Pioneer Tennis held its second Smash Cancer weekend last weekend, bringing the Mackay community together through a love of tennis to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation.

Smash Tennis has grown quickly to incorporate a social teams tennis night, singles and doubles tournaments and Bubbles and Brunch morning with over 150 people taking part over the weekend.

Donations are still able to be made at www.pinkisthecolour.com.au/fundraisers/pioneertennis/smash-cancer.

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Mercy/St Patrick’s College cricketers Jack Muller, Liam Newbery, Lachlan Evetts and Nick Beardmore (pictured) received a thrill recently when they were invited by the Adelaide Strikers franchise to serve as net bowlers during the recent Women’s Big Bash League fixtures at Harrup Park Mackay.

Pace bowling trio of Muller, Newbery and Evetts along with leg spinner Beardmore quickly snapped up an opportunity to match wits with some of the biggest names in women’s cricket in the early phase of the competition.

The talented quartet gained valuable experience when they sent down deliveries to the likes of female international stars Tahlia McGrath, Laura Wolvaardt, Dane van Niekerk, Deandra Dottin, Darcie Brown and Megan Schutt as part of their cricket education.

It was a magic moment for the emerging bowlers, who showed plenty of admiration for the Strikers’ batters during the extensive net sessions.

Muller, Newbery, Evetts and Beardmore are all Mackay/Whitsunday representative cricketers with bright futures in the sport.

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas.

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Blokarting is a family sport, as proved when the club had an outing at Bucasia Beach over the weekend.

Members of a family walking along the beach were intrigued and encouraged to try out the sport.

“They were very impressed with the performance and simplicity of assembly of the karts – another family hooked on the sport,” a spokesman said.

“One young lad had a sail and proved to be quite good at it.”

Contributed by George Camilleri

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Mackay’s Emma Widdup was the star of the Australian Veterans Table Tennis Championships in Darwin, taking a swag of four medals and the order of merit.

Emma medals included gold in the O30 women’s teams, silver in the O40 doubles, and bronze in O30 singles and doubles.

She was in hot form following an undefeated run in the recent state veterans titles in Mackay, and reached the semi-final of over 30 women’s singles when she was beaten by top seed Victorian Cheryl Huang, who went on to beat WA's Beck Bennett in the final.

Earlier, Emma thrashed Victoria’s Anuska Fernando in a quarter-final 5, 3, 8.

Emma was later ranked No 1 in the order of merit, based on performances over the championship, in teams, doubles and singles.

Andrea Nicholson won two medals – gold in the O30 women’s teams and bronze in O30 doubles.

Coral Morgan won a bronze medal in over 75 women’s doubles to give Mackay seven medals, the best result in memory.

Also in action for Mackay were Delma Knight, Anne Sheridan, Donna Abbott, Janice Kent, Peter Goodson and Noreen Fredericksen.

Contributed by Charlie Payne

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The North Mackay Bowls Club gathered at Goosies last Friday to celebrate a terrific year of bowls by all, particularly the achievements of the following bowlers.

Image 1: Ladies Championship Pairs Winners C Bell and D Mackenzie

Image 2: Men’s A Pairs Runners Up W Trannore and C Wales

Image 3: Ladies B Pairs Winners S Bartolo, M Creese (sub) and A Smith

Image 4: Men’s B Pairs Runners Up G Royes and T Allsop

Image 5: Men’s 3 Bowls Triples Runners Up B Hobbs and C Banney (absent S Banney)

Image 6: Ladies Championship Triples Winners H Fleming, L Bowers and L Lemke

Image 7: Mixed Fours Winners L Deguara, B Cooper, L Bowers and R Bowers

Image 8: Men’s Level 2 Pennants Team Winners

Image 9: Women’s Pennants Team Winners

Image 10: Cheryle Corbett and Paul “Goldy” Goldston entertaining the crowd

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Shawn's Summer Social Series started last weekend with an exceptional number of athletes and supporters.  

The Claydon Family were in attendance for the first race in the 2022/2023 series which are due to run through to February 2023, just before the formal Mackay Road Runners program commences.

All Mackay Road Running members are invited as well as the general community who wish to take on some informal off season training with some unique concepts included.  

Club Captain/Race Director/Series Co-ordinator, Jim Ford has a wealth of knowledge to suit a variety athletes for a gold coin donation towards post run refreshments and end of series prizes.

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Recently, four Mackay ‘Picklers’ travelled to the latest Australian Championship Tournament held at the very impressive Queensland Tennis Centre in’ Brisbane.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t so accommodating. The first days, Friday and Saturday, were sunshine and blue skies with the programmed games running the full day which incorporated Hybrid Coed Doubles (any age) and Junior Men’s Doubles (17 years and under).

From then on rain held up the majority of games until Sunday and Monday when some mighty tough games were played. It was fantastic to witness some of Pickleball’s gold medal winners of international and national standards.

Our players did us proud by toughing it out with some very experienced players, some just missing by a whisker for the medals. The ‘take away’ for one of our more experienced players, Rob, was stepping up for the challenge of first-time Open Singles, then Doubles at Skill level 4 and above.

Toni, another strong player, set a personal challenge by stepping up for her first experience at Skinny Singles. She also played Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.

Heather, another Pickleball fanatic who always puts her heart and soul into every game, had a lot of fun playing Women’s Mixed Doubles, Doubles and Singles.

Also Greg, another Pickleball fanatic, who travelled with Margaret in their caravan to be at the tournament, played Men’s Doubles, Singles and Mixed Doubles.

All in all, it was an enormous event for our little band of Mackayites, rubbing shoulders with some of Pickleballs notoriety is all part of the experience.  

Everyone is welcome to “have a go” your first try is free then a small fee of $7 per session thereafter. We will supply you with all you need to play at PCYC North Mackay-every Tuesday night from 5:30 to 7pm, Thursday from 12 mid-day to 2pm, Sunday from 9am to 11am.

Contributed with thanks to Michelle Sheehan

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Mackay netball fans will get a unique opportunity to get up close to the entire Queensland Firebirds squad when the Suncorp Super Netball stars visit Mackay in November.

The pre-season trip will include the Suncorp Spirit Cup clash against the Sunshine Coast Lightning at the Mackay Multisport Stadium on Saturday, November 26.

In a first for the club, the Firebirds’ trip kicks off on Friday, November 25 with a special evening with the club’s entire Suncorp Super Netball squad at Souths Mackay Rugby Club.

The event will feature an introduction to new Firebirds Head Coach Bec Bulley and interviews with members of the 2023 Queensland Firebirds squad.

Attendees will also get an opportunity to meet with players and coaches after the event which hasn’t happened outside the Firebirds’ annual gala function before.

The fun continues on Saturday, November 26 when the Firebirds host a clinic at Mackay Netball Association in the morning before taking on Queensland Suncorp Super Netball rivals in the inaugural Suncorp Spirit Cup match that evening.

“This trip to Mackay provides a unique opportunity for some of our most passionate and loyal members of the netball community to have an exclusive chance to connect with our elite teams,” Netball Queensland CEO Kate Davies said.

“Growing our great game across the whole state of Queensland is a key objective for us.

“I would encourage anyone interested across the region to book their ticket and be a part of this historic opportunity.”

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said council was a proud supporter of events thanks to their Invest Mackay Events and Conference Attraction program.  

“We have a strong focus on events and tourism development in the region and recognise the benefits that events like the Suncorp Spirit Cup have on the region’s economy and liveability,” Mr Williamson said.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our region, and we can’t wait to welcome the Queensland Firebirds to Mackay.  

“Mackay is well-known for growing and developing a large number of sporting icons and heroes and hosting this calibre of professional netballers in front of our young and emerging athletes is absolutely fantastic for our community.”

Tickets for Friday’s special evening event and Saturday morning’s clinic are on sale now and can be purchased from firebirds.net.au/regional-tours, while tickets for the Suncorp Spirit Cup Preseason Match are unfortunately sold out.

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Saturday saw two of three weeks of the Mackay Presidents Shield played. All players played with a different player to last week. Terrence Sheedy is currently in the lead with one week to go.

On Sunday Novice’s played week two of three of the Novice Pairs. Annie Lynch and Sandra Morris have jumped to the front, closely followed by Carol and Ian Gaskell.

Saturday 22 October – Presidents Shield Week 2 of 3 Green Points

N/S

1st Terrence Sheedy / Janelle Conroy

2nd Geoff Taylor / Doone Mitchell

3rd Gabrielle Dreghorn / Griffin Bancroft

4th Mary Cruickshank / Noel Saunders

5th Joy Robinson / Alan Brown

E/W

1st Lorna Shuttlewood / Faye Wright

2nd Monica Darley / Nancy Martin

3rd Ian Cruickshank / Robert Carless

4th Julie O’Neill / Richard Wix

5th Christine Nice / Ken Seaniger

Sunday 23 October – Novice Pairs Week 2 of 3 Green Points

N/S

1st Annie Lynch / Sandra Morris

2nd Carol Gaskell / Ian Gaskell

3rd Faith Hutchinson / Joy Block

E/W

1st Griffin Bancroft / Marylin Wilson-Nicholl

2nd Mary Rose Ramsden / Carmel Brown

3rd Diane Stokes / Anne Lutz

Weekly Results

Monday 17 October – 6 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

1st Janelle Conroy / Terrence Sheedy

2nd Jan Harris / Richard Wix

3rd Geoff Patterson / Noel Bugeia

E/W

1st Eric Goodchild / David King

2nd Monica Darley / Nancy Martin

3rd Pamela Finger / Ming Ting

Wednesday 19 October – 10 Table Mitchell Green Points

1st Janelle Conroy / Alan Brown

2nd Griffin Bancroft / Gwen Liddell

3rd Diane Holewa / Max Holewa

4th Josie Cowley / Barbara Tait

1st Terrence Sheedy / Eric Leivesley

2nd Lorna Shuttlewood / Janet Hansen

3rd Eric Goodchild / Debra Goodchild

4th Robert Carless / Joy Robinson

Thursday 20 October – 3 Table One Winner

1st Frances Brown / Ann Whitmore

2nd Patricia Garner / Mick King

3rd Jan Harris / Terrence Sheedy

Friday 21 October – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

1st Janine Rogers / Richard Wix

2nd Joy Block / Gabrielle Dreghorn

3rd Carmel Brown / Monica Darley

E/W

1st Geoff Taylor / Joy Robinson

2nd Lorna Shuttlewood / Debra Goodchild

3rd Geoff Patterson / Susan Wright

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Wangaratta Bowls Club was jubilant to see some of its recent Come and Try day participants back this week to have another game of bowls.

Tuesday’s social bowls resulted in the jackpot - a tidy sum - going off in the game between Bronwyn Tolcher and Penny Warren’s win against Deb Retchless and Sue Shearing.

In the other game, Kevin Baxter and Sugar Brunker defeated Stumpy Adams and Mark Drummond.

Sunday’s results: Winners were Cheryl Sexton, Robyn Stitt, and Sugar Brunker defeating Cliff Sexton, Isobel Wheeler, and Mark Drummond. Other winners were Mandy Anderson, Deb Retchless, and Allan Rolfe defeating Lindy Suan, Lauri Land, and Graeme Read.

Carol, Kevin Baxter, and Penny Warren defeated Bill, Linda Scells, and John Turner, while Bronwyn Tolcher, Sue Shearing, and Pat Tracey defeated Toni Bowen, Bill Myers, and Kennedy Whitton.

Competition games results: On Saturday, a great semi-final in the mixed pairs resulted in Penny Warren and Allan Rolfe defeating Fely Duncan and Jason Wright.

Bowl for bowl kept the interesting and the bowls were that close that only millimeters were the difference.  

Sunday morning men’s triples game resulted in Laurie Land, Kevin Daniels, and Barry Beel defeating Ted Evand, Kennedy Whitton, and Graeme Read.        

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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Sunday winner Robyn Stitt receiving her voucher from Wangaratta Bowls Club President Mark Drummond

On Wednesday Proserpine Bowls Club had twelve players enjoying games of three bowl pairs for social bowls.  

Bruce Uhe and Noel Crosbie defeated Jim Bownds and Philip Brown 37-3; Peter Lawton and Russell Jackson defeated Carol Crosbie and David Ling 32-13; and Mike Harrison and Heather Brown defeated Pat Bownds and Sandy Daffara 26 - 16.

On Sunday, the club hosted nine players, with Heather Brown playing double lead.  Heather, Bruce Uhe, and Mike Harrison defeated Heather, Philip Brown, and Mary Hedgelong 25-16; while Peter Lawton and Barry Zillmann defeated Sandy Daffara and Jim Quod 38-4.

On Saturday Gavin Noonan and Brett Saroglia played in the Champion of Champion B Pairs at Airlie Beach.  

Despite playing good bowls, they were defeated by the Souths Suburban pairing of Bede Roebuck and Ron Horsford.

This weekend, Proserpine is the host club for the Champion of Champion Two Bowl Triples and hopes locals and club members will come and support the team and enjoy some wonderful bowls throughout the weekend.  

Good luck to “Huggies’” team of Nathan Dodds, Scott Hamilton, and Wayne Handley.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

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Bowen Bowls Club hosted their Presentation of Trophies on Saturday night at the Central Hotel, with fours Winners Tiarna Rogers, Steve Roome, Jill Brabon, and Daryl Tuttle.

Triples Winners were Steve Roome,Wayne Crowhurst, Lee Welsted, while pairs winners were Shane Spann and Gus Munro, and singles winner was Shane Spann.

In the previous week, Wednesday Social Bowls saw Brian Jones, Lorraine McArthur, and Tracey Roach defeat Mary-Ellen Pratten, Allen Williams, and Peter Thomson.

This was a tied game up until the last end.

Bev Smith, Jill Brabon, Paula Welsted, and Gus Munro defeated David Moodie, Robyn Stitt, Ron Gould, and Steve Roome.

Sunday Scroungers Winners: Gavin Charles and Brett Lampard.

Contributed with thanks to Joan Edwards

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Fours winners Tiarna Rogers, Steve Roome, and Jill Brabon

Sunday Scroungers Winners Gavin Charles and Brett Lampard

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