Proserpine Bowls Club’s Wednesday games featured five brave souls: Warren Wilson at double second with Bruce Uhe and Philip Brown against the team of Alen Sanderson, Warren, and Heather Brown, which ended 23-14.

On Sunday, fourteen players played in hard fought triples matches: Josh Wilson, Gavin Noonan, and Heather Brown came from behind in the last end, scoring three shots to secure a 15-14 win against Ken Watts, Kendall Watts, and Philip Brown.  

In a game of Three bowl pairs, Jim Quod and Barry Zillmann defeated Mary Hedgelong and Warren Wilson, 22-16.  

In a game of traditional pairs, John Anderson and Bruce Uhe defeated Alen Sanderson and Peter Lawton, 16-12.

Reminder that nominations are open for all club competitions and will be closing at the end of this month.  

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

‍

‍

‍

Results of competition games played this week at Bowen Bowls Club: In singles, Steve Roome defeated Peter Thomson, while Ian Best beat Brett Lampard, and Daryl Tuttle won against Lloyd White.

In pairs, Peter Bruce and Daryl Tuttle defeated Joan Edwards and Shane Hornbuckle, while Tiarna Rogers and Mark Rogers won against Doc Fordham and Lou Fordham.

Wednesday Social Bowls winners were Peter Thomson, Ron Gould, and Steve Roome, beating Peter Wilson, Herb Dalton, and Brett Lampard. Joining them at the winner’s table was Jan Randall, Gavin Charles, and Allen Williams, who won against Fely Duncan, Paula Welsted, and Jill Brabon.

Contributed with thanks to Ron Gould

‍

‍

Bowen Bowls Club’s Sunday Scroungers winners Mark Rogers, Jane Gilbert, and Ron Gould

‍

The ladies played round one of the fours championships on Tuesday at Airlie Beach Bowls Club this week.

Winning teams were Carol Crosbie, Elaine Hadlow, Margo Stanley substituting for Ladda Purdie and Betty Nicolle, and Karen Jensen, Lu Rogan, Betty Whitehorn and Lyn Skeen.

Bev Taylor defeated Juanita Matterson in a B singles game.

The social games winner on Tuesday was Maureen Barnard, Henny Tattam, and Russ Jackson who defeated Pam Collins, John Brown, and Tony Whitehorn.

Men’s singles have started and results are in: Bob Spees, showing exceptional form, winning against Neil Moore.

John Trembath came from behind to defeat Rick Galea in a nail-biting game, 25-24, and Nik Fernbach defeated Russ Jackson in another very close game 25-22.

One game that didn’t go ahead as scheduled was Bill Gordon versus Noel Crosbie; Bill has damaged both legs in an accident and will not be playing bowls for a while. All members wish Bill a speedy recovery.

Wednesday social day this week all the games played were pairs.  Nik Fernbach and Henny Tattam won the day with the largest winning margin. One of the very close games was won by John Askew and David Meiklejohn against Col Morris and Mario DeMartini. Members were delighted to have good friend Graeme Herd visit from Atherton.

The school children's competition is continuing. It starts at 4.30 each Thursday afternoon. Coaches are Margo Stanley and Mark Mawson. Margo can be contacted on 0412 469 989 or contact the club phone: (07) 4946 7656.

Sunday afternoon social bowls had Nik Fernbach continue his winning streak, skipping the team that won the day.

Contributed with thanks to Betty Whitehorn

‍

Airlie Beach Bowls Club Coach Margo Stanley alongside school children’s competition stars Mayson, Alistair, Demika, Katarna, and Zaiden

‍

Seven Whitsunday Touch Football Association (WTA) members attended a Level One (Foundation) Referee Course last Saturday morning, facilitated by Jason Miller from Mackay Touch.

Mr Miller was an “engaging presenter and ensured that the course was enjoyed by all participants,” according to Whitsunday Touch’s Alita DeBrincat.

“He was quite impressed with the level of understanding of the rules throughout the group and stressed that refereeing would help their progress as players as well,” Mr DeBrincat said.

“Congratulations Bryson, Hudson, Aiden, Wendy, Coralie, Laine, and Claudia -- our new Level One Referees.”

Jason also committed to visiting game nights in the future to continue mentoring the club’s new referees.

Saturday was a busy day with a spectacular “Festival of Footy” sponsored by Whitsunday Sports Park, which WTA members were actively involved in before, during and after.  

The club extended its thanks to all who generously volunteered.

Round Two Results

Mixed A

In the Crear (7) d Vipers (4)

Raiders A (7) d Whitmonday Eagles (3)

Trusty (11) d Concrete Feet (1)

Mixed B

Ray White Mudcrabs (10) d Full Boar (3)

Slipper Salmons (5) drew G.E.T. Touch (5)

Mixed C

Fumble This (2) d Touch It (1)

Flametree Flames (3) d On Time (2)

Stingers (9) d Whitsunday Warriors (8)

Mixed C (Family)

Raiders Family (7) d Escapees (3)

Mainlanders (8) d Hamo Rent (4)

‍

The Cannonvale Cannons took up the challenge of swimming longer distances and swam extremely well on the club’s Wednesday Distance Club Night.  

Congratulations to Holly Perrin for setting a new 200-metre Backstroke record and to Ehsan Helou for setting a new 50-metre Breaststroke record.  

Stevie Lee hit the “jackpot” and was presented the Swim Star Award, the Chocolate Award, and an Upgrade Certificate. Declan Dichiera, Harry Crisp, and Millie Groom achieved upgrades as well.  

Charlie Doherty swam an exceptional 1500-metre Freestyle, while Jacob Bell, Don Algie, Nelson Malady, and Tora Delac swam 800-metre Freestyles – congratulations to all.

The 400-metre races were impressive: Tora Delac and Millie Groom swam super times in their 400-metre IM.  

Well done to the 400-metre Freestyle swimmers Sophie Fletcher, Thomas Ganter, Millie Groom, Mason Harland, Tiana Bell, Lily Maher, Matilda Nicholes, Jy Parkinson, and Holly Perrin.  

Declan Dichiera, Roxy Groom, Anisa Helou, Harris Delac, Lily Maher, Matilda Nicholes, Celeste Orenshaw, Roxy Groom, Andie Reynolds, Levi Smith, and Addie Sanders all swam outstanding times in their 200-metre IM.  

Jax Clayworth swam a cracking 200-metre Freestyle in 2.57.58.  

Young Cannons who performed well included: Eloise Chegwidden in her 100-metre Freestyle and Backstroke.

Japser Korosec swimming two 20 second personal bests in his 100-metre Backstroke and 100-metre Breaststroke.  Jasper’s brother, Lucas swam an excellent 50-metre Butterfly in 1.08.00, achieving a 30.31 second personal best.  

Indi Harland, Owen Maher, Trace Quick, Zane Clayworth, Evie Doherty, Miller Eaves, Connor Lee, Stevie Lee, Isaac Pisaniello, and Isabella Pisaniello all swam extremely well in their  Freestyle events.

Congratulations to all the swimmers who participated on Wednesday night and thanks to all volunteers and parents who assist running Club Nights.  

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

‍

‍

Declan Dichiera with his Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club Upgrade Certificates

Stevie Lee with her Club Night Chocolate Award

‍

Twilight Race: Whitsunday Sailing Club hosted a fleet of 15 yachts with 62 crew on board for a Wednesday featuring a light south easterly breeze with flat seas -- idyllic sailing conditions.

First away was Division Two, with Wide Load (Shannan Hart) timing their run to the starting line to perfection to take the Doyle Sails sponsored best start prize.  

Once on course, the fleet soon established a normal racing pattern with Smooth Criminal (Iyas Shaheen) and QMS Ponyo (John Galloway) battling at the front.  The other front runner, Bobby’s Girl (Mark Beale), made a slow start, but soon worked through the fleet into third place on the water.

These three boats established a four-minute lead over Reignition (Charles Wallis), Wide Load and Twister (Kevin Fogarty).  Although QMS Ponyo crossed the finish 26 seconds ahead of Smooth Criminal, the corrected time results were reversed, with Smooth Criminals 32 seconds in front, and Bobby’s Girl in third.

Lighthorse (Dianne Forster) led the fleet away in Division Three, but Wobbly Boot (Craig Piccinelli) soon took control at the front, developing a five-minute lead.  

A close battle between Rossgo (Greg Hammon) and Masquerade (Tom Vujasinovic) prevailed for most of the race, only for Masquerade to drop back toward the end.

Light conditions did not suit Aquatarius, dropping them back into a mid-fleet position while even the use of a spinnaker did not help Shiraz (John Cable).

Ultimately Norbert G (Ghigo Casalini), with a new mainsail sponsored by Portland Road, took the corrected win by five minutes over Rossgo and Lighthorse.

Races continue every Wednesday from 4:30pm, with limited crewing positions available. Those wishing to participate as crew need to be at the club by 2:30 pm (limited spots available).

Contributed with thanks to Ross Chisholm

‍

‍

The boats Norbert G and Smooth Criminal in the Whitsunday Sailing Club Twilight Race last week

‍

The Whitsunday Sportspark’s ‘Festival of Football’ was a decisive success for the local venue, which hosted three games of high-tier football last Saturday in front of crowds of over 1500.

Three games, the first between the Mackay Cutters Women and the North Queensland Cowboys Academy Squad followed by the Mackay Cutters Colts against the Whitsunday Brahmans, and finally the North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns facing the Cutters A-Grade, clashed on the field with Cutters taking the glory in a clean-sweep, three games to none.

The Cutters women walloped the Cowboys women 44 to 8 in the least close fixture of the day before the Colts won against the Brahmans 16-4.

In the main event, the Cowboys Young Guns put up a fight before being felled by Cutters 24-16 – a game that was extremely tight at times with some free-flowing, exceptional footy.

Whitsunday Sportspark spokesperson Justin Butler said it was an incredibly successful day for both the Cutters on the field and for the Whitsunday Sportspark volunteers off it.

“The last big game of similar vein held here back in 2013 hosted a crowd of roughly 800 people, and we were expecting around 1000 – we smashed those numbers with an estimated 1500,” Mr Butler said.

“And the footy was good – it was in perfect conditions, not too hot, a little overcast. You could tell there was a huge appetite for it and the feedback from the Cutters was, how big can we make events here? How many more people can we get in?

“It's paved the way for the Sportspark to host significant events in the future. That’s a significant event for any sport, not just league. We might end up with a Brisbane Roar for soccer or whatever it may be.”

The event was made possible by an enormous roundup of volunteers from across the Sportsparks five codes.

‍

‍

The Mackay Cutters and North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns collided in a massive ‘Festival of Football’ at Whitsunday Sportspark on Saturday, February 18

The Sportspark saw crowds of roughly 1500 people turn up for the high-quality rugby league, the likes of which haven't been seen for a decade in Airlie Beach

The Cutters claimed the win across each of the three games

The tightest affair was between the North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns and the Mackay Cutters, which ended 24-16

Matt Strecker Photography

‍

Hilly scenic views were a highlight for the Mackay Road Runners’ (MRR) second race of the 2023 program as they challenged themselves to an undulating 5/10km Rural View Lookout event.  

The annual event is surprisingly popular with the local contingent of runners despite the many ascents and descents to test the legs and the lungs.  

Hopefully, no one overdid it as the conditions were extremely humid with little breeze amongst the peaks and troughs of the Rural View loop.

Newly appointed MRR Vice President Brendan Bishop was great in his first outing, offering  a respectful thanks to Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.  

Brendan then passed on important notices and updates before advising the two loop course description from Wallman’s Court to the Rural View lookout and return.  Brendan thanked Andrew Short for his excellent work once again in setting up the course with multiple signs directing runners through the course.  

First male in the 5km was newcomer Jared Mackie, who did a sensational 5km run over the gruelling course ahead of second placed Oliver Rule and Darrin Pullen.

Likewise, talented junior runner, Millie Bishop easily accounted for the 5km to be first female ahead of Jo Hughes and Mel Harris.  

Damian Rutland was sensational in the 10km marginally taking the win from speedsters Paul Mackenzie and Mick Vivian.  

Alana Knesevic continued her amazing form with a sound win over second placed Jose Short who was only 10 seconds ahead of a fast finishing Carolyn Mapes.

Well done to runners completing their individual event, with excellent performances from new runners Walker Murray and Grant Holstrom in the 10km and Jared Mackie and Lauren Connor in the 5km.

Congratulations and welcome to them as well as the return of our existing members.  

This Sunday the MRR will host its first Club Championship run of the 2023 season from Queens Park carpark, Shakespeare Street entrance.  

To accrue club championship points and handicap points, runners must be a member of MRR, therefore, don’t miss out, register online asap at mackayroadrunners.com.au.

Contributed by Janelle Tilse

‍

Wednesday Ladies Social Bowls played on the 15th February.

The winning team was a pairs game with Fleur Warner and Margaret Goldston. Runners up were Gloria Sam, Judith Snow and Wendy McGee.

Club Championship pairs is now underway with results in coming weeks.

Contributed by Sue Hazledine

‍

On Saturday, the Mackay Bowls Club played a Ladies v Men Challenge.

Congratulations to the men who were victorious defeating women on all rinks.

On the day, bowls and the club were the winners with 30 members enjoying an afternoon of good bowls and friendship.

Rink Winners

Mick Irving, Mick Coll, Steve Cassidy def Val Edwards, Hazel Chiconi, Carol Savage

Alan Summerfield, Gary Blackburn Brian Williams def Helen Truscott, Julie Caban, Wendy Pomeroy

Alan Bartlett, Peter Molloy, Chris Molloy def Janice Nelson, Robyn Schatkowski

Barry Jenner, Col Stevens, Barry Paskins def Denise Mezzen, Marie Mayfield

Col Marks, Greg Thomsen, Trevor Mayfield def Tony Blucher, Thelma Fry, Leanne Jenner

Results

Tuesday Social Bowls

Winners of Winners

Leanne Jenner, Barry Jenner, Peter Taaffe

Winner of Losers

Robyn Schatkowski, Whare Herewini, Barry Paskins

Thursday Scroungers

Whare Herewini def Mick Coll

Friday Social Play

Winner of Winners

Barry Jenner and Marie Mayfield

Winner of Losers

Leanne Jenner and Lyn Jackson

Ladies Championships fours and pairs start on Friday (today) as well as Social Bowls.

Men’s Club Championships start on Saturday with open fours and open pairs starting at 1.00pm.

Barefoot social bowls is on Sunday starting at 3.00pm. Everyone welcome.

Players are reminded that Wests Tigers Challenge is on Saturday 12th March.

Contributed by Mike Irving

‍

With an event sponsored by Bushman’s Bakery, it was extremely appropriate that the winning team of Goosies’ ‘Under the Shed’ tournament was named the ‘Dough Makers’!

It’s a major event for the local bowls club in North Mackay, attracting bowlers from across Queensland to have a crack at the $12,000 prize pool. As a Bowls Australia Tier 3 ranked event, bowlers know they will face fierce competition in the mission to land nearest the jack.

Held last weekend on the 18 and 19 February, it was a heavily contested event, and though the competition was tight with many games being decided by one or two points, many return each year for the camaraderie. This year, 32 teams competed over the two days, each playing five games to determine the winner.

The winning team was Peter Grant, Paul Goldston, Gary Simmons and Peter Blackburn.

It was a very successful weekend for the North Mackay Club as well as Mackay Bowls in general.

Contributed by Ian Rowan

‍

Teams at Goosies in the Under the Shed competition

The final game for The Dough Makers

The winning team, the Dough Makers

‍

A young footballer who recently dipped his toes in futsal is now saving up to travel to Barcelona in June to represent Australia in the indoor game.

12-year-old Blake Potter first kicked a football at the age of four.

It’s been his lifelong dream to play professional football but when his Mackay State High School Football Academy coaches selected him in their futsal team for last year’s Whitsunday School Titles, representative futsal beckoned.

From there, he was selected to represent Queensland Country, gelling with a team of boys he’d never met or played with, before being selected to represent U13 Australia in Barcelona in June.

“It felt really good,” said Blake.

“I was a bit shocked actually.”

Blake and his family moved to Mackay early last year from Melbourne, where Blake played with various football academies and clubs including in the NPL Club Oakleigh Cannons system.

He’s played for both Magpies Crusaders and Mackay Lions since relocating and looks to develop his skills through futsal.

“Futsal’s definitely more fast paced, and you need indoor footwork but outdoor is more of a controlled game,” said Blake.

“Your foot skills really develop a lot, playing futsal, which he can transfer into the outdoor game,” agreed his mother, Amber Potter.

Blake has been working hard to fund his Spain trip, with local businesses paying him to drop pamphlets in letterboxes throughout town.

“When he found out he’d been selected and we showed him the cost, he said, ‘Can I get a job to help?’” said Amber.

“I was really proud of him, wanting to chip in and make it happen.”

As well as letterbox dropping, Blake has asked people in his neighbourhood to donate their cans and bottles, where he cashes them in to save for the trip.

Amber has also been putting together hampers with products donated from local businesses and started selling raffle tickets earlier this week.

“The local businesses have been so generous, it’s blown me away,” she said.

Anyone interested in buying raffle tickets or assisting in selling them can email Amber at info@twilightevents.com.au.

Before June, Blake will join a team representing Mackay at the Northern Regional Futsal Titles in Brisbane in April.

‍

‍

12-year-old Blake Potter will travel to Barcelona in June to represent Australia in futsal. Photos supplied

‍

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixtures Tuesday, February 14, 2023:

Division 1:

Pelicans (Charlie Payne, Branko Vucurovic, John McGee, Veronica Shepherd) d Magpies (George Camilleri, Delma Knight, Charles Hamlett) 9-5. Branko d George 7, 8, -11, -8, 9.

Cockatoos (Tony Bowman, Steve Mathieson, Peter Goodson, Don Boettcher) d Doves (Michael Ibbotson, Pam Joyce, Kevin Abbott, Coral Morgan) 10-4. Peter d Kevin 6, -6, 5, -6, 10.

Division 2:

Owls (Kim Challender, Robyn Bushell, Helen Ware) d Parrots (Bryan Marshall, Marie Taylor) 8-4. Marie d Kim -5, -6, 6, 10, 9.

Kookaburras (John Hamelink, Ken Best) d Ibis (Iris Grasso, Louise Gould) 7-5. Louise d John 5, 9, -14, 9.

Division 3:

Eagles (Sharon Muller, Frank Caruana, Glenda Dutton) d Storks (Madge Saunders, Thelma Caruana, Allison Day) 9-3. Glenda d Allison -10, -6, 4, 8, 11.

Hawks (Pam Keune, Gloria Vella, Trish Zamparuti) d Pigeons (Ian Dodds, Bill Hey, Myles Dutton) 9-3. Gloria d Ian 7, -8, -8, 7, 1.

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures February 14, 2023:

Division 1:

Tibhar (Mick Ruhl, Timothy Shehan, Allan Edwards) d Joola (Robbie Richards, Emma Widdup, Neil Brown) 7-4. Robbie d Timothy 9, -11, -7, 4, 9.

Victas (Anne Sheridan, Steven Whiting, Geoff Denman) d Donic (Graham Drury, Andrew McHugh, Daniel Warfield) 7-4. Andrew d Steven -8, 8, 9, -10, 9.

Division 2:

Radak (Lee Brake, Andrea Nicholson, George Camilleri) d Andro (Janice Kent, Graeme Walker, Mark Sleeman) 9-5. Andrea d Graeme 6, 10, -5, -5, 11.

Yasaka (Ian McKay, Duncan Treloar, Peter Goodson, Lily Boland) d Stiga (Graham Brake, Tony Bowman, Steve Mathieson, Matthew West) 9-5. Ian d Tony -5, 6, 11, -6, 8.

Division 3:

Gewo (Simon Hogan, Rymer Tabulo, Aarnav Reelh) d Nittaku (Steve Crocker, Jye Callander, Duncan Sheridan) 8-3. Aarnav d Steve 9, -7, -5, 9, 1.

Butterfly (Virginia Clayton, Val Austin, Trent Day) d Xiom (Leo Gilbert, Ollie Hamelink, Donna Abbott) 8-3. Virginia d Donna -4, -5, 7, 9, 9.

‍

The Mackay Cricket Dixon Homes T20 Shootout season came to a close on Saturday with a double header on Great Barrier Reef Arena, headlined by the Division 1 decider between Pioneer Valley and Magpies.

Pioneer Valley picked up the bat first after winning the toss, with openers Jack Sambell and Mitchell English forming a solid opening partnership.

Sambell was the first to go, departing for 23 runs off 21 deliveries in the fifth over, with bowler Todd Dixon striking again on the very next ball.

English went on to top score with 30 runs off 28, with the rest of the order struggling to keep the scoreboard ticking, leaving Pioneer Valley with 7/98 from 20 overs.

Dixon led the bowling attack finishing his four overs on 3/20, while Liam Zurvas and Andrew Borg both finished the innings with a wicket each and two run outs accounting for the other two wickets.

Magpies had an equally shaky innings, with only number five batsman Jaxn Sign getting settled at the crease.

Sign top scored with 35 off 49 not out and was assisted by Kai Higham with 14 and Blake Ryan with 13 in chasing down the total, reaching 7/99 with one ball remaining.

Alistair Houghton, Timothy Cridland and Cody Filewood finished with two wickets each and English with one, but it wasn’t enough in the end.

Another extremely close game was played out earlier in the afternoon, with the Division 2 final between Pioneer Valley and Norths playing out in an eerily similar fashion.

Pioneer Valley again won the toss and chose to bat, with openers Haiden Mellifont and Cooper Spencer top scoring with 37 and 32 respectively, helped by Dean Zeller with 19 to get the batting side to a respectable 8/150.

Ashley Murphy did the damage with the ball for Norths, finishing with three wickets and assisted by Lachlan Brett and Christopher Bell with two each.

After losing the early wicket of Chris Day, Norths took on the chase calmly and efficiently, with a 50 from Shawn Day, 32 from Daniel Tatow and 30 from Russel Counsell helping them to 4/151, again with one ball to spare.

One wicket each for B Reginato and H Kirkwood and two run outs gave Pioneer Valley a chance, but Norths held on, scoring the winning runs with a thick edge past the keeper.

‍

Magpies defeated Pioneer Valley in a closely fought Division 1 final

Pioneer Valley and Norths faced off in the Division 2 final, with Norths finishing on top. Photos supplied

‍

‍

With plenty of school sports underway, Mackay Northern Beaches State High School students enjoyed their first training sessions for the 2023 Pedal Prix season.

Pedal Prix is a STEM activity challenge tasking students with driving, maintaining and scrutinising human-powered vehicles.

Students were eager to get involved and begin learning about everything relating to Pedal Prix.

‍

‍

Mackay Northern Beaches State High School students have started training for the upcoming Pedal Prix season. Photo supplied

‍