQuat came nearest on 2nd and Mandy Patterson and Rehab Hull on 16th.

The men nearest the pin winners were Ken Granger and John Strelec on 9th, Trevor Paroz and John Strelec on 2nd, and John Oates and John Roser on 13th. Peter Browning and Leanne Alexander had chip-ins.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

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This week’s 9-hole competition at Whitsunday Green Golf Club was won by Joel McBride with 20 points, second on 18 was Justyn Durbin, and third was Andrew Gomez on 17.

The Friday stableford 9-hole was won by Chris Bartlett with a win of 20 points, second place was Glenn Rees with a nice 19, and third place went to Cameron Mutch with 18.

Sunday’s Monthly Medal competition was won by Asher Ventham with nett points of 45, followed by second-placed Tyson Flavel with a nett 54, and third went to Scotty Hayes Williams on nett 55.

We held two match plays on the Sunday’s Monthly Medal first team was between Glenn Rees and Tyson Flavel with Tyson taking the win.

The second between Marc Belke and Tim Walton saw Marc take the win.

Nearest to the pin on Sunday’s monthly medal was Tyson Flavel and James Millar. This Sunday will be 18-hole stableford, play anytime.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Green Golf Club

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Winner of Sunday’s Monthly Medal first team at Whitsunday Green Golf Club was Tyson Flavel

Friday December 2 sees riders contest the Under-21 Queensland 500cc State Title while on the following night the Open Championship will be decided.

Current Under-21 Champion, Flynn Nicol will be out to defend his title against the likes of up-and-coming-young guns Tate Zischke and Bradley Page.

Queenslander, Zischke has just become the NSW Under-21 Champion and will want desperately to add another title to his name.

Zischke won the NSW event at Kurri Kurri from local favourite, James Pearson and is in the line-up for the 2022 Aussie Title to be held at Adelaide’s Gillman Speedway on December 10.

The following night, 16 of the nation’s best riders will contest the Open Championship.

Current champ, Nick Morris is still overseas and won’t be on hand to defend his Title, however, Ryan Douglas, Jacob Hook, Jake Allan, Zaine and Declan Kennedy and Zane Keleher have all just returned from racing the European season and are all in red-hot form.

Declan took the honours in the recent meeting at Pioneer Park and again at North Brisbane, winning the Kennedy Cup.

Local and former International rider, Kozza Smith joins the line-up and after his performance at Pioneer Park, he is bound to give the young guns a shake-up.

The format for the Title will consist of five rounds of four heats. The top three points scorers will move straight into the Championship Final. The next four placegetters will contest a B-Final from which the winner will join the others in the Final.

A huge crowd is expected to attend what will undoubtedly be the biggest Speedway meeting in North Queensland this year.

Contributed with thanks to Sue Tapp.

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Kennedy Douglas

Kozza Smith. Photo credit: Taylor Photographics

Zaine Kennedy. Photo credit: Taylor Photographics

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The under 11s Proserpine Pitbulls had their second away game for the season, this time against the Mackay Magpies White on Saturday.

Captain Matthew tossed the bat which went to Magpies, who had no hesitation to pad up and set the total of 10/86.

With nine players, the Pitbulls would only have 13 balls each to play with. It was just enough, however, and the side finished with a respectable 8/92; their first win in the competition.

Under 13s Proserpine Pitbulls versus Pioneer Valley: The Proserpine side won the toss and elected to bat, with the team goal of batting all 25 overs to ensure that, with only seven players, they had a high enough score to defend.

Although the team did not bat for their 25 overs, they ended their innings with a solid total of 136 runs.

With a drying outfield and bowling into a moderate sea breeze, the Pitbulls set about defending their score, and put in the hard yards to bowl out all eight Pioneer Valley batsman for 85 in the 15th over.

The side remains undefeated.

Under 12s Proserpine Pitbulls versus Mackay Brothers: The Pitbulls arrived at Vigaro keen to make amends for an earlier round loss to Brothers.

Captain Lily Smith won the toss and elected to bowl. Her side knocked off all the Brothers’ batsmen with a score of 63.

Prossie’s turn with the bat, the game plan simple: 20 balls, 25 overs. And that’s just what they did.

Pitbulls finished at 3-107. A great team effort, following the game plan to a tee.

Under 15 Proserpine versus Pioneer Valley: This weekend’s round seven clash saw the first placed U15 Pitbulls face the second place Pioneer Valley.

The Proserpine boys took up the bat first, racking up an excellent total of 135.

Pioneer Valley were then sent out to bat with 136 required for victory. Despite Proserpine’s efforts, the home team won the game comfortably at 3-136 after 21 overs and ended the Pitbulls undefeated start to the season.

Contributed with thanks to Mike Hope, Mark Porter, Jack Valmadre, and Stephen Logan

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Proserpine Cricket Association Under 11 first-time winners! Sean Green, Jaxson Farley, Matthew Hope, Jeandre Joubert, Bradley Hetherington, Kobi Whitty, Zahra Cale, Laura Bailey, and Ellen Smith

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