Have hockey stick and cricket bat will travel – that is the motto of Mackay’s 17 year old dual sports representative Haiden Mellifont (pictured).

When he is not cracking boundaries or unveiling his array of shots as a stylish top order batsman during the summer months, the gifted St Patrick’s College Year 12 student can be found plying his attacking skills on a hockey field.

All eyes will be on Haiden when he leads the Capricornia Boys 16-19 yrs representative cricket team into action at the Queensland Schoolboy Cricket Championships to be staged in Maroochydore from this Sunday March 5 to next Wednesday March 8.

The talented Mellifont is one of seven St Patrick’s College players named in a strong Capricornia squad that will line up against some of the finest schoolboy cricketers in the State.

Only six weeks ago versatile Hayden swapped his cricket bat for a hockey stick and gained selection in the Emerging Australian Under 18 Indoor Hockey squad after strong performances at the National titles staged at the Brisbane Sports Entertainment Centre.  

Mellifont scored three goals to help the Queensland Gold team finish a creditable fifth and caught the eye of national selectors with top displays at centre half and fullback.

The Emerging Under 18s will attend a training camp in Melbourne in preparation for an international series at home.

Earlier the gun midfielder led Mackay to victory at the State Indoor Hockey titles in Maryborough – inspiring team mates with his technical skills to earn himself yet another Maroons shirt.

Haiden first picked up a hockey stick at the age of eight while a student at Emmanuel Catholic Primary School at Mount Pleasant and has developed into a crack centre half since joining Norths Hockey Club as a fresh-faced 12 year old.

The lanky schoolboy was a key member of Norths’ premiership-winning second grade team in the Mackay Hockey Association in 2022 and is now fully entrenched in the club’s first grade line up.

Last year Haiden was named in the Queensland Hockey Under 19 Merit Team for a proposed ‘Test’ series against New Zealand and is on track for selection in the 2023 squad.

He will represent Mackay Schools in Rockhampton this week and hopes to lead Capricornia to back-to-back titles at the State Hockey Championships in Ipswich from May 18-21.

All-rounder Haiden is one of the young guns at Pioneer Valley Cricket Club and last summer was named Mackay Cricket Association’s Second Grade Player of the Year.

He started his cricket career with Brothers before linking with the Valley as a 13 year old and helping the club win four junior premierships.

The Mackay-Whitsundays representative has blossomed into a dashing top order batsman and handy seam bowler in the senior ranks and figured in the Valley’s triumphant second grade X1 that captured the 40 overs one day competition last summer.

By Chris Karas

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Haiden Mellifont is a representative player in both hockey and cricket

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The Mackay Cutters returned to BB Print Stadium on the weekend, facing up for their third and final preseason trial.

The gameday was originally touted as a double header, with the BMD Premiership Cutters scheduled to take on the Central Queensland Capras before the Hostplus Cup Cutters welcomed the Townsville Blackhawks.

The Central Queensland Capras, however, informed the club earlier in the week that they unfortunately had to withdraw from the trial match against the Cutters BMD Premiership squad.

The BMD squad hosted a Community Inclusive event with Mackay junior girls instead, giving girls an exclusive opportunity to train with our BMD Mackay Cutters before the Hostplus Cup game kicked off.

The Hostplus Cup Cutters later took to the field, starting the game with a bang and finishing the first half 16-4.

The second half was a scoreless affair for the Cutters, however, as the Blackhawks hit back hard, finishing the game with a 16-28 win.

The loss comes as the first from three preseason trials, with plenty of positives to take into round one next Saturday March 11 against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Manly.

Meanwhile, the Cutters junior squads all had success against the Northern Pride in Cairns with the Harvey Norman Under 19 Girls winning 26-6, the Mal Meninga Cup Cutters winning 24-4 and the Cyril Connel Cutters winning 20-4.

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Photo credit: Marty Strecker Photography

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Local Athletics Season Getting Underway

On your marks, get set, go!

The Mackay Athletics Club is gearing up for an exciting season of competition and camaraderie. From seasoned veterans to fresh-faced beginners, our club welcomes athletes of all ages, abilities, and skill levels. This has helped to build a strong base of competitive and experienced athletes over the years throughout all disciplines of the sport.

As the starting gun sounds on March 4th at 12.30pm, our athletes will be hitting the ground running, with competitions scheduled throughout the month in Brisbane and Sydney. But it's not all about winning medals – we're a family-friendly club that values development, support, and unity. That's why we're changing things up in 2023, with older members stepping up to mentor and assist our younger ones.

So, whether you're a sprinter, a jumper, or a thrower, come join the Mackay Athletics Club and reach new heights!

Commencing on March 4 at 12.30pm, the upcoming season is shaping up to be an amazing one.  

The month of March sees many of our athletes compete in Brisbane and Sydney in Queensland Athletics Championships March 9-12, Australian Masters Championships March 10-13, Queensland Athletics 3000m and the NQ Cross Country Championships.

Later in April, our amazing athletes will compete at the Chemist Warehouse Australian Open, Under 20 and Junior (Under 13 to Under 19) over two different weekends.

The Mackay Athletics Club offers coaching for club members with cost and details found on our website. As a general rule, if you are already coached by someone, it is best practice to discuss this with your coach.

In 2023, the Mackay Athletics Club will make some changes to how we run our season. We will split the afternoon into two sessions to better support our members.

The first session is for athletes aged five to 12, and events will run as normal. This session is designed to give younger members more opportunities for development, with support from our older athletes and their parents. We are inviting our older club members to join us at the normal time to help support our newer and younger members.

The second session is for athletes aged 13 to masters level, and will be run differently to give those who specialize in certain disciplines more opportunities to compete.

Visit mackayathletics.com.au or Mackay Athletics Club | Mackay QLD | Facebook for more information.

Contributed by Belinda Rule

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Bowen Seagulls Rugby League hosted its 12th annual Bowen Summer 10s Carnival to raise funds for cancer research last Saturday, with the carnival hosting a total of 22 teams from as far afield as Cairns and raising $12,000.

The chosen causes this year were close to the Club’s heart according to Club President Darren Piggott, who said Bowen Cancer and Ostomy Support group and the family of a club volunteers currently battling cancer would benefit from the fundraising.

“Knowing that we have the support of the community and that they have come together to raise these funds means a lot to us,” Mr Piggott said.

On the day, 15 men’s teams and seven women’s teams battled it out for the trophies.

The teams of Noel Yasso Memorial, 20 Prise Boys, and Boonti Buster got right on the fundraising band wagon, bringing in a $6000 contribution. Boonti Busters efforts alone in conjunction with Kevla Expresso and Health Food Bar Muffin Drive, Corey and Shannen Jensen Broncos Jersey donation, Wheelbarrow Raffle, and Karmon Powers shave for a cause raised $5000.

And the Baddies women’s team donated their $1000 prize back to the club to give to our chosen charities.

In the action-packed football, the men’s competition was strong with Club teams mixing it with exhibition, memorial, and family teams throughout.

The Grand Final of the men’s competition was fast and physical making with Fiji Time winning the final 24-10 against Samu Bala’s.

In the women’s competition NRLW star Shania Powers’ Coastal Neurs took home the trophy.

Players of the carnival were Karmon Power from Boonti Busters and Chelsea Munns from Baddies.

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The team Fiji Time were the winners at Bowen Seagulls Rugby League’s annual Bowen Summer 10s Carnival where spectators, businesses, and teams raised $12,000 for local causes

Bowen local Karmon Power raised funds by shaving his head at the event

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Congratulations to Charlee Morris, Cooper Robinson, Hamish Peel, Acacia Rock, Bryson Henshell, Lanie Hazelton and Leeshara Reynolds who have been selected for the Whitsundays to take part in Northern Region’s Touch Trials.  

Teams selected from these trials will go on to represent North Queensland at the State Championships.

WTA also wishes Bernard Woods all the best of luck as he travels to Coffs Harbour next week.  Bernard has been selected in the North Queensland Cyclones 60 years and over for the National Touch League.

The experience all these players will bring back from exposure to the higher standard of competition at representative level will be a boost to our own local competition.

This season, Family Grade has been recognised as an avenue for young players to have regular exposure to competitive touch, aged 8-12 years.

Not only is it an opportunity for families to play together, it also helps develop skills and involve all players.

New family grade team Mainlanders

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Round Three Results

Mixed A

Trusty (10) d Vipers (9)

Raiders A d Concrete Feet on forfeit

In the Crear (10) d Whitmonday Eagles (2)

Mixed B

Full Boar d G.E.T. Touch on forfeit

Slippery Salmons (9) d The Guinea Fowls (4)

Mixed C

Whitsunday Warriors (6) d Raiders C (3)

Stingers (11) d On Time (9)

Flametree Flames (9) d Touch It (2)

Mixed C (Family)

Mainlanders (8) d Escapees (3)

Untouchables (8) d Misfits Ham+o Rent (5)

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Airlie Beach Bowls Club was unable to field any games this week due to weather save for its Saturday and Sunday matches.

The first round winners were Col Morris, Russell Jackson, Peter Barratt, Ted Cullen, Karen Jensen, and John Brown.

Finalists were Russell Jackson and Karen Jensen with Russell narrowly winning. B Grade winner was club favourite Rick Galea.

Saturday afternoon saw a great Open A Grade Men’s Round against Club Champion and top 200 singles player in Australia Manny Isgro and new bowler to the Club but former Proserpine Division 1 player David Ling.

David was off to an early 3-11 lead before Manny got his eye in and won 25-16.

Ladies’ Open Pairs saw Lynne Skeen and Lu Rogan win 21-17 against formidable opponents Margo Stanley and Jill Mazlin-Petersen.

Sunday afternoon was a “great roll up” with the biggest winners of the day Bobby Spees and Lu Rogan, who maintained her splendid form to guide the team to a 29-13 against a luckless Tony Kelly and Lynne Skeen.

Jill Mazlin-Petersen played against Sandra Argo with Jill coming out the winner 25-21.

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Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

Lyn Graham with Airlie Beach Bowls Club winners Bob Spees and Lynne Skeen

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The Bowen Bowls Club hosted a fierce competition game between Wayne Crowhurst and Ross Scanlon last week, with Wayne taking the out the win.

At the Club’s Wednesday Social Bowls, Joan Edwards, Jane Gilbert, and Gus Munro defeated Robyn Stitt, Lee Welsted, and Brett Lampard.

David Moodie, Ron Gould, and Ian Best won against Mary-Ellen Pratten, Ross Scanlon, and Jeff Tierney. Jan Randall, Peter Wilson, and Steve Roome defeated Eddy Neylon, Carol O’Connell, and Mark Rogers.

In the final matchup, Bev Smith, Gavin Charles, Paula Welsted, and Allen Williams defeated Helen Jacobsen, Lorraine McArthur, Peter Thomson, and Jill Brabon.

Sunday Scroungers Winners were Mark Rogers, Herb Dalton, Jan Randall, Gavin Charles, and Steve Roome.

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Contributed with thanks to Joan Edwards

Bowen Bowls Club’s Sunday Scroungers winners Mark Rogers, Herb Dalton, Jan Randall, Gavin Charles, and Steve Roome

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Proserpine Bowls Club player Alen Sanderson had “an absolute cracker” of a game on Sunday afternoon in the best match of the week at the local green.

Alen and Jim Quod defeated John Anderson and Bruce Uhe 18-11 in a game of  2-4-2 Pairs.

On the other rink, Peter Lawton played double second with Mary Hedgelong and Heather Brown, defeating Philip Brown, himself, and Sandy Daffara, 17-14.

The Club will be reverting to usual times for its bowls as summer ends – 1.00 PM for a 1.30 PM start on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

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Players from Alligator Creek, Suburban, Giru, Collinsville, and Airlie Beach joined members of the Wangaratta Bowls Club to celebrate its Opening Day on Sunday morning.

Six games of triples were played with the winners coming out on Rink Three: Merle Elphinstone, Lyn Danvers, and Greg Colquhoun defeated Gwenda Lydom, Denise Wallace, and Geoff Danvers.

Runners Up were Jocelyn DeFranciscis, Rhonda Lloyd, and Sugar Brunker, who defeated Robyn Stitt, Maree Brunker, and Pat Tracey.

Other winners were Robyn Engert, Penny Warren, and Graeme Read against Lindy Suann, Irene Laird, and Mark DeFranciscis.

Graeme Margaret, Wilson Kaye, and Cooper beat Bron Tolcher, Kent Moriarty, and Greg Duncan, while Bill Myers, Teresa Willshire, and Fely Duncan defeated J Taylor, C Engert, and Allan Rolfe.

The final winners of the day were Tess Walker, Linda Smith, and Kevin Daniels in the game against Sue Shearing, Deb Retchless, and Gary Stockham.

Ladies’ Competition games have been drawn and the first games called posted on the board. Men’s local Pennant will be played at the club against Bowen Bowls Club on Sunday – there is still room for social bowls.

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Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

Opening Day Winners at Wangaratta Bowls Club Greg Colquhoun, Merle Elphinstone, Mark Drummond, Lyn Danvers, and Margaret Wilson

Runners Up on Opening Day Rhonda Lloyd, Jocelyn DeFranciscis, Presidents Mark Drummond, and Margaret Wilson

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Wednesday’s competition was a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club.  Ladies’ winner was Elona Lynch with 28pts, runner up on a countback Grace Nott 27pts.  Men’s winner was Russell Carlyon with 38pts, runner up on a countback Donald Wiliams 35pts.

Saturday’s competition was a stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf club.  Ladies winner was Grace Nott 41pts, runner up Morag Parker 36pts.  Pin shots to Robyn Slade, Trish Sellen, Paulette Barrett, Bev Lowcock.  Grace Nott also had an OBP.  Mens winner with a cracking score of 49pts was Dylan Bartlett.  Well played Dylan.  Runner up Brad Graham 39pts.  Pin shots to David Insch, Dylan Bartlett, Walter Maguire, Jeremy Chrzanowski with an IBP.  Perry Layton had an OBP and won the Car wash voucher.  

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

Bowen Golf Club men’s winner Dylan Bartlett and ladies’ winner Grace Nott with runner up Morag Parker

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A field of 26 players competed in Thursday’s Stableford event at Proserpine Golf Club with Greg Walker the master of the course with 39 points to win.

Karl Kirkwood came runner up with 38 points and Adam Tester won Division Two on 32 points, with Mark McDougal only one point behind.

Nearest the pins (NTPs) went to Adam Maggs, Michael Cragg, and Trish McNeill

The Saturday Master Butchers Whitsunday Stableford was well attended with 76 players in the puddles across the course with Lyn Muller pipping Trish McNeill on a countback to win the ladies’ competition with 31 pts. Heather Luvis came in third with 29.

Vincent Collins didn’t mind the wet conditions, carding an impressive 38 points to win the men’s competition ahead of Levi Holmes on 36 points. Gavin Kerwand also on 36 points in third.

NTPs were won by Mandy Patterson, Gavin Kerwand, Rob Smith, Lyn Muller, Trevor Paroz, and Nick Watson.

Ryan Kenny was too good for the 44 Sunday players with 35 points, closely followed by James Faust on 35 also, and Mason Kuchel on 34.

Peta Thomas was five points clear of second place with 32 points, Karen Rix on 27, and Elise Hodgson with 24.

NTPs: Don Cameron, John Clark, Ritchie Atkins, Mata Browne, Tiina Randmae, and Peta Thomas.

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Contributed with thanks to the Proserpine Golf Club Pro Shop Team

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Sixteen Proserpine Veteran Golfers braved the not-so-kind weather last week, and not all of them finished the course.

The Club hosted two competitions: a nine-hole and an 18-hole, with Club Captain Ken Granger winning the latter with 28 points on a countback from John Oates, while Wilf Herweg came in third on 27.

Peter Fox claimed the nine-hole win with 17 from Helen Deighton, 12, and Paula McQuat, 11.

Pin shots for the men went to Jim Cochrane and John Oates on two, Wilf Herweg in the hole on nine, and Louis Neethling on 13. The ladies: Tiina Randmae on two and Paula McQuat on nine.

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Contributed with thanks Paula McQuat

Proserpine Veteran Golf Club Captain Ken Grangerwon the 18-hole competition last week at the Club

Seventy-four motivated people ran, jogged, and walked the five-kilometre waterfront course at this week’s Airlie Beach parkrun.

Knox, Rencia, Elizabeth, Charlie, Leanne, Elise, and Emma completed their first parkrun, while Liv, Craig, Nick, Michael, Tracy, Stephanie, Addison, and Ben achieved new personal bests.

Daisy completed her 10th parkrun as a junior, while Gus and Phoebe completed their 25th parkrun.

The event was made possible by 18 generous volunteers: Peter, Nick, Justin (RD), Kara, Margaret, Greg, Susanne, Valerie, Carys (photographer), Kirsty (photographer), Ashley, Michael, Laura, Lynne, Dennis, Anne and Margaret.

Airlie Beach parkrun started on December 5, 2015, and has since seen 4,596 participants complete 23,892 parkruns covering a total distance of 119,460 km, including 2,748 new Personal Bests. A total of 383 individuals have volunteered 3,491 times.

Parkrunners are encouraged to bring a plate to share at a post parkrun picnic at Shingley Beach this Saturday.

Airlie Beach parkrun meets at 6.50 AM for a briefing at area D, Coral Sea Marina (adjacent to the top carpark) every Saturday. Parking is free in the lower carpark until 9.30am if a parkrun barcode is placed on the dashboard.

The best-kept secret about parkrun is that it’s not about running - it’s about bringing people together in public parks and open spaces across the world to have some fun in a friendly, social, and supportive environment.

You can walk or run the five-kilometre course (pushing a pram or with one dog on a short lead), lend a helping hand as a volunteer in a wide range of super-easy roles, or simply spectate and socialise on the sidelines.

There are no winners at parkrun and nobody comes last – the Tail walkers do. Regular participation is rewarded rather than performance, with ‘parkrun milestone shirts’ available to people to recognise their achievements in coming along.

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Contributed with thanks to Airlie Beach parkrun

Airlie Beach parkrun’s tail walkers for last weekend’s iteration of the weekly event

Some runners enjoying the parkrun in the best possible way – with family

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The Port Denison Gun Club invited fifteen shooters to its monthly February competition on an overcast day with a slight breeze, which proved a challenge for the shooters.

The winners were: Event One: 20T DB AA: B Gall 20/20, A Lord 17/20; A: D Stitt, C Edgerton 20/20, J Kinninmonth, G McHenry 18/20; B: G Dalton 16/20, D Bartlett 14/20.

Event Two: 20T SB A Lord 16/20, B Gall 14/20; A: M Populin, D Stitt 17/20, J Kinninmonth, L Dalton 16/20, B: G Dalton 16/20, D Bartlett 14/20, C: T Bartlett 17/20, B Bonanno 15/20, P LeBlowitz 13/20.

Event Three: 20 T PS AA: B Gall 58/60, A Lord 45/60 A: C Edgerton 58/60, M Populin 55/60, G McHenry 54/60 B: G Dalton 48/60, D Bartlett 43/60.

Event Four: 20T Continental AA: B Gall 18/20, A Lord 16/20 A: J Kinninmonth 20/20, M Populin, L Dalton 18/20 B: G Dalton 19/20, D Bartlett 17/20 C: T Bartlett 19/20, P LeBlowitz, B Bonanno 14/20

Event Five: 20T Handicap 1st L Dalton 19/20, G McHenry 18/20, T Bartlett 21/24 after a shoot off with C Edgerton and G Dalton. Overall for the Day in Each Grade – Sponsored by the Central Hotel: AA: B Gall 126/140, A: C Edgerton 125/140, B: G Dalton 116/140, C: T Bartlett 119/140.

The Club extended its thanks to sponsor of the day The Central Hotel and to everyone who helped in any way over the weekend.

The next shoot will be the Club’s 100 Target Day held on the Sunday, March 26, commencing at 9.30 AM. Practice will be available from 8.30 to 9.15 AM.

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Contributed with thanks to Colin Edgerton

Central Hotel Trophy Overall L-R B Gall, CEdgerton, G Dalton, T Bartlett

The Bowen Netball Association is inviting the community to come along to their Gala Day which is due to take place this Sunday from 2pm-6pm.

This is a special celebratory occasion where the club will unveil the new netball courts.

There will be a jumping castle, face painting for the children, food and drinks available, live entertainment, pop-up stalls and some special guests attending.

During the afternoon there will be a Social Mini Carnival for ages 10 plus in the Juniors and Seniors Competition.

Anyone can nominate a team and participate with family and friends or work colleagues.

You simply need eight people per team.

It is free to play and there are prizes to be won.

WHAT: Bowen Netball Association Gala Day

WHEN: Sunday, March 5

WHERE: Woodlands Road, Bowen

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Bowen Netball Association unveils new courts

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