With Easter and Anzac Day behind us, members of the Airlie Beach Bowls Club paused to reflect on the sacrifices of our service men and women. We are reminded how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful part of the country—especially here in our own slice of paradise.

Tuesday morning saw continued action in the Ladies Singles and Pairs competitions, with only one social game played, meaning no prizes were awarded for the day.

On Wednesday, Ted Cullen and Noel Crosbie dominated the green, with Noel in superb form at lead and Ted capitalising at every opportunity. Both players are enjoying a rich vein of form. Wednesday night also marked the first week of the Business House Bowls competition, with results to be shared next week.

Rain returned on Thursday and Friday, unfortunately preventing the Christian College children from beginning their competition and bowls lessons. However, we look forward to welcoming them next Friday afternoon. In brighter news, the club was thrilled to host members of the Endeavour Foundation.

Saturday’s Scroungers competition was cancelled due to a rain-soaked green, but Sunday afternoon social bowls went ahead. In Senior Men’s Singles, Bob McMahon defeated a gallant Bill Gordon. In the B Grade Ladies Pairs, new bowler Mel Fennell teamed with Sue Dakin to defeat Liz McManus and Dawn Dowell 19–12. Meanwhile, Di Jackson and Maureen Barnard overcame Gail Simms and Kathryn Remmeswaal 21–14. All players are to be congratulated on their strong performances.

Two triples matches were also played on Sunday. Arthur McManus skipped a team alongside Des Ballance and Townsville’s John Harker to defeat John Brown’s team, which included John Anderson of Proserpine and Lyn Graham, 18–15. In the second game, Tony Whitehorn’s team of Duncan Smith and Betty Whitehorn overcame a spirited late push from Stacey Hadlow’s side, which included Greg Fennell and Mark Mawson, to win 17–12 and take home the winner’s prize.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

Endeavour Foundation's wonderful group from the back Kiara, with Mitch and Karen. Front row -David Meiklejohn ABBC bowls coach with John and Julie Michael and Jett with Paola. Photo supplied

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Young athletes from across the region will take to the fields this Friday, 9 May, as the Whitsunday Touch Association hosts its highly anticipated Touch Football School Trials at Club Whitsunday.

The trials are expected to draw a strong turnout of talented students, all vying for selection and keen to showcase their skills, teamwork, and fitness on the field. Touch football, a fast-paced and strategic non-contact sport, continues to grow in popularity throughout Queensland schools, and this local trial presents an important opportunity for players to impress selectors and progress further in the sport.

The event is not only a platform for athletic achievement but also a celebration of community and participation. With multiple games scheduled throughout the day, the atmosphere is set to be energetic and full of support from friends, family, and school staff.

To keep participants and supporters well-fed and refreshed, the Whitsunday Touch Association has ensured that a range of food and drink options will be available on-site. The outside can bar will operate from 10am to 2pm, offering classic snacks such as pies, sausage rolls, lolly bags, and soft drinks.

For those seeking a more filling meal, the Club Bistro inside will open from 11.30am, serving a wide selection of favourites. A special burger and drink deal for $25 will be on offer for those looking to enjoy a satisfying lunch between games. In addition, the clubhouse coffee station will be available from 9.30am, providing a much-needed caffeine boost for early arrivals and supporters.

Organisers are looking forward to a successful day, not only in terms of player performance but also in building community spirit around touch football. Events like these are vital in fostering a love for sport at a grassroots level, encouraging healthy competition and sportsmanship among young athletes.

The Whitsunday Touch Association invites the public to come down, enjoy the day, cheer on the players, and be part of a growing local sporting tradition.

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Whitsunday Touch School Trials are on this Friday. Photo sourced: Facebook

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Football – Whitsunday United FC

Friday 9th May

• 6:00pm: Division 2 Men vs Mackay Lions
• 8:00pm: Division 1 Men vs Mackay Lions

Saturday 10th May

• 9.30am: U14 vs Magpies FC
• 11:15am: U15/16 vs Mackay Lions Green
• 5:00pm: U23 Men vs City Brothers FC
• 7:00pm: Men vs City Brothers FC

AWAY MATCH
9:30am:
 • U13 Div 1 vs Mackay Lions (at Mackay Football Park)
 • U13 FQPL vs Mackay Lions (at Mackay Football Park)

AFL - Whitsunday Sea Eagles

AWAY MATCH
•  3.20pm: Senior Men vs Magpies at Rogers Oval
•  1.50pm: Senior Women vs Magpies at Rogers Oval
•  9.15am: U15s vs Magpies at Magpies
•  8.00am: U13s vs Magpies at Magpies
•  BYE: U17s

Touch Rugby - Whitsunday Touch

Monday 12th May
Round 12 fixtures

Cricket – Airlie Beach Cricket Club

Contact airliebeachcc@yahoo.com.au for information about Airlie Beach Cricket Club

Netball – Whitsunday Netball Association

Contact netballwhitsunday@gmail.com for netball information

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Dan Stampa, Past President and current Vice President of the North Mackay Masters Swim Club, the Sinkers, has been recognised for his commitment to the club and Masters swimming in general.  Dan has been appointed to the role of Director of Program Development for MSQ (Masters Swimming Queensland).

MSQ President Susanne Milenkevich confirmed that the formal appointment will be finalised at the next Board meeting in May. She thanked Dan for his commitment and said she looked forward to seeing his initiatives develop further.

Dan’s contributions, include his work on Lifeblood initiatives, which started with his club and have now expanded to another club in Central Queensland. He is also involved in fundraising activities and is interested in community engagement and non-competitive programs, such as Million Metres and the 50x50 celebrations, which have recently seen a revival. Dan aims to expand current initiatives within Central Queensland and develop a broader strategy over the next six months.

A team of 9 Sinkers recently returned from the National championships in Melbourne with a swag of medals.

Congratulations to all who competed and to the support team cheering them on.

The Sinkers have a complete programme planned for the year, including both competitive and social events

You don’t have to be a swimmer to enjoy being a part of this most inclusive club. Many members do their own thing and use the sessions to recover from injury or work on improving their fitness. The social session on a Saturday morning, followed by morning tea, provides the perfect opportunity to get to know members.

If you are interested in joining the Sinkers or want more information, please visit the North Mackay Sinkers page on Facebook.

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Contributed by Gerri Kissner

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Dan Stampa, Vice President of North Mackay Sinkers, has been recognised for his dedication to Masters swimming and appointed Director of Program Development for Masters Swimming Queensland. Photo supplied

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The annual doubles challenge proved to be just that at the Tuesday morning table tennis.

Doug Dungavell and George Camilleri tied with 186 points in group 1, and Ken Best and Virginia Clayton did the same in group 2 with 183 points.

The unusual challenge is a round robin, but with partners swapping after every game which is the first to 30.

In last season’s fixtures Mars Pioneers (Delma Knight, Geoff Cowan and Kevin Abbott) won division 1, while division 2 went to Pluto Players (Darryl Ross, Iris Grasso and Gerry Synnott) and division 3 went to Aqua Waves (Chris Collins, Thelma Caruana).

Geoff Cowan was leading player in division 1 with only one loss, Don Boettcher was unbeaten to take division 2 and Chris Collins lost only one match in division 3.

A new season of Tuesday morning fixtures starts on Tuesday, phone fixture coordinator Steve Mathieson on 0418 700 236 for more information.

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Contributed by Charlie Payne

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Steve Mathieson, Doug Dungavell.

Doubles 2: Steve Mathieson, Ken Best, Virginia Clayton.

Doubles 3: Delma Knight, Steve Mathieson, Kevin Abbott.

Doubles 4:  Steve Mathieson, Iris Grasso, Darryl Ross. Photo credit: Charlie Payne

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Last Friday, the North Mackay Ladies welcomed players from across the Mackay District to join them for the Annual Goosepond Triples event.

North Mackay Ladies President Hilary Jones-Rowan formally welcomed all attendees to a day designed for participation, camaraderie, and above all, enjoyment.

Play commenced with the first of three scheduled 16-end games, with the opening match concluding at 11:30am. Participants then returned to the club for a delicious lunch, thoughtfully prepared by the staff at Goosies Sport and Recreation Club. Following the break, players returned to the greens to complete the final two games.

At the end of play, competitors retired to the clubhouse for a refreshing drink and a beautifully arranged afternoon grazing table.

President Hilary Jones-Rowan then acknowledged and thanked the day’s sponsors — Ben Phillips from Gardian Finance, David Fisher from Gardian Real Estate, and Neil Blucher, President of the Board of Management.

Prizes were first awarded to the winners of each round:

First Round: Rita Hughes, Gail Risman, and Jenny Gardiner
Second Round: Lidia McCarthy, Jean Schmidtke, and Lorraine Lemke
Third Round: Florence Keft, D. Makelvie, and Honnie Ray

The overall winners of the day were then announced:

Fourth Place: Margaret Egerton, Flo Ruggeri, and Linda Owen (Mackay City)
Third Place: Rhonda Meng, Gail Meng, and Jo Inch (Suburban)
Second Place: Chris Hall, Bev Svenson, and Joyce Camilleri (North Mackay/City)

First Place: Betty Nicolle, Carol Crosbie, and K. Rewnerswaal (Airlie Beach)

Organisers extended their sincere thanks to all who participated in this year’s Goosepond Triples event and expressed hope to welcome everyone back again next year.

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Results For Week Ending Sunday 27 April 2025

Monday 21 April 2025 – 6 Table Howell Green Points (Nation Wide Pairs)

North/South East/West
1st Janelle Conroy - Tex Sheedy 1st Ian Cruickshank - Mary Cruickshank
2nd David Ting - Eric Goodchild 2nd Andrew Canavan - Jan Harris
3rd Margaret Lane - Barbara Tait 3rd Ken Seaniger - Nancy Martin

Tuesday Evening 22 April 2025 – 5 Table Mitchell Green Points

North/South East/West
1st Christine Morrison - Glen Cocup 1st Noel Bugeia - Eric Goodchild
2nd Martin Pearce - Errol Morris 2nd Andrew Canavan - Ken Seaniger

Wednesday 23 April 2025 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points

North/South East/West
1st David Ting - Eric Goodchild 1st Diane Stokes - Griffin Bancroft
2nd Monica Darley - Tex Sheedy 2nd Sandra Morris - Jan Harris
3rd Janelle Conroy - Noel Bugeia 3rd Debra Goodchild - Ming Ting

Thursday Evening 24 April 2025 – 4 Table Howell Green Points

North/South
1st Noel Bugeia - Tex Sheedy 3rd Diane Stokes - Martin Pearce
2nd Jan Harris - Patricia Garner 4th Faye Wright - Frances Brown

ANZAC Day Friday 25 April 2025 –6.5 Table Mitchell Green Points

North/South East/West
1st Tex Sheedy - Noel Bugeia 1st Monica Darley - Gwen Liddell
2nd Margaret Lane - Ken Seaniger 2nd Mick King - John Mcgee
3rd Diane Stokes - Griffin Bancroft 3rd Eric Goodchild - Sandy Patterson

Saturday 26 April 2025 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points

North/South East/West
1st Ming Ting - David Ting   1st Margaret Lane - Anne Lutz
2nd Sandy Patterson - Ken Seaniger   2nd Janelle Conroy - Robert Carless
3rd Annie Lynch - Sandra Morris 3rd Martin Pearce - Diane Morgan
4th Alan Brown - Frances Brown 4th Janine Rodgers - Richard Wix

Sunday 27 April 2025 – 10.5 Table Howell Green Points (Novice And Beginners)

1st Susan Ross - Vicki Howard 4th Ted Cullinan - Noel Saunders
2nd  Faith Hutchinson - Geoff Cowan 5th Tex Sheedy - Karen Caldwell
3rd  Debra Goodchild - Annette Howe

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Some of the 24 Mackay club members traveling to Yeppoon for the 2025 Barrier Reef Congress being held over the long weekend 2nd to 5th May 2025. The Barrier Reef Congress is an annual event which alternates between Yeppoon, Townsville, Cairns and Mackay with Gold points being awarded. Photo supplied

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More than forty runners converged on West Mackay’s residential streets this afternoon for the annual Tilse Toddle 5km and 10km events. The Club sincerely thanked Johnson Street residents for their patience, with a special thanks to President Paul Tilse and family for hosting and setting the course. Invaluable race day support came from Len Howarth, David Isbister, Julie Whibley, and Rohan Miles.

Congratulations to all competitors, including a commanding 10km comeback by Justin Rule after his 1500m track championship race. Track specialist Steven Hayles fine-tuned his form for an upcoming 800m event. Luke and Lily Leven impressed in the 10km and 5km respectively.

Paul Mackenzie, highest handicapped runner, delivered a sensational 10km despite a recent 100km and 25km effort — and even fixed a meter box switch mid-event! Mick Vivian was fastest overall, finishing 52 seconds ahead of Mackenzie. Glynis Forse was fastest female, 14 seconds ahead of Carolyn Mapes, with newcomer Amy Huston placing third.

In the 5km, Alana Knezevic powered through injury to win, ahead of junior star Lily Leven.

Steven Hayles and Hayden Connor led the men, with Lauren Connor also making a strong return.

Next Sunday’s run is a social 5km/10km at Bluewater Quay, 4pm. Volunteers are needed Saturday 31 May to assist handing out Mackay Marina Run race bags – contact Janelle Tilse on 0400 99 74 32 for more information.

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Contributed by Janelle Tilse

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Jim Perkins (left) and Clinton Mackie (right) await their handicap start in the 10km Tilse Toddle

Justin Rule makes a welcome return to Mackay Road Runners racing

Mackay Road Runners Life Member and champion runner, Judy Zahn easily tackles the 10km Tilse Toddle. Photo credit: Janelle Tilse

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Get ready for a fun-filled Term 2 with the return of the popular Kindy Cricket program, freshly crowned with a Queensland Cricket Award. Starting Tuesday, May 6th, this exciting and engaging program is designed for children aged 3 to 5 years old, offering a perfect introduction to the world of cricket through skill-based activities and fundamental movement exercises.

The Kindy Cricket program, known for fostering a love of the game, aims to develop essential motor skills while promoting physical activity in a fun and supportive environment. The best part? Parents are encouraged to join in the fun and bond with their little ones through interactive activities. After the session, parents can unwind with a complimentary coffee at HP Cafe, making it the perfect family outing.

With spots for the Kindy Cricket program limited, early registration is recommended to secure your child’s place.

For older kids, the action continues with the launch of the Boys Only and Girls Only programs, beginning Monday, May 12th. These age-appropriate sessions provide tailored coaching and development for young cricketers looking to improve their skills in a supportive, gender-specific environment.

Limited spots available, so register now!

Program Details:

Kindy Cricket (Ages 3-5): Starts Tuesday, May 6th
Program Length: 3 weeks
Cost: $35 (includes Rays water bottle, bouncy ball and coffee voucher)
Location: Harrup Park Field 2
Registration: Limited spots available. Register now at www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/register/d4f2fa

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Over the Easter long weekend, Mackay softball players headed off to the state championships, with only a few having ever previously been part of a representative team. The boys were excited and played their hearts out all weekend, finishing in fourth place and earning a spot in the play-off for the President’s Cup.

There were smiles all around as they pulled off a strong win against Rockhampton, 13-3. A huge congratulations to the young lads and officials on their victory.

Once the boys returned home, the Queensland Under-14 Thunder squad was named, with Boyd Baxter, Eli Nielsen, Connor Doolan, and Levi Counsell all selected for the squad – giving the young players even more reason to celebrate.

A smile was also on the face of Mackay’s only female representative, Mackenzie Rumpf, who joined the Rockhampton team to compete at the Under-14 Girls Championship. Mackenzie was part of the winning team, taking out the girls’ under-14 title – congratulations, Macca!

While the players were out doing their thing, Emmett Counsell was doing his – umpiring games all weekend. Congratulations to Emmett on passing his Level 2 umpiring accreditation, a great achievement.

The action doesn’t stop there, with the May Day Carnival set to hit off this long weekend, from 3rd to 5th May. Teams from across the state will be attending, with five A Men’s, five A Ladies’, and seven B Ladies’ teams competing.

Games start at 8am on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, continuing into the night each day, with the grand final scheduled for 1pm on Monday afternoon.

Entry is free to come along and watch some – or all – of the games. Grab lunch from the canteen, sit back, relax, and enjoy some great softball action. You might even catch up with some old faces!

What: May Day Softball Carnival – top teams from across Queensland battle it out.
When: 3–5 May, 2025. Games from 8am daily, grand final 1pm Monday.
Where: Mackay Softball Association fields.
Entry: Free for spectators.

Mackay’s young softballers impressed at the state championships, celebrated state squad selections, and are now gearing up to host the May Day Carnival from 3–5 May. Photos supplied

It was another busy and competitive week at Wangaratta Bowls Club, with players turning out in strong numbers for both midweek and weekend matches.

On Tuesday, Neale Chittenden, Isobel Wheeler and Margaret Wilson teamed up to defeat Sue Shearing, Irene Laird and Maureen Hyde in a closely contested match. In other results, Deb Retchless claimed victory over Laurie Land and Ron Hyde. Although the bowls were flying and the competition was fierce, the jackpot once again remained unclaimed.

Sunday afternoon saw more exciting matches on the greens. Deb Retchless and Kennedy Whitton combined brilliantly to defeat Neale Chittenden and Pat Tracey. Meanwhile, Gwenda Lydom, Maureen Hyde and G. Colquhoun enjoyed a strong win over Lindy Suann, Alby Vigar and Allan Rolfe. Despite the great play, the jackpot still stayed elusive for another week.

In representative news, the club extends its congratulations and best wishes to Penny Warren, Denise Wallace and Tiarna Winter, who are travelling to the Sunshine Coast to compete in the State District Sides Championship from 7–10 May. The trio will proudly represent North Queensland at the prestigious event, playing at Mooloolaba Bowls Club. Good luck and good bowling!

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

Penny Warren, Denise Wallace, and Tiarna Winter. Photo supplied

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With the rain finally behind us and warm weather settling in, spirits were high at Airlie Beach Bowls Club this past week. Members are eagerly awaiting news on the completion date for the new cover, with fingers crossed for a favourable update soon.

Tuesday saw the opening rounds of the Ladies A Grade Singles get underway. Only one social game was played, with Mark Mawson stepping in for Joan McGrath to join Mel Fennell at lead and Sue Dakin at second. The team combined superbly, with Fennell delivering some outstanding bowls to help secure the win.

Wednesday afternoon’s social bowls drew a huge turnout, and it was Rick Galea skipping to victory. A standout performance from Liz McManus at lead stole the show, overshadowing her talented husband Arthur, as the winning team took home the day's prize. No update was available yet on the Business House Bowls, but a report is expected next week, along with news of the Endeavour Foundation members and their minders returning to the greens.

Saturday was a big day, kicking off with the opening round of Scroungers. Andy McDougall came out on top, defeating Merve Stewart and Kathryn Remmeswaal in a thrilling final.

Saturday also featured the B Pairs competition, with matches played across both morning and afternoon sessions. Ash Warland and Arthur McManus claimed a morning win and progressed through the afternoon on a forfeit, as did Rick Brunell and his skipper Terry Clarke. Mark Mawson and Bill Gordon secured a strong victory over Eric Barnard and Des Ballance but narrowly lost in a close match to Noel Crosbie and his lead, Wayne, from Midge Point.

Sunday morning saw another four-hour session as the semi-finals got underway. Terry Clarke and Rick Brunell were dominant in their match, as were Ash Warland and Arthur McManus, who overcame Duncan Smith and Dennis Donnadelli. In the final, Warland and McManus proved too strong, comfortably defeating Clarke and Brunell to take out the B Pairs title.

With the sun shining and competition heating up, it's shaping up to be an exciting month ahead at Airlie Beach Bowls Club.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

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Arthur and Ash put on a great display over the weekend. Photo supplied

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What a stellar weekend it was last weekend for fishing – total glass out!

Unfortunately, the weather won’t be the same this weekend, as howling winds are predicated to be here for the next few days. It’s a good reminder to make the most of every good weather window.

Dam
There’s been a few good barramundi caught in the dam this past week by anglers who have been trolling deep diving hard body lures. Shallow ones should still be proving successful as well though.

If you’re heading to the dam, don’t forget your insect repellent. The midges and mozzies have been rife.

Estuary
A stack of quality barramundi are still being caught in the estuaries. Live baiting and slow twitching soft prawn plastics have been the standouts for success.

Some great grunter catches are also starting to roll in. Using prawns for bait are definitely your best option here.

Again, don’t forget your insect repellent…

Islands & Offshore
The islands and offshore have continued to be incredible this week. Plenty of good reef species have been caught, including coral trout, nannygai and red emperor. You can’t ask for better fish for dinner!

The challenge has been getting catches past the sharks, which is proving particularly difficult at the moment. When you’re successful though, it does make the catch feel even more rewarding.

We hope you can all find somewhere a little protected to fish the next few days.

Best of luck out there!

Contributed with thanks to Beth Hockley

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The Whitsunday Sea Eagles Senior Women and Junior sides made the journey inland over the weekend, taking on Moranbah in Anzac Round matches played in excellent conditions.

The youngest Sea Eagles, the Under 13s, set the tone with a strong performance. In a closely contested match, it was the Sea Eagles who pulled away in the final term, applying the pressure to seal a 39–16 victory.

The Under 15s faced a tough task after Moranbah jumped out to an early lead. However, the Sea Eagles fought back hard in the second half, taking the game down to the wire. In a thrilling final term, the lead changed several times, but it was Moranbah who found a late goal to edge out Whitsunday, 39–37.

The Under 17s battled bravely against the odds. Like many clubs across the competition, the Sea Eagles have been adjusting to AFLQ Mackay’s new age group changes, but they managed to pull a team together and fought hard throughout the day, eventually going down 22–82.

In the Senior Women's clash, Whitsunday pushed Moranbah all the way in a tight, low-scoring encounter. Despite working hard across four quarters, the Sea Eagles fell just short, going down 2–7. However, the team is eager to bounce back when they meet Moranbah again this weekend on home turf.

All five Sea Eagles teams will be back in action at Whitsunday Sportspark this Saturday, May 3. The Senior Women and Juniors will face Moranbah once again, while the Senior Men gear up to take on Mackay City Hawks. The canteen will be open from 9am, with the bar opening from 12:15pm.

Whitsunday Sportspark - Saturday, May 3 Schedule:

9:15am: Sea Eagles U13s vs Moranbah
10:40am: Sea Eagles U15s vs Moranbah
12:15pm: Sea Eagles U17s vs Moranbah
1:50pm: Sea Eagles Senior Women vs Moranbah
3:20pm: Sea Eagles Senior Men vs Mackay City Hawks

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Sea Eagles

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On Monday 21st April, 10 of our swimmers & their families assisted with placing Australian Flags on the graves of fallen men & women at the Proserpine cemetery in preparation for ANZAC Day.

This experience was both humbling & moving for all involved. With over 400 flags placed, it was a big community effort & rewarding to give back to the community that supports us.

On ANZAC Day, six dedicated swimmers & their families came together to proudly march at the Proserpine ANZAC Day march. Ti & Savanah held the banner proudly throughout the main street march, with Savanah & Jack proudly laying a wreath on behalf of the swimming club at the cenotaph.

A big thank you to Savanah, Ti, Georgia, Jack, Mackenzie, Savannah, George, Ivy, Lochlan, Hayden, Leyton, Jayde and families for giving your time for this very important part of our country’s history.

The Whitsunday Swimming Club is proud to give back to our supportive community.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Swimming Club

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