On Monday, 1st September, St Patrick’s College Chess teams competed at the MCC Junior Campus for the final Gardiner Chess Interschool Competition of the year. With more than 45 students across 12 teams taking part, chess at the College continues to grow from strength to strength.

The College’s Premier team has once again secured a spot at the State Titles in Term 4, set to face off against Queensland’s top players. The community eagerly anticipates seeing their talent on display.

Special recognition was given to the Year 12 seniors, whose leadership and dedication have been key to the development and success of chess at St Patrick’s College. As they prepare to graduate, their contributions, along with the memories, merits, and medals earned, will be fondly remembered.

Well done to all students for a fantastic season.

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St Patrick’s College Chess teams ended the year strong, with the Premier team qualifying for State Titles and Year 12 seniors recognised for their leadership. Photo source: St Patrick's College Year 7-12 Mackay (Facebook)

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The warm-up event to the Whitsunday Game Fish Club’s major light tackle tournament is the club’s Billfish and Tuna Rally, set for September 13 and 14.

This rally offers teams a great chance to fine-tune their skills ahead of this year’s Airlie Beach Tackle World/Daiwa Light Tackle Tournament, which runs from October 16 to 19. It’s an opportunity to try new tactics, get an idea of where the fish are holding, and score valuable club and QGFA points.

The rally begins with registration and a briefing for anglers on Thursday, September 11, at 6pm at the club in Altmann Avenue, Cannonvale. All event details will be covered on the night.
Both the rally and the major tournament are contested on 10kg monofilament line only, with teams consisting of a minimum of two and a maximum of five anglers.

Fishing has been strong in recent weeks, with good numbers of Sailfish, juvenile Black Marlin, Mackerel and Tuna taking baits and lures. If this year’s action is anything like last year’s tournament—where 172 fish were tagged and released, including 69 Sailfish and five Black Marlin, along with a few kept for the table—it promises to be an exciting event.

September is a fantastic time for families to enjoy the sport of light tackle game fishing in the Whitsundays. Joining the club is also a great way to get involved, meet like-minded people, and share knowledge and experiences.

Membership forms will be available on the night of the rally briefing, Thursday, September 11, at 6pm at the club.

Contributed with thanks to Ashley Moore

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Future Champions. Photo supplied

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Michael Kimpton, President of the Whitsunday Triathlon Club and Race Director of the Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival, is privileged to be selected to represent Australia at the 2025 Ironman World Championships in Nice, France, on 14 September.

This will be Michael’s seventh time representing Australia in international World Triathlon Championships, taking him to all corners of the globe, including St. George in Utah, Samorin in Slovakia, multiple times to Kona in Hawaii, Taupo in New Zealand, and previously Nice in France.
The event alternates annually between Kona, Hawaii, and Nice, France.

This year, the men will compete in Nice, while the female athletes will race at the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, on 11 October.

Nice has a long history with Ironman, often called the birthplace of long-distance triathlon in Europe. Only the very best professional and age-group athletes in the world qualify for this race—a feat that requires finishing on the podium in an Ironman event somewhere in the world. Michael was fortunate to achieve this by finishing on the podium in his age category in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, earlier this year.

The epic race takes place along the Côte d’Azur, where competitors race from the Mediterranean to the mountains along the glamorous French Riviera. Athletes will pass through the beautiful old town with its historic architecture, marvel at the azure coastline, and soak up the sunshine as France’s most iconic communities cheer them on to the finish line.

The day begins with a 3.8km swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Water temperature will determine whether it will be a wetsuit swim. Athletes then transition to a challenging 180km rolling, hilly cycle course, followed by a 42.2km marathon run along the picturesque Promenade foreshore.

Legends are made at these World Championship events. Mental toughness is just as important as physical preparation, with strategies required to manage self-doubt, maintain focus, cope with discomfort, and build resilience through visualisation and motivation.

Michael has previously competed on this course during the World Half Ironman a few years ago. That event was an eye-opener and a real challenge. This time, with double the distance, it promises to be a “big day in the office.”

Michael would like to thank the many people who have made this journey possible: his remarkable wife, his biggest fan and supporter; his coach Tim Berkel, a five-time local Ironman champion worldwide; and his sponsors and partners Corry Cycles (Mackay), Steigen Performance Socks, Hoka Ceilo X1 runners, Wyn Republic Australia Triathlon suits, Endura Sports Nutrition, and Cliff Bloks for keeping him going.

Bring it on!

Contributed with thanks to Michael Kimpton

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Michael Kimpton is ready to head to Nice for the 2025 Ironman World Championships. Photo supplied

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With the regular season wrapping up last weekend, Whitsunday United Football Club now turns its focus to finals, with an impressive nine out of ten teams finishing inside the top four.

The club celebrated several standout achievements, with the U23 Men crowned Premiers, while the U13 FQPL and Division 1 Men secured second place — a remarkable reflection of the depth and commitment across the club, particularly given that half of their fixtures require travelling to Mackay.

At home, the Division 2 Men faced Brothers in a tight first half that ended 1-1, but WUFC took charge after the break. A superb hat-trick from Josh Lowe led the side to a 4-1 win and a third-place ladder finish heading into the semi-finals. Division 1 also finished strongly, overcoming low travelling numbers from Brothers to record a 5-0 victory. The side showed patience against a defensive opponent, with Stefan Tarne netting twice to claim the league’s golden boot. Both men’s teams now prepare for finals clashes against Lions.

The U13 Division 1 boys closed their season with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Mackay Rangers at Whitsunday Sportspark. Logan P opened the scoring in the first half, but Rangers equalised after the break. Despite creating chances late, WUFC couldn’t find the winner and finished just outside finals in fifth place — but with plenty of growth and promise for the future.

U13 Prems secured a crucial 2-1 victory against Mackay Lions in another tense contest. Alex D struck first before Remy S doubled the lead. Lions pulled one back through an own goal, but WUFC held firm to claim second on the ladder and set up a semi-final berth.

The U14s played out a thriller against Lions, with Kobe scoring a hat-trick and Austin rewarded for his wing play in a 4-3 win that secured third place. In their second outing against top-of-the-table Magpies, WUFC battled bravely with strong midfield efforts from Shannon, Tyson and Harley, but went down 5-0 despite standout saves from goalkeeper Nick P.
The U16 boys were clinical against Dolphins Blue, storming to a 14-0 victory that secured second on the ladder. They now face Magpies in their semi-final.

The Whitsunday Women were frustrated by a 0-0 draw against Country, unable to break down a deep defensive block despite dominating play. They will regroup for a must-win semi-final against Rangers.

In a history-making performance, the Reserve Grade Men claimed the Premiership with a 4-1 win over Mackay Rangers. After an opener from Oisin Sherlock, goalkeeper Gary Browne saved a penalty before a goal-line clearance by Cialan Dollard kept momentum with WUFC. Goals to Aaron Kinsella, Max O’Keefe and Tony Gracieux sealed the victory and the league title — the first ever for a Whitsunday reserve-grade side.

The Premier League Men finished the round in style with a 5-1 win. Sherlock and Sam Thornton found the net, while 16-year-old Reef Peel stole the spotlight with his first senior hat-trick, underlining the team’s strong run into finals.

Contribtued with thanks to Allan Milostic

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Cricket season is just around the corner, with junior sign-ups taking place at the Proserpine Junior Cricket Grounds on Friday, August 29 from 4pm.

The popular Woolworths Junior Blaster program, aimed at boys and girls aged 5–7, will return this season, offering fun, skills-based activities and games. Also back is the ever-popular Master Blaster program for boys and girls aged 8–10.

The juniors have been working hard in preparation, with several players set to feature in representative competitions. Bowen and Proserpine combined teams will compete in the Queensland Country Cup in Home Hill on October 4. Meanwhile, Matthew Hope and Harry Gibbs will travel to Bundaberg in September after their selection in the Under 12 North Queensland Schoolboys team, while Zahra Cale will head to Aspley, Brisbane to represent the Under 12 North Queensland Schoolgirls.

Locally, the club has confirmed another five-game inter-town series against Bowen Cricket Club. Plans are also underway to field teams across all age groups in the Mackay competition, including Proserpine’s first all-girls Under 11 team.

Families keen to get involved can find more information and register via the website www.proserpinejuniorcricket.com.au, or by contacting Mike Hope at proserpinejca@yahoo.com.au.

Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Jnr Cricket

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QR code - Scan this QR code to register

Cricket season starts soon! Photo supplied

Before we begin, I’d like to clear up a small error in last week’s report. While Jamie Maher did win the league last week and was crowned the league winner, or minor premier, the Premier League Championship is still up for grabs—and that’s where we begin with this week’s report.

The first week of finals got underway at the Airlie Beach Bowls Club, with Dom Friend and Joe Wilson battling it out in the first semi-final, and Art McMinn and Kameron Reason locking horns in the other.

In two best-of-15-leg encounters, both matches began in the same fashion, with the first interval ending 3–2 in favour of Joe and Kameron respectively.

The second period of play saw both Kam and Joe extend their leads slightly—Kam taking a 6–4 lead over Art, and Joe moving ahead 7–3 against Dom. A highlight came in the seventh leg when Kam produced a superb 110 checkout.

In the final interval, Kam found his range and began landing some big scores, eventually sealing an 8–6 victory over Art. That win puts him into the first preliminary final, where he’ll meet league winner Jamie Maher in two weeks’ time.

Meanwhile, Dom and Joe lifted the intensity in their clash, with both players striking a 180. However, it was the timing of Joe’s maximum, along with a couple of crucial 140s, that proved decisive as he closed out the match 8–5 to book his place in the other preliminary final against Reef Peel.

Congratulations to both Dom Friend and Art McMinn on a fantastic season of darts. No doubt, both will return next season stronger than ever.

Thanks to our generous sponsors Mika Airlie, Whitsunday Tattooing, Master Butchers Whitsunday & MBW On the Barbie, Dyson Automotive and ShirtFront Solutions. A big thank you also to the Bowls Club for their ongoing hospitality.

For anyone interested in learning more about our club, find us on Facebook at Airlie Beach Darts Club.

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher

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Joe Wilson, Dom Friend, Art McMinn and Kameron Reason all in action on the weekend. Photos supplied

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Fantastic news for our readers, with the Ladies Division One Pennant side claiming victory in the Zone 8 Pennant Playoff against Marlin Coast (Far North Qld) in Townsville on Saturday. Both rinks played superbly, winning their games and the overall match. The team will now head to Tweed Heads on 1–2 November to contest the State Titles.

Congratulations to Robyn Stitt, Teresa Willshire, Margaret Wilson and Fely Duncan, along with Maureen Hyde, Linda Scells, Denise Wallace and Penny Warren. Fundraising will now be the focus to support their State campaign.

In other events, Penny and Denise went down narrowly in their Champion of Champion Pairs match against the Edge Hill team. David Ide and Denis finished the last Monday Triples of the year with a win, thanks to a final-end draw.

Tuesday’s winners were Grant Hands, Margaret Wilson and Fely Duncan on Rink 5, defeating Judy Christie, Pam Kelly, Ron Boska and Penny Warren. Runners-up were Boof, Ann, John and Denis, who overcame John, Margaret, Irene and John. The jackpot remained unclaimed.

Fun Friday afternoon saw Maureen, Leon and Mattie defeat Carol, Shirl and Gary, while France, Greg and Allan overcame Grant, Boof and Ken to claim the jackpot. Resting touches went to Allan, Grant, Hans, France and Gary.

Sunday’s social winners were Carol Bellingham, Sue Shearing and Ron Hyde, with Teresa Willshire, Deb Retchless and Joe Paynting finishing runners-up.

During the week, Margaret Wilson and Steve Roome won the Mixed Pairs final, while the Men’s Triples went to Gavin Charles, Alby Vigar and Ron Hyde. The Mixed Fours final is still to come.

Congratulations to all players.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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Players were as always treated to near-perfect Autumn conditions and only a cool breeze rolling in on Sunday. A strong field also turned out for Saturday’s 3-Ball Ambrose, which followed the club’s AGM.

Tuesday’s Stableford saw Aaron Prosser finish on top with 37 points, edging out Di Chard (36) on countback, with Wilf Herweg in third. At Collinsville, where the Vets joined the Whitsunday Group, Robyn Whitham impressed with a blistering 42 points, while Tessa Aitken (36), Elspeth Scotford (35) and Tiina Randmae (32) featured in the rundown.

Wednesday’s Ladies Day produced a close contest, with Rehab Hull winning on 38 points. Runner-up was Sara Hagy (37 cb), ahead of Karen Oni, Jenny Hounsell (both 37), and Di Dobbins (35).

In Thursday’s Medley Stableford, Di Chard scored strongly again, taking out A Grade with 40 points, while Michael Stewart of Dysart Golf Club claimed B Grade with 38.

Friday’s nine-hole run, sponsored by the Metropole Hotel, went to Kieran Anderson on 20 points, with Elise Hodgson (19) and Tom O’Brien (18) rounding out the placings.

Saturday’s 3-Ball Ambrose drew a field of 108 players. Winners were Chatz Norna, Harvey and Scott Mason with 54.833 nett, narrowly ahead of The Young Ones trio of Levi Holmes, Harley and Alfie (56.667). Other top finishers included Andrew Smart, Phil Luckett and Daniel O’Donnell (56.833), Tim Walton with Billy and David O’Connor (57.167), and the team of Sara and Adam Hagy with Mel Patullo (58).

Sunday’s Stableford wrapped up the week, with Izaac Vandenberg winning the men’s with 43 points and Mark McDougall runner-up on 39. In the ladies, Peta Thomas won with 38 points, ahead of Nicole Cooper on 33.

Full results are available on GolfLink.

Contributed with thanks to Tiina Randmae

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Proserpine Vets travelled to Collinsville last week and returned with some impressive results, particularly among the ladies, who claimed four of the top seven placings.

Leading the way was Robyn Whitham, who produced a brilliant 42 points to win the event. The victory follows on from her success at Home Hill last month, making her something of an “away” specialist. Runner-up was Karen Dwyer from Bowen on 37 points, while Proserpine’s own Tessa Aitken (36), Elspeth Scotford (35) and Tiina Randmae (32) also featured prominently in the rundown.

In the men’s competition, Home Hill’s Barry Duchnicz topped the field with 36 points, just edging out Bowen’s Les Gordon on countback. Proserpine players again held their own, with Gerald Lovell and John Strelec both carding 35 points to finish inside the top six, and Louis Neethling close behind on 33.

Pin shots were shared around on the day, with Leanne Alexander taking the ladies’ prize, while Colin Hounsell and John Strelec secured the men’s.

As always, the Collinsville volunteers added to the occasion with their marvellous hospitality and catering, which was a highlight for all who attended. The strong turnout and friendly atmosphere ensured another enjoyable outing for the Whitsunday veterans’ golfing community.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

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Robyn Whitham and Gerald Lovell. Photo supplied

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Who said, “There’s no place like home”? And while I never clicked my shiny red shoes, it’s certainly true—what a beautiful place we live in, and how lucky we are to call the best country in the world our own.

Many thanks to my dear friend Betty Whitehorn, who kept up the news so beautifully in my absence. My return has been filled with exciting updates and sensational memories for our little club here in paradise.

On Tuesday, 24 bowlers took to the greens, where we welcomed Janine and Jeff Orton from Victoria. The winning team with the highest margin was Glen O’Brien at lead, Els Van Soest at second, and our own little pocket rocket, Carol Crosbie, at skipper, who played some stunning, accurate bowls.

It was a similar story on Wednesday at social bowls, run by Mervyn Stewart, where Tony Kelly continued his scintillating form. Ably supported by lead David Meiklejohn and Alan Pershouse, Tony’s team scored a commanding 21-point win.

Saturday morning Scroungers saw six rinks in play. The final came down to Steve Heddles and Andy McDougall, with Andy continuing his dominance of the Saturday competition to take the win once again. Eric Barnard also bowled strongly to claim victory in the B Division.

On Sunday afternoon, 24 bowlers returned to the greens. Skipper Stacey Hadlow, fresh from a well-earned break from the rigours of cane cutting, teamed up with Bill Gordon and Els Van Soest to take out the day in grand style—well done, team!

Finally, a special mention must go to our ladies, who recently represented us as district champions. They travelled to Emerald for the zone finals to decide who would progress to the state championships. In a nail-biting contest, they were pipped at the post 19–17 by the Emerald ladies. We are, however, so proud of Joan McGrath’s team of lead Lyn Graham, Jill Spencer, and Ladda Purdie, who all turned in a wonderful performance.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

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Lyn Graham, Joan McGrath, Jill Spencer and Ladda Purdie. Photo supplied

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On Wednesday, two competition games were played. Senior Singles kicked off with an epic match between Sandy Daffara and Philip Brown. After 38 ends, Philip Brown narrowly claimed victory 25-24. The first game of the B Pairs was also played, with Alen Sanderson and Trevor Parsons defeating Bruce Uhe and Mike Harrison 19-11. There were no Social Bowls on Wednesday, as many of our regular players were involved in competition games. Barry and John took the opportunity to have a roll-up instead.

Saturday saw the Final of the B Singles, with Harry Craig edging out Todd Leys 25-24 in what has been described as a fabulous game. Harry will now progress to the Champion of Champions at St Helens, scheduled for the weekend of September 20 and 21.

Sunday morning brought strong winds, making both competition games a real test of concentration. In Senior Singles, Philip Brown defeated Ken Watts 25-6. In B Pairs, Harry Craig and David Ling overcame Troy Campbell and Todd Leys 31-11.

Looking ahead, the Senior Singles Champion of Champions is scheduled for September 27-28. Several matches remain to be played beforehand. Trevor Parsons faces Vince Olsen, with the winner to play Luchie Gardel, followed by a match against Mike Harrison. On the other side of the draw, Bruce Uhe will play Bryan Davy, with the winner to meet Philip Brown. It would be ideal for the Trevor vs. Vince and Bruce vs. Bryan matches to be completed this week to allow the competition to finish on schedule.

In Social Bowls on Sunday afternoon, Heather Brown and Mike Harrison defeated visitor Snorkell (from Airlie Beach) and Philip Brown 28-15. Afternoon tea proved to be a turning point in what had been a very even game. John Anderson and Sandy Daffara also claimed a strong win, defeating Alen Sanderson and Henny Tattam 29-9.

Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Bowls Club

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Final of B Singles Runner Up Todd Leys, Winner Harry Craig. Photo supplied

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Last weekend, the Mackay Rowing Club hosted the second annual Head of the Pioneer 10-kilometre regatta at Pleystowe, bringing together crews from across the region for a challenging day on the water.

Despite strong winds that tested every competitor, the event was a celebration of skill, determination, and community spirit. Crews from Townsville, Ruway, Ju, and Helro joined Mackay’s own rowers for the rolling-start race, which began at the river’s weir, included a turnaround, and finished across the river near the club.

Club President Cameron Slack reflected on the appeal of rowing for locals.

“Rowing is a sport you can keep doing forever. Older members in our clubs, 60, 70, are going away to world championships, and having the opportunity to medal is pretty cool.”

Slack said the regatta also offered a rare chance for rowers from different towns to come together, compete, and enjoy the camaraderie.

“It’s just a great sport to be involved in, and it’s nice to see so many on the water.”

For many participants, rowing is about more than just competition. World Champion gold medalist Therese Clancy, who has been rowing since 2016, said she was encouraged to try the sport by a friend.

“I got hooked. It’s gentle on your body, and I’ve competed in Germany and at state nationals,” she said, reflecting on her journey in rowing.

“It’s been an amazing experience so far.”

Whitsunday Anglican School student Xavier Wheaton, a rower since 2020, described both the social and fitness benefits of the sport.

“I love rowing with friends… it’s such a great sport, and you can do it for a long time,” he said.

The race produced standout performances, with Mackay’s eight-person crew and Townsville’s double, Wayne and Mark, posting the fastest times. Despite the strong winds, the crews navigated the 10-kilometre course with determination, highlighting the skill and endurance required for competitive rowing.

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Last weekend, Mackay Rowing Club hosted the second annual Head of the Pioneer 10K regatta at Pleystowe. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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Junior And Senior Softball Wrap-Up

Young Joey Ball and Rookieball players are buzzing with excitement as they prepare for their grand finals on Saturday, 6th September. It promises to be a fun-filled day, with trophy presentations to follow after the games at 11.30am.

Under 14

Dragons Get the Power proved too strong for Dragons Tyre Power, running away with an 11–1 victory.
Levi Counsell impressed with three at-bats, crossing home plate each time. Teammates Sienna Kitto and Chloe Mackenzie showed patience at the plate, picking up two walks each and also scoring twice.

For Tyre Power, Lachlan Mickle was the sole run scorer. Audrey Hartl, Eleanor Wallace, and Shanya Steven all reached base on walks but were unable to add to the tally. In the field, Shanya and Audrey both took important catches to help keep the scoreline down.

With the win, Get the Power secured their place in the grand final.

B Ladies

The Dragon Slayers finished the season in 6th place, while the Pink Hawks secured 5th after taking out their clash 17–9.

The Slayers rotated positions for fun in their final match. Casey Hayes impressed at shortstop, putting her body on the line, assisting with outs, and collecting two safe hits. Eli Oldham and Audra Pollard also hit safely, while Erin Boulding stood out with three hits, including a massive home run to left field.

For the Hawks, Krystal Ford delivered four safe hits and a catch, while Darcy Dorsett pitched superbly, allowing just one walk, assisting three outs, and taking a catch. Out in left field, Zoe Knight was kept busy by the Slayers’ bats.

Elsewhere, Dr Flies defeated Golden Oldies 14–10 to book a finals clash with Arch Angel.
For Dr Flies, Lynn Hamett, Tina Teale, and Sarah Jurg all crossed the plate three times each, while Hannah Wallace delivered three big hits to left field. Tina also took three catches in the field.

Golden Oldies fought hard, with Donna Reid, Alison Poyner, and Narida Bates all scoring twice. Pitcher Trish Bueithe did a great job on the mound, while Donna Reid and Linda Parry also took catches.

B Men

In the men’s division, Custom recorded an 11–5 victory over Hawks Heavy Iron.

Heavy Iron struggled to convert their big outfield hits, with substitutes Peyton Barrow and Kacee Shultz making key catches for Custom. Mitchell Robbins, Heath Taylor, and Justin Locher each picked up two base hits, while Taylor, Warren Bekker, and sub Jess Martin also took catches.

Custom’s Matt Ramsamy and Gary Cunningham both crossed the plate four times, with Cunningham adding a home run. Scott Single contributed three solid hits to right field, while Darren Frew and Cameron Corbett added catches to round out the win.

The Hawks Heavy Iron will now face Dragons Ausgroup in the final.

Game times  6th September

930am Rookieball  grand final
11am   joey ball    grand final
1130am      presentation
1230pm   u/14   Choas Angels   v Dunbar Angels    finals
230pm  Heavy Iron  v  Ausgroup      finals
230pm    Arch angels  v  Dr flies    finals
230pm   xtreem angel   v  BCN

Good luck to all teams playing this weekend.

Contributed by Cheryl Martin

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Local baseball teams gear up for grand finals this Saturday. Photos supplied

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The Annual Mackay Road Runners Shields Stampede 5km and 12km has been a mainstay on the local running calendar for more than 30 years. The historic event, generously hosted by club life members Wendy and Merv Shields from their Mount Pleasant residence, has long challenged competitors with its undulating, twisting course through Beaconsfield and Andergrove before the descent back to the Karl Langer Crescent finish line.

Wendy and Merv have played an integral role in the longevity of the Mackay Road Runners, not only through the Shields Stampede but also as sponsors of other events, including the prestigious Eungella King and Queen of the Mountain.

As always, the post-race afternoon tea was a highlight, with Wendy providing an array of delicious snacks alongside tea and coffee. Random draw prizes were also awarded in the lead-up to Father’s Day. Thanks went to Zamp for donating Strategic Media Partners merchandise, which was well received by winners, while other lucky competitors took home Father’s Day-themed gifts that may have saved them a trip to the shops.

On the course, excellent performances were delivered across both distances. In the 12km, spectators witnessed a thrilling sprint finish as father-and-son duo Justin and Toby Rule crossed the line together, with the photo finish giving Justin the victory by the narrowest of margins. Third overall and first female was Alana Knezevic, who set a blistering pace to claim gold for the women, finishing ahead of Ashley Miles and Clinton Mackie, all breaking the one-hour barrier.

In the 5km, Roscoe McDonnell was a clear winner, finishing five minutes ahead of second overall and first female Gail Mackie. Jo Hughes and Emma Johnson rounded out the top four.

The club also acknowledged the achievements of members competing outside the region, including at the Sydney Marathon and personal challenges such as the 4x4x48 Goggins Challenge. Standout Sydney performances included Paul Mackenzie (2:58:15), Corey Gould (3:33), Leon Sant (3:44) and Jeff Shaw (4:16).

Special recognition went to Andrew Short, who was instrumental in ensuring the Shields Stampede went ahead after last-minute Ergon repair works disrupted the usual course. Andrew swiftly re-mapped the route to create a safe 5km and 12km track, organised signage, and updated maps, before completing the 12km run himself and then collecting the signage afterwards. His ongoing dedication — including maintaining club equipment — was praised by members, who described him as a true club legend.

Next on the calendar, the Mackay Road Runners will assist the crew at the Botanic Gardens Parkrun on Lagoon Street, West Mackay, for the pre-Father’s Day Parkrun this Saturday at 7am. Volunteers are asked to arrive by 6.30am for briefing. The club will not host its own event next Sunday in recognition of Father’s Day.

Contributed by Janelle Tilse

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Mackay Road Runners long-serving members (left to right) – Jan Smith, Judy Zahn and Wendy Shields.
Alana Knezevic  (left) and Alan Zamparutti get ready to race the 12km Shields Stampede.
Approx forty runners and supporters took part in the very popular annual Shields Stampede 5k & 12k.
Justin Rule (left) hits the tape by a whisker ahead of Toby Rule.
Emma Johnson and Jo Hughes catch up after the Shields Stampede 5km.
Carmel Mahon (centre) thanks timekeepers Julie Whibley (left) and Rohan Miles for their weekly efforts. Photo credit: Janelle TIlse

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The Mackay Cutters faced challenging encounters over the weekend, with both the women's and men's teams experiencing defeats.

At BB Print Stadium in Mackay, the BMD Premiership women's team narrowly lost to the Western Clydesdales, 16–18. Despite tries from M. Powell (28'), J. Kimber (55'), and C. Tanner (61'), and two successful conversions by Emily Bella, the Cutters couldn't secure the win. The Clydesdales responded with tries from K. Jackson (14'), K. Taylor (24'), and M. Prentice (47'), along with three conversions from R. Beardmore and Z. Cook.

Meanwhile, the Hostplus Cup men's team traveled to Redcliffe for round 23, where they suffered a 16–34 loss to the Dolphins. The Cutters struggled in the first half, trailing 0–20 at the break. However, they regrouped and matched the Dolphins in the second half, showcasing resilience despite the final scoreline.

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