Dave Elliott is regarded as one of the finest rugby league coaches in Queensland and a major career influence  - now his 12 year old son, Cooper, is ready to carve a niche in the sport he covets.

It has been a season to savour for the Mercy College Year 7 student who achieved success with the Magpies club during the 2022 Mackay and District Junior League competition.

The powerful young prop was a lynchpin for the Magpies as they skittled the previously undefeated Proserpine Brahmans 28-0 in the Grand Final to bring home the Under 13s premiership trophy.

Cooper’s rampaging runs, clever off loads and bone jarring defence were a feature of the Magpies’ impressive finals charge and subsequent title triumph in his debut season with the club.

The proudest man at the Mackay and District Junior League Fields that day was Cooper’s dad – Dave Elliott – the outgoing Mackay Cutters Rugby League Head Coach who will take over the first grade coaching reins at Brisbane Norths Devils for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Young Cooper attributed his strong end-of-season form to the extra coaching he received from his father throughout his first year of competitive league.

“When the Cutters were training at BB Print Stadium I would tag along and dad would put me through my paces and teach me the finer points of forward play,” explained Cooper.

“I also received good tips from my Magpies coach Michael Muscat and just grew in confidence as the competition unfolded.”

Cooper will complete his Year 7 studies in Mackay before the family relocates to Brisbane at the end of the school term.

The promising forward – who turns 13 in December – will play for either the Norths Devils or Aspley Devils in the Brisbane Junior Rugby League competition next season.

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas.

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Image:  

1: Newly appointed Norths Devils Head Coach and outgoing Mackay Cutters mentor Dave Elliott congratulates his son Cooper Elliott after the Magpies Under 13 premiership triumph at the Mackay and District Junior League Grand Finals. Photo contributed

2: Promising Magpies prop Cooper Elliott stamped himself as one of the best young forwards in the Mackay district this season

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There were only magnificent games for Airlie Beach Bowls Club this week, starting on Tuesday in Yeppoon.

At the local Bowls Club, Airlie Beach Bowls were represented by skipper Betty Nicole, Margo Stanley, Jill Spencer, and Lyn Graham at lead, as well as the team of Lyn Skein, Betty Whitehorn, Elaine Kippen, and Jill Mazlin-Peterson.

In their Ladies Tournament over two days, the side narrowly missed the playoffs, but the local club are still extremely proud of their involvement.

Wednesday afternoon social bowls saw Shane Spann with Rick Galea, Vicki Spann, and Tony Whitehorn joint winners of the prizes.

The M.M.D.B.A Champion of Champions B Pairs were played over two days at the little club with some great games between Pioneer Valley, Sarina, Mackay City, North Mackay, Proserpine, Souths Suburban, Wests Tigers, and Airlie Beach.

Sunday morning saw the semifinals played with the strong South Suburban team prevailing over North Mackay and Airlie Beach winning a nail-biting victory over Sarina.

The final in the afternoon had Airlie Beach - represented by John Fielding and Nik Fernbach - against South Suburban.

The Suburban side of Bede Roebuck and Ron Horsfall put up a fight; the game went to the last bowl with Souths holding three up, but Nik Fernbach had other ideas.

Nik managed to give the Airlie Beach boys a 19-15 final victory with some exceptional bowling.

Sunday afternoon social bowls saw skipper Tony Whitehorn with Keith Bates, John Brown, and Mark Mawson winners of the afternoon with Keith Bates capping off his day with the prestigious Health Hub award.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

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Victors in the Champion of Champions B Pairs Nik Fernbach and John Fielding

This week seemed to be all about holes-in-one at Whitsunday Green Golf Club, with George Meharry making his fifth ever hole-in-one, Danny York his second, and Jai Young and James Kontis making their first.

For the weekly stableford, the winner was Elise Hodgson with a score of 20, managing to just beat Andrew Gomez with the countback. Bayden Davies was third with 19 points.

On Friday, Glenn Rees took the prize on a countback with 19 points followed by James Millar also on 19, and third John Shannon with 18 points.

For Sundays 18-hole, it was Rob Lodders who won with 39 points, with Danny York close behind with 38, and Dean Barnard with 37points.

Nearest the Pins were Wayne Singleton and Danny York.

Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross

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Danny York, one of four hole-in-one attainers this week at Whitsunday Green Golf Club

George and Tyson Meharry enjoying the course

It was another very successful trip for Proserpine Veteran Golfers on Saturday last week as they competed in the final round of the Whitsunday Veterans Competition.  

The association sends its thanks to all those that travelled from Proserpine for the event and over the past 12 months.

Proserpine Veterans were announced as the 2022 Whitsunday competition winners, winning a majority of the four rounds held throughout the year.

Nick Apruzzese was named the Whitsunday Veterans Player of the Year.

It has been a fantastic year for the Proserpine Veteran Golfers Association who are now the champions in both the Crocker Shield and the Whitsunday Veterans Competition.  

Next week, the club will be back at Proserpine to play a stroke event in warm up for the Monthly Medal round the following week.  

In addition to the Monthly Medal on Tuesday, November 1, the club will host its own Melbourne Cup Day luncheon afterwards.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat
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Whitsunday Veteran’s Player of the Year, Nick Apruzzese

Whitsunday Golf Club’s October Monthly Medal and first round of club championships were held on Sunday.

A field of 28 players contested the medal and championship round with the winners for Men’s A Grade, Darren Reynolds with a Nett 66, runner up Don Cameron on 69, and Men’s B Grade winner was Wilf Herweg on Nett 71, followed by Ron Jamieson on 73.

Ladies’ A grade winner went to Penny Wardroper on 69 Nett, followed closely by Anna Winterbourn on Nett 70.

Ladies B grade winner was Elise Hodgson on a Nett 69, with Karen Rix runner up on a Nett 73.

Longest drives went to Don Cameron, Gerald Lovell, Penny Wardroper, and Karen Rix.

The pin shots were claimed by Penny Wardroper, Tiina Randmae, Darren Reynolds, Ron Jamison, and Elise Hodgson.

Next Sunday will be the second round of Club Championships with a stroke competition for the day.

Contributed with thanks to Joanne Moynihan
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Darren Reynolds, Penny Wardroper, Wilf Herweg, and Elise Hodgson

On Saturday the club played a single stableford for the RV Golf trophies for the men and ladies.

The men’s winner was Gavin Kerwand with 43 points from Ross Meade, 41 and Jacob Nightingale, 40 on a count back.

The ladies’ winners were Sherri Meade, also with 43 points, from Wendy Gough 37 and Diane Chard with 35 on a count back.

The place getters were Adrian Sverdloff and Mick Kavanagh, 40, on 39 were Adam Maggs, Rob Stanley, Michael Cragg and Ryan Kenny, Barry Mortimer and Mat Bower, 38 and Aaron Prosser and Ryan Wilks 37 on a count back.

Scott Lee, Jacob Nightingale, Sean Gower, Andrew Colborne, Diane Chard and Mandy Patterson won a ball in the pin shots, while five featured in the two-shot pool. Thirty-six points and above “beat the Pro”.

Forecasts of rain and a thunderstorm reduced the field on Thursday to 16.

Peter Gibbons, a visitor from Heyward Golf Club took first place with 40 points from John Grosskreutz, 38 and John Strelec 37 on a count back.

Four featured in the run down while Ron Jamieson, Allen Roberts and John Grosskreutz, on nine and 16, took the pin shots.

Vickie Wallace, with 36 points won the Wednesday ladies, followed by Elspeth Scotford, Leanne Alexander, Mandy Patterson, Diane Chard and Heather Luvis, all on 35 points.

Phil Luckett took Tuesday’s stableford with 40 points from Michael Thompson, 38, Lyn Muller 37, and Jim Cochrane 35. Tina Badenhorst won the pin shot.

Sunday’s stroke event was won by Darren Reynolds on nett 66, from Adam Maggs 68.

The ladies’ winners were Elise Hodgson, 68, Penny Wardroper 69, Anna Winterbourn, 70 and Karen Rix 73.

Scott Grigg, Don Cameron, Aaron Prosser and Michael Thompson were the place getters.

The pin shots were won by Scott Grigg and Tiina Randmae, two, Anna Winterbourn, nine, Adam Maggs 13 and Geoff Harrison 16.

Contributed with thanks to Peter Lewis

Wednesday’s competition at Bowen Golf Club was a single Bogie for the men and a single stableford for the Ladies.

Ladies’ winner was Tanya Gaudry with 37 points, runner up on a countback was Viv Clark, 35 points. In the Men’s, the winner on a countback was Graham Easton +4, followed by runner up Peter May, also on +4.  

Saturday’s competition was a single stableford event for the Margaret Watson Memorial sponsored by the Watson and Garrod families.  

Ladies’ winner Paulette Barrett, 37points, second went to Pauline Martin, 36, and third to Robyn Slade, 35.  Pin shots to Meg Garrod, Marg Tilbrook, Julie Mawson, Wendy Tracey, and twice to Claire Garrod.  

Longest drives to Rhiannon Nott and Tanya Gaudry, with accuracy drives to Grace Nott and Tanya Gaudry.  

Men’s winner Ben Fellows, 44 points, followed by second-placed Isaac Fellows, 39, and third place to Peter Theodossio, 38.  

Pin shots to Russell Smith, Ben Fellows, Isaac Fellows, Dave Lydom, Mick Mawson, and Andrew Glossop.

Longest drives to Isaac Fellows and Peter May, with accuracy drives to Ron Edkins and Gary Marks.  

Thanks were extended from the club to Greg Watson and family, as well as the Garrod family with both groups for putting on “a fabulous day”.

This weekend’s competition is a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Home Hardware.  

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

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The Marg Watson Memorial winners with sponsors Ian Garrod and Sam and Greg Watson

Airlie Beach will be “safer for all waterway users” according to Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) after the announcement of a new six-knot speed limit for the area.

Maritime Safety Queensland General Manager Kell Dillon said the introduction of the reduced speed limit was an effort to improve safety, a decision which “received strong public support.”

"The waters around Airlie Beach are busy and often congested with recreational and commercial craft of many kinds, including tourism and live-aboard vessels, as well as swimmers and passive craft," Mr Dillon said.

"While a speed limit of six knots already applied in the two marinas and their lead entrances, there had been many minor collisions and near-miss incidents around the nearby mooring grids.

"MSQ had also received many complaints from owners of moored and anchored craft about motorised craft endangering their safety by passing too close at excessive speed.

"MSQ considered it was only a matter of time before a serious incident occurred.”

Mr Dillon said MSQ had conducted extensive public consultation over six months on options to improve safety.

He said this outcome provides clarity for the local and visiting boating communities.

“[This change is] easier to enforce and will reduce the potential for collisions between vessels and damage or injuries caused by vessel wash," he said.

MSQ estimates that extending the six-knot speed limit into the mooring zones will mean, at most, four minutes of extra time.

"An extra four minutes, when weighed against the likely safety benefits, is a compromise any responsible skipper would support,” Mr Dillon said.

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With Proserpine Cricket Club’s Juniors Pitbulls under 11 side having a bye last weekend, the club took the opportunity to blood some young guns in its under 12s.

Under 12s Proserpine versus Brothers: Noah was the captain this week and unfortunately lost the bat flip, which proved crucial in the outcome of the game.

The weather was hot and steamy with the new ball swinging and skidding-on, making batting difficult early, and Pitbulls put in a respectable 48, considering the conditions - which was always going to be a hard target to defend.

The grounds were drying out as the morning went on and it didn’t come out the young Pitbulls day in the end - but they should take a lot of lessons out of that game. Congratulations to Matty, who was the players player, retiring not out 5, 2 great overs and then kept wickets after drinks to give Alex a bowl.

Under 13s Proserpine versus Pioneer Valley: The Pitbulls, with J Rock as captain, lost the toss and were sent into bat with a wet outfield, but with the sun shining.

The Pitbulls put in an impressive 117 runs to defend, and their U13’s accurate bowling and good out fielding proved the difference: all out for 79 runs.

Bowling wise, it was a team effort, with the wickets being shared J Rock 2-13, B Hope 3 overs 1-5, J Lawn 1-9, O Seamer 1-4 and A Farley 1-12.

B. Hope was named man of the match with a great all-round effort with the ball.

Under 15s Proserpine vs Pioneer Valley: Captain Ben Valmadre saw promise in grabbing the willow to post a score and defend the total.

The side posted 8-137, falling short of the planned 150, but defendable, nonetheless.

After weathering the Pioneer Valley attack, the Pitbulls were keen to have their turn with the leather, and the eager side finished their 25 overs, toppling the strong Panthers side who fell short at 7-108.

Special thanks to the massive effort from Craig and Mark Valmadre who covered all the pitches before the rains to make sure the cricket was on.

Contributed with thanks to Troy Smith, Stephen Logan, and Craig Valmadre

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The Whitsunday iteration of parkrun in the coastal town of Airlie Beach welcomed runners, joggers, and walkers for its 333rd parkrun where tutus were optional but many were seen out on the waterfront course.

It was a glorious Saturday with 100 participants on the five-kilometre Marina run, which included 20 first timers.

12 participants recorded new Personal Bests: Kirsten, Josh, Annaliese, Peter, Robert, Daisy, Emma, Michael, Jeff, Geoff, Lilly, and Ben. Annaliese also ran her 10th parkrun as a junior and Carly completed her 25th parkrun.

The 333rd event was made possible by 17 wonderful volunteers: Nick, Kara, Maree, Chris, Daniel (co-run director), Sarah (co-run director), Nathalie (photographer), Kirsty, Wade, Jess, Charlie, Lilliana, Laura, Lynne, Erica, Dennis, and Joanne.

Airlie Beach parkrun have joined parkruns across the world celebrating 'parkwalk' for the month of October, with the goal of having as many walkers as possible.

New participants are encouraged to come along and walk the 5km course – there are even ‘parkwalk’ volunteers to look after them.

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.

The full results and a complete event history can be found at https://www.parkrun.com.au/airliebeach/results/latestresults/

Contributed with thanks to Airlie Beach parkrun

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25-year-old Carly at her 25th parkrun where she came 25th, in 25 minutes

Annaliese completing her 10th parkrun and notching up a new personal best

The generous volunteers for Airlie Beach parkrun, decked out in tutus for the 333rd event

Twilight Race: As the boats left the marina for last Wednesday’s weekly twilight race, they were greeted by a 15 knot north easterly breeze, which subsequently dropped to 10 knots by the time the race commenced.

A total of 22 boats and 124 crew faced the start boat for a few laps of the 1.5 nautical mile course.

Division Two saw seven boats in their fleet, with Reignition (Charles Wallis) leading, but the conditions ideally suited Smooth Criminal (Leo Rodriguez) as they powered to the front of the fleet by the time they reached the first rounding mark.  

Bobby’s Girl (Mark Beale) worked their way into second place with Reignition relegated to third on line honours.  

Further back, QMS Ponyo (John Galloway) had an off day, while a close battle loomed between Treasure VIII (Rob Davis) and Wide Load (Shannan Hart).  Twister (Kevin Fogarty) also struggled in the light conditions.  On corrected time, Smooth Criminal took the win from Reignition and Bobby’s Girl.

In Division Three, Wobbly Boot (Craig Piccinelli) took the Doyle Sails sponsored best start prize, but were soon overtaken by Alabaster (Kate Warren), leading to a three-way battle at the front as Matchless (Terry Stevens) joined the action.  The light conditions suited Lighthorse (Dianne Forster) and Rossgo (Greg Hammon), while Manteca (Frank Tennison) matched the pace of Lighthorse, crossing the finishing line just two seconds ahead to take the corrected time win, with Alabaster second and Manteca third.

The multihull fleet of four boats saw Angus (Michel Van Der Zwaard) lead from start to finish with Malice (Graham Matthews) a distant second, while G’nome (Terry Archer) crossed the finishing line 23 seconds ahead, but 1 lap short of the leaders while Kay Cee (Will Richards), sailing solo, made up the balance of the fleet.  Angus took the corrected time win from Malice and G’nome.

Lady Skippers Race: Last weekend saw a fleet of six boats competing in the Whitsunday Sailing Club lady skippers’ series, condensed to two races on Sunday.  The fleet consisted of a mixture of boats from Overdrive, a 10.7 metre trimaran through to Norbert G, a 6.3 metre trailable yacht. Eligibility required a female helm on each boat as the person in charge.

Race One saw Smooth Criminal (Donnah Jordan) leading the fleet from Overdrive (Darlene King) and Alabaster (Kate Warren).  Further back, Kay Cee (Anne Miller) led Lighthorse (Kerry Aspland) and Norbert G (Karen Evans).  On corrected time, Lighthorse took the honours from Norbert G and Overdrive.

Race Two saw the boats finishing in the same order, however corrected time results were quite different.  This time Alabaster took the win from Norbert G and Overdrive.  

Overall results saw Norbert G (four poits) take the win from Alabaster (six), on a countback from Lighthorse (six) and Overdrive (six), Smooth Criminal (eight), and Kay Cee (12).

Contributed with thanks to Ross Chisholm
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Side by Side with Lighthorse and Manteca

The rate of Volunteer Marine Rescue activations increase has slowed as the last week’s windy conditions restrict movement on the water, but the local organisation are still comfortably ahead of last year to date.

In light of fewer vessels in the water, Volunteer Marine Rescue are taking the opportunity to educate sailors on the use of distress signals, flares and emergency beacons.

If a vessel or individual finds itself in an emergency on the water and needs help, distress signals are the solution, according to the local group.

Signalling devices are compulsory for all boats operating between sunset and sunrise – whether they be a torch, fluorescent light, lantern or cyalume stick – all are suitable as long as they generate enough light to be seen by other boats and prevent a collision and attract attention.

Other distress signals – aside from compulsory radios on board all vessels - include marine radio broadcast, flares, signal mirror, V sheet and sound signal.

Vessels in the vicinity of a signalling boat must be vigilant – an eye on other vessels is always a bright idea - and they must respond to any emergency signals.

Volunteer Marine Rescue said they were aware of some incidents where vessels used emergency signals to indicate that they required assistance but passing vessels did not respond.

For the storage of flares, it is recommended they remain in a dry place where they will be readily accessible in an emergency. They have a lifespan of three years and must be replaced prior to the expiry date.

VMRW membership is “cheap insurance at just $80” and can be joined online at https://vmrwhitsundays.com.au/join/

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Testing your skills on court against the State’s leading schoolgirl basketballers can be a sometimes difficult and arduous task.

For a batch of athletic and determined Mercy College Mackay students it has proved a memorable experience with the nine hoopers bringing home a silver medal from the Molten Champion Basketball School of Queensland tournament staged last week on the Gold Coast.

Promising juniors Mackenzie Brown, Hannah Jenson, Ruby Crouch, Jessica Harris, Mia Young, Olivia Smyth, Amelia Crouch, Jaimie McPhee and Mikayla Green flew the flag proudly for the Mackay region by reaching the Grand Final of the Junior Secondary Girls Division 2 championship.  

Under the expert guidance of renowned Queensland North State basketball coach Jamiey Doevendans and Rachel McKenzie, the girls turned in superb performances to qualify for the trophy decider where they were toppled 31-21 by an all-conquering Trinity College Beenleigh team.

It was a courageous effort by the Mackay warriors after producing skilful displays to win seven of their eight Pool A fixtures and finish second on 22 points behind the undefeated Beenleigh outfit (24 points).

Mercy College advanced to the championship decider after tipping out Sheldon College 33-21 in a semi-final with the Beenleigh girls downing Mount Alvernia College 31-16.

During the Pool rounds the Mercy girls chalked up an impressive tally of 311 points while conceding only 109 – posting an even better record than eventual champions Trinity College (305-113).

Mercy College fielded a youthful combination in the Junior Secondary Boys Division 3 championship – winning their opening two games before lining up against some of the finest schoolboy basketball talent in the State.

On the final day the boys defeated Redlands College to clinch the play-off for seventh spot.

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas.

Pic caption: Mercy College volunteer Head Basketball coach Jamiey Doevendans (left) and Assistant Principal Curriculum Scott McSherry with silver-medal winning hoopers standing L-R: Jessica Harris, Mia Young, Ruby Crouch, Mackenzie Brown; kneeling Jaimie McPhee, Olivia Smyth, Mikayla Green, Hannah Jenson and Amelia Crouch. Photo contributed

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A big weekend of Bridge has been played on the weekend.

Saturday was the first of three weeks of the Mackay President’s Shield and Sunday was the first of three weeks of the Mackay Novice Pairs (<100 pts).

The President’s Shield is played over three weeks, with three different partners. The Novice Pairs is played over three weeks, with the same partner.

Saturday 17 September – Presidents Shield Week 1 of 3

N/S

1st Noel Bugeia / Terrence Sheedy

2nd Janelle Conroy / Robert Carless

3rd Nancy Martin / Kath Poole

4th Patricia Garner / Jan Harris

5th Frances Brown / Alan Brown

E/W

1st Diane Morgan / Cheryl Machen

2nd David Ting / Ming Ting

3rd Monica Darley / Richard Wix

4th Mick King / Noel Saunders

5th Joy Robinson / Ken Seaniger

Sunday 17 October – Novice Pairs Week 1 of 3

N/S

1st Annie Lynch / Sandra Morris

2nd Carol Gaskell / Ian Gaskell

3rd Anne Lutz / Diane Stokes

E/W

1st Faith Hutchinson / Joy Block

2nd Mary Rose Ramsden / Carmel Brown

3rd Griffin Bancroft / Marylin Wilson-Nicholl

Weekly Results

Monday 10 October – 5 Table One Winner

1st Ming Ting / David Ting

2nd Antonia Tarradas / Graham Smith

3rd Monica Darley / Kath Poole

4th Edward Kliese / Diane Stokes

Wednesday 12 October – Nation Wide Pairs Week 20 of 22

1st Noel Bugeia / Doone Mitchell

2nd Ming Ting / David Ting

3rd Monica Darley / Kath Poole

4th Joy Brunette / Don Poole

1st Diane Holewa / Max Holewa

2nd Robert Carless / Joy Robinson

3rd Terrence Sheedy / Eric Leivesley

4th Janelle Conroy / Alan Brown

Thursday 13 October – 4 Table One Winner

1st Terrence Sheedy / Noel Bugeia

2nd David Ting / Eric Goodchild

3rd Frances Brown / Ann Whitmore

4th Ken Seaniger / Robert Carless

Friday 14 October – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

1st Terrence Sheedy / Noel Bugeia

2nd Griffin Bancroft / Nancy Wix

3rd Anne Lutz / Toni Large

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E/W

1st Lorna Shuttlewood / Monica Darley

2nd Janelle Conroy / Pamela Finger

3rd Geoff Taylor / Joy Robinson

4th Ted Cullinan / Noel Saunders

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Contributed with thanks to Joy Block.

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Our ‘Come and Try’ evening was quite successful, with several new members having applied to join our club. All of them showed promise; some coaching will bring out the best in them and hopefully they will enjoy their membership here.

North Mackay men won all three games against Sarina in the Dr. Williams Shield match on Saturday at Goosies. Our next opponents were Souths/Suburban, who won their games against Northern Beaches, but we lost to Souths on Sunday at Mackay City club.

Social Results

Monday pairs winners were G. Fahy and P. Crawford, followed by D. Layden and Wolfgang. Lucky draws were won by B. Woodward and S. Sommerfeld.

Wednesday ladies’ day was won by Jean Comelli and Pat O’Neill. Runners up: Chree Reseck, Wendy McGee and Shirley Bartolo.

Thursday pairs draws were won by Chriss Hall and Jess Haber, followed by Lance Edwards and Wayne Trannore. Greens vouchers winners were Margaret Fogg and Brian Perrin. The kitty toucher jackpots.

Friday pairs winners were Neil and Maureen Blucher, who have been playing very well lately. Lucky draws were won by Wayne and Vern Mietzel, and Andrew Coates and Margaret Creese.

Saturday men’s day pairs winners were Kevin Dwyer and Ron Bowers, followed by Peter Delaney and John Fry. The jackpot was not won.

Contributed by Tony Allsop.

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