Mackay school student Hannah Nicolas has been scoring goals in her young water polo career this year.

The year 12 Whitsunday Anglican School student is currently in Canberra representing the Queensland Country Gold Team at the Australian Open Water Polo Championships.

She also competed in the Queensland State Water Polo Competition in Brisbane over Easter.

Hannah started playing water polo three years ago at the age of 14.

She joined the Mackay Water Polo Club which plays and trains at Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex.

She says although the water polo community in Mackay isn’t the biggest, it’s full of passionate and inspiring people from whom she is constantly learning.

“A lot of the people who play for Mackay Water Polo Club are very good and have a lot of experience up their sleeves,” she said.

Hannah has made many different representative teams which is a process of putting oneself out there, entering a draft, and trialling.

She says playing water polo at such a high level is an honour and she enjoys meeting new people and gaining new experiences.

“It’s good news when I find out I’ve made the team,” she said.

“I like to gain that experience.

“It’s nice to go down south and play and be in a team where you’re with people who are stronger than you so they push you to be better.”

Hannah hopes to move to Brisbane next year for university and will join a water polo club to develop her skills and take her game to the next level

“I definitely want to pursue it,” she said.

She says water polo has helped her with organisation, confidence, meeting new people, and putting herself out there, all skills which will make her transition to Brisbane easier.

“Being able to play in a team with girls I’ve never met before has really helped with my confidence and being able to put myself out there.”

Whitsunday Anglican School student Hannah Nicolas is in Canberra this week to compete in the Australian Open Water Polo Championships. Photo: Sam Gillespie

Hannah intends to continue her water polo career when she moves to Brisbane next year. Photo: supplied

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Australia’s brightest cricketing stars took to the field last week to compete in the Cricket Australia U19 Male National Championships.

10 teams from around the country battled it out in a week of high-quality cricket commencing on April 7 and culminating in finals and playoffs played on Thursday, April 14.

Some less-than-ideal weather conditions throughout the week didn’t falter the competition, with games able to be rescheduled thanks to Great Barrier Reef Arena’s world-class drainage and lighting.

Harrup Park General Manager Adrian Young said there was a significant increase of people in the club and the community throughout the tournament.

“It was hugely successful,” he said.

“All those people coming into town can only affect positively on the economy.”

Mr Young said visiting families were happy to escape the southern states for a week in Mackay and gave positive feedback on the facilities.

“There’s not many venues like Harrup Park.”

Continuing a rivalry for the ages, the grand final was played between Queensland Cricket Metro and Cricket NSW Metro at Great Barrier Reef Arena last Thursday.

Queensland Metro won the toss and elected to bat first, with conditions looking to favour the bowlers later in the day.

Opener Stephan Muller kept Queensland afloat with a two-and-a-half-hour knock of 74 runs from 111 balls amidst a top-order batting collapse.

Lachlan Crump contributed with 20 runs batting at number six and a handy knock of 36 not out from bowler Tom Whitney got Queensland Metro to a total of 9/198 from 50 overs.

Jack Nisbet and Joel Davies bowled out their ten overs for NSW Metro, both taking two wickets each, with Yianni Theodorakopoulos and Cameron Tunks taking one each.

Some terrific work in the field from Cameron Tunks, Lachlan Shaw, and Jordan Watson also accounted for three runouts.

In response, NSW Metro started with a steady stream of runs, however, no one was able to go on to make a big total.

Lachlan Shaw top-scored with 38 runs, helped out by a Yianni Theodorakopoulos with a valiant 24 not out, and Ethan Jamieson and Joel Davies with 23 runs each.

NSW Metro’s run rate was well on track; however, it wasn’t meant to be as they ran out of wickets in the 43rd over, finishing all out for 171 runs off 42.4.

Aubrey Stockdale led the bowlers taking 3/21 off 5.4 overs, including the tournament-winning wicket.

Tom Whitney and Jeremy White took two wickets each and Noah McFadyen finished with one.

Some quick fielding and a bit of confusion from NSW Metro contributed to runouts thanks to Tobias Snell, Lachlan Crump, and Thomas Balkin.

To cap off a terrific tournament for the Queensland team, captain Noah McFadyen was named Player of the Championships, finishing the tournament with 221 runs at an average of 44.20.

“The standard of cricket was probably the best we’ve had for four or five years from a male cricket perspective,” Mr Young said.

“They’re the guys who are going to go on and play for Australia.”

The moment Queensland Metro became Australian champions. Photo: Sam Gillespie

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It was a slow start to the season for the Marian Ladies Bowls Club, with the club’s green undergoing maintenance for longer than expected. However the ladies were back rolling out last weekend and reported that the improved green is starting to run well.

The club held a celebratory birthday afternoon tea for three of its members who all turned 80 in April. Each lady was presented with an orchid and an OBE (an Over Bloody Eighty award).

This week the green was full with 48 bowlers taking part in the Harvest Triples, results to be published in next week’s edition.

Marian Ladies Bowls Club President Katie Moohin (left), presented three members Gwen Harberger, Noela Cox and Beryl Borg with orchids and a fun award for turning 80. Picture: Supplied

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Well over fifty runners and supporters from Mackay Road Runners enjoyed the hospitality of the Zambreros Restaurant in the City Centre after their 5km or 10km run. After Easter festivities, runners relished the opportunity to fuel with food other than chocolate.

President Tim Magoffin welcomed the dedicated athletes with a Mackay city course taking runners through the CBD onto the Bluewater boardwalk and Catherine Freeman trails.  

Birthday boy, Paul Mackenzie and his mates, Alex Couldrey and Rodney Elworthy, led the quality field through the meandering trails to break the tape together in the windy conditions.  

Junior 10km speedsters, Max Scotton and Toby Rule ran extremely well, enjoying the course so much so, they decided to add on a bit of extra training to their daily regime. Joe Grech, Mick Scholer, Craig Stevens, Andrew Wallace, Scott McIntosh, Daniel Stampa, Andrew Short, Scott McIntosh, Tim Magoffin, Daniel Scotton also enjoyed the social nature of the event.

Alana Ford was in top form as the first female across the 10km finish line, easily coming in under the top ten overall. Excellent performances were seen across both events from Carolyn Mapes, Tahnee Malagueno, Patreana Fenech, Vicki Vickers, Carmel Grech, Emma Johnson, Colin Hardy and Adam Knesevic pushing the pram with Vivian and Harvey in tow.

This Sunday morning’s Mackay Road Runners event is part of the club’s Lost Bunyips trail series commencing 7am at Cape Hillsborough National Park.  The Hillsborough Turtle trails are challenging but totally satisfying with course options of 6km and 10km.  All members and non-members are most welcome to participate with a free sausage sizzle after the run.

Mackay Road Runners Committee (left to right) Arthur Dick, Ainslie Heinke and Jaylene Harrison volunteer at the annual Easter Sunday Zambreros Burrito Bolt. Images and report submitted by Janelle Tilse

Toby Rule (front) sprints from the starter’s gun ahead of dad, Justin Rule

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The new club uniforms have arrived and already many members are wearing them with pride.

Ladies’ uniforms are now the same design as the men, with a new top and bottle green shorts and long pants. I have heard many comments that a change was due, and the green pants are generally much preferred to the white ones.

Pennants games are commencing this weekend. Good luck to our three divisions.

Social Results Week Ending 17 April

Monday mixed pairs winners were Marie Bragg and Val DePinto. Isla Comelli and Ann Smith were second. Lucky draws went to Vic Gaudion and Pat O’Neill.

Wednesday Ladies winners were Lorna Bowers, Pam Louis, Anne Bailey with a +8.  Runners up were Daphne Offield, Shirley Bartolo, Fay Carson with a +3.  Several of our ladies played in our club championship pairs or B singles, on Wednesday, and Thursday morning, with finals coming up very soon.

Thursday mixed pairs draw was taken out by Peter Grant and Ian McDonald with Darren Addie and Jan Little winning the second draw. Peter Cowling won the kitty toucher. Greens vouchers were won by Fred King and Lance Edwards, and Vern Mietzel won the raffle.

Saturday men’s pairs winners were Mick Mackenzie and Clive Wales with Ian McDonald and Maurie Pearson coming second.

Contributed by Tony Allsop and Sue Hazledine

Tony Allsop (left) shows off the new uniforms while Board Vice-Chairman, Lew Trott wears the old uniform

Mick Mackenzie in action

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MACKAY’S Emma Widdup came within points of realizing a dream in the Mackay Open table tennis championships on the weekend.

However it wasn’t to be as she narrowly lost the women’s open final to Townsville’s Paralympics representative Andrea McDonnell, who has won numerous regional, state and national titles.

“She’s a true champion,” Widdup said.

“Since I first played in 1987 it’s been my dream that perhaps one day I might beat Andrea McDonnell. I tried to bring my best game to the final.

“She’s amazing, she had a seven-game semi before our game, had a little rest and was back at it again.

“I’m 47, she’s in her sixties – I’d love to be at that level when I’m 60.”

McDonnell had a tough road to the final, fighting out a tough seven-game semi-final against Rockhampton’s Ann Louise Stewart in which she prevailed -12, -9, 9, -11, 13, 5, 9.

Widdup said her father Michael brought her and her sister Patricia and brother Ben to Mackay in 1987 because he had heard of its table tennis program under then-coach Mr Chen.

“This hall is magnificent for table tennis, it’s just got such a vibe about it,” she said.

“Table tennis offers so many opportunities in terms of fitness and health no matter what your age is. It’s a sport for all age groups.”

Townsville players Timothy Young and Brendan Gaeta fought out the men’s open final, Young taking out his first regional title with a five-game win.

Young earlier had to withstand a tough challenge from Townsville veteran Morrie Bligh in a six-game semi.

By Charlie Payne

Emma Widdup serves in the Mackay Open women’s table tennis final against Townsville’s Andrea McDonnell. Photos: Charlie Payne

Mackay Open men’s table tennis champion Timothy Young hits through the ball

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“Go fast, turn left”.

Sounds like NASCAR, but this simple tactic is also used in a different form of fast and furious racing, track cycling.

While ‘going fast and turning left’ on the boards of an indoor velodrome seems simple enough, Mackay’s most decorated track cycling veteran Hamish Wright explains there are multiple outcomes to races depending on the tactics used, that need to be made within a split second.

“Knowing when to jump in a sprint, timing when to break off the front in a points race to take a lap, making your opponent look right as you dive left to take the front, those are some of the intricacies that are a combination of instinct and experience,” Wright explained.

“They make the difference between winning and losing. It’s not always the fastest person who wins, tactics can out-ride speed on some occasions.”

Wright put these theories into practice last week at the Anna Meares Velodrome, competing in the Masters Track Cycling Australian Championships. Riding in his seventh nationals, last week’s event produced the best results for Wright. He had claimed Australian titles in the sprint and keirin in previous years, but never together at the same competition.

He breezed through the sprint, qualifying in first place and then finishing undefeated in all rounds, facing an opponent from Western Australia in the final.

“I was happy with how I rode, tactically and strength wise,” Wright said.

“In the final it’s the best of three, but I never take a ride lightly. Getting the first win is an advantage psychologically and then I made sure I was positioned well in the second.”

He then backed up the following day by emerging as a clear winner in the Keirin.

“I drew position 6 so I knew I had to make an early advancement as soon as the motorised derny came off the track,” Wright explained.

“Everyone swung up at that point so I took the sprinters lane and held it until I had the wheel I wanted. I was positioned well when the sprint started, it’s all about positioning, ensuring you don’t get boxed in and not being at the back when the heat comes from the front.”

Wright was part of a Queensland team that won silver in the team sprint and he also picked up a bronze in the individual time trial.

Wright will compete in the North Queensland Games next week in Townsville and is aiming at competing at the World Masters Track Cycling Championships in Los Angeles in September.

“I was happy with how I rode, tactically and strength wise,”

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Avid sailors from across the state competed in the Sail Airlie Regatta which was held from the Whitsunday Sailing Club over the Easter long weekend.

There were 52 boats participating in the event which featured off beach sailing dinghies competing in four different categories.

The Queensland Arrow Boat Championships, the Mixed Mono Fleet which included Laser 4.7 and Laser Radials, the Junior Fleet of Open Skiffs, Sabos and Optimists, and finally the Green Fleet which was for young children who were learning to sail and were assisted in navigating the course.

There were 10 races held in each category and each lasted 60 to 70 minutes in total.

Those as young as seven were able to participate and 50 per cent of the competitors were under 18, including 12 local Whitsunday children from as far afield as Bowen and Hamilton Island.

Local lad, Joshua King, won his division in the Laser 4.7 category, fresh from his success in winning the Queensland title for the same division two weeks prior for the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.

Sail Airlie was sponsored by Tropical Rentals and owner, Kerrie Southee, presented the award for Best Sailor (on and off the water).

This was decided by race officials who voted on best sportsmanship over the weekend and Robert Deards took home the award.

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Jill Maslin-Petersen organised bowls last Tuesday with Col Morris’s team winners in a very exciting afternoon where Eric Barnard won the sponsor Health Hub award.

Wednesday afternoon bowls was organised by Merve Stewart and saw 20 bowlers competing for the first prize. Manny Isgro, Karen Jensen and John Askew were big winners of the day with John Trembath winning the Health Hub award.

Saturday morning it was decided to have a one-off Mini Scroungers and first round winners were Margo Stanley, Peter Barratt, John Trembath, Russell Jackson, Elaine Kippen, John (Bondi) Beach and Mark Mawson.

The final was played between Margo Stanley and John (Bondi) Beach with Bondi coming out the overall winner.

Sunday afternoon Social bowls attracted 24 bowlers and the game was highly skilful with all bowlers playing well - the team of Ladda Purdie as skipper, Elaine Kippen second and Mark Mawson at lead winning on the day. Ladda Purdie also won the prestigious Health Hub award.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson.

Elaine Kippen, Ladda Purdie and Mark Mawson Sunday Social bowls winners

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On Wednesday eight players enjoyed a game of Social bowls. John Anderson, John Lahney, Arthur Griffith and Garry Alexander defeated Alen Sanderson, Bruce Uhe, Barry Zillmann and Philip Brown 24 - 19.

Ten bowlers enjoyed an afternoon game on Sunday - John Lahney and Bruce Uhe defeated Peter Lawton and Philip Brown 28 - 18; Ken Watts, Arthur Griffith and Garry Alexander defeated Kendall Watts, John Anderson and Jim Quod 29 - 12.

Barry Saroglia and his team of Les McDermott and Brad Lindenberg came second at Northern Beaches.  

Teams have been selected for the first two rounds of Pennants. Division 1 is Shane Kinnear, Grahame Kinnear, Barry Saroglia and Gavin Milne;  Marcus Craig, Jonathan Bye, Michael Kinnear and Nathan Harriott;  Nathan Dodds, David Ling, Scott Hamilton and Wayne Handley.

Saturday's game is at Northern Beaches starting at 1 pm. Sunday's game is at Proserpine against Souths Suburban starting at 10am.

Division 4 team is Warren Wilson, Martin Corr, Dale Haack and Garry Alexander; Bruce Uhe, Jim Quod, Peter Lawton and Todd Leys. Saturday's game is at home against Mackay City starting at 1pm. Sunday's game is at RSL Mackay starting at 10am.  

Contributed by Heather Brown.

Barry Saroglia (Sags) with Les McDermott and Brad Lindenberg - runners up at Northern Beaches Easter Triples

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Tuesday 12April: D Wallace, K Daniels, M Drummond, D Beel, P Warren and M Wilson. The jackpot didn’t go off.

Sunday 17 April: A triples and a pairs game were played on Sunday. Winners for the afternoon were D Wallace, I Wheeler, K Whitton, D Beel, M Elphinstone, M Drummond, R Stitt, I Laird, P Tracey, B Myers.  The jackpot didn’t go off.

Club Competition for the week Men’s Open Singles: S Roome, J Tierney, M Wright, B Beel.

Open Pairs: G Colquhoun, G Danvers, S Harvey, S Wright.  

Ladies Final of Triples: D Wallace, S Shearing, P Warren, M Elphinstone, I Wheeler, L Smith.  

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren.

Winners of Championship Ladies' Triples – L-R: Penny Warren, Sue Shearing and Denise Wallace

Wednesday’s competition was a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club. Men’s winner Harry Littleton 40 points, runner up Noel Schultz 39 points. Ladies’ winner Leanne Swan 39 points, runner up on a countback Jo Kukura 34 points.

The weekend competition began with a stableford on Saturday – Men’s winner Graham Easton 41 points, runner up on a countback Stephen O’Brien 40 points, 3rd place Liam Hillery 40 points.

Ladies’ winner Kanittha Day 38 points, runner up Carol O’Connell 33 points, 3rd place Robyn Slade 32 points. Pin shots to Greg Daniel, Craig Newell, David Carus, Daniel Windridge, Kanittha Day, Leanne Swan, Ruth Dunn, Janice Bates.    

Sunday’s competition was a 9-hole, 2-person ambrose. Winners Brenden Wells and Marcus Yasso, runners-up Kelli and Ryley Malone, 3rd place Jeremy and Tracey Chrzanowski. Pin shots to Graham Seaborne, Kane Newell, Marg Need. Bradmans was won by Brook Wilson and Jason Harker. Competitions on the weekend were sponsored by XXXX Lion Nathan.  

This weekend is a single stableford sponsored by Glenn Merrick.

The joker draw is back to its usual day of Friday. Don’t forget to check the club’s Facebook page for this week’s dinner menu. Takeaways still available. Please call the club on 4785 1206 if you wish to book a table or place a takeaway order. Joker draw is $2200 this week.

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott.

Easter Saturday winners – 3rd place Robyn Slade, runner up Carol O’Connell

Easter Sunday winners – runners-up Riley and Kelli Malone, winners Brenden Wells and Marcus Yasso

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It was a great day for golf at this week’s Proserpine Veterans Golf session, with the weather not too hot, a nice breeze and the course in great condition.

There were 25 players on the day, with the ladies’ winner Tina Randmae (39), second Elspeth Scotford (31).  

The men’s winner was Barry Mortimer (35), second was Gary Scotford (34).

Nearest the pins for the ladies’ went to Tina Randmae (2nd in the hole), Lyn Muller (9th in the hole), Leanne Alexander (13th in the hole) and Elspeth Scotford (16th in the hole).

For the men, the winners were Gary Scotford(2nd), Allen Roberts (9th in the hole), Barry Mortimer (13th in the hole) and Gary (16th).  

There were two chip ins on the day, Gary and Billy Jesser.  

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

Tuesday Winners, Barry Mortimer and Tina Randmae

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The weekly 9-hole stableford was won this week by Ron Thynne with 22 points. Lorri Thynne was right behind him with 21 and third was Glenn Rees.

Good Friday’s 9-hole stableford was won by Bob Spees on a whopping 26 points, followed by Mark Winter on 23 and Alan Clinch on 21.

On Sunday it was a round of 4 ball better ball and the winners were Asher Ventham and Deeray with a score of 42.5.

Bob Spees and Alan Clinch were second with 44 points and Glenn Rees with Tyson Flavel were third on 46.5.

Thank you to Repco who provided us with great prizes, now the lads will have clean shiny cars!

Next Sunday will be the Monthly Medal, there is only a couple of opportunities left to secure your place in the Medal of Medallist.

Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross.

Asher Ventham and Deeray

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This week, 78 people ran, jogged and walked the 5km waterfront course. New participants are always welcome, this week there were 21 first timers. Five participants recorded new personal bests, well done to Riley, Andrea, Holly, Josiah and Shane. Airlie Beach co-founder and long-term Event Director Bob Barford was farewelled. Bob has worked tirelessly for Airlie Beach parkrun for many years.

The event was made possible by 16 wonderful volunteers: Bob Barford, Kara Olver, Lesley Barford, Chris Hands, Sylvie Martin, Margaret Coote, Corrine Hendrikse (photographer), Nathalie Blomme, Christopher Harvey (run director), Wendy McCall, Karen Jordan, Susanne Willmott, Ronald McCall, Laura Oates, Gus Walsgott and Lynne Oates.

Airlie Beach parkrun started on 5th December 2015. Since then 3,735 participants have completed 20,351 parkruns covering a total distance of 101,755 km, including 2,395 new Personal Bests. A total of 323 individuals have volunteered 2,766 times.

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.

Contributed with thanks to Airlie Beach parkrun.

Co-founder and long term Event Director Bob Barford was farewelled

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