Wednesday’s competition was a single stableford sponsored by Bowen Golf Club incorporating the ladies’ Medal of Medals.  

Single stableford Ladies’ winner was Carol O’Connell, 37 points, who also won the midweek Medal of Medals, while runner up on a countback was Ruth Dunn, 36.  

Men’s winner was Cliff Querro, 40 points, runner up Mitchell Greenbank, 39. Congratulations to Lynelle Riley who won the midweek Ladies Golfer of the Year.

Saturday’s competition was a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Vets, incorporating the Medal of Medals sponsored by LJ Hooker.  

Men's Winner Ryley Malone, 43 points, runner up Greg Daniel, 38. Pin shots to Garry Kukura, Ryley Malone, Michael Brunker, Matthew Yasso, and Brian Martin. Brian also earned himself the Carwash voucher and an OBP.  

Ladies' winner was Joy Hose, 37 points, runner up Jo Kukura, 33.  

Pin Shots to Claire Garrod, Lynelle Riley, and Michelle Campbell. Congratulations to Kurt Bidgood and Joy Hose on winning the weekend Medal of Medals, as well as to Ruth Dunn on winning the Ladies’ Golfer of the Year.

This weekend’s competition is a single stableford event sponsored by Roger Vandenberg from Proserpine Golf shop, with presentation night tonight.

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

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Bowen Golf Club’s Saturday winners and runners-up

The men’s winner of the Allenbuild stableford on Saturday was Ben Bullock with 43 points, from John Wallace 42 and Dean Kercher 39.

The ladies’ winner was Penny Wardroper with 36, on a count back from Renae Maxwell.

Heather Luvis came in third with 34 and Tiina Randmae 33 points.

The place getters were Rod Wecker and Sam Marschke and Ryan Wilkes with 38, Marcus Heathcote, Vince Collins, Ben Raymant, Peter Lewis and Brian Allen on 37 completed the rundown.

The ladies pin shots went to Renae Maxwell on two and Heather Luvis on nine.

On Thursday, the division one winner was Andrew Albergo with 40 points from Sam Deicke, 39 and Nathan Sothmann 38.

The division two winner was Peter Lewis with 37 points from Peter Browning, 36 and Trevor Paroz 35.

In the run down were John Grosskreutz, 38, Luke Paroz and Jim Cochrane 37, Phil Luckett, Joe Taylor, Michael Ward and Ben Raymant 35, and Ryan Wilkes, 24.

The pin shots went to Ryan Wilkes, Sam Deicke, Nathan Sothmann and Barry Mortimer.

Tuesday’s stableford winner was Peter O’Toole with 42 points from Brian Smith on 36.

In the run down were Aaron Prosser, 35 and Michael Cragg and Ken Lovett 34.

Sunday’s stroke men’s winner was Ryan Wilkes with 65 nett, from Jason Bourke 67 and Jason Whitney 68.

The ladies’ winner was Anna Winterbourn with 68, from Karen Rix 69 and Peta Thomas 71.

In the run down were Paul Nicol and Aaron Prosser 69, Danny York, 70, and Wayne Temby and Gerald Lovell 72, followed by Jacqui Wall on 73.

Next Saturday is a stroke event.

Contributed with thanks to Peter Lewis

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A stroke event was held by Whitsunday Golf Clubalong with the Medal of Medals challenge for 2022, with a total of 27 players competing from the Whitsunday Club.

Men’s A Grade winner was Jason Bourke with runner up Danny York, with Wayne Temby best gross. Men’s B Grade winner was Paul Nicol, runner up Gerald Lovell, and Scott Wardroper best gross.

Ladies’ A Grade winner was Anna Winterbiourn, runner up Jacquie Wall, and Penny Wardroper best gross.

Ladies’ B Grade winner went to Karen Rix and runner up Pam Casey, Elise Hiodgson best gross.

Longest drives were claimed by Jason Bourke, Paul Nicol, Penny Wardroper, and Elise Hodgson.

Pin shots were Penny Wardroper, Scott Wardroper, Elise Hodgson, Pauline Redpath, Aaron Watts, and Danny York.

The Bradmans award this week was won by Tina Cook and Wilf Herweg.

Medal of Medal winners will be announced at the presentation. Next Sunday will be a trophy event for 4BBB Stableford.

Contributed with thanks to Joanne Moynihan

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Anna Winterbourn, Paul Nicol, and Karen Rix

Proserpine Veteran Golf had 29 players for Tuesday with a few good scores posted.  

The ladies’ winner was Tiina Randmae with 38 points, second was Mandy Patterson, 35, and in the rundown were Leanne Alexander, 34, Elspeth Scotford, 31, Kathryn Borer, 31, Jacqui Wall, 31, and Tessa Aitken, 31.

The men’s winner was Steve Mitchell, 39, second Vic Feldman, 35, and in the rundown were Gary Scotford, 35, Neil Cawthorne, 32, Barry Shuwalow, 32, John Roser, 31, and Philip Luckett, 31.  

The nearest the pin winners were for the ladies Heather Luvis, two, Jan Shuwalow, two, Mandy Patterson, 13, Kathryn Borer, 13, Tiina Randmae, 16, and Jacqui Wall, 16.

Men's winners were John Roser, two, Peter Browning, two, Steve Mitchell, 13, and Barry Shuwalow, 16.  

Chip ins went to Paula McQuat, Jacqui Wall, Tiina Randmae, and Kathryn Borer.  

Next week will be a stroke event and count putts.This will be followed by the club’s Annual General Meeting.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

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Jacob Nightingale was a convincing winner of this week’s 9-hole stableford at Whitsunday Green Golf Club, with an impressing 25 points.

Chris Bartlett had a return to form to take second with 21 points and Kendall Nash took third with 18 points. For Friday’s competition, it was Jay Angel with 21 points to win, followed by Terry Kimpton just defeating Scott Morrissey on a count back. Both scored 19 points.

On Sunday it was SKINS over 18-holes and Tyson Flavel was the winner with 13 skins.

Rob Lodders, Tim Walton, and Billy O’Conner all came in with 6 skins each. Terry Kimpton made his first ‘Hole in One’ on the 9th and Glenn Rees and Tyson Flavel were nearest the pin.

Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross

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Terry Kimpton and Wayne Singleton at Whitsunday Green Golf Course

Bodybuilder Becomes Pro In Second Season

Em Pianeda is out to prove that it’s never too late for women to achieve their goals.

Recently completing her second bodybuilding season, Em has achieved three pro cards, or professional athlete awards, and her journey has only just begun.

She entered her first bodybuilding season last year, after much consideration and a lifelong passion for sport, fitness and muscle.

“Last year I was turning 40, and I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to do it before I’m 40,’” she said.

“I always admired bodybuilding and I really do like muscle … because I know what it takes to get it.”

Inspiring Journey Of Bodybuilding Success

After receiving feedback from her first bodybuilding season, Em Pianeda went into an improvement period to grow her muscle and develop her posing.

Her goal was to finish her second season with a pro card.

“I learnt that I could do it and I could stick to the diet and the training,” she said.

In her second season, Em achieved three pro cards with natural federations I Compete Natural, Natural Bodybuilding Australia and Miss Fitness Australia.

“It blew my mind,” she said.

“I had three chances and got three from three, so I’m super excited for next year.”

Bodybuilding competitions are judged on aspects including figure, symmetry and muscle separation, which requires an intense preparation period and training regime.

Em allowed her body to recover between seasons before starting a growth season of strength training and structured eating.

“When you hit your prep season, that’s when you start to cut your calories and add your cardio and start to do the shred,” she said.

“You get yourself into good habits with eating and regular training and then just hit the ground running.”

Em trains five days a week and says this period can be strenuous on not only her body, but her personal life and the people around her.

“You don’t want to go out and catch up for drinks because you can’t drink and you’re hungry and you’re tired and you’re struggling, so you don’t want to be in those environments,” she said.

“You’ve got to stay on track.

“Coming out into recovery and improvement, not only do you have to recover and improve you and your body, but you need to do that with the relationships that you’ve put on the backburner.

“My family’s had to be on the ride too so now it’s about trying to put back into that part of your life.”

Em aspires to leave her mark on the Australian natural bodybuilding scene before taking on international competitions in future seasons.

“Once I’m done there, I wouldn’t mind doing the untested federations as a natural athlete and see where I stand against enhanced athletes,” she said.

“It gives you a goal; it gives you something to work towards.”

All the while, she hopes to inspire women to follow their dreams.

“If there’s something you want to do and you have goals and aspirations, it does not matter how old you are or how busy you are,” she said.

“If I can do it, anyone can do it.

“Get out there and make it happen; it’s so empowering when you do.”

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St Patrick’s College Mackay has rubber stamped its exciting new partnership with the North Queensland Cowboys.

Both parties recently signed a memorandum of understanding to promote clear pathways for aspiring rugby league players in the region to play in the NRL competition.

A Cowboys contingent led by Head of NRL Elite Pathways Glenn Hall visited Mercy College Mackay last Friday to officially endorse the new partnership.

Other Cowboys officials in attendance were Elite Pathways coach Steve Sheppard, Club Recruitment Manager Dane Campbell and Elite Pathways Strength and Conditioning Coach Liam Bartlett.

They were joined by boom St Patrick’s and Queensland Country Under 17 colts Xavier Kerrisk and Jaxon Purdue, St Patrick’s and Mercy College Sports Co-ordinators Chad Buckby and Matthew Paul, newly appointed Mercy College Cowboys Challenge coach Tom Gaviglio and Mercy College Assistant Principal Curriculum Scott McSherry.

Emerging hooker Kerrisk and skilful half back Purdue will attend a special camp in Townsville during December as part of the Cowboys Young Bucks squad.

Other promising St Patrick’s rugby league colts invited include top forwards Liam Doherty, Matthew Watts, dynamic centre Kai Simon (Under 21 Young Guns) and lock forward Kayne Smith and classy utility back Will Shears (Young Bucks).

Both Mercy College and St Patrick’s College have proved a thriving nursery for NRL clubs over the past three decades and have tasted phenomenal success in the Confraternity Shield, Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge competitions.

Mr Hall said the Cowboys were looking forward to building on the back of the school’s success of the past few seasons.

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Rookie bull rider and Koumala local, Qynn Andersen is headed to Canada next week to compete at the PBR Canada national finals.

19-year-old Andersen took home an event win at the PBR Monster Energy Tour Rockhampton Invitational earlier this month, his third for 2022. His rookie season has been a resounding success, currently sitting in third position in the national standings, three weeks out from the Grand Finals in Townsville.

“It was good to ride both my bulls and get another win,” Mr Andersen says.

“I’m quite happy with how this season is panning out, having lots of fun and learning a lot along the way.”

If Mr Andersen can continue his good form, he has the potential to snatch the national title from the grips of four-time and current national champion, Aaron Kleier from Clermont.

Not that Mr Andersen is thinking about it too much.

“Nothing changes too much for me, I’ll continue to put the hard yards in during the week and look to ride all my bulls,” he says.

“Townsville will also be lots of fun! I’m just excited about getting my bulls rode and letting things pan out like they should.”

Having already represented Queensland at the Monster Energy PBR State of Origin series, where he was the event winner in Origin I and III, Mr Andersen will now represent Australia when he heads to Canada to ride in the 2022 PBR Canada National Finals.

“I’m very excited to head over to Canada. It’ll be my first time. I’m very keen to ride their bulls and experience their crowds.”

He’ll return to Australia just in time to ride for the Australian National Title at the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals in Townsville.

Clermont’s Aaron Kleier currently holds onto the number one spot, but after sustaining an injury at the Mackay Invitational four weeks ago has been missing from the schedule.

He’ll be looking to make a return at the Grand Finals in Townsville to secure his fifth consecutive national title, a feat no other rider in PBR history has achieved.

PBR Australia presents the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals, Friday 25th and Saturday 26th of November at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre. Tickets are still available at www.pbraustralia.com.au.

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Mackay parkrun held their 300th event last Saturday, October 29, welcoming an impressive 317 participants to the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens to celebrate.

The occasion also marked volunteer Colin Hardy’s 100th outing, with volunteers and participants surprising Colin by dressing up in his iconic Hawaiian shirt.

Mackay parkrun is held at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens every Saturday from 7:00am.

It is a free timed 5km run/walk put on by the community for the community and an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and the beautiful natural surroundings of the gardens while getting active.

Make sure you register by 6pm on the Friday before at www.parkrun.com.au.

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A Mackay year 6 student recently competed at the All Schools Queensland Track and Field Championships, showing that he’s more than capable on the state stage.

Sonny Morse of Carlisle Adventist College is now the state Under 11 Boys 800m Champion and 1500m Champion.

He also set a new 1500m Queensland record on his way to being crowned Champion.

The next stop for Sonny is the Australian All Schools Championships to be held in Adelaide in December.

Sonny is no stranger to the National level, as he recently competed in the All Schools Australian Cross Country Championship in Adelaide, placing 2nd overall in the individual race and winning Gold in the relays with the fastest 1500m overall time in the relays.

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Linda Single nee Mackenzie, local Olympic-gold-medallist, attended Pioneer’s Club Night on Thursday, October 6.

Linda supports the club with an annual visit.

Over 50 swimmers were in attendance to meet Linda who discussed her journey to Olympic gold.

She spoke about her training, recovery methods, nutrition, her hurdles, and her successes.

She even posed for photos, let the kids hold her medal and signed swim caps and merchandise for memories.

Linda must have inspired the kids as many personal bests were achieved on the night.  

Pioneer Swim Club wishes to thank Linda for her continued support over the years and taking the time to come speak to our aspiring athletes again.

We appreciate you!  

Contributed by Tahnie Malagueno

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Bowlers from all over the state flocked to Goosies over the weekend to take part in the CMR Goosies 10,000.

The tournament is a Bowls Australia Tier 4 event, drawing 128 bowlers from as far as Townsville and Brisbane to battle it out for valuable competition points and a share in $10,000 prize money.

The Brisbane based team of K Nelson, C Sleeman, J Nelson and B Egan finished on top after a weekend of fun and competitive bowls.

Goosies Bowls Results Week Ending November 6 2022

Caption 9: John Fry has recently joined North Mackay Bowls club

Caption 10: Joyce Camilleri and Val De Pinto play on Monday mornings. Photos supplied

Monday mixed pairs winners were P. Hammerlink and Wolfgang followed by G. Moore and D. Agnew. Lucky draw winners were J. Vickers and Eric Galletly.

Wednesday ladies’ day was won by Margaret Armitage, Ann Smith and Daphne Offield. Runners up were Fay McCubben, Shirley Bartolo and Maryann Bartolo. Great to see Margaret Armitage back in the winners again after her long layoff.

Thursday mixed pairs winners were Barry and Frances Lehmann who are back playing after a long time away from bowls. A great welcome back to be in the winner’s seat. Runners up were Shane Trannore and Andrew Coates. Greens vouchers were won by Greg McLean, Vern and Wayne Mietzel.

Jan Little won the $110 kitty toucher with a wonderful sitting toucher.

On Friday many visiting players from all over Queensland took the field to practice for the CMR Goosies 10,000 and we had 15 rinks playing. The mixed pairs overall winners were Tony Allsop and Chris Banney with a score of plus 24. They took home $75 each. Good to see a couple of locals get up. Winners’ draw was taken out by Shirley Bartolo and Eric Galletly. Lucky draw losers’ names not available.

There was no social Saturday play.

Contributed by Tony Allsop

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Joel Khalu will continue to lead the McDonald’s Mackay Meteors from the sideline, Mackay Basketball announcing today the 41-year-old will be back at the club on a one-year deal in 2023, his sixth season as Head Coach and eighth overall with the red and black.

“We’re excited that ‘JK’ is returning in 2023,” Mackay Basketball General Manager Sean Page said.

“As a club we know we’ve got one of the best coaches in the country leading our men’s NBL1 program.

“He has a proven ability to develop and maximise playing talent, putting the Meteors in a position to compete at a high-level each time they step on the floor. We’re thrilled to have this continue in 2023.”

Across five seasons and 95 games guiding the Meteors, Khalu has amassed an overall record of 73 wins and 22 losses. He led the side to the QBL title in 2015 and the inaugural NBL1 North championship in 2021. Khalu is also a two-time Coach of the Year, receiving the award in 2015 & 2022.

He led the Queensland under 20 men’s side to a national title this past April and currently serves as an assistant coach with the Australian Emus junior national team. Khalu also travelled to Tokyo last month for the NBA Japan Games as head coach of the Asia-Pacific Jr. NBA squad.

Khalu said he was pumped to be back with the Meteors for another NBL1 campaign.

“I’m proud to be the Head Coach of the McDonald’s Mackay Meteors and grateful to the association and the management committee for another opportunity to fulfill the role,” he said.

“Representing Mackay is something I’m extremely passionate about and it’s important for me to put a team on the floor that represents the values of the city, our sponsors and local basketball community.”

With the team falling short of its title aspirations in 2022, Khalu said he was determined to get the club back on top in 2023.

“2022 didn’t end the way we collectively wanted it to and that’s certainly still fresh in my mind as a motivating factor for next year,” Khalu said.

“We’ve started off-season training this week, which is the earliest time of year that we’ve ever gone, and our local players are focused, with a renewed purpose, which is great to see.

“Recruiting is also starting to ramp up. Both NBL and overseas players are starting to make decisions on where they want to play in 2023, so I’m hoping to start putting pen to paper on guys over the next few weeks and start building our Meteors roster.”

The 2023 NBL1 North season will commence in late March with announcements of player signings rolling out in the coming months.

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More than thirty runners enjoyed the warm and windy running conditions for the third race in the 2022/2023 Shawn’s Summer Social Series last weekend.

Race Director and Club Captain, Jim Ford was in his usual fine multiskilling form setting a flat, fast course for runners as well as pushing his grandchildren in the double pram, even though they bolted once they saw their dad at the finish line.

The out-and-back course also had variable options up to 10km if runners preferred to turn early which is especially sensible when injured or not at that level.  

Jim and the running crew welcome anyone who is interested in joining the Shawn’s Summer Series every Sunday at 5:30pm for a great informal social training event which starts from a different location each week from late October to mid-February.

Check out the Mackay Road Runners website for the Shawn’s Summer Social Series calendar of events in honour of a champion runner and past Treasurer of the club, Shawn Claydon.  

The formal Mackay Road Running season will commence February 2023. All interested persons are advised that the Mackay Road Runners 2023 Calendar Meeting and Annual General Meeting will be held in the coming weeks, therefore, watch this space for dates, times and location.  

Contributed by Janelle Tilse

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Queensland squash champion Kayce Hoani-Vincent and emerging rugby league forward Reuben Saron are the Mercy College Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year recipients for 2022.  

The talented duo were officially recognised for their superb achievements this season on the squash court, athletics track and football fields and accepted their awards at the College’s annual Sports Assembly last week.

15-year-old Kayce represented Queensland and Australia at the annual Trans-Tasman Schools Squash Tri Series Challenge in Brisbane back in August where she remained undefeated in singles matches.

A product of Mackay’s Squash 52 club, Kayce lined up for her beloved Maroons against the best junior squash players from NSW and New Zealand at the Daisy Hill Squash & Racquet Club complex and lived up to her mantle as the number one ranked female squash junior in Queensland with stylish victories in both singles and doubles formats.

At the end of the Tri Series, the gifted Hoani-Vincent made her international debut in Australian colours as part of a combined Queensland-NSW team and won all her singles matches against the formidable Kiwis.

Kayce has held her number one Queensland ranking since 2019 and puts it down to her arduous training schedule and desire to constantly improve.  

She balances her Year 10 studies at Mercy College with three days of intense fitness training that includes speed, endurance and strength work plus honing her racquet skills on court.  

When Kayce is not hitting a squash ball or devising on-court tactics, she can be found demonstrating her athletics skills as a pole vaulter or high jumper with Mackay Athletics Club.

The talented youngster has turned in encouraging performances in field events over the past 12 months.  

Ranked number three in Queensland for her age group, she finished 8th overall in the Pole Vault at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park back in April and later won the Pole Vault gold medal at the Queensland Secondary Schools Athletics Championships in Brisbane.

Reuben Saron is a promising rugby league forward in a big hurry.

The powerhouse 15-year-old prop has attracted interest from both the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys after superb performances for Mercy College in the Cowboys Challenge schoolboy competition and with Souths Sharks in the Mackay& District Junior League.

He is a leading colt in both the Broncos and Cowboys Development Academies and is headed for a bright future in the National Rugby League.

Saron, a tough tackling forward and fearless warrior, made an impact in both rugby league and rugby union circles during 2022.

He was one of the best players on field when Mercy College suffered a heartbreaking Grand Final loss to Townsville’s Kirwan State High in this year’s Cowboys Challenge Shield decider and during the season represented Capricornia Under 15s with distinction in both codes.

Strong running Reuben showed his versatility when he spearheaded the Mercy College rugby union team to a Mackay Secondary Schools Rugby Sevens Under 15s title this season with his mobility, endurance and ball skills a feature.

Saron was best player on ground when he teamed up with Mercy College utility ace Saxon Crofts to help Brothers capture the Mackay & District Junior League Under 15s premiership after downing Wests Tigers in the Grand Final.

Both Saron and Crofts linked with Souths this season and along with Mercy’s Queensland Under 15s rep forward Cohen Jackson steered the club to the Under 15s finals series with consistent performances.

Reuben lists his father Phil Saron, a former Australian Schoolboys rugby league representative, as a major influence on his career to date.

Just like his dad – a speed machine on the field in his youth – Reuben has proved a sensation at centre for Mackay Rugby Club this season.

Under the coaching of Lincoln Grady – father of Mercy’s 13-year-old rugby starlet Callyn Grady – the promising Saron earned selection in the Regional Queensland team for matches against Brisbane and Gold Coast in the Emerging Reds competition.

Reuben’s immediate goals for 2023 are to force his way into the St Patrick’s College top grade squad and to tour with the Reds Under 16 representative rugby team.

By Chris Karas

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