Endurance athletes and spectators there’s no time to rest! The season of active winter sports continues with the Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon ready to kick-off this weekend.

The iconic Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival is back for its 24th year this weekend with a record field of professional, amateur and junior triathletes.

Cheer on family, friends and loved ones as they push themselves while competing in this invigorating community event.

The weekend includes a standard Olympic distance, sprint distance, enticer distance, team triathlon, junior triathlon with different distance based on ages, and an ocean swim.

The Airlie Beach Triathlon is targeted at people of all fitness levels, if you missed out on this years, head down and cheer on the current athletes, and find out more about how you could participate next time around.

It’s an unforgettable race in Australia’s most beautiful and picturesque environment.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Saturday 27 July

The weekend of friendly competition commences – 12pm – 4pm, check-in is open as well as late registrations.

At 2pm the Junior Triathlon starts and at 3:15 the Open Water Swim starts.

Sunday 28 July

The Big Day!

At 6.30am Male and Female groups start their Olympic distance, shortly after the male and female group triathlon starts.

At 7am the sprint distance for men and women starts, shortly followed by the Enticer distance.

The Olympic distance includes a 1.5km open water swim, a 40km cycle and a 10km run.

The sprint distance is half of the Olympic distance, 750 meters in the water, 20km cycle and a 5km run.

Enticer distance consists of a 300-meter open water swim, 10km cycle and a 2.5km run.

Race Director Mick Kimpton said the two-day festival promises an unforgettable experience for triathletes of all levels, set against the stunning backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef.
 
“This year's event marks a significant milestone, and the passionate committee is committed to bringing back the ‘good old days’ atmosphere so athletes can expect a focus on camaraderie, value for money, and a memorable race experience for every participant,” Kimpton said.
 
“The 2024 festival boasts an impressive lineup of ambassadors, adding excitement and prestige to the event. 
 
“Triathlon enthusiasts will be thrilled to race alongside Radka Kahlefeldt (Olympic representative and Commonwealth Games Gold medallist) and Caleb Noble (runner-up in the prestigious World Challenge Family prize pool), while legendary swimmer Susie O'Neill and Nick Croft will lead the exciting ocean swims.
 
“The iconic voice of Pete Murray, known for his electrifying race calls at Ironman and 70.3 events, will add another layer of energy to the finish line atmosphere.
 
“The Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival is more than just a competition; it's an experience”

WHAT: Airlie Beach Triathlon
WHERE: Coral Sea Marina Resort
WHEN: Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 July

Photo supplied

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Airlie Beach offered perfect conditions for AFL last weekend as the Sea Eagles hosted the Mackay City Hawks and Sarina, resulting in an exciting day of football.
Senior Men’s Team: The Sea Eagles Senior Men secured their first home win of the season, defeating the Mackay City Hawks 78–33. The match was closely contested in the first half, but a strong second half from the Sea Eagles saw them pull away and overrun the Hawks.
Senior Women’s Team: The Sea Eagles Senior Women faced a bigger and stronger Hawks team. Despite their hard efforts, they struggled to get scores on the board and lost 17–30.
Under 17s Team: The Sea Eagles Under 17s looked forward to playing at home against the Hawks and delivered an outstanding performance, kicking one of their highest scores of the season and securing a comfortable win.
Under 12s Team: The Sea Eagles Under 12s posted another convincing win, 65–15, against the Sarina Demons. After a strong start by the opposition, the team found their rhythm. Jack Smith marked his 50th game, while Oscar Trewin had a strong game, contributing 2 goals.
This week, the Whitsunday Sea Eagles hit the road to take on the North Mackay Saints in Mackay. Juniors will start at 9:15 am, followed by Seniors at 1:50 pm. Come along and support the teams for what promises to be another exciting round of matches.
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Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Sea Eagles.

Photo Credit: Cody Fowler

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Whitsunday Running Club member Liv Compton broke her own record from last year by 7 mins to win the North Queensland Championships Marathon ahead of Natalie Goodwin (Biggera Waters) and Cailin Atcheson (Hamilton Island) in a time of 3 hours 15 minutes and 34 seconds!

The men’s marathon was won by Daryl Harding of Chinchilla who powered ahead of Mick Vivian (Mackay) and Whitsunday Running Club’s Bowen representative Kyle Fleer in a time of 2 hours 55 minutes and 45 seconds.

Local rivals Billy Grogan and Rolly Henderson took out first and second in the Tassal Group Half Marathon with Shae Wilson (Bowen) third. They also finished one and two in the McDonald’s Magic Mile on Saturday afternoon.

The ladies’ half marathon was an exciting affair with the first three runners finishing within 22 seconds of each other. Claire Ashworth (Canberra), a three-time winner and current record holder managed to hold off Liz Maguire (Townsville) by ten seconds with Saskia Jurriaans (Townsville) a further twelve seconds behind.

Eleven-year-old local, Shailee Mewha had an outstanding weekend. She entered in the open division in the Magic Mile on Saturday afternoon and took home the cash for first place, then went on to win the Ray White 5km in a record time of 18:56.

The men’s 5km was won by Shane Amarasinghe (Rockhampton) with Whitsunday Running Club’s Shay Jones second and Nathaniel Espartinez (Mackay) third.

In the Whitsunday Transit 10km another local junior, Millie Groom was involved in a great battle with the current record holder Ashlee Scott (Mackay) who she managed to beat on the finish line by 1 second! The men’s race was won by Brendan Maltby (Bowen) followed by Jayden Jones (Whitsunday Running Club) and Toby Wilson (Ayr).

Don Algie and Penelope Shields won the Wilmar 2km event and Murphy Jamieson and Siska Higgins won the Macrossan and Amiet 1km.

The Mascot Race between ‘Piggy’ (Bendigo Bank), ‘Cruzer’ (Cruise Whitsundays), Blazer (QFD), Troppo (Tassal Group) and Hogster (Hoggs Breath Café) was a great hit with the crowd and was won by Piggy.

The charity of choice for this year’s festival was the Ronald McDonald House Charities, North Australia who will benefit from the kind donations that the runners made during registration.

St Catherine’s Catholic College won the Locus Surveys Corporate Challenge floating trophy and the Primary School challenge trophy with a cash prize that will go towards their regular Run Club incentives.

The weekend was a great success with 560 entries across all races. The Event Manager and President of the Whitsunday Running Club, Tim McQuoid-Mason said; “the large number of entries this year created a real festival atmosphere at the race precinct on the Airlie Beach foreshore and it was great to see the running talent in the Whitsundays performing so well against our guests from across Australia and overseas.”

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.

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Liv Compton celebrating her win
Claire Ashworth on the finish line
Mascots completing their run
St Catherines Catholic College

Photos supplied

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The Learn to Sail program at the Whitsunday Sailing Club offers an exceptional opportunity for both adults and children to discover the joys of sailing amidst the stunning Whitsundays. Course run throughout the year, held on 8 consecutive Sundays and cater to all skill levels, from complete beginners to those looking to refine their techniques, this program is designed to instil confidence and a love for the sport in a supportive and friendly environment.

For children, the program provides an engaging introduction to sailing, focusing on building fundamental skills in a fun and safe setting. Through age-appropriate instruction and hands-on practice, young sailors learn about boat handling, water safety, and teamwork. The program emphasises the importance of fostering a lifelong appreciation and respect for the sea, encouraging kids to embrace outdoor adventure and develop a sense of responsibility and independence.

Adults, whether new to sailing or looking to improve their skills, benefit from the comprehensive curriculum tailored to their learning pace and goals. The experienced instructors at Whitsunday Sailing Club offer personalised guidance, ensuring that each participant gains confidence and competence on the water. Lessons cover essential sailing techniques, navigation, and safety procedures, enabling adults to enjoy the freedom and exhilaration of sailing with ease.

The Whitsunday Sailing Club's prime location provides an ideal setting for the Learn to Sail program. Participants have the advantage of learning in one of the most beautiful and renowned sailing regions in the world. The protected waters of the Whitsundays offer a perfect mix of calm areas for beginners and more challenging conditions for advanced practice, ensuring a well-rounded sailing education.

In addition to practical sailing skills, the program fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among participants. Regular social events, races, and group outings allow sailors to connect, share experiences, and build lasting friendships. Whether you are seeking a new hobby, looking to improve your sailing prowess, or dreaming of exploring the open waters, the Learn to Sail program at the Whitsunday Sailing Club will build your confidence and point you on your way.

Visit the Whitsunday Sailing Club website for more information on registration and upcoming dates: https://whitsundaysailingclub.com.au/learn-to-sail/

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Learn to Sail
Learn to Sail courses Available at Whitsunday Sailing Club

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On the weekend, three Cannonvale Cannons swimmers participated in the 70th anniversary Magnetic Island to Townsville swim. They were among 150 swimmers from all over Australia who took on the challenge.

Jacob Bell and Mark Erickson competed as solo swimmers in the 8km event, while Nelson Malady was part of a four-person relay team, with each member swimming 2km. Although initially worried about the wind and cold temperatures, the weather improved on the day, making the swim more pleasant than expected.

Jacob Bell finished second overall and was the first male to complete the 8km swim, with a time of 1:53:22.20. Katelyn Irwin won the event with a time of 1:52:02. Jacob has now been the first male finisher for two consecutive years.

Mark Erickson faced tough competition in his age group, which had 21 competitors. He was delighted to complete the challenging swim and was pleasantly surprised to achieve third place in his age group.

Nelson Malady's relay team swam a combined time of 2:30:29, with each swimmer covering 2km. The team decided to swim the last 500 meters together, finishing as a united group.

During the presentation, Jacob Bell was honoured for his contributions and achievements by receiving The John Barrett Junior Excellence Award for 2024, a remarkable accolade.

Congratulations to Jacob, Mark, and Nelson! A big thank you to the paddlers, support crew, and family members for their invaluable assistance. The Cannonvale Cannons extend their best wishes to all swimmers participating in the Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival this weekend!

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Jacob Bell 1st Male Award
Jacob, Nelson and Mark after completing the Magnetic Island to Townsville swim

Photos supplied

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Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

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The cold snap hasn't dampened the action at our club this week—it's been hot!
Tuesday: Ladies B Pairs Final
Tess Walker and Rhonda Lloyd faced Di Jackson and Maureen Barnard in a thrilling match, tied at 14-all after 14 ends and 18-all after 18 ends. Tess and Rhonda ultimately triumphed 25-20. We also welcomed visitors Donna Evans, Mark Penney, and Aileen Jacobs from Albury Commercial Bowls Club, along with Carol and Nev Smith from Swan Hill Racecourse Bowls Club. Skipper Mark Penney, Helen Ward, and Aileen Jacobs won the social bowls.
Wednesday: Jackpot Bowls
Skipper Andrew Butler and Warren Mills emerged as winners, with Betty Whitehorn and Bobby Spees taking home the jackpot prize.
Friday: Bowls Lessons
The Endeavour Foundation returned for morning bowls lessons, and Christian College students joined in the afternoon. Thanks to David Meiklejohn, Arthur McManus, Carol, Betty, and Helen for their assistance.
Saturday: Scroungers Final
Andy McDougall won the Scroungers final for the fourth time, while Merve Stewart won the B division final.
Sunday: Social Bowls
We welcomed 90-year-old Ken McAllister from Queenscliff Bowls Club, Victoria, for the 35th year. Skipper Peter Barrett, Mel Fennell, and Paul Tobias bowled outstandingly, taking home the win.
Well done to all participants! We look forward to another exciting week of bowls!
Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson.

Tess Walker and Rhonda Lloyd after their outstanding win. Photo supplied

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Club Fours:
   • Ray, Ron, Herb, and Gus defeated Gordo, Mark, Crowy and Kev.
Club Triples:
   • Robyn, Rosco, and Tiarna defeated Tracey, Lloyd, and Jason.
   • Ron, Kennedy, and Mark defeated Wendy, Rob, and Steve.
Club Pairs:
   • Ray and Gus defeated Ron and Steve.
   • Ron and Steve defeated Daryl and Feley.

Social Games:
Sunday, 14th July:
   • Ron, Rosco, and Rob defeated Bruce, Dave, and Wendy.
   • Allen, Peter, and Gus defeated Ray, Keith, and Shane.
   • Peter and Gavin defeated Marion and Daryl.
   • In the Scroungers game, Jane defeated Lee and Paula.
Wednesday, 17th July:
   • Mary Ellen, Gordo, and B. Noble defeated B. Jackson, J. Middleton, and Daryl.
   • M. Turner and J. Foskett defeated M. Middleton and L. Welsted.
   • Anna and Jane defeated Marion and Doc.
Stay tuned for more updates and results!
Contrtibuted with thanks to Joan Edwards.

Photos supplied

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Despite the chilly weather, the bowls action heated up at our club this week.
Wednesday Social Bowls:
   • Jim Bownds, Bob Preston (visitor from Camden), and Carol Smith (visitor from Swan Hill) defeated Bruce Uhe, Mary Hedgelong, and Sandy Daffara 22-15.
   • John Anderson, Arthur Griffith, Philip Brown, and Nev Smith (visitor from Swan Hill) triumphed over John Anderson, Pat Bownds, Barry Zillmann, and Heather Brown 26-8.
Sunday Social Bowls:
   • Philip Brown, Bob Preston, and Sandy Daffara edged out Alen Sanderson, Peter Lawton, and Nev Smith 23-18.
   • Bruce Uhe, Mike Harrison, and Gary Ratcliffe (visitor from Brisbane) dominated Arthur Griffith, Carol Smith, and Heather Brown 34-13.
Men's Club Championship Pairs Final: On Sunday afternoon, Jonathan Bye and Wayne Handley clinched the title of Pairs Champions, defeating David Ling and Andrew Bell 22-10. The match was highly competitive, showcasing the skill and purpose behind every shot. Jonathan and Wayne will represent Proserpine in the District Champion of Champions at Mackay City on August 10 and 11.
Seaforth Triples: Barry Saroglia and Gavin Milne were part of a team that secured second place at the annual Seaforth Triples this weekend.
Congratulations to all players for their outstanding performances. We look forward to more exciting games in the coming weeks!
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Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown.

Jonathan Bye and Wayne Handley winners of 2024 Club Championship Pairs.

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North Queensland Triumphs in Northern Women’s Challenge
Congratulations to our North Queensland representatives—Penny Warren, Denise Wallace, and Robyn Stitt—who were part of the victorious team in the Northern Women’s Challenge this week. North Queensland defeated Mackay, Far North Reef, and Rainforest sides with seven match wins.
Monday Self-Selected Triples
In Monday's self-selected triples, Merle Elphinstone, D. Gorin, and G. Gordon triumphed over S. Symonds, R. Symonds, and J. Paynting. Runners-up were Marie Nesbitt, Ron Boskna, and Lorraine Knight. The jackpot didn’t go off.
Tuesday Social Bowls
Tuesday's social bowls winners were Bron Tolcher, Linda Atkinson, John Middleton, and Ron Hyde. Runners-up were Merle Elphinstone, Brian Bellingham, Debbie Gorins, and Marg Wilson. Again, the jackpot remained unclaimed.
Fun Friday Afternoon
Friday afternoon's winners were Jill Natalie and Allan D., who defeated Gabbi Owen and Gary Smith. Special mentions go to Kim Marsh, Lyn Madden, and Karen Smith for their resting touches.
Annual Wangaratta vs. All States
In Saturday's annual Wangaratta versus All States match, All States defeated Wangaratta by 15 shots despite an even number of rink wins. Better luck next year, Wangaratta!
Ladies Premier Cup
The Ladies Premier Cup will be contested this week at Suburban in Townsville, commencing Friday. Best wishes to our team of Robyn Stitt, Margaret Wilson, Denise Wallace, and Penny Warren as they compete against teams from 11 clubs over four days. Good luck, ladies—your stamina is commendable!

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren.

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Wangaratta ladies and North Qld Reps Penny Warren, Denise Wallace and Robyn

Mark Drummond (Wangaratta) presenting winning Trophy to Lorraine Knight (All States) .

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Tuesday's Competition: Trevor Madin emerged victorious with a 66 nett, narrowly defeating Paul Gray by one shot. Diane Chard won the ladies' division with a 68 nett, three shots ahead of Elspeth Scotford. Pins were awarded to Gary Scotford, Rees May, John Oates, and Lyn Muller.
Wednesday's Ladies' 4BBB Stableford: Jenny Hounsell and Tiina Randmae triumphed with 42 points, three points ahead of Elspeth Scotford and Paula McQuat. Pin winners included Elspeth Scotford, Paula McQuat, Tiina Randmae, and Jacqueline Wall.
Thursday's Stableford Competition: Sean Fogarty parred the course for 40 points, winning by two shots over A division runner-up Steve Lucas. Ken Lovett claimed the B division with 36 points, two ahead of Peter Fox. Pin winners were Jason Ford, Brad Fleet, Tina Badenhorst, and Laurie Dakin.
Friday's Met Run: Elise Hodgson won with 22 points, edging out Matthew Muller who scored 21. Pins went to Nick Watson and Ben Smith.
Saturday's Hayman Electrical Stroke Event: Tom O'Brien secured victory with a nett 65, beating Scott Dwyer by three shots in the B division and narrowly defeating Aaron Prosser and Craig Smith in the A division. Diane Chard claimed the ladies' division with a 68 nett, one shot ahead of Sherri Meade. Pin winners were Nathan Holmes, Kelvin Stephens, Ben Smith, Brian Smith, Noelene Spurway, and Jill Farinelli.
Sunday's Stableford Competition: Brad Fleet won with 36 points, just ahead of Richard Furnell. Paula McQuat scored 34 points to beat Jacqueline Wall by six shots. Pins were awarded to Peta Thomas, Perri Simpson, Mark Thompson, and Brad Fleet.
Congratulations to all winners and participants for their impressive performances throughout the week!
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Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Golf Club.

Photo supplied

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What a glorious day it was to be out on the golf course for the 2024 Closed Championship. The event saw 35 players, including two visitors: Stephen Guy from Toronto Golf Club, who played with us last week, and James House from Margaret River Golf Club—a long way from home. We hope they enjoyed their day with the Prossie Vets and look forward to seeing them again on our course.
The course was a delight to play today. The fairways and greens were in excellent condition, surprising some players and delighting others who made impressive scores.
Our champion veteran golfers for 2024 are:
Ladies:
   • Gross Winners: Elspeth Scotford (A) and Jacqui Wall (B)
   • Gross Runners-Up: Lyn Muller (A) and Rehab Hull
  • Nett Winners: Tiina Randmae (A) and Kathryn Borer (B)
   • Nett Runners-Up: Jenny Hounsell (A) and Paula McQuat (B)
Pin Shots:
   • A Grade: Lyn Muller (x2, including ITH 16th), Tiina Randmae
   • B Grade: Paula McQuat (x2), Jan Shuwalow
Men:
   • Gross Winners: Gary Scotford (A) and Jim Sherrington (B)
   • Gross Runners-Up: Craig McLean (A) and Peter Fox (B)
   • Nett Winners: Ken Granger (A) and Trevor Paroz (B)
   • Nett Runners-Up: Steve Mitchell (A) and John Oates (B)
Pin Shots:
   • A Grade: Vic Feldman, Barry Mortimer, Colin Hounsell
   • B Grade: Jim Sherrington, Trevor Paroz, Peter Fox
NAGAs: Pam Harrison and Louis Neethling
A special thanks to Jacqui Wall, who supplied goodies for the NTP prizes and prepared two amazing hampers used as bonus raffle prizes for all the non-winners of the day. Numbers were allocated to all non-winners, and the lucky winners were Beryl Nosworthy and Barry Shuwalow.
Many thanks to all who participated. Well done to the winners! We hope everyone enjoyed themselves and look forward to seeing you all on the course again soon.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat.
Elspeth and Gary Scotford, Photo supplied

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On the chilly morning of July 21, 2024, 18 members of the Whitsunday Golf Club gathered for the Mark Nicol Memorial Trophy event, a 2-ball Ambrose competition, which was Mark Nicol’s favourite format. Despite heavy fog on the drive into Proserpine, the event kicked off under pleasant sunshine. However, a cool breeze picked up later in the morning, making the last few holes more challenging. Nonetheless, the winning scores reflected impressive play.
Winners:
   • 1st Place: Mark McDougal and Lewy Tuck with a nett score of 62.75
   • 2nd Place: Andrew Albergo and Paul Nicol with a nett score of 64
   • 3rd Place: Elise Hodgson and Chris Bartlett with a nett score of 67
   • 4th Place: Sally Little and Wayne Temby with a nett score of 67.75
Longest Drives:
   • Ladies’ A: Elise Hodgson with a remarkable drive on the 18th hole
   • Ladies’ B: Karen Rix
   • Men’s A: Wayne Temby
   • Men’s B: Peter Fox
Nearest to the Pins (NTPs):
   • 5th Hole: Tiina Randmae and David Hoy
   • 7th Hole: Mark McDougal and Lewy Tuck
   • 16th Hole: Andrew Albergo and Paul Nicol
NAGAs: The honors went to Linda Wardroper and Peter Fox, who each received a drink courtesy of Aaron and Tracy Watts, proprietors of RADS Whitsunday, which provides respite accommodation and disability support services.
4Next Week: A stroke competition will be held for players to prepare for the Proserpine Golf Club Championships the following week. Please sign up on the timesheet between 7 and 8 am to ensure a block play format.
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Contributed with thanks to Tiina Randmae

Andrew Albergo, Mark McDougal and Paul Nicol.

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After going into caretaker mode in 2022, Sarina & District Athletics Club has successfully reopened in 2024 thanks to the support of local volunteers and businesses.

With a new committee in 2024, the Club had to go through extensive updates to revive the athletics field, membership, marketing and finance options.

Club Secretary Nicole McCowan said that the Club’s base of operations, the athletics field, “didn’t have anyone looking after it for over 12 months”.

“Getting it up to scratch was a huge effort – it took tractors, slashers, mowers and a lot of helpers from all over the community – and it looks beautiful now,” Ms McCowan said.

“We also had to upgrade our operations – including reactivating the website and updating how we process memberships, to make it easier for people to join.

“Thanks to support from Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank, part of this upgrade included a Square cash register and iPad. So instead of just doing cash, which has made taking payments for memberships, food and uniforms so much easier, more convenient and of course, more secure.

“We are now sitting at 47 paid members, with another 15-20 people in a trial membership.

“We are incredibly pleased with the results and so appreciative of all the help we’ve received from our community.”

Community Bank Sarina Manager Charmaine Matsen said that the Bank were “big supporters”, not just of the Athletics Club, but also “seeing local volunteers put their heart and soul into bringing back something that is so important for our whole community”.

“Getting the Club back on its’ feet was a massive challenge, and thanks to some amazing people and support from local organisations – they are back and we are so proud to be a part of that,” Ms Matsen said.

“The range of activities held by Sarina & District Athletics Club provides even more options and opportunities for the whole family to get involved and get active.”

The Club’s training days are every Monday from 3.30-5pm and Club Days are the last Sunday of the month. All are welcome to join – for membership enquiries and other information, visit their website at www.revolutionise.com.au/sarinaanddistrict.

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Community Bank Sarina’s mascot Piggy enjoying the relaunch of the Sarina & District Athletics Club

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When Sunshine Coast Falcons flyer Flynn Camilleri returned to his old Mackay stamping ground last weekend, he didn’t require a knowledge test.

The former Cutters winger knows every blade of grass on BB Print Stadium – the scene for many of his try-scoring feats in the QRL Hostplus Cup competition.

Back on his home patch the quicksilver Camilleri made his presence felt in the Falcons’ rousing 38-20 victory over Mackay to stay on track for the finals.

The elusive try merchant opened the scoring after twenty-seven minutes with a customary four-pointer in front of a partisan home crowd and menaced his former club with powerful attacking surges from all parts of the field.

A try double by Falcons fullback Zacariah Miles in the space of six minutes helped the visitors establish a handy 18-0 lead at the half-time interval.

Queensland Under 19s forward Jamal Shibasaki crashed through tackles to score the Cutters' opening try after the break with half-back Riley Dean adding the extras.

Sunshine Coast rammed home their advantage when crack centres Taine Couper and Scott Galeano dashed over for tries to open up a 30-12 lead.

Mackay winger Semi Valemei and lock forward Sean Mullany gave their side hope with second half tries before interchange Harrison McIndoe sealed victory for the Falcons with his team’s sixth try in the dying moments.

Sunshine Coast half-back Cody Hunter experienced an on day with his trusty boot – landing six conversions plus a penalty goal from his seven attempts.

The win lifts the Falcons to sixth spot on the Hostplus Cup table with the Cutters in ninth place on 18 points from fifteen matches played.

Mackay will face another tough assignment against the second-ranked Norths Devils at Denison Park in Bowen at 3.30pm when the competition resumes on Saturday, July 27.

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Mackay Cutters

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By Hannah McNamara

Mackay is becoming the epitome of regional talent after celebrating the rise of 24-year-old Lachlan Stitt, now crowned the Welterweight Boxing Champion of 2024.

Known in the ring as 'Deadshot,' Lachlan achieved a remarkable knockout victory at the recent EternalMMA event held on the Gold Coast.

Despite now residing in Sydney, Lachlan fondly acknowledges Mackay as his hometown and points his beginnings in combat sports to his early days playing karate and footy at the age of 14. His journey into mixed martial arts began in 2015 at Mackay MMA and since relocating to Sydney in 2016, he has continued to hone his skills at the same gym.

Reflecting on his recent victory, Lachlan recalls the intensity of facing a seasoned opponent with significantly more fight experience and international training credentials.

"It was a crazy experience," he admits, "facing such a tough opponent made me nervous, but I believed in my skillset and that belief showed on the night."

Driven by a relentless pursuit of improvement, Lachlan approaches each training session with a dedication to honing his skills in striking, wrestling and jujitsu. For Lachlan, training isn't just about preparing for his next fight, but rather a continuous journey of self-discovery and mastery.

"I enjoy the process of getting better every day," he shares.

"For me, it's about striving for that 1% improvement in everything I do.

“I'm always seeking out challenges and I’m never satisfied with just being mediocre, I want to be the best welterweight in the world."

Offering words of encouragement to aspiring athletes, Lachlan emphasises that dedication and hard work are foundational to success in all areas of life. He believes wholeheartedly in the principle that consistent effort and perseverance are key ingredients to achieving your goals.

"Just give it a go," he says.

"Where you come from doesn't define you.

“Coming from a small town like Mackay, I moved to Sydney and dedicated myself to my sport so anything is possible if you're willing to put in the effort and push your limits."

“You can become the best in the country or even in the world, but it’s up to you because you put your own limit on yourself,” he remarked.

Lachlan's success from regional beginnings to becoming a welterweight champion has been a powerful reminder in the community of the talent and potential that lies within every determined mindset, every passion, and every dream in the hearts of those who were born and raised in the Mackay region.

“Anything can happen and I’m the living product of that.”

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24-year-old Lachlan Stitt from Mackay recently took home the title of Welterweight Champion at the EternalMMA showdown in the GoldCoast. Images supplied

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