After a great winter holiday, many visitors are heading home. We wish them safe travels and hope to see them again next year.

Monday’s triples saw Maureen Hyde, Alby Vigar, and Ron Hyde claim victory over Graeme Read, Kennedy Whitton, and Mark Drummond. Runners-up were G. Wills, G. Cornell, and M. Eames, who defeated E. Dunn, John F., and G. Coleman. The jackpot didn’t go off.

On Tuesday, N. McKinnon, D. Retchless, M. Wilson, and J. Walsh defeated I. Hide, V. Boskma, P. Wilson, and N. Dawson. Runners-up James Maurie and John overcame Elaine, Pam, and Geoff. Again, the jackpot didn’t go off.

Fun Friday winners Mary Jackson and Maureen Hyde defeated Grant Hands and Shirley Smith. Runners-up were Carole Bellingham, Jan Harvey, Ron Boskma, and Joe Paynting, who beat Karen, Pam, Alan Gillies, and David Madden. Resting touchers went to Mary, Jim, Neil, Judy, and Jan.

In club competition, the men’s triples were won by Mark Drummond, Kennedy Whitton, and Kevin Daniels, who defeated Jason Wright, Mitch Wright, and Steve Roome.

Sunday’s triples featured eight teams, with Viv Boskma, Ron Boskma, and France Wilmann emerging winners over Karen Halkon, Shirley Smith, and Ron Symmons.

Runners-up Judy Christie, Jack Stamp, and Greg Kelly won the mango against Louise Sheldon Collins, John Hallas, and Norm Dawson.

Congratulations to Denise Wallace and Penny Warren, who partnered with Bernadette Hay and Denise Davis from Thuringowa to win the District Fours at the North Queensland Ladies District Championships in Townsville. Denise was named Player of the Tournament for the most wins across singles, pairs, and fours, earning the Roswell Trophy.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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NQ District Championship 4s winners - NQ President Lyn Riches Bernadette Hay Penny Warren Denise Davis and Denise Wallace.

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A brave group of six men and eleven ladies took on the threat of inclement weather at Tuesday’s Stableford, with conditions fortunately holding for a smooth round. Some members also competed in the Wintersun tournament in Mackay, showing the club’s competitive spirit.

Elspeth Scotford had a standout day, finishing as runner-up in the Tuesday competition while also claiming the nearest-the-pin award. The day also saw a remarkable achievement from Tiina Randmae, who scored a hole-in-one – every golfer’s dream.

In the ladies’ division, Robyn Whitham claimed victory with 32 points, followed by Anna Winterbourn on 29 and Jan Shuwalow on 28. David Woods led the men’s field with 33 points, with Nick Apruzzese runner-up on 31. John Roser also scored 31 but fell short on a countback, while Gerald Lovell finished with 30.

Notable pin shots included Tiina Randmae’s hole 13 ace, multiple efforts from Robyn Whitham, and solid performances from Ken Granger, Nick Apruzzese, John Roser, John Oates, and Peter Lindsay. Nick Apruzzese also chipped in on hole 18 for a birdie, capping a memorable day for the club.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

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David Woods & Robyn Whitham. Photo supplied

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This weekend the Under 200s, sponsored by the Metropole Hotel, Proserpine Bowls Club and Cane Country Tyres, was held in absolutely perfect weather conditions. Players from Marian, Souths Suburban, Northern Beaches, Airlie Beach, Giru, Ingham and Proserpine came to put in their best games of competitive bowls in the quest to win this event and have their names etched into the trophy.

Before I get on to the results, we'd like to thank all those people who made this event possible and such a success.

Our loyal sponsors: Metropole Hotel, Proserpine Bowls Club and Cane Country Tyres. The players who nominate and travel for this event every year. We were a little down on previous years in numbers, but we are sure that some who didn't take up their invitations this year will have others who will jump at the opportunity to maybe get an invitation in 2026.

We thank Andrew Bell and David Ling and all who assist them in the maintenance and preparation of the green. A lot of work has gone into the surface over the last couple of years to bring it up to the condition that it is in, in terms of running speed and trueness of line. This is being consistently worked on, and the results of all the knowledge, effort and improvement plans are beginning to show.

We thank Bruce Uhe for having all the catering plans in place for the weekend and those who offered to assist and then stepped up to put plans into place when Bruce was ill. Thank you Ken Watts, Henny Tattam, Lee King, Arthur Griffith, Alen Sanderson, Philip Brown. Also, thanks to Betty Petersen and Jo Inch who were visiting with players and, as always, assisted. We thank Trevor Parsons who cooked the BBQ on Saturday and Dale Haack who stocked the bar and cooked Sunday morning breakfast.

We thank Maryann Harrigan who once again gave up time to assist in the bar when needed and sold a mountain of raffle tickets for us. Also, Tammy our bar staff for the weekend, and all who jumped in to assist when needed and who did the late hours and closing up.

Thank you to all of our Board Committee who worked behind the scenes to plan and make this event the success that it was.

Winners of this year's Under 200s were the Airlie Beach team of John Matterson, Peter Barrett, John Fielding and Warren Mills with 5 Wins plus 47. Warren also won the Major Raffle, taking home a $750 Bowlers Paradise Gift Voucher. Runners-up were a Proserpine team of Kendall Watts, David Ling, Dale Haack and Shane Kinnear with 5 Wins plus 41. Third place was a Souths Suburban/Proserpine team of David Peet, Sam Lurton, Grahame Kinnear and Peter Blackburn. Fourth was a Proserpine/Bowen/Sydney team of Gus Munro, Nathan Dodds, Jonathan Bye and Scott Hamilton. Round winners were Manny Isgro, Chubby Leather, Peter Blackburn, Shane Spann and Barry Saroglia.

Social bowls from Wednesday: Alen Sanderson and Heather Brown defeated Arthur Griffith and Mike Harrison 28–27; Henny Tattam and Philip Brown defeated John Anderson and Sandy Daffara 24–21.

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Under 200s Winners John Matterson, Peter Barrett, John Fielding and Warren Mills from Airlie Beach with Proserpine President Scott Hamilton.

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It was another fantastic week of bowling at the Airlie Beach Bowls Club, with the all-weather dome ensuring plenty of action on the greens.

On Wednesday, sixteen players took part in social bowls. The standout pairing of Warren “Wazza” Wilson and Arthur McManus claimed a convincing 33–11 win over Barry Wainwright and Tony Kelly. Sunday saw twenty-eight bowlers take to the green, where Tony Kelly bounced back in style, teaming with Robin Brown and Ken McAllister to record a commanding 36–11 victory.

In ladies’ competition, club pairs champions Betty Nicolle and Ladda Purdie narrowly missed out on the Champion of Champions title at Seaforth, falling to South Suburban by a single shot in a tie-breaker. Meanwhile, the ladies’ triples champions—Carol Crosbie, Joan McGrath, and Betty Nicolle—claimed a thrilling win at Marian, edging out North Mackay by one shot. Trailing by four shots on the 20th end, the trio staged a remarkable comeback to pick up five shots on the final end and secure victory.

Airlie Beach was also well represented in the Proserpine Under-200’s Men’s event across the 16th and 17th of August. The winning side came from Airlie, with John “Matto” Matterson, John Fielding, Peter Barrett, and skip Warren “Millsie” Mills lifting the title.

The Saturday Scroungers final will be played on the 20th of August, with thanks extended to John Askew for his efforts in coordinating this much-loved weekly competition.

The club also expressed gratitude to the many members and friends who have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare the surrounds of the green ahead of the October Men’s Carnival.

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Di Jackson’s journey is a testament to the power of sport in rebuilding identity, fostering community, and providing hope beyond her diagnosis of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. Through her determination, she continues to inspire others to embrace new challenges and find strength through sport.

Di’s drive to stay active led her to the 2024 DoD Warrior Games in Florida, an adaptive sports competition for current and former military personnel. The experience not only reignited her competitive spirit but also reconnected her with the camaraderie of service.

Competing alongside other veterans was life-changing. “They challenge you and inspire you to try things you never thought achievable,” said Di.

Lawn bowls keeps Di engaged with her community, archery and hand cycling help her focus on upper-body precision and control, while powerlifting has pushed her to new personal bests. In December 2024, she competed in powerlifting at the Pan Pacific Masters Games, taking out gold in her category. She has just returned from the 2025 Para-Powerlifting National Championships on the Gold Coast, where she claimed bronze in her category.

Archery has now become a key focus for Di, after being identified in the Future Green and Gold Talent Search, run by the Australian Institute of Sport and the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), as a potential Paralympic pathway athlete.

“I never thought archery would be something I’d be able to competitively take up, but the Warrior Games gave me the opportunity to try. Now, it’s an exciting new challenge for me, and I want to see how far I can go,” she said

Di has just returned from a Para Archery Classification and Development weekend held in Brisbane, where she received briefings from QAS staff and coaching from the National Coach and National Assistant Coach. The weekend was about more than the National Pathway Program – it was about celebrating the passion, resilience, and dedication of para-archers and building a strong, supportive environment for success.

Sport has also provided Di with structure and clear goals. Whether it’s training for her next powerlifting meet or refining her archery technique, she believes that having something to strive for keeps her motivated and engaged.

“Sport gives you focus. It pushes you to train and set new goals.”

Di is greatly supported by Driven Athletica, PhysioPlus, and LK Strength Coaching. “You never do these things on your own – there’s always people alongside you, supporting you.”

Contributed with thanks to Di Jackson

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The Bowen Polocrosse Club hit the highway in full force recently, travelling to Gordonvale for the Pyramid Polocrosse Carnival in what felt like a regional convoy of floats, utes, horses, and determination. With gear packed, horses loaded, and a solid playlist (or two) on rotation, players from Bowen, Sarina, Proserpine, and Townsville made the journey north to represent the Bowen Polocrosse Club with pride.

Bowen 1, made up of Bryce Watson, Adam Burns, and Teneale Griggs, had a strong start to their weekend, winning their A/B Grade decider against Chinchilla to secure a spot in A Grade. Although they didn’t manage another win in the tough A Grade pool, they played hard, had a blast, and gained valuable experience competing at the top level.

Meanwhile, in B Grade, Jesse Foster joined the Rest of the World (ROW) team alongside Gail Bradshaw (Pyramid) and Theresa Grant (Burdekin). With their team graded just one point above C Grade, they faced a challenging run starting with an A/B Grade decider and didn’t notch a win all weekend. Still, there were plenty of positives, with Jesse and her young creamy horse stepping up defensively and stopping more than a few goals, showing grit and determination throughout the carnival.

In C Grade, Bowen 2 – featuring Wade Bidgood, Rhadaya Bidgood, and Shannon Burns – finished as B Grade runners-up, with individual awards recognising their outstanding play.
Wade Bidgood took out both Best No.1 and Best Working Horse, while Rhadaya Bidgood was named Best No.2, capping off a strong weekend for the Bidgood siblings.

In the Subbies division, Bowen’s younger riders also shone:
Ollie Foster, playing alongside Harry Carr and Laura Seccull from Townsville, was part of the winning Subbies team.
Lachlan Foster, with Felicity Alley and Tessa Claxton, finished as runners-up, showing great teamwork and skill.

Adam Burns was recognised for his contribution beyond the saddle, receiving Best Umpire of the carnival – a nod to his leadership, fairness, and experience on the field.

It was a weekend of great competition, community spirit, and plenty of kilometres. The Bowen Polocrosse Club continues to show what regional commitment looks like—bringing passion, sportsmanship, and pride to every carnival they attend.

Contributed with thanks to Ellisa Hunter

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Photos supplied

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The Proserpine Showground was alive with activity as caravans from across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland gathered for this year’s Wintersun Annual Carnival. A full field of 137 players competed — including 47 ladies and 90 men — with Proserpine veterans well represented by 15 ladies and 18 men. Thanks go to everyone who contributed their time and donations, helping make the event a huge success.

Congratulations to the 36-hole champions: Ladies champion Sharon Ischenko from Yeppoon scored an impressive 77 points, while Proserpine’s own John Strelec won the men’s title with 71 points.

Other overall winners:

Ladies Div A: Winner Julie Berick (Kew) 67, Runner-up Robyn Drowley (Goombungee) 67
Div B: Winner Edna Atkinson (Gordonvale) 67, Runner-up Proserpine’s Sherri Meade 65
70+ Category: Winner Edna Atkinson 67, Runner-up Gloria Davis (Nowra) 63
Men Div A: Winner Boyd Vickers (Mackay) 66, Runner-up Dennis Davis (Nowra) 63
Div B: Winner Proserpine’s John Roser 69, Runner-up Allen Roberts (Proserpine) 67
Div C: Winner Alan Dwyer (Tallebudgera) 66, Runner-up John Coey (Howlong Country) 61
75+ Category: Winner Alan Dwyer 66, Runner-up Eric Hudson (Leeton) 63

Proserpine Notables:
Monday Ladies Div A winner Elspeth Scotford (36) and runner-up Leanne Alexander (33), who also took NTP honours. Div B winner Jan Shuwalow (32) and runner-up Jacqui Wall (32), with Anna Winterbourn claiming NTP.
Men’s Div B runner-up Laurie Dakin (35) and Div C NTP John Strelec.
Tuesday Div C winner Barry Shuwalow (36) and Div B runner-up Colin Hounsell (39).

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

The Queensland Game Fishing Association recently held its Annual General Meeting and Awards Night, hosted this year by the Townsville Game Fish Club.

The Whitsunday Game Fish Club achieved outstanding results, winning both the All-Ports Champion Club for Zone 2 (Mackay, Whitsunday and Townsville) and the coveted All-Ports Champion Club for Queensland. The All-Ports competition is held over two nominated weekends each year, with clubs from across the state competing. For one of the smaller clubs to take out both titles is a remarkable effort.

There was also recognition for individual achievements. Junior member Kane Bird received a Junior Encouragement Award for his dedication and improvement over the year. Jasmin Smith was acknowledged for her tag and release of various species.

The club’s junior program is thriving, with a growing number of talented young anglers enjoying friendly competition. The club encourages more local kids to get involved and experience the fun of fishing.

Next on the calendar is an informative workshop on Wednesday, September 3, at 6pm at the clubhouse in Altmann Avenue, Cannonvale. Topics will include rigging baits and lures for sailfish, marlin, tuna and mackerel, tackle and boat set-up, and techniques for targeting these species.

The session comes ahead of two major events — the Billfish & Tuna Rally on September 13–14, and the Airlie Beach Tackle World/Daiwa Light Tackle Tournament from October 16–19.

The Whitsunday GFC looks forward to seeing anglers of all experience levels join in the action.

Contributed with thanks to Ashley Moore

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Seven Cannonvale Cannons took to the pool at the 2025 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Short Course Championships, held at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre in Chandler.

Representing the club were Harris and Tora Delac, Thomas Ganter, Ruby Harland, Celeste Orenshaw, and brothers Alex and Zach Trefz. Sadly, Tyler Bennett, who had qualified for three events, was forced to withdraw due to illness.

The four-day competition was split into seven sessions and saw the Cannons deliver outstanding performances.

Harris Delac contested five events, securing four personal bests (PBs), including a huge 2.58-second improvement in his 200-metre freestyle to place 17th in the state. His strength in middle-distance freestyle also earned him 14th place in the 400-metre freestyle.

Big sister Tora also qualified for five events, posting a PB in every race. Her standout swim was the 50-metre breaststroke, where a 1.29-second PB earned her 8th place in Queensland.

Thomas Ganter competed in three events, achieving PBs across the board, highlighted by a 4.30-second drop in his 200-metre individual medley (IM) to place 21st.

Ruby Harland raced three events, celebrating two notable PBs, including breaking the 30-second barrier in the 50-metre freestyle — a milestone achievement.

Celeste Orenshaw swam two events, recording PBs in both.

Alex Trefz contested three events, all PBs, with his highlight a 4.20-second drop in the 50-metre backstroke, taking him well under 40 seconds.

Zach Trefz delivered a stellar meet, achieving PBs in all six of his events and earning three top-ten finishes — 8th in the 100-metre backstroke and 50-metre butterfly, and 10th in the 100-metre IM.

The Cannons congratulate all swimmers on their composure, hard work, and outstanding representation of the club. Support the team by joining us for our meat tray raffles at the Reef Gateway this Friday, 22 August. Every bit of support helps our community club.

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Team Cannonvale Cannons. Photo supplied

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It was a milestone day on Sunday for the local darts club, as members gathered for their first-ever Grand Prix event — and what a day it turned out to be.

Traditionally a singles competition club, the event offered a refreshing twist with players teaming up in pairs and competing in a “doubles in, doubles out” format. The competition was seeded to create four evenly balanced teams, with the table after the three round-robin fixtures finishing as follows:

R. Peel / A. Peel – 6 points
A. McMinn / D. Friend – 4 points
S. Bacon / J. Wilson – 2 points
N. Mitchell / J. Maher – 0 points

There was also cause for celebration when Steve Bacon hit his first 180 at the club — a milestone many hope will be the first of many.

In the semi-finals, Reef and Andy Peel claimed a narrow 4–3 win over Naomi Mitchell and Jamie Maher, while Art McMinn and Dom Friend defeated Bacon and Joe Wilson 4–2.

In the final, the father-and-son Peel combination turned up the heat, producing a clinical display to defeat McMinn and Friend 4–0 and etch their names as the first winners on the new Grand Prix trophy. The win was also Reef’s first-ever trophy at the club.

The club thanked sponsors Mika Airlie, Whitsunday Tattooing, Master Butchers Whitsunday & MBW On the Barbie, ShirtFront Solutions, Dyson Automotive, and the Airlie Beach Bowls Club for their support.

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher

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Reef Peel and Andy Peel with the Grand Prix trophy on Sunday at the Darts Club. Photo supplied

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It was a fabulous week of bowling at Airlie Beach, with events ranging from social games to championship clashes.

Wednesday evening Business House Bowls continues to grow in popularity, drawing an increasing number of local businesses along with their friends, families, and workmates for friendly competition.

Earlier in the week, the club hosted the District Champion of Champion Ladies A and B Grade Singles from Monday to Wednesday. The B Grade title went to Sarina club member Marlene, while Northern Beaches champion Gill Pudney claimed the A Grade honours.

In Wednesday social bowls, one game of pairs and two games of triples were played, with the winning team being Gavin Brangrove, Phil O’Brien, and Tony Whitehorn.

Sunday’s social bowls featured one game of pairs, three games of triples, and two championship matches. The social pairs winners were Paul Tobias and Regina Aquilina. The Ladies’ Final Pairs Championship was won by Betty Nicolle and Ladda Purdie, who will compete at Seaforth on August 11–12 for the Champion of Champions title. The Mixed Fours winners were Vicky Spann, Joan McGrath, Harry Quod, and Shane Spann.

In the Ladies’ Triples Club Championship final, the winning team of Carol Crosbie, Joan McGrath, and Betty Nicolle secured their place at the District Champion of Champions in Marian on August 13–14.

Airlie Beach also had strong results at the Multi Disability Games in Mackay, with Russ Jackson and Noel Crosbie winning gold in the pairs. Russ also won gold in the singles, with silver going to Noel.

Contributed with thanks to Betty Whitehorn

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Winners pairs ladies champions. Photo supplied

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It was another action-packed week on the green for Wangaratta Bowls Club, with strong turnouts across all competitions.

Monday’s triples winners were Eileen Dunn, John F., and Geof Col, who defeated Grant Ingh, Bob Lindsay, and Leon Fox. Runners-up were Dave Richard, Bob Agg, and Denis Madeley, who overcame Buff Graham and Kennedy. The jackpot remained unclaimed.

On Tuesday, the club hosted a full green for President Margaret’s Day, proudly sponsored by Tropical Beach Caravan Park. The morning’s bowls were followed by lunch and a cent sale. Special guests included North Queensland President Lyn and three visiting ladies from Townsville, along with players from Airlie Beach, Ayr, Brandon, and Thuringowa. Afternoon winners were Allan Gillies, Lyn Sara, and Robyn Stitt, defeating Gail Simms, Beryl Cornford, and Heather Jorgensen. Second place went to Carol Bellingham, Sandra Stitson, Helen, and Pam Power, while third place was claimed by June Paynting, Louise S./Collins, and Fely Duncan. The jackpot again didn’t go off.

Fun Friday winners were Owen, Heather, and Allan, who beat Mary, Judy, and Julie. Runners-up were Carole, Ed, and Grant, defeating Barbara, Tom, and Graham. The evening was capped off with a sausage sizzle and barefoot bowls.

Sunday’s full-green afternoon, sponsored by Life Members Pat and Neil Tracey, featured another great turnout. Pat’s famous soup was enjoyed after play. Winners were Sue Symmons, Shirley Jones, Daryl McStravick, and John Hallas, defeating D. Hallas, J. McStravick, B. Thompson, and Jim Quod. Runners-up were Carole Bellingham, Jan Harvey, Ron Bosma, and Joe Paynting, who beat Karen, Pam, Alan Gillies, and Dave Madden.

The jackpot remained elusive.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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Pat Tracey, Shirley Jones, Sue Symmons, John Hallas, Daryl Mc Stravik, and Neil Tracey. Photo supplied

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August has been a busy month at Proserpine Golf Club, with multiple Opens, Ladies’ Pennants, and the start of the Wintersun Vets competition complementing regular play.

The three Opens held from August 1–3 featured strong fields and some great performances. Men’s A Grade winners were Levi Holmes (Gross) and Ben Harrison (Nett), B Grade winners Brent Franke (Gross) and Chris Brett (Nett), and C Grade winners Kale Malone (Gross) and Chris Pirlo (Nett).

Ladies’ Open winners included Sara Hagy (A Grade Gross), Trish McNeill (A Grade Nett), Pauline Redpath (B Grade Gross), Jacqui Wall (B Grade Nett), and Robyn Whitham (C Grade Stableford). Mixed pairs saw Rhiannon and Brendan Nott win Gross, with Wendy Grendon and Theo Poelstra taking Nett honours.

Boyd Vickers and Tiina Randmae both achieved holes-in-one on the 13th, adding extra excitement.

The Vets Wintersun event saw 137 players compete over two days, kicking off a regional series including Sarina, Pioneer Valley, and Mackay.

Highlights from regular competitions:

Wednesday Ladies MM/Putts: Nicole Cooper (67 nett) edged Karen Johnson on countback; NTPs went to Elspeth Scotford and Anna Winterbourn.
Wednesday Men’s winner: Scott Hayes-Williams (62 nett).
Thursday Men’s MM: A Grade winner Michael Ward (68 nett), B Grade winner Harry Russell (64 nett); NTPs included John Grosskreutz and Geoff Harrison.
Friday 9-hole: Nigel Dray (21 nett) won on countback; Fay Milne won $100 in Putt for Cash.
Saturday MM: Lewy Tuck dominated with 66 nett overall and A Grade win; Lyn Muller won Ladies with 66 nett.
Sunday Monthly Medal: Tommy Gallagher (70 nett) and Sherri Meade (71 nett) topped their fields.

Contributed with thanks to Tiina Randmae

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Mackay’s rising cycling stars have made their mark on the state stage, bringing home an impressive haul of titles and podium finishes at the AusCycling Queensland 2025 Gravel State Championships in Rockhampton on Saturday, 9 August, and the Cyclocross State Championships the following day.

Heavy rain in the lead-up to the gravel event made for a muddy, unpredictable course, but Mackay’s juniors thrived in the challenging conditions.

In the Gravel State Championships, Max Teague was crowned Queensland State Champion in the U15 Boys, while Oaklan Marwood took the U13 Boys title. Scott Bennett claimed second place in the same category. Mackay’s seniors also shone, with Kyle Marwood taking first place in the Masters 2 Men, securing another state title. Strong rides came from Lee Taylor (5th, Masters 4 Men), Geoff Bennett (6th), Noel Garciano (7th), and Zac Schwarzrock, who impressed early in the Elite Men’s race before an unfortunate DNF.

On Sunday, the Cyclocross State Championships saw Mackay’s juniors continue their dominance. Max Teague secured his second state title of the weekend in the U15 Boys with a commanding win, finishing two-and-a-half minutes clear. Scott Bennett took second after an exciting sprint finish against the series leader. In the Elite Men’s race, Zac Schwarzrock placed third, completing seven gruelling laps against Queensland’s best.

“Seeing our juniors step up and win state titles in such tough conditions is huge for the future of Mackay cycling,” said Mackay Cycling Track Coordinator Kyle Marwood.

“These results show the depth of talent we have coming through, and the weekend’s success is a credit to every rider who lined up.”

With three junior state titles, elite podiums, and strong results across the board, Mackay’s riders proved they can handle everything from sticky gravel climbs to slick cyclocross corners.

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The 2025 Mackay Wanderers Junior Football Carnival was a standout weekend for grassroots sport, featuring a record-breaking 130 teams from across Central Queensland. The carnival’s scale and success brought thousands of visitors to the region, creating an electric atmosphere on and off the field.

Mayor Greg Williamson congratulated the organisers, volunteers, and families who made the event possible.

He said, “It was the biggest event to date, bringing thousands of visitors to our region and creating an incredible atmosphere on and off the field.”

He also highlighted the economic benefits, adding, “Events like this not only showcase our local talent but also deliver a fantastic economic boost to the region.

"Well done to everyone involved – Mackay should be proud.”

Greg Kliese, president and lifelong member of Mackay Wanderers Football Club, described the carnival as one of the happiest and friendliest clubs he's been involved in.

With over 45 years of coaching experience, he emphasised the wider benefits for young players.

“They get to learn discipline, work for one another, and gain valuable skills - especially creativity.

"it's overall just a great atmosphere."

Carnival coordinator Melinda Studt praised the strong community spirit throughout the weekend.

“The kids were just so busy with their teams having fun… if the kids weren’t busy playing their game, they were either at the canteen or in the drill zone space learning tricks from senior players.”

“We had a great turn out with the girls this year too, so next year we absolutely want to boost that aspect and build a stronger competition for the girls.”

Both Melinda and Greg expressed gratitude to Football Queensland for their support, with Greg saying, “Football Queensland really got amongst it and helped with the draw and scoring.”

On behalf of the club, Melinda, Greg, and Football Queensland thanked players, coaches, referees, families, volunteers, and sponsors for their invaluable support, with the team now looking forward to an even bigger carnival in 2026.

2025 Carnival Winners:

• U15/16: Magpies Mackay Football Club Black
• U14: Striker Biloela
• U13: Emerald Eagles Football Club
• U12: Airlie Beach Black
• U11: Mackay Lions Black
• U10: Magpies Mackay Football Club Silver

Special recognition was also awarded to Country United Football Club Inc as the Fair Play Club of the Carnival.

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The 2025 Mackay Wanderers Junior Football Carnival set a record with 130 teams, celebrating community spirit, youth development, and growing girls’ participation. Photo credit: Amanda Blines

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