St Patrick’s College Mackay has rubber stamped its exciting new partnership with the North Queensland Cowboys.

Both parties recently signed a memorandum of understanding to promote clear pathways for aspiring rugby league players in the region to play in the NRL competition.

A Cowboys contingent led by Head of NRL Elite Pathways Glenn Hall visited Mercy College Mackay last Friday to officially endorse the new partnership.

Other Cowboys officials in attendance were Elite Pathways coach Steve Sheppard, Club Recruitment Manager Dane Campbell and Elite Pathways Strength and Conditioning Coach Liam Bartlett.

They were joined by boom St Patrick’s and Queensland Country Under 17 colts Xavier Kerrisk and Jaxon Purdue, St Patrick’s and Mercy College Sports Co-ordinators Chad Buckby and Matthew Paul, newly appointed Mercy College Cowboys Challenge coach Tom Gaviglio and Mercy College Assistant Principal Curriculum Scott McSherry.

Emerging hooker Kerrisk and skilful half back Purdue will attend a special camp in Townsville during December as part of the Cowboys Young Bucks squad.

Other promising St Patrick’s rugby league colts invited include top forwards Liam Doherty, Matthew Watts, dynamic centre Kai Simon (Under 21 Young Guns) and lock forward Kayne Smith and classy utility back Will Shears (Young Bucks).

Both Mercy College and St Patrick’s College have proved a thriving nursery for NRL clubs over the past three decades and have tasted phenomenal success in the Confraternity Shield, Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge competitions.

Mr Hall said the Cowboys were looking forward to building on the back of the school’s success of the past few seasons.

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Rookie bull rider and Koumala local, Qynn Andersen is headed to Canada next week to compete at the PBR Canada national finals.

19-year-old Andersen took home an event win at the PBR Monster Energy Tour Rockhampton Invitational earlier this month, his third for 2022. His rookie season has been a resounding success, currently sitting in third position in the national standings, three weeks out from the Grand Finals in Townsville.

“It was good to ride both my bulls and get another win,” Mr Andersen says.

“I’m quite happy with how this season is panning out, having lots of fun and learning a lot along the way.”

If Mr Andersen can continue his good form, he has the potential to snatch the national title from the grips of four-time and current national champion, Aaron Kleier from Clermont.

Not that Mr Andersen is thinking about it too much.

“Nothing changes too much for me, I’ll continue to put the hard yards in during the week and look to ride all my bulls,” he says.

“Townsville will also be lots of fun! I’m just excited about getting my bulls rode and letting things pan out like they should.”

Having already represented Queensland at the Monster Energy PBR State of Origin series, where he was the event winner in Origin I and III, Mr Andersen will now represent Australia when he heads to Canada to ride in the 2022 PBR Canada National Finals.

“I’m very excited to head over to Canada. It’ll be my first time. I’m very keen to ride their bulls and experience their crowds.”

He’ll return to Australia just in time to ride for the Australian National Title at the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals in Townsville.

Clermont’s Aaron Kleier currently holds onto the number one spot, but after sustaining an injury at the Mackay Invitational four weeks ago has been missing from the schedule.

He’ll be looking to make a return at the Grand Finals in Townsville to secure his fifth consecutive national title, a feat no other rider in PBR history has achieved.

PBR Australia presents the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals, Friday 25th and Saturday 26th of November at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre. Tickets are still available at www.pbraustralia.com.au.

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Mackay parkrun held their 300th event last Saturday, October 29, welcoming an impressive 317 participants to the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens to celebrate.

The occasion also marked volunteer Colin Hardy’s 100th outing, with volunteers and participants surprising Colin by dressing up in his iconic Hawaiian shirt.

Mackay parkrun is held at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens every Saturday from 7:00am.

It is a free timed 5km run/walk put on by the community for the community and an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and the beautiful natural surroundings of the gardens while getting active.

Make sure you register by 6pm on the Friday before at www.parkrun.com.au.

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A Mackay year 6 student recently competed at the All Schools Queensland Track and Field Championships, showing that he’s more than capable on the state stage.

Sonny Morse of Carlisle Adventist College is now the state Under 11 Boys 800m Champion and 1500m Champion.

He also set a new 1500m Queensland record on his way to being crowned Champion.

The next stop for Sonny is the Australian All Schools Championships to be held in Adelaide in December.

Sonny is no stranger to the National level, as he recently competed in the All Schools Australian Cross Country Championship in Adelaide, placing 2nd overall in the individual race and winning Gold in the relays with the fastest 1500m overall time in the relays.

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Linda Single nee Mackenzie, local Olympic-gold-medallist, attended Pioneer’s Club Night on Thursday, October 6.

Linda supports the club with an annual visit.

Over 50 swimmers were in attendance to meet Linda who discussed her journey to Olympic gold.

She spoke about her training, recovery methods, nutrition, her hurdles, and her successes.

She even posed for photos, let the kids hold her medal and signed swim caps and merchandise for memories.

Linda must have inspired the kids as many personal bests were achieved on the night.  

Pioneer Swim Club wishes to thank Linda for her continued support over the years and taking the time to come speak to our aspiring athletes again.

We appreciate you!  

Contributed by Tahnie Malagueno

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Bowlers from all over the state flocked to Goosies over the weekend to take part in the CMR Goosies 10,000.

The tournament is a Bowls Australia Tier 4 event, drawing 128 bowlers from as far as Townsville and Brisbane to battle it out for valuable competition points and a share in $10,000 prize money.

The Brisbane based team of K Nelson, C Sleeman, J Nelson and B Egan finished on top after a weekend of fun and competitive bowls.

Goosies Bowls Results Week Ending November 6 2022

Caption 9: John Fry has recently joined North Mackay Bowls club

Caption 10: Joyce Camilleri and Val De Pinto play on Monday mornings. Photos supplied

Monday mixed pairs winners were P. Hammerlink and Wolfgang followed by G. Moore and D. Agnew. Lucky draw winners were J. Vickers and Eric Galletly.

Wednesday ladies’ day was won by Margaret Armitage, Ann Smith and Daphne Offield. Runners up were Fay McCubben, Shirley Bartolo and Maryann Bartolo. Great to see Margaret Armitage back in the winners again after her long layoff.

Thursday mixed pairs winners were Barry and Frances Lehmann who are back playing after a long time away from bowls. A great welcome back to be in the winner’s seat. Runners up were Shane Trannore and Andrew Coates. Greens vouchers were won by Greg McLean, Vern and Wayne Mietzel.

Jan Little won the $110 kitty toucher with a wonderful sitting toucher.

On Friday many visiting players from all over Queensland took the field to practice for the CMR Goosies 10,000 and we had 15 rinks playing. The mixed pairs overall winners were Tony Allsop and Chris Banney with a score of plus 24. They took home $75 each. Good to see a couple of locals get up. Winners’ draw was taken out by Shirley Bartolo and Eric Galletly. Lucky draw losers’ names not available.

There was no social Saturday play.

Contributed by Tony Allsop

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Joel Khalu will continue to lead the McDonald’s Mackay Meteors from the sideline, Mackay Basketball announcing today the 41-year-old will be back at the club on a one-year deal in 2023, his sixth season as Head Coach and eighth overall with the red and black.

“We’re excited that ‘JK’ is returning in 2023,” Mackay Basketball General Manager Sean Page said.

“As a club we know we’ve got one of the best coaches in the country leading our men’s NBL1 program.

“He has a proven ability to develop and maximise playing talent, putting the Meteors in a position to compete at a high-level each time they step on the floor. We’re thrilled to have this continue in 2023.”

Across five seasons and 95 games guiding the Meteors, Khalu has amassed an overall record of 73 wins and 22 losses. He led the side to the QBL title in 2015 and the inaugural NBL1 North championship in 2021. Khalu is also a two-time Coach of the Year, receiving the award in 2015 & 2022.

He led the Queensland under 20 men’s side to a national title this past April and currently serves as an assistant coach with the Australian Emus junior national team. Khalu also travelled to Tokyo last month for the NBA Japan Games as head coach of the Asia-Pacific Jr. NBA squad.

Khalu said he was pumped to be back with the Meteors for another NBL1 campaign.

“I’m proud to be the Head Coach of the McDonald’s Mackay Meteors and grateful to the association and the management committee for another opportunity to fulfill the role,” he said.

“Representing Mackay is something I’m extremely passionate about and it’s important for me to put a team on the floor that represents the values of the city, our sponsors and local basketball community.”

With the team falling short of its title aspirations in 2022, Khalu said he was determined to get the club back on top in 2023.

“2022 didn’t end the way we collectively wanted it to and that’s certainly still fresh in my mind as a motivating factor for next year,” Khalu said.

“We’ve started off-season training this week, which is the earliest time of year that we’ve ever gone, and our local players are focused, with a renewed purpose, which is great to see.

“Recruiting is also starting to ramp up. Both NBL and overseas players are starting to make decisions on where they want to play in 2023, so I’m hoping to start putting pen to paper on guys over the next few weeks and start building our Meteors roster.”

The 2023 NBL1 North season will commence in late March with announcements of player signings rolling out in the coming months.

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More than thirty runners enjoyed the warm and windy running conditions for the third race in the 2022/2023 Shawn’s Summer Social Series last weekend.

Race Director and Club Captain, Jim Ford was in his usual fine multiskilling form setting a flat, fast course for runners as well as pushing his grandchildren in the double pram, even though they bolted once they saw their dad at the finish line.

The out-and-back course also had variable options up to 10km if runners preferred to turn early which is especially sensible when injured or not at that level.  

Jim and the running crew welcome anyone who is interested in joining the Shawn’s Summer Series every Sunday at 5:30pm for a great informal social training event which starts from a different location each week from late October to mid-February.

Check out the Mackay Road Runners website for the Shawn’s Summer Social Series calendar of events in honour of a champion runner and past Treasurer of the club, Shawn Claydon.  

The formal Mackay Road Running season will commence February 2023. All interested persons are advised that the Mackay Road Runners 2023 Calendar Meeting and Annual General Meeting will be held in the coming weeks, therefore, watch this space for dates, times and location.  

Contributed by Janelle Tilse

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Queensland squash champion Kayce Hoani-Vincent and emerging rugby league forward Reuben Saron are the Mercy College Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year recipients for 2022.  

The talented duo were officially recognised for their superb achievements this season on the squash court, athletics track and football fields and accepted their awards at the College’s annual Sports Assembly last week.

15-year-old Kayce represented Queensland and Australia at the annual Trans-Tasman Schools Squash Tri Series Challenge in Brisbane back in August where she remained undefeated in singles matches.

A product of Mackay’s Squash 52 club, Kayce lined up for her beloved Maroons against the best junior squash players from NSW and New Zealand at the Daisy Hill Squash & Racquet Club complex and lived up to her mantle as the number one ranked female squash junior in Queensland with stylish victories in both singles and doubles formats.

At the end of the Tri Series, the gifted Hoani-Vincent made her international debut in Australian colours as part of a combined Queensland-NSW team and won all her singles matches against the formidable Kiwis.

Kayce has held her number one Queensland ranking since 2019 and puts it down to her arduous training schedule and desire to constantly improve.  

She balances her Year 10 studies at Mercy College with three days of intense fitness training that includes speed, endurance and strength work plus honing her racquet skills on court.  

When Kayce is not hitting a squash ball or devising on-court tactics, she can be found demonstrating her athletics skills as a pole vaulter or high jumper with Mackay Athletics Club.

The talented youngster has turned in encouraging performances in field events over the past 12 months.  

Ranked number three in Queensland for her age group, she finished 8th overall in the Pole Vault at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park back in April and later won the Pole Vault gold medal at the Queensland Secondary Schools Athletics Championships in Brisbane.

Reuben Saron is a promising rugby league forward in a big hurry.

The powerhouse 15-year-old prop has attracted interest from both the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys after superb performances for Mercy College in the Cowboys Challenge schoolboy competition and with Souths Sharks in the Mackay& District Junior League.

He is a leading colt in both the Broncos and Cowboys Development Academies and is headed for a bright future in the National Rugby League.

Saron, a tough tackling forward and fearless warrior, made an impact in both rugby league and rugby union circles during 2022.

He was one of the best players on field when Mercy College suffered a heartbreaking Grand Final loss to Townsville’s Kirwan State High in this year’s Cowboys Challenge Shield decider and during the season represented Capricornia Under 15s with distinction in both codes.

Strong running Reuben showed his versatility when he spearheaded the Mercy College rugby union team to a Mackay Secondary Schools Rugby Sevens Under 15s title this season with his mobility, endurance and ball skills a feature.

Saron was best player on ground when he teamed up with Mercy College utility ace Saxon Crofts to help Brothers capture the Mackay & District Junior League Under 15s premiership after downing Wests Tigers in the Grand Final.

Both Saron and Crofts linked with Souths this season and along with Mercy’s Queensland Under 15s rep forward Cohen Jackson steered the club to the Under 15s finals series with consistent performances.

Reuben lists his father Phil Saron, a former Australian Schoolboys rugby league representative, as a major influence on his career to date.

Just like his dad – a speed machine on the field in his youth – Reuben has proved a sensation at centre for Mackay Rugby Club this season.

Under the coaching of Lincoln Grady – father of Mercy’s 13-year-old rugby starlet Callyn Grady – the promising Saron earned selection in the Regional Queensland team for matches against Brisbane and Gold Coast in the Emerging Reds competition.

Reuben’s immediate goals for 2023 are to force his way into the St Patrick’s College top grade squad and to tour with the Reds Under 16 representative rugby team.

By Chris Karas

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The Mackay Mavericks took to Brothers Leprechaun Park for the first time this season, taking on reigning champions Townsville Cyclones on Saturday.

The Mavericks kicked off their seventh Gridiron Queensland season the week prior with a win against the Cairns Falcons in Townsville but were unable to back it up in front of a strong home crowd.

While the Mavericks were in the lead for most of the game, an injury delay halted their momentum, ultimately going down to the premiers 20-33.

Mavericks Head Coach Brad Somerville said it was a hard-fought game against tough opposition.

“Townsville’s been up there for a long time in the sport; it’s been years since Mackay’s beaten Townsville,” he said.

“We knew what we needed to do, we needed to go out there and hit hard and really trust our game.”

Windy conditions also made it difficult for halfbacks to throw the ball downfield, putting much of the responsibility on the running backs.

“Our running backs, both Callum Mackay and Jack Hargraves, did amazing,” said Mr Somerville.

“They were definitely elite on Saturday.”

The first home game of the season brought a crowd of over 100 to Brothers Leprechaun Park and Mr Somerville said the crowd was amazing.

“They really got behind the team, really spurred us on,” he said.

“It was great to play in front of an audience like that.

“We’re hoping to back that up this Saturday.”

The Mackay Mavericks will return to Brothers Leprechaun Park tomorrow, November 12, taking on Gladstone’s Port City Pirates at 5:00pm

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WeeklyResults

Monday 31 October 22 – 5 Table One Winner

1st Janelle Conroy / Terrence Sheedy

2nd Monica Darley / Nancy Martin

3rd Debbie Ludkin / Sandy Patterson

Eclectic for Mondays in October 2022

1st David Ting

2nd Diane Stokes

3rd Edward Kliese

4th Nancy Martin

5th Monica Darley

6th Terrence Sheedy

Tuesday 1 November – Melbourne Cup Day

N/S

1st Doone Mitchell / Robert Carless

2nd Janet Hansen / Monica Darley

3rd Joy Robinson / Geoff Taylor

E/W

1st David Ting / Ming Ting

2nd Noel Bugeia / Pamela Finger

3rd Marilin Robins / Mick Robins

Wednesday 2 November – Week 21 of 22 Weeks - Nationwide Pairs – 12 Table Mitchell

N/S

1st Diane Holewa / Max Holewa

2nd Joy Brunette / Don Poole

3rd Monica Darley / Kath Poole

4th Geoff Taylor / Ted Cullinan

5th Joy Robinson / Robert Carless

E/W

1st Terrence Sheedy / Eric Leivesley

2nd Janelle Conroy / Alan Brown

3rd David Ting / Eric Goodchild

4th Frances Brown / Janet Hansen

5th Antonia Tarradas / Ian Cruickshank

Thursday Evening 3 November – 4 Table One Winner

1st Janelle Conroy / Noel Bugeia

2nd David Ting / Eric Goodchild

3rd Patricia Garner / Mick King

4th Jan Harris / Sandy Patterson

5th Vicki Howard / Elrae Trueman

Friday 4 November – 8 Table Mitchell Green Points

1st Terrence Sheedy / Noel Bugeia

2nd Ming Ting / David Ting

3rd Nancy Martin / Kath Poole

1st Geoff Taylor / Joy Robinson

2nd Debra Goodchild / Eric Goodchild

3rd Diane Holewa / Max Holewa

Saturday 5 November – 8 Table Mitchell Green Points

1st Monica Darley / Kath Poole

2nd Geoff Taylor / Janet Hansen

3rd Frances Brown / Alan Brown

1st Ken Seaniger / Joy Robinson

2nd Terrence Sheedy / Janelle Conroy

3rd Susan Wright / Patricia Garner

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Groups C and D got their 2022 Xmas Open campaigns underway at Mika on Sunday morning, with group D being the largest group of this year’s competition, featuring five players.

Group C had the 2021 Xmas Open runner up, Jason Rockstroh, along with Anthony Maher, Ross Gallichan, and Kameron Reason.

Jason topped the group to advance to the quarter finals without losing a match. Both Kameron and Ross advance to next week’s qualifiers curtesy of finishing second and third in the group. Anthony finished in fourth place.

Group D was not only the largest group, but it consisted of the only two players to have won this competition previously in Jamie Woods and Dom Friend.

Joining them in group D was Arthur McMinn making his debut, Gary Robbie, and Hawkeye Rick who was also a debutant.

Jamie topped the group on 12 points only dropping three legs throughout, and Dom and Gary are the two players advancing to the qualifiers next Sunday thanks to their 2nd and 3rd place finishes. Unlucky to both Arthur and Rick who rounded out the group in 4th and 5th place respectively.

The draw for the qualifiers will take place this week, with the winners of those matches advancing to this year’s quarter finals in two weeks’ time where their opponents already lie in wait.

The 2022 Xmas Open is sponsored by Dyson Automotive, thank you for your support.

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher

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Jamie Woods in action at Mika on Sunday

Three triathletes from a local Whitsunday club have completed the ultimate endurance test by not just finishing the gruelling and iconic Half-Ironman 70.3 World Championship in the United States but doing so in style.

Whitsunday Triathlon Club members Daniel McDonnell, Alisha Rust, and Michael Kimpton represented their countries of Australia and New Zealand – as well as their homes in Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island at the world-renowned event in late October.

Amongst the finishers, Hamilton Island firefighter Daniel McDonnell had what ranks as one of the most remarkable achievements for a Whitsunday athlete ever: finishing 13th in the World in his age group of 18-24, coming in just a mere six minutes after the age group’s first place winner.

Whitsunday Triathlon Club President Michael Kimpton said it was “a sensational effort as Daniel has only been competing in triathlons for a few years”.

“The community and potential sponsors need to get behind Daniel as he will be a World Champion one day,” Michael said.

Alisha Rust, a Hamilton Island resident and schoolteacher, competed in the 25- 29 age group. Rust had what was an exceptional event as well, with a fast swim, solid bike ride – with the hilly terrain suiting her skillset - and a swift run to finish.

In his capacity as a competitor, Michael Kimpton competed in the 65-69 age group in a memorable day but professed that he “lacked in the leg department” with only three weeks between his previous competition for the famous Kona Hawaiian Full Ironman.

The Ironman 70.3 World Championship was hosted in St George, Utah, a city famed for its breathtaking scenery of red rock canyons and deserts – tough conditions in a tough event.

Competitors must qualify for the prestigious world championship event which has just over 100 countries represented with a parade of Nations March through town prior to the event.

The event required thousands of volunteers to assist on both days of competition, as women competed on Friday and men on Saturday with a massive 5,500 athletes all up.

The event commenced with a 1.9-kilometre swim at Sand Hollow Reservoir in three-degree conditions. Next came the challenging 90-kilometre bike course, which led athletes through stunning desert landscapes with a 3200-foot elevation gain, and an “unforgettable climb” of eight-kilometres up Snow Canyon State Park.

The final stretch is the half marathon run course where athletes perform two loops of 10.5-kilometres through the stunning Red Hills Parkway Golf course and historic downtown St George streets and parkland – with over 700 feet of elevation, all as the day warmed.

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Competitors at the half-Ironman Daniel McDonnell, Alisha Rust, and Michael Kimpton of Whitsunday Triathlon Club

Kimpton and Rust in front of a wall of competitors signatures from the world championship half-Ironman in Utah

A local weightlifting club has had some outrageous results in the second half of the year, most recently sending one of its top competitors to the World Championships in early November in the hopes they would claim a world record – instead, they came home with three!

Whitsunday Weightlifting club’s Rodney Wecker travelled to the Gold Coast to take part in the IPL (International Powerlifting League) World Championships on November 3.

Wecker, who competed in in the 65- to 69-year-olds category – a division he already held a national record in – claimed three world records at the Championships.

In the back squat and deadlift, Wecker finished with some incredible weights: 118 and 158-kilograms, respectively, which earned him two IPL world records.

“It’s incredible, considering he only weighs 68-kilograms,” Whitsunday Weightlifting coach Leanne Knox said.

His third record was the overall, a total of 348.5-kilograms. That score was calculated by adding the three, standerdised categories together: bench-press, deadlift, and squat.

As well, the club recorded some incredible results at its own internal competition, chief among them being member Ellen Brown’s world record lift in the 70-74-year-old division,

“At a local competition on Sunday, November 6, Ellen broke the world record by five kilograms in her age group in an unofficial competition, which she hopes to carry to World Championships next year,” Ms Knox said.

And the club’s Under 15 superstar, Tyson Williams Allen, broke the Queensland State record having only been weightlifting for just over a year and a half.

“We always tell them to aim as high as you can,” Ms Knox said.

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Rodney Wecker and Whitsunday Weightlifting club trainer Leanne Knox. Wecker claimed a world record at the recent World Championships

Airlie Beach Bowls Club has enjoyed success with their ladies’ and men’s teams in recent weeks, competing in the State Championship in both categories – with one exceptional win.

The club is hoping that, 1097 kilometres away at the Pine Rivers Bowling Club in Brisbane, the team of Luke Kinnear, Warren Mills, and Manny Isgro can continue that winning form at the finals of the Australian BPL on Sunday, November 6, and Monday, November 7.

Wednesday: A big roll up of players, with the team of David Meiklejohn at lead, Lyn Graham at second, and Tony Whitehorn at skipper the big winners of the day.

Business House Bowls: The Barbecue was supplied by Battery Warehouse, while PRD, the club’s Major sponsor, went home the big winners of the night, once again donating their prize money to the school children’s competition.

Saturday Scroungers: National Umpire John Askew watched on as first round winners Russell Jackson, Gary Kiff, Peter Barratt, and Nik Fernbach won the day. Mr Fernbach and new member Gary Kiff progressed to the final, with Gary Kiff taking home the prize money.

Sunday Social Bowls: Highly competitive bowls on all rinks with the crown claimers of the day, skippered by Chairman Ash Warland and lead Mark Mawson. They defeated the side of Ladda Purdie at skipper with Lyn Graham at lead. Nik Fernbach topped it off by taking home the prestigious Health Hub award.

Fiona Greener, the club Manager, also provided wonderful refreshments and a delicious afternoon tea.

All club Mixed pairs, triples, and fours should be completed soon, and club members are encouraged to renew their memberships.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

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Warren Mills, Manny Isgro and Luke Kinnear at Pine Rivers Bowls Club for the Australian finals of the BPL