Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Round 1 was tough and hot with plenty of sunburnt faces, but not dampened spirits. Under 11’s Coach, Scott Clarke, said his players were “a little rusty at the start but came home strong”. Both his teams showed “lots of heart and effort”. This year the club focuses on creating a positive team culture for all to be included and given a fair go. New coaches for the 2024 season, Levy Mika and Bruce McQuillan, stated “every single one of the kids gave it everything they had. There was a lot of pos
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With the season finally getting some momentum, most Whitsunday United teams played at home. The U13 Division 1 team secured the 3 points via a forfeit, so a scratch match was organised with the Airlie Beach and Proserpine under 12’s. Players from both sides were extremely happy to finally get to play some football and it was quite a competitive match for a local friendly, with WUFC coming out on top at the full-time whistle 4-3. Some great link up play down the right wing saw Cohen Forman and Ch
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Last weekend, 28 Cannonvale Cannons travelled to Bowen and had a fantastic time at the Bowen LC Family Meet. Congratulations to the following swimmers who earnt top placings in the majority of their events: Don Algie, Eloise Chegwidden, Harry Chegwidden, Tora Delac, Jack Ganter, Koa Harland, Mackenzie Bennett, Tyler Bennett, Harris Delac, Thomas Ganter, Jasper Korosec, Nelson Malady, Noah Maltby, Eric Mulliss, Matilda Nicholes, Celeste Orenshaw, Isaac Pisaniello, Isabella Pisaniello, Andie Reyno
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The National Touch League (NTL) is a major Touch Football Competition held at Coffs Harbour each year. The NTL attracts the best teams from around Australia. Whitsunday Touch is proud that Bernard Woods was selected for the NQ Cyclones in the Over 55 Division of the NTL. In Bernard’s Division there were teams from the ACT, Brisbane, Southern Qld, Sydney, Victoria, and the Hunter region. The NQ Cyclones were undefeated in their Round Games and went into the Grand Final against the Sydney Scorp
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Social play on Tuesday saw Deb Retchless, Lyn Danvers, Isobel Wheeler and Geoff Danvers defeat Irene Laird, Merle Elphinstone, Margaret Wilson and Linda Smith. Gwenda Lydom, Kevin Jewel and Greg Colquhoun defeated Sue Shearing, Penny Warren and Sugar Brunker. The jackpot didn’t go off. Ladies Club Competition: Crooked Kitty Robyn Stitt defeated Deb Retchless. Final of the fours was played resulting in Robyn Stitt, Deb Retchless, Tiarna Winter and Fely Duncan defeating Irene Laird, Merle Elphins
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Abell Point Yacht Club’s next monthly sail is this Easter Weekend. Departing from the Abell Point Yacht Club this Good Friday, join the crew. Once departed, you will travel towards Cid Harbour, when there, gather on the beach with your fellow sailors. Enjoy a barbecue, games, chats, adventures or lounging on the beach. After Cid Harbour, you’ll be travelling to more of the beautiful islands the Whitsundays has to offer. Long Island or South Molle Island are next up, the island of choice wil
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Tuesday afternoon the Men’s President Peter Barrett led his team of Paul Osborne and Keith Bates to an overall victory with Rick Galea taking home the prestigious Health Hub award. The same afternoon also saw a repeat performance in the final of the Ladies Fours Championship with skipper Joan McGrath for the second year running leading her team of lead Sandra Argo, second Jill Spencer and third Hendrieka Tattam win. Wednesday afternoon saw an awesome performance by Shane Spann whom with Eyvon
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Competition games: Club Singles: Steve Roome defeated Wendy Coles. Club Pairs: Gus Munro and Ray Muir defeated Tiarna Winter and Robyn Stitt. Sunday Social: I.Thatcher, Daryl Tuttle, Steve Roome defeated Anna Melic, Wendy Coles, Jane Gilbert. Ray Muir, Keith Kirk, G. Reddacliff defeated Ron Gould, Brett Lampard, Steve Roome. Wednesday Social: Ron Gould, Gordo defeated MaryEllen Pratten, Ross Scanlon. I.Thatcher, Daryl Tuttle, Jane Gilbert. I.Thatcher, Daryl Tuttle, Jane Gilbert defeated A.Meli
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Thursday's Venuesmart stableford A and B division winners were Aaron Watts and John Oates respectively, each with 38 points, ahead of Sean Fogarty and Wilf Herweg. Pins went to Scott Mason and Zachary Esden. Jonathon Kellaris had 22 points to win Friday's Met run by a shot from Larry Muller. Pins went to Paul Skelton and Larry Muller. Kerr Claxton won Saturday's MBW stableford with 41 points, with his B division runner up Barry Mortimer on 34 points. Joshua Norris had 40 points to win the A
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The weather had improved markedly, so the full 18 holes were open for the Whitsunday Golf Club’s Single Stableford competition last Sunday. While player numbers are still not back to normal, competition was still keen between the 14 competitors and scores were reasonable, if not inspiring. Well done to those who played. LADIES A GRADE: Winner: Tiina Randmae with 30 points on a countback from Runner-up: Anna Winterbourn Longest Drive: Tiina Randmae - only 6 inches in it LADIES B GRADE:
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In Club Champion Singles Bryan Davy defeated Ken Watts 26-11; Michael Kinnear defeated Gavin Milne 25-8; Wayne Handley defeated Todd Leys 25-10; David Ling Defeated Philip Brown 25 - 12. In B Singles Mike Harrison defeated Vince Olsen 25 - 2; Bruce Uhe defeated Arthur Griffith 26 - 17; Todd Leys defeated Alen Sanderson 26 - 6. In Club Championship Pairs David Ling and Andrew Bell defeated Bryan Davy and Luchie Gardel 27 - 11; Michael Kinnear and Grahame Kinnear defeated Peter Lawton and Dale H
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On water race training and boat preparations have been well underway among the sailing members and associate club members of Bowen’s Port Denison Sailing Club, with Sunday the 24th of March seeing the final off beach racing weekend for the term. Four races were held in light to moderate breezes on the high tide waters between the PDSC Clubrooms and the Bowen Jetty arm. Green Fleeters climbed aboard the race starter boat to see first hand how races begin with the sequence of flags and whistles du
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Boats capsize or swamp mostly because of poor stability or rough conditions. Poor stability is caused by excess weight on board, whether it is people or cargo, and where the weight is positioned. It is essential to position weight as low as possible and ensure the bow or stern is not lower than the other. If the boat appears to be slow to respond to a roll or pitch then the boat may be overloaded. In rough conditions the boat relies on the bow to provide lift into the prevailing sea condition, w
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Janice Quadrio is a passionate accredited Mental Health Social Worker who has become an advocate for individuals who have been unable to learn how to drive due to disability and inaccessible services in the community. Currently there are no vehicles available in the Mackay region that cater to individuals with a disability, forcing those who need training to undertake a lengthy trip to Rockhampton or Townsville for an assessment where they can access a vehicle with specific modifications to su
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As the anticipation of election day fades, and candidates catch a breath after months of passionate campaigning, Mackay remains on the edge of its seat as this editor’s note was written, awaiting the outcome of a closely contested mayoral race. With Greg Williamson and Steve Jackson neck and neck, the final result hinges on the delicate process of preferential counting. While initial polling paints a suspenseful picture, uncertainty looms as we await the final tally. With Williamson obtaining a
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The race for Mackay Regional Council’s top job has been narrowed down to two, with incumbent Greg Williamson and Steve Jackson vying for the mayoral position after Laurence Bonaventura bowed out following Saturday’s local government election. At the time of writing, 80.23% of the 88,861 enrolled electors’ votes for mayor had been counted, with 41.95% of those going the way of Mr Williamson, 38.63% going to Mr Jackson and 19.42% going to Mr Bonaventura. Postal votes will continue to be received a
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In the community hub of Sarina lies an all-in-one hospitality service called Roots, where coffee and meals are prepared by a tight-knit team, grounded in compassion. The name of the restaurant represents sticking to your roots, creating connections and acknowledging where you came from to appreciate what you have; thus, the owners of the business have presented a selfless, kind act in an attempt to welcome those struggling financially, to enjoy a meal without the burden of monetary strain. A
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Review by Hannah McNamara The MECC was filled with glamourous dresses, neat suits and pure joy and excitement as guests gathered to watch eight local participants dance their heart out to raise money for the Mackay Hospital Foundation. Delicious mains and desserts were served with a free drink token included, allowing guests to indulge in a wine, beer or soft drink on arrival. As everyone sat around the tables, chatting and laughing, the star dancers performed their routines one by one. Firs
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The Mackay Turf Club came alive on Friday 15th March, as Mackay Sugar hosted its highly anticipated 2024 Productivity Awards ceremony dedicated to celebrating sugar cane farming excellence across the region. With a remarkable turnout of more than 250 attendees, this annual event served as a testament to the unwavering commitment and remarkable achievements within the Mackay sugar industry. The evening commenced with an air of excitement as guests gathered to recognise the outstanding contribut
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Mackay Base Hospital has introduced a new cutting-edge medical imaging machine, designed to boost diagnostic services and improve patient outcomes, featuring state-of-the-art technology and artificial intelligence. The latest advancement to the medical field offers a range of innovative features, including a high speed, high-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging Machine (MRI), as well as a Computed Tomography machine (CT). This new technology is said to greatly improve diagnostic quality and
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Our beautiful blue water river is now more accessible than ever with the opening of the Pioneer River Floating Pontoon. The pontoon can be accessed via a gangway from the Brisbane Street fishing pier, next to the Bluewater Quay. Mackay Regional Council’s Director Planning, Growth and Sustainability, Aletta Nugent, said the pontoon was an exciting part of council’s Mackay Waterfront Riverside Revitalisation project. “It’s fantastic to have this project reach fruition, thanks to an amazing joint e
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Emergency Services have released devastating information in regards to an investigation of the sudden death of a man, said to be in his 60s, on a private property South of Mackay on March 14. Around 7.40pm on Thursday night, police responded to reports of a quadbike accident after a motorised bike had rolled down an embankment into a creek at a hobby farm in Koumala. Police authorities said the man, in his 60’s, was pinned by the bike underwater, concluding that he was unable to reach the surf
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A young girl is in critical condition after paramedics rushed in response to reports of a female in her early teens trapped under a trailer over the weekend. Emergency services arrived at the scene finding the girl pinned under a horse float trailer on a private property in Glenella around 5pm, on Saturday, March 16. Paramedics attended to the young girl in a critical condition as she sustained significant head injuries and was taken to Mackay Base Hospital with a critical care paramedic. Th
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The 2024 BMA River 2 Reef Ride jersey competition has unveiled three talented youth artist finalists, marking an exciting milestone in showcasing the region's emerging artistic talent. Representing Sarina, Moranbah, and Mackay respectively, the three finalists have each captured the essence of the Mackay region in their unique designs, highlighting the beauty of the region and connection to the rivers, reef and community. Linda Murry, General Manager of BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) Hay Po
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Mackay Detectives are continuing to appeal for information regarding missing 38-year-old man Scott Billingham after he was reported missing from Mackay earlier this month. Scott was last seen at an address on Andergrove Road, Andergrove around 4pm on Friday, March 8, and has not been in contact with friends or family since. Officers and partner agencies have been conducting extensive searches of the area around Andergrove for the past few weeks and are continuing subsequent enquiries this week.
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