Dynamic running is a common trait for talented Mackay rugby league siblings Kai and Nathan Simon.

Seventeen-year-old Kai – who is contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys - proved a sensation at centre for St Patrick’s College last year in his final season in the schoolboy ranks.

With his bustling runs, turn of speed, raw power and radar boot the goalkicking ace piloted St Patrick’s to the finals of the Confraternity Shield and Aaron Payne Cup schoolboy competitions and the Walkerston Wanderers to an Under 17 Mackay Junior League premiership.

The powerfully-built three quarter was rewarded with selection in the 2022 Confraternity Shield Merit Team and the Queensland Country junior representative side that rolled City 38-20 in the annual Under 17s Challenge at Redcliffe – booting seven goals for a personal tally of 14 points.

While promising Kai has shone for the Mackay Cutters in this year’s Under 19 Mal Meninga Cup series, kid brother Nathan has stamped his mark in the Mackay Schools Rugby League Combined Year 7/8 Division 2 competition.

The dashing 13-year-old fullback was instrumental in St Patrick’s Navy’s 24-12 Grand Final victory over neighbours Mackay State High in the recent trophy decider at the Mackay Junior League Fields.  

Nathan’s elusive running and smart support play against his old school was a feature of the premiership triumph and capped an outstanding series for the Wanderers’ custodian.

He turned in consistent performances for the premiers with more than 200 running metres in each game, punishing defence and ability to counter-attack from all parts of the field.

Simon was ably supported by classy five eighth and skipper Matt Fenech, sharp centre Sonny Doring, rampaging prop Nate Faulkner, industrious back rowers Tayte Rowe and Angus Barns and skilful lock Flynn Taylor.

Contributed by Chris Karas

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Standing L-R: Kian Steyn, Tayt Rowe, Fynn Shears, Nathan Collis, Harper Shields, Blake Battaia, Matthew Paul (coach), Flynn Taylor, Caleb Presbitero, Connor Peno, Zac Johnson, Theo James, Jaden Chimes, David Casale (League Safe); front Jordan Ramos, Karana Gartner, Nate Faulkner, Matt Fenech (captain), Sonny Doring, Nathan Simon, Angus Barns and Cooper Freiberg

St Patrick’s Navy premiership-winning captain Matt Fenech (left) displays the Mackay Schools Sport Year 7/8 Rugby League Division 2 trophy with centre Harper Shields, one of the College’s most outstanding all round athletes. Photos supplied

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The final of the Queensland Women’s Selection Trials was held in Brisbane on April 3. Four Mackay members travelled down for the competition that was held over two weekends. Well done to the ladies that were selected (pictured).

Mackay Contract Bridge Weekly Results

Monday 10 April 2023 - 5 Table One Winner, Green Pts

1st Janelle Conroy / Terrence Sheedy

2nd Eric Goodchild / David Ting

3rd Anne Lutz / Geoff Taylor

4th Frances Brown / Alan Brown

5th Ken Seaniger / Robert Carless

6th Marilin Robins / Margaret Jennings

Tuesday 11 April 2023 – 4 Table One Winner Green Pts

1st Frances Brown / Alan Brown

2nd Ken Seaniger / Robert Carless

3rd Terrence Sheedy / Noel Bugeia

4th Janine Rodgers / Richard Wix

5th Eric Goodchild / Debra Goodchild

Wednesday 12 April 2023 – 8 Table Mitchell Green Pts

1st Terrence Sheedy / Noel Bugeia

2nd Marie McGuire / Nancy Wix

3rd Joyce Deguara / Mary Cruickshank

4th Max Holewa / Diane Holewa

1st Monica Darley / Kath Poole

2nd Sandra Morris / Jan Harris

3rd David Ting / Ming Ting

4th Josie Cowley / Barbara Tait

Thursday 13 April 2023 – 3 Table One Winner

1st Janelle Conroy / Noel Bugeia

2nd Jan Harris / Sandy Patterson

3rd Janine Rodgers / Richard Wix

Friday 14 April 2023 – 9 Table Mitchell Green Pts

N/S

1st Max Holewa / Diane Holewa

2nd Monica Darley / Del Ryan

3rd Ming Ting / David / Ting

4th Joyce Deguara / Toni Large

E/W

1st Noel Bugeia / Terrence Sheedy

2nd Susan Wright / Clare Wallace

2nd Geoff Taylor / Joy Robinson

4th Nancy Martin / Kath Poole

Saturday 15 April 2023 – 10 Table Mitchell Green Pts

N/S

1st Geoff Taylor / Del Ryan

2nd Janet Hansen / Diane Morgan

3rd Joy Robinson / Ken Seaniger

4th Ian Gaskell / Carol Gaskell

5th Monica Darley/ Kath Poole

E/W

1st Janelle Conroy / Robert Carless

2nd Terrence Sheedy / Eric Leivesley

3rd Annie Lynch / Anne Lutz

3rd Frances Brown / Alan Brown

5th Susan Ross / Sandy Paterson

Contributed by Joy Block

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Janet Hansen, Frances Brown, Diane Morgan & Maria Setiyawan

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On Wednesday March 15, the Harvest Triples were held at Marian Bowls.

There were 16 teams that played two games of 15 ends.

Most of the district was represented and a good time was had by all.

First: Marian - Doris Fry, Judith Miller and Lyn Jackson.

Second: Suburban - Ahondi Ray, Rhonda Meng and Florence Keft.

Third: Northern Beaches - Debbie Adams, Lynda Leyshon and Jill Hancock.

Contributed by Lyn Jackson

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Mackay Bowls Club Ladies’ Section had a successful Presidents at Home day on Friday April 14 with a full green of 48 players from various clubs around the Mackay district.

The games were played with good sportsmanship and much laughter was heard.

After the game, players were invited to have lunch.

President Hazel and her executive were joined by MDLBA President Lyn, Treasurer Pam, Selector Carmel along with Men's Section President John and Board representative Ryan, and then participated in raffles and cent sale.

The winners for the day were E Bartollo, F Lette, C Kirwin, and J Caban.

Lucky card was won by L Large, J Murray, R Hughes, and C Savage.

President Hazel thanked all members for their donations of prizes and help they provided to make the day a success.

Tuesday Social Play (19)

Winners of Winners

Leanne Jenner, Barry Jenner, Peter Taaffe.

Winners of Losers

Ted Gill, Whare Herewini, Barry Paskins, Alf Pagden.

Thursday Scroungers (23)

Joe Crocker def Hookey Wilson

There were no competitions played over weekend due to Pennants Starting.

Ladies Section travel to Northern Beaches on April 18 for Symons Shield Two Bowl Triples.

The weekend of April 28-29 is Mackay Club Prestige Fours with a full rink playing over the weekend with $8,000 in prizes shared among the top eight teams.

Pennant continues this weekend with games both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday: Division 2 away at Marian, Division 4 at Home, Division 6 away at Sarina.

Sunday: Division 2 Wests Tigers at Home, Division 4 away at Seaforth, Division 6 RSL at Home.

Good Bowling to all this weekend.

Contributed by Mike Irving

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Presidents Lyn and Hazel. Photo supplied

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It’s a narrative not unlike that of the Jamaican bobsled team.

An athlete preparing for a sport that takes place in the north American winter, training in tropical heat with not a flake of snow in sight.

The Iditarod is the biggest sporting event in Alaska; an annual long-distance sled dog race across 1,500 kilometres, seeing teams race through blizzards, sub-zero temperatures and gale-force winds.

Mackay’s Christian Turner was an unlikely late entry in the 2023 race, but the circumstances around his entry meant gave him a very good chance for success.

At 18 years old and living in Sydney at the time, Mr Turner moved to Canada where a love for snowboarding transformed into a passion for snow dog sledding.

“I got interested in the racing side of things and did a bunch of races in Canada, and decided that I wanted to do the big, long-distance races in Alaska,” Mr Turner said.

He undertook the intense qualification process required to enter the Iditarod and entered his first “last great race” in 2014.

Finishing the course in 11 days and four hours and placing 38th, Mr Turner said the experience was cold and brutal.

But it only fuelled his love of the sport; returning in 2015, Mr Turner finished the race in a career best nine days and 16 hours, placing 15th.

It looked to be his last Iditarod until, eight years later, a unique opportunity presented itself when friend and three-time Iditarod champion, Mitch Seavey, injured his back and was unable to race.

“There’s only a couple of people in the world who are qualified and good to go so he got in contact with me and asked if I wanted to take his team,” Mr Turner said.

With the dogs already in Alaska, there was only so much training he could do in Mackay.

“As soon as I found out, I was hard into my cardio, running Mount Pleasant Hill and riding my bike about 10 kilometres every morning,” he said.

“A lot of the trail is snowy mountains where you’re helping the dogs up the hills, running beside the sled, kicking on the flats; the fitter you are, the easier it’s going to be for the dogs.”

Mr Turner then made the trip to Alaska, training with the dogs before embarking on his third Iditarod and his first in eight years, with a team that came with great expectations and unique challenges.

“Looking after the team is the biggest thing, because you’re out there in minus 40 and you’ve got to make sure they’re getting the right intake of food and make sure they’re wearing the right winter clothes,” he said.

“You’ve got to have a rapport with the dogs; them understanding you, understanding you’re the boss and knowing you’re not going to put them in a situation that they can’t handle.

“My team caught a virus about 500 miles in and basically, for the rest of the race, I was just trying to make it to the end.

“I went from sixth position back to 18th very quickly just because they weren’t eating.

“The race was over for me midway, so I was just trying to care for the dogs and make it to the end.”

Once the dogs were healthy again, Mr Turner persevered, clawing back to finish the race in 10 days and one hour, placing 13th.

“It was quite mentally draining knowing I had such a good team, and, without the virus, I think I would’ve been right up there,” he said.

Regardless of the result, Mr Turner said it was good to back in Alaska where the reception was glorious.

“At the start of the race, you’ve got thousands of people throughout the city having barbecues and cheering you on,” he said.

“It’s a big party, really.”

A builder in Mackay with a young family, Mr Turner said he has no real urge to recommit to the Iditarod but if a similar opportunity were to present itself, he wouldn’t be able to say no.

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Mackay builder Christian Turner finished 13th in the “last great race on earth”, the Iditarod, in Alaska in March. Photos supplied: Christian Turner

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After two successful seasons, the Century Cricket Competitions Brisbane Senior Tournament (formerly the Brisbane Premier League) is expanding throughout the state for its third iteration, welcoming the Mackay-based Great Barrier Reef Rays.

The Rays are one of two new teams to be added to the 2023 season, alongside the Eastern Comets Adelaide All Stars, with the tournament pitting 10 Senior teams against each other in two pools of five.

“Growth of the Brisbane competition was always on the Century Cricket roadmap, so it is very exciting for us to be expanding into regional Queensland,” said Stuart Giles, Chair of Century Cricket Group.

“We’ve always had a focus on showcasing regional talent in the competition, and by including a regional team such as the Rays, we get to see more of this than ever before.

“Century Cricket Brisbane 23 promises to be a fantastic season kick-off to a summer of cricket.”

Known as the best regional cricket ground in Australia, the Great Barrier Reef Arena will be the official Rays headquarters, with General Manager Adrian Young saying the Rays have strong aspirations to provide a pathway for regional cricketers from the North.

“We have high hopes and spirits even higher, and we’re eager to take our first steps towards making a mark in Century Cricket Competitions Brisbane,” he said.

“With determination, hard work, and unwavering community support, the boys from the Reef are ready to embark on an exciting journey towards becoming a fierce contender in the competition and are here to prove that talent from the north can compete with the best in Brisbane.”

Nominations to play in the Century Cricket Competitions Brisbane Senior Tournament are now open, closing on Friday, April 28, with the season to start in August.

For more information, visit brisbanepremierleague.com.

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Pioneer Dolphin, Ella Bounden, travelled to the Gold Coast this past week for the Australian Age Championships.

You will remember this budding star from a recent article.

Ella did her club proud swimming the 50m backstroke amongst the best of the best at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.  

Whilst she described her event as not going to plan, she still managed a personal best.

She loved the experience and looks forward to swimming at Nationals again next year.  

Congratulations Ella – you have inspired so many in your Club to reach for the stars!

Contributed by Tahnie Malagueno

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A Mackay Christian College (MCC) student set a box jump record at City Fitness earlier in the year while completing school-based training sessions.

Standing at around 162cm, John Morano jumped 1.2m to set the record, a record that has since been matched albeit by much taller athletes than he.

13 students participated in the sessions across six weeks facilitated by Steve Eden of City Fitness Health Club.

“Students were measuring heart rates before and after training to see what effect training would have on that,” Mr Eden said.

“The classes we were doing were functional classes and one of those functional classes included box jumps and that’s when John set that magnificent height of 1.2m.

“He’d done a complete circuit as well, so he was already fatigued, and the athletic ability to be able to jump 1.2m is unreal, and at his height is just a huge athletic achievement.”

John, currently completing year 12, said he enjoyed the sessions as they pushed him to reach his goals.

“I had a goal to reach the rim of a basketball hoop,” John said.

“It was pretty good, just the feeling of it when you jump.”

MCC Sports Coordinator Sheril Buchanan said students looked at the components of fitness for the unit.

“They completed their first lot of tests and did the strength and conditioning unit and then they tested at the end of the unit to see if there were any improvements in those components of fitness,” she said.

“The box jump is a power component of fitness, so this is one where John improved.”

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John Morano (right) jumps with freakish ability, setting the box jumping record at Steve Eden’s (left) City Fitness. Photo supplied

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Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders hosted the Slade Point Rugby club at home on Saturday in front of a good home crowd.

It was a first half battle for both teams, neither giving an inch in attack nor defence, with Slade Point repelling four attempts by the Raiders to cross the line and coming close themselves on a number of occasions.

Half time saw the scoreboard reading nil all with 40 mins to go and it wasn’t until the 49th when Raiders left wing Rhys Ward got a pass from the base of a ruck in our own 22.

Ward put the foot down to get past his opposite number, side stepping the cover defence and flying down the sideline before a little kick chase to get around the fullback and came away with the first try.

A great individual display of his skills, converted by Niall Clancy and the raiders led seven-nil until the 57th.

Slade Point crossed the line and made the score 7 all and the game was again in the balance until Raiders’ fullback Jack Briskey crossed the line in the 65th, taking it to 14 -7.

The 74th minute saw the Slade boys cross the line again for a 14-12 scoreline.

It took the Raiders until the last five minutes of the game to show some ascendancy and put another two on the board to end the game as a 26-12 hard fought win.

Raiders sit top of the MRU competition table and head into the game against Moranbah Bulls at the Sportspark this coming Saturday.

And next weekend, the Sportspark will hold the Anzac triple-header, an expanded competition on Saturday, April 22.

Featuring six clubs – Moranbah Bulls, Kuttabul Boks, Whitsunday Raiders, Mackay Cities, Brothers Mackay and Bowen Mudcrabs - there will be plenty to look forward to over the three games, in what is no doubt one of the biggest game days of the season.

Contributed with thanks to Craig Spence

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The Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders had a tough-fought win against Slade Point last weekend

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The week started off with Tuesday Ladies Day at Airlie Beach Bowls Club where a brilliant display from Tony Whitehorn and Rhonda Lloyd had the highest winning margin.

Tina Schubert and Sandra Argo were the second big winners after progressing to the semi-finals with a surprising win over Ladda Purdie and Elaine Hadlow.

Wednesday afternoon’s Jackpot Bowls was won by Mens President Peter Barrett as skipper with Keith Bates at lead and Rick Galea.

The men were runaway victors for the money, and Stacey Hadlow went home with the prestigious Health Hub Award.

Friday afternoon saw the resumption of the final of the Men’s Triples which was brilliantly won by John Fielding, Russell Jackson, and Manny Isgro.

Saturday and Sunday had home and away games for Division Four, with Division One playing Proserpine at home on Saturday with an overall team win of three points but losing two games.

On Sunday at Sarina only Mannys team won but the other two teams went down gallantly.

Division Four travelled to Seaforth and won one and lost one, but lost on aggregate.

At home on Sunday against Mackay the Division Four team bounced back with a big win and the second team faded for a draw but got the points 4.5 to .5.

Divisions Five played at Sarina and lost but made amends with a great result on Sunday against a strong South Suburban club, 46-32, just losing on one rink but a huge win on the second.

Division Six also won on Sunday, 39-29, with one team just going down but a wonderful win for John Askew’s team.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

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On Wednesday at Proserpine Bowls Club plenty of players from Airlie Beach took the chance to have some grass practice ahead of upcoming Symons Shield and Pennants.  

Tina Schubert, Wendy Pomeroy, and Joan McGrath defeated Bruce Uhe, Alan Pershouse, and Noel Crosbie 22–11 in the first game of the week.

Meanwhile, Lyn Graham, Elaine Kippen, and Heather Brown defeated Henny Tattam, Vicki Spann, and Carol Crosbie, 20-14.  

Jim Bownds, Mike Harrison, and Philip Brown drew 22 all with Alen Sanderson, Pat Bownds, and Warren Wilson.

On Saturday, Division Five Pennants played Airlie Beach at Proserpine, with Proserpine winning one of the two rinks and winning the match 40-24, scoring four match points plus 16.  

Division One played Airlie Beach at Airlie Beach, with Proserpine winning two rinks but losing the match 58-55, winning two Match points minus three.

On Sunday Division One played Souths Suburban at Proserpine with Proserpine defeated on all three rinks, earning no Match Points with a minus of 52.  

Division Five played St Helens at St Helens, with Proserpine losing both rinks, winning no Match points, and with a minus 30.

In Competition games played this week, Club Championship Singles saw Shane Kinnear defeat Marcus Craig, 25-14, and Scott Hamilton defeat Harry Craig, 26-9.  

In B Singles, Toby Craig defeated Bruce Uhe, 25-3, and Isaac Elliott defeated Todd Leys, 25-7.

In Social play on Sunday afternoon, Lindsay Park, Heather Brown, and Mike Harrison defeated Alen Sanderson, Heather Brown, Grahame Kinnear, and Mary Hedgelong, 23-10.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

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On Sunday at Wangaratta Bowls Club four games of triples were played – each quite close.

Winners for the afternoon on account of ends were Deb Retchless, Laurie Land, and Graeme Read who drew with Kevin Baxter, Robyn Stitt, and Barry Beel.

In other games Bill Myers, Isobel Wheeler, and Kennedy Whitton defeated Deb Beel, Kent Moriarty, and Kevin Jewell, while Denise Wallace, Penny Warren, and Mark Drummond defeated Gwenda Lydom, Linda Scells, and Greg Colquhoun.

The final game was won by the team of Merle Elphinstone, and Lyn and Geoff Danvers, who defeated Irene Laird, Sue Shearing, and  Pat Tracey.  

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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Wednesday’s competition at Bowen Golf Club was a single stableford event sponsored by the club, with Ladies’ winner on a countback Penny Stewart, 39 points.

Women’s runner up was Trish Sellen, also 39 points, while Men's winner was Jeremy Chrzanowski on 38, runner up on a countback Kevin Clark, 37.

Saturday’s competition was a single stableford event sponsored by the Original North Australian Hotel.

Ladies’ winner was Carol O'Connell, 37 points, runner up Helen Fellows on 34.

Pin shots to Penny Stewart, Carol O'Connell, Judy Atkins, and Julie Martin who also won the Car Wash voucher.

Men’s winner was Kevin Cross, 43 points, runner up Scott Pearce, 40.

Pin shots to Malcolm Martin, Rhyce Layton, Graeme Baker, and Ben Fellows, with Malcolm Martin and Craig Van Veen both with OBP's.

This weekend's competition is a single stableford event sponsored by Margaret Whyte. Don't forget to wear purple, Marg's favourite colour.  

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

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Ladies’ Saturday winners Carol O'Connell and Helen Fellows

Allen Roberts edged out Wilf Herweg on a countback in Tuesday’s Stabelford at Proserpine Golf Club.

Both men carded 39 points and were followed in third place by Jim Cochrane on 38 points, while NTPs were won by Allen Roberts and Len Booroff.

The ladies teed up for the Wednesday Stableford in fine numbers, with Trish McNeill the winner on 39 points ahead of 20 other competitors.

She was closely followed by Pauline Redpath on 37, and Beryl Nosworthy in good form on 34 points. Toni Clauss, Trish McNeill and Ann Gardel were the NTP winners.

Aaron Prosser and Adam Tester were back on the winner’s podium for Division One and Two, respectively, in the Thursday Stableford.

Nathan Holohan runner up in Division One on 39 points, and Brent Daniels in third place on 37 points.

Russell Reardon also played well with a handicap equalling 36 points, beating James Devery on a countback.

NTP winners: Steve Mitchell, Adam Maggs, Gavin Kerwand and Trish McNeill

George Steane shot a par round to win the 9-Hole Met Run on Friday afternoon, carding a very nice 22 points.

Troy Smith betting his handicap to shoot 20 points beating Billy O’Connor on a countback. Paul Gray and Tom O’Brien were the NTP winners.

Saturday’s event was a nett competition, Diane Chard led the ladies in with a very nice 71 nett, beating Mandy Patterson on a countback.

Tiina Randmae came third, only one shot back on 71 nett.

Sherri Meade and Pam Harrison won the two NTP’s up for grabs, while the men’s field was divided into two divisions, with Vincent Collins winning on 66 nett.

Jon Miller shot a one under par round to finish in second place on 67 nett, and Jason Bourke was in third place on 68 nett.

Division Two was won by Jack Paroz on 64 nett, followed by Billy Ruddell on 66 nett and Mark Cranston in third place also on 66 nett.

NTP winners: Pat Camm, Steve Kelly, George Steane, and Rod Wecker.

John Clark was on fire on Sunday to win the Club Stableford with a scorching 42 points, three ahead of second placed Nathan Holohan, and Ken Granger one back from second on 38 points.

Aaron Prosser was the NTP winner.

Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Golf Club Pro Shop

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The Mark Nicol memorial ambrose was held on Sunday for Whitsunday Social Golfers who arrived in force, with a field of 26 players vying for the trophy.

With a nett score of 60, the Trophy was claimed by Pam Casey and Lew Tuck, with runners up on 63.25 were Elise Hodgson and Chris Bartlett, and in the rundown Jason Bourke and Clay Coles came in on 64.5.

They were closely followed by Pauline Redpath and Dean Kercher on 64.75.

Nearest the Pins went to the teams of Caly and Jason, Lew and Pam, Dean and Pauline, Tiina Randmae and Jo Moynihan, and Mark Rutherford and Mark Callaghan.

Longest drives were claimed by George Meharry, Don Cameron, Penny Wardroper. and Linda Wardroper.

The Bradfords went to Scott and Linda Wardroper.

The Club extended thanks to the Reef Gateway Hotel for support each week of prizes and sustenance.  

Contributed with thanks to Joanne Moynihan

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Whitsunday Social Golfers Pam Casey, Lew Tuck, and Elise Hodgson