The 35th annual Bowen Polocrosse Carnival is set to be a weekend long family fun event where the whole community can get together.

To celebrate the 35th anniversary Bowen Polocrosse club encourage past present members to get together, chat, catch up and have a great time playing the sport they love.

The Bowen Polocrosse Carnival brings a high-class spectacle and event to Bowen.

Organiser Jessie Russell said “Polo is a sport that every member of the family can play, young or old and any gender”.

“If you can hold a racquet and ride a horse you can play the sport, you can be 18 months or 80 years old and still play the sport.”

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said the annual polocrosse carnival was a great event for the region.

“This carnival brings visitors to Bowen each year and some of the participants stay and visit other parts of our region,” said Leanne.

“Events such as this provide an economic boost to Bowen and the greater Whitsundays, and we are looking forward to welcoming the visitors again this year.

“The carnival has a strong history, and we are very pleased it is being held again in 2024.”

The Bowen Polocrosse Club would also like to give the Grand View Hotel a special mention for hosting their fun night activities over the weekend.

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Another win for under 13 Div 1 this weekend in Mackay against Lions. All players played well as a team with Remy scoring 2 Goals with precision and confidence. Jayce assisted a perfect through ball to Will who also scored 2 goals. Liam scored the goal he has been trying hard for and Eden rounded off the scoring with a goal. Final Score 6-1 for Whitsunday.

U13 Prem players fought hard this week to keep Rangers from scoring. The boys all played well to secure a nil all draw against a team that we had previously lost to twice.

Whitsunday U15 Div1 put in a huge effort on Saturday. Unfortunately we had some weaknesses in our defence in the first half, which Dolphins Silver capitalised on and took the lead 6-0 at half time. Whitsunday came out with a much stronger defence in the second half and made opportunities for several shots at the goals, finding themselves unlucky to get the ball to find the back of the net. Final score 9-0 to Dolphins.

U15 Prem came up against top of table Lions. After two big losses to them already this season, we were ready for what would be another tough game. 3-0 down at half time, we came out in the second half fighting but just couldn’t capitalise on our goal scoring opportunities. A penalty from Max took us to 3-1, with the final score being 4-1 to Lions.

It was a soccer filled weekend for the ladies at the Whitsunday Sports Park. Starting with the U23 Whitsunday United against Mackay Rangers FC game. Going 1-0 up after a penalty in the first half, Rangers fought hard to keep Whitsundays at bay but to no avail. Bre taking the score line to 1-1 and Imo’s goal put Whitsundays up, 2-1 at half time. Coming out strong from the half time talk, Whitsundays took the reins and slotted in 3 more goals from Keely, Mable and Francesca. Final score 5-1 Whitsundays.

The Premier ladies played two games in under 24hrs. First up on Saturday night the ladies took on Rangers in a one-sided game. Whitsundays dominated possession and created goal shooting opportunities for the full 90minutes. Despite this, the ladies lacked the finish in the box to put the ball away. In the end, patience paid off with goals to Dom, who put away a rebound from her penalty attempt, and two to Steph, giving Whitsundays a 3-0 win.

Sunday afternoon then saw the ladies take on Dolphins for the second time in as many weeks. After a strong 7-0 win the weekend prior and a few tired bodies, the ladies knew it would be a much tougher match. The midfield and front line had to work hard to maintain possession and find a way to break through Dolphins defence, and the backline were strong in ensuring Dolphins attacking opportunities were limited in the first half. Eventually Steph was able to break the deadlock after nearly 30 minutes of play to put us 1-0 up at halftime. The team spoke about the need to get another goal early in the second half to keep momentum our way and Steph again came through with her second goal 3minutes into the half. Dolphins created a few more chances in the second half and did get one goal back, however Whitsundays maintained the lead with a final score of 2-1. Outstanding defence by Willow and Claire in the back line, plus crucial saves by Keeper Chloe kept the Whitsundays ahead.

In the FQPL Men, the Reserves battled hard in their game against lions with each team having solid chances. Whitsunday scored first through Zac Kelley, but conceded 2 second half goals to lose 2-1. Premier league played 3rd place lions and were slow to start with lions dominating the first 30 minutes of play. Whitsunday wrestled back possession in the last section of the first half but went into the break 1 nil down. Tired legs, and a rampant Lions side resulted in a 4-1 loss, a nice finish from Jack Jenks was a consolation for his toil up front.

Contributed with thanks to Allan Milostic.

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Laura Wilson, battered and bruised but winners are grinners. Photo supplied

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There are record entries for this year’s North Queensland Championship Airlie Beach Marathon and the Tassal Group Half Marathon with numbers up by 50 – 70%!

The reigning ladies champion and record holder in the marathon Liv Compton from the Whitsunday Running Club is back to defend her title. The men’s race could be won by anyone however Tom Sirett from Ellesmere Port in England looks like he may be in with a chance.

The first three ladies in last year’s Tassal Group half marathon are back to challenge the current champion and record holder Claire Ashworth from Canberra. The men’s race will be a shoot out between local runners Billy Grogan and Roland Henderson from the Whitsunday Running Club.

A feature of this year’s festival will be the Mascot Race to be held at 9:45am before the junior races over 1 and 2kms. There are five mascots this year with ‘Piggy’ (Bendigo Bank), ‘Cruiser’ (Cruise Whitsundays), Blazer (QFD), Troppo (Tassal Group) and Hoggie (Hoggs Breath Café).

There are still entries available for most of the races and for the Locus Surveys Corporate Challenge and the McDonald’s Magic Mile.

The program for the 2024 festival follows last year’s successful format and will cater for all ages from 4 years old and up. It features races over 1 mile, 1km, 2km, 5km, 10km, 21.1km and 42.2km. The course for most of the races follow the footpaths and boardwalk between the Port of Airlie and Cannonvale Beach.

The Event Manager and President of the Whitsunday Running Club, Tim McQuoid-Mason said “entries for this year are well up on previous years because of a renewed interest in fitness across the World. We have entries from overseas and nearly every state and terriorty”.

The festival will start on Saturday 20 July with the McDonald’s Magic Mile to be run at 4:00pm. There is prize money for the fastest male and female and medals awarded in the 6 to 9 and 10 to 15 year age groups.

Sunday 21 July will be the busy day with the marathon, half marathon, 10km, 5km, and kids 2 and 1km races to be run starting with the marathon at 6:00am.

The winning school with the most participation (on a percentage basis) in the 1 and 2km races will receive a donation to go towards sports equipment.

The charity of choice for this year’s festival is the Ronald McDonald House Charities, North Australia.

More information about the event can be found on the festival website at www.runairlie.com.au or you can follow it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

WHAT: Tassal Group Airlie Beach Marathon Festival
WHEN: 20-21 July
WHERE: Airlie Beach

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The Cannonvale Cannons and visiting clubs were treated to picture perfect Whitsunday conditions on Saturday for the 2024 Cannonvale Winter Transition Meet. Under the guidance of coaches Mark Erickson and Ken Crittenden, swimmers delivered impressive performances across various age groups and events, achieving significant personal bests and placings.
Among the youngest competitors, Lucas Korosec, Miranda Palmero and Indigo Harland secured personal best times in all of their events.
The 9-year-olds also achieved great results. Liam Filewood made a huge improvement in his 100 Fly, while Levi Smith impressed in both the 50 and 100 Breaststroke events.
The women's 9-year-old events saw Evie Doherty and Koa Harland smash their times in the 200 IM. Well done to the 11-year-old girls Ruby Harland, Celeste Orenshaw and Matilda Nicholes who also achieved personal best times in the same event.
Jax Clayworth, 11, demonstrated his butterfly prowess winning the 50, 100 and 200 Fly. His consistent performances were matched by Ruby Harland and Jasper Korosec, who both secured PB’s in all but one of their respective events.
Zachary Trefz, 12, dominated his age group, placing in the top two in every event and taking an incredible 42.65 seconds off his 200 Free. His consistency across multiple strokes and distances was a highlight of the meet. Roxy Groom made an awesome return to the Cannons with double digit PBs in all her events, whilst Tyler Bennett also improved his times in all events but one. Congratulations to Charlie Doherty, aged 13, who placed in all his events.
The meet highlighted the hard work and dedication of the Cannons, with coaches expressing pride in the team's performance and demonstration of the importance of consistent training across the cooler months.

Thank you to our sponsors and families for making this event a success.

Contributed with thanks to Jade Korosec.

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The Airlie Beach Bowls club has enjoyed another bustling week, starting with Tuesday afternoon Social Bowls, where skipper Betty Whitehorn and lead Lyn Graham secured an effortless victory against all comers.
Wednesday afternoon saw an outstanding display of skill during Jackpot Bowls. Skipper Bobby Spees showcased supremely accurate bowls, aided by Merve Stewart, leading to one of the most comfortable victories in recent club history. However, the jackpot remained elusive, keeping the excitement alive for future games.
Thursday morning hosted the finals to determine the district's representatives for the Queensland Schools Finals. Teams included St Catherine's Proserpine (Harry Craig, Alfie Moretto), Christian College Cannonvale (Tommy Phan, Saylor Harrison), Mackay High School (Charlotte McGuinness, Taylor Fisher), and Christian College Mackay (Cruz and Kobi). St Catherine's emerged victorious with six points, followed by Mackay Christian College with four points, Christian College Cannonvale with two points, and Mackay North High School with zero points. The event was marked by skillful play and sportsmanship, highlighting the talent and dedication of all participants.
The club wants to give special thanks to John Brown, David Meiklejohn, Arthur McManus, Terry Clarke, Heather Brown, and the Mackay teachers and officials for providing morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. Their efforts ensured everyone enjoyed the day and could focus on the fantastic performances by the students.
Saturday Morning Scroungers saw Andy McDougall triumph in a brilliant match, setting the stage for an exciting final next Saturday morning.
Sunday Afternoon Social Bowls welcomed Mark Pinney and his wife Donna Evans from the Albury Commercial Bowls Club. In a competitive match, skipper Mark Pinney, second Mark Mawson, and new bowler Mel Fennell won 26-6. The dice roll resulted in a drawn game, with John Brown and Lu Rogan emerging victorious.
Pictured are the school students who competed on Thursday: Heather Brown, Saylor Harrison, Tommy Phan, scorer Chris, Cruz, Kobi, Mackay North Manager, Harry Craig, Alfie Moretto, Charlotte McGuinness, and Taylor Fisher.
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Contributed with thanks to Mark Manson.

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4’s Final:
   • Ray, Ron, Herb, Gus defeated Gordo, Mark, Crowie, Kev.
Club Triples:
   • Robyn, Rosco, Tiarna defeated Tracey, Lloyd, Jason.
Club Pairs:
   • Ron, Steve defeated Daryl, Feley.
Social Games:
Sunday 7/7:
   • Andy, Barry, Steve defeated Ian, Gavin, Wendy.
   • Ray, Ron, Herb, Gus defeated Gordo, Kevin, Crowie, Mark.
Wednesday 10/7:
   • Doc, G. Gordon, Ron defeated Marion, J. Foskett, Gus.
   • Ian, B. Thompson, Gavin had a drawn game with MaryEllen, Lou, Jane.
Tuesday and Friday's self-selected pairs and triples continue to go great.

Contributed with thanks to Joan Edwards.

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Airlie Beach Bowls Club is immensely proud of Di Jackson, who recently returned from Florida, USA, after participating in the Warrior Games for Army, Navy, Airforce, and Marines. At 58 years old, Di competed in athletics, cycling, powerlifting, and indoor rowing.
Di joined the Airforce in 1990 and served as an integral member of the Darwin team, eventually becoming a Logistics Officer until 2008. She then became a Hazardous Chemicals Project Manager until her medical discharge in 2017. She married Russell Jackson in 1998, forming a great team.
Despite suffering from hereditary spastic paraplegia—a rare condition causing progressive neuromuscular degeneration in the lower limbs—Di remains unstoppable. She qualified for the Australian team in the Warrior Games and returned with an impressive collection of medals: two golds in rowing and bronzes in shot put and discus.
Additionally, Di was honored as the Team Australia inaugural Games Champion. This iron-willed lady is also an accomplished lawn bowler, excelling in everything she undertakes with a cheerful disposition.
Di's resilience and achievements have made her a beloved figure in the club, where everyone is incredibly proud of her accomplishments. Her story is a testament to determination and the power of a positive attitude.

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Di's welcoming home party at the Airlie Beach Bowls Club, where members celebrated her remarkable success and return from the Warrior Games.
Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson.

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As Champion of Champion events approach, Proserpine Bowls Club Competition is progressing rapidly to ensure the winners are eligible for the District Champion of Champions.
On Tuesday, Heather Brown competed in the District Club Championship Singles at Wests Tigers. It was a highly competitive match, with Chris Woo from North Mackay defeating Heather 25-19. The event was ultimately won by Leanne McGeough from Sarina, with Ladda Purdie from Airlie Beach as the runner-up.
Wednesday saw Luchie Gardel triumph over Dale Haack, 26-14, in the Club Championship Singles.
Thursday featured Harry Craig and Alfie Moretto from St Catherine's Catholic College in the District play-offs for the All-School Cup Challenge. Competing against Whitsunday Christian College, North Mackay State High School, and Mackay Christian College, Harry and Alfie won all three games. They scored 18-8 against WCC, 10-6 against North Mackay HS, and 14-2 against MCC, earning 6 match points with a margin of +26. They will represent the District at the All-School Cup Challenge State Finals at Pine Rivers on August 21-22. Mackay Christian College will also represent the Mackay District.
Saturday morning's Club Championship Singles saw Barry Saroglia narrowly defeat Luchie Gardel 25-24, and Shane Kinnear overcome Scott Hamilton 25-21. We are now up to the semi-finals on one side of the draw, with a quarter-final still to be played on the other side. The Champion of Champion Singles will take place at Mackay Club on August 24-25.
This weekend, the semi-finals of the Club Championship Pairs were played. On Saturday afternoon, Jonathan Bye and Wayne Handley defeated Marcus Craig and Toby Craig 21-17 in a thrilling game. On Sunday morning, David Ling and Andrew Bell defeated Bruce Uhe and Gavin Noonan 26-10. The final will see Wayne Handley's team face Andrew Bell's team, with the winner qualifying for the Champion of Champions at Mackay City on August 10-11.
Social Bowls had a great turnout on Wednesday. John Anderson and Nev Smith defeated Arthur Griffith and Peter Lawton 29-10. Pat Bownds, Barry Zillmann, and Carol Smith edged out Mary Hedgelong, Tom Sanders, and Philip Brown 17-16. Alen Sanderson, Bruce Uhe, and Sandy Daffara defeated Jim Bownds, Bruce Uhe, and Heather Brown 25-17. On Sunday, Arthur Griffith and Sandy Daffara narrowly defeated Alen Sanderson and Nev Smith 21-20, while John Anderson, Tom Sanders, and Carol Smith beat Mary Hedgelong, Philip Brown, and Heather Brown 20-14.
The club wants to thank Dale Haack, Bruce Uhe, Heather Brown, and Gavin Noonan for assisting with the 30th Birthday Barefoot Bowls held at the club on Saturday afternoon.
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Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown.
Alfie Moretto, Heather Brown, and Harry Craig after a successful day of bowls in the All School Cup Challenge.

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Another great week of bowls started with Monday self-selected triples. Winners were Ron Blythe, M. Blythe, and Norm Dawson, who defeated Allan Gilles, Jack Stamp, and Greg Colquhoun. Runners-up were Denis Madeley, Dave Richard, and R. Agg, who overcame Peter Howie, G. Caldon, and Kennedy Whitton. The jackpot went off in two games: K. Pedlar, L. Fox, and S. Farrell defeated A. Rolfe, J. Steele, and K. Daniels, while F. Wilmann, J. Healey, and C. Healey defeated J. Paynting, R. Symonns, and J. White.
On Tuesday, we celebrated our Patroness and Life Member Merle Elphinstone. Merle has been a member since 1992 and served as treasurer for over 25 years. With a full green of 64 players, winners were Jan Harvey, Ann Kayser, Patrick Cochrane, and Glenn Harvey, who defeated K. McKenzie, C. Parker, Heidi Reif, and Colin Mayhem. Runners-up, the lowest scoring losers, were A. Gillies, M. Nesbitt, I. Wheeler, and S. Fitzgerald, defeated by G. Hands, I. Laird, P. Nesbitt, and G. Danvers. The jackpot didn’t go off.
Fun Friday afternoon saw winners J. Langley, M. Hyde, and S. Dolbel defeat G. Howie, K. McKenzie, and J. Issaac.
Sunday, with another full green of 64 players, winners on Rink 2 were L. Suann, T. Cozier, D. Gorin, and C. Healey, who defeated M. McKenzie, A. Kayser, L. Land, and C. Mayman. Runners-up were J. Hayman, K. Atkins, R. Symmons, and B. Beel, who overcame M. Elphinstone, J. Gillies, J. Healey, and K. Whitton. The jackpot didn’t go off.
The next special event is on Saturday afternoon, July 20, featuring Wangaratta versus All States. This annual event brings out the best of our bowlers, competing for bragging rights for the year. Even if you aren’t playing, come along to view some great bowls.
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Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren.

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Tony Ford clinched victory in Tuesday's stroke competition with an impressive nett 68, edging out Gary Scotford by a single stroke. In the ladies' division, Jenny Hounsell triumphed with a nett 70, defeating Nicole Cooper by two strokes. The pin prizes were awarded to Peter Lindsay, Kev Cooper, Aaron Prosser, and Tina Badenhorst.
Wednesday’s Airllywood stableford saw Pauline Redpath dominate with 41 points, securing a three-shot win over Leanne Alexander. The pins for the day went to Leanne Alexander, Nicole Cooper, Anna Winterbourn, and Marlene Gray.
Sean Fogarty emerged victorious in Thursday’s stableford competition, scoring 38 points. He narrowly defeated Bernie Drake in the A division and B division winner Nicola Apruzzese by one point, with Peter Fox trailing by an additional shot. Brad Fleet, David Scott-Smith, Rob Stanley, and Brian Smith won the pins.
On Friday, Luke Paroz showcased remarkable skill, shooting four under par on the back nine to secure the Met run championship with 19 stableford points, edging out Karlene Lloyd. Pins were claimed by Karlene Lloyd and Jack Pirlo.
Saturday’s Allenbuild stableford saw Blake Lovelock leading with 40 points, followed by A division runner-up Rod Wecker with 38 points. Ken Lovett won the B division with 39 points, two ahead of Scott Dwyer. In the ladies' division, Kath Borer’s 38 points surpassed Elspeth Scotford by a single shot. Pins went to Rod Wecker, Brian Allen, Shane Van Poelgeest, Jon Miller, Tina Badenhorst, and Genia Sarafian.
Matthew Muller captured Sunday’s stableford title with 40 points, two points clear of Mark McDougall. Peta Thomas took the ladies' division with 36 points, outscoring Anna Winterbourn by two points. Pins were awarded to Karl Kirkwood, Jon Miller, Trevor Wesener, Levi Holmes, Karen Rix, and Diane Chard.
In the upcoming ladies' handicap Matchplay final, Diane Chard will face Noelene Spurway. The men’s semifinals feature Gary Scotford versus Billy O’Connor, and Brad Vloedmans against Rod Wecker.
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Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Golf Club.

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Proserpine Golf Club is delighted to welcome Ross Tong, a local guest, and Stephen Guy from Toronto GC (near Newcastle, not Canada). The club hopes they enjoyed their day with them.
Despite recent heavy rain making the course heavier than expected, the scores were impressive. Jenny and Colin Hounsell took home the Men’s and Ladies’ Monthly Medals.
With Wintersun approaching, the club asks you to please submit your nominations as soon as possible. The entry form is simple and available on the Mackay Vets website.
Results for Today:
Ladies:
   • Winner: Jenny Hounsell with a nett 70 – well done!
   • Runner-Up: Kathryn Borer with a nett 74
   • Run Down: Paula McQuat and Leanne Alexander with 75, Rehab Hull and Elspeth Scotford with 79, Tina Badenhorst with 80, and Tiina Randmae with 81.
Men:
   • Winner: Colin Hounsell with a stunning nett 67
   • Runner-Up: Gary Scotford with a nett 69
   • Run Down: Wilf Herwig with 70, Ken Granger with 71, John Oates with 73, Trevor Paroz with 75, Peter Browning with 77, Steve Mitchell, Peter Fox, and John Strelec with 79.
Pin Shots:
   • Ladies: Jenny Hounsell and Kathryn Borer on the 2nd, Leanne Alexander and Paula McQuat on the 9th, Jenny and Paula on the 13th.
   • Men: Gary Scotford and Trevor Paroz on the 2nd, Wilf Herwig and Colin Hounsell on the 9th, Wilf and Peter Browning on the 13th.
Least Putts:
   • Ladies: Jenny Hounsell with 28
   • Men: Ken Granger with 24 – outstanding!
Chip-Ins:
   • Ladies: Tiina Randmae, Paula McQuat, and Pam Harrison
   • Men: Ross Tong (x2), Colin Hounsell, Ken Granger, Trevor Paroz, Barry M., and Steve Mitchell
Upcoming Events:
   • Tuesday 16/7: PGC Vets Closed Championship – log in as usual.
   • Tuesday 23/7: Whitsunday Group at Home Hill.
The club wants to thank everyone who participated and made it a great week at the Proserpine Golf Club.
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Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

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AFLQ Mackay celebrated Pride Round Saturday providing opportunity to promote inclusivity and acceptance of gender diversity in sport. Sea Eagles Under 14s and 17s clashed with Mackay Magpies whilst the Senior Men met North Mackay Saints in Mackay.

Sea Eagles Senior Men were back on the winners list with a hard fought victory over reigning Premiers North Mackay Saints 44 – 33. In what was a close game Sea Eagles were able to hold off the fast finishing Saints to take the win. Sea Eagles had three Under 17 players including Brodan Cornwall kicking 2 goals, Reid Ogden and Mason Andrews seeing plenty of the ball through the midfield. Sea Eagles Senior Men now look forward to a home game against the Hawks on Saturday from 3:20pm.

Taking on the Magpies in Mackay after a heavy loss last weekend Sea Eagles Under 17s were eager to make amends. Sea Eagles started strong using the ball well which put Magpies under pressure when they had the ball. This carried on for the remainder of the match with Sea Eagles compiling the best four quarter effort of the season taking it out 74 – 14.

Sea Eagles Under 14s headed to Mackay with Magpies settling early being first to the ball with scores on the board. Sea Eagles struggled to find the pace of the game trying their best to get back in the contest but ended 31 – 74 down. Sea Eagles look forward to the next encounter with Magpies with a win each tallied against each other.

This week Whitsunday Sea Eagles stay at the Nest with Under 12s meeting Sarina from 10:40am, Under 17s and Seniors match up with Hawks with Senior matches from 1:50pm.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Sea Eagles.

Photo Credit: Cody Fowler

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The Mackay Cutters secured an impressive 20-14 victory over the Tweed Seagulls in the QRL Hostplus Cup, with crucial tries from Jaxon Purdue, Josh Smith, and Riley Dean.
Playing a pivotal role in the number six jumper, Purdue, fresh from his successful NRL stint with the North Queensland Cowboys, combined seamlessly with halfback Riley Dean. This dynamic duo was instrumental in helping the Cutters notch their sixth win of the season, keeping their finals hopes alive.
Purdue, a standout Queensland Under 19s star, opened Mackay’s scoring with a try at the 28-minute mark, putting the team ahead 6-4 after an early four-pointer from Seagulls winger Brayden McGrady. A penalty goal by Tweed’s fullback and skipper Lindon McGrady levelled the score at 6-all going into halftime.
The Cutters regained the lead shortly after the break when centre Josh Smith crossed for a converted try. Dean then added a penalty goal, extending the lead to 14-6. Dean further showcased his skills by scoring and converting another try six minutes later, setting the visitors up for victory at 20-6.
Despite a converted try from Seagulls' second-rower Ioane Seiuli and a late penalty goal from Lindon McGrady, the Cutters held firm for a dramatic finish.
This win keeps the Cutters in ninth place on the ladder, tied on 16 points with the Souths Logan Magpies, who dominated the Wynnum Manly Seagulls 40-10 at Brisbane’s Kougari Oval.
Mackay coach Michael Comerford praised the contributions of Purdue, winger Semi Valemei, hooker Jai Hansen, and forward Jamal Shibasaki, all of whom delivered strong performances after being included from the Cowboys system.
The Cutters will face another crucial match this Sunday at BB Print Stadium, hosting the sixth-placed Sunshine Coast Falcons at 2pm.

Gagai Back In Maroons

Coach Billy Slater has recalled Dane Gagai to the starting lineup after he missed last year's series and was named 18th man for Game II this year.
The 33-year-old, who debuted in a decider at Suncorp Stadium in 2015 and has since played 22 games for the Maroons, earning the FOGS Dick 'Tosser' Turner Medal, expressed his excitement: "Obviously, it's a special feeling, being back in the 17."
The Newcastle Knights star recounted when Slater called him last year to let him know he wasn't in the team: "It wasn't an easy decision for him, but it was one he had to make moving forward with the Queensland side and winning the series last year. He reassured me it was not a 'that's it, you're done' type phone call."
"My goal is just to go out there and do my job, as boring as it sounds. Just to hopefully not let my teammates down and not let my state down."
Match: Maroons vs. Blues Game 3 - Wednesday, 17th July
8:05pm

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Mackay’s very own Paris Santacaterina, has carved out an impressive legacy at Dodge City Community College (DCCC), leaving a memorable mark on the basketball courts over the past two seasons.

Her journey from Australia to the heartland of America has been defined by extraordinary achievements both on and off the court.

Paris achieved a milestone that hadn't been accomplished at DCCC since 1987, earning NJCAA All-American honours. This recognition played a pivotal role in the Conquistadors' success, leading them to a remarkable 27-7 season record, a coveted spot in the NJCAA DI National Tournament and their first-ever victory at that level.

As the team's top scorer, averaging 14.9 points per game with impressive shooting percentages, she also contributed significantly with rebounds, assists and steals, showcasing her all-around skill.

Not only did she achieve a standout 56-11 overall record and 42-6 in KJCCC play across two seasons but she was also instrumental in securing the KJCCC title after a 29-win season, marking a historic milestone for the program.

This season, despite finishing second in the KJCCC, Paris led her team back to the NJCAA National Tournament, where they secured their first-ever tournament win.

Her statistical achievements further solidify her legacy at DCCC, where she ranks prominently in school history for both single-season and career performances.

Off the court, Paris’ dedication to academic excellence is equally commendable, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA over two years and earning recognition as an Academic All-American.

Looking ahead, Paris’ journey continues as she transfers to the University of San Diego, (USD), bringing her talents and leadership to their basketball program. Her new role as a Torero promises to build on her successes at DCCC where she is expected to contribute significantly both on and off the court.

Beyond her academic achievements, Paris’ early basketball years in Mackay have no doubt foreshadowed her current and future accomplishments.

Named MVP of the U18 conference championship and a four-time Queensland State representative, she has consistently demonstrated her skills and leadership from an early age.

As she prepares for her next chapter at USD, Paris remains focused on her goals of continuing to excel in basketball as well as pursuing a degree in education.

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From Mackay to Dodge City and now heading to San Diego, Paris Santacaterina's basketball journey has been nothing but a hooping success. Images supplied

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By Hannah McNamara

Two local boys, Sangwani Chinula and Lucas Haack from Mackay have captured the hearts of their community with their exceptional achievements in rugby league, earning esteemed positions in Queensland representative teams and showcasing their talent on a broader field.

Sangwani (also known as Sasa) was born in New Zealand, however, moved to Mackay at the age of two, embracing the region as his home while honing in on his rugby league dream. His hard work recently paid off when he was remarkably selected to play for the Queensland Maroons Under 15 team, following multiple standout performances. Sangwani then achieved the title of Man of the Match in the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League (ASSRL) Championships where his impact was pivotal during a thrilling match.

Queensland secured a tight 22-16 victory and was said to have been like ‘a real State of Origin match.’ Sangwanis’ dedication to the sport extends beyond matches and his achievements are a testament to his rigorous training routine, supported by speed coach Tina from All Sports Speed and Endurance Training and the guidance of local rugby league coaches, Mick Muscat and Cookie Clarke. His journey and strong work ethic exemplifies the resilience and passion required to excel in regional sports, inspiring young athletes to pursue their goals relentlessly.

Sangwanis’ mother Kim Williams expressed that it was a great weekend in Port Macquarie despite the rain and said “the Queensland boys did really well, it’s really amazing for him to make it this far but it just goes to show that he’s worked really hard to get to where his is and I’m very proud of him.”

‘Lucas Haack, paralleling Sangwanis’ journey, has also carved a remarkable path in rugby league, now playing for Brothers Bulldogs under coach Clint Maye. Despite facing challenges along the way including a ligament tear just weeks before a crucial state carnival, Lucas persevered with determination and resilience. His efforts were rightfully recognised when he was selected for the Queensland White Team for his skill and unwavering perseverance.

Beginning his football journey at the age of five, Lucas's love for the sport has only deepened over the years, fuelled by the infinite support of his track coaches, gym trainers, sporting coaches and family. His consistent dedication reaped a captain position of the Capricornia team prior to his recent selection to play for the Queensland White team. These achievements display the rewarding outcome of consistent dedication in regional sports, encouraging others to follow in his footsteps.

Behind these two outstanding young boys lies a strong support network, including dedicated coaches and trainers who have played pivotal roles in their development through the local magpie league. Tina and Luke from ASSET have also provided immense guidance, ensuring Sangwani and Lucas receive comprehensive coaching across various aspects of their athletic development.
Nichole Haack, Lucas’ mother said “he just works really hard, he tries to perform the best he can to learn as much as possible with every avenue and we’re so proud of him.”

As Sangwani and Lucas continue to represent Mackay and Queensland on the rugby league field, their commitment is as an inspiration to young athletes, proving that with hard work and diligence, dreams can become a reality even from regional beginnings.

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Two local young heroes: Sangwani Chinula and Lucas Haack take Mackay's rugby league dreams to state level. Images supplied

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