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Whitsunday Sailing Club Report

The Whitsunday Sailing Club’s weekly twilight races were hosted in perfect sailing conditions on Wednesday, with 16 yachts on the water. While the easterly breeze was ideal, it abated during the afternoon, dropping to just four knots by the time the last boats finished.

Practice Flipping Makes Perfect For Outriggers

Onlookers may have been confused while watching Whitsunday Outriggers Canoe Club participate in ‘Huli’ practice two weeks ago in the Whitsunday waters. The local club embarked from Shingley Beach to New Beach, and whilst in the Pioneer Bay, tipped themselves out of their vessels. Outrigger Club member Paul Tobias said a Huli is essentially when an outrigger capsizes, caused when the outer float leaves the water, rotating 180-degrees.

Moto Sports Club Championships Round Two

The Whitsunday Moto Sports Club held a successful Round 2 of its Club Championships on Saturday, March 18. Great numbers competed in both the club’s Cadet and Senior classes – with brand new karters Luke and Cruz racing for the first time this meeting.

Airlie Beach Darts Club’s Celtic Cup

It was a massive day of darts coming up this weekend for the Airlie Beach Darts Club with the season’s first trophy up for grabs. Round One had valuable Premier League points up for grabs, and the winners advanced to the knockout stages of the Celtic Cup competition.

Gold For Proserpine Bowler At Blind Championships

A Proserpine bowls player has won gold for his part in Australia’s recent overall win at the International Blind Bowlers Association Championships in Tweed Heads last week. Scott Kinnear, a visually impaired Proserpine local, represented the country in both the Singles and the Pairs B4 Classification for the March 6 to 16 competition – and brought home a Gold Medal to the Whitsundays this week for his efforts.

On The Whitsunday Green

This week’s 9-hole stableford was won by Rhys Bartholomew on 24 points, second place went to Chris Bartlett with 19 on a countback, and third Jeff Tovey, also 19. Our Friday 9-hole stableford competition was a great turn out, with the winner, on 24 points, James Millar, followed in second place with 21 points by Tyson Flavel, and third with 20, Kev Francke.

Proserpine Veterans Golf

Proserpine Veteran Golfers fielded some impressive scores despite the oppressively humid conditions last week. Colin Hounsell came in with 37, followed by John Oates, 33, and Trevor Paroz with 32, but the absolute star of the day was in the ladies: Leanne Alexander with an amazing score of 42.

Proserpine Golf Report

Tuesday’s Competition at Proserpine Golf Club was won by Leanne Alexander, who showed everyone how to play in Club’s Tuesday Stableford with a very nice score of 42 points. Chris Brett was five points behind on 37, and Nathan Sothmann edged out Karl Kirkwood and Mason Kuchel for third place on 34.

Bowen Golf News

Wednesday’s competition at Bowen Golf Club was a single stableford event sponsored by the Club with Ladies’ winner Grace Nott. Ms Nott tallied an impressive 35 points, while runner up on a countback was Elona Lynch close behind, 34 points.

Whitsunday Women Shine on Saturday

Whilst the senior Men’s Premier sides struggled for numbers and results against Lions on the weekend, the Premier Women continued the winning form with a dominant performance against Mackay Rangers at Rangers Park.

Wangaratta Bowls

Wangaratta Bowls Club’s jackpot went off in the game between the teams of Roger Mumby, Kevin Jewell, and Greg Colquhoun, and Deb Retchless, Robyn Stitt, and Linda Smith on Tuesday. Roger’s team were the winners, and in the other game, Tracy Stanford, Sue Shearing, and Marg Wilson defeated Stumpy Adams, Merle Elphinstone, and Lyn Danvers.

A “Fabulous” Proserpine Bowls Club Weekend

Proserpine Bowls Club launched into its full competition calendar last week with every rink hosting either a social or competitive match-up. On Wednesday, the club hosted social bowls with two games of triples played with very close outcomes.

Airlie Beach Bowls Report

H. Wilkinson, Maureen Barnard, and Alan Pershouse had a great social win to start the week off at the Airlie Beach Bowls Club on Tuesday before the afternoon sessions of semi-finals. The semi-finals of the Ladies’ singles was decided and will be played between Ladda Purdie, Betty Nicole, Carol Crosbie, and last year’s champion Henny Tattam.

Raiders’ Final Trial

The new-look Proserpine Whitsunday Rugby Union (PWRU) Raiders team travelled to Leprechaun Park, Mackay, to face off against multiple teams at the Mackay Brothers home turf in a round-robin preseason carnival.

Mackay Needs A Sleepbus

It’s been estimated that at least 1,200 people currently experience homelessness in the Mackay region. With local support services at capacity, a group of community-minded people working in the sector have come together to form Safe Sleep Mackay, an initiative dedicated to delivering the region’s first sleepbus.

New Bus Helps 2000 Seafarers Feel “Grass Between Their Toes”

The bustling Ports of Hay Point and Mackay are now operating a little smoother thanks to a new 22-seater bus that provides much-needed transport to an on-shore haven where weary seafarers “can relax and enjoy having their feet on land with the grass between their toes”.

A Vehicle Intercept Of A Different Kind

Mackay Highway Patrol Group officers had an unusual encounter on the Bruce Highway near Mackay over the weekend when they intercepted a unique vehicle from overseas. The officers stopped a 1974 model Austrian Steyr Puch truck, which was left-hand drive, had six wheels and was imported from Belgium, making it an unusual sight on Australian roads. Senior Constable Carl Butcher described the interaction as "one of the more unusual intercepts that I have ever made."

Oh Baby, It’s Time

As my baby bump continues to grow larger than my love for cream doughnuts, it's time for me to take a break from working life and start preparing for the arrival of my mini-me in six-days’ time. While I continue the nesting to welcome my little bundle of joy into the world, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your unwavering support and encouragement. The kind words and well wishes from readers have brought me so much joy during this exciting time in my life.

Award-Winning Duo Lead The Charge In Keeping The Region Safe

The Mackay region is attracting attention as the Neighbourhood Watch Australiasia's top accolades have been handcuffed to two exceptional locals, highlighting their exemplary service and tireless efforts to keep the community safe. The award-winning duo, Sergeant Nigel Dalton and Gerri Kissner, have certainly proved that they have a rap sheet of success when it comes to promoting social inclusion, community engagement, and empowering people.

Listing Luck: Property Sold, Car Won!

Wildcat Wins Gold At National Awards

A new tourism business, showcasing Mackay in a way that it has never been before is making waves not just regionally, but now on a national scale, having won Best New Tourism Business in the country at the Qantas Australia Tourism Awards held in Sydney on Friday night.

Hospital Welcomes New Graduates

Nine nursing graduates have embarked on their new careers at Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) as the hospital welcomed their fourth intake, taking the total for 2023 to 84. The graduates completed a week of training this week before they join their specific departments where they will complete 12 months of hands-on learning.

Star’s School Of The Year Announced

After a week of live broadcasts from schools throughout the region, Star Mackay has announced their School of the Year for 2023. Scotty and Kaley surprised students at Glenella State School at their Monday morning assembly, crowning the school as the station’s inaugural School of the Year and handing over the $10,000 prize.

Port Helps University Students Engineer Their Future

Local engineering students are being offered a world of opportunities thanks to the launch of North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation’s (NQBP) 2023 Internship Program. Applications are now open for the Port of Mackay-based program, which offers a valuable career-building opportunity to a third-year undergraduate student enrolled in a civil engineering degree.

MHAODS Peer Workforce Team Now A Permanent Fixture

Meet Kerri, Deb, Cat and Helen - the colourful crew at the heart of a new workforce initiative at Mackay Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Service (MHAODS). They are four of the seven workers who make up our MHAODS peer workforce – people who know all too well what it means to battle mental health issues or problematic substance use challenges and come through it.