Who would have thought that a chance encounter over 10 years ago at the beach would have led to a lifetime of fun, friendship, fitness and career opportunities for Kate Born and Klara Close, both developing members of Mackay SLSC, Guardians of the Beach since 1950.

Kate and Klara first joined MSLSC as green caps, aged 5 years old, and both girls progressed from wee green caps, through to nippers, then cadets, and are now patrolling members at the beach, as well as hoping to be involved for many years in this iconic sport.

Taking their life saving capabilities from SLSC, the pair are now overseeing the much-loved swim centre in Mackay’s CBD, taking those humble beginnings and experiences, and their best friendship, to become a part of the highly qualified team of lifeguards at the Blue Water Lagoon at the age of 17.

“A highlight of being involved with nippers was finding lifelong and loyal friends,” Kate Born said.

“Being able to compete around QLD and learning valuable skills that could one day save a person’s life; and I’ve been able to watch Klara grow and succeed as a person, which is awesome.”

Klara said that, in Mackay, some of her and Kate’s friends were scared of the ocean because of their lack experience in the sport of surf lifesaving.

“They might have casual jobs that get in the way [of being able to surf lifesave], which shouldn’t be a barrier,” Klara said.

“The good thing for teenagers like me, is I can get my Surf Rescue Certificate, First Aid and Bronze Medallion through the club as a member and this has now led to employment opportunities in the community.

“All just by being involved in my local surf lifesaving club!

“There are so many opportunities for people my age: friendship, fitness, qualifications and employment, it’s been such an awesome journey.”

From their experiences in surf lifesaving, Kate has taken her nurturing and caring aptitude to the next level by potentially studying teaching.

Klara is no different, one finishing school she wants to pursue a career as a paramedic.  

Both the pair say they have been inspired from their commitment to their community as well as the skills they have learnt from Surf Lifesaving.

If you would like to attain lifelong friendships, fitness, qualifications and contribute to your community, please contact admin@mackayslsc.com.au for further information.  

With sponsorship from Mackay Airport, the club is able to reduce membership fees by $100 if the individual progresses to becoming a patrolling member.

Contributed with thanks by Director of Surf Sports, Josh Grant.

Klara and Kate and attending one of their first Surf Lifesaving carnivals together

Kate (Left) and Klara (right) with Orlando Corrie (Centre) after completing their SRC training and getting ready in their patrol gear

Kate and Klara having some fun whilst on patrol at Harbour Beach

Klara and Kate getting ready for a morning at Nippers

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Last Wednesday, ladies combined with men for a very successful Australia Day of bowls played at Goosies. We had two games of triples on eight rinks, with a break for lunch of pies, sausage rolls and lamingtons kindly supplied by Peter Grant of Bushman’s Bread. Thank you, Peter. There were also several raffles with a bottle of scotch donated by an anonymous donor. Thank you also. There were prizes for best dressed man and lady, won by Bert Hobbs and Betty Mulhall.

Winners on the day was the team of Jenny Grech, Maryann Bartolo, and John Priest.  In second spot was the team of Bert Hobbs, Lorna Forrest, and Greg McLean. A third prize was given to Peter Crawford, Jan Little and Tony Allsop.

Social Results

Monday winners were Don Agnew and Graham Moore followed by new member, Lance Edwards, and Wayne Trannore.

Thursday winners were Barry Lehmann and Marg Fogg, followed by Carmel Bell and Greg McLean. The kitty toucher was not won, so jackpots.

Friday comp was taken out by Fred King and Rob Evans who won $200. The runners up were Donna Gordon and Coral Francis who won $100. Bert Hobbs missed the kitty toucher but was very close.

Saturday men only comp was won by Peter Cowling and Ian McDonald, playing with his new bowls after one of his well- used old set broke in two. In second place was Ian Gordon and Ken Lane.

Contributed by Tony Allsop.

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Mackay’s ‘Mavericks’ gridiron team did The Sugar City proud last weekend, when the boys in blue hosted North Queensland’s Reef Bowl grand final at BB Print Stadium. Mayor Greg Williamson welcomed the travelling sides to Mackay and got proceedings underway with the coin toss.

Mackay played in the opening match against the Port City Pirates, a team which had been plagued by shortages throughout the season, forcing them for forfeit a number of games. The Gladstone team pulled out all stops to make the final, and despite not having an many players to field the swaps, they put on a brave show against the Mavericks.

The Mackay side were too strong on the day, with runaway touchdowns putting the game beyond contention in the third quarter.

In their mission to stride for glory, the Mavericks finished third in the pack of six in the North Queensland competition.

In the Reef Bowl VIII final, Rockhampton took the lead with a touchdown early in the first quarter, however Townsville hit back late in the first quarter to take a narrow advantage, which they only increased upon as the game progressed. It was 16 – 6 to the Townsville Cyclones at the half, with both teams exchanging touchdowns in the third quarter. The Cyclones too strong in the end, claiming Reef Bowl victory 38 – 12 over the Rockhampton Wolverines.

Action from the Mackay Mavericks v Gladstone Port City Pirates gridiron game at BB Print Stadium last weekend, the pre-match for the Reef Bowl VIII grand final. Photos: Amanda Wright

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Our new look "tournament training team" that is training on Tuesday and Thursday night worked tirelessly.

Tuesday Early Evening tennis was out of practice however and worked on getting back in the swing.

Tuesday night social tennis then hit the courts with Tan and Sienna keeping the guys on their toes!

The rain may have put a dent to Thursday night social tennis but coaching lessons went ahead on court and footwork and hand eye coordination were a feature of undercover lessons.  

Keen to make it out on court after the long break was young William working on his forehand.

Contributed with thanks to Jenny Kirkman.

Australia Day special squad

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On Saturday, 30 Cannons competed in the 2022 Mirani Family LC Transition Meet. The swimmers accumulated 77 PBs which was fantastic. Coaches, Ken Crittenden and Mark Erickson found it hard to standout a swimmer as all the swimmers did so well.  

Special mention to the young Cannons:  

8 years and Under: Eloise Chegwidden (6years) swam PBs in her Fly, Breaststroke and Freestyle and was placed 2nd in her age group for these events. Zane Clayworth (6 years) swam PBs in his 25m Freestyle and Butterfly. Zane’s brother, Jax took out first place in 3 of his events.  

Harris Delac (8 years) swam a 3 second PB and 2nd place in his 50m Backstroke and was 1st in his 50m Butterfly. Evie Doherty (7 years) was delighted with her 3PBs and 3rd placings in her Butterfly and Backstroke.  

Indi and Levi Smith both swam extremely well swimming PBs in 3 of their 4 events. Levi was excited with his 2nd place in his 25m Breaststroke and 3rd placings in his Backstroke and Butterfly races.  Indi achieved 2nd place in her 50m Backstroke and 50m Breaststroke.  

10 years and Under: Thomas Ganter (10 years) was in fine form, he swam 8 personal best times, achieved 2 A grade times and took out top placings in most of his events. Rory Gascoyne (9 years) was also in excellent form. Rory swam 5PBs and achieved 2 A grade times and achieved 1st place in 4 of his events.  

Isaac Pisaniello (9 years) swam extremely well. One of his best swims was his 50m Freestyle which he swam in 44.04 seconds. He also won his 50m Backstroke race. Isaac’s sister, Isabella aged 10 years swam 3 personal best times and was excited with her 2nd place in the 50m Backstroke.  

A big thank you to all the wonderful parents and volunteers for supporting the swimmers and helping with officiating.  

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen.

Evie Dohery with Eloise Chegwidden at Mirani

Zane Clayworth at Mirani

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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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