On Wednesday afternoon, the final of the Ladies Singles was played. Heather Brown defeated Patricia Bownds 26-0. Good luck to Heather, who will be representing Proserpine in the Champion of Champions at Wests Tigers on July 9 and 10.
In Social Bowls on Wednesday, Jim Bownds, Bruce Uhe, Carol Smith, and Peter Lawton drew 24-all with Alen Sanderson, Arthur Griffith, Philip Brown, and Nev Smith.
On Saturday morning, the Semi-Final of the Club Championship 4s was played. Shane Kinnear, Todd Leys, Scott Hamilton, and Gavin Milne defeated Ken Watts, Kendall Watts, Gavin Noonan, and Peter Lawton 35-4.
On Saturday afternoon, the Final of the Club Championship 4s was played. Gavin Milne's team defeated Harry Craig, Marcus Craig, Toby Craig, and Nathan Harriott 18-5. Gavin's team will now go on to represent Proserpine in the Champion of Champion 4s, to be played at Northern Beaches on August 3 and 4.
A Semi-Final of the Club Championship Pairs will be played on Saturday, featuring Toby Craig and Marcus Craig against Jonathan Bye and Wayne Handley.
Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown.

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Another great week of bowls started with Monday's self-selected triples. The winners were Frans Wilmann, Jenny Healey, and Chris Healey, who defeated Gary Wills, Mal Eanes, and Keith Armstrong. The runners-up were Peter Howie, Greg Sol, and Kennedy Whitton, who defeated John Haysom, Peter Nesbitt, and M. Richie. The jackpot didn’t go off.
Tuesday's social bowls winners were Karon McKenzie, Keith Ayken, and Glenn Harvey, who defeated Helen Donoghue, Neil Thewlis, and Ron Boskona. The runners-up were Lindy Suann, L. Sutherland, and Geoff Danvers, who defeated J. Langley, Heidi Reiff, and Bob Dykstra. The jackpot didn’t go off.
Fun Friday afternoon winners were Eadie Pickton and Steve Dolbel, who defeated Ron Hyde and Jan Dawson. Grant Allan and John defeated Patrick, June, and Mark. B. Dykstra and M. McKenzie defeated K. McKenzie and P. Cochrane. Resting touches went to Ron Hyde.
On Saturday, our ladies hosted our annual Monster Cent Sale at the club. What a great afternoon it was, enjoyed by our loyal supporters and visitors. There were many great prizes. Thank you to everyone who donated and helped to make it a successful afternoon.
With another full green, Sunday winners came out on Rink 2. They were Natalie, Lyn Madden, Penny Warren, and Kennedy Whitton, who defeated Kevin Daniels, Gordo Simon, and Fritz Gerald Norm Dawson. The runners-up were Sue Symonds, Jill Parker, Jenny Healey, and Jim Steel, who defeated Marie Nesbitt, Col Parker, Jim Quad, and Ron Hyde. The jackpot didn’t go off.
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Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren.

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Sunday Winners: Penny Warren, Natalie Lyn Madden and Kennedy Whitton with President Mark Drummond
Runners Up: Sue Symonds, Jill Parker, Jim Steel and Jenny Healey. Photos supplied

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Despite the very unpromising weather maps, Whitsunday Golf Club (WGC) put out a field of 18 players to compete in the Monthly Medal/Least Putts for July, generously sponsored by Airlie Panel & Paint and Master Butchers Whitsunday.
Here are the results for the day:
Ladies A Grade:
   • Winner: Elise Hodgson with 75 nett
   • Runner-up: Anna Winterbourn with 79
   • Longest Drive: Anna Winterbourn
Ladies B Grade:
   • Winner: Jo Moynihan with 75 nett
   • Runner-up: Karen Rix with 82
   • Longest Drive: Karen Rix
Men’s A Grade:
   • Winner: George Meharry with 69 nett
   • Runner-up: Andrew Albergo with 71
   • Longest Drive: Mata Browne
Men’s B Grade:
   • Winner: David Hoy with 74 nett
   • Runner-up: Dean Kercher with 76
   • Longest Drive: Dean Kercher
NTPs:
   • For the ladies: Jo Moynihan and Pam Casey
   • For the men: Mark McDougall, Don Cameron, and David Hoy
Least Putts:
   • Elise Hodgson with 31
   • George Meharry with 26 - that’s very good putting on the day.
NAGAs:
   • The honours went to Pam Casey and Leigh Jones, with a drink courtesy of Aaron and Tracy Watts, proprietors of RADS Whitsunday who provide respite accommodation and disability support services.
Upcoming Fixtures:
   • 14/7: Stableford competition
   • 21/7: Mark Nicol Memorial Trophy - a 2-ball Ambrose, his favourite format

Contributed with thanks to Tiina Randmae.

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The weekly 9-hole stableford competition saw Paul Foster take the win with 20 points. In second place, with an 18-point count-back, was Glenn Rees. Third place, also with 18 points on a count-back, went to Brody Thompson..
Sunday's 4BBB Event
Sunday's 4BBB event saw Edwina and Troy Pettiford take the win with a net score of 46.25. The nearest to the pin was Rob Lodders. Great job by all participants.
Upcoming Club Championships
This Sunday, 14th July, our Club Championships will tee off between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM.
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Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross.

Edwina Pettiford and Troy Pettiford

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This week Sea Eagles made the early morning trek out to take on Moranbah Bulldogs in all grades except Senior Men who headed south to Mackay City Hawks.

After leading most of the match Sea Eagles Senior Men could not hold on going down by 5 points to the Mackay City Hawks 34 – 39. Midfield bulls Billy Galpin and Billy Gardner were dominating again whilst Eden Wishart had the ball on a string at stages. Sea Eagles now look to find some form against formidable North Mackay Saints this coming week.

Sea Eagles Senior Women headed to Moranbah with minimum numbers pumped and ready to go. With Coach Tyson Seamer reminding them to have fun and play their own game Sea Eagles came out with a comfortable win 47 – 12.

Sea Eagles Under 17s although missing a number of players put in a solid effort with a 9 – 69 loss against the Moranbah Bulldogs who got a hot start and could not be headed.

Sea Eagles Under 14s watched Moranbah Bulldogs hit the scoreboard early with fast and direct play which left Sea Eagles behind 25 – 55 at the final siren.

Sea Eagles Under 12s took out a convincing win 67 – 7 (adj) against Moranbah Bulldogs in the half way point of their season to solidify second place on the ladder and the hope to give finals a crack.

This week AFLQ Mackay celebrate Pride Round providing opportunity to promote inclusivity and acceptance of gender diversity in sport and role model to make the community a safer place. Whitsunday Sea Eagles Under 14s and Under 17s take on Mackay Magpies in Mackay and Senior Men take on North Mackay Saints at Zeolla Park.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Sea Eagles.

Photo Credit: Cody Fowler

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Steve Lucas took out Tuesday's stableford with 38 points ahead of Jason Whitney with 37 points. Pins went to Luke Nightingale Jon Miller and Brendan Spann.

Thursday's A and B division winners, Scott Mason and Luke Wayth, both had 40 points. Jacob Nightingale and Izaac Vandenburg were the runners up. Pins went to Jacob Nightingale, Finbar O'Flynn, Timothy Miller and Scott Mason.

Brendan Spann had 22 points to win Friday's Met run with Chris Pirlo two shots adrift. Ben Smith won the pin shot.

Saturday's weather was kind enough to see 136 players compete for the prized Scramble four-person ambrose. The gun Sarina team of Ian Dunn, Darren Symons,

Christopher Dunn and Gregory James along with locals Ryan Wilkes, Izaac Vandenburg, Ryan Kenny and Mark Thompson qualified for the regional final.

Blake Lovelock had 41 points on Sunday to beat Corey Stroud by four shots. The leading ladies were Anna Winterbourn on 31 points and Tiina Randmae on 29.

Pins went to Karen Rix, Corey Stroud, Daniel Davis and Andrew Albergo.

Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Golf Pro Shop.

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by Festival Vice President, Melinda Louise Hutchings
After a seven-year hiatus, the Whitsundays Writers Festival will be making a triumphant return 6-8 September, promising an immersive celebration for writers, readers, and thinkers alike, and a stellar line-up of Australia's leading literary figures.
The Patron of the Festival, Jessica Begun, is already known to many in the community due to her ongoing and steadfast commitment to promoting and expanding the Arts in the Whitsundays region over several years.
“I feel honoured to be serving as the Patron of this year’s renewed Whitsundays Writers Festival,” Jessica said.
“The Festival has succeeded beyond my wildest imaginings in featuring leading Australian writers in stimulating and interactive events that both celebrate and create valuable opportunities for aspiring writers, and of course, avid readers.”
Jessica’s love affair with the Whitsundays began in 1991 when she arrived in Australia on her sailboat with her husband and two sons. After spending two years sailing across the Pacific from Boston to Australia, Jessica and her family spent several months exploring the east coast and fell in love with the beauty of the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef.
The following year, Jessica and her family immigrated to Australia and berthed their boat at Hamilton Island Marina. After purchasing land in 1995 and building the Cape Gloucester Eco Resort in 2001, which they sold in 2008, they lived in Maleny on the Sunshine Coast for 20 years before moving permanently to Cape Gloucester in 2015.
“I have been very fortunate to have been able to pursue a creative life starting as a potter in Norway in 1973 and culminating in my Master of Fine Arts from QUT Academy of the Arts in directing,” Jessica said. “I participated in theatre, ceramics, and painting in Massachusetts in the 80s, as well as film making and working in arts events in Maleny including the Woodford Fire Event, the Maleny Film Society, Maleny community radio, and the Real Food Festival.”
Jessica was settling into retired life at Cape Gloucester when she met Cathy Knezevic, the exhibition officer at Artspace in Mackay, in 2019. Keen to create an arts festival, Cathy suggested they combine their skills and as a result, the inaugural Whitsundays Arts Festival launched in September 2020.
Tragically, Cathy had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer when Jessica received news of their success in gaining funding for the inaugural Arts Festival. The second and third festivals in 2021 and 2022 continued to expand the event with the inaugural Songwriter Festival, Arts Prize Exhibition, a focus on multicultural performance and stories, and a film screening at the new Proserpine Entertainment Centre. Cathy continued to battle cancer and lived to enjoy the second festival with her whole family, and her legacy lives on through Jessica’s continued dedication to expanding the arts in the Whitsundays region.
“Festivals provide the best opportunities for our creative community to celebrate the arts and meet other like-minded artists in the community,” expressed Jessica. “I encourage you to come to many of the exciting events planned over the three- day writers festival as possible.”

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WHAT: Whitsundays Writers Festival
WHEN: 6-8 September  
TICKETS: whitsundayswriters.com

Co-founder of Whitsunday Arts Festival, Jess Begun, announced as patron of upcoming Whitsundays Writers Festival. Photo supplied

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A big thank you to all who contributed both on and off the green, to a good year for our club in both Pennants Divisions contested.  Division 1 finished second in the District with 8 match wins and 18.5 Rink wins and a margin of plus 82 to Souths Suburban with 8 match wins 23 Rink wins and a margin of plus 199.   Division 5 finished 3rd with 4 Match Wins, 1 Match Draw, 11 Rink wins and a margin of 0.  North Mackay won Division 5  with 8 Match wins and 1 Match draw and a  margin of 64. 

In this weekend's matches Division 1 played North Mackay at Proserpine on Saturday.  Michael Kinnear, Marcus Craig, Barry Saroglia and Nathan Harriott  won 42 - 5;  Shane Kinnear, David Ling, Andrew Bell and Wayne Handley won 19 - 16;  Toby Craig, Jonathan Bye, Scott Hamilton and Gavin Milne won 23 - 7 for Proserpine 84- North Mackay 38, scoring Proserpine all 6 points plus a Margin of 46.  On Sunday this division played Souths Suburban at Souths.  Wayne Handley's team won 25 - 9;  Gavin Milne's team went down 17 - 25 and Nathan Harriott's team went down 15- 21.  This gave Proserpine the overall win 57-55 earning 4 Points and a Margin of 2.

Also this weekend Division 5 played against Airlie Beach at the beach on Saturday.  Kendal Watts, Mike Harrison, Todd Leys and Bryan Davy went down 16 - 21;  Gavin Noonan, Bruce Uhe, Harry Craig and Brett Saroglia won 22 - 11.  This gave Proserpine an overall win 38- 32 scoring 4 of 5 points plus a margin of 6.  On Sunday Bryan Davy's team went down 17- 22; Brett Saroglia's team went down 14-15.  Final Score Proserpine 31 - North Mackay 37 earning 0 Match points and minus 6 Margin.

The following competition games have been called for Saturday  July 6.  Semi Final Men's Fours 9.30am start.  Ken Watts, Kendall Watts, Gavin Noonan and Peter Lawton v Shane Kinnear, Todd Leys, Scott Hamilton and Gavin Milne.  Final of Men's 4s approximately 1pm start.  Winner of Lawton/Milne morning game v Harry Craig, Marcus Craig, Toby Craig and Nathan Harriott.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown.

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Shane Kinnear concentrating on playing good lead bowls during the pennants game at Proserpine on Saturday. Andrew Bell in background following progress. Photo supplied

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Goodluck to our Men who have been away in Townsville competing in the Dunn Cup. Always a tough competition.
Fun Friday winners on rink 5 were Natalie & Grant Hands, Jim Steel defeating Peter, Greg and Keron 33 to 11.
Our Friday night Barefoot bowls seen a mixture of locals and a group of young Rock climbers from Brisbane this week. Our next night will be held on Friday 12th July. Names in via message or calling 0407946558. Sausage sizzle also available on the night.
Sunday winners on rink 5 were Allan Gillies, Isobel Wheeler, Dennis Stenfolt and Domingo Diaz defecting Carron, Lynda Maureen and Geoff 21 to 16. Jackpot of $ 382 went off and was shared between Rinks 2 and 8.
Reminder Saturday 6th July 2024 Monster Cent sale is on 1.30pm start admission $5 Afternoon tea & Lucky door prize.
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Contributed with thanks to Teresa Willshire.

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Steve Lucas took out Tuesday's stableford with 38 points ahead of Jason Whitney with 37 points. Pins went to Luke Nightingale  Jon Miller and Brendan Spann.

Thursday's A and B division winners, Scott Mason and Luke Wayth, both had 40 points. Jacob Nightingale and Izaac Vandenburg were the runners up. Pins went to Jacob Nightingale, Finbar O'Flynn, Timothy Miller and Scott Mason.

Brendan Spann had 22 points to win Friday's Met run with Chris Pirlo two shots adrift. Ben Smith won the pin shot.

Saturday's weather was kind enough to see 136 players compete for the prized Scramble four-person ambrose. The gun Sarina team of Ian Dunn, Darren Symons,

Christopher Dunn and Gregory James along with locals Ryan Wilkes, Izaac Vandenburg,  Ryan Kenny and Mark Thompson qualified for the regional final.

Blake Lovelock had 41 points on Sunday to beat Corey Stroud by four shots. The leading ladies were Anna Winterbourn on 31 points and Tiina Randmae on 29. Pins went to Karen Rix, Corey Stroud, Daniel Davis and Andrew Albergo.

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Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Golf Pro Shop.

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The weekly 9-hole stableford Alan Clinch took first place with 21pts, followed by Glenn Rees with 20pts and third with a countback of 19pts was Justin Gibbs.
Fridays stableford saw Glenn Rees in first place with 22pts, second on a countback with 20pts was Gary Goddard and third place with 20pts was Rhys Bartholomew.
Sunday was our monthly medal for June and taking the win was Glenn Rees with a 54nett c/b, second place with a 54nett was Edwina Pettiford and third place with 57nett Michael Bond. Also on Sunday’s monthly medal Robert Lodders scored a hole in one on hole 13. Great job by all.
Nearest the pin was Edwina Pettiford and Tyson Flavel.
This Sunday 7th July will be 18-hole stableford tee off anytime.
 
Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross.

Pictured: Robert Lodders

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The Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club is pumped for the new swim season.  The club has a new enthusiastic committee keen to engage young people to participate in swimming. The Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club encourages children to keep fit and to strive for their best.   The first carnival for the season will be on home ground at the Cannonvale pool on 13th July and club nights will resume from August.  Club coaches Ken Crittenden and Mark Erickson have been coaching swimmers over the school holidays and swimmers are enhancing their skills and aerobic fitness for the season ahead.  
During the first week of the school holidays, swimmers worked on aerobic and sprint fitness in the various strokes.  On Wednesday afternoon, the swimmers enjoyed the Butterfly session with Coach Kenny.  On Friday afternoon, the junior and senior swimmers enjoyed a water safety and survival stroke session with Coach Mark before they played a fun game of modified water polo.  The coaches would like to commend the following swimmers who trained consistently:  Jacob Bell, Tiana Bell, Tora Delac, Zach Trefz, Andie Reynolds, Harris Delac, Nelson Malady, Ruby Harland, Dylan Reynolds, Thomas Ganter, Evie Doherty, Charlie Doherty, Jax Clayworth, Isaac Pisaniello, Alex Trefz, Millie Groom, Roxy Groom, Matilda Nicholes, Zane Clayworth, Eloise Chegwidden, Tate Harland, Koa Harland, Indi Smith, Levi Smith, Maeve Dichiera and Declan Dichiera.  
On Sunday, Nelson Malady travelled to Townsville to compete in the TOWSA Ship to Shore 1.5km swim.  This is not an easy event, as ships jump off the back of a ship and swim 1.5km to the Townsville Strand.  Nelson swam a fantastic time of 26.41.50.  Nelson was 3rd in his age group 12 – 15 years.  Well done, Nelson!  Nelson is now planning to swim from Magnetic Island to Townsville as part of a team.  
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Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen.

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Mackay is set to pulse with the beats of national and local music acts this July as The Push and Queensland Music Festival (QMF) team up to deliver an electrifying all-ages event!

Spearheaded by The Push, a leading youth music organisation and part of QMF's QLD Music Trails program, this special event promises an unforgettable experience for music lovers of all ages.

Scheduled for Saturday, July 6th at The Arcadia Bar, the event is a highlight of The Reef Trail, a segment of QMF's QLD Music Trails. The line-up features headline performances by acclaimed acts Great Gable and Kitschen Boy, alongside local talents Giant Palms and Tiffany Grace.

For Mackay's music scene, this gathering not only showcases exceptional musicians but also provides a platform for emerging local artists to shine.

15-year-old Eliza said “This exposure has given me so much more knowledge and boosted my love for music and encouraged my future even more.”

The collaboration offers young people from the Mackay region a unique opportunity to participate in The Push's All-Ages Events Team program. Over the past two months, eight enthusiastic participants have gained hands-on experience in event management and promotion, contributing to every aspect of the show's organisation, from selecting support acts through a local band competition to crafting promotional materials.

CEO of The Push, Kate Duncan said, “We’re stoked to be working with Queensland Music Festival and Mackay Regional Council to bring this All-Ages Events Team program and all-ages live music opportunity to Mackay as part of the Reef Trail.

“Not only does the tour provide important opportunities for young audiences to experience live music that is safe and affordable, but it gives teams of local young people the chance to develop skills, confidence and networks.”

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate music, community and talent in the
heart of Mackay.

Tickets for the event are available for $20 (plus booking fees), with an added incentive of free arcade game tokens for the first 100 attendees. It promises to be a fully supervised, drug, alcohol, smoke, and vape-free event, ensuring a safe environment for all attendees.

For more information and ticket purchases, visit: thepush.au/mackay.

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Mackay gears up for an electrifying all-ages event with The Push and Queensland Music Festival, showcasing national and local talents at The Arcadia Bar on July 6th. Image supplied

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Mackay rugby league sensation Jaxon Purdue has reached another milestone in his fledgling NRL career with the North Queensland Cowboys.

The 18-year-old rookie utility back celebrated his third appearance in the top grade by helping the depleted Cowboys upset premiers Penrith 16-6 last Sunday at Penrith Stadium.

It was a victory to savour for the Queensland Under 19s representative – just weeks after shining on debut in the club’s miraculous win over the Sydney Roosters.
Purdue won’t forget the courageous win over the Panthers in a hurry.

Playing at centre, the former St Patrick’s College Mackay student spent ten minutes in the sin bin before the half time break – then nabbed his first NRL try after a dashing run in the 61st minute to swing the match in the Cowboys favour.

Cheering Jaxon on back home in Mackay were his Cutters’ first-grade teammates, fresh from a heart-breaking 20-12 loss to premiership pacesetters Northern Pride in Hostplus Cup action at Barlow Park in Cairns.

The Cutters led 12-10 inside the final twenty minutes following back-to-back tries after the interval by five eighth Riley Dean and prop Ross Bella that were converted by half back Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu.

But elusive winger Robert Derby stole the show with a spectacular try double in the space of six minutes to seal Northern Pride’s tenth win of the season and keep the club entrenched on the top of the ladder on 24 points with Norths Devils.

Derby capped a huge game with a hat-trick of tries after opening the scoring in the eighth minute before fullback Lachlan West crossed shortly after with half Thomas Duffy adding the extras for a 10-nil lead.

Mackay remains in the finals mix in tenth spot on 16 points and is bent on returning to the winner's list when they tackle the Tweed Seagulls this Saturday at Piggabeen Sports Complex at Tweed Heads from 5pm.

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Mackay Cutters action from the 20-12 loss to Northern Pride in Hostplus Cup at Barlow Park in Cairns. Photo credit: Mackay Cutters

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Fifteen-year-old Mackay Cyclones multiclass athlete Izabella Wills has wrapped up an impressive campaign at the Olympic para trials, showcasing her talent and determination on a national stage.
Izabella achieved 11th place overall in the 100m freestyle and 10th in the 100m backstroke, competing against some of the nation’s top athletes. Remarkably, she secured a spot in the B Final, swimming at 9:55 pm when most teenagers her age are already in bed. Her dedication paid off as she achieved personal bests in every event.
Izabella is riding high on this wave of success, along with her coach, Leigh-Anne Pokarier. The duo were selected to attend the Hancock Prospecting Para Futures Development Camp on the Sunshine Coast last weekend. Leigh-Anne joined the coaching team, while Izabella has been recognised as a future para athlete by Swimming Queensland, opening new opportunities thanks to her hard work and stellar performances over the past two years.
The dream of becoming a Paralympian is gaining momentum for Izabella, who continues to strive toward her goal, making her one to watch in the Mackay Cyclones camp.
The achievements don't stop there for the Mackay Cyclones Swim Club. An impressive 27 athletes have received Junior Excellence recognition, while six higher-level athletes have earned spots in the Silver, Bronze, and Junior Development squads based on their performances last season with Swimming Queensland.
Coach Leigh-Anne Pokarier acknowledges the hard work and dedication required to achieve such success.
"It's a hard slog for everyone, and the results are well-earned and deserved," she said.
"I couldn't ask for a better team who come together and get it done."
Next on the agenda, two Cyclone members will compete at School Nationals on the Gold Coast at the end of July: Izabella Wills representing the senior school and Isabelle Daniel representing the junior school. Following that, the team will gear up for the State Short Course Championships in August.

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Izabella Wills (centre) with coach Leigh-Anne Pokarier (right) at the 2024 Australian Swimming Trials

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