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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.

Proserpine Golf Report

2023 Club Champions were decided on the weekend.Trish McNeill and Luke Paroz both successfully defended their titles and are the 2023 Club champions.Congratulations to all the winners for 2023.

Veteran Golf Report

Last Tuesday we played our belated August Monthly Medal. Another excellent field of 35 players which included 3 guests. It was a lovely day weather wise.

Whitsunday Green Golf Report

This weeks 9 hole stableford competition saw Edwina Pettiford take the win with 26 pts, second with 25 pts was Moya Bradley and third with 22 pts Josh Quin. Fridays 9-hole stableford saw Andrew Gomez in first place with 21 pts, second with 20 pts was Peter Bitz and third with 20 pts David Wallace. Great job guys.

When Music, Dance, And Voices Collide

Mackay Eisteddfod 2023 After nine days and 37 sessions of performance across the MECC and Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music, the first leg of the Mackay Eisteddfod has wrapped up. The Eisteddfod will continue with drama and dance categories from October 1 to 14. Read on to find a selection of results on page 20 and visit Mackay Eisteddfod Results on Facebook for full results. Best Of The Best Shine At Mackay Eisteddfod Caption Mackay Eisteddfod pianoforte awards. Back from left:

Critical Summit In Response To Housing Crisis

More than 150 stakeholders in attendance at the Greater Whitsunday Housing Summit last week were presented with a comprehensive schedule of information outlining the multifaceted housing crisis confronting the Greater Whitsunday region. The aim of the Summit was to seek to develop solutions to the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday regions’ housing issues in line with the priorities identified at the Housing Roundtable in December 2022. As major event sponsors, Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank D

Music Festival Makes Huge Donation

NQ's Rock'n Country once again delivered a weekend of loud, energetic, and boot-scooting live country music last weekend. The music of Shannon Noll, Morgan Evans, Troy Cassar-Daley, and Adam Brand was heard across the city of Mackay, emanating from the busy hub of the Mackay Showgrounds. While locals and visitors alike enjoyed a weekend of country bangers, they were also playing their part in raising funds for Variety - the Children's Charity of Queensland. NQ's Rock'n Country made a donation of

Urgent Action Needed To Address Housing Crisis

The pressing issue of the housing crisis demands immediate attention and proactive solutions. With the cost of building a home set to rise on October 1, 2023, the timing couldn't be more critical. As we grapple with the housing shortage, the Master Builders Association says the decision for the Queensland Government to introduce livable housing and energy efficiency provisions adds an extra burden to an already challenging situation. While other states have recognised the economic climate and ho