Bowen’s Port Denison Sailing Club had its first 2024 race and training session on Sunday the 11th of February, with sailors of all ages gathering together on the water.  

Making the most of the extreme high tide, the Green Fleet junior sailors had a practise session, sailing a long leg from the clubrooms on the Bowen foreshore towards the Big Mango and homeward again. Georgia Jeffrey, age 7, recently graduated from the beginner learn to sail programme run at PDSC and is enjoying sailing independently. She is well known among the other sailors for her sense of fun and smile every time she is on the water. Georgia’s highlight of the day was capsizing early on and righting the boat with a little assistance from instructor and coach Gary Bruce.  

Six junior sailors in Optimists, two teenagers in Lasers and three Windsurfers lined up for the windward leeward races which followed. Three season warm up races were conducted in the wavy 10 – 15 knot conditions to ease participants back into the racing calendar. The Green Fleet participants joined coach Gary on the coach boat to follow the race and learn by watching the more experienced children sailing their Optimists. Dave Martin, PDSC instructor, fresh from supporting his son Reid at the 2024 Musto Australian Optimist Championships in January in South Australia, cast his eye to the Optimist fleet on the water, giving them helpful tips for improvement.

Long term PDSC member Matt Bath stated that he was excited to be back on the water for 2024 and racing his Windsurfer LT.    

PDSC is a completely volunteer run club and would like to extend its thanks to the canteen volunteers for keeping members well fed and to the on shore and on water volunteers who ensure the weekend activities run smoothly.  

The next Bowen racing session is Sunday the 25th February and all members and affiliated club sailors are warmly welcomed.  Please see the Port Denison Sailing Club Facebook page for further details.  

‍

Georgia Jeffrey sailing her Qube dinghy. Photo supplied

‍

23 Cannonvale Cannons travelled to Brisbane to compete at the Queensland Sprint Championships on the weekend. This was the highest number of Cannons that have ever competed at a state competition. The coaches, Ken Crittenden, and Mark Erickson were very proud of all the Cannons and their achievements. It was the first state championship for many of the young Cannons and they all performed extremely well. The coaches would like to thank all the parents for supporting the swimmers and the team at the championships.  

Three Cannons made finals and received Top 10 ribbons. Ehsan Helou and Noah Maltby, both aged 15 years made the final for 50m Breaststroke.  Ehsan came 6th and Noah came 6th in Queensland. Jax Clayworth, aged 10 years made the final for 50m Butterfly and was excited with his 7th place and ribbon. Congratulations, Ehsan, Noah and Jax!  

The following swimmers performed extremely and achieved 2 or 3 personal best times:  Declan Dichiera, Don Algie, Tyler Bennett, Charlie Doherty, Tora Delac, Thomas Ganter, Ruby Harland, Indi Smith, Alex Trefz, Zach Trefz, Matilda Nicholes, Noah Maltby, Jax Clayworth, Celeste Orenshaw, Isaac Pisaniello, and Andie Reynolds.  

Special mentions: Harris Delac, aged 10 years, swam a fantastic 50m Freestyle in a time of 37.01sec.  Millie Groom’s best swim was her 50m Butterfly which she swam in 37.83sec.  Remy Hedges, aged 16 years, swam an excellent 50m Breaststroke in a time of 37.85s which was a 0.4sec PB.  Although Addie Sanders, Isabella Pisaniello and Anisa Helou didn’t swim personal best times they swam very close to their best and enjoyed the experience.  

Congratulations to the Cannons’ State Team!!!  

‍

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen.

‍

1. Cannons State Team Feb 2024

2. Jax Clayworth with Top 10 Ribbon with coaches Ken and Mark

3. Noah M and Ehsan H with Top 10 Ribbons. Photos supplied

‍

‍

‍

‍

Mark Richards won the Tuesday stableford with 41 points, one ahead of Scott Mason. Lyn Muller had 35 points to beat Tina Badenhorst by one. Pins went to Gerard Lovell, Kev Cooper, Diane Chard and Tina Badenhorst.

The PDLAW Wednesday monthly medal winner was Penny Wardroper over Pam Harrison, both with 72 net. Pins went to Jacqueline Wall, Rehab Hull and two to Penny Wardroper.

Following several days of the back nine holes under the lagoon, a big clean up allowed the full course to be open for the Venuesmart Thursday monthly medal which was won by Blake Alty with a net 65. Jason Bourke was 3 shots behind in A division while Nicola Apruzzese took out the B division with 69 net by a shot from

Luke Wayth. Pins went to Nicola Apruzzese, Barry Mortimer, and two to Rob Stanley.

Carwyn Moon had 25 points to win the Friday Met run by a shot from Troy Leisch. George Meharry won the pin shot.

Mason Johnson blitzed the Allenbuild Saturday stableford with 46 points. His B division runner up on 37 points was Kyle Kendall, who had the same score as the A division runner up in Matthew Goldman who was one shot behind the A division winner in Laurie Dakin.

Jordyn Albergo was a whopping twelve shot lady winner over Ann Gardel who had 32 points. Pins went to Michael Ward, Diane Chard, Marlene Gray, Lyn Muller and two to Jacob Nightingale.

Paul Nicol had 39 points to win the Sunday competition by a shot from Ned Davies, while Tiina Randmae had 37 points to beat Paula McQuat by three. Pins went to Mata Browne, Anna Winterbourn, Karen Rix, Sam Blake, Fraser Simpson and Ben Smith.

‍

Contributed with thanks to the Proserpine Golf Pro Shop.

‍

The slightly cooler weather bought out more players with 19 WGC competitors in the single Stableford competition.

LADIES A GRADE :

Winner: Tiina Randmae with 37 points

Runner-up: Anna Winterbourn

LADIES B GRADE :

Winner: Jo Moynihan with 26 points

Runner-up: Pam Casey

MEN’S A GRADE :

Winner: Jason Bourke with 35 points

Runner-up: Darren Reynolds

MEN’S B GRADE :

Winner: Paul Nicol with 39 points

Runner-up: Scotty Vlismas

LONGEST DRIVES :

Ladies’ A: Tiina Randmae

Ladies’ B: Sally Little

Men’s A: No-one on the fairway

Men’s B: Gerald Lovell

NEXT WEEK :  a 4BBB is currently scheduled, this may change due to the Charity Day on Saturday, we’ll keep you informed.

In any case, get your names in early, so we can play in a block.

‍

PHOTO : L > R : Paul Nicol, Anna Winterbourn, Jo Moynihan, Tiina Randmae, Darren Reynolds. Photo supplied

‍

The weekly 9-hole stableford saw Matt Baines take first place with 23 pts, second with 21 pts c/b was Tim Walton and third place with 21 pts was Matt Burke.

Fridays 9-hole stableford saw Jimmy Millar take first place with 23 pts, second with 22 pts was Billy O’Connor and third place with 21 pts was Tim Walton. 

Sundays 18-hole stroke competition was a great turnout, coming in first c/b was Brad Low, second place was Glenn Rees, and third place was Tyson Flavel.

Nearest the pin this Sunday was Glenn Rees. 

This Sunday 18th February will be 4 ball better ball tee off at 8.30am – 9.30am. 

Pictured: ‘Funky shirt Fridays’ Andrew Gomez and Kendal Nash. Photo supplied

‍

Nominations are open for all Proserpine Bowls Club competitions. Get your names in as soon as possible to allow plenty of time in order for us to get our draws out and games progressing.

On Wednesday, we had 11 players enjoying games of Social bowls. Jim Bownds, Barry Zillmann and Peter Lawton defeated Alen Sanderson, Pat Bownds and Bryan Davy 21 - 11. 

John Anderson, Heather Brown and Philip Brown defeated Mary Hedgelong, Heather Brown and Mike Harrison 20 - 12. 

‍

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown.

‍

The district bowls Aussie Day Carnival was once again organised and celebrated in style at Mackay City Bowls Club on Shakespeare Street.

Most of the district’s top bowlers were there to enjoy spirited games and sharpen their skills leading into a packed bowls calendar of 2024.

For the fifteenth year in succession, Jetson Salvage and Scrap Metal, PBC Compliance and R&T Pumps once again sponsored the event. These three businesses were acknowledged and thanked for their continuous ongoing support.

Congratulations goes to the winning team of Rob Menzies, Les McDermott, David Maskell and Trevor Kelly, who dedicated their win to the late Ashlee Knight of City Bowls.

‍

Contributed by Warren Sturgeon.

‍

Winning Team with Sponsors. Sean Dolan (Sponsor Jetson Salvage and Scrap Metal), Trevor Kelly, Les McDermott, Bob Menzies, David Maskell and Tony Warne (Sponsor R&T Pumps)

Colourful shirts aplenty on the green for S.Spann’s Airlie Beach team and J.Neeve’s City team

‍

The bowls community and wider Mackay community was saddened to hear of the passing of Ashlee Knight last month. Ashlee was diagnosed with an optic nerve glioma and intercranial hypotension on 27th July, 2020.

Chemotherapy for Ashlee included completing twelve cycles over roughly what was an arduous eleven months of treatment.

During this period, Ashlee was on track to completing and graduating from her final days of Year 12, even finishing her English assessment hours after treatment, against her doctors’ advice.

Ashlee went on to graduate with flying colours at the top of her class, even continuing to play lawn bowls for the district, where she was selected for the Queensland Junior Squad.

Ashlee represented the QLD U25 Team in 2022 and 2023 versus NSW, won the QLD Secondary Schools Cup in 2019, was runner up in the QLD U18 Girls Singles in 2021 and was an inaugural member of the 2023 QLD High Performance Academy.

Condolences to Ashlee’s family and close friends.

‍

Ashlee Knight

‍

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures January 30, 2024:

Division 1:

BMW (Emma Widdup, Tony Bowman, Ian McKay) d Lexus (Barry Patterson, Andrew McHugh, Janice Kent) 9-2. Andrew d Emma -7, -13, 7, 12, 8.

Ferrari (Geoff Denman, Goncalo Serra, Robbie Richards) d Audi (Lee Brake, Lily Boland) 9-2. Lee d Robbie 7, 9, -7, -8, 5.

Jaguar (Tim Shehan, Anne Sheridan, Vince Boeske) d Mercedes (Graeme Walker, Steven Whiting, Graham Brake) 6-5. Steven d Anne 7, 9, -3, -13, 5.

Division 2:

Isuzu (George Camilleri, Steve Mathieson, Mark Stam) d Kia (Matt West, Geoff Cowan, Peter Goodson) 6-5. Geoff d Steve -10, 11, 3, -6, 11.

Nissan (Duncan Treloar, Simon Hogan, Will VanDeKaa) d Hyundai (Marie Taylor, Donna Abbott, Delma Knight) Donna d Simon -6, -10, 8, 7, 9.

Honda (Leo Gilbert, Andrea Nicholson, Jye Callander) d Mazda (Duncan Sheridan, Mark Sleeman, Niro) 7-4. Andrea d Duncan 14, -6, 8, -8, 9.

Division 3:

Alfa (Craig VanDeKaa), Kade Wright, Nehmat Dhaliwal) d Ford (Misha Palod, Tiffany Camilleri, Ollie Hamelink) 6-5. Nehmat d Tiffany 6, -7, 18, -6, 4.

Fiat (Tim Montford, Trent Day, YiLin Jiang) d Holden (Saisha Palod, Rohit Bansod, Anaya Reelh) 6-5. Anaya d Tim -6, 9, -5, 8, 8.

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixtures January 30, 2024:

Division 1:

Cheetahs (Donna Abbott, Doug Dungavell, Val Austin) drew Leopards (Charlie Payne, Steve Mathieson, Judy Zahn) 6-all. Doug d Charlie 7, 8, -5, -9, 10.

Jaguar (Branko Vucurovic, Peter Goodson, Kevin Abbott) drew Pumas (George Camilleri, Rhonda Payne, Coral Morgan) 6-all. George d Peter -8, 10, 4, -6, 6.

Lions (Tony Bowman, Pam Joyce, Bryan Marshall) d Tigers (Delma Knight, Iris Grasso, John McGee) 7-5. Delma d Bryan -6, 7, 13, -13, 8.

Division 2:

Cyran (Charles Hamlett, Marie Taylor, Louise Gould) d Teal (Ken Best, Kim Daffy, Cheryl Pearson) 10-2. Ken d Louise 7, -6, -7, 8, 6.

Aqua (Judi Hicks, Gloria Vella, Gerry Synnott) drew Lime (Helen Ware, Fred Saliba, John Hamelink) 6-all. Fred d Gloria 5, -7, 9, -5, 12.

Division 3:

Sapphires (Pam Keune, Madge Saunders, Darryl Ross) d Emeralds (Ian Dodds, Glenda Brookes, Trish Zamparuti) 9-3. Glenda/Trish d Madge/Darryl -8, 8, 8, -8, 7.

Diamonds (Frank Caruana, Bill Hey, Myles Dutton) d Rubies (Sharon Muller, Thelma Caruana, Glenda Dutton) 8-4. Sharon/Thelma d Frank/Bill -5, 10, 8, 12.

‍

Steven Whiting in action in Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures. Photo: Charlie Payne

‍

Ten Mackay teams played in the GNOT (Gold National Open Teams) 1st qualifying event on Saturday 3 February. Gold points are sought after by players as there are limited events that award Gold Points. Team Bugeia is currently in the lead, also congratulations to the novice players who entered this event. Good luck to all for the next round.

Weekly Results

Monday 29 January 2024 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

E/W

1st

Terry Sheedy / Janelle Conroy

1st

Noel Bugeia / Geoffrey Patterson

2nd

David Ting / Eric Goodchild

2nd

Geoff Cowan / Sandy Patterson

3rd

Janine Rodgers / Richard Wix

3rd

Nancy Martin / Margaret Lane

4th

Susan Ross / Vicki Howard

4th

Helen Van Den Broek / Jan Harris

Tuesday Evening 30 January 2024 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

E/W

1st

Terrence Sheedy / Helen Van Den Broek

1st

Marilin Robins / Faye Wright

2nd

Eric Goodchild / Noel Bugeia

2nd

Richard Wix / Janine Rodgers

3rd

Janet Hansen / Lorna Shuttlewood

3rd

Susan Gibson / Karen Caldwell

Wednesday 31 January 2024 –10 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

E/W

1st

Terry Sheedy / Eric Lievesley

1st

Max Holewa / Diane Holewa

2nd

Janet Hansen / Alan Brown

2nd

Geoff Taylor / Ted Cullinan

3rd

Joy Brunette / Don Poole

3rd

Debra Goodchild / Ming Ting

4th

David Ting / Eric Goodchild

4th

Nancy Martin / Kath Poole

Thursday Evening 1 February 2024 – 6 Table One Winner

1st

Janelle Conroy / Janine Rodgers

2nd

Vicki Howard / Richard Wix

3rd

Ken Seaniger / Robert Carless

4th

Geoff Taylor / Annie Lynch

5th

Mick King / Patricia Garner

6th

Frances Brown / Ann Whitmore

Friday 2 February 2024 - 12 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

E/W

1st

Sandy Patterson / Eric Goodchild

1st

Joy Robinson / Geoff Taylor

2nd

Antonia Taradas / Graham Smith

2nd

Lorna Shuttlewood / Debra Goodchild

3rd

Terrence Sheedy / Noel Bugeia

3rd

Richard Wix / Edward Kliese

4th

Ming Ting / David Ting

4th

Jewel Schmidt / Annette Howe

Saturday 3 February 2024 – GNOT (Gold National Open Teams) Gold Points

Teams

Players

1st

Bugeia

Noel Bugeia - Terry Sheedy - Janelle Conroy - Geoff Taylor

2nd

Brown

Alan Brown - Frances Brown - Janet Hansen - Diane Morgan

3rd

Goodchild

Eric Goodchild - David Ting - Debra Goodchild - Ming Ting

4th

Shuttlewood

Lorna Shuttlewood - Susan Wright - Faye Wright - Christine Nice

5th

King

Mick King – Patricia Garner – Julie O’Neill – Griffin Bancroft

6th

Darley

Monica Darley – Ken Seaniger - Nancy Martin – Margaret Lane

7th

Saunders

Noel Saunders – Ted Cullinan – Sandra Morris – Annie Lynch

8th

Schmidt

Jewel Schmidt – Diane Stokes – Annette Howe – Ann Whitmore

9th

Gaskell

Ian Gaskell – Carol Gaskell – Geoff Cowan – Sandy Patterson

10th

Lutz

Anne Lutz – Karen Caldwell – Susan Ross – Vicki Howard

‍

Contributed by Joy Block.

‍

(L to R) Noel, Terry, Janelle, and Geoff. Photo supplied

‍

Walkerston Roosters Cricket Club are Mackay Cricket Association’s newly crowned Twenty20 First Division Shootout champions for the 2023-24 season.

The resurgent Roosters powered their way to a deserved title with a thrilling 14-run Grand Final victory over Pioneer Valley last Saturday night at Great Barrier Reef Arena to cap a memorable campaign.

Experienced stalwarts Sam Vassallo, skipper Chris Mceldowney, pace ace Adam Knezevic and quick Nick Lotarski featured prominently in the Roosters’ charge to the championship with top performances throughout the series.

Walkerston elected to bat first after winning the toss and posted a competitive 6-126 with valuable contributions from Masters representative skipper Vassallo (36 runs off 32 balls including five boundaries), Mceldowney (26 not out off 29 balls) and Neil Gustavson (20).

Pioneer bowling trump cards Dion Krisanski-Kennedy (3-26 off four overs) and Bailey Camilleri (3-29 off four) kept the Roosters in check with wholehearted performances.

Krisanski-Kennedy was close to best on field – nearly pulling off a sensational victory for the Valley with a dashing knock of 48 before he was stumped by Walkerston keeper Vassallo off the bowling of spinner Adrian Young.

The talented all-rounder cracked six boundaries during his 42-ball stint at the crease and shared a vital third wicket partnership of 76 with opening batsman Mitch English (39 off 47 balls) after the Valley lost two early wickets with only nine runs on the board.

At 2-85 the Pioneer outfit seemed on track to reach their target before the accomplished trio of the lethal Lotarski (3-22 off four), Mceldowney (2-20 off four) and cagey Knezevic (2-24 off four) masterminded an epic Walkerston victory after restricting the Valley X1 to 8-112.

The previous day the Roosters advanced to the trophy decider with a 22-run semi final triumph over Norths Devils at Great Barrier Reef Arena.

Vassallo (43 runs off 38 balls with four boundaries and a six), vice captain Jakob Frerichs (34 off 23 balls), Knezevic (27 off 14 balls with three boundaries and a six) and Luke Jackson (23 not out off 20 balls) helped the Roosters amass 6-143 with Kerrod Tortora (3-19 off four) the pick of the Devils’ bowling attack.

Norths (7-121) fell short in their run chase with opener Darryn Dyer (41 runs off 37 balls) looming as a potential batting hero before he was run out with the Devils well placed at 2-87.

‍

Captains and Umpires for the Twenty20 First Division final played at Harrup Park last weekend. Photo credit: Mackay Cricket

‍

Hundreds of people flocked into the Whitsunday Sportspark on Saturday to enjoy the ninth annual Whitsunday Sports Expo.

Dozens of stalls were hosted by enthusiastic sports coaches, players and other volunteers who were all keen to impart their knowledge and meet potential new club members.

‍

Photo credit: Rachael Smith

‍

Elise Hodgson won Tuesday's stableford with 39 points, with Lyn Muller the second lady on 33 points. Scott Mason had 35 points to edge out Phil Luckett in the men's field. Pins went to Tiina Randmae, Larry Muller, Gerard Lovell, and Craig McLean.

Joshua Norris edged out Tom O'Brien on 38 points to win Thursday's competition. John Roser and Brad Fleet had 37 points to lead the A division. Pins went to Aaron Prosser and Joshua Norris.

Brendan Spann won Friday's Met run with 21 points, with Larry Muller two shots adrift. Peter Faust won both pin shots.

Joshua Norris continued his great week by winning the RGH monthly medal with an impressive net 62; and his 80 off the stick secured the C grade gross prize.  A-grader Tony Goss turned back the clock with a winning 64 net, while Rob Stanley parred the course for the gross win. Ritchie Atkins wasn't far away with a 65 net to win the B grade medal. Steve Westley won the gross with 79. Jordyn Albergo had a fine 69 net to win the ladies' division. Runners up were Fraser Simpson, Craig Smith, John Dodds and TiinaRandmae. Pins went to Trevor Paroz, Levi Holmes and two to Elspeth Scotford.

Jon Miller shot five under par to win the KJC Diesel Sunday monthly medal by two shots from Scott Lee on 67 net. Nicole Cooper had a great 66 net, ten shots ahead of Peta Thomas in the ladies' division. Pins went to Paula McQuat, Jon Miller, Nicole Cooper, and Sean Fogarty.

‍

Contributed with thanks to the Pro Shop team at Proserpine Golf Club.

‍

Photos supplied

‍

Airlie Beach local Dennis Winstanley has shown the high calibre of NQ sailing talent in the Windsurfer World Championships held over the New Year at the South of Perth Yacht Club in Western Australia, winning gold in the heavy weight Course Racing and silver in the Marathon.  

The 2023 Worlds were held in Australia, following the successful reboot of Windsurfer World Competitions in Italy in 2022. Taking the opportunity to attend a rare ‘home’ Worlds, Dennis, former 2001 World Champion and multiple national champion travelled with his family to WA in the hope of using the windy west coast as a good training ground in the lead up to the event as he hadn’t competed nationally for 5 years.

The spectacular Marathon had 250 competitors start on a near kilometre-long starting line. Dennis and Australian Olympic medalist windsurfer Lars Kleppich broke away from the fleet early on and battled it out for first and second the entire two laps of the river with the lead changing multiple times. Dennis finished second place by only a few metres in an awe-inspiring race between long term friends and on water rivals.

Fellow Port Denison Sailing Club member and Bowen local Sam Belyea (aged 16 at the time) joined the medium weights and was awarded the Western Australian Junior Champion at the WA States prior to the Worlds. He also positioned 12th overall in the medium weight course racing in his very first World Competition and gained invaluable large fleet experience.

Dennis credits his time sailing over the years from Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach, and Bowen for his ability to adjust to all wind, wave, and tide conditions on the water, and looks forward to the racing season beginning on February 11th at Port Denison Sailing Club, Bowen.  

Port Denison Sailing Club will also host the Qld Windsurfer State Championships mid-year, with dates TBA, and it is hoped that interstate competitors will travel to pit themselves against the hot Qld contingent in preparation for the Worlds in September.

‍

Dennis Winstanley practising on the Swan River just prior to the main event. Photo credit: Windsurfer Class Association of Australia

‍

‍

23 Cannonvale Cannons travelled to Townsville to compete at the Townsville Tourists LC Meet.  

The Cannons had an excellent weekend with swimmers achieving State and National qualifying times, accumulating 70 PBs, earning A Grade times, ribbons, medals, and the Skins. Jy Parkinson qualified for the Australian Age Championships for his 100m Backstroke and won all his events. Jacob Bell won the Medley Skins event and was thrilled with the prize money. Addie Sanders, Andie Reynolds, and Indi Smith were excited to achieve an extra state qualifying time over the weekend.  

Special mentions: Eloise Chegwidden won all her events. Koa Harland achieved 2 A Grade times and won her 100m Breaststroke with a 15.18sec PB. Tiana Bell, Levi Smith, and Zach Trefz swam awesome times in their 200m IM, with huge PBs. Levi and Zach swam PBs in just about all their events. Zach won his 50m Breaststroke, 50m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly and 50m Backstroke. Declan Dichiera and Nelson Malady had a fantastic carnival. One of Declan’s best swims was his 100m Butterfly which he swam in a time of 1.37.13 to earn 1st place and a 19.25sec PB. Nelson swam brilliant Backstroke, earning 1st place in his 50m and 100m races. Isabella Pisaniello won three of her events. Her best swim was her 50m Breaststroke in a time of 41.53, a 2.28sec PB. Dylan Reynolds swam 5PBs and won her 50m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle.  

Holly Perrin, Remy Hedges, Don Algie, Thomas Ganter, Alex Trefz, Ruby Harland, Maeve Dichiera, Harry Chegwidden, and Isaac Pisaniello swam extremely well, achieving top placings in the age group.

Congratulations to all the swimmers! A big thank you to the coaches and parents for all their support!  

‍

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen.

‍