Over the weekend, 21 swimmers from Cannonvale Cannons Swim Club made their mark at the Gardens Open Long Course Preparation Meet in Townsville, joining over 330 swimmers from Cairns to Mackay. This bustling event was filled with standout performances and personal bests.

One of the meet's highlights was the 8-10 years boys 200m Freestyle Relay, where Zane Clayworth, Alex Trefz, Harris Delac, and Eric Mulliss clinched the bronze medal.

Individual successes abounded, with Elouise Chegwidden medalling in all her events, joined by Jacob Bell, who also impressed with a full set of top placings across his individual races. Additional congratulations go to Zachary and Alex Trefz, Jax Clayworth, Charlie Doherty, and Tyler Bennett, who medalled in the majority of their events.
In terms of personal bests (PBs), Leo and Eric Mulliss, Matilda Nicholes, Isabella Pisaniello, Ruby Lawson, Charlie Doherty, Addie Saunders, Ella Bounden, Jax Clayworth, Tyler Bennett, and the Trefz brothers demonstrated incredible progress by achieving PBs in most of their races. Among the meet’s notable achievements, Tora Delac qualified for the 2025 Nationals with her outstanding swim in the 50m Freestyle —a tremendous milestone in her swimming career.

Several Cannons also secured Long Course times for the upcoming state titles, including Zach Trefz, Tyler Bennett, Nelson Malady, Isabella Pisaniello, Ella Bounden, and Jacob Bell. Well done to these swimmers, we can’t wait to see what you achieve in December at the Queensland Long Course Championships.

Wrapping up an outstanding weekend, Jax Clayworth and Eloise Chegwidden received certificates for breaking North Queensland records. Jax is now the North Queensland record holder in the 100m Butterfly and Elouise holds the title for the 25m Breaststroke.

Congratulations to all Cannons swimmers for an inspiring weekend of achievements!

Contributed with thanks to Jade Korosec

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Team Cannons ready to compete amongst 330 swimmers

Elouise Chegwidden broke the 25m Breastroke NQ record, and then beat her own record again

Jax Clayworth hold the title of fastest 9yr old boy to swim 100m Fly in North Queensland

The 8 - 10 year boys 200m Freestyle Relay team who secured third place
Photos supplied

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Kona, Hawaii is the birthplace of the iconic Race that started in 1978.

The Ironman World Championship has become a highly prestigious and gruelling endurance competition that triathletes around the World aspire to compete in. Athletes describe the race as brutal and challenging, but they are all up for the challenge. It is the World Cup of Ironman events and the best of the best participate in a number of age group categories.

The event starts with a 3.8km swim which begins at the Kailua Kona Pier in Town. This year before the start of the race there was a red alert for jellyfish, many of us got stung which was quite painful. There were medics spraying vinegar in transition after the swim. The race then continues with a gruelling 180km bike ride with competitors heading north through extremely hot lava fields with high wind gusts and scorching hot temperatures. Once back in Kona, the marathon run portion of the race begins. The 42.2km marathon course takes you back out of town and return also suffering in the hot and humid condition.

The final moments going through the finish arch are filled with intense emotions, passion and is spectacle unlike anything else. The awaiting crowd are there to cheer every competitor home!

My long day 14 hours and 31 minutes at the office was very rewarding as I eclipsed my time from 2022 by 8 minutes. I was the second Australian home and 13th overall in the World in my age category 70 to 74. Gruelling but so fulfilling to see that finish line!

The event was made super special with Val volunteering all day and officially awarding me my stunning finishers medal.

I dedicated the race to the Ronald McDonald House Charity. I must thank everyone who donated for their generosity. Google Michael Kimpton Fundraiser, RMHC if you would like to make a donation to this needy cause. To date I have raised over $8,000 which is quite remarkable.

Contributed with thanks to Michael Kimpton

Photos supplied

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October has been an exciting month for North Mackay Sinkers, packed with training sessions and upcoming events as members prepare for the annual Balnagowan Swim on Sunday, November 3rd.

The Balnagowan Open Water Swim offers 1.25k, 2.5k, and 5k swim options, welcoming everyone from beginner swimmers to experienced distance competitors. Registrations are open online until noon on Saturday, November 2nd, with same-day registration available (although pre-registration helps with event planning). The loop course is ideal for spectators and water safety, as the club trials its Race Results electronic timing system for the second time. Novice swimmers joining the 1.25k event can also wear swim aids if desired.

In partnership with Mackay Water Polo Club, North Mackay Sinkers also hosted a “come and try” session on Wednesday evening. After a warm-up of 400m, participants joined in skill-building drills, followed by a fun, engaging game. The Water Polo players brought both patience and expertise, making it a memorable experience that participants hope to repeat in the future.

Saturday morning sessions remain a welcoming entry point to the club, with multiple lanes accommodating swimmers of various abilities. On October 26th, the session coincided with the State Election and drew over 20 swimmers to the popular “Jim Session.” Participants swam between 1,800m and 3k, with time for friendly chats in the shallow end. Open to all fitness levels, these social sessions are followed by a post-swim coffee and treats enjoyed by members.

October 26th also marked “World Swim Day,” a global event that highlights the many health benefits of swimming. To celebrate, the club held a spirited relay race with a pull buoy as the “baton.”

Masters Swimming Queensland welcomes swimmers of all levels, from recreational to competitive, across pool and open water settings. Programs are designed to be supportive, fun, and inclusive.

For club and membership inquiries, email prs.nthmkysinkers@gmail.com or call 0413 805 156. For further information visit www.facebook.com/NthMackaySinkers

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North Mackay Sinkers embrace a friendly, inclusive spirit, welcoming swimmers of all levels for fun, fitness, and camaraderie as they train together for the upcoming Balnagowan Open Water Swim. Photos supplied

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Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures October 22, 2024:

Division 1:

Corgi (Will VanDeKaa, Robbie Richards, Lily Boland) d Aqua (Duncan Treloar, Geoff Denman, Ian McKay) 9-2. Will d Duncan 7, -12, -13, 11, 7.

Andro (Emma Widdup, Allan Edwards, Graham Drury) d Azalea (Mark Sleeman, Barry Patterson, Allan Robins) 7-4. Allan d Mark -9, 7, 9, -7, 8.

Alfa (Goncalo Serra, Tony Bowman, Vince Boeske) d Barry (Trent Day, Anne Sheridan, Lee Brake) 8-3. Vince d Anne 5, -9, 6, -6, 9.

Division 2:

Cats (George Camilleri, YiLin Jiang, Tiffany Camilleri) d Cheetahs (Josie Davis, Simon Hogan, Rymer Tabulo) 7-4. Tiffany d Josie 5, -8, 10, 9.

Bulldog (Delma Knight, Peter Goodson, David Symons) d Cockatoos (Craig VanDeKaa, Jye Callander, Matt West) 7-4. Matt d Bulldog 6, -6, -5, 6, 5.

Ants (Andrea Nicholson, Mark Stam, Noreen Fredericksen) d Tigers (Ollie Hamelink, Doug Dungavell, Steve Mathieson) 8-3. Noreen d Doug -5, 5, -10, 5, 7.

Caption: Noreen Fredericksen beat Doug Dungavell in a close tussle, with Noreen winning 11-7 in the 5th. Photos supplied

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixtures October 22, 2024:

Division 1:

Pixel Paddles (George Camilleri, Pam Joyce, Judy Zahn, Kevin Abbott) d Byte Bouncers (Branko Vucurovic, Donna Abbott, John McGee, Marie Taylor) 9-5. Pam d Branko 5, -10, -9, 8, 10.

Nano Nets (Tony Bowman, Charlie Payne, Peter Goodson, Veronica Shepherd) d Code Crackers (Doug Dungavell, Delma Knight, Noreen Fredericksen, Coral Morgan) 10-4. Doug d Tony -10, 7, -5, 9.

Division 2:

Berlin Blockers (Gloria Vella, Iris Grasso, Madge Saunders, Josie Davis) d Rome Ralliers (Cheryl Pearson, Thelma Caruana, Bill Hey, Cheryl Aprato) 11-3. Bill/Cheryl d Madge/Josie 3, 8, -9, -6, 9.

Tokyo Turners (John Hamelink, Fred Saliba, Frank Caruana) d Sydney Slamm (Helen Ware, Sharon Muller, Darryl Ross) 7-4. John d Helen 6, -5, -7, 9, 9.

London Loopers (Ken Best, Kim Daffy) d Paris Spinners (Bryan Marshall, Trish Zamparutti) 5-4. Ken/Kim d Bryan/Ian -10, 6, -4, 5, 10.

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Noreen Fredericksen beat Doug Dungavell in a close tussle, with Noreen winning 11-7 in the 5th. Photos supplied

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Emerging Proserpine Pitbulls prospect Ben Valmadre has continued his purple form patch in the Mackay Junior Cricket Association.

The talented sixteen-year-old batsman chalked up back to back half centuries when he peeled off an unbeaten 67 last Saturday in the Pitbulls’ one day victory over Mackay Magpies Black in an Under 17s junior fixture at the Magpies Sports Ground.

It followed his classy knock of 53 in Proserpine Cricket Club’s first round win over Magpies White.

Valmadre is the Junior Pitbulls club and Under 17s team captain and regarded as one of the region’s most promising cricketers.

He faced sixty balls and clouted eight boundaries and shared a third wicket partnership of 55 with number four Ky Porter (22) as Proserpine posted a tally of 6-158 off their allotted 25 overs.

For the Blacks, Rohan Cherian (3-26 off five), Zac Pace (2-35) and Brodie Garnham (1-23) shone with the ball.
In reply the Magpies could only muster 7-118 with the stylish Ishan Rana top scoring with 52 off fifty one deliveries that included five boundaries.

Porter (1-9), Kai McLoughlin (1-12), Ben Altmann (1-15), Jacob Williams (1-16) and Jordan Lawn (1-19) were the wicket-takers for Proserpine.

The win lifts the undefeated Pitbulls to the top of the Under 17s ladder on 24 points – six points clear of second placed Magpies White who defeated Brothers/Pioneer Valley at George Gorrie Oval.

Noah Haebich top scored for the Magpies with 34 off twenty nine balls, an innings that featured four boundaries in a tally of 5-138.

He was supported by Rory Franklin (29 not out), opener Benjamin Meng (23) and Tom Rourke (20) with Connor Muller the pick of the Brothers bowlers grabbing 2-16 off five overs.

Rourke captured the prize wicket of teen sensation Jack Law, bowling the Queensland Schoolboys all rounder for two runs on the fifth ball he faced.

Zac Miles (26) and Cael Landt (21) led the way for Brothers/Pioneer Valley, who were restricted to 8-88 with Rourke (2-14 off four), Lachlan Anderson (2-5), George Fortescue (1-12) and Myles Cochrane (1-5 off four) spearheading the Magpies attack.

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Rising Proserpine Pitbulls batsman and skipper Ben Valmadre (centre) has opened the 2024-25 Mackay Junior Cricket season with back-to-back half centuries in the Under 17s competition. Ben is pictured with teammate Jacob Williams (left), who is the club’s second ever recipient of a baggy blue Pitbulls cap for ten years sterling service and inaugural recipient Darcy Milne

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Mackay Magpies first grade cricket team have shown  they will be a force to be reckoned with in the 2024-25 Mackay Cricket Association Poole Cup series.

The undefeated Magpies claimed bragging rights with a seven wicket victory over rivals Walkerston in their top of the table tussle last Saturday at the Magpies Sportsground.
Gun batsman Rhys McBride and swing merchant Andrew Borg proved the stand outs as the Magpies chalked up a fourth successive one day triumph to open up a nine point lead at the top of the competition table.

Borg bagged the figures of 4-24 in an electric eight over spell and all rounder Wes Dyer (2-20 off eight) to skittle the Roosters for 112 in the 40th over.

Luke Jackson (30 not out) and young gun Etienne Pretorius (26) held the Walkerston innings together against a potent Magpies bowling attack that also featured representative spinner Isaac Borg (1-19 off eight overs), Myles Cochrane (1-7 off three) and George Fortescue (1-17 off seven).

The Magpies (3-113) reached the winning target in the twenty second over with opening bat McBride (45 not out off fifty three balls) and Dyer (25 not out off forty deliveries) sharing an unbroken stand of 48 for the fourth wicket.

Batting at number four, Jaxn Sign contributed a handy knock of 23 off twenty two balls with two sixes and a boundary.

Walkerston paceman Adrian Young snared 2-25 in a lively four over spell as the Roosters slumped to their first loss of the season.

Third ranked Pioneer Valley registered a sixty run victory over Brothers at George Gorrie Oval.

Dion Krisanski-Kennedy top scored with a power-laden 80 off seventy six balls – hammering twelve boundaries and a six to help the Valley post a total of 168.

He was supported by Mason Kohler (26 not out) and number three Cody Filewood (18).

Brothers quick and skipper Mitchell Wadsworth grabbed 3-14 off eight overs with Taylor everson (2-4), Sam Lumby (2-30) and Connor Muller (2-61) each claiming wicket doubles.

Openers Toby O’Grady (24 runs off thirty three balls with five boundaries) and David Manning (19) gave Brothers a scorching start before the team was bundled out for 108.
Ben Schembri (3-22 off six) and Bailey Camilleri (3-26 off eight) picked up three wickets apiece for the Valley.
Souths Sharks (5-178) toppled Norths Devils (177) in their one day clash at Roy Trevaskis Oval.

An unbeaten 90 from star batsman Cameron Keene guided the Sharks to victory with support from Floris Duvenhage (22 not out), Muhammad Wahab (28) and Sanjay Patel (16).

The dashing Keene faced 90 deliveries and clobbered thirteen boundaries and a six – adding 87 runs for the sixth wicket in an unbroken stand with Duvenhage.
Earlier the Devils were dismissed for 177 with Joshua Andrew (57 runs off sixty six balls including ten boundaries), Brant Attard (31 off twenty one balls with three sixes and three boundaries) and Kai Higham (20) the pick of the batsmen.

Patel (3-10 off six overs), quick Harrison Holmes (3-31 off seven) and Shah Hussain (2-20 off four) were the pick of the Sharks bowlers while Kerrod Tortora (2-36) and Luke Bryan (2-31) impressed for the Devils.

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Mackay Cycling Club made a strong impression at the Townsville Cup on Wheels, with Peter Ransome stealing the spotlight by winning the main event. Competing in the combined handicap race known as the Cup on Wheels, Ransome navigated the challenging outdoor concrete velodrome—akin to the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane—with skill and tenacity.
His ability to blend sprints with endurance paid off as he crossed the finish line first and also claimed the B-Grade Keirin trophy, showcasing the consistency that has marked his lengthy journey representing Mackay in cycling carnivals across Queensland.
In the A Grade, Hamish Wright put in a solid effort, narrowly missing the podium with some fourth-place finishes. The seasoned masters sprinter has had a period of time off the bike and is now using the carnival series to build towards the nationals in April, focusing on sharpening his speed and strategy.
In C Grade, David O’Connell and Luke Schatkowski showed resilience, each earning podium finishes in various races. Their performances highlighted the camaraderie and competitive spirit that make Mackay Cycling Club a close-knit community, where every rider, regardless of experience, is supported and encouraged.
The junior pair, Matthew and Max, brought enthusiasm to the track, pushing each other throughout the races and demonstrating the promising future of the Mackay Cycling Club.
The Townsville Cup on Wheels was a great showcase for the club, allowing riders of all levels to demonstrate their skills and passion for cycling. Ransome’s victory and the performances of all the Mackay cyclists left a lasting impression at the event.

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L-R: Max, Matthew, Hamish, Luke, David, and Peter celebrate their achievements at the Townsville Cup on Wheels, showcasing the camaraderie and spirit of the Mackay Cycling Club. Photos supplied
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Peter Ransome proudly stands on the top step of the podium, celebrating his victory at the Townsville Cup on Wheels, a testament to his hard work and dedication on the track

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PCYC Queensland’s Deadly 3s 2024 Basketball Tournament is more than just a friendly sporting competition. It’s an opportunity for indigenous Australians to meet new friends, reconnect with old friends, and share in a common passion to strengthen their communities.

This is the driving motivator for Athaliah Power (nee Henaway), who has been involved with Deadly 3s for five years.

“Deadly 3s and other PCYC programs are such a driving force behind bringing people together,” Athaliah said.

“There are lots of significant indigenous events out there, which is great, but programs like Deadly 3s gives us a chance to get together in a simpler context and enjoy the things we love in our lives, like playing basketball.

“We definitely need programs like these in our communities.”

Deadly 3s is an annual event showcasing the talent and spirit of young athletes from First Nations Communities from across North Queensland, in a 3X3 tournament made up of male and female divisions. Held as part of PCYC Queensland’s Indigenous Community Sport and Recreation Program, the Deadly 3s tournament is a highlight of the sporting calendar.

Athaliah originally became involved with Deadly 3s when she worked as a Sports and Recreation Officer for PCYC Mackay. Even though she has moved on to become a trainee health worker for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICH), she still marks Deadly 3s on her calendar.

“The other Mackay girls and I always look forward to Deadly 3s,” Athaliah said.

“One year I convinced one of my cousins to play, and she ended up bringing her family members from Kuranda to get involved.

“Deadly 3s is always a great opportunity to reunite, catch up and reconnect with loved ones, and then have a great time together playing against each other in a friendly competition.”

For years, Athaliah is looked upon as the team captain and responsible for assembling a team for the tournament. She often encourages her family and friends to come along and will put the word out to others in her community.

“When I know someone who might be available, I tell them that it’s a really fun experience,” Athaliah said.

“It’s bonding time, it’s competitive … whether you get to play or not, the event is always the perfect chance for everyone to catch up.

“Last year we had someone on the team who hadn’t played much basketball before, but it didn’t stop her from having such a good time that she was excited to return this year and is looking forward to future tournaments.”

Deadly 3s has given Athaliah more than just an opportunity to reconnect with friends and family, but also a chance to connect with other like-minded people.

“Seeing people from around Queensland makes it a worthwhile program. Sometimes you might start feeling like you’re stuck in your everyday routine and a little disconnected, but you come to Deadly 3s and you see people from Yarrabah, Palm Island, Townsville, up and down the coast – it’s a great chance for us all to come together and learn about each other’s communities,” she said.

Despite the sense of community that Deadly 3s gives her, Athaliah’s Mackay team won the tournament in 2023 and she is keen to take home the trophy again this year.

“There are lots of teams in the competition that will give us a good run, but we’re definitely looking to win it again. Winning put a fire in everyone’s belly and we’re keen to use that to continue our streak,” she said.

No matter the result, Athaliah cannot deny the significant contribution Deadly 3s has on the lives of those who participate.

Deadly 3s will be held at PCYC Edmonton this year on Saturday 2 November.

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L-R: Deb Power-Hegarty, Athaliah Henaway, Nikkaya Williams, Mariah Power

L-R: Mariah Power, Paige Steindl-Corrie, Athaliah Henaway, Kirsten Sutherland

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The Presidents Trophy is being hotly contested by forty-four players over three weeks. Each player plays with a different partner every week. After the second week it is anybody’s trophy. The Novice pairs competition after the second week is up for grabs as the leaders from last week, slipped down the ladder. This competition is still wide open.

Weekly Results
Monday 21 October 2024 – 6 Table Mitchell Green Points
N/S

E/W

1st
Janelle Conroy / Terry Sheedy
1st
David Ting / Ming Ting

2nd
Joy Block / Nancy Wix
2nd
Mary Rose Ramsden / Sandy Patterson

3rd
Monica Darley / Nancy Martin
3rd
Vicki Howard / Jan Harris

Tuesday Evening 22 October 2024 – 5 Table One Winner Green Points
1st
David Ting / Ming Ting
2nd
Geoff Taylor / Janelle Conroy
3rd
Sandra Morris / Faye Wright
4th
Terry Sheedy / Helen Van Den Broek
Thursday Evening 24 October 2024 – 3 Table One Winner Green Points
1st
Janine Rodgers / Janelle Conroy
2nd
Frances Brown / Ann Whitmore
3rd
Jan Harris / Geoff Taylor
4th
Ken Seaniger / Robert Carless
Friday 25 October 2024 – 8 Table One Winner Green Points
N/S

E/W

1st
Julie O’Neill / Ann Whitmore
1st
Frances Brown / Alan Brown

2nd
Nancy Martin / Kath Poole
2nd
Janine Rodgers / Richard Wix

3rd
Helen Van Den Broek / Don Poole
3rd
Diane Holewa / Max Holewa

4th
Griffin Bancroft / Diane Stokes
4th
Monica Darley / Gwen Liddell

Saturday 26 October 2024 – Session Two Presidents Trophy - 11 Table Mitchell Green Points
N/S

E/W

1st
Geoff Taylor / Robert Carless
1st
Monica Darley / Ken Seaniger

2nd
Tere Wotherspoon / Kathleen Clifford
2nd
Nancy Martin / Margaret Lane

3rd
Jan Harris / Julie O’Neill
3rd
Mick King / Patricia Garner

4th
Janine Rodgers / Richard Wix
4th
Alan Brown / Janelle Conroy

5th
Helen Van Den Broek / Joy Brunette
5th
Faye Wright / Christine Nice

Sunday 27 October 2024 Week 2 of 3 Novice Pairs – 5 Table One Winner Green Points
1st
Faith Hutchinson / Diane Stokes
2nd
Anne Lutz / Diane Cox
3rd
Ann Whitmore / Sandy Patterson
4th
Mary Rose Ramsden / Noel Saunders

Contributed By Joy Block

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Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the 2025 National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC) will be held in Mackay from April 2-7, 2025. 
 
The decision to hold the Championships on Yuwibara Country in Mackay follows recent discussions with State and Territory Governments about the opportunity to collaborate with CA about hosting events and national tournaments over the next seven seasons. 
 
The NICC was held on Arrernte Country in Mparntwe, Alice Springs for eight years. This move aligns with CA’s new Reconciliation Action Plan and the aim to sustainably strengthen opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to play, attend and follow cricket. 
 
The 2025 Championships will be contested at Great Barrier Reef Arena and Harrup Park which has become a regular venue for international cricket, including two of the three CommBank Women’s T20Is between Australia and New Zealand played in September 2024 and the Men’s A-Series match between Australia and India later this month. 
 
Queensland Cricket’s support of the NICC will further strengthen their commitment to their own Reconciliation Action Plan as well as supporting existing programs including the Eddie Gilbert Program, Western Rivers Cup (Toowoomba), Stan Albert Sheild (Rockhampton), Rainforest Cup (Tully), Phillip Minniecon Cup (Cairns) and T20 Harmony Shield. 
 
This decision was made in close collaboration with NT Cricket, CA’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cricket Advisory Group and following feedback from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players who have expressed a desire to connect with country, cultures and communities in other regions.  
  
Joel Morrison Executive General Manager, Events & Operations said, “It is exciting that the National Indigenous Cricket Championships will be contested at Great Barrier Reef Arena for the first time this season. 
 
“We are grateful to the Queensland Government, Mackay Regional Council, Harrup Park and Queensland Cricket for their ongoing support in staging significant international and domestic cricket events such as this tournament in Mackay, which is fast becoming a regular feature on the Australian cricket calendar. 
 
“We would also like to express our thanks and gratitude to NT Cricket, the Imparja Cup and Alice Springs cricket communities, the Northern Territory Government and Alice Springs Town Council for the significant role they have played in growing the NICC since its inception, and greatly enhancing the tournament’s cultural significance and level of on-field competition.”

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Last year, the Queensland Indigenous women’s team were crowned champions of the 2023 National Indigenous Cricket Championships, going undefeated throughout the entire competition. Photos supplied

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Mackay put on a show over three exhilarating days as competitors gave it their all at the 2024 North Australian Surf Life Saving Championships. From pool events and beach sprints to relays, flags and thrilling water challenges like the Board, Surf, Ski, and Iron events, athletes showcased extraordinary skill, resilience, and sportsmanship. Competitors ranged from U11s to Masters, each bringing unmatched energy and skill to every event. With sunny skies and perfect conditions, Emu Park Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) claimed their third consecutive championship win, while Tannum Sands SLSC and Cairns SLSC secured second and third. 

Photo credit: The Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club

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Dan Zealand and Anton Zafir from Whitsunday Martial Arts are no newbies to demanding physical challenges that test your mental stamina. In fact, during COVID-19 they completed a Run Challenge where they ran two kilometres every hour for 24 hours. Back then, they did this to raise awareness and money for Men’s mental health.

This year they are once again hosting a Run Challenge, but this time it will be for an epic 36 hours, pushing them further than they’ve ever been pushed before.

Dan jokes that the 24 hour challenge wasn’t hard enough and himself and Anton wanted to up the ante for this event!

The proceeds of this year’s event will be evenly split with 50 per cent of money raised going to ‘Veterans MMA’ charity, a non-for-profit organisation based in Sunshine Coast, that support veterans return to an active and happy lifestyle in their post military life.

The other 50 per cent will go to funding two members of the gym who are participating in the 2024 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Las Vegas.

One of them is 15-year-old Noah Conyers and Dan said he is inspired by his dedication.

“He's a very gifted 15-year-old athlete,” said Dan.

“He has been training with us for several years now, and he gets involved with the adults’ classes, he's sort of surpassed all of the kids from youth classes and he gives a lot of the adults some troubles as well!

“Noah is an absolute pleasure of a student, he assistant coaches the youths’ classes, so, he gives back to the gym and it's an absolute pleasure to be able to help him get over there and do this.”

The Run Challenge will be extremely difficult but Dan and Anton believe that people are a lot stronger than they think they are, and they will complete the run together.

The 36-hour Run Challenge is still open for participants and they will shortly be opening hour time slots, for people that want to run but do not think they will be able to complete the full challenge.

What: 36-hour Run Challenge
Where: Whitsunday Martial Arts
When: 8-10 November (7pm Friday - 7am Sunday)

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This week we had Jill Spencer, Margo Stanley and Lyn Graham head to Bowen and Alan Pershouse, David Meiklejohn and Mark Mawson head to Proserpine with some success.

Work to transform the club’s green is continuing with progress headed by Rick Brunell John and Robin Brown, Arthur and Liz, Tim Taylor, Ted Cullen and others.

We also have John Fielding, Russell Jackson, and Amando Isgro competing in the champion of champions at Marion Bowls Club.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson.

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The Proserpine team of Shane Kinnear, Scott Hamilton and Wayne Handley played amazing bowls all weekend to come out on top in all highly contested Champion of Champion 2 Bowl Triples games at Marian. 

Saturday afternoon they defeated Northern Beaches 25 - 15; Sunday morning was a close one against Seaforth with an extra end being required to break the deadlock, Proserpine eventually winning 22 - 21 and then in the final against home club Marian, it was another fiercely contested match.

At the time of writing, I'm not aware of what the score was, only that it was close all the way through and Proserpine ended up this year's winners. 

In Social Bowls on Wednesday, John Anderson, Mary Hedgelong and Philip Brown defeated Pat Bownds, Alan Pershouse and Sandy Daffara 24 - 13;  Alen Sanderson, Arthur Griffith, Bruce Uhe and Mark Mawson defeated Alen Sanderson, Jim Bownds, Dave Meiklejohn and Heather Brown 21 - 12.

On Sunday social bowls Philip Brown and Sandy Daffara defeated Alen Sanderson and Mike Harrison 25 - 23; Bruce Uhe and Heather Brown defeated Arthur Griffith and Peter Lawton 28 - 23.

Good Bowling and great luck to Nathaniel Watts and Gavin Noonan who will be competing in the Champion of Champion B Pairs at North Mackay this coming weekend.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown.

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Shane Kinnear, Scott Hamilton and Wayne Handley with the District Winners Shield for the Champion of Champions 2 Bowl Triples.

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On Tuesday social winners were Lindy Suann, Lyn Danvers and Geoff Danvers who defeated Stumpy Adams, Merle Elphinstone, Sue Shearing and Greg Colquhoun. Robyn Stitt and Penny Warren defeated Gary Kelly Dot Slater. It was great to see Gary return to his favorite sport. The jackpot didn’t go off.

Men’s Competition: Triples Barry Beel, Kevin Daniels and Kennedy Whitton defeated Stumpy Adams, Peter Hinschen and Greg Colquhoun.

Sunday social bowls winners were Jim Quod and Kevin Jewell. You learn at bowls to never give up and these chaps were 19 shots behind going into afternoon tea and staged a miraculous come back to win the game by one shot against Shane Dykstra and Kennedy Whitton.  

Other wins were Merle Elphinstone, Irene Laird and Penny Warren who defeated Bron Tolcher, Lindy Suann and Albi Vigar. Robyn Stitt and Gavin Charles defeated Dot Slater Isobel Wheeler. The jackpot did not go off.

Mixed competition nominations have closed now so look out for Graeme’s texts for games called.

Don’t forget this Saturday 2nd to come along and have some fun while trying our great sport. Be at the club around 1.15pm for a 1.30pm start.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren.

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Sundays winners. Photo supplied

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