Awards galore were presented at Mackay Contract Bridge Club Annual General Meeting.

The Founder’s Teams Championship - The Holewa Team: Max and Diane Holewa, Eric Leivesley and Terrance Sheedy.

Club Teams Championship - Open: Monica Darley, Kath Poole, Del Ryan and Janet Hansen

Understate: Patterson Team: Sandy Patterson, Geoff Cowan, Debbie and John Ludkin and Thomas Block

Club Pairs Championship - Open: Diane Holewa and Max Holewa

Under State: Sandra Morris and Noel Saunders

President’s Trophy (Playing with three different players) - Del Ryan

Remembrance Pairs - Open: Joy Robinson

Under State: Anne Whitmore

Club Novice Pairs Championship - Anne Lutz and Diane Stokes

Mary Barfield Award (for most promising student player) - Cheryl Machen

Most Promising Player–Supervised Play (Sponsor - Monica Darley) - Vicki Howard

Weekly Results

Monday 19 September 22 - NWP

1st Anne Lutz / Barbara Tait 1st Lorna Shuttlewood / Janet Hansen

2nd Janelle Conroy / Terrence Sheedy 2nd Frances Brown / Alan Brown

Tuesday – 20 September – 4 Table One Winner Green Points

1st Janine Rodgers / Nancy Wix

2nd Antonia Tarradas / Graham Smith

3rd Janet Hansen / Diane Morgan

Wednesday 21 September  – 7 Table Green Points

N/S EW

1st Joy Robinson / Robert Carless 1st Monica Darley / Kath Poole

2nd Mary Cruickshank / Ian Cruickshank 2nd Josie Crowley / Barbara Tait

3rd Carol Gaskell / Ian Gaskell 3rd Diane Stokes / Victor Mason

Thursday 22 September  – 4 Table One Winner Green Points

1st Terrance Sheedy / Noel Bugeia

2nd Janelle Conroy / Jan Harris

3rd Patricia Garner / Mick King

Friday 23 September – 8 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S E/W

1st Monica Darley / Del Ryan 1st Alan Brown / Frances Brown

2nd Helen Van Den Broek / Don Poole 2nd Nancy Martin / Kath Poole

3rd Anne Lutz / Toni Large 3rd Victor Mason / Josie Crowley

4th Joy Robinson / Geoff Taylor

Saturday 24 September – 10 Table Mitchell

N/S E/W

1st Carol Gaskell / Ian Gaskell 1st Terrence Sheedy / Eric Leivesley

2nd Lorna Shuttlewood / Doone Mitchell 2nd Anne Whitmore / Sandra Morris

3rd Joy Robinson / Ken Seaniger 3rd Christine Nice / Faye Wright

4th Jan Harris / Mick King 4th Helen Van Den Broek / Joy Brunette

5th Susan Wright / Patricia Garner

Sunday 25 September – Novice 4 Table One Winner

1st Mary Rose Ramsden / Carmel Brown

2nd Ian Cruickshank / Anne Lutz

3rd Ann Whitmore / Sandy Patterson

4th Faith Hutchinson / Diane Stokes

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Pound for pound they don’t come any tougher or more resilient than Mercy College Mackay sporting warrior Saxon Crofts.

Whether its ripping into the opposition with a bustling run or copybook tackle for the Mercy rugby league colts or fooling the defence with a tricky step or sharp burst, in an All Schools Touch Football fixture you will find young Saxon leading from the front.

The 15-year-old utility forward was a genuine trojan for the College rugby league team in 2022 – inspiring team mates to another Grand Final appearance in the Cowboys Challenge Shield schoolboys competition.

In a cruel blow, the Mercy boys were less than 60 seconds away from back-to-back titles only to surrender possession and concede a try after the bell to Townsville rivals Kirwan State High School.

A super-fit Saxon turned in tireless displays during a hectic rugby league schedule this season at both schoolboy and Junior League level.

He proved a mainstay for both Mercy College and his club team Souths Sharks where he constantly topped the tackle count and metres gained with the ball.

Saxon demonstrated his versatility by wearing the number seven half back jumper and steering the Sharks to the Mackay and District Junior League Under 15 finals series.

The Sharks bowed out after a 20-10 loss to the Magpies in an elimination final with the courageous Crofts producing yet another wholehearted performance but to no avail.

A steely-eyed Saxon will now turn his attention to his other sporting love - touch football.

He is one of several Mercy/St Patrick’s College students that will compete at the 40th annual Gold Coast Titans Queensland All Schools Touch Football Championships to be staged from Wednesday October 5 to Sunday October 9 at the world class Gold Coast Performance Centre at Runaway Bay.

Saxon is part of a strong Under 15s Boys team that will test their skills and stamina at the prestigious carnival, billed as the world’s largest touch football tournament.

Mercy/St Patrick’s College have also entered an Under 13s Boys, Under 15s Girls and an Under 18 Mixed team in the coveted event.

The major tournament is run by Queensland Touch Football and attracts over 450 teams, representing various schools both nationally and internationally, on the big sporting stage.  

It is a seeded round robin-based competition where teams are placed in Pools of 6-8 teams depending on the size of the division, which provides school teams with a minimum of seven games.

Across the five-day tournament, more than 6,000 students will take to the field playing over 1,700 games across 23 fields, attracting between 6,000 and 10,000 spectators.

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas.

Pic caption: Mercy College sporting ace Saxon Crofts in action during this year’s Cowboys Challenge rugby league campaign.

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Outstanding Mackay Cutters rugby league colts Xavier Kerrisk, Jaxon Purdue and Kai Simon have capped a memorable 2022 campaign by earning Queensland Country Under 17 representative jumpers.

The talented trio produced strong performances last weekend to help Country topple Queensland City 38-20 in the annual Under 17s challenge at Redcliffe’s Moreton Daily Stadium.

It was an impressive achievement by the St Patrick’s College Mackay students and North Queensland Cowboys scholarship recipients who have captured the imagination of senior rugby league officials with their skill and durability.

The Queensland City v Country Under 17s clash was played as a curtain raiser to the Hostplus Cup Grand Final with Norths Devils chalking up back-to-back premiership titles after a 16-10 triumph over Redcliffe Dolphins.

Country Under 17s sealed the victory with a dominant second half display to claim bragging rights.

Power running prop Delasalle Va’a - who is contracted to the Sydney Roosters – and elusive Souths Townsville winger Rayzarlin Pearson grabbed try doubles for Country with Central Queensland Capras fullback Mutua Brown and wily hooker Kerrisk completing the six try rout.

Promising centre Simon bagged a personal tally of 14 points after potting seven goals.

Country jumped to an early 12-0 lead before City hit back with tries by prop Michael Waqa and half back Stanley Huen that were converted by five eighth Keahn Skipps.

A penalty goal by Simon gave Country a narrow 14-12 advantage at the half time break.

City struck after the interval with centre Devonte Vaivela crossing for a converted try and Skipps adding a penalty goal to give his side a 20-14 lead.

But when a rampaging Va’a burst over for a second try the Country colts clicked into top gear and stamped their supremacy through their slick backline and rugged forward pack.

The representative honours capped a big fortnight for the dynamic Simon and Kerrisk, who had earlier captained the Wanderers club to an Under 17s premiership win over Purdue’s Norths Devils in the Mackay and District Junior League competition.

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas.

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Congratulations to Fred Quod from Blast H20 on taking out first place in Mackay & Whitsunday Life’s inaugural Footy Tipping Comp.

Here’s what Fred has won:

• 2x Grand Final tickets

• $1500 cash

• Full page ad in Mackay & Whitsunday Life Newspaper

Congratulations also to our 2nd & 3rd place-getters:

Max Lamb – M&P Services

• $500 cash

• Half page ad in Mackay & Whitsunday Life Newspaper

Bruce Spannagle – Harry Brown, Cannonvale

• $300 cash

• Quarter page ad in Mackay & Whitsunday Life Newspaper

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If you would like to be part of our 2023 comp or become a Sponsor, book your spot now

as we already have some places filled.

Contact Jess on 0419 710 218 or email jess@mackayandwhitsundaylife.com

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It was semi-finals day at the club house on Sunday with three tough fixtures on the cards.

First up was the second consolation semi-final with Kameron Reason and Gary Robbie battling it out to see who will take on Ross Gallichan in the Hetlock Cup final on October 2.

Kameron led for most of the match, but when Gary came back from three legs behind to level the match five legs all, the momentum seemed to swing slightly.

The 11th leg was massive, and Gary took it with a double three to take the lead for the first time in the match at 6/5.

Kameron had chances in the 12th leg to tie it up at six all and take us to a decider but missed darts at doubles gave Gary the chances he needed to convert and take the victory seven legs to five.

In the first of two Premier League semi-finals, Joe Wilson was looking to bounce back from a disappointing 9/8 loss last week with a win here over Seumas Rose.

Unfortunately for Seumas, he couldn’t rediscover the kind of form that helped him last week in his fine victory over Alan Green. Joe proved too strong for him at this stage of the competition, with Joe winning comfortably 9/3.

The last game of the day was the second Premier League semi-final match between two previous champions. With three Premier League titles between them, this one was a toss of a coin between the two-time defending champion Jamie Woods and Andy Peel, the 2019 champion.

Both players showed they were capable of scores, but it was the checkouts that were alluding Woodsy, allowing Andy to keep his nose in front throughout the match.

Andy keeping his hopes of adding a second Premier League title to his name are well and truly alive, with a gritty 9/6 victory over a great champion in Jamie Woods.

Congratulations to all the victors today, and Commiserations to the losers, who will no doubt contend with the Xmas Open starting in November.

The Premier League is sponsored by Mika Airlie and Whitsunday Tattooing Airlie Beach.

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher

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Sunday was the Clubs 18-hole stableford championships.

It was Nathan Boys who succeeded to win the trophy with 41 points while Brad Low came in second with 40 points, and James (Jimmy) Millar in third with 36.

For the ladies it was Bree Harvey and Paula Wronski. Nearest the Pin winners were Brayden Davies and Nathan Boys.

The weekly 9-hole competition was won by Terry Kimpton with 22 points, then Tyson Flavel on 21 and Tim Walton with 19 points on a countback win.

The Friday 9-hole was also won by Terry Kimpton with 22 points, Brad Low as second with 20 points, and Tim Harris and Elise Hodgson both scoring 19. Tim taking the third place on the count back.

On Thursday the club held a special 18-hole stableford competition before Sunday’s Monthly Medal fixture.

Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross

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Last Tuesday, Proserpine Veteran Golfers played Pioneer Valley in a round of the Crocker Shield.

With 53 players out representing clubs from the Valley, as well as Proserpine, it was going to be a tough day. But, the Proserpine side took the points home with them in the end - 282 to 239.  

With one more round to go, Proserpine are leading the Crocker shield by 91 points.  

The ladies’ winner was Tina Badenhorst with 37 points followed by Jenny Hounsell, 36, and in the rundown Paula McQuat, 34.  

The men’s winner was Barry Shuwalow with 38 points, followed by John Roser, 35, and in the rundown Peter Fox, 34.  

Nearest the pin winners were Frank Moloney, George Oddy, Ron Gaucci, Paul Tilse , Anna Winterbourn, Jenny Hounsell, and Mandy Patterson.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

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Double bogies on the last two holes eventually cost Trish McNeill and Andrew Colborne the Club Foursomes title when they ended up playing Tiina Randmae and Lew Tuck in a sudden death playoff.

In a scrappy affair, Lew and Tiina won on the second hole.

Both teams finished the 27 holes with 128 gross.

In third place were Thomas Rimene and Leanne Alexander with 135 gross.

The nett winners were Ross McNeill and Noelene Spurway, 97, from Craig Smith and Tessa Aitken 100. Joanne Moynihan and George Meharry were in third with 103.5.

Saturday’s Monthly Medal saw David Telford the overall and C grade winner in the men’s with 67 nett.

The A grade winner was Allen Roberts with 68, from Mat Bower 70, and the B grade was taken out by Gary Scotford 69, from Phil Batty, 70.

Corey Stroud was the C grade runner up with 71 on a count back.

The ladies’ monthly medal winner was Heather Luvis with 71 nett, on a count back from Ann Gardel.

On Thursday, the men played a stableford in conjunction with a 4BBB.

The stableford was won by John Grosskreutz with 40 points from Jim Cochrane with 38 on a count back.

The 4BBB winners were Ken Granger and Jim Cochrane with 45 points, on a count back from Andrew Colborne and Lew Tuck.

Vickie Wallace was the Wednesday ladies’ winner with 40 stableford points, from Robyn Witham, 38, and Vicki Tuck 26.

Contributed with thanks to Peter Lewis

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

Ladies’ winner was Wendy Tracey, 38 points, runner up Grace Nott, 37.  Men’s winner James Miller 42pts, runner up on a countback David Carus 41pts.

Pin shots to Lisa Raisbeck, Bev Lowcock, Debbie Breeze, and Morag Parker with an OBP.  

Saturday, the Club played a single stableford sponsored by patron Margaret Whyte.

Ladies’ winner Lisa Raisbeck, 42 points; second place to Ruth Dunn, 39, and third place to Penny Stewart, also 39.

Pin shots to Lisa Raisbeck, Julie May, Lorraine McArthur, and Judy Atkins. Penny Stewart with an OBP.

Men’s winner was Brian Martin, 41 points, while second place went to Matthew Yasso, 39, and third place to Greg Carlyon, 37.  

Pin shots to Graham Seaborne, Ray Sellen, and Andrew Menzies, while Brendan Malone won the Car Wash voucher.  Robert Byles had an eagle on hole 14.  

Accuracy drives to Jo Goldup, Helen Fellows, Debbie Breeze, Brian Martin, Perry Layton, and Reg Goldup.  Bradmans was won by Leanne Swan and Andrew Menzies.

This weekend’s competition is a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club.  

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

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The Wangaratta team of Denise Wallace, Margaret Wilson, Penny Warren, and Fely Duncan competed at South Townsville Bowls Club for four days in the prestigious Premier Cup competition last week.

They faced off against teams from 10 other District Clubs across Bowen, Ayr, Brandon, Alligator Creek, Ingham, Noorla, Jubilee, Suburban, Thuringowa, and South Townsville.

The Wangaratta ladies team led graciously and fought back with determination when they had to in their fixtures, coming away with nine wins from 10 wins with a margin of 151.

After claiming the trophy, Margaret and the team thanked the District Match Committee for such a successfully run tournament and invited all district clubs to travel to Wangaratta Club in Bowen in 2023.

As part of winning the cup, Wangaratta also gains hosting rights for the next year.

The club’s Monday triples competition has now finished for the year with winners Eileen Dunn, Virginia, and Tim Noar defeating Leon Fox, B Lampard, and Ian Best.

Tuesday social bowls winners were Deb Retchless, Bill Parker, and David Madden, who defeated Judy Christie, Colleen Christopher, and Pearl Aykens.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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As the weather heats up, the days get longer and the bowls get more scintillating.

Monday and Tuesday: Airlie Beach Bowls Club welcomed over 130 students from Cannonvale Public school.

Club coach Mark Mawson organised with Ladda Purdie, John Brown, John Askew, Betty Whitehorn, and Col Morris to all help supervise and teach the art of lawn Bowls. Each child received tuition and a frozen fruity pole for their participation.

Tuesday: Lane Telford skippered John Brown at lead and Tess Walker at second to beat all comers for the prize money.

Wednesday: A surprise result with the school competition girls winner Demika teamed up with Mark Mawson to take the prize money.

Wednesday Business House Bowls: To recommence on Wednesday, October 5.

Saturday: The finals of the winter Scroungers competition with Alan Pershouse, Ladda Purdie, and Russell Jackson fighting for the final prize money. Ladda Purdie broke away from the boys for a comfortable win.

This weekend Harry Quod went to Mackay for the B Grade Championship and finished a credible third.

Warren Mills, Luke Kinnear, and David Diaz finished a very creditable second in the Championship of 3 bowl triples.

Sunday Social Bowls: 21 bowlers vied for the prize. Big winners of the day were Lyn Graham with new bowler Janet Jacometti, and Bobby Ward.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

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Fred Quod is celebrating 27 consecutive weeks of top picks as he prepares to head to the National Rugby League grand final on Sunday, October 2.

The Blast H20 owner finished Mackay and Whitsunday Life newspaper’s Footy Tipping Comp in the top spot with a more than impressive score of 142.

His winning points tally saw him collect the prize of $1500 dollars and two tickets to the NRL Grand Final at Accor Stadium, Sydney.

Fred credited his excellent tipping form – in his first ever tipping competition – with having played rugby league himself as a young buck.

“It was knowing what teams can do, over the years following the competition, seeing who’s popular, who the coach is, and who the coach is not; they lose the coaches pretty quick!” Fred laughed.

“But it’s the form guide, injuries to gun players, dropping them out of the equation and not picking them.”

Unlike some tippers, Fred said he wasn’t a stats man, it was “all just intuition”.

“The big difference was that I’d played rugby league, but I took to it with due diligence; I focused on it and it paid dividends in the end. I wanted to get it right,” Fred said.

“I had a perfect round, some sevens out of eight, and I just really enjoyed myself; it was good fun.”

An enormous North Queensland Cowboys fan, Fred is hoping his boys can get up so he can celebrate them lifting the trophy this year with front row seats.

Fred said he’ll be taking his daughter, Alyce, who lives in Albion Park, south of Wollongong, to the final.

If you would like to be part of the Footy Tipping Competition next year call Mike McCann on 0427 897 960. Spots are going fast, so get in quick to reserve your place.

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On the weekend, nine Cannonvale Cannons participated in the SNQ Relay Supremacy event held in Townsville.

SNQ Captains Jy Parkinson and Hayley Andrejic guided their teams through various relay challenges.  

Jy’s team, Jy’s Jets was comprised of Jacob Bell, Lochlan Jamieson, Ehsan Helou, and Anisa Helou. Hayley’s team, Hayley’s Comets, were Tiana Bell, Remy Hedges, Shantelle Short, and Holly Perrin.

The scores were very close - 101 to 103 - with Hayley’s Comets pipping it by two points in the end.

The Cannons hosted another fun Club Night on Wednesday where Club Secretary, Giselle Burton presented Jasmine Gerlofsma with the Swim Star Award based on her “cracking 50m Freestyle swim”.  

Giselle also presented Upgrade Certificates to Levi Smith, Jasmine Gerlofsma, Lily Maher, Celeste Orenshaw, Isaac Pisaniello, Lilah Mewha, Piper Walker, and Indi Smith.  Ehsan Helou and Levi Smith were presented with the Chocolate Awards for best personal bests.  

The coaches, Mark Erickson and Ken Crittenden were very excited by standard of swimming at Club Night.  

Isabella Pisaniello had a very successful night swimming four personal best swims, and an awesome 100-metre IM in 1.39.53 which was a 22.75 second personal best.

Isabella’s brother, Isaac also swam extremely well, swimming three personal bests. His 50-metre Butterfly saw him improve on his previous best the most, swimming a 52.98 second 50-metre.

Shailee Mewha and Jack Ganter had a cracking Club Night, achieving three personal bests.  

Shailee swam a super 50-metre Breaststroke in 58.74 seconds, and one of Jack’s best swims was his 200-metre IM, which he swam in 3.06.29.

Jack’s brother, Thomas swam an excellent 200-metre Freestyle in 2.55.78 – an 8.52 second personal nest.  Lily Maher swam a super 100-metre IM in a time of 1.49.83 - a 9.88 second personal best.

The club extends its thanks to all the volunteers and parents for their support. Club Nights will continue over the school holidays.

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

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The Proserpine Junior Sportspark came alive with brightly coloured jerseys and thousands of families setting up camp for the weekend, when the Paul Bowman Carnival came to town, attracting 75 players from across the state.

Councillor Al Grundy said that with no declared winner of the tournament, the event is set up to promote participation and sportsmanship for the formative years of under nine competition.

“It’s about getting the kids involved!” he said.

“And it was so nice to see so many people coming from so far away and travelling from all over the state.

“The whole event went really well – it was so well organised and the volunteers did a fantastic job. The people think it’s really amazing and it was lovely to hear them all saying thank you.”

Cowboy players Heilum Luki and Mitch Dunn both said they were thrilled to see such a great following for the event.

“It reminds me of going to this sort of carnival when I was younger and now they are all coming to see me!” said Heilum.

Coordinator Kim Bates said she was proud of all the organising committee and volunteers.

“It gets better every year, it’s wonderful for the whole community and we always do it for love!”

Kate Clark, Manager of the Whitsunday Brahmans under-nine team said it was awesome seeing everyone gather for the kids.

“Everyone played their best and showed really good sportsmanship,” she said.

Image: 75 teams from across the state played at the Paul Bowman Challenge over the weekend

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Nine of the Whitsundays top distance competitors headed south for the gruelling Sunshine Coast Half Ironman earlier this month, representing the region in perfect fashion on a world class course.

Whitsunday Triathlon Club members competed in the extreme form of triathlons which tasks them with completing a 1.9-kilometre swim, 90-kilometre cycle, and 21.1-kilometre run around Mooloolaba’s spectacular coastline and hinterland.

The nervous energy was aplenty on the Saturday registration day for the race, as the Whitsunday competitors racked their bikes alongside hundreds of others.

Over 1488 individual participants registered in all age groups, some in teams, but most out to test their own stamina and endurance. Saturday was a day of rest, reflection and carbohydrate loading for the nine local athletes.

It kicked off with the swim - a rolling start in waves of colourful caps as the sun came up over Mooloolaba’s stunning surf beach.

Following up was the bike course, which headed out onto the Sunshine Motorway on a fast, smooth surface, and then the run, which took competitors along the Iconic Mooloolaba boardwalk and Esplanade with picture perfect views.

The nine Whitsunday racers were relieved to see the finish arch as they headed back onto Beach Terrace where welcoming sustenance, massages and recovery tents awaited them.

The Whitsunday Triathlon Club members not only represented the club by completing the race, but by finish with some amazing times

Chief among them was Airlie Beach local and Hamilton Island firefighter Daniel McDonnell, who placed 20 overall with a time of 3 hours, 48 minutes and 44 seconds putting him on the Podium as third in his Age group of 18-24

Others who smashed the race and claimed a personal best time were Fraser Lyon in four hours and 15 minutes, Julia Wheway in five hours and 38 minutes, Shane Bellert with four hours and 57 minutes, Craig Langevad in six hours and 40 minutes, Mark McConkey in six hours and 21 minutes, and finally Alisha Rust in five hours and 17 minutes.

Whitsunday Triathlon Club also hosted a team: the Chipmuncks, comprised of Karen Maddock (swim and run) and Robyn Corrigan (cycle), who finished in six hours and 43 minutes.

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