
With Fitness Cartel Corporate Memberships Mackay businesses now have a game-changing way to invest in their employees’ health and wellbeing with Fitness Cartel’s Corporate Membership Program. Designed for organisations looking to prioritise fitness, health, and workplace wellness, these memberships give staff access to ultramodern facilities, expert-led classes, and personalised training support — all tailored to the needs of a busy workforce. Whether your team wants to lift, stretch, spin, or recover, Fitness Cartel has it covered. Members enjoy 24/7 access to all clubs, over 500 pieces of strength and cardio equipment, and dedicated zones for Reformer Pilates, functional training, and cycling. The Mackay location also features a fully equipped Wellness Centre, including hot rock saunas, hot and cold plunge pools, Normatec compression boots, red light therapy, and a range of post-workout recovery options to suit every need. Group fitness is a highlight for corporate members, with unlimited access to more than 100 classes per week across 4 different training studios inside the Mackay Club. Options range from Les Mills’ Body Combat, Body Pump, Body Balance And RPM, to yoga, Mat Pilates, Zumba, and functional training sessions. Virtual classes are also available 24/7, offering flexibility for early birds or night owls. For businesses with families on the team, Kids Cartel provides a safe, engaging crèche and playground, ensuring parents can focus on their workout while children enjoy supervised play. Employees can also enjoy the Cartel Café, offering nutritious meals and snacks to fuel their workouts, or browse the on-site nutrition and pro shop. Corporate packages at Fitness Cartel are designed to elevate workplace wellness programs. Beyond improving fitness levels, they promote team bonding, boost morale, and create a positive, healthy work culture. Monthly body scans, personal training sessions, and precision programming help staff track progress and achieve their health goals, making corporate wellness a practical and measurable benefit for businesses. “The Fitness Cartel Corporate Membership Program is all about empowering teams to reach their health and fitness goals, while giving employers an easy way to support workplace wellbeing,” said Mackay Co-Franchisee Cliff Forster. With multiple locations and more planned nationwide, employees have seamless access to premium fitness facilities no matter where they are. For Mackay businesses looking to invest in their teams, Fitness Cartel’s Corporate Membership Program offers the ultimate combination of fitness, recovery, and community, all under one roof. For more information or to arrange a corporate membership, contact Fitness Cartel Mackay at mackay@fitnesscartel.com.au or call (07) 4881 0365
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At North Mackay Bowls Club North Mackay Bowls club Presentation night was held on Saturday 29/11/2025, with many of our bowlers and significant others attending. Following a lovely dinner prepared by the super chefs at Goosies, the Ladies section held their presentation first, with many excited winners receiving certificates and renumeration. Results: Champ Pairs : Deb Mackenzie and Chris Woo Champ Triples : Nug Pratt, Val De Pinto, Marie Bragg Champ Fours : Lorna Bowers, Deb Mackenzie, Coral Francis, Donna Gordon B Pairs : Ann Smith ans Min Andrew Over 70’s : Lorna Bowers Graded 4’s Lorraine Silman, Doris Dodds, Helen Fleming, Min Andrew Graded 3 B Triples : Lois Deguara, Helen Fleming, Sue Roscoe Graded 2 B Triples : Donna Gordon, Carmel Bell, Hilary Jones-Rowan Consistency : Cheryl Corbett Division 1 Winning Pennant Team going on to play in Emerald ( Leichhardt District ) and then to Tweed Heads(Qld Division) Coming 4th in the State. Well done to all the ladies in the team. The Bowler of the Year award was presented to the player who claimed the Championship Singles, ‘B’ Singles and Under 70s Singles titles, with the honour bestowed on Brenda Trannore. Brenda graciously accepted the accolade, delivering a heartfelt speech in which she thanked those who had supported and guided her throughout her bowls journey, acknowledging the achievement as a significant milestone in both her life and her bowls career. Amazing and Well Done Brenda. The Mens Section had their 2025 Presentation next, with many of the bowlers happy with their performances on the green an in competitions, Pennant and away games. Results: Mixed Pairs : Neil Blucher and Lois Deguara Mixed Fours ; Pam Spencer, Ken Rix, Carmel Bell, Dave Mc Kendry B Singles : Eric Galletly, B Pairs : Eric Gallantly John Kennell Senior Singles : Geoff Ollett 2 B Triples : Andrew Coates, Clive Wales, Peter Blackburn. 3 B Triples : Shane Trannore, Wayne Trannore, Dave McKendry A Fours : Ben Crocker, Col Crocker, Ian Beveridge, Joe Crocker A Pairs : Mick Walsh and Steve Lane A Singles : Alan Cooney Club Person of the Year was voted in as a tie this year, and went to Wayne and Shane Trennore. It was a super evening for the Trannore name in bowls for our Club. Wayne Trannore responded on behalf of his brother Shane, also thanking those involved with the club and their fantastic award. Contributed by Sue Hazledine
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At Mackay Contract Bridge Club Results For Week Ending Saturday 13th December 2025 Monday 8th December 2025 – 6 ½ Table Mitchell Green Points North/South East/West 1st Janelle Conroy - Tex Sheedy 1st Jewel Schmidt - Janine Rodgers 2nd David Ting - Eric Goodchild 2nd Shirley Worland - Janice Mansfield 3rd Geoffrey Patterson - Noel Bugeia 3rd Jayne Johnstone - Clare Wallace Tuesday 9th December 2025 – 3 ½ Table Howell Green Points 1st Eric Goodchild - Noel Bugeia 2nd Geoff Taylor - Janelle Conroy 3rd Richard Wix - Tex Sheedy Wednesday 10th December 2025 –10 Table Mitchell Green Points North/South East/West 1st Janelle Conroy - Noel Bugeia 1st Martin Pearce - Sue Mayer-Miller 2nd Max Holewa - Diane Holewa 2nd Janet Hansen - Alan Brown 3rd David Ting - Eric Goodchild 3rd Gwen Liddell - Anne Lutz 4th Annette Howe - Diane Stokes 4th Mary Rose Ramsden - Patrick Rasmussen 5th Lorna Shuttlewood - Tex Sheedy 5th Sandy Patterson - Joy Hold Thursday Evening 11th December 2025 – 5 Table Mitchell Green Points North/South East/West 1st Joy Hold - Patricia Garner 1st Noel Bugeia - Tex Sheedy 2nd Geoff Taylor - Anne Lutz 2nd Martin Pearce - Simon Barnes Friday 12th December 2025 –7 ½ Table Mitchell Green Points North/South East/West 1st Joy Robinson - Geoff Taylor 1st David Ting - Ming Ting 2nd Janine Rodgers - Richard Wix 2nd Julie O'neill - Ann Whitmore 3rd Tex Sheedy - Noel Bugeia 3rd Christine Nice - Diane Cox 3rd Martin Pearce - Gwen Liddell Saturday 13th December 2025 – Section A (Christmas Party )– 8 Table Mitchell - Green Points North/South East/West 1st Victor Mason - Ann Whitmore 1st Marilin Robins - Mick Robins 2nd Geoff Taylor - Margaret Lane 2nd Faye Wright - Tex Sheedy 3rd Monica Darley - David Hird 3rd Diane Stokes - Annie Lynch 4th Janelle Conroy - Robert Carless 4th Noel Bugeia - Pamela Finger Saturday 13th December 2025 – Section B (Christmas Party)– 9 Table Mitchell - Green Points North/South East/West 1st Max Holewa - Diane Holewa 1st Janet Hansen - Thelma Caruana 2nd Ming Ting - David Ting 2nd Janine Rodgers - Richard Wix 3rd Alan Brown - Frances Brown 3rd Susan Gibson - Karen Caldwell 4th Christopher Meyers - Sandy Patterson 4th Eric Goodchild - Debra Goodchild Contributed by Robert Carless
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With Mackay Road Runners With temperatures feeling closer to 35 degrees and no rain in sight, it was a very Mackay-style lead-up to Christmas at this week’s Bluewater Quay Social Run. Forget a white Christmas, runners were treated to hot, testing conditions during the afternoon’s 5km and 10km events. Race Director Andrew Short was thanked for delivering another successful run, despite the heat, with welcome relief provided by Zooper Doopers and Red Dog’s rehydration options, which were greatly appreciated by participants. The next Bluewater Quay social run, commencing at 4.30pm next Sunday, will be the final event before Christmas. Runners are encouraged to come along for a festive group photo and stay on for a Christmas drink afterwards. Some of the best photos may feature in this Mackay Life Newspaper and the Mackay Road Runners 2026 calendar, described humorously as a firefighter-style calendar, but with clothes. Congratulations were extended to all participants for their efforts in challenging conditions, with a reminder for runners to continue training and racing in such conditions to stay healthy and safe. “Thank you to Mackay & Whitsunday Life magazine for their awesome support of the Mackay Road Runners Club!”
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Nineteen members of the Whitsunday Running Club braved the rough seas to take part in the Great Whitehaven Beach Run in treacherous conditions with a 25 knott south easterly blowing.
The female members of the club took out the trifecta in the half marathon with Liv Compton finishing ahead of Aimee Sulzberger and Alison Scoles. In the 10k race Riana Wronski finished strongly in second place.
The male members of the club also achieved some great results with Roland Henderson placing second in the half marathon after leading the race until 1 km from the end. Justin Knight-Gray finished first in his age category and Ken ‘Dropbear’ Page came in third behind him.
Club Coach, Mark McConkey won his age category in the 10km with a great run home against the strong south easterly and Owen Lee finished second in his age category.
The 5km race saw Jody Mulholland finish second in her age category and Rebecca Hadley second with Karen McConkey third in their age category. In the older age category Greg Coulson was second and Tim McQuoid-Mason placed third.
The President of the Whitsunday Running Club said "Despite some very extreme conditions our members performed amazingly well and there were many happy faces once their runs were completed."
"I did however hear 'that sucked' repeated several times after the racing was completed."
Contribtued with thanks to Whitsunday Running Club
Photo credit: Hamilton Island Photography

The Cannonvale Cannons’ youngest swimmers are proof that swimming is not only about medals—it’s about friendship, fun, and the joy in the journey, not just the finish line.
We sat down with six of our youngest Cannons to find out what they love most about swimming and being part of the Cannons family.
For Miranda, it’s all about the fun of club nights and racing her dog Chilli in her imagination. Lennox loves practicing his dives and seeing his “swim friends” each week, he also imagines a dog poolside would make him swim faster. Pippa thinks a capybara would be the ideal animal to bring to training for their love of the water. She also loves our war cry and diving into a good breaststroke set.
Isaac’s favourite part of swimming is duck dives and Milo ice cream afterwards. Stella enjoys chasing her personal bests and a solid set of double arm backstroke, while Leo says he likes our 25m pool and that it never hurts his eyes (thanks Mark for managing those chlorine levels perfectly!).
When asked to name their favourite event of the season, Club Championships received multiple votes—a sign that our end-of-season celebration remains a highlight for junior swimmers. And it wasn’t the only favourite—with most of our Mini Cannons voting club nights as a highlight of being a Cannon, thanks to the fun, friendly atmosphere and chance to swim alongside their mates.
The Cannonvale Cannons cater to swimmers of all ages and abilities, with a focus on community, confidence, and fun. Whether your child dreams of going to Nationals or just wants to have a splash with new friends, we’d love to welcome you to the pool deck. Club nights resume Wednesday 6th August, and we welcome new families to come along and see what we’re all about.
And in case you’re wondering— it was unanimous amongst our mini cannons that they would much prefer to swim in a pool of jelly over spaghetti.
Contributed with thanks to Jade Korosec
Stella and Leo Mulliss, Lennox Wild, Pippa Laguna, Isaac Lawson and Miranda Palmero. Photo supplied

It was another busy and social week at Wangaratta Bowls Club, with action across several competitions, social events, and Friday night barefoot bowls.
Monday Triples Dominated by Irymple Crew
Monday’s self-selected triples saw the in-form Irymple crew of France Wilmann, Jenny Healey and Chris Healey claim victory over Meryl Elphinstone, Isobel Wheeler and Robyn Stitt. The Irymple side has been enjoying a strong run of form on Mondays in recent weeks.
Runners-up were Ken Rod and Mark, who overcame Neil Chittenden, Jan Dawson and John Harding. The jackpot remained unclaimed.
Tuesday Afternoon Play Produces Tight Results
On Tuesday, Toni Bowen, John Hayson and Robyn Stitt edged out John Maher, Robyn Crawford and Owen Swanton for the win.
Runners-up were S. Smith, A. Fitzgerald and Margaret Wilson, who claimed their match against Pam Breakwell, John Hallas and Maureen Hyde. Once again, the jackpot went begging.
Friday Socials Bring Energy On and Off the Green
Following Friday morning bingo, bowlers returned for the always-popular Friday afternoon social bowls. Winners were Maureen Hyde, Pam Breakwell and Bob Dykstra, who defeated Judy Christie, Peter Hopkins and Bert Madge. Carol Bellingham earned the resting toucher.
Friday night barefoot bowls continues to grow in popularity, with another enthusiastic crowd turning out for a fun evening.
Courtney, Jack and Aimee Reuben scored a win over Megan, Kate, Jamie and Ella, while Robyn, Terry and Elaine defeated Gary, John and Blake. Barefoot bowls runs weekly from 5:30pm and all are welcome to join in the fun.
Ladies A Singles Final Delivers Exciting Finish
Sunday morning saw the final of the Ladies A Singles played between Denise Wallace and Penny Warren. Penny got off to a strong start, but Denise fought back bravely, narrowly falling short in a thrilling finish.
Penny will go on to represent the club in the District Champion of Champions event, while both she and Denise will also contest the club pairs title, a title they’ve already claimed together.
Sunday Social Winners and Club Representation
Sunday’s social bowls winners were Trish, Robyn and Mark on Rink 6, who defeated John, Karon and Allan.
Runners-up were Natalia Hand, Bruce Thompson and David Madden, who beat Graham Smith, Sue Symmons and Heide Reif. The jackpot remained untouched.
Meanwhile, the club’s men’s side competed in the Dunn Cup last week, with several close games but no tournament success this time around.
Cent Sale This Saturday
A reminder to all members and supporters that the club’s annual Cent Sale is on this Saturday, 5 July. The event will be held at the clubhouse, with doors opening at 12 noon and the sale starting at 1:30pm. There’ll be plenty of great prizes up for grabs.
Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren
Ladies A Singles Final 2025. Photo supplied

Whitsunday United teams were in action across Mackay and at home over the weekend, producing a mix of hard-fought results, strong performances, and signs of steady improvement across the club.
The Divisional Men travelled to Mackay for two top-of-the-table clashes against Lions. Division 2 played with intensity and created several chances, but a harsh handball penalty saw them trail early. They bounced back to 1-1 by halftime and took the lead shortly after the break, but Lions responded strongly to secure a 3-2 win. Division 1 were determined to get a result and started aggressively, dominating early play. However, they went down 2-0 after two scrappy Lions goals either side of the break. A spirited fightback saw Whitsunday equalise through two well-executed set pieces, earning a 2-2 draw.
In junior action, the U13 Division 1 side battled hard but fell 4-1 to Lions. Logan P headed in the equaliser from a Nick J corner to level the game before halftime. The team showed great intent and created several promising chances but couldn’t convert in the second half.
The U13 Prems delivered two outstanding performances. On Saturday, they cruised to an 18-1 win over Wanderers Red. Daly G scored four goals, with hat-tricks from Nelson M and Alex D, and additional goals from Bailey B (2), Remy S, Jackson P, Prahbpreet S, and Sam C. Wanderers also conceded two own goals. On Sunday, the team followed up with a 5-2 win over Mackay Dolphins at home. Nelson M scored twice, with Bailey B, Jackson P and Isaac P also on the scoresheet in a clinical second-half showing.
The U14s had a dramatic 4-3 win over Dolphins on Saturday. Eli W opened the scoring in the 4th minute, followed by goals from Shannon and another from Eli after a Charlie cross. Leading 4-0, Whitsunday were put under pressure when Dolphins scored three quick goals, but the defence held on for the win. The U14 FQPL team backed it up on Sunday with a 3-1 home win over Dolphins. Shannon equalised before halftime, with Noah and Kobe adding second-half goals to seal the result.
The U16s faced Country on Saturday, looking to improve on their previous match. Kai converted a penalty to give them a 1-0 halftime lead. After a Country equaliser, another penalty restored Whitsunday’s advantage, but two goals from corners saw them fall 3-2. Sunday’s match against top-placed Dolphins was another big test. A strong first half saw Reef finish off a slick team move to level at 1-1, and a penalty kept them in the game at 3-2. Dolphins eventually pulled away, but Whitsunday showed promising signs despite the 6-2 loss.
In senior women’s football, the Premier Ladies played out a 1-1 draw with Wanderers. Bre converted a penalty after Sarah was brought down, while strong defensive efforts from Sophie A and Sophie M helped keep the side in the game.
The Men’s FQPL U23s continued their winning run with a dominant 6-2 victory over Rangers. Max O’Keeffe scored twice and earned man of the match honours, with standout contributions from Cialan Dollard, Euan van Den Bergh and Tony Gracieux. In the FQPL Men’s game, Rangers took a 2-0 lead before Whitsunday surged late, with Sam Thornton and Sean McCarthy scoring to secure a 2-2 draw.
Across all age groups, Whitsunday United showed character, effort and teamwork—laying strong foundations for the season ahead.
Contributed with thanks to Allan Milostic

The Tassal Airlie Beach Marathon Festival will be held along the foreshore over the weekend of 19/20 July 2025.
A record number of entries have already been received for the marathon and half marathon and there are not many places left. At least 600 runners are expected to line up to run over the weekend.
Entries have been received from every state and territory in Australia. There are also entries from New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada, USA, France, England, Scotland and Sweden.
Last year’s winners of the women’s marathon (Liv Compton) and half marathon (Clare Ashworth) and men’s half marathon winner (Billy Grogan) have all signed up to defend their titles.
The festival offers several races over various distances: 42 k, 21k, 10k, 5k, 2k, 1k and 1 mile. It caters for all ages from 4 to 100 with gold medals for first place in most age categories.
The festival offers a corporate challenge for teams of 3 to 10 members. The quickest three runners’ times are used to determine the winner of the floating trophy that can be displayed over the next 12 months.
There are cash prizes for the open podium finishers in the Magic Mile on Saturday afternoon and the Primary School Challenge with the most participants on a percentage basis will also receive a cash prize and floating trophy.
One of the highlights on the Sunday is the mascots race immediately before the junior events at approximately 9:30 am. There are also a record number of mascots and Batman has called in to say he can make it this year.
The Event Director, Tim McQuoid-Mason said, “This year’s festival will be the largest ever and there will be plenty of entertainment for runners and spectators with live music on the course and at the race precinct.”
There are still places available for anyone interested in entering, so go to www.runairlie.com.au .
Contributed with thanks to Tassal Airlie Beach Marathon Festival
Tassal Airlie Beach Marathon Festival is coming up soon. Are you Ready? Photo credit: Phil Copp Photography

AFL - Whitsunday Sea Eagles
Saturday 5th July
12:15pm - Whitsunday Sea Eagles Senior Women vs North Mackay Saints at Whitsunday Sportspark
1:50pm - Whitsunday Sea Eagles Senior Men vs North Mackay Saints at Whitsunday Sportspark
Cricket – Airlie Beach Cricket Club
Contact airliebeachcc@yahoo.com.au for information about Airlie Beach Cricket Club
Netball – Whitsunday Netball Association
Contact netballwhitsunday@gmail.com for netball information

G’day everyone and thanks for the opportunity from Whitsunday Life to provide a little article on the goings on from the perspective of Whitsunday Police.
Firstly, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Anthony Moynihan, I am the Senior Sergeant, Officer in Charge of the Whitsunday Police Station. I have been a proud member of the Queensland Police Service for 25 years.
I started off working down south in Toowoomba and Ipswich before moving to North Queensland. I worked in Cairns and in every Police Station through Cape York. It was then that I started to work as a Plain Clothes Officer. Working in various Criminal Investigation Branch Offices in Cairns, Mossman, Mount Isa, Mareeba and the Torres Strait, investigating serious Criminal Offences including homicides, drug matters, assaults and fraud offences to name a few. I was a Detective for 17 years and now have been promoted back to uniform duties. Prior to moving to the beautiful Whitsundays, I was the Officer in Charge of the Torres Strait, based on Thursday Island.
I have provided a couple of photos of travelling to work via helicopter in the Torres Strait and visiting neighbouring Papua New Guinea villages to distribute clothing and footballs.
I love been a Police Officer and have a strong focus on been engaged with the community and providing care and aid to anyone in need. The safety of my staff and the community is my number one priority.
I have a love for Rugby League and the Brisbane Broncos. And when I’m not working, I love spending time with my wife and kids. I look forward to getting a boat and exploring this beautiful place.
Please drop in anytime to the station and have a chat about any issues we can help with.
This month we will be concentrating on personal mobility devices or E-Scooters. I have included some rules to be aware of and the fines that may be issued if you are found not doing the right thing. Please be safe at all times.
Contributed with thanks to Senior Sergeant Officer in Charge of Whitsunday Police Station Anthony Moynihan

The Bowen Polocrosse Club’s first-ever Ladies Day is already a success, with tickets selling out weeks ahead of the July 26 event.
Set on Saturday, the afternoon will feature live acoustic music, prosecco, and a whole lot of fun. The Ladies Day event runs from 12pm to 4pm, offering a wide array of the A and B grade matches as part of a broader effort to promote the sport and attract new crowds.
Capped at 100 attendees, the event is a test run for what could become an annual highlight. Affordable tickets included drinks, souvenirs, and optional catering.
After Ladies Day wraps up, the action rolls straight into the popular Night Chukkas event followed by live music, a Calcutta, food stalls, a Kids' Corner, and a lively bar.
With polocrosse running from 8am through the day, the club is set for a full day of sport and celebration.
Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said the first Ladies Day would be a great attraction, with many people looking forward to this addition.
“People travel long distances to attend, and all events held locally provide an economic boost for Bowen and the greater Whitsundays region.
“It is also great to see the community get involved by attending the Night Chukkas event on the Saturday night, Well done Bowen Polocrosse Club,” she said.
What: Ladies Day
Where: Bowen Polocrosse Club
When: Saturday 26 July at 12pm

The annual BMA CQ Rescue Golf Day on Hamilton Island teed off under blue skies and brisk winds on Saturday 14, drawing 92 eager players to the island greens for a good cause.
Despite the challenging conditions, spirits remained high as teams tackled the scenic course. The charity event didn’t just stay on the fairways, a bustling raffle and auction added to the fundraising total, helping raise an incredible $64,120 for BMA CQ Rescue.
Hamilton Island Golf Club Manager Michael Frampton confirmed the impressive figure, which now pushes the event’s all-time total to over half a million dollars raised for the emergency helicopter service.
BMA CQ Rescue General Manager Lisa Martin expressed her deep appreciation.
“We are so grateful to everyone who played. It might just seem like a game of golf to some, but to us, it means we can continue our life-saving missions,” she explained.
“Thank you to everyone who contributed to the event. Especially to Michael Frampton and the team from Hamilton Island who go above and beyond every year”.
Last year alone, BMA CQ Rescue was dispatched to Hamilton Island 43 times, averaging nearly one call-out a week. Just recently, the service assisted a patient suffering from pneumonia.
With the sun shining and generosity in full swing, the event proved once again that a round of golf can go a long way in saving lives.

The Cairns Ironman held in the heart of Tropical North Queensland is a ripper!
It is set amongst the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, the only place in the World where two World heritage areas meet.
The Event was held on 15th June. On the day there were two events, a challenging FULL Ironman consisting of a 3.8km ocean swim, 180km cycle with a 42.2km marathon run to finish. The other event is still a tough one, a half Ironman and half the above distances which is a race rather than survival.
Over 2500 competitors tackled the scenic course around Cairns. The course is built for the ultimate racing experience. The swim took place at Palm Cove in reasonable conditions following the “washing machine” conditions a day earlier. The hilly bike course took athletes up towards Port Douglas. Road Closures made for a stunning course along the Tropical Queensland coastline on a closed coastal highway, although the gusting winds caused a bit of havoc with some cyclists. Back in Cairns, the run took athletes along the picturesque Esplanade on a flat course with amazing crowd support and an abundance of enthusiastic volunteers keeping everyone in the loop!
Four of our Whitsunday locals entered the weekend races. There were two girls in the FULL Ironman while the two boys opted for the Half Ironman.
Both Kristy Gardel and Jessie Gerard entered the Full Ironman for the first time. The volume of training prior to the event is massive and happens over a three month build period. They are both local champion triathletes and conquered the behemoth FULL Ironman distance with aplomb! The girls had a great race and achieved their goal, congratulations!
Jake Yorke and Michael Kimpton completed the Half Ironman Event in fine time, all smiles crossing that Finish Line. It was Jake’s first Half Ironman event as he is pretty new to triathlon and is now looking forward to further challenges.
Contributed with thanks to Val Kimpton
Michael Kimpton finishing his run in the Cairns Iron Man
Kristy Gardel & Jessie Gerrard after their Iron Man
Jake Yorke celebrating his first Half Iron Man
Photos supplied
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While most were enjoying a sleep-in on Whitsunday Show Day, a group of determined Cannonvale Cannons swimmers dived into an epic early morning challenge at the Cannonvale Swim Centre. The session kicked off at 7AM giving our usual Friday morning trainers a well-earned two-hour sleep-in!
The endurance session was designed by Cannons swimmer Harris Delac, known for his boundless energy and love of long-distance swimming. Harris crafted a 6 kilometre set, which was adapted across the squads: the Guns tackled the full 6 kilometre, the Missiles completed 4.8 kilometre, the Torpedoes swam 2.6 kilometre, and our younger Minis, Lasers and Bullets rose to the challenge with sets tailored to their levels.
Coach Mark Erickson was proud of every swimmer, praising their commitment and strong completion times across the board. Congratulations to all who stepped up!
Cannons who took part included set creator Harris Delac, Tyler Bennett, Tora Delac, Liam Filewood, Mackenzie Bennett, Andie Reynolds, Matilda Nicholes, Maeve Dichiera, Ruby Harland, Koa Harland, Declan Dichiera, Ruby Lawson, Eric Mulliss, Jasper Korosec, Lucas Korosec, Addie Sanders, Penelope Shields, Zavier Woolston, Zach Trefz and Tom Ganter.
Junior swimmers joined in at 9AM and gave it their all—well done to Leo and Stella Mulliss, Caleb Woolston, River Shields and Lily Woolston.
The Cannonvale Cannons would also like to recognise Olive Hounsell, Wilson Hounsell and Bodhi Gibb—regular trainers at the Cannonvale Swim Centre who aren’t yet part of the Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club but completed impressive distances.
Finally, the cannons are thrilled to announce that the Cannonvale Cannons have been invited to run Friday night raffles at the Reef Gateway once a month. They kick off this Friday, 27th June, and would love to see our community there supporting the club.
Contribtued with thanks to Jade Korosec
Senior Swimmers with Harris Delac

Last week we were awaiting the results of the North Queensland District Ladies Purple Pennant, contested between Wangaratta, Thuringowa, Home Hill/Brandon, Jubilee, Magnetic Island, Ingham, and Alligator Creek. The winning flag went to Magnetic Island, with our very own Wangaratta Ladies securing runners-up honours. Congratulations, ladies—what a fantastic achievement!
Monday’s self-selected triples and Tuesday’s social bowls continued as usual, although results were not available at the time of publication.
Sunday’s social bowls saw a full green, with the winners coming from Rink 2. Allan Gillies, Teresa Willshire and Jim Steele defeated Judy Christie, Trish Webb and Dave Madden. Runners-up were Margaret Harvey, Karon M., Greg McSwain and Chris Healey, who defeated Carol Bellingham, Robin Craw, Simon Fitzgerald and June Walsh. The jackpot did not go off.
Several of our members took part in the Canefire Fours held in Ayr over the weekend. Congratulations to Wangaratta’s own Denise Wallace and Penny Warren, who teamed up with Shane Anderson and Mick Robinson from Cutheringa to claim the win.
Looking ahead, barefoot bowls and a sausage sizzle will kick off this Friday night. The club will open at 5:30pm, and everyone is welcome to join for a fun and relaxed evening.
Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren
Wangaratta Runners Up Purple Pennant 2025. Photo supplied

Airie Beach Bowls club had their grand opening on Friday marking a new era, players are thrilled that weather is no longer a factor—no more rain delays or cancellations. Since then, it's been full steam ahead, with Rounds 7 and 8 played over the weekend. Only one more round of redemption remains, and all divisions are looking to finish strong.
In Division 1, Saturday saw matches played in Sarina, with Manny Isgro’s team—comprising Noel Crosbie, Jeff Tierney, and Andy McDougall—the only ones to notch a win. Teams led by Bob McMahon and Warren Mills fought hard but were narrowly defeated. Sunday’s matches at home against a strong Northern Beaches side ended in losses across the board.
Division 3 also struggled against a formidable South Suburban side on Saturday morning. Both Ted Cullen’s and Steve Laurie’s teams were outplayed. Sunday’s home match against Marian Bowls Club followed a similar pattern, with the local side suffering a sound defeat.
At Seaforth, Division 5 saw some positives. John Askew’s team—Dan Robinson, Duncan Smith, and Eric Barnard—secured a hard-fought draw. However, the second team, led by Stacey Hadlow, was outclassed, though Rick Brunell stood out with an exceptional performance. Sunday’s games at home against South Suburban were thrilling, with both matches decided on the final bowl—a credit to the team effort shown.
Division 6 played well on Saturday, just falling short, and travelled to Sarina on Sunday, with those results to come.
In lighter news, the club welcomed back Neil Moore, visiting from Victoria. Despite losing weight, he joked, “I know where it is.”
Coaching continues on Monday and Thursday afternoons, with updates soon on the schools program and the Endeavour Foundation initiative.
Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson
The Pennants team playing under the new roof. Photo supplied

What a MASSIVE weekend of football! Every senior teams posted a significant win and the junior played a double round with some sensational results!
On Friday night, the Divisional Men took on Wanderers despite being 20 players short. Div 2, boosted by Div 1 players, held composure for a 1–0 win, with Isaiah Chilton earning man of the match and Alistair Sawer netting the winner. Div 1 overcame a tough start to dominate 6–1, with Ralé Mudford’s equaliser sparking a second-half surge.
WUFC U13 Division 1 played Mackay Wanderers Roses in their first game, going down 5–3 after trailing 3–2 at half-time. Despite a determined second-half push, Wanderers sealed it with two more goals. Later, they faced a strong Magpies side and suffered an 8–1 defeat. WUFC showed resilience throughout both matches.
The U13 Prem team had an impressive 6–0 win over Dolphins. A red card reduced the opposition to eight, with Prabhpreet Singh converting the penalty. Goals from Jackson Paroz, Daly Gillett, and a hat-trick from Nelson Malady (man of the match) sealed the dominant win. In a show of sportsmanship, WUFC matched player numbers when Dolphins were reduced to seven.
In their second game, U13 Prems thumped Wanderers Rubies 14–2. Nelson M scored four, Sam C and Daly G hit hat-tricks, with Jackson P, Alex D, Remy S, and Isaac P also on the scoresheet. The team’s teamwork and finishing impressed, continuing their strong momentum.
WUFC U14s opened their weekend with a 6–2 win over Lions. Early goals from Eli W and Shannon gave Whitsunday a great start. An own goal and second-half strikes from Kobe, Charlie, and Eli W secured the result, with a late Lions penalty rounding out the scoreline.
In their second match, U14s faced Rangers Gold. After going behind, Eli W equalised before half-time. Playing into the wind proved challenging in the second half. Shannon scored again, but Rangers took the win 3–2 with a late goal, despite a strong WUFC effort.
The U16 FQPL side played Country and despite dominating early play, trailed 2–0 at halftime due to errors. A third goal early in the second half made the task harder, but a late penalty and pressure brought it back to 3–1. The team remains in top-four contention with a rematch coming this weekend.
FQPL Women delivered a confident 5–0 home win against City Brothers. Bre opened the scoring, followed by Sarah before halftime. In the second half, Karlee found the bottom corner, Rob Dog scored from a corner, and an own goal sealed it. A disciplined backline ensured a clean sheet.
The FQPL U23 Men dazzled in a 7–0 win over Wanderers. Anthony Gracieux led the way with two goals, supported by strikes from Oisin Sherlock, Luke Swift, Lincoln Sokolski-Fricker, Jazz Knezevic, and Pepe Perea.
The Premier Men made it a clean sweep for seniors with a 3–1 win. Cillian Crowe bagged a brace and assisted Sam Davies. Sam Thornton’s tireless play on the left earned him man of the match.
Most WUFC teams now sit in the top four, well placed ahead of August finals.
Contributed with thanks to Allan Milostic
U14 FQPL – happy after a strong 6-2 win against Lions. Photo supplied

Football - Whitsunday United Football Club
Friday, June 27
6:00 PM: Div 2 Men vs Mackay Lions at Mackay Lions Field
8:00 PM: Div 1 Men vs Mackay Lionsat Mackay Lions Field
Saturday, June 28
9:30 AM: U13 Div 1 vs Mackay Lions at Mackay Football Park
9:30 AM: U14 vs Dolphins at Mackay Football Park
11:00 AM: U13 FQPL vs Mackay Wanderers at Mackay Football Park
11:15 AM: U15/16 vs Country United at Mackay Football Park
5:00 PM: U23 Men vs Mackay Rangers at Whitsunday United FC
7:00 PM: Men vs Mackay Rangers at Whitsunday United FC
AFL - Whitsunday Sea Eagles
U13s vs Swans at Rogers Oval
U15s vs Swans at Rogers Oval
U17s vs Magpies at Magpies
Senior Women vs Magpies at Magpies
Senior Men vs Magpies at Magpies
Cricket – Airlie Beach Cricket Club
Contact airliebeachcc@yahoo.com.au for information about Airlie Beach Cricket Club
Netball – Whitsunday Netball Association
Contact netballwhitsunday@gmail.com for netball information