Last Sunday, Whitsunday Golf Club hosted the second round of the three-part 3-Ball Ambrose Championship, sponsored by Whitsunday Concrete Constructions. Despite a brief early sprinkle, conditions remained perfect for the competition.
In this round, eight teams competed fervently, with Sally Little stepping in for the traveling Robyn Whitham on Team Watts. The teams vied closely, but Team Reynolds clinched the top spot with a score of 57.667, narrowly edging out Team Watts who scored 57.833. Team Atkins claimed third place with a score of 58.333.
Highlights of the day included Darren Reynolds winning an Eagles Nest for his exceptional shot on the 16th green. Nearest to the Pin (NTP) accolades went to teams Winterbourn, Butchers, Atkins, and Reynolds. The longest drives were impressively hit by Anna Winterbourn, Jo Moynihan, Darren Reynolds, and David Hoy.
Next week, the club will host the June Monthly Medal and Least Putts competitions. Participants are urged to register early between 6:30 and 7:30 AM, and to activate the putt count feature on their MiScore app.
Please note, there will be no WGC competition on Sunday, June 9, due to the PGC Ladies’ and Men’s Foursomes event. Members are encouraged to prepare for another thrilling round of golf the following week at Whitsunday Golf Club.

Contributed with thanks to Tiina Randmae.

Photo supplied

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STARTS :  
 
WHITSUNDAY GOLF CLUB :  
 
3 BALL AMBROSE : ROUND 2 OF 3 : 26/5/2024 
 
8 teams returned to play the 2nd round in the Whitsunday Concrete Constructions sponsored 3 ball Ambrose Championship (over 3 rounds) in the Whitsunday Golf Club comp last Sunday. The weather was very kind with only a very light sprinkle at the beginning of the day, the rest of the morning remained dry. Sally Little substituted for Robyn Whitham in Team Watts, Robyn is away for 3 months. 
 
The teams were : 
   1. Cook -Andrew Albergo, Tina Cook and Mata Browne 
   2. Atkins -Ritchie Atkins/Lewy Tuck/Mark McDougal 
   3. Watts -Aaron Watts/Sally Little/Linda Wardroper  
   4. Meharry - Brendon Meharry/George Meharry/Jo Moynihan 
   5. Winterbourn - Anna Winterbourn/Ron Jamieson/ David Hoy 
   6. Nicol - Paul Nicol/Wayne Temby/PeterFox 
   7. Reynolds - Darrren Reynolds/Wilf Herweg/Tiina Randmae  
   8. Butchers - Don Cameron/Karen Rix/Pam Casey 

RESULTS : 
The Winning team :  Team Reynolds with a score of 57.667 
Runner-Up :  Team Watts with a score of 57.833  
3rd :  Team Atkins with a score of 58.333 

NTPs : went to Team Winterbourn, Team Butchers, Team Atkins and Team Reynolds. Darren Reynolds scoresd a very impressive Eagles Nest (box of balls) with a spectacular shot onto the 16th green. 

Longest Drives : went to Anna Winterbourn, Jo Moynihan, Darren Reynolds and David Hoy.  

NEXT WEEK : will be the June MM and Least Putts. Get your names on the timesheet between 6.30 and 7.30 asap so we can play in a block. Make sure you have enabled the putt count on your MiScore app. Go to Menu > Settings > top line - putts. 

The following Sunday 9/6 is the PGC Ladies’ and Men’s Foursomes so there won’t be a WGC comp that day 

ENDS 

 L > R : Team Reynolds : Wilf Herweg, Tiina Randmae and Darren Reynolds 

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Following their successes at the Townsville tournament last week, local pickleball players sharpened their skills under the guidance of coach Gordon Watson.

Watson travelled from Yeppoon this past weekend to conduct coaching sessions for 16 players from Pickleball Whitsunday in Cannonvale. Additionally, Mackay pickleball enthusiasts joined the coaching on Saturday.

Contributed with thanks to Lorraine Christiansen.

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The Anaconda Whitsunday Trail Fest, hosted annually by the Whitsunday Running Club, is set to take place on September 8th, starting at the Airlie Beach Foreshore. This vibrant event attracts trail runners from across Australia and overseas, offering a range of challenging races suitable for all ages and skill levels.

Event Highlights:
58k Accom Whitsunday Ultra: Now in its 6th year, this 58k ultra-marathon kicks off at 5:00 am. The course is renowned for its demanding terrain, featuring a mix of fire trails and narrow walking tracks with steep, rocky sections. This race has gained a strong reputation within the Australian trail running community for its tough and remote sections.

28k Anaconda Whitsunday Trail: Starting at 7:00 am from the Brandy Creek Trailhead, this iconic 28k point-to-point race finishes at Airlie Beach. Known as the original and most popular event of the festival, it continues to draw both local and international runners with its stunning off-road route.

11k Honeyeater Shokz Challenge: This 11k race begins at 9:00 am and is becoming a favorite among beginner trail runners. The course presents a challenging ascent to a lookout with breathtaking views over the Coral Sea, making it a rewarding run for those looking to test their limits.

Whitsunday Transit Kids Beach Bash: A special event for young runners aged 4 to 12, this race takes place at 10:30 am. The kids run a 1400-meter route along the foreshore to the Dugong and back, ensuring a fun and engaging experience for the little ones.
Survivors Beach Bash: Wrapping up the festival, the Survivors Beach Bash is a relaxed, fun run at 2:45 pm, open to all participants aged 13 and above.

WHAT: Whitsunday Trail Fest
WHERE: Airlie Beach Foreshore
WHEN: September 8

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The Australian propensity for gravitating to the seaside for holidays, or any excuse at all, exhibited itself from the earliest days of settlement in the Proserpine area. While it is not practical to say precisely when any particular beach became a feature of the area, “Coastline Calling” relates some of the highlights in the evolution of our beach scene.
Undoubtedly, the first to become popular was the beach at Cannonvale (or Cannon Valley Beach as it was originally known) with the spread of farming down Cannon Valley towards the end of the 19th century. The first inhabitants occupied Jubilee Pocket (later to become known as Airlie) in 1904.
Photographs of the time show a more extensive beach than exists today and as happened in the following years at other beaches, holiday shacks sprang up. For decades from 1911, Cannon Valley was regarded as the best place to be for the Boxing Day Sports each year.
Soon, however, a competitor beach appeared as farming spread into the Preston/Conway area. The “Bowen Independent” (January 7, 1911) described a picnic held by “Prestonites … at the mouth of the Proserpine River during the Christmas holidays.” This marked the beginning of a surge in popularity for today’s Conway Beach and in October 1912, farmers from the Preston area cut a rough track through to the beach which was first known as Preston Beach. Thereafter, the beach became the venue for annual formal picnics at Easter and Christmas which were important events on the social calendar for many years.
Next on the scene was New Beach on the western side of the Proserpine River mouth. In December 1922, the “Bowen Independent” reported that a group of local enthusiasts had cut a road to a “new beach” through the property of Goorganga, then owned by E. G. Lascelles who gave his blessing to the venture.
At first this beach was known as Goorganga Beach but the “Bowen Independent” description of 1922 stuck and this beach today is still known as New Beach. Difficulty of access denied its development which, in 1935, was measured in one spot to be about 80 metres wide. New Beach was also known as Shepherd’s Beach.  
Over the years, the track was maintained by locals, the council not willing to assist other than donating some culvert pipes in 1929. Old photographs of the road to the beach show a track that would quickly bring a modern car to a shuddering halt. Today, the access road has faded away and entry by land is practicable only by four-wheel drive and subject to the permission of owners.
Meanwhile, as settlement progressed swiftly and cars provided more mobility, yet another beach hit the headlines with the “Proserpine Guardian” (February 26, 1926) announcing the “discovery … (of) The Daddy of them all” when the local chemist, J. M. Harkness, forged a car track from Proserpine through to today’s Dingo Beach. This set in motion a series of picnics organised by the Automobile Club and established Dingo Beach as one of our premier beach sites. Today, it is still extremely popular with locals and visitors alike who also now venture a little further afield along this road to Hydeaway Bay, Monte’s and Cape Gloucester beaches.
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Our love affair with the beach continues to this day.
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Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum and including extracts from the weekly feature in the “Proserpine Guardian” written by past PHMS patron, Ray Blackwood.

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• Visibility: Operate slowly in rain, fog, mist, smoke and glare. Take special care when travelling at night as potential hazards are harder to see. Ensure you operate at a safe speed. Turn on your navigation lights at night, or in periods of restricted visibility.

• Other boats: Slow down in busy areas and when near moored or anchored boats, and remember — working boats and larger vessels may have difficulty manoeuvring.

• Navigation hazards: Slow down in shallow areas and when boating in unfamiliar water. Water depth can vary and change quickly in and around reef areas, and also in freshwater.

• Wind, waves and currents: These may affect the boat’s stopping and turning ability. The type of motor, hull and design will all impact on the boat’s manoeuvrability.

• Check your navigation lights are working and fitted correctly. We did have to assist one boat with the nav lights on the wrong sides! Did not know if he was coming or going!

Collision rules.  The ‘International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea’ (COLREGs) are the traffic laws of the sea. They give clear indication about passing, approaching, giving way and overtaking to avoid collisions with other boats. All boat skippers must thoroughly understand and apply the rules in all situations.

Channels: When navigating in narrow channels, all boats should travel on the starboard (right-hand) side of the channel and pass oncoming boats on the port (left) side. If plenty of distance separates two passing boats, there’s no need to deliberately alter course to pass to the right of the other boat. The rule is simply there to remove doubt in the event of a close situation. Small boats (including sailing boats) should keep clear of large boats that have limited room to manoeuvre in channels.

Giving way. All boats, whether power or sail, must always take action to avoid a collision. Power boats ‘Look all around, give way to the right, turn to the right and stay to the right’. Power boats must give way to a vessel under sail.

Head on. When meeting head on, both boats are required to alter course to starboard (right), never to port (left). Any turn should be large enough to be obvious to the other boat.

Overtaking.  If you are overtaking a boat, you can do so to either side of the boat you wish to pass.
However, you must keep well clear of the boat you are overtaking. This applies to both sail and powerboats. In narrow channels you must be particularly careful when overtaking. In all instances, make sure you do not cut in front of the boat you have overtaken.

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Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday VMR.

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As participants flocked to John Breen Park last weekend, the atmosphere was ablaze with excitement and anticipation. Families, friends, and even furry companions eagerly awaited the start of the Colour Frenzy Run, ready to immerse themselves in a kaleidoscope of hues and a day filled with vibrant experiences.
The exciting event, known for its burst of colours and festive atmosphere, promised a 2.5km or 5km journey filled with laughter, joy, and plenty of hues. With each step, participants knew they were not just embarking on a fun run or walk, but also supporting a noble cause – raising funds for Animal Rescue across Australia.
The Colour Frenzy team, fuelled by their passion for furry friends, set an ambitious goal for 2024: to raise $5000 for a local rescue and a combined $250,000 nationwide. It was a mission close to their hearts, and they knew that every stride taken, and every burst of colour unleashed would bring them closer to their target.
The fun run sent waves of colour enthusiasts dashing through a whirlwind of obstacles, foam, and of course, colour, colour, colour. At each Colour Station, participants were splashed with extra doses of pops of powder, transforming them into living works of art. The highly anticipated Bubbles Station brought squeals of delight as bubbles danced through the air, adding an extra layer of whimsy to the event.
As participants crossed the finish line, they were greeted with cheers, applause, and beautiful Colour Frenzy Finisher Medals – a symbol of their accomplishment and their contribution to a greater good. Even the doggos, adorned in their own vibrant hues, joined in the celebration, wagging their tails in delight.

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Photo credit: Colour Frenzy

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Brendan Whitby has padded up in first grade and rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in Queensland cricket.
The Mackay Magpies stalwart spent eight seasons with Toombul District Cricket Club in the Brisbane Premier League competition where he earned his top-grade spurs as a capable all-rounder.
Whitby’s cricket journey has taken the experienced campaigner and his three sons Jacob, Thomas and Nicholas to the Mackay District Cricket Association and the scene of many career highlights.
After a twelve-year hiatus, Brendan joined the Magpies Cricket Club where he has savoured some magic moments over the past two summers.
One of his proudest moments earlier this year was playing alongside eldest son Jacob, 13, for the Magpies in the Mackay District third grade Grand Final at Harrup Park.
Walkerston Red pipped the Magpies to lift the Maurice Blackburn Lawyers Cup but the thrill of joining forces with promising all-rounder Jacob in a title decider was worth the effort alone.
A proud Brendan skippered the young Magpies X1 and top scored with 40 after son Jacob compiled a valuable 21 runs off 74 balls to help their side register 7-143 off 35 overs.
Brendan faced 44 balls and smashed three sixes and two boundaries but to no avail as Walkerston (7-144) responded by eclipsing their target in the 34th over.
Whitby senior showed his wares with the ball – grabbing the remarkable figures of 4-17 off seven tidy overs and Jacob returning 0-9 off eighteen deliveries.
It capped an eventful summer for the talented father-son duo who also tasted success in the junior ranks.
Top prospect Jacob captained the Magpies Under 14s to a premiership triumph in the Mackay Under 15B competition – under the guidance of super coach Brendan.
“I have to thank Jacob and his junior teammates for persuading me to come out of retirement – they rekindled my interest after a long period out of the game,” revealed Whitby senior.
Cricket has been a way of life for Brendan, who made his senior debut for the North Tamworth Cricket Club in third grade many summers ago.

“After my stint with Toombul I honestly thought I would never play again but the kids were keen to take up the sport and encouraged me all the way,” he explained.
“When we moved to Mackay, I joined the Magpies and looked after the Master Blasters team that included Jacob before guiding my other sons Thomas and Nicholas the following season,” quipped Brendan, who has coached the Magpies since Under 11s.
Young gun Jacob starred for the Cyclones last summer and gained valuable experience when selected to play for the Northern Kings in the Brisbane Premier League Under 14s Twenty-20 tournament.
There was no prouder person than his father when rising colt Jacob made his senior debut for the club in third grade at the tender age of thirteen.
“Jacob made a good fist of his promotion and we managed to bowl a few overs together and open the batting which makes me proud,” exclaimed Brendan.
      “To play sport with your kids is an exhilarating feeling that brings plenty of enjoyment and overall it has been a wonderful journey so far.
“Even better is being a part of the Magpies cricket family,” beamed the evergreen warrior.

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Outstanding father-son duo Brendan and Jacob Whitby steered the Mackay Magpies Cricket Club to premiership success in 2023-24

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The Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex is playing host to some of Australia’s top Olympic swimming hopefuls, with huge economic benefits for our region.
Swimming Australia’s High Performance training camps have seen three elite squads travel to the Mackay region in their final hit out before the Australian Swimming Trials in Brisbane next month.
Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said it was fantastic to welcome the High Performance Camps to the Mackay ARC.
“These squads see our region and our facility as ideal for their preparations and it is our aim to encourage more and more camps to the ARC in the lead up to Brisbane 2032,” Mayor Williamson said.
“The swim camps we have hosted so far in 2024 have had an economic output of $304,000 to our region,” he said.
“This is a more than 400 per cent jump on 2023.
“It is our hope to have international teams from all different sports acclimatising to Queensland right here in Mackay as the Brisbane Olympics get closer.”
The camps currently utilising the Mackay ARC are from the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI), University of the Sunshine Coast USC Spartans Swimming and St Andrew’s Swim Club on the Sunshine Coast.
USC Spartans and Swimming Australia Hub Coach Michael Palfery said the Mackay ARC offered a first-class facility in a warm environment.
“A lot of southern teams are heading north during May, and the climate in Mackay is perfect, with a consistent temperature, sunshine and a calm, relaxed environment,” Palfery said.
“It’s important to be warm when doing high-intensity, race-suited work in training. We come here and we train, eat and sleep. So, environment is everything,” he said.
Butterfly specialist Matthew Temple, from SASI, said the team was fortunate to be using such a great facility.
“It’s great to come up with USC and train alongside some familiar faces who are competitors but also mates,” Temple said.
“The next three weeks of training will have me well-placed to do well at trials. I really enjoy coming to the smaller towns to train. I’m excited to be here,” he said.

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USC Spartans and South Australian Sports Institute High Performance Squads are
training at the Mackay ARC in the lead-up to the Australian Olympic Swimming Trials
in Brisbane in June

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Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixture results May 14, 2024:

Division 1:

Green (Tim Shehan, Lily Boland, Robbie Richards) d Red (George Camilleri, Anne Sheridan, Graeme Walker) 6-5. Lily d Anne 8, -2, -4, 8, 11.

Orange (Donna Abbott, Janice Kent, Geoff Denman) d Purple (Emma Widdup, Duncan Treloar) 6-5. Duncan d Donna -5, 9, 7, 9.

White (Andrew McHugh, Neil Brown, Geoff Cowan) d Brown (Andrea Nicholson, Barry Patterson, Vince Boeske) 7-4. Neil d Vince 4, -5, 8, -6, 10.

Black (Mick Ruhl, Daniel Warfield, Allan Robins) d Blue (Will VanDeKaa, Steven Whiting, Lee Brake) 6-5. Mick/Daniel d Steven/Will -5, -5, 10, 6, 5.

Division 2:

Gold (Steve Mathieson, Rohit Bansod, Ollie Hamelink) d Teal (Craig VanDeKaa, Peter Goodson, Aarnav Reelh) 8-3. Rohit d Peter -9, 10, 7, -7, 9.

Rose (Nehmat Dhaliwal, Niro Premachandra, Mark Stam) d Cyan (Matt West, Trent Day, Leonie Patroni) 6-5. Trent d Niro 6, -7, -8, 5, 7.

Aqua (Delma Knight, YiLin Jiang, Tiffany Camilleri) d Tan (Saisha Palod, Val Austin, Judy Zahn) 8-3. Saisha d Tiffany -7, -9, 9, 5, 5.

Grey (Doug Dungavell, John McGee, Kade Wright) d Lime (Anaya Reelh, Simon Hogan, Noreen Fredericksen) 8-3. Noreen d John 6, 5, -8, 5, 9.

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixtures May 14, 2024:

Hawks (George Camilleri, Pam Joyce, John McGee) drew Plovers (Delma Knight, Doug Dungavell, Bryan Marshall) 6-all. Doug d Pam 10, -10, 6, -6, 13.

Egrets (Donna Abbott, Peter Goodson, Kevin Abbott) d Ibis (Andrea Nicholson, Noreen Fredericksen, Judy Zahn) 7-5. Donna d Judy 5, -11, -6, 6, 6.

Owls (Branko Vucurovic, Steve Mathieson, Coral Morgan) d Parrots (Janice Kent, Charlie Payne, Marie Taylor) 7-5. Branko d Janice -9, 4, 7, -5, 5.

Division 2:

Hawks (Ken Best, John Hamelink, Kim Daffy) d Cockatoos (Kim Challender, Veronica Shepherd) 10-2. Kim d Veronica 10, -7, 11, 11.

Pelicans (Judi Hicks, Robyn Bushell, Ian Dodds) d Doves (Kim Daffy, Iris Grasso, Fred Saliba) 7-4. Iris d Ian 4, -12, -8, 8, 8.

Division 3:

Prawn (Madge Saunders, Glenda Brookes, Glenda Dutton) drew Squid (Sharon Muller, Cheryl Aprato) 6-all. Sharon d Glenda 4, 5, -12, 2.

Lobster (Cheryl Pearson, Nadine) d Bill Hey, Myles Dutton) 10-2. Cheryl/Nadine d Bill/Myles -9, 8, 8, 3.

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Anne Sheridan (pictured) had a tough battle against young up-and-comer Lily Boland, with Boland winning 11-9 in the fifth set. Photo: Charlie Payne

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In a sprint towards international glory, six athletes from the Mackay region are set to leap into action at the 2024 Oceania Athletics Championships in Suva, Fiji. These local stars are ready to vault over challenges and race against the region's best.
The 2024 Oceania Athletics Championships will take place from Tuesday, June 4th to Saturday, June 8th, at the National Stadium, HFC Bank Stadium. Suva, a seasoned host of regional athletic events including the 1990 and 2017 Area Championships and the 2016 Regional Championships, is poised to welcome athletes once again. Fiji was also slated to host the 2020 Regional Championships before the pandemic forced a cancellation.

We caught up with five of the athletes at the ARC as they put the finishing touches on their training preparation.

Mikayla Webb, 17
Mikayla Webb is poised to make her mark in the Under 18’s 100 and 200 metres events. With a personal best of 11.98 seconds for the 100 metres and 24.84 seconds for the 200 metres, Mikayla has been dedicated to running for seven years. "I love competing against other people," she shared, expressing her excitement and determination to bring home a medal from the international event.
Toby Rule, 16
Toby Rule will be showcasing his endurance in the 1500 metres, 3000 metres, and steeplechase. Having been involved in running for 7-8 years, Toby is ambitiously aiming for a sub-4 minute 1500 metres and a sub-8:30 minute 3000 metres. His ultimate dream is to compete in the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane. “I’d like to thank the people that got me here, my mum, dad, and my coaches throughout the years,” Toby expressed, highlighting his gratitude and determination to push himself to the limits.
Ngakau Ufton, 19
Competing in the 100 metres, 200 metres, 300 metres, and long jump, sprinter Ngakau Ufton has been running for three years. He aims to break the 11-second barrier in the 100 metres. "The best thing is that it’s just me on the track and I don’t have to worry about other people interfering," Ngakau said. His journey started in high school, inspired by Usain Bolt videos, and now he is ready to showcase his abilities on an international stage.
Kasey Mccahon, 20
Pole vaulter Kasey Mccahon is driven by the thrill and adrenaline rush of jumping high. Originally from Atherton Tablelands, Kasey switched from high jump to pole vaulting after an injury and has loved it ever since. With a personal best of 3.30 metres, she is excited about her first international competition. "It’ll be great," Kasey said, eager to see how high she can soar in Fiji.
Kayce Hoani-Vincent, 17
Inspired by her older brother, Kayce Hoani-Vincent has been pole vaulting for three years. She loves the thrill and the sensation of being in the air. With a personal best of 3.10 metres, Kayce is aiming to reach new heights in Fiji. Her dedication and passion for the sport are evident as she prepares to compete on the international stage.
The Championships will feature competitions in the Senior and Under 18 categories, with the Senior events being crucial for qualification for the Paris Olympic Games and future World Athletics Series Events. The Under 18 Championships will provide a premier competitive platform for younger athletes.
Following the successful debut of the Teams Challenge in 2022, the event will expand to include Under 16 and Under 20 age groups. This format will offer athletes from the highly popular Fiji Schools Championships an opportunity to compete internationally.
Oceania Athletics President Robin Sapong expressed enthusiasm, saying, "It's an amazing opportunity to return to Fiji for the Oceania Championships in 2024.
“With the growth of the Championships and the chances for athletes to secure their qualifying positions for Paris, Fiji will no doubt be a great host.
“The Teams Challenge will be exciting for Fiji school teams to test themselves against the best teams in the region."

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Last Saturday night, the McDonald’s Mackay Stadium was alive with excitement as the Mackay Meteors shot down the Northside Wizards in a thrilling 109-83 victory. With this slam-dunk performance, the Meteors extended their winning streak, setting the stage for a high-stakes Round 7 double-header on the road against the North Gold Coast Seahawks and Gold Coast.
Todd Blanchfield led the charge for the Meteors, scoring 25 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. Isaac White contributed significantly with 20 points and 7 rebounds, while Luca Yates added 14 points and 5 rebounds.
Meteors coach Joel Khalu said he was happy that the team were able to close out the game with a strong fourth quarter.
“Really please with that side of things, our defensive application through our scout was amazing, and it was probably our most polished performance of the season,” Khalu said.
He added that Aiden Krause was exceptional on defence and Todd Blanchfield brought high energy to the game with six three-pointers from beyond the arc.
“I think it was the third quarter where Toddy hit three threes and some of them were super tough shots but that’s just what he does and the team work hard to get those shots to him.”
In contrast, the Mackay Meteorettes faced a tough match against the Northside Wizards, suffering a 68-114 defeat. Despite the loss, Taylor Mole put up a standout performance with 25 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 steals. Nikita Van Wyk added 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals, while Sam Haiby chipped in with 8 points and 3 assists.
The Meteors' highlight package showcased their high-energy play and effective teamwork, a trend they aim to maintain in their upcoming matches. Meanwhile, the Meteorettes will look to regroup and bounce back from the challenging game against a formidable opponent.

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Action shots from the Meteors’ 109-83 victory over the Northside Wizards. Photo credit: Keiron Place Art & Photography

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Mackay Cutters’ enterprising women's rugby league team are on the cusp of BMD premiership glory.

In a huge fillip for the region, Marco Peters’ in-form charges have zoomed into this Saturday’s title decider to determine the champion Queensland club for 2024.

All roads lead to Redcliffe’s Kayo Stadium where the Cutters square off with the courageous Norths Devils in what is shaping as a crackerjack contest.

Mackay will be chasing a unique women's championship double after the club captured the inaugural Harvey Norman Under 19s trophy last month with an 18-16 triumph over Brisbane Tigers.

The Cutters advanced to the BMD Grand Final by slamming Western Clydesdales 22-4 at BB Print Stadium after the Devils outclassed Burleigh Bears 36-12 at Brisbane’s Bishop Park.

A powerful second half showing by Mackay sent the Clydesdales crashing out of the title race and set up another showdown with the stout-hearted Devils.

The Cutters edged out Norths 26-22 when the teams last clashed a fortnight ago in Brisbane.

But coach Peters expects another torrid tussle with the Devils who led 18-0 against the Bears before staving off a second half challenge in last weekend’s semi-final.

The Clydesdales opened the scoring with a try to winger Georgia Sim after 13 minutes before second rower Bree Chester crashed over for a four-pointer that was converted by five eighth Kayla Shepherd to give the Cutters a 6-4 lead at the interval.

There was no stopping Mackay after the break with talented hooker Alisha Foord, fullback Krystal Blackwell and prop forward Essay Banu all grabbing tries to set up an emphatic win.

In the elusive Blackwell, wingers Libby Surha and Ebony Raftstrand-Smith, dynamic centre pairing Jasmine Peters and Shellie Long and halves Shepherd, Tahlulah Tillett and Pani Rupapere the Cutters have a back division with plenty of strike.

They are complemented by a tough and skilful forward pack led by Chester, Foord, Lily Peacock, Lyrech Mara, Shaniah Power, Lillian Yarrow and interchange bench featuring boom Queensland Under 19s playmaker Emily Bella, Sareka Mooka, Maddison Hegarty and the strong running Banu.

Star hooker Emma Manzelmann – on Origin duty with the  Queensland womens team – gives the Cutters tremendous depth along with the likes of second rower Elle Stitt, winger Montanah Best and premiership-winning Under 19s trio of half back Mersades Lawson, hooker Paityne Johns and centre Miah Powell.

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Photo credit: Mackay Cutters

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From exhilarating MTB trails to pulse-pounding kayak rides, picturesque trail runs and demanding road cycles, ZACH MACH proved to be the ultimate thrill for adrenaline enthusiasts. It was said to be an incredible weekend of adventure racing in the Mackay Pioneer Valley. The ZACH MACH Adventure Challenge offered just the right blend of mud, water, sun, and excitement for all participants.

RESULTS

ZACH MACH SOLO (18+)
   1. Mitch Nissen
   2. Hilary Bell
   3. Rod Le Coz

MINI MACH SOLO
   1. Archer Flanagan
   2. Nehemiah Oosthuizen
   3. Camden Brownsey

Stage 1 MTB Only
   1. Ethan Jansen
   2. Noel Garciano
   3. Keenan Jansen

Stage 2 Kayak Only
   1. Zara Richardson
   2. Colin Carmichael
   3. Jodi Elliott

Stage 3 Trail Run Only
   1. Hayden Neilsen
   2. Brad Fraser
   3. Trinity Donovan

Stage 4 Road Cycle Only
   1. Amanda Whitburn
   2. Aaron Daniel
   3. Caleb Caldwell

ZACH MACH Pair
   1. Sam Sam, Angus Palmer
   2. Linda Linda, Megan Wetherall
   3. Adam, Ella Chappell

MINI MACH Pair
   1. Oaklan, Kyle Marwood
   2. William, Tim Ffrost
   3. Hendrik, Lauren Bester

ZACH MACH Team
   1. Andrew, Archer Flanagan
   2. Luke, Jose Griffith
   3. Ross, Tess, Brendan, Michael Armstrong

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Off the back of the major announcement with Mackay Regional Council at Harrup Park, Century Cricket Competitions Mackay can now announce the eight franchises competing in the tournament this August.

The previously confirmed Great Barrier Reef Rays (QLD) will be joined by the City
Pirates (QLD), Coastal Marlins (QLD), Moreton Magic (QLD), Eastern

Comets (SA), Adelaide Rockets (SA), Spartans (SA) and Western Chargers (VIC).
Franchises have been working hard behind the scenes to get their pre-auction selections finalised. The first players have been recruited, with more to come, but the bar has already been set high with players who have represented their country, played in the Big Bash, held state contracts or even played county cricket in England.

City Pirates have confirmed that Sam Heazlett will be playing for them in Mackay this August. Heazlett was the special guest Kayo caller last year and managed to make 100 runs in the Century format. He brings a wealth of state and Big Bash experience, which is a great start for the Pirates.

“I’m very excited to be heading to Mackay for the Century Cricket Competition. I’ve had the pleasure of playing in Mackay many times now. The facilities are great and the locals love their cricket. This comp will be a great way to begin the season and challenge myself against high quality cricketers,” said Heazlett.

Former Bulls and current Big Bash hard hitting all-rounder James Bazley joins the Coastal Marlins for this season’s campaign. Known for bowling a heavy ball and hitting the ball nice and hard, Bazley will be looking to put on a show for the local Mackay crowd.

“I‘m looking forward to linking up with the Marlins in this year‘s Mackay Century Cricket Competition. Mackay is a great venue for cricket and it's at a perfect time of year to be playing good cricket leading into the summer,” said Bazley.

Current Peter Burge Medallist and all-round gun from Toombul District Cricket Club Preston White is locked and loaded for his fourth season with the Moreton Magic. White is a true franchise player and a solid start for the Magic.

Eastern Comets have locked in current joint winner of the Darren Lehmann Medal and Tea Tree Gully District Cricket Club gun Joe Gatting. Having had a stellar season in Adelaide, which culminated in winning SACA’s T20 player of the year, Gatting, a former county cricketer, is heading up to Mackay to show his skills with the Comets.

Hard hitting top order batsman Jake Winter is locked in for the newly announced Adelaide Rockets. Having played in Century Cricket Competitions in Brisbane and Adelaide over the past four years, Winter has dominated with his insane power hitting. A regular handful in the SACA grade competition with Glenelg District Cricket Club, Winter went on to debut for South Australia in the one-day format last year.

The Spartans have locked in Queensland Country star Andrew Phelps, a hard-hitting batter from Cairns and a member of the Queensland Brahmans this year. He is one of the many talented country cricketers that will look to play in Mackay this year and mix with players outside of his district. 

Former South Australian Red Back left arm spinner Joe Medew-Ewen is locked in for the Western Chargers. Medew-Ewen has some serious skills in the short form, brings experience from playing First Class Cricket and is currently one of the best spinners in Victoria with the Northcote District Cricket Club.

As previously announced, the Great Barrier Reef Rays welcome back former Australian and international T20 franchise star Ben Laughlin after a stellar tournament for the Rays who made it all the way to the final in their first year.

More pre-auction players will be announced in the coming weeks with teams locking in some very good players. With the calibre of these eight players, the competition is going to have some serious talent and be one mighty weekend of cricket in August.

Senior players from anywhere in the country, and around the world, can still nominate for the Mackay competition via the Century Cricket Competitions website. Nominations close 5pm on Wednesday 5 June.

Century Cricket Group is a privately owned cricket company co-founded by successful healthcare businessman Stuart Giles, Australian cricket great Ian Healy AO and world-renowned commentator Mark Nicholas, alongside cricket entrepreneurs and founders of the Australian Cricket Institute Nick Fitzpatrick and Joel Hamilton. The Group is creating a full ecosystem of cricket opportunities across competitions,  coaching clinics and training centres.

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Sam Heazlett hits a six for the Heat against the Renegades. Image source: Getty Images

James Bazley joins the Coastal Marlins for this season’s campaign. Image source: Adelaide Strikers

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The Woolworths Pick Fresh Play Fresh Netball Grants are back again for 2024, with local netball clubs and associations across Australia, who have a Woolworths NetSetGO centre, encouraged to apply to win a share of $100K to benefit young Aussie netballers.

As part of this, the popular $20K People’s Choice Award returns for the second year, spotlighting the club or association that receives the most votes, encouraging their local members and supporters to get involved.

The Grants have been designed to help local clubs and associations encourage young Aussie netballers to eat healthier and be more active. The funds will allow for improvements to facilities and equipment, subsidising registration fees, and purchasing healthy foods for their canteen.

Secretary of Mackay Netball, Jenny Moohin mentioned that they were very lucky to receive funding. This allowed them to offer a free NetSetGo program for kids aged five to ten.

“Mackay Netball was successful in receiving $8,000 from Woolworths,” jenny said.

“The program was able to be performed free of charge so that the children can come along, learn about netball and then they all got a shirt and we provided fresh fruit after each session so that they can be encouraged to eat healthy after training.

“It was fabulous to receive that money, a lot of children don’t get to participate in organised sport due to the cost, so this just broke that barrier down and we’re very lucky.”

Mackay Netball Association recently received $8,000 in funding to encourage young Aussie netballers to eat healthier and be more active. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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