It was a great day for golf at this week’s Proserpine Veterans Golf session, with the weather not too hot, a nice breeze and the course in great condition.

There were 25 players on the day, with the ladies’ winner Tina Randmae (39), second Elspeth Scotford (31).  

The men’s winner was Barry Mortimer (35), second was Gary Scotford (34).

Nearest the pins for the ladies’ went to Tina Randmae (2nd in the hole), Lyn Muller (9th in the hole), Leanne Alexander (13th in the hole) and Elspeth Scotford (16th in the hole).

For the men, the winners were Gary Scotford(2nd), Allen Roberts (9th in the hole), Barry Mortimer (13th in the hole) and Gary (16th).  

There were two chip ins on the day, Gary and Billy Jesser.  

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

Tuesday Winners, Barry Mortimer and Tina Randmae

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The weekly 9-hole stableford was won this week by Ron Thynne with 22 points. Lorri Thynne was right behind him with 21 and third was Glenn Rees.

Good Friday’s 9-hole stableford was won by Bob Spees on a whopping 26 points, followed by Mark Winter on 23 and Alan Clinch on 21.

On Sunday it was a round of 4 ball better ball and the winners were Asher Ventham and Deeray with a score of 42.5.

Bob Spees and Alan Clinch were second with 44 points and Glenn Rees with Tyson Flavel were third on 46.5.

Thank you to Repco who provided us with great prizes, now the lads will have clean shiny cars!

Next Sunday will be the Monthly Medal, there is only a couple of opportunities left to secure your place in the Medal of Medallist.

Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross.

Asher Ventham and Deeray

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This week, 78 people ran, jogged and walked the 5km waterfront course. New participants are always welcome, this week there were 21 first timers. Five participants recorded new personal bests, well done to Riley, Andrea, Holly, Josiah and Shane. Airlie Beach co-founder and long-term Event Director Bob Barford was farewelled. Bob has worked tirelessly for Airlie Beach parkrun for many years.

The event was made possible by 16 wonderful volunteers: Bob Barford, Kara Olver, Lesley Barford, Chris Hands, Sylvie Martin, Margaret Coote, Corrine Hendrikse (photographer), Nathalie Blomme, Christopher Harvey (run director), Wendy McCall, Karen Jordan, Susanne Willmott, Ronald McCall, Laura Oates, Gus Walsgott and Lynne Oates.

Airlie Beach parkrun started on 5th December 2015. Since then 3,735 participants have completed 20,351 parkruns covering a total distance of 101,755 km, including 2,395 new Personal Bests. A total of 323 individuals have volunteered 2,766 times.

Every Saturday Airlie Beach parkrun meets at 6:50am for a briefing at area D, Coral Sea Marina (adjacent to the top carpark). Parking is free in the lower carpark till 9:30am if a parkrun barcode is placed on the dashboard.

Contributed with thanks to Airlie Beach parkrun.

Co-founder and long term Event Director Bob Barford was farewelled

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Whitsunday Weightlifter Smashes States Heads To Nationals

A young Whitsunday Olympic Weightlifter is heading to the national level, having qualified in early April.

Callan Simpson, 16, has been training with the Base 51 Barbell Club in competitive Olympic Weightlifting for just over four months.

With his coach John Russolillo in tow, Callan has made exceptional gains in the sport in a short time, with the crowning achievement so far, his qualification for the National Competition at the Youth Queensland State Championships in Nambor.

“We made the decision only a few weeks ago to go down, and he had to lift in the afternoon, which is way harder to do,” John said.

“You must make weight to compete, and he’s in the 73-kilo category and if he was anything over that, he wouldn’t have been able to compete.

“He barely ate all day for his weigh in at 3.30pm!”

On his trip to the State Championships, Callan needed to lift a total of 136 kilograms in both the clean and jerk, and the snatch: the two lifts performed in the Olympics.

The snatch is notoriously difficult with the manoeuvre requiring the lifter to perform two movements: from the floor up to your shoulders, then over the head.

His first attempt of three was 55 kilograms.

“He caught that easily,” John said.

“Usually, when you achieve a weight, you go up for the next attempt, so we took it up to 58 kilos.”

Callan missed the second at 58kg, but John said he “looked really good, so we made the decision to go up in weight to 60kg, which is uncommon.”

“It was a technical fault rather than a weight problem; he was comfortably lifting the 58, it didn’t look hard for him,” John said.

“So we pushed it, and he’s never done 60kg before.”

Callan blitzed the 60kg, meaning his clean and jerk had to be 76kg to reach 136kg.  

His first lift, he achieved 76.

“It was a very challenging weekend, and I’m proud because he comes to the gym five or six days a week with intention,” John said.

“I’m super proud of him, but not surprised he made nationals.”

Callan will compete in Nationals on June 3 via video link, with his goal to beat his own personal best and keep improving.

Base 51 Manuela Modai, Callan Simpson, and John Russolillo

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A BIG field of 120 men from 10 local bowls clubs braved the wet weather on Saturday April 9 to battle it out for the Wilmar Plane Ck Shield at Sarina Bowls Club.

Normally it’s three games of 16 ends and despite the rain bursts between play, competitors played 14 ends in the first round, managed to get a full second game, but the third game was called off after seven ends.

A happy group of 12 bowlers from Mackay club were the winners only just shading Northern Beaches by half a point.

Despite all having to play in some miserable weather, there was still some great bowls played and good comradeship between all clubs.

By Rita Hughes

Mackay club bowlers with the Wilmar Plane Creek Shield are back row Mick Coll, Ross Dunston, Col Mark, Peter Malloy, Glen Luck, Tony Gibson, Kees Stuick and Peter Taffe; front row Ian Nash, Russell Fry, Kevin Tramberg and Barry Paskins. Photo: Rita Hughes

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Monday play has again been very popular, with not only all rinks filled, but last week there were five players over, so some triples were played as well as the usual pairs. This is your last chance to enter Tony’s Triples fun day, as nominations close on Sunday 17th April.

SOCIAL RESULTS

Monday: Darrel Kane and Marshall Howland won, with. Sam and Cherry Leotta in second spot. Lucky draws went to John Fry and Marshall Howland.

Wednesday ladies’ winners were Sue Roscoe and Lorraine Lemke, with Neddy Thomsen and Helen Rose coming second.

Thursday mixed pairs was taken out by Brian Perrin and Darren Addie with Mick Walsh and Peter Delaney runners up. Greens vouchers were won by Barry Lehmann and Margaret Fogg, and the raffle was won by Mick Walsh, who promised to give the bottle of wine and money to his wife.

Friday’s top money was won by Lorna Bowers and Peter Madden. Lucky draw winners were Mick Walsh and Graham Hawke, and Brian Dennien and Vern Mietzel.  Peter Miller won the $500 kitty toucher, with a resting bowl.

Saturday men’s day winners were Vic Gaudion and Asko Helenius, with Lou Trott, Trevor Laurens and Vern Mietzel coming second.

Contributed by Tony Allsop.

Shirley Bartolo and Michelle Stockton enjoy a day bowling at Goosies

Board secretary, Peter Grant and Bowls club secretary Andrew Coates catch up at the bar

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When the Mackay Cutters headed on their five-hour trip down to Rockhampton for Round 4’s Rivalry Hostplus Cup match against CQ Capras last Saturday, the tight run affair in pre-season against the Rockhampton side would have been on their minds.

Capras had clinched it by just four points in what head coach David Elliott called a “scrappy one” and the official Hostplus match last week was no different.

Browne Park witnessed a back and forth, free scoring affair between the two sides but still some of the scrap from that pre-season fixture remained. Capras came into the game in fine fettle, having won their first three matches and sitting pretty at the top of the table.

There was still some confidence in the air from the late March fixture against Ipswich Jets in which the travelling Cutters crushed the Jets 12-52. Belief and culture were the key words for Elliott in his early season interviews, and when a team is as capable of results like that, it’s hard not to believe.

Cutters starting line-up comprised Andre Niko, Kane Bradley, Blake Paskins, Sam Fa’apito, Laitia Moceidreke, Daejarn Asi, Brandon Finnegan, Jayden Morgan, Kyle Schneider, Ross Bella, Luke Webyley, Ben Condon, and Tom Irelandes.

Their interchange featured Sean Mullany, Jake Riley, Hiale Roycroft, Morgan McWhiter, Mitch Fogarty, Jake Hawkins, Luke Ingram, and Matt Vessy.

The stage set, the bus trip done and pre-season behind them, Cutters came in hopeful to turn the fixture on its head – which they very well almost did.

But in a game that ended 26-18, Capras looked the more likely to run away with it early in the game, scoring twice through Brandon Roberts in the 6th and again in the 26th.

Cutters managed to dig deep and retaliate thanks to a bit of luck and Andre Niko. Niko ran almost the length of the field after catching hold of a loose ball courtesy of the Capras wide players.

Kane Bradley grabbed a four pointer just before the end of the first half to actually take the lead 12-10 - again capitalising on a Capras mistake leading to a knock on.

Cutters extended the advantage in the 53rd with a scrappy crossing from Sean Mullaney. It was all downhill from there, as the Capras seemed to kick into gear and kept the momentum coming.

Jonas Pearson scored in the 58th to cut the advantage after a bursting run through the defensive line. Jesse Jennings grabbed a four pointer just five minutes later.

Brandon Roberts scored his third of the game late on to keep their undefeated run going – four from four. It’s a tough break for the Sugar City side who had been ahead but struggled to keep the lead. Promising signs for the local side, though, who may well rebound in their next fixture.

So far Cutters have claimed four points in four games, leaving them in 6th position on the table – a respectable start to the season: two wins, two losses. Their next week fixture against the Falcons may prove a tough one again, with the Sunshine Coast side sitting in fourth, having leapfrogged Cutters and Bears.

Cutters will head down to the Sunshine Coast Stadium this Saturday for a 4.00pm kick-off.

The Mackay Cutters have had a bit of a mixed bag for the start of the season – two wins and two losses

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Sunday morning saw over forty Mackay Road Runners take on Slade Point as part of the annual Tim’s Chariots of Fire run.

Hosted by club president Tim Magoffin and his family, the run consists of technical 5km and 11km distances along road, sand, and trails, with runners enjoying cool, wet conditions and panoramic coastal vistas.

Mick Vivian set the pace in the 11km finishing as the first male across the finish line and leading a talented back consisting of Paul Mackenzie, Joe Grech, George Hannaford, Justin Rule, Luke Leven, Toby Rule, Ryan Evetts, Mick Scholer, Greg O’Neill, Craig Stevens, Derek Woods, Robin Stinson, Ross Vickers, Martin Lambert, Simon Henderson, John Couldrey, Daniel Stampa, and David Isbister.

Alana Knesevic was the first female to finish the technical 11km course ahead of Glynis Forse, Jose Short, Carmel Grech, Emily Smyth, Sarah Jensen, Judy Zahn, Marie Muscat, Carmel Mahon, Geeta Ariani, and Brenda Windsor.

Despite a brief detour after a wrong turn, the 5km front runners still managed to sprint home with a smile on their faces, with Damien Rutland, Lily Leven, and Carolyn Mapes once again showing their impressive ability.

Excellent efforts were also on display from Julie Whibley, Emma Johnson, Jo Hughes, Charlie Bone, and Stuart Sprott.

Host and club president Tim Magoffin even completed the course several times, including the early morning setup and pack down, as it is his regular training route.

Road Runners Justin and Toby Rule have recently returned from successful athletic championship outings. Toby came away with sensational results from the Little Athletics State Championships including a gold medal and championship title.

Justin claimed silver in the 3km steeplechase at the Australian Masters Athletics Championships in Brisbane earlier this month, elevating him to among the quickest in Australia.

The Road Runners’ next meet will take place on Easter Sunday with a social 5km/10km run embarking from Zambrero on the corner of Gordon and Gregory Streets, commencing at 4:30pm.

Luke Levin (left) congratulates Justine Rule (centre) and Toby Rule (right) after their successful outings at recent state and national athletics championships in Brisbane

Ready to race their respective events (left to right) Jose Short, Jan Smith, Craig Stevens, Michael Feenaghty, and David Isbister

Judy Zahn battles the damp conditions as she summits the Lamberts Beach Water Tower section of the 11km

First female Alana Knesevic makes the 11km tricky trails look easy. Photos supplied: Janelle Tilse (Road Runners Publicity Officer)

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Four young Mackay swimmers are attending their very first National Age Swimming Championships in Adelaide this week.

Izabella Wills, 13, Kiah Apps, 14, Ruby Boxall, 13, and Mackenzie Neilsen, 13, are all revelling in the opportunity to represent the Mackay Cyclones on the national stage across all strokes.

Mackenzie Neilsen competing in the 13yr Girls age group will contest the 100 fly and 200 fly, while also in the 13yr Girls, Ruby Boxall will compete in the 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke and the 200 backstroke. In the 14yr Girls, Kiah Apps will race in the 200 freestyle, 200 fly, and 100 fly, while Izabella Wills in the 13yr Girls multi class will contest the 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 50 breaststroke, 100 breaststroke and 100 freestyle.

“They have smashed goals to achieve this accolade and they have well and truly earned their spot to attend, with pure grit and determination,” said coach Leigh-Anne Pokarier.

“The girls are excited to hit Adelaide, soak up the next level of competition atmosphere and have fun every step of the way.”

The 2022 Australian Age Swimming Championships began in Adelaide on Monday April 11 and will run to Monday April 18 and you can catch all the action on Amazon Prime Video.

L-R Izabella Wills, Mackenzie Neilsen, Ruby Boxall, and Kiah Apps with coach Leigh Anne Pokarier. Photo: supplied

Izabella Wills

Mackenzie Neilsen

Ruby Boxall

Kiah Apps

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The Sydney Roosters will return to Mackay to host the Gold Coast Titans at BB Print Stadium in Round 9 on Saturday, May 7.

In the only NRL Premiership fixture scheduled to be played in Mackay this season, the Roosters will return to the ground that became a home away from home during the 2021 relocated competition.

“We loved playing at BB Print Stadium last season and we’re excited to be heading back to Mackay in Round 9,” said Roosters captain James Tedesco.

“It’s a great stadium in a region that’s passionate about rugby league and we’re looking forward to giving back to the community in the lead-up to the game,” he added.

Acknowledging the support of Mackay Regional Council and the Queensland Government in staging the fixture, Roosters COO Jarrod Johnstone added:

“The wonderful support of Mackay Regional Council and the Queensland Government throughout the 2021 season ensured the NRL competition continued, and we are thrilled to be taking a Sydney Roosters home game back to Mackay’s BB Print Stadium in 2022.”

In the lead-up to the fixture, the Roosters will host an open training session at BB Print Stadium. Further details will be provided in lead-up to the round.

The Sydney Roosters are looking forward to a return to Mackay’s BB Print Stadium next month to face the Gold Coast Titans. Pictures from 2021 NRL action in Mackay by Amanda Wright

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Jaguar ran out winners in the first division final of Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures last week.

The Jaguar team of Steven Whiting, Anne Sheridan and Lee Brake beat the Audi combination of Andrew McHugh, Duncan Treloar and Janice Kent 6-4.

Andrew led the Audi with a strong win over Steven, but Jaguar then reeled off four wins in succession to take control of the final.

Lee’s five-game win over Janice (5, -11, 7, -6, 8) was pivotal, and wins by Anne and Steven over Duncan and a doubles win by Anne/Steve over Andrew/Duncan put them in the box seat.

Anne and Steven finished off the win with tight victories over Janice.

The second division final went to Fiat (Delma Knight, Andrea Nicholson and Duncan Sheridan) over Nissan (Stirling Bowater, George Camilleri and Val Austin) as both Stirling and Val were ill and unable to play.

However, Coral Morgan and Tiffany Camilleri stepped in to make up a scratch team with George, and the result was a series of tight games.

The competition now breaks for the school holidays and will resume after the break.

By Charlie Payne

Division 1 winners Jaguar (Lee Brake, Anne Sheridan, Steven Whiting)

Division 2 winners Fiat (Delma Knight, Duncan Sheridan, Andrea Nicholson)

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Another busy week for Airlie bowlers with Tuesday afternoon Ladies Social day gathering momentum with a wonderful win from Margo Stanley’s team of lead John Brown, Di Dobbins.

Wednesday afternoon social bowls organised by Mervyn Stewart saw over 24 bowlers competing with Tim Taylor’s team playing exceptionally well.

Marjorie Hughes with a perfect lead performance led them to the huge result.

Business house bowls will be recommencing on the April 20, and the first Scroungers competition final has been pushed to April 30 due to the weather.

Sunday afternoons Mixed social bowls had a great roll up organised by Henny Tattam with winners of the day ably led by the Carol Crosbie with Lyn Graham bowling admirably at lead and the reliable Betty Whitehorn at second.

The school competition will be starting soon.

Until next week happy bowling and practice makes perfect  

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

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The social players must be sabotaging their opponents during afternoon tea with matches even right up until the break before one team races ahead.

On Wednesday ten players enjoyed an afternoon of social bowls: Alen Sanderson, John Lahney and Philip Brown defeated Jim Bownds, Barry Zillmann and Bruce Uhe 28-14; and John Anderson and David Ling defeated Pat Bownds and Peter Lawton 29-14.

On Friday afternoon the game of Club Championship Singles between Brett Saroglia and Gavin Noonan was played and marked by Nathaniel Watts, with Gavin defeating Brett 25 – 14,

This was the only competition game to get played over the weekend with the weather getting in the way of the other games being able to be played.

Rescheduled times will be advised when available.

On Sunday Social John Lahney played double lead.  

John, Bruce Uhe, Philip Brown and Joan McGrath defeated John, Vicki Spann, Arthur Griffith and Peter Lawton 23-19.

Joan and Vicki were doing some preparation for playing on grass in the Symons Shield this week.

Reminder to all Men players who would like to be considered for Pennants this year, names and availability dates are to be given to Scott Hamilton by Thursday, April 14.

Call Scott 0459 907 235 or email rsh1@live.com.au

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

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Tuesday, April 5 saw D Beel, I Laird, and M Elphinstone defeat D Retchless, R Stitt, and I Wheeler.

Sunday, April 10 was A triples and a broken rink played.

Winners for the afternoon D Wallace, M Wilson, and B Beel dispatching L Land Elphinstone, K Whitton, B Myers. R Stitt, P Warren, and P Tracey defeated I Laird, I Wheeler, and M Drummond.

Club Competition for the week Men’s Open Singles winner M Drummond defeated A Rolfe. Ladies Open Singles winner D Wallace defeated M Wilson.

There are a number of games called for next weekend so be sure to check to see if you are playing.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

Sundays winning team: Margaret Wilson Barry Beel Denise Wallace

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Rain played havoc with the NQ Junior Open, held in Proserpine over the weekend. The competition was set down for Saturday and Sunday, but rain washed out Saturday’s play. Thankfully Sunday was a better day.

Finn Couper from the Rowes Bay Club, playing off a handicap of four, was the boys gross champion with 71, while Emily McEwan from the Atherton Golf Club was the girl’s winner with 76.

The nett winners were Logan Devery, Proserpine, 72, and the girl’s winner was Tahnee Pietzner from the Moranbah Club with 76.

Saturday’s club competition saw 50-odd nominate, 31 start, but only 18 finished.

The winner was Daniel O’Donnell with 40 points, from Tom Maclean 38, and Ash Law 36.

The place getters were Aaron Watts and Darren Reynolds, both with 33 points.

The pins went to Dan O’Donnell and Tina Badenhorst on nine and Vince Collins 13.

Wednesday’s ladies’ monthly medal was won by Elspeth Scotford with 75 nett on a count back from Ann Gardel and Lyn Muller.

The place getters were Pauline Redpath, 76, Rehab Hull 78, and Leanne Alexander 79.

The pin shots went to Rehab, Elspeth and Leanne.

Thursday’s monthly medal division one winner was Steven Stewart with nett 69, from Adam Maggs and Allen Roberts, both with nett 70.

The division two winner was Luchie Gardel 69, from Fraser Simpson and Paul Nicol, both with 72 nett.

The place getters were Chris Brett and John Bissell 71, Simon Della Santa, Trevor Paroz, Gavan Kerwand, Nathan Sothmann, Rob Smith and Wayne Temby all on 73, and Sam Deicke and Michael Ward 74.

The pin shots went to Scott Grigg, Ask Morley-Hart, Brendon Spann and Adam Maggs. Eight shared the two-shot pot.

Next Saturday, Easter Saturday, will be a single stroke event.

Contributed with thanks to Peter Lewis

Golf Pro Roger Vandenberg with boy’s winner Finn Couper

Roger with girl’s winner Emily McEwan

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