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

It was another very successful trip for Proserpine Veteran Golfers on Saturday last week as they competed in the final round of the Whitsunday Veterans Competition.  

The association sends its thanks to all those that travelled from Proserpine for the event and over the past 12 months.

Proserpine Veterans were announced as the 2022 Whitsunday competition winners, winning a majority of the four rounds held throughout the year.

Nick Apruzzese was named the Whitsunday Veterans Player of the Year.

It has been a fantastic year for the Proserpine Veteran Golfers Association who are now the champions in both the Crocker Shield and the Whitsunday Veterans Competition.  

Next week, the club will be back at Proserpine to play a stroke event in warm up for the Monthly Medal round the following week.  

In addition to the Monthly Medal on Tuesday, November 1, the club will host its own Melbourne Cup Day luncheon afterwards.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat
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Whitsunday Veteran’s Player of the Year, Nick Apruzzese

Whitsunday Golf Club’s October Monthly Medal and first round of club championships were held on Sunday.

A field of 28 players contested the medal and championship round with the winners for Men’s A Grade, Darren Reynolds with a Nett 66, runner up Don Cameron on 69, and Men’s B Grade winner was Wilf Herweg on Nett 71, followed by Ron Jamieson on 73.

Ladies’ A grade winner went to Penny Wardroper on 69 Nett, followed closely by Anna Winterbourn on Nett 70.

Ladies B grade winner was Elise Hodgson on a Nett 69, with Karen Rix runner up on a Nett 73.

Longest drives went to Don Cameron, Gerald Lovell, Penny Wardroper, and Karen Rix.

The pin shots were claimed by Penny Wardroper, Tiina Randmae, Darren Reynolds, Ron Jamison, and Elise Hodgson.

Next Sunday will be the second round of Club Championships with a stroke competition for the day.

Contributed with thanks to Joanne Moynihan
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Darren Reynolds, Penny Wardroper, Wilf Herweg, and Elise Hodgson

On Saturday the club played a single stableford for the RV Golf trophies for the men and ladies.

The men’s winner was Gavin Kerwand with 43 points from Ross Meade, 41 and Jacob Nightingale, 40 on a count back.

The ladies’ winners were Sherri Meade, also with 43 points, from Wendy Gough 37 and Diane Chard with 35 on a count back.

The place getters were Adrian Sverdloff and Mick Kavanagh, 40, on 39 were Adam Maggs, Rob Stanley, Michael Cragg and Ryan Kenny, Barry Mortimer and Mat Bower, 38 and Aaron Prosser and Ryan Wilks 37 on a count back.

Scott Lee, Jacob Nightingale, Sean Gower, Andrew Colborne, Diane Chard and Mandy Patterson won a ball in the pin shots, while five featured in the two-shot pool. Thirty-six points and above “beat the Pro”.

Forecasts of rain and a thunderstorm reduced the field on Thursday to 16.

Peter Gibbons, a visitor from Heyward Golf Club took first place with 40 points from John Grosskreutz, 38 and John Strelec 37 on a count back.

Four featured in the run down while Ron Jamieson, Allen Roberts and John Grosskreutz, on nine and 16, took the pin shots.

Vickie Wallace, with 36 points won the Wednesday ladies, followed by Elspeth Scotford, Leanne Alexander, Mandy Patterson, Diane Chard and Heather Luvis, all on 35 points.

Phil Luckett took Tuesday’s stableford with 40 points from Michael Thompson, 38, Lyn Muller 37, and Jim Cochrane 35. Tina Badenhorst won the pin shot.

Sunday’s stroke event was won by Darren Reynolds on nett 66, from Adam Maggs 68.

The ladies’ winners were Elise Hodgson, 68, Penny Wardroper 69, Anna Winterbourn, 70 and Karen Rix 73.

Scott Grigg, Don Cameron, Aaron Prosser and Michael Thompson were the place getters.

The pin shots were won by Scott Grigg and Tiina Randmae, two, Anna Winterbourn, nine, Adam Maggs 13 and Geoff Harrison 16.

Contributed with thanks to Peter Lewis

Wednesday’s competition at Bowen Golf Club was a single Bogie for the men and a single stableford for the Ladies.

Ladies’ winner was Tanya Gaudry with 37 points, runner up on a countback was Viv Clark, 35 points. In the Men’s, the winner on a countback was Graham Easton +4, followed by runner up Peter May, also on +4.  

Saturday’s competition was a single stableford event for the Margaret Watson Memorial sponsored by the Watson and Garrod families.  

Ladies’ winner Paulette Barrett, 37points, second went to Pauline Martin, 36, and third to Robyn Slade, 35.  Pin shots to Meg Garrod, Marg Tilbrook, Julie Mawson, Wendy Tracey, and twice to Claire Garrod.  

Longest drives to Rhiannon Nott and Tanya Gaudry, with accuracy drives to Grace Nott and Tanya Gaudry.  

Men’s winner Ben Fellows, 44 points, followed by second-placed Isaac Fellows, 39, and third place to Peter Theodossio, 38.  

Pin shots to Russell Smith, Ben Fellows, Isaac Fellows, Dave Lydom, Mick Mawson, and Andrew Glossop.

Longest drives to Isaac Fellows and Peter May, with accuracy drives to Ron Edkins and Gary Marks.  

Thanks were extended from the club to Greg Watson and family, as well as the Garrod family with both groups for putting on “a fabulous day”.

This weekend’s competition is a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Home Hardware.  

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

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The Marg Watson Memorial winners with sponsors Ian Garrod and Sam and Greg Watson

Airlie Beach will be “safer for all waterway users” according to Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) after the announcement of a new six-knot speed limit for the area.

Maritime Safety Queensland General Manager Kell Dillon said the introduction of the reduced speed limit was an effort to improve safety, a decision which “received strong public support.”

"The waters around Airlie Beach are busy and often congested with recreational and commercial craft of many kinds, including tourism and live-aboard vessels, as well as swimmers and passive craft," Mr Dillon said.

"While a speed limit of six knots already applied in the two marinas and their lead entrances, there had been many minor collisions and near-miss incidents around the nearby mooring grids.

"MSQ had also received many complaints from owners of moored and anchored craft about motorised craft endangering their safety by passing too close at excessive speed.

"MSQ considered it was only a matter of time before a serious incident occurred.”

Mr Dillon said MSQ had conducted extensive public consultation over six months on options to improve safety.

He said this outcome provides clarity for the local and visiting boating communities.

“[This change is] easier to enforce and will reduce the potential for collisions between vessels and damage or injuries caused by vessel wash," he said.

MSQ estimates that extending the six-knot speed limit into the mooring zones will mean, at most, four minutes of extra time.

"An extra four minutes, when weighed against the likely safety benefits, is a compromise any responsible skipper would support,” Mr Dillon said.

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With Proserpine Cricket Club’s Juniors Pitbulls under 11 side having a bye last weekend, the club took the opportunity to blood some young guns in its under 12s.

Under 12s Proserpine versus Brothers: Noah was the captain this week and unfortunately lost the bat flip, which proved crucial in the outcome of the game.

The weather was hot and steamy with the new ball swinging and skidding-on, making batting difficult early, and Pitbulls put in a respectable 48, considering the conditions - which was always going to be a hard target to defend.

The grounds were drying out as the morning went on and it didn’t come out the young Pitbulls day in the end - but they should take a lot of lessons out of that game. Congratulations to Matty, who was the players player, retiring not out 5, 2 great overs and then kept wickets after drinks to give Alex a bowl.

Under 13s Proserpine versus Pioneer Valley: The Pitbulls, with J Rock as captain, lost the toss and were sent into bat with a wet outfield, but with the sun shining.

The Pitbulls put in an impressive 117 runs to defend, and their U13’s accurate bowling and good out fielding proved the difference: all out for 79 runs.

Bowling wise, it was a team effort, with the wickets being shared J Rock 2-13, B Hope 3 overs 1-5, J Lawn 1-9, O Seamer 1-4 and A Farley 1-12.

B. Hope was named man of the match with a great all-round effort with the ball.

Under 15s Proserpine vs Pioneer Valley: Captain Ben Valmadre saw promise in grabbing the willow to post a score and defend the total.

The side posted 8-137, falling short of the planned 150, but defendable, nonetheless.

After weathering the Pioneer Valley attack, the Pitbulls were keen to have their turn with the leather, and the eager side finished their 25 overs, toppling the strong Panthers side who fell short at 7-108.

Special thanks to the massive effort from Craig and Mark Valmadre who covered all the pitches before the rains to make sure the cricket was on.

Contributed with thanks to Troy Smith, Stephen Logan, and Craig Valmadre

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The Whitsunday iteration of parkrun in the coastal town of Airlie Beach welcomed runners, joggers, and walkers for its 333rd parkrun where tutus were optional but many were seen out on the waterfront course.

It was a glorious Saturday with 100 participants on the five-kilometre Marina run, which included 20 first timers.

12 participants recorded new Personal Bests: Kirsten, Josh, Annaliese, Peter, Robert, Daisy, Emma, Michael, Jeff, Geoff, Lilly, and Ben. Annaliese also ran her 10th parkrun as a junior and Carly completed her 25th parkrun.

The 333rd event was made possible by 17 wonderful volunteers: Nick, Kara, Maree, Chris, Daniel (co-run director), Sarah (co-run director), Nathalie (photographer), Kirsty, Wade, Jess, Charlie, Lilliana, Laura, Lynne, Erica, Dennis, and Joanne.

Airlie Beach parkrun have joined parkruns across the world celebrating 'parkwalk' for the month of October, with the goal of having as many walkers as possible.

New participants are encouraged to come along and walk the 5km course – there are even ‘parkwalk’ volunteers to look after them.

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. Post parkrun coffee and chat is held at My Rainbow Bakery, Shingley Beach.

There are no winners at parkrun and nobody comes last – the Tail walkers do. Regular participation is rewarded rather than performance, with ‘parkrun milestone shirts’ available to people to recognise their achievements in coming along.

The full results and a complete event history can be found at https://www.parkrun.com.au/airliebeach/results/latestresults/

Contributed with thanks to Airlie Beach parkrun

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25-year-old Carly at her 25th parkrun where she came 25th, in 25 minutes

Annaliese completing her 10th parkrun and notching up a new personal best

The generous volunteers for Airlie Beach parkrun, decked out in tutus for the 333rd event