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New Training For Nurses

Aspiring nurses of Bowen have been given the green light, with TAFE Bowen now offering the Diploma of Nursing in the Bowen Health Hub. Replicating a real-life hospital environmental, nursing students at the Bowen Health Hub will be able to get hands-on training for the duration of the 18-month course which is set to start on September 25.

North Mackay Ladies Bowls Club

No social bowls was played on Wednesday, August 23, however, the ladies did play the Graded 4’s competition and it was a very close one. Lois Deguara’s team won the honours this year, with her team of Lyn Maguire as lead, Helen Fleming as second, Sheryl Cuttriss as third and Lois Deguara as skip, with a very nice 7 and 5. Second was team Lorraine Lemke with 6 and 22, while third was team Lidia McCarthy with 6 and 9. Super effort to all those who played in the competition. There was once again no

‘Collision Of Worlds’ Is Legendary Louie Lee Feltrin As Robbie Williams

The superstars continue taking centre-stage at the Airlie Beach Hotel, with the one and only Louie Lee Feltrin, also known as one of the best and most authentic Robbie Williams tribute performances.

Mackay Contract Bridge Club

Anne Hird Memorial Winners - Beanies For Brain Cancer The Anne Hird Memorial Shield was played over the last three weeks with each Novice playing with three different ‘Over 100mp’ each week. Anne’s husband David Hird, who sponsors the event, presented the prizes which included Beanies for Brain Cancer. Diane Stokes finished on top of the leaderboard, but as Di was a previous winner of the shield the award went to Ian Gaskell the next best ‘Under 100mp’ Novice. Weekly Results Anne Hird Final No

Local Handmade Gifts

The Whitsunday Arts Festival has just gotten better, with the highly anticipated Handmade Markets being announced, culminating in a packed week of lively arts and entertainment.Taking on Fairy Tree Park, on the Airlie Beach Foreshore, the Handmade Markets are sure to be a treasure hunter and décor lover’s delight, with extensive stallholders with artworks, homewares, goods and gifts crafted locally, on display for all to see.

Mika Re-Opens!

With a sea of colourful umbrellas catching the eyes of passers-by, the new location of Airlie’s popular Mexican Restaurant, Mika, is now open and ready for business.In the heart of the Airlie Beach Esplanade, Mika can be found upstairs at Beach Plaza, extending the full length of the first floor, and offering stunning sea views from almost every table.

At The Table

Doubles brought out fierce rivalry when the Jan Meng Memorial Trophy was decided at the Mackay Table Tennis Centre last Tuesday. Don Boettcher and Fred Saliba won the trophy ahead of Pam Joyce and Gerry Synnott, while the consolation final was won by Donna Abbott and Bill Hey from Doug Dungavell and Cheryl Pearson. The trophy is played annually by Tuesday morning fixture players in memory of the late Jan Meng, who for many years organized the fixtures. Many thanks to Iris Grasso, Pam Joyce, Tony

St Patrick’s Crowned Queensland Regional League Champions

From Grand Final heartbreak to undefeated Queensland Regional champions in the space of twelve months – that is the fascinating journey experienced by the Year 10 St Patrick’s College Mackay rugby league team. The Cowboys Challenge Shield winners backed up their Grand Final heroics with a resounding 44-0 victory over Rockhampton’s Emmaus College in the State Regional Championship decider at BB Print Stadium. It was another mighty performance from Tom Gaviglio’s all-conquering charges as they c

Rangers FC To Celebrate 40th Anniversary With Signature 8 A Side Carnival

A tradition of football excellence returns to the region this month when Mackay Rangers FC prepares to mark four decades with its iconic 8 a Side Carnival. Starting as a celebration of home ground enhancements back in 1983, the carnival has grown in stature and reputation. Today, it stands proudly as one of Queensland’s remaining senior football carnivals. This year's 40th Anniversary Carnival will be staged from Saturday September 30 to Sunday October 1 at the club’s home base at Eric Homa

Sea Eagles Finals Campaign Begin

Whitsunday Sea Eagles had three of their five teams represent in the AFLQ Mackay 2023 Qualifying and Elimination Finals over the weekend.Sea Eagles look to recover quickly to take on Eastern Swans next Saturday in the Preliminary Final for the decider on who comes up against North Mackay Saints in the Grand Final.

Record-Breaking Hoops Provides Hope For Families

In a play that would make any basketball enthusiast proud, the 2023 Mackay Basketball NBL1 fundraising game and charity singlet auction, held in July, has shattered records, amassing an impressive $32,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia. The impressive figure of $32,000, powered by raffles conducted during the event and the McDonald’s Mackay Meteors annual charity singlet auction, soared past the previous record of $30,000 achieved in 2021. Last week, Mackay Basketball Gene

Calling All Local Cricketers!

Proserpine Junior Cricket Club are holding their next Have A Go sign on day this month, perfect for aspiring junior cricketers to get involved in the game and have their hand at the sport. The Club has undergone a series of upgrades of the clubhouse and grounds, preparing for the upcoming season, including a floor refurbishment, new interior paint, and new nets.

Mackay Bowls Club News

Alf Padgen at 90 years of age has been playing lawn bowls for more than 40 years after originally starting at Gargett. Nowadays, Alf is a dual member at Mackay and Wests Tigers, but regularly teams up with Albert Wicks on Tuesdays to revive their bowling achievements as partners in District Pairs and Triples Championships. While Alf is deadly with his bowling arm, he always encourages novice bowlers in the finer points of bowling techniques. During the week, the club has been hosting Mackay Stat

Whitsunday United Weekly Football Report

After the final round of the season, five of ten Whitsunday United teams progress to the finals series.Congratulations to all our finalists including U13 Div 1 (3rd place), U15 FQPL (4th place), Men U23 (4th place).Special mention to our senior prem teams with our Premier Women having their best season ever with a second place in the Premiership conceding only to the top of the table Lions with a narrow loss and a draw.

Rule Runs Home With A National Bronze

The recent 2023 Australian Cross Country Championships was the latest platform for three Mackay athletes to post impressive performances. Ayla Moon, as well as brothers Oliver and Toby Rule, proudly represented Queensland, with Toby finishing with a podium placing. Held in the capital city of Canberra last weekend, these dedicated athletes showcased their remarkable endurance and determination, showing why they earned their well-deserved spots in Queensland's elite running teams. Ayla, compe

Port Denison Gun Club News

Sunday 27th August saw 23 shooters competing for the day. Shooters travelled from Silkwood, Townsville, Burdekin, and Mackay/Sarina to join our members for a day of competition.

Local Racer Picked For Ferrari

Whitsunday local student Jure Portelli has been one of eight girls selected for the international FIA Girls on Track Rising Star Program. Having competed in kart racing for just over two years, Jure’s made a quick ascent to fame, with 30 podium finishes, and 20 first place wins in 2022 alone.She initially began in karts that her parents wanted to teach her to drive before getting her license, with no motorsport background. She then progressed to faster vehicles.

Cannonvale Cannons Super Start to the Season

Jacob Bell and Jy Parkinson completed for the Queensland team at the Australian School Swimming Championships in Sydney last week. Team Manager, Kate Thomson said Jy and Jacob were great ambassadors for Queensland. Jacob and Jy made finals (Top Tens) for all their individual events.

Brahmans Win Grand Finals

The Proserpine Whitsunday Brahmans U14 team are celebrating this week having beaten the Mackay Magpies in the Grand Final, coming home 2023 champions. Coach Justin Follett has been coaching the team for the past nine years and although they undefeated last season, the team sadly lost the final.This year, with a point to prove, the youngsters came back fighting, but it wasn’t looking good when they were beaten four times.Despite this, they held themselves together as a team and triumphed.

Airlie Beach Bowls Report

As the days grow longer and spring is on our doorsteps the bowls this week has been sensational with so much news to tell.Let’s start with Tuesday afternoon bowls saw only a small but strong field play with Wendy Pomeroy with Henny Tattam take home the prize money.Saturday morning Scroungers saw Gary Kiff, Betty Whitehorn, Tony Whitehorn and Russell Jackson first round winners with the final playoff between Russell Jackson and Betty Whitehorn.

Proserpine Bowls Report

Wangaratta Bowls

Wangaratta hosted the annual Combined Shield on Saturday. With a format of Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours men’s teams from Wangaratta, Collinsville, BBC, and a combined Wangaratta/BBC ladies team played for the trophy. Over the day there were a lot of great bowls played.

Darts Report

Round 19 came to a conclusion today at the Airlie Beach Bowls Club, when Dom Friend and Art McMinn went head-to-head for the last time this season. Dom, who picked up a bad knee injury during the week, was able to put that to one side on the day and play some strong darts. Art too has been playing well of late, but just couldn’t get enough going consistently in the scoring department to cause Dom enough problems.

Whitsunday Game Workshops

The Whitsunday Game Fish Club is hosting two more free Tackle and Baitrigging Workshops and everybody is welcome to come along. The first is on Tuesday, 5 September at the Marine Club (home to the Whitsunday Game Fish Club and V.M.R) in Altmann Avenue, Cannonvale from 6pm. The first workshop will deal mainly with tying good knots, making of wind-on leaders, tackle set-up, drag settings and an in-depth look at lure fishing for pelagics, such as marlin, sailfish, tuna, mackerel, GT,s etc.

Bowen Golf Report

Saturday 19 August – Single stableford event sponsored by Tim Warren Auto Aircon & Electrical. Ladies’ winner was Joy Hose 39pts, runner up Robyn Slade 37pts. Men’s winner on a countback Mark Fox 41pts, runner up Adam Borgh 41pts.