Local

Another mixed weekend for the Panthers, winning one, drawing one, and losing three of five matches.

On Friday night in Townsville, the Division 2 Funkies drew 0–0 with Brothers, and also in Townsville the Division 1 Men lost 1–4 to Ingham, but the Ladies defeated Saints Eagles South 5–0.

On Saturday, in Townsville against Brothers, the Premiers lost 0–2 and the Reserves lost 2–3.

This Saturday, the Premiers and Reserves are away to Warriors, the Premiers at 3.30pm and the Reserves at 1.30pm. The Ladies, Division 1 Men, and Division 2 Funkies are not playing.

Premiers

Whenever Burdekin and Brothers clash, it is never short of intensity — and this weekend’s encounter was no exception, despite both sides battling injuries to key players.

The Ayr Anzac Club Panthers started the brighter of the two, settling into the game with strong spells of possession. Jay Leckenby came close early, firing narrowly wide from a tight angle, but genuine chances were few and far between despite controlling much of the play. Brothers broke the deadlock in the 30th minute. The Panthers continued to boss possession for the remainder of the half but could not break down Brothers’ organised defence.

The story didn’t change much after the break. Burdekin dominated the ball but lacked composure in the final third, too often resorting to hopeful long balls that gifted possession. With time running out, the Panthers threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser but were caught out at the back in the dying moments, as Brothers sealed the contest with a late goal to make it 2–0.

A frustrating result for the Panthers, who will need to regroup ahead of next week’s challenge.

Reserves

Burdekin Tyre Services Reserves travelled to Brothers with another changed lineup due to more injuries and absences.

In a replay of the last two games there were periods of good ball play and possession but also times of poor passing and silly mistakes that allowed Brothers time and space to create chances.

Burdekin started poorly, conceding an early goal and were often just slightly off the pace through the first half.

Down 0–2 at the break, the Panthers knew they could improve on effort and energy. Brothers got a scrappy goal early in the second half, but the Panthers rallied through the last twenty minutes of the game.

Burdekin lost a player to a sin-bin call, but that spurred the team to greater effort. Reward came with a very good strike from Brayden Card fifteen minutes from time, and a few minutes later another good move found Cooper Kross in space at the top of the penalty area to score and make it 2–3.

Unfortunately, time was against the Panthers, who were left to rue a patchy performance that could have been a win.

Division 1 Men

The Austral Masonry Panthers played Ingham in Townsville on Friday night. The Panthers lost 1–4 after being behind 1–2 at half time. Henry Fallon scored for the Panthers in the first half.

Burdekin played with a man down for the last 15 minutes due to injury and lack of players. The final score didn’t accurately reflect the game, with Burdekin dominating at times.

Seaton Ivory and Agustin Agote both played very well.

Division 2 Men

The C.A Contracting Funkies battled Brothers in what is always a tense and spiteful encounter at their home ground.

Both teams were up for the fight and a hard-fought match took place. Good chances were created by both teams, but great saves from keeper Dave Bryan kept Brothers scoreless, while at the other end Burdekin was unable to break the deadlock.

With just minutes left, a very unjust penalty for handball to Brothers, along with a red card to Burdekin, threatened to ruin the game. However, keeper Dave Bryan, Man of the Match, stepped up again to save the penalty and give the Funkies a well-earned point from a 0–0 draw.

A very rare score for a second division game.

Ladies

The Ayr Anzac Club Ladies were in Townsville on Friday night, facing off once again against Saints Eagles Souths.

Ellyana Mugica set the tone early, striking to open the scoring just minutes into the match. Not long afterwards, Sienna Lago followed up with another slick finish, doubling Burdekin’s lead.

A deflected shot from Sian Reardon created the perfect setup for Chayse Feeney, who capitalised to make it 3–0 at half time.

After the break, Charley Ruskin extended the lead with a goal from a well-placed corner kick, and in the final minutes of the game, Brielle Astorquia sealed a dominant Burdekin performance, slotting home the fifth and final goal.

A strong all-round effort from the Burdekin ladies.

Juniors

The last round of fixtures was played on Saturday before the school holiday break.

The Under 5 to 7s enjoyed themselves playing local games, and the Under 8s and up travelled to Townsville for two games.

The Juniors are on a break now until after the school holidays, so get the kids a ball and let them practice their first touch and passing in the backyard or down the park!

The first thing before fixtures start again is the Bowen Carnival on Sunday 13th July. Bowen are a big supporter of our carnival, so it will be good to get as many Burdekin teams as possible to their carnival which is always a great day.

Team nominations are to be in by 4th July. If you are unsure how to register, please contact the club.

Masters

A good turnout on a cool, damp Monday evening. Andorra and England, in a replay of the recent World Cup qualifier, played out a 4–4 draw.

In a see-sawing game, Andorra were two goals up and then 4–2 down before equalising right on full time.

Man of the Match was Jonty Davis.
Monday nights at 6.30 — be there.

National and International

The Matildas have two friendlies lined up against Slovenia. Both games are at HBF Park in Perth on 26 and 29 June. New coach Joe Montemurro will be in charge.

The Socceroos, having qualified for the 2026 World Cup, now have to wait — possibly until the end of the year — to see who and where they play in the group rounds.

The group stage runs from 11–27 June, kicking off in Mexico City, and the final will be played in New York on 19 July.

Quote of the Week

From Spurs manager Terry Venables after a 4–1 home defeat to Chelsea, when ordering a drink:

“An arsenic… A large one.”

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Thrills on the Green: Canefire Fours Brings Regional Rivals Together

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The Ayr Bowling Club came alive over the weekend as it played host to the highly anticipated Canefire Fours—a two-day carnival that drew 56 passionate lawn bowlers from across the North Queensland region. Teams journeyed from as far afield as Collinsville, Bowen, Wangaratta, and Townsville, and were proudly joined by local contenders from Ayr, Brandon, and Home Hill, creating a vibrant blend of regional talent.

The format saw each team contest five games—three on Saturday followed by two fiercely competitive showdowns on Sunday. With every end hotly contested and no easy victories in sight, the tension mounted as the scoreboard tightened.

By the final round on Sunday, it was still anyone’s carnival to win. Spectators watched on as the top contenders took to the green, knowing the outcome hinged on those last few bowls. In the end, it was a nail-biting finish, with the championship decided in the final game of the final day—a testament to just how evenly matched the teams were throughout the weekend.

Congratulations to the top performers:

· 1st Place – Shaun Anderson's team, drawing on players from Cutheringa and Wangaratta
· 2nd Place – Jason Wright's team, featuring bowlers from Bowen and Brandon
· 3rd Place – Maurie Power's team, proudly representing Ayr

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to our generous sponsors—Queensland Country Bank, the Kalamia Hotel, NQIB, and Wilmar—whose support made this fantastic weekend possible. Their contributions help events like these thrive and bring small communities together on and off the green.

The presentation of prizes was graciously conducted by Kim Harding from Queensland Country Bank, adding a personal touch of appreciation on behalf of the event’s major sponsors.

Earlier in the week, unfortunately, Tuesday Ladies Social Bowls was washed out.

Wednesday’s Men’s Social Bowls brought together a lively group of players for four well-fought games of triples. Taking top honours on the day were Richard, John, John, and Trevor, who bowled brilliantly to claim victory. Adding to the excitement, the Jackpot was also struck—congratulations to Karen, Gordon, and Mick on their winning touch!

Wednesday night social bowls was put on hold for the State of Origin game.

In Championship action this week, the Men’s A Grade Pairs was played, with Cisco and Sam defeating Wayne and Barry. Highlight of the week was the Mixed Pairs Final, with Maurie and Pam defeating John and Beryl.

As we go to print today, the Ayr Bowling Club is proudly represented at the prestigious Men’s Dunn Cup—one of the standout events on the North Queensland bowling calendar. Flying the flag for the club are Ron Smythe, Sam Caltabiano, Anthony Bull, and Maurie Power. We extend our best wishes to the team as they take to the green against the region’s top talent—go Ayr!

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Winners
Second Place
Third Place

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Some of the brightest bowling talent in the Burdekin will congregate at Home Hill Bowling Club this weekend for the fast-approaching Club Championships.

The Championships will see 27 players across two draws battle it out for ultimate local bragging rights at the esteemed event, which will take place over the next few months to determine the outright champion.

Among contestants is long-time Home Hill Bowls member Norm Bethell, who says the event this time around is set to feature one of the most competitive fields yet.

"It's extremely competitive--it's the best players going toe-to-toe all the way up until the final," said Bethell. "I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out this year."

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The Burdekin Clay Target Club ran very successful shoots on Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th June. The weather was beautiful all weekend. Thank you to our sponsors JBS Foods Australia, Burdekin Tyres, Burdekin Engineering & Andrew Bergin. Thank you to Lui Populin for donating the meat tray for the raffle. Our next shoot will on Sunday 13 July.

Saturday Shoot saw 43 Shooter Attend

100 Target Double Barrel Handicap-Sponsored by JBS Foods Australia
Event 1-
OPEN 1st Joe Caruso 25/25
2nd Colin Ferguson, Jy Yarrow, Glenn McHenry & Glenn Clarke 24/25

Event 2-
OPEN 1dt Bill Gall 25/25,
2nd Joe (Jnr) Sebastiani 24/25

Event 3-
OPEN 1st Cameron Cislowski 24/25
2nd Bill Gall, Peter Scott, Isaac Sebastiani & Joe Caruso 23/25

Event4-
OPEN 1st David Stitt, Leisa Hopkins & Gregory Calder 24/25

Overall Winners
OPEN 1st Bill Gall 94/100
2nd Jy Yarrow 91/100
3rd Brian Bonanno, John Cerqui, Glenn McHenry & Rob Ness 89/100

Saturday Night Shoot saw 34 Shooters Attend

Event 1- 25 Target Burdekin Night Double Barrel Championship- Sponsored by Burdekin Tyres
OPEN 1st Benji Micallef 41/41
AA Grade 1st Benji Micallef 41/41
A Grade 1st Joe Scalia 45/46
B Grade 1st Brett Paton 27/28
C Grade 1st Isaac Sebastiani 26/29

Event 2-25 Target Burdekin Night Single Barrel Championship- Sponsored by Burdekin Engineering
OPEN 1st Michael Zabala 25/25
AA Grade 1st Michael Zabala 25/25
A Grade 1st Wayne Cislowski 27/31
B Grade 1st Sarah Sebastiani 22/25
C Grade 1st Keiren Scott 20/25

Sunday Shoot saw 32 Shooters Attend

Event 1-30 Target Medley 15m
AA Grade 1st Bruce Murphy, Ron Gough 50/50, 3rd Jason Phillis 49/50
A Grade 1st Jy Yarrow 49/50, 2nd Cornelius Venter & Ian Kriesel 48/50
B Grade 1st Glenn Clarke 49/50, 2nd Brett Paton 39/50,3rd Sylvia Rossato 38/50
C Grade 1st Keiren Scott 44/50, 2nd Toni Scott 43/50, 3rd Rob Ness 41/50

Event 2-25 Target Double Barrel 15m
AA Grade 1st Joe Caruso & Michael Zabala 150/150
A Grade 1st Ron Clive 26/26
B Grade 1st Peter Scott 25/25
C Grade 1st Keiren Scott 24/25

Event 3-20 Target Pointscore 15m
AA Grade 1st Tony Caruso 60/60, 2nd Michael Zabala & Benji Micallef 59/60
A Grade 1st Colin Ferguson 60/60, 2nd David Stitt & John Cerqui 57/60
B Grade 1st Peter Scott 59/60, 2nd Rob Ness & Sylvia Rossato 58/60
C Grade 1st Keiren Scott 55/60, 2nd Rob Ness 52/60, Brian Bonanno 50/60

Event4-25 Pair Burdekin Double Rise Championship 15m- Sponsored by Andrew Bergin
OPEN 1st John Cerqui 63/70
AA Grade 1st Aaron Lemphers & Benji Micallef 69/80
A Grade 1st John Cerqui 63/70
B Grade 1st David Stitt 48/60
C Grade 1st Keiren Scott 42/50

Contributed with thanks to Sylvia Rossato

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The Burdekin Under 14 Touch Football season wrapped up in style last Wednesday with the staging of its Grand Finals, showcasing the skill of local junior players.

“The competitive nature of these Juniors was on display as they battled for championship honours,” said Burdekin Touch Technical Director, Bruce Johnson.

“Games throughout the season were played in good spirit with plenty of skill displayed. It was great to see how much each player improved throughout the season.”

In a one-sided A Grade final, Baywatch proved too good for the Mustangs, running away with a commanding 14–2 victory. Hank Williams led the charge with an impressive five touchdowns.

The B Grade contest was much tighter, with Babes overcoming Red Robins 5–3 in a hard-fought clash.

Competition co-ordinator Bob Clerke also announced the individual award winners for the season.

For Baywatch, Lorna Rattle was named Best Player, with Dakkie Daniels taking out Most Improved. Babes’ top honours went to Joan Anthony (Best Player) and Tahnay Cooktown (Most Improved).

Mustangs’ Best Player was Bri Robertson, while Abbey Becke and Lyla Land shared the Most Improved award.

Red Robins recognised both Digby Brown and Stella Borellini as joint Best Players, with Mebena Russo named Most Improved.

Bruce Johnson extended his thanks to all referees, coaches, and parents for their efforts across the season.

A Grade Final
Baywatch 14 (H. Williams 5, K. Neliman 2, M. Doolah 2, D. Daniels, Z. Williams, G. Malayta, W. Malayta)
def. Mustangs 2 (B. Robertson, J. Dabelstein)

B Grade Final
Babes 5 (Fantasia 2, Shai-tay 2, Sheree)
def. Red Robins 3 (S. Borellini, D. Brown)

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It’s been another big week at the Ayr Bowling Club, with plenty of action on the greens and the highly anticipated Cane Fire Fours competition set to take centre stage on June 21–22. A total of 14 teams will compete for the title across the two-day event. Please note there will be no Saturday social bowls due to the tournament.

Tuesday – Ladies Social Bowls
One game of triples and one game of pairs were played.
Triples winners: Meryl Smith, Beryl Cornford and Heather Jorgensen defeated Isabel Cislowski, Rayleen Hervery and Dot Cutting.
Pairs winners: Katharina Stuckler and Pam Power defeated Donna Soper and Mary Poli.

Wednesday – Men’s Social Bowls
Two games of triples and two pairs games were contested in a tight afternoon of play.
Triples winners: Rob, Dino and Lindee defeated Arthur Gauvin, Peter Sauer and Ron Soper.
It was a great afternoon of camaraderie and quality bowls, enjoyed by all.

Wednesday Night – Social Bowls
Two rinks were in action:
Game 1 winners: Ali Vasefi, Lyn Cecil, David Burt and Sam Caltabiano.
Game 2 winners: Mosayeb Noori, Shane Stanford, Tricia Achille and Heather Jorgensen.

Saturday – Social Bowls
Three triples games and one pairs game were played.
Winners: Karen Shepherd, Donna Soper and Pam Power defeated B. Haynes, John McDonald and Ron Soper.
Second place: Margaret Chapman, George Nixon and Dot Cutting defeated Barry Hewson, Peter Sauer and Barry Shepherd.

Championship Action
In the Ladies Competition Open Pairs Final, played Thursday June 5 at 3:30pm, Beryl Cornford and Pam Power defeated Lorraine Wolffe and Irene Wilson.

Mixed Pairs action saw two games played:

• John Pirrone and Beryl Cornford defeated Deslie Olsen and Ron Soper.
• Pam Power and Maurie Power defeated Lorraine Wolffe and Anthony Bull.
  Both winning pairs now progress to the final.

Friday Roll-Ups – New Bowlers Welcome
If you’re interested in giving bowls a try, Friday Roll-Ups are a great place to start. Held every Friday afternoon from 3:00–5:30pm, these casual sessions offer a relaxed environment for training, socialising, and enjoying a drink with fellow members. Come down, have a go, and join the fun!

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It was a weekend of mixed results for the Burdekin Roosters across all grades.

The action kicked off on Friday night, with the Burdekin River girls fighting back to earn a hard-fought 22-all draw against Brothers in Ingham. Missing several key players due to the early kick-off, including star attacker Martina Monday, the team showed great resilience to come from 16–4 down. Paige Horvat starred with three tries, earning best-on-ground honours. Abby King, Toni Daisy, Tanley Rowe and Lily Chappel were also among the standouts. King and Chappel added a try each, while Rebecca Pace slotted a conversion. The Burdekin River side now sits fourth, with the combined Burdekin–Herbert River experiment showing promising signs.

On Saturday, the Reserve Grade Roosters made it three wins in a row, storming back from an eight-point deficit to defeat Centrals 24–20. Coach Peter Horan praised his side’s determination after they trailed 20–12 early in the second half. “Centrals were on a roll, but the boys said no and fought back,” Horan said. “Some of these boys are still eligible for under 20s, so to see them respond like that was impressive.”

Dylan Doak led the way with a try and four goals. Adam Camer, Caleb Noah, and Riley Easton also crossed the line. Archer Swindey was named players’ player for his standout effort, while Camer was solid at fullback and Llama Ghee looked dangerous in attack. Horan also welcomed back Riley Easton after a week off due to illness. The reserve grade side is now sitting fifth and will look to continue their winning streak against Bowen this weekend before facing the strong Crushers outfit in Ingham the following week.

Later on Saturday, A Grade faced Centrals in Townsville and went down 24–14 in a controversial match. Despite a spirited comeback attempt, the Roosters were undone by both contentious calls and their own fundamental errors.

After previously defeating the Tigers 36–24, Burdekin began the match confidently but dropped ball and a fired-up Centrals outfit kept them scoreless in the first half, which ended 16–0. Defensive lapses and attacking mistakes continued to plague the visitors, who then conceded another try early in the second stanza to trail 20–0.

Burdekin rallied, scoring three tries to bring the margin back to 20–14. A fourth try was disallowed by the touch judge—a decision that, if reversed, could have levelled the scores with the conversion. Centrals sealed the match with a late try to secure the 24–14 win.

Coach Steve Lansley was blunt in his assessment. “We were our own worst enemies. Dropped ball, falling off tackles, poor decision-making in attack and defence—it cost us dearly.”

Logan Dickson was named players’ player for his efforts at fullback, while forward Terrence Mosby and big man Braedyn Cotter also impressed. “A few weeks ago, we hadn’t won a game after three rounds. Now we’re fifth, nearly in the top four—but we need to cut out the errors and stay focused,” Lansley added.
Try scorers were Terry Connors (2), Saleki Walifeo and Jye Olsen, with one goal kicked.

Weekend Results Summary

A Grade

• Centrals def Burdekin 24–14
• Brothers def Herbert River 24–12
• Charters Towers def Western Lions 38–24
• Souths def Norths 44–8

Reserve Grade

• Burdekin def Centrals 24–20
• Herbert River def Brothers 18–14
• Charters Towers def Bowen 14–6
• Souths def Norths 58–0
• Western Lions – Bye

Women’s Grade

• Burdekin River drew with Brothers 22–22
• Charters Towers def Bowen 54–0
• Byes: Western Lions, Centrals, Norths

This Week’s Fixtures

• Burdekin A Grade – Bye
• Burdekin Reserves & Women – vs Bowen in Bowen
• Souths host Charters Towers (A Grade & Reserve)
• Brothers host Norths (A Grade & Reserve)
• Western Lions host Centrals (A Grade, Reserve & Women)
• Herbert River – Bye (A Grade & Reserve)

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Local

It was a mixed weekend for the Panthers, with one win, one draw, and three losses across five matches. On Friday night in Townsville, the Division 2 Funkies drew 1–1 with JCU, while back home, the Division 1 Men lost 0–7 to Rebels. The Ladies, however, stormed to an 8–0 win over Saints Eagles South. On Saturday, in Townsville against Estates, both the Premiers and the Reserves went down, 0–3 and 0–10 respectively.

This Friday, the Division 1 Men, Division 2 Men, and the Ladies all travel to Townsville. The Division 1 side faces Ingham at 8.30pm, the Division 2 team meets Brothers at 6.30pm, and the Ladies take on Saints Eagles Souths at 6.30pm. On Saturday, the Premiers and Reserves are away to Brothers, kicking off at 7.30pm and 5.30pm respectively.

Premiers

The Ayr Anzac Club Panthers faced a tough assignment away to top-of-the-table Estates, always one of the most challenging fixtures on the calendar. The match started disastrously, with Estates scoring directly from a corner to put Burdekin on the back foot from the outset.

To their credit, the Panthers responded well. For the rest of the first half, they dominated possession and forced Estates to sit deep and absorb pressure. Despite the control, clear-cut chances were rare, and the half ended 1–0 to Estates.

The second half resumed in similar fashion, with the Panthers pressing for an equaliser. But football can be cruel—against the run of play, Estates doubled their lead around the 60-minute mark. The goal rattled Burdekin’s composure, and just five minutes later, Estates made it 3–0. Despite a late push, the Panthers couldn’t claw their way back. The score didn’t reflect the effort, but it’s back to the drawing board as Burdekin look to regroup.

Reserves

Burdekin Tyre Services Reserves travelled to Estates with a reshuffled lineup due to more injuries and absences. It was another match full of effort and moments of strong possession, but the Panthers were undone by unlucky bounces and costly errors, gifting the ball back to a quick and skilful opposition. The game was effectively over by halftime at 0–4, and the final score of 0–10 is one best left in the past as the team enters the second half of the season.

Division 1 Men

The Austral Masonry Panthers struggled against an experienced Rebels side, going two goals down early. By halftime, it was 0–4. The Panthers showed improvement for the first 25 minutes of the second half, keeping Rebels scoreless during that stretch. However, they were unfortunate to concede a penalty, followed by two late goals. Seaton Ivory and Charlie Shears stood out in a tough 0–7 loss.

Division 2 Men

The C.A. Contracting Funkies were frustrated with a 1–1 draw against a lower-ranked JCU Riverway side in their Friday night clash. It felt more like a loss. Chris Achille opened the scoring off a well-placed pass from Heath Swindley midway through the first half.

Burdekin dominated play throughout but were wasteful in front of goal. That proved costly when JCU snatched a late equaliser from a free kick. The Funkies will aim to bounce back into the top four with a win over Brothers this Friday night.

Ladies

The Ayr Anzac Club Ladies had no issues dispatching Saints Eagles Souths on Friday night. They led 4–0 at halftime, with two goals from Sienna Lago and one apiece from Zandi Bonanno and Tearra Tinson.

It took a while to get going in the second half, but once they did, the Burdekin side added three goals in five minutes through Dayna Linton, Brielle Astorquia, and Karina Guglielmi. Charley Ruskin capped off the night with the eighth, just before full time.

Juniors

Perfect weather set the stage for a great Saturday of junior football, with competitive matches played across all grades against Mundingburra Olympic. A big thank you to MAO for making the trip down.

This Saturday, Under 5 to Under 7 teams play at home in Ayr, while Under 8 and up travel to Townsville. A reminder to all travelling teams: arrive at least 30 minutes before kickoff. Have fun!

Masters

A solid turnout on a cool Monday night saw Portugal and Spain replay the Nations League Final. Spain came from 0–2 down to win 3–2 in a cracking match. Man of the Match was Drac Bryen. Monday nights, 6.30pm. Be there.

National and International

The Matildas have two friendlies lined up against Slovenia, both at HBF Park in Perth on 26 and 29 June. New coach Joe Montemurro will take the reins for the first time.

The Socceroos have secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup and now wait—possibly until year’s end—to learn their group stage opponents and venues. The tournament kicks off 11 June in Mexico City, with the final scheduled for 19 July in New York.

Quote of the Week

From former Shrewsbury manager Ian McNeill after losing an FA Cup game to the bottom team in the league:

“I can’t decide whether to go out and get drunk or throw myself in the nearest canal.”

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Representing Burdekin Junior Rugby League

A school leader, student council member, and now a 2025 Burdekin Water Festival Junior Ambassador; Jorja Vasta will proudly represent Burdekin Junior Rugby League over the next four months.

After admiring the Burdekin Water Festival Grand Parade from the footpath for many years, Jorja has been eagerly waiting for her turn as a Junior Ambassador to come, and now that it’s become a reality, she’s beyond excited to create community connections, and expand her friendship circle.

“I have grown up watching the Burdekin Water Festival Procession and absolutely love the different floats and watching the community come together,” shared Jorja.

“After speaking with previous Ambassadors, I am most excited to be up on the float, enjoying the parade from a different view and I am also looking forward to gaining confidence during this time.”

When she’s not on the football field playing in the Rooster’s U11 team, Jorja keeps herself busy with her strong interests in gymnastics, crafts and knitting and volunteering at community events and school fundraisers on occasion.

Jorja’s journey is just beginning, and with her family cheering her on from the sidelines and cannot wait to experience everything the Ambassador Program has to offer.

“I attend a small school, and I am looking forward to getting to know more people,” added Jorja.

“Personally, rugby league is a big part of my family’s life and history, and I am grateful to be representing Burdekin Junior Rugby League and hope to promote our awesome club in the Burdekin Water Festival.”

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Jorja Vasta will represent Burdekin Junior Rugby League as a 2025 Burdekin Water Festival Junior Ambassador (Photo Credit: Sharron Bozzetto)

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Three Burdekin locals have done the region proud at the 2025 National Touch Football Championships in Coffs Harbour, representing at the highest level in both playing and officiating roles.

Veteran player Ian Kerr suited up for Brisbane in the Over 65s division and helped steer his team to an undefeated run in the round robin stage. In a tense grand final clash against the Sydney Scorpions, Kerr and co. held their nerve to clinch a 3–2 victory and take home the national title. His efforts didn’t go unnoticed—Kerr has since been selected to represent Queensland in the upcoming Touch State of Origin series against New South Wales, also in Coffs.

Peter Knapton flew the North Queensland flag in the Over 55s division, where his team scored solid wins over Hunter Hornets (3–2), Coolum Bluefins (4–3) and Victoria Storm (3–2). Despite some strong performances, the NQ side was edged out by the Gold Coast, ACT Raiders and Sydney Scorpions, before falling to the Gold Coast again in a semi-final showdown played in soggy conditions. The Gold Coast went on to defeat the Scorpions 3–1 in the final.

Meanwhile, Burdekin referee Michael Littlefield was in elite company, taking his place in the National Referees Squad. Over the week, he controlled six pool games, a Men’s Open Quarter Final, a Mixed Open Semi, and capped off the tournament with the Women’s Open Grand Final—an appointment that cements his reputation as one of the top whistleblowers in the country. Like Kerr, he’ll return to Coffs in two weeks for State of Origin duties.

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Ian Kerr, Michael Littlefield, and Peter Knapton recently flew the Burdekin flag at the 2025 National Touch Championships in Coffs Harbour.

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It was a red-letter day for Burdekin rugby league on Saturday in Ayr, with the Roosters defeating Charters Towers across all three grades.

A Grade made it three straight wins with a convincing 38–18 victory, backing up recent triumphs over Western Lions and Centrals. Despite a sluggish start and conceding the first try and conversion to trail 6–0, the Roosters didn’t take long to hit back. Front-rower Tate Brombal strolled through the Miners' defence to score beside the posts, and from there, captain and five-eighth Joel Mason took control.

Mason kicked seven from seven—six conversions and a penalty—in a flawless display with the boot. The Roosters crossed three more times before halftime to lead 24–8 at the break. A standout moment for the Miners came courtesy of player-coach Jake Bourke, who slotted a two-point field goal from near halfway.

The Miners opened the second-half scoring, but Burdekin responded with two more tries and a Mason penalty to seal the final 38–18 result.

Coach Steve Lansley admitted the side made a few errors but said they covered them well with smart football. He singled out Terrence Mosby for an outstanding performance, noting the utility’s speed around the rucks and reliable defence. Mosby had vied with Colby Thompson for the players' award last week, but with Thompson out, he made the honour his own.

Lock Hayde Munro was another standout, while his brother Jones impressed in the centres. Lansley also praised Dylan Doak, who played a full reserve grade match before coming off the bench in A Grade and making a big impact.

Burdekin A Grade Try Scorers: Kali Nauque 2, Jones Munro 2, Tate Brombal, Ethan Hagarty
Goals: Joel Mason 7

Roosters Reserves Go Back-to-Back

Despite missing several regulars, the Burdekin Reserve Grade side made it two in a row with a gritty 32–22 win over Charters Towers.

Coach Peter Horan welcomed back key players Jerome Iacco and Bokeem Moore Reid, both of whom made strong contributions. He admitted it wasn’t the prettiest of wins but credited strong defence for holding things together as the reshuffled attack found its feet.

Tala Pepa was named players' player for his dominant performance in both attack and defence. Dylan Doak directed the backs with class, John Zaro was a constant threat, and Caleb Noah continued his strong form, scoring with ease.

Jack Rushton was rewarded with an A Grade bench spot for his continued improvement. Braithen Heron and Jack O’Keefe were tireless, while Horan gave special praise to Jerome Iacco for his efforts despite limited training.

Burdekin Reserve Grade Try Scorers: Caleb Noah 2, Bokeem Moore Reid 2, Pacey Horan, John Zaro
Goals: Dylan Doak 4

River Girls Power to Big Win

The Burdekin River Ladies side secured a strong 18–4 win over Charters Towers, running in four tries to one.

Missing captain Paige Horvat, Lilly Chappell, and Aleikah Heron, the team reshuffled well. Martina Monday shifted to fullback and was unstoppable, earning players’ player honours for her decisive running game.

Abby King returned from injury and steered the team around the park, while Tianna Krutzfeldt shone in the backs, her try a showcase of slick hands. Rebekah Pace was again a force in the forwards, and Charlee Pott gave her all before being sidelined with injury.

Coach Anita Hagarty praised the effort, admitting fitness was a struggle. “They know what to do, but sometimes they just can’t get there,” she said. “Still, it was nice to get the win.”

Burdekin Ladies Try Scorers: Tianna Krutzfeldt, Abby King, Charlee Pott, Toni Daisy
Goals: Martina Monday

Around the Grounds – Other Results

A Grade:

Centrals 30 def. Norths 6
Souths 30 def. Brothers 24
Herbert River 30 def. Western Lions 14
Reserve Grade:

Centrals 32 def. Norths 16
Western Lions 32 def. Herbert River 30
Souths 48 def. Bowen 16
Ladies:

Centrals 46 def. Norths 6
Next Up: Roosters Face Centrals Again

This weekend sees Burdekin back on the road, facing Centrals again—this time at the Townsville Sports Reserve on Saturday across all three grades.

A Grade will be without five-eighth Joel Mason, opening the door for utility Terrence Mosby to step into the playmaker role. Hooker Colby Thompson is also set to return.

Centrals bounced back last week with five team changes following their loss to Burdekin, and there’s a chance Cowboys-linked Selikeo Malifeo could return this week.

The Reserves are set to welcome back Adam Camer, Riley Easton, Matthew Lee, and Luca Lago—adding depth across the board.

The River Ladies face a tough challenge against the Tigers, but as the Miners showed, an upset isn’t out of the question.

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Last Sunday, the Home Hill Tennis Association hosted its second annual Cane Country Cup pickleball tournament, with cheers, sighs, lows and highs marking each match from the first at 8am to the last at 3:30pm.

The tournament featured 24 teams—a mix of local and travelling outfits—all battling it out for glory on a day that, for the most part, delivered perfect weather conditions.

Play was split into two divisions: competitive and social. Each fixture across both categories included four matches—men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and two mixed doubles.

Teams in the social division played seven fixtures in a round-robin format, with final rankings determined by point differential. The competitive division followed a standard format, building to a semi-final and then a grand final showdown.

Continued on page 28.

Pickleball & Good Vibes

Morning tea was served early, with lunch later in the day featuring a generously stocked menu. The venue buzzed with energy, the atmosphere a lively blend of competitive grit, cheerful banter, and good-natured chatter.

At day’s end, the winners of both divisions—Pickle d'Lulu in the comopetitive division and the Jubilee Pocket Rockets in social—hoisted trophies, while second and third place teams also earned recognition for their efforts. In a new addition this year, a “Team Spirit” award—voted on by fellow players—was handed out to the side that best embodied sportsmanship throughout the day.

Home Hill Tennis Association Secretary Kate Casswell was glad that the occasion could bring people together.

“It was fantastic! Everybody came along, and they all had a good time,” she said. “I heard a lot of laughing, a lot of fun going on… We think that’s more important than winning.”

Results:
Competitive
1st: Pickle d'Lulu
2nd: Let's Pickle
3rd: Airlie
Team Spirit: Extra Pickles Please

Social:
1st: Jubilee Pocket Rockets
2nd: Smiley Whitsundays
3rd: Mixed Pickles
Team Spirit: Cardwell Crocs

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Home Hill representative teams
Social Team Spirit winners: Cardwell Crocs
Competitive winners: Pickle d'Lulu
Competitive Team Spirit winners: Extra Pickles Please
Social winners: Jubilee Pocket Rockets

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A great Pennants practice session was held on Wednesday, with the Home Hill ladies joining in. Margaret Linton, Judy Elton, Lyn Storrie, and Colleen Olsen secured a win over Meryl Smith, Ann Newton, Sandra Darwen, and Helen Collins.

Despite low numbers on Friday, 6th June—due to other commitments—10 bowlers braved the very smoky conditions and enjoyed the games.

In a tight game of triples, Dave Sheehan, Lyn Storrie, and Ross McLaughlin defeated Dion McIntosh, Rob Jorgensen, and Gary Pearce.

In the final match, Damion Morello and Jamie Wood gave Brad McIntosh and Jayson Farry a bowling lesson.

Sunday, 8th June saw a strong turnout with 30 bowlers enjoying a beautiful afternoon in near-perfect conditions. Three games of rinks and one game of triples were played.

Sandra Darwen, Jayson Farry, and Richi Mau defeated Glenn Woodford, Brett Wilshire, and Leo Kenny.
Gary Nosworthy, Judy Elton, Rob Garner, and Allan Gairoch defeated Kaye Garner, Mick McCloskey, Vince Beitia, and Doug Robins.
Gary Pearce, Danny O’Shea, and Chris Pearce defeated Lloyd Shepherd, Ben Mills, Jamie Woods, and Peter Jorgenson.
Dave Sheehan, Doug Kiehne, Lyn Storrie, and Trevor Elton defeated Ken Fergusen, Joe Yipnazar, Helen Collins, and Peter Henderson.
Upcoming Event:
The Trophy Bowls Night will be held on Friday, 13th June, starting with a sausage sizzle at 6:30pm, followed by bowls at 7:00pm.
Reminder to members: Please bring a plate for smoko.

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A great Pennants practice session was held on Wednesday, with the Home Hill ladies joining in. Photo supplied

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Ayr Bowling Club has enjoyed a fantastic week of bowls, camaraderie and community spirit, with events rolling across the greens from Tuesday right through to the weekend.

The week kicked off with the Tuesday Social Afternoon on June 3rd, which saw some thrilling matches and great sportsmanship. Congratulations to the winning trio—Meryl Smith, Beryl Cornford and Heather Jorgensen—who defeated Isabel Cislowski, Rayleen Hervey and Dot Cutting. In another well-fought game, Katharina Stuckler and Pam Power emerged victorious over Donna Soper and Mary Poli.

Thursday, June 5th, was one for the record books as the final of the Women’s Open Pairs Competition was played. After a hard-fought match, Beryl Cornford and Pam Power were crowned champions, defeating Lorraine Wolffe and Irene Wilson in an exciting showdown.

Wednesday night, June 4th, brought the greens alive with three games under the lights. Winners on the night were:

• Evelyn Wiltshere, Rob Jorgensen and Joe Grabbi
• Ali Vasefi, Katharina Stuckler and Ross McLaughlin
• Barry Hewson and Gary Pearce

But it was Fun Friday Night that stole the show! With a full green, music, laughter and fantastic energy, players enjoyed their first Friday night bowls under the new lights – and what a difference it made! A huge thank you to Ferguson Plumbing for sponsoring the night, with Gareth Ferguson on hand to present the prizes.

The results for the night:
🥇 Winners: Masayeb, Ali & Ron
🥈 Second: Lyndal, Ross & Helen
🏅 Sportsman’s Prize: Sam, Mary, Angela & Arthur

Mark your calendars – the next Fun Friday Night is set for July 4th, and promises to be just as enjoyable!

Rounding out the week was a great Saturday afternoon of mixed social bowls, featuring two triples games and a pairs match. The winners of the day were Linda and Joe, capping off a successful and social week at the club.

With strong turnouts, competitive spirit and a great sense of community, it’s clear that Ayr Bowling Club is the place to be each week. See you on the green!

The Winners from Friday Night Fun Night. Photo supplied

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Local

A much better weekend for the Panthers, winning four of five matches and scoring twenty goals! On Friday night in Townsville, the Division 2 Funkies beat Rebels 5-1, while the Division 2 Men lost 1-3 at home to SES. The Ladies defeated Wulguru 5-0. On Saturday, at home to SES, the Premiers won 5-0 and the Reserves won 4-1.

This Friday, the Division 1 Men and the Ladies are at home. Division 1 play Rebels at 8.30, and the Ladies play Saints Eagles Souths at 6.30. The Division 2 Men play JCU in Townsville at 6.30. Then on Saturday, the Premiers and Reserves are away to Estates—the Premiers at 8.00 and the Reserves at 6.00.

Premiers

The Ayr Anzac Club Panthers took on Saints Eagles South for the first time this season. Burdekin knew not to be fooled by the Saints’ recent results. The Saints have quality across the park and came out firing. The first half was a grind—Saints brought the intensity early and made life difficult for the Panthers, who couldn’t find any real rhythm. Chances were few in a dour opening forty-five minutes, with neither side able to break the deadlock.

The Panthers came out after the break with a point to prove. In-form striker Matthew Kolb opened the scoring in the 62nd minute, before two rapid-fire goals from Jay Leckenby turned the game on its head. Leckenby’s first goals of the regular season had Burdekin up 3-0 by the 65th minute. Kolb added his second in the 75th, while Cooper Kross capped off the performance with a well-taken goal in the final minute. Burdekin now shift their focus to league-leaders Estates this week—an away clash that promises to be their toughest test yet.

Reserves

The Burdekin Tyre Services Reserves returned to International Park after a disappointing loss last week. Injuries and absences continue to impact the line-up, but a committed and capable squad was ready to return to the winners list. The home team had weight of possession, but it took 30 minutes before Oscar Licciardello netted the opening goal. The team lifted the intensity and kept the lead into the break.

An unfortunate error gifted Saints a goal just 30 seconds after the restart and the game was back level. However, patience and persistence paid off, and at the 50-minute mark, Cooper Kross put Burdekin back in the lead. From there the Panthers were always in control and continued to create chances. The third goal came from a deflected Tarryn Smith shot, and then Smith iced the cake late to make it 4-1.

Division 1 Men

The Austral Masonry Panthers, up against SES, played well in the first half although there was no score at halftime. The Panthers took the lead after 54 minutes with a goal from Jack Shears. However, SES replied with three goals in twenty minutes—all of them from free kicks—to win 3-1. Jack Shears was the Panthers’ Man of the Match.

Division 2 Men

The C.A. Contracting Funkies returned to winning ways with a 5-1 defeat of Wulguru.

Burdekin started well, and Eugene Burelli opened the scoring in the third minute. The Funkies were well on top and created several chances and shots on goal before Simon Scuderi made it 2-0 just before half-time.

Travis Butler continued the scoring immediately after the break with a superb free kick. Wulguru did get a goal back during the second half, before two goals to Jake Lacey gave the Funkies a dominant 5-1 victory. Burdekin were very convincing winners despite missing a lot of chances in front of goal. Hopefully, that will improve in the coming weeks.

Ladies

The Ayr Anzac Club Ladies delivered a commanding performance on Friday, controlling the match against Wulguru from start to finish. Karina Guglielmi set the tone early, finding the back of the net in the 17th minute to give Burdekin the lead. She doubled the advantage in the 35th minute with a brilliant strike into the top right corner, capping off a strong first half.

After the break, it was Sienna Lago who took charge. Using her pace, Lago netted three goals in the second half to complete a stunning hat-trick and seal a 5-0 victory for the Panthers.

Juniors

With Townsville hosting an FQ Academy carnival last Saturday, juniors played local games. Junior players who represented Northern in Townsville in the academy matches on Saturday and Sunday played well and in great spirits against teams from Far Northern and the Whitsundays.

Masters

A good turnout on Monday night, with PSG playing Inter Milan in a replay of the European Champions League Final. Mick Taylor-Martinez scored the winning goal for Inter in the last minute. Man of the Match was George Koukouris.

Monday Nights at 6.30. Be There.

National and International

The Matildas, after their success in two friendlies against Argentina, have two more lined up against Slovenia. Both games are at HBF Park in Perth on June 26 and 29. New coach Joe Montemurro will be in charge.

The Socceroos played the first of their two 2026 World Cup Qualifying Group C matches on Thursday night against Japan in Perth, winning 1-0 in front of 57,000 spectators. On Thursday, June 10th, they are away to Saudi Arabia in their final group game. Provided they don’t suffer a heavy loss, they should qualify for the 2026 tournament.

Quote of the Week
From Sir David Beckham:
“Alex Ferguson is the best manager I've ever had at this level. Well, he's the only manager I've actually had at this level. But he's the best manager I've ever had.”

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