It was stunning to have the Edwards-Bland Family for their first ever go of Pickleball and better still on Australia Day. They enjoyed an hour of family fun with plenty of rallies and much laughter - and better still they said they’ll be back.

Thursday afternoon social Pickleball was a victim of raindrops, not so Saturday morning when Sandy, Lily, Kas and Megumi kept the wiffle ball alive with tantalizing rallies.

Brendan Lee, Pickleball Coach and top young player will be hosting a session for current players on Thursday afternoon 3rd February and a come and try session on Saturday afternoon 2pm.

Both sessions will take place at the Tennis Whitsunday Tennis courts next to Cannonvale State School.

Contributed with thanks to Jenny Kirkman.

The Edward-Bland family’s first time at Pickleball

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On Saturday 63 fantastic people ran, jogged and walked our waterfront course, of whom 21 were first timers and there were no new Personal Bests.

The event was made possible by 13 awesome volunteers: Rosalie Crank, Ashley Gerard, Christopher Harvey, Corrine Hendrikse (Photographer), Laura Oates, Tim Oberg, Kara Olver, Darlene Reid, Sebastian Vinci (Run Director), Sarah Voigt, Lachlan, Larissa Whincop and Wade Whincop.

Airlie Beach parkrun started on 5th December 2015. Since then 3,587 participants have completed 19,607 parkruns covering a total distance of 98,035 km, including 2,323 new Personal Bests. A total of 312 individuals have volunteered 2,576 times.

No volunteer will be turned away, so send a message to airliebeach@parkrun.com to join the volunteer team this Saturday or for another week. On Saturday the post parkrun coffee/breakfast/chat will take place at Bohemian Raw Café.

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.

The best-kept secret about parkrun is that it’s not about running - it’s about bringing people together in public parks and open spaces across the world to have some fun in a friendly, social and supportive environment. You can walk or run the 5km course (pushing a pram or with one dog on a short lead if you want to!), lend a helping hand as a volunteer in a wide range of super-easy roles, or simply spectate and socialise on the sidelines.

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.

Contributed with thanks to Airlie Beach parkrun.

Last week’s parkrun

Michael, Emil and Scarlett

Tailwalkers Sarah and Ashley

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This week's Friday Prawn Run was won by Justyn Durbin on 23 points, in second place Sean Fogarty and third new member Tim Harris on 21 points.

Saturday’s Monthly Medal sponsored by the Club was won by James Millar (Jimmy) with an impressive score of 49 Nett, second was Tim Harris also on 49 Nett. Just pipped by a count back was third place Rhys Bartholomew who had a great round scoring 21 Nett. Ryan Kenny came in 4th with a great score of 52 Nett but also took out the 'off the stick' win with a 57 overall.

Captain Glenn Rees made the run-down placing a humble 5th. Nearest the Pins were sponsored by Whitsunday Transit and were taken home by Justin Butler, Paula Wronski and Tim Walton. Sunday’s 9-hole stableford was won by Kendal Nash on 22 points, followed by Rhys Bartholomew who had a great weekend and came in with 21 points and newcomer Tim Harris concluded the trifecta placings with 19 points.

Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross.

Saturday’s Monthly Medal winner James Millar (Jimmy)

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Seventeen Vets enjoyed a great day of golf on Tuesday - the ladies winner was Tina Randmae (33 c/b), second Helen Deighton (33).

For the men the winner was John Oates (35 c/b), second Warren Deighton.

Ladies’ nearest the pins went to Lyn Muller (5th and 18th) and Tina Randmae (18th) and for the men Barry Mortimer (5th) and Billy Jesser (18th).  

There were several chip ins, namely Warren Deighton (7th), Helen Deighton (18th), Nick Apruzzese (1st) and Peter Fox (14th).

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat.

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Some golf was played at Proserpine during the week, although rain and flooded fairways stopped both Thursday and Saturday’s play.

On Australia Day the club played a two-ball Ambrose, with 68 players competing.

Winners on the day were Ritchie Atkins and Conrad Werner with net 61.75.

In second place were Adam Maggs and Jon Miller who lost on a count back from the winners, while Vince Collins and Lance Ryan filled third with a score of 62.25.

Other place getters were Ross Hammond and Vic Feldman, 62.75, John Bissell and Brian Allen, 64.5, Tom Wikander and David Johansen, 65.25, Renae Maxwell and Marcus Heathcote, 66.25, Lewis Tuck and Danny Yorke, 66.25, Linda Wardroper and Mark McDougal 66.75, Dan O’Connor and Col Gilham 67, and Peter Foot and Lloyd Kingston 67.

On the Tuesday prior Adam Maggs took out the stableford with 37 points from Brian Smith, 34 and Ken Lovett 31. Adam took the pin shot.

On Sunday George Meharry brought home 38 points to win from Clay Coles, 37 and Jason Bourke 36.

Other place getters were Phil Batty, 36, Chris Forrest 35 and Karl Kirkpatrick 34.

The pins went to George Meharry on hole one, Len Booroff, nine, Jason Bourke, 13 and Karl Kirkwood, 16.

Chris Forrest and Jason Bourke shared the two-shot pot.

Next week, being the start of February, sees the monthly medals being played.

Contributed with thanks to Peter Lewis.

Luke Paroz, ex-professional who had the best score on Sunday, with 39 points

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The 2021 Bowler of the Year was awarded to Wayne Handley who won the Club Championship Singles, Triples, 2 Bowl Triples and was runner-up in the Club Fours.

The list of Winners and Runners-ups are as follows. Championship Singles Winner - Wayne Handley, Runner-Up - Marcus Craig, Championship Pairs Winners - Nathan Dodds and Scott Hamilton, Runners-up - Jim Quod and Dale Haack.

Championship Fours Winners - Nathan Dodds, Todd Leys, Scott Hamilton, Gavin Milne, Runners-up - Martin Corr, Jonathan Bye, Nathan Harriott, Wayne Handley.

Championship Triples Winners - Dale Haack, Luke Kinnear, Wayne Handley with Phil Brown and Barry Saroglia as subs, Runners-ups - Martin Corr, Shane Kinnear, Michael Kinnear.

2 Bowl Triples Winners - Nathan Dodds, Sub Nathan Harriott, Scott Hamilton, Wayne Handley, Runners-up - Peter Lawton, Barry Zillmann, Ross Reville.

B Grade Singles Winner: Dale Haack, Runner-up: Brett Saroglia, B Pairs Winners - Peter Lawton and Dale Haack, Runners-ups - Gavin Noonan and Brett Saroglia, B Triples Winners - Arthur Griffith, Peter Lawton and Dale Haack, Runners-ups - Duwaine Hiscox, Toby Craig, Todd Leys, B Fours Winners - Duwaine Hiscox, Angus Craig, Toby Craig, Todd Leys, Runners-up - Arthur Griffith, Bruce Uhe, Dale Haack, Peter Lawton, Senior Singles Winner - Gary Alexander, Runner-up - Luchie Gardel.

There were 10 players who turned out on Wednesday’s Australia Day social bowls day.

In a game of pairs John Anderson and John Juhas defeated Mary Hedgelong and David Ling 21 to 20 in a great game.

In a game of Triples, Pat Bownds, Gary Alexander and Bruce Uhe defeated Jim Bownds, John Lahney and Peter Lawton 16 to 11.

Sunday saw 6 players turn out for a social game - John Lahney, Phil Brown and Peter Lawton defeated John Anderson, Mary Hedgelong and Gary Alexander.

Good luck to those members who have been picked to play in the Mackay District Trial team taking on Townsville in Townsville this weekend.

Contributed with thanks to Wayne Handley.

Bowler of the Year – Wayne Handley

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For Cricket Clubs across the country it’s closing in on the day they Get Out and about for Pink Stumps Day, the McGrath Foundation fundraiser to not only enjoy the game of cricket, but to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.

The Proserpine Junior Cricket Association is holding their own Pink Stumps Day at the Proserpine Cricket Grounds in conjunction with their last Bowen versus Proserpine Game on Sunday February 20.

Local business Fishi are the major sponsors of the event, having donated $1000 for the day.

The McGrath Foundation raise money to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses who provide invaluable support and care to women and men experiencing breast cancer from their diagnosis right throughout treatment, allowing these nurses to work entirely free for those they treat.

More than 8,000 teams have hosted a Pink Stumps Day over the fundraisers 13 years, raising more than $9 million in supporting of their mission.

The Proserpine Junior Cricket Association Pink Stumps Day will be a community event, with jumping castles, raffles, sausage sizzles and more.

Games start at 8:00am, jumping castles arrive at 10:30 until 2:30, and entry is a gold coin donation.

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Wednesday Social: Joan Edwards, Gavin Charles, Wayne Crowhurst, Tiahna Rogers, Keith Kirk, Lloyd White, Linda Scells.  

MaryEllen, Pratten, Jane Gilbert, Helen Jacobsen. Bev Smith, Tracey Roach, Peter Bruce.

Ron Gould, Paula Welsted, Steve Roome, David Moodie, Allen Williams, Daryl Tuttle.

Sunday Scroungers Winners: Tiahna Rogers, Peter Wilson, Daryl Tuttle, Herb Dalton, Ron Gould and Gemma Roach (encouragement award).

Trophies are presented each week by Shane Hornbuckle.

Contributed with thanks to Joan Edwards.

Margo Stanley organised an Australia Day celebration which included an early breakfast followed by bowls and there was a huge roll up of bowlers who all thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Saturday morning Scroungers kicked off in great style with a farewell to Duncan Smith, who has done an absolutely sterling job in running this wonderful competition and welcoming John Askew who has arranged a new format for the proceedings with 20 keen bowlers turning up for the event.

First round winners were Rick Galea, Andy McDougall, Elaine Kippen, Russell Jackson, Tony Whitehorn and Warren Mills who played off for the final which was hotly contested by Russell Jackson and Tony Whitehorn who was the big winner of the day.

Sunday afternoon saw 37 bowlers competing for the prize and it was the birthday boy John Trembath whom skippered his team with Mario De Martino at lead and Steve Tattam running out winners of the day.

Wednesday marked the beginning of Brian Delaney’s Business House Bowls competition commencing at 6.30 pm - please have all teams assembled and registered by 6.15 pm, and we are all looking forward to the start of this wonderful competition - it’s not too late to register your team so all are most welcome.

Finally, the school’s competition is just awaiting acceptances so in the next few weeks details will be provided.

Contributed with thanks Mark Mawson.

All the participants from the Australia Day function

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Backstroke, freestyle, butterfly, oh my! Whatever your style, Airlie Beach Swim Centre can offer specialised swimming lessons which are ready to support, encourage and inspire swimmers of today.

Their motto is “Where the love of Swimming and Diving starts in Airlie’s Heart.”

The swim centre’s training in Airlie Beach is focused on water safety – both in and around it offering services such as Pool Safety Inspections and Certification, as well as regular lessons.

From teaching students the basics of swimming right through to swim teacher, pool lifeguard, and professional dive courses the team are dedicated to empowering their students.

For the first time swimmers, the Swim Centre promotes water safety for bubs and adults, making sure they have the survival skills not only to survive but to thrive in the water, finding a lifelong love in the deep end.

Their dive courses are certified by PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, and will have you diving the reef in no time with the safest possible practices.

Their PADI Open Water Diver course is an exciting and informative training regime that sees its participants getting up close and personal with the fascinating marine life of the Great Barrier Reef.

If you want to learn a new skill and are just starting out, or you’re an experienced swimmer looking for pointers, head to the Airlie Beach Swim Centre website to find out more at airliebeachswimcentre.com.au

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With just a deck of 52-cards, four friends, and a bit of gamesmanship, you’ve got yourself a ticket to playing one of the world’s favourite card games: Contract Bridge.

With immense popularity in the early 1900s, bridge was the beloved game of Sherlock Holmes, and was favourite amongst the generation of writers that swept the streets of Paris in the 20’s, like Ernest Hemingway.

Carrying on to modern day, Bridge maintained its popularity with an older generation who remember its captivating sociable nature, and its dynamic gameplay. It’s enjoyed by millions of bridge lovers around the world, making it one of the world’s most popular card games.

The Airlie Beach Bridge Club are the bridge afficionados in the region, sure to teach informal lessons where new members can learn the game, too.

The basics of the game are simple, although like most card games the best way to learn is to play. With a 52-card deck, two competing partnerships (a total of four players), sit around a table, with the partners opposite each other. Cards are dealt, and the game progresses through four stages where players call, or bid, in an action to take the contract.

You exchange information about your hand to your partner, including your strength and distribution of suits. Cards are played, scores are taken, and voila, you’ve played your first round of bridge.

With communication, tactics, memory, and probability, you can become an experienced bridge player – as well as the coaching from the Airlie Beach Bridge Club.

If you’d like to join a fun and welcoming group, check out the Airlie Beach Bridge Club Inc. Facebook page for more information.

One of the top places to learn how to swim in the Whitsundays, Cannonvale Swim Centre are the “Swim Training Specialists” offering a wide variety of aquatic activities, including swim squads, learn to swim lessons and aqua fitness classes.  

The Cannonvale Swim Centre swim teachers and coaches are highly qualified, dedicated, and passionate.  The coaching team is led by award winning coaches Mark Erickson and Ken Crittenden and includes a team of experienced trainers.

The Cannonvale Swim Centre mainly offers structured swimming activities for people 5 years and over.  At Cannonvale Swim Centre, the teachers and coaches cater for all levels or abilities, from the competitor to the first-time learner, they’re about helping people achieve their goals while providing a safe and engaging environment, fostered by their fantastic team of training experts.

The teachers and coaches find it very rewarding to see people swim more efficiently in the water or improve their swim fitness.  For adults, swimming is an ideal way to keep fit as it puts less stress on your joints and leaves the body feeling revived.

For the children, it’s paramount they know how to swim, especially living in the Whitsundays. Hours spent on boats, out by the lagoon, or in the ocean itself are where swimming is not only loads of fun, but an essential skill for life.

The Cannonvale Swim Centre is home to the Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club, a very successful club which has been running for over 25 years.  

Most “Cannons” just participate at Club Nights and local events and others are very competitive and race in regional, state, and national competitions.

Take Your Mark at the Cannonvale Swim Centre

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It’s that time of year when netball fanatics dust off their shoes and get ready to hit the courts in the largest participation sport for women in Queensland. This includes the many enthusiastic players waiting to kick off the season in our region with Whitsunday Netball Association.

Incorporated in 1988, the Whitsunday Netball Association is one of our premier sports clubs, providing not only an introduction to the game of netball through its National NetSetGo program but also running full fixture competitions for Juniors, Senior Ladies and Senior Mixed.

Junior club netball caters for children aged 5 to 16. There are opportunities to accommodate all levels of skill and experience, from just starting out to dreaming of being the next Australian Diamond. Whitsunday Netball promote fitness, friendship and fun for all members as well as encourage and guide those keen players to explore representative and development pathways.

Every year their junior teams travel to regional carnivals across Central and North Queensland including Townsville, Bowen, Sarina, Burdekin, Mackay and Charters Towers.

The ever-growing senior membership hosts a social ladies competition and mixed competition, as well as offering participation in senior carnivals.

“It’s a great community sport catering to everyone with our oldest member playing in her 60s!” Marteaka Hoffmann, Secretary of Whitsunday Netball said.

“From people who’ve never played to people who’ve played forever - it’s got something for everyone.”

The 2022 junior season kicks of on Tuesday 8th February from 4.30pm for 5 to 10 year olds and Wednesday 9th February from 4:30pm for 11 to 16 years.

If you’re interested in joining up or learning more about Netball in the Whitsundays, head to the Whitsunday Netball Facebook page or Website for more information.

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Combining tennis, ping pong, and a little spice of badminton, you’ll have the recipe for the fastest growing sport in America, played with a paddle not much bigger than a table tennis bat.

With a perforated polymer ball, much like a wiffle ball, players on the pickleball court – roughly the size of a badminton court – enjoy a multi-generational, addictive sporting outlet that is as much about socialising as competing.

Lorraine Christiansen began playing Pickleball five years ago, and has been spearheading the growth of what is quickly becoming a weekend love affair for Whitsunday locals of all ages.

“It’s a great social game; it’s a lot more personal game than other bat or racket sports, because you’re closer to each player and because there’s a chance for some weird and funny shots – especially if it’s windy,” Lorraine said.

Just within Qld there are 70 venues where pickleball is currently being played, with Proserpine jumping on board soon, and 10,000 people in Qld play the game.

That growth is in no small part due to its easily accessible nature, and that it is less taxing on joints, meaning it’s become a favourite with once tennis players who might want a slower, more sociable game.

That doesn’t mean it’s not fast-paced at the higher levels though, and there’s certainly room for some tense rallies and close matches.

Locals are seeing a lot more paddles and perforated balls around Airlie as America’s fastest growing sport slowly takes over, with social play with the Pickleball Whitsunday club at 4:30pm on Thursday’s afternoons, as well as Saturday mornings at 6:30am at the Tennis Whitsundays courts in Cannonvale.

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This weekend the seventh annual Sportspark Expo will transform the Whitsundays PCYC into a buzzing hub for sports enthusiasts of all kinds who will come together and discover new clubs, signing-up for exciting seasons ahead.

There will be 25 different sports represented, all showcased at over 60 interactive stalls where attendees can talk to the professionals, learn about the club and decide whether they would like to join.

Suitable for both adults and children, everyone in the family can join-up to an exciting and healthy activity that will not only improve their wellbeing but also become a vibrant social outlet for all.

Chairman of the Whitsunday Sportspark said that, this year he expects it to be another popular event because so many people have moved to the region.

“There are more people than usual that are new to town – it’s off the Richter!” he said.

“It’s time to get active and healthy – get away from your screens after a couple of years in lockdown.”

Last year 350 people attended the event, and it is anticipated that this year will be the biggest yet.

Welcoming the return of sports like Football, Swimming and Basketball while introducing new additions to the event like Pickle Ball and Gel Blasting – you will be surprised at the variety of different sporting groups we have in our community.

The Expo is an excellent place to see all of these under one roof – so make sure you come down to the PCYC this Saturday, 5th February from 9am until 12pm.

‍Discover the sport of golf

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