On Saturday, the Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club hosted its first winter swimming carnival – an extremely successful day with over 120 competitors taking part.  

Coaches Ken Crittenden and Mark Erickson were thrilled with the 34 Cannons who accumulated 91 personal bests.  

Jasper Korosec and James Davies were amongst the representing Cannons and swam extremely well in their first club carnival.  

The youngest competitor, four-year-old Harry Chegwidden swam a 10 second personal best in his 25-metre Freestyle.  

Harry’s sister, Eloise swam excellent times in her Butterfly, Backstroke and Breaststroke, winning each event.

Charlie Doherty, Koa Harland, and Isabella Pisaniello put in a mighty effort to achieve personal best times in all their races.

Don Algie, aged nine, won eight out of his nine events and swam five personal bests, while Jax Clayworth, aged eight, won all five of his events and swam four personal bests.  

Jax’s brother, six-year-old Zane was very excited with his blue ribbon swims, 25-metre Breaststroke and 25 Freestyle.  

One of Matilda Nicholes’ best swims was her 200-metre IM.  Matilda swam a massive 22sec personal best.  

Celeste Orenshaw and Isaac Pisaniello had a very successful carnival, swimming three personal bests and getting top placings in all their events.

One of Harris Delac’s best swims was his 100-metre IM in a time of 2.20.36 which earnt him a second-place finish.

Declan Dichiera swam a super 100-metre Backstroke in 1.47.38 which was close to a seven second personal best and earnt him a second-place finish too.

Maeve Dichiera and Addie Sanders swam awesome backstroke, while Evie Doherty, aged seven, swam a very smooth 25-metre Breaststroke in 30.34s.

Indi Smith swam a seven second personal best in her 50-metre Butterfly.  Indi’s brother, Levi won his 25-metre Backstroke in a time of 34.29s.  

Well done to all the swimmers and a big thank you to all the parents and volunteers who assisted.

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

Cannonvale Cannons winter carnival Juniors team

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Wednesday’s competition was a single stableford event for the men and Canadian foursomes for the ladies.

Ladies’ winners Robyn Slade and Claire Garrod 73.625 nett, runners-up Janice Bates and Jo Goldup 73.875 nett.  Men’s Winner Allan Cooper 38 points, runner up Gregory Fairs 37 points.

Saturday’s competition was a single stableford event sponsored by P&O Meehan Menswear for the men and Commonwealth Bank for the ladies.  

Ladies’ winner Bonnie Kohlhase 38 points, second place Robyn Slade 37 points, third place Elona Lynch 36 points.  

Pin shots to Robyn Slade, Morag Parker, and Lorrene Bell-Chamber, while Kim Bennion claimed the Car wash voucher.  

Men’s winner with a great score of 40 points was Craig VanVeen, second Kevin Cross 39 points, third Rodney Wells 38 points.

Pin shots to Allan Cooper with and OBP, Craig VanVeen, Andrew Menzies, and Michael Heinrich.  

This weekend’s event is a single stableford for Tim Warren Auto Air-Con and Electrical.  

Don’t forget to check the clubs Facebook page for this week’s dinner menu.  Takeaways still available.

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

Your June 18 winners at Bowen Golf Club

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Whitsunday Green’s weekly 9-hole competition was won this week by Nathan Nikolic on 23 points, followed by Deeray on 21 and Rob Lodders also on 21.

The club’s Friday 9-hole was won by Scott Hayes Williams on 23 points, second was Wayne Singleton on 22 and third Tyson Flavel on 21 points.

The Skins on Sunday saw Wayne Singleton impress, taking 10 Skins. Adam Singleton was Nearest the Pin. This week's 'Hole in One' goes to Kendal Nash on the 12th!

Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross

Kendal Nash Hole in One

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Monday, June 13: Self Selected Triples was won by B Brownnell, J Stamp, and J Beakwell.

K Wallace and C Frew defeated P Sullivan and M Hyde. R Hyde, D Richards, S Roome, and R Agg defeated D Bonora, L S/Collins and K S/Collins, R Payton.

Friday, 17 June: Winners for the afternoon were C Robinson, J Paynting, and B Dykstra defeated B Bellingham, G Howie, and C Bellingham.

Sunday, 19 June: Winners for the afternoon were J Detrex, M Hyde, D Leeson, and K Whitton. Runners Up were J Matfin, C Robinson, P Warren, and S Farrell.

Men’s Triples winners were K Baxter, P Hinschen, and G Danvers.

Congratulations to the Ladies Red Pennant Side of Denise Wallace, Irene Laird, Linda Smith, Penny Warren, Robyn Stitt, Lyn Danvers, Margaret Wilson, and Fely Duncan who won the District Red Pennant flag last week.

They had a convincing victory after claiming five match wins and 10 rinks wins. They defeated other district clubs from Macknade (Ingham), Ayr, and Jubilee (Townsville). Ayr were runners up in the event.  

The Marie Venn Trophy for the overall best team was presented to Robyn Stitt, Lyn Danvers, Margaret Wilson, and Fely Duncan. This team were undefeated, winning six straight games.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

Marie Venn Trophy Winners Red Pennant 2022

NQ District Red Pennant Winners 2022 Wangaratta

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On Wednesday Social bowls, Alen Sanderson, Bruce Uhe, and Philip Brown defeated Jim Bownds, Mike Harrison, and Barry Zillmann 24–16, while John Anderson, Pat Bownds, and Sandy Daffara defeated Tom Jessop, John Lahney, and Peter Lawton 20–13.

Heather Brown also defeated Garry Alexander 25-21.

Saturday morning Semi Finals of the Club Championship Singles saw  Jonathan Bye defeat Garry Alexander and Gavin Milne defeat Scott Hamilton.

The second Semi Final of the B Singles had Brett Saroglia defeat Nathaniel Watts 25-20.

Saturday afternoon Final of the Club Championship Singles saw Jonathan Bye and Gavin battled it out before Jonathan finally won 25 - 21.  

Final of the B Singles saw Brett Saroglia defeat Bruce Uhe 25-13.

Champion of Champions are coming up with the Championship Singles being held at Souths Suburban on Saturday and Sunday August 20 and 21.  

Champion of Champion "B" Singles on Saturday and Sunday September 17 and 18 at Mackay City.

On Sunday Peter Lawton and Jim Quod defeated Philip Brown and Garry Alexander 31 - 15;  Alen Sanderson played double lead.  Alen, John Lahney and Barry Zillmann defeated Alen, Bruce Uhe and Heather Brown 19 - 18.

There is a working bee being held on Thursday June 23 at the club, starting at 9.30am.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

Club Championship Singles winner Jonathan Bye (right) and Runner Up Gavin Milne (left)

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Tuesday afternoon, 24 bowlers competed for the prizes on offer with an outstanding win coming from Nik Fernbach, Pam Collins, and Paul Tobias.

Wednesday afternoon bowls saw another 24 bowlers competing for the prizes and the outstanding winners of the day was the team of Russell Jackson, Lu Rogan at lead, and Glenys Pepyat at second.

Wednesday night’s Business House Bowls played its penultimate game with Hadlow Racing and PRD leading on 18 points, and Kitties and Whitsunday Gold Coffee A team on 16 points and last season’s winners on 15.

Saturday morning saw the return of John Askew’s Scroungers with the first-round winners Eric Barnard, Andy McDougall, Rick Galea, Margo Stanley, and Ladda Purdie and the final between Rick Galea and Ladda Purdie, who claimed a last end win.

The school’s competition is coming to an end with 12 players left from the three high schools involved.

Sunday after we had our boys travel again to Mackay city to compete in the district B grade fours with two teams skippered by Ray Edwards and Neil Moore representing the club.

Sunday afternoon saw 20 bowlers competing for the prize, won by skipper Steve Lawrie with Elaine Kippen at lead, and Paul Tobias.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

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An Airlie Beach local and Hamilton Island fireman is making a name for himself as a serial podium finisher, claiming the second overall spot at the Ironman Cairns 70.3 earlier this month.

Ironman Dan McDonnell finished the gruelling 1.9km swim, 90km bike and a 21.1km run in 4:07:33, just 90 seconds behind winner and ex-professional Ironman Jamie Huggett

The 2022 Ironman was McDonnell’s second outing on the Cairns course, where just a year ago he competed in the sport for the first time, placing third in his age group of Male 18-24.

Coming off the back of another third-place finish for his age group at the 2021 Sunshine Coast 70.3 Ironman, McDonnell finally claimed a top spot finish with his performance in Cairns on June 9 – one he was “ecstatic to have achieved”.

“It feels like home turf because I grew up in Cairns, especially with all the family and friends there to support me,” McDonnell said.

“I think that was the major difference. I was so calm going into it – I spent the night before with family. It was that and another year of training, I think.”

McDonnell - who usually smashes through the running section of the ironman - spent the last year training up his swimming and biking.

As a youngster, he was a state-level cross country runner and revelled in the half-marathon distance presented by ironman.

“That was what the focus of the year of training was, and all three disciplines I did better: I swam better, I rode better and they set each other up,” McDonnell said.

“I stayed with the forward pack the entire time and when I got to the run, I got to work.”

McDonnell will move up into the 25 to 29 age group next year and hopes to attain a professional contract within the next six months.

Ironman athletes hit their prime in their late 20’s to early 30’s.

He’s now looking ahead to the Sunshine Coast 70.3 and a trip to the United States to compete in the Utah Ironman.

If he performs well, the chances are high the young Whitsunday star could make the grade.

He’ll be competing at the upcoming Airlie Beach Marathon as well, where he holds the first-place crown for the Half Marathon distance.

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There’s something in the water in Proserpine turning local high school students into exceptional volleyballers.

Two ex-Proserpine State High School students have this month made the grade to represent at state level: Cooper Goodwin in the U23 men, and Kasey Hogan in the U23 women.

Two current students have claimed a spot in the Queensland U19 men and women teams in the last week, respectively: Connor Turner and Breeana Mackay.

And the talented 20-year-old and ex-student Sam Flowerday has headed off to compete in Brazil at the Volleyball Nations League, representing the country as a Volleyroo.

Proserpine High School teacher and volleyball head coach Ben Smith laughingly calls the volleyball contingent the “Proserpine Cult”.

“They love it. I think that’s what it is – they play every single day and that’s just it,” Mr Smith said.

“We see an athletic kid at school and we push them: ‘Hey, come and try volleyball.’ If they’re good, they train, and they’re committed, they always turn good.”

The past Proserpine alumni Goodwin, 20, currently plays Brisbane Premier League volleyball, and Hogan is training as part of the Australian Institute of Sport.

Turner, a grade twelve student, will travel to Sydney in July to compete in nationals, while Mackay has been selected as a shadow for the female squad.

In the month Turner heads to the U19 level state competition, the school is expecting to have a number of students announced as making the U14 to U18 Queensland sides, too.

But all those players have an idol to look up to in Sam Flowerday.

Now a Thompson Rivers University volleyballer in Canada, having signed up as part of the college team known as ‘WolfPack’ where he faces top-tier, young American talent – some of the very best in the world - Flowerday has again been given the opportunity to pull on the green and gold Volleyroos kit and play for Australia.

But he’s no stranger to representing his country; Flowerday played at the Australian Volleyball Academy for two years, represented in both indoor and beach volleyball at the youth levels for Australia, and this Volleyball Nations League in Brazil will be his second.

He was part of the extended roster for last year’s summer iteration of the tournament, but unfortunately didn’t make an appearance.

At 20, the 6’4 Proserpine product and outside hitter played his first volleyball game in grade 9 and has been on an astronomical rise.

In this Volleyball Nations League – which began in early June - he’s played against Brazil, Slovenia, Iran, Netherlands, Canada, and Bulgaria so far, with his next fixture against Poland on June 25 tomorrow.

It’s an opportunity for the young starlet to continue to perfect his craft against the upper crust - Brazil chief among them; a team that finished fourth in the Tokyo Olympics. He’ll also have the opportunity to play Germany, Japan, France, and Argentina.

"I’m extremely grateful and honoured to be wearing the green and gold again and representing my country," said Flowerday.

"I am looking forward to learning and growing even more, not only as a player but also as a person."

Proserpine, a small country-town of roughly 3,000, has a big, volleyball-shaped heart – and it’s beating strong.

Written by Declan Durrant

Sam Flowerday is the upper echelon of Proserpine State High School’s volleyball alumni, pictured here spiking for his Canadian college team

The young prodigy is becoming the northern star of the school’s volleyball “cult”, making his Australian debut

Flowerday (third from the left), is staking his claim for the outside hitter position in the Volleyball Nations League

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Bright blue skies and a strong headwind greeted competitors at the annual Whitehaven Beach Run as they disembarked the Cruise Whitsundays ferry and stepped onto the silica sands of Whitehaven Beach last Sunday.

A total of 281 athletes participated in the challenge, competing in a variety of events – the five- and 10-kilometre races, a half marathon and a junior run.

With the youngest just four years old and the oldest 71, the race was open to everyone and saw people from as far afield as Victoria, NSW, South Australia, West Australia and the ACT compete.

Part of the Hamilton Island Endurance Series, the next event will be the Hilly Half Marathon which takes place on Sunday, April 30, 2023.

Roland Henderson Wins Half Marathon

A Jubilee Pocket local took home a win for the Whitsundays, coming first in the half marathon, an achievement he says took him by surprise.

“I was really quite chuffed – couldn’t believe it!” said Roland.

“It was wonderful to run on the beach in the beautiful Whitsundays – where would you rather be!”

Roland completed the 21 kilometres stretch (which is two laps of Whitehaven Beach) in one hour 26 minutes and 55 seconds.

Originally from Canberra and a self-confessed ‘athletics kid’, Roland moved to the Whitsundays 12 years ago.

A member of the Whitsunday Running Club, he has enjoyed competing in half marathons up and down the coast from Mackay to Townsville but says this is his first big win.

Rolland had his partner Allison with him to cheer him on.

Riana Wronski Wins The 5k

Coming first for the women in the five-kilometre beach run, Riana completed the course in just 22 minutes and 53 seconds.

Practicing regularly at the weekly Airlie Beach parkrun, Riana can often be seen wheeling her double buggy containing her children; three-year-old Harry and eight-month-old Grace.

Keen to get back into running after having her littlest child, Riana said she was excited to start off with the five kilometres and is looking forward to training more so she can compete in longer distances in the future.

“I led the ladies’ race the whole way which was incredible,” said Riana.

“I was waiting to be overtaken at the turnaround but we headed right into the southerly wind and I made it all the way in the lead.”

Making a day of it, Riana brought her family along to cheer her on and said that the whole day was incredibly well organised.

She also wanted to mention the achievement of local Aimee Sulzeerger who came second for the women in the half marathon and is currently in training for an Ultra Marathon.

1 and 1b – 281 athletes compete in the annual Great Whitehaven Beach Run

Rolland Henderson crosses the finishing line2b – Rolland accepting his award

Riana Wronski wins the 5km

Riana with her two children after the race

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Over 500 BMX riders from all over Queensland will travel to Mackay and Sarina this weekend to compete in the 2022 AusCycling BMX State Series.

Round 3 of the Series will take place at Sarina BMX Club on Saturday, June 25 and Round 4 at Mackay and District BMX Club on Sunday, June 26.

Riders from two years of age up to 60+ years will compete, vying for valuable points in the Queensland State Series following rounds 1 and 2 taking place in Cooloola and Nerang earlier in the year.

EMAC Superclass Men riders include Nerang riders Jesse and TJ Asmus, Caboolture’s Corey Frieswyk and crowd favourite Jayce Cunning up against local riders Brock de Silva, Tristyn Kronk, Peter Little and Jack Armstrong.

Werner Engineering Superclass Women riders include Townsville’s Ashleigh Gunn and Celeste Barr, Kiana Botfield of Pine Rivers, Teya Rufus of Maryborough and Elisha Nesbit of Cairns.

The Auto Air and Electrics Mackay Junior Superclass Men Class is stacked full of local talent including Tyler Morgan, brothers Bailey and Tyler Smith, Brodie Wilson and Connor Parish, all from Mackay and District BMX, along with Moranbah riders Oliver Rivers and Jackson Elliott.

The Balnagowan Diesel Repairs Junior Superclass Women include local rider Sarah Tickle up against Townsville’s Brooke Smith, Alara Nobelius of Atherton and Cheralee White of Nerang.

Racing commences at 12:00pm Saturday at Sarina BMX and 9:45am Sunday at Mackay and District BMX, Snow Wright Court Beaconsfield.

Photos supplied: Michelle Tickle

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They’re not bobsleds, they’re not bicycles, they’re Human Powered Vehicles (HPVs) and students from all over the region raced them last weekend as the Whitsunday Festival of STEM launched last Friday.

Now in its fourth year, the Whitsunday Festival of STEM tests school children in STEM subjects with fun and engaging challenges.

“It really helps all of our local students to get involved,” said Secretary for the Whitsunday STEM Challenge and CQU Campus Coordinator Leanne Williams.

“The Festival of STEM really looks at science, technology, engineering, mathematics and design.”

Last Saturday, students participated in the Pedal Prix, an eight-hour hot lap race in which each student spends 30 minutes in an HPV before getting out and Covid cleaning the vehicle for the next driver to take over.

“With the Pedal Prix, the students get to race a vehicle but then they also need to fix that vehicle, make sure it’s scrutineered,” said Ms Williams.

Participating schools included St Patrick’s College, Mercy College, Calen District State College, Sarina State High School and Mackay Northern Beaches State High School, as well as schools from Townsville, Bundaberg, Emerald and Rockhampton.

Sarina State High School year 11 student Ryan Pietzner said he’s been participating in the Pedal Prix since year seven.

“A few mates were doing it and they said, ‘do you want to have a go?’ so I had a go and I’ve loved it ever since,” Ryan said.

“We had to do some maintenance to a few of these bikes because the tyres go flat after a while because we haven’t had a race in a while.”

The 2022 Festival of STEM also incorporated the F1 in Schools, Junior Robocup and Drones Competition which took place at the MECC on Wednesday alongside a mini careers expo showcasing STEM career opportunities available in the region.

“A lot of the students going through school are not really sure what the jobs are so we’ve got a mini careers expo there,” said Ms Williams.

Councillor Michelle Green said at the launch last week that over 25% of the Mackay region’s workforce is employed in sectors with strong STEM links.

“(Mackay Regional Council is) involved in the Whitsunday Festival of STEM to help foster these linkages between our schools and local businesses and industry,” said Ms Green.

“The Whitsunday Festival of STEM is a great way for a whole community to learn more about what STEM is and what it means for the future of our children so that we can provide better STEM education for them.”

Students, teachers and special guests got to test out the Human Powered Vehicles at the Whitsunday Festival of STEM launch last Friday. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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Round 11 on June 11 of the Hostplus Cup was a game where Mackay Cutters had it all to prove against a Redcliffe Dolphins side that had leapfrogged them on the ladder the week before.

The sugar city’s team were sitting in tenth ahead of the game at BB Print Stadium and were hoping to jump all the way up to eighth, should they best the traveling Dolphins and other results go their way.

It turned out to be a potential game of the season; a tight affair that could have gone either way in the end.

Cutters made their mark on the scorecard first, with Jack Paskins crossing in the seventeenth after crashing through the Dolphins’ wide players.

It wasn’t a long lead, as Dolphins equalised just six minutes later with their own thumping try. The travelling side scored again shortly after with another bang.

There wasn’t too much technical glory in the move as Dolphins’ centre Valynce Te Whare burst through the Cutters backline.

Redcliffe had all the momentum and scored again, capitalising on a fumble. The Dolphins had a halftime lead of two points.

Cutters came out the blocks raring to go, scoring off a fumble from the travelling team this time in the 47th, but Dolphins scored again shortly after, not to be outdone.

The 63rd minute, Dolphins crossed again and again three minutes later with Valynce Te Whare. The game looked over before Cutters came roaring back.

Cutters scored in the 71st, the 76th, and the 78th in one of the closest finishes this season, just losing out by 2.

Cutters 32-34 Dolphins.

The Mackay team head off to Tweed Heads this weekend for a 3.00pm fixture against Seagulls – who sit comfortably in 7th.

Dolphins now move on to a home game against Capras, which will be a tough ask for the Redcliffe side as Capras are placed in fine form. Cutters could capitalise on ladder position if they win and results again go their way.

Cutters were desperately close to a win in their matchup against Redcliffe Dolphins

There was plenty of try scoring but not much tackling

Cutters came away with a lesson on defensive lapses and concentration after losing by just two points

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The Crater will be rumbling tonight when the Mackay Meteors and Meteorettes take on Townsville, with the Meteorettes taking the court first for a special cause.

Suiting up in pink, the Meteorettes will play in the annual Shelley Rutland Memorial Fundraising game.

Everybody in attendance will have the chance to bid on their very own McDonald’s Mackay Meteorettes one-of-a-kind pink NBL1 singlets in the post-game jersey auction with funds raised going to the McGrath Foundation.

The Mackay teams will still be riding a high off the back of a successful triple-header campaign down south last weekend. The Meteorettes showed they are in final-winning form by claiming three from three wins.

In the first game they defeated the Ipswich Force 103-77. Miela Goodchild was cooking finishing the game with 32 points on 6/10 from downtown while Ellie Collins was also solid tallying 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals.

Monique Bobongie also added 13 points and 5 steals off the bench.

The Meteorettes then defeated RedCity Roar before claiming the hattrick, beating South West Metro Pirates 95-75. Alisia Jenkins finished with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals while Miela Goodchild also added 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in the match against the Pirates.

The Men’s side wasn’t burning quite as brightly, dropping game one on their southern road-trip, losing to the Ipswich Force 80-72.

Kyrin Galloway was superb for the Meteors posting a match high 26 points along with 8 rebounds. He well supported by a 15-point, 10 rebound double-double from Malok Majak.

The Meteors bounced back to win their next two, defeating RedCity Roar 98-91. They then posted an emphatic 34-point win against the South West Metro Pirates 82-48.

Jaylin Galloway was sensational dropping 25 points in 20 mins including 5/8 from 3-point range. Malok Majak added 17 points and 6 rebounds while Kye Medhurst tallied 10 points off the bench.

The action tips off tonight at the Mackay Multisports Stadium at 6:30pm.

Action from JBS Arena from the Ipswich Force versus the Mackay Meteors and Meteorettes on June 10. Photo credit: Jade Rochelle Photography

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Social Results

Monday morning mixed pairs 2-4-2 winners were Alan Brown and Kees Struik. Second were G. Fahry and Marshall Howland. Lucky draw winners were Pat O’Neill and Sandra Somerville.

Wednesday ladies’ day was won by Laura Howland, Neddy Thomsen and Doris Dodds. Runners up were Carol Boxall, Sue Roscoe and Ann Smith

Thursday mixed pairs 2-4-2 was taken out by Pat Elgey and Darryl Kane. Second came Ron and Sylvia Maikler. The kitty toucher jackpots next week. Green voucher was won by Cecilia Lee.

Friday mixed three bowl pairs resulted in a win for Tony Allsop and Ron Bowers who won $75 each. Lucky draw winners were Peter Grant and Neal Blucher, and Maryann Bartolo and Daphne Offield. Kitty toucher is $500.

Saturday men’s day pairs winners were Vic Gaudion and Col Carey with Brendan Ryan and Ian McDonald second.

Several games of championship senior singles and men’s pairs were played on the weekend.

Contributed by Tony Allsop.

Greg McLean bowling against Tony Allsop in the Senior Singles on Sunday. Greg won 25-21 after a very close game

Neil Blucher shows his style

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Mackay netball legend Kelly Beckingham will take a trip down memory lane when the CQ University Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball Carnival returns to the region this month.

It was more than two decades ago when the former St Patrick’s College Mackay student etched her name in the record books after receiving the official Player of the Carnival award at the second-ever QISSN event staged in Rockhampton back in 2001.

Then known as Kelly Park, the talented goal attack produced superb performances on court against the best schoolgirl netballers in the State to take out the coveted prize.

For 17-year-old Kelly it was a proud moment and to this day remains one of the highlights of her decorated netball career.

“We finished in the top five that year and stepped up against some very strong teams in the ultimate test for any young netballer,” recalled Kelly who still resides in East Mackay.

“To win the Player of the Carnival award that year was a huge thrill and honour and a moment that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life,” she revealed.

“I can remember lifting this big perpetual trophy and also receiving a jewellery voucher.”

Twelve months earlier, Kelly lined up for St Patrick’s College in the inaugural QISSN Carnival held in Bundaberg.

“They were good times and gave us girls lasting memories of an amazing sporting experience,” she added.

It was around that time that Kelly had gained her representative spurs with the North Queensland Under 18s Invitational team that competed at the National Indoor Netball Championships.

From the age of eight when she started her netball career on the Moranbah grass courts, the fledgling goal shooter was destined for bigger things.

Kelly hails from good sporting stock – her mother Lyn Prince (Park) was a State Netball League goal shooter while her father Bryan Park shone at AFL down in Victoria and later with the North Mackay Suns.

After linking with the Magpies from the age of 13, the former Mercy and St Patrick’s College ace proved a regular in the Mackay junior representative teams and later with the Whitsunday Sharks in the State League.

Kelly has thoroughly enjoyed her 30-year netball journey which also includes an eight year stint as president of the Cougars Netball Club in the Mackay Premier League and long association with North Queensland Invitational sides for National Indoor Netball events.

She still plays the odd social game for DAS Netball Club but devotes her time to family these days - raising sons Kodi,12, and six-year-old Lockie and pouring her energies into her Thrive Bookkeeping business in Mackay.

Does Kelly have any tips for the current wave of St Patrick’s netballers preparing for QISSN?

“Just enjoy the week and the exposure the girls and boys will get to top level netball – it is all worth it” she advised.

Kelly will be a special guest at the official opening of the 2022 CQUniversity Confraternity Rugby League and QISSN Netball Carnivals on Sunday June 26 at the Mackay Showground.

By Chris Karas

Kelly Beckingham as a teenager, then known as Kelly Park

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