A beautiful morning unfolded at Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club's Points Day event at Alva Beach last weekend. Under the warm sun, club members and supporters gathered for a day of beachside enjoyment.

While Ayr Beach set the scene for Points Day, some devoted club members are preparing for one of the biggest competitions on the Queensland lifesaving calendar. This weekend, they will travel to Mackay, where over 1000 participants and spectators from the Gold Coast to Cairns will converge. Their goal is to compete for the prestigious title of Northern Australian Surf Lifesaving Champions for 2023. It's an exciting opportunity for our club to showcase their skills and spirit on a grand stage.

For those not participating in the North Aussies, the Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club continues to nurture the next generation of lifesavers through their Nippers program. Every Sunday morning, children have the chance to learn the ins and outs of surf lifesaving. This family-friendly sport encourages young ones to build their confidence, acquire vital safety skills for the ocean, and have a fantastic time by the seaside.

Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club is committed to promoting safety, confidence, and a profound appreciation for the beach, ensuring that our future generations have the skills and knowledge to enjoy the ocean while staying safe.

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Last weekend’s Points Day event at Alva Beach. Photos supplied

Burdekin District Sportfishing Club held their monthly meeting last weekend where fishing opened on Friday evening and closed on Sunday afternoon.

The club then met at a member’s residence for a barbecue and to weigh in their catches on Sunday night.

There was a variety of species weighed in, including sea bream, black bream, cod, whiting, trevally and a tuna.

Being a sportsfishing club, the lighter the line used, the more points are scored.

The fishing club is ANSA affiliated and fishes under ANSA rules.

Join Burdekin District Sportsfishing Club on Facebook for more information.

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Josh Brett and little sister Kadence with a Mangrove Jack

Russell Sutcliffe with a Mangrove Jack that took a lure

Russell and Henry Sutcliffe gathering live bait

Kerby Brett with fish caught over the last month

Photos supplied: Simone Sutcliffe

Play on Wednesday 18th October was well supported with 20 players, resulting in two triples teams and two pairs teams.

The conditions were very tricky with the wind playing havoc. Top bowls were played overall.

TRIPLES RESULTS

Wayne Coonan, Alan Jones, Tony Battagia defeated Mick Olsen, Arthur Gavvin, Barry Hewson.

Henry Hazel, Margaret Chapman, Richard Aplin defeated Ron Soper, Happy Horan, Jim Murray.

PAIRS RESULTS

Chris Berkerly, George Nixon defeated Maurice Power, Dino Polio

Chris Olditch, John Hall defeated John McDonald, Bob Pickard

Winners for the day were George Nixon and Chris Berkerly. Jackpot didn't go off.

Play on Saturday 21st October saw fourteen players with one triples game and two pairs games played.

TRIPLES RESULTS

Henry Hazel, John Hall, Paul Vass defeated Val Edwards, Joe Grabbi, Arthur Gavvin.

PAIRS RESULTS

Thelly Klopper, Katarina Stuckler defeated Sandra Darween, Wayne Coonan

Joe Papale, Mick Olsen defeated Alan Jones, Ron Soper

Winners of the day were Joe Papale and Mick Olsen.

Jackpot and Joker didn't go off and continues to build.

CRAZY FRIDAY NIGHT – SPONSORED BY CRAZY SKATES

Please don't forget to come along and support our sponsored event by Crazy Skates this Friday Night, 27th October. Your entry fee includes a sausage sizzle at 6pm with 7pm bowls start, 9pm finish with light supper provided, prize money and a very fun atmosphere. We welcome new bowlers, who knows, you might be Queensland’s next champion! Give it a go.

Contributed by Ayr Lawn Bowls

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Wickets were hard to come by in a low scoring Under 13 game last Friday, with all batters very watchful and not throwing their wickets away. Only two bowlers were good enough to take any, these were Mark Wilkie, 1 for 5 and Nate Elphinstone with 1 for 12. Top scorer with the bat with 12 runs was Marshall Parker, followed by Nate Elphinstone on 11 not out, then Oscar Mahoney 10 runs. Nate Quagliata bowled very economically without getting a wicket and had only two runs scored off the bat from his overs.

There are such good numbers in the Challenger Blasters that we have split them into two groups. Kye Quinlan scored 17 runs which included a four, Tate Parker was next on 14, closely followed by Jamie Goldsworthy who hit a six on his way to 13. Tate and Jamie took wickets when they were bowling as did Billy Muilwyk.

In the other Challengers game Tyler Smith smashed his way to 18 runs with 3 fours. This was enough for him and Levi Trail to take out the highest partnership for the day. The next highest was Anna Muilwyk and Delta Burrell then Paige Elphinstone and Evelyn Mahoney.

Last weekend Thomas Cardillo travelled to Mackay to play with the North Queensland Team in the Under 15 Boys Northern Hub Championships. Thomas helped his team win all their games and bring home the Under 15 Boys Northern Hub Championship for NQ.

This weekend the Home Hill Cricket Association will be hosting the Boys Under 13 North Queensland Trials at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex. The best Under 13 players will come from Herbert River, Charters Towers, Townsville and the Burdekin to try and make the North Queensland Under 13 Team to play in their Zone Championship in December.

Contributed by Scott Heidke

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Kye Quinlan and Evelyn Mahoney

Parker Oar and Nate Quagliata

Thomas Cardillo

As the final whistle echoes through the fields, concluding an exhilarating 2023 Rugby Union season, the Burdekin Rugby Union Club would like to take this moment to convey our deep gratitude to the sponsors whose unwavering support brought this unforgettable season to life. Their steadfast commitment enabled our teams to achieve remarkable success both on and off the field, and we eagerly anticipate the prospect of continuing this fruitful partnership into the forthcoming 2024 season.

Rugby Union, a sport that thrives on the collective efforts of players, coaches, supporters, and sponsors, came alive in the 2023 season, with sponsors playing a pivotal role in shaping our success story. Their invaluable contributions have not only nurtured young talent but have also fostered a positive culture within our team and community.

As we bid farewell to the remarkable 2023 season, our sights are already set on the 2024 Rugby Union season. We extend a warm invitation to potential sponsors to join our club on this exciting journey. Your support will not only fuel the growth of our club but will also elevate your brand's visibility and reputation.

We are proud to offer a range of sponsorship packages, starting at just $500, designed to accommodate businesses of all sizes and provide numerous benefits, including enhanced brand exposure, prominent logo placement, and exclusive access to our events. To explore the possibilities of sponsoring our club in the upcoming 2024 season, please do not hesitate to contact us at brucsecretary@outlook.com.  Your involvement will be highly valued and will undoubtedly leave a significant imprint on the success of the forthcoming season.

As we draw the curtains on this exceptional year of rugby, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our current sponsors, dedicated players, loyal supporters, and every individual who has contributed to the success of the 2023 season. We are eagerly looking ahead to the 2024 season, where we aspire to achieve even greater milestones with your continued support.  

Once more, we thank our community for your generous support, and we eagerly anticipate the thrills and triumphs that 2024 will bring.  

Contributed by Burdekin Rugby Union

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THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 SPONSORS

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Round 2 of the Home Hill Cricket Association senior competition was the first opportunity of the season for Crowned Mongrels to come up against Peto’s Marine, with Peto’s Marine winning the toss and electing to bat first.

Openers Simon Vickers and Brad Parravicini got the batting side off to a great start, falling for 46 off 29 and 32 off 37 respectively.

The rest of the order struggled to find runs, however, with Shaun Goldsworthy the only other batsman to reach double figures with 12 runs of 22 balls and a handy 9 off 24 from Darcy Walters, seeing Peto’s Marine to a total of 134 runs.

Adam Camer, Scott Hazard and Alex Stillhard all shone with the ball for Crowned Mongrels, all taking three wickets each while Nicholas Pengelly took one.

Crowned Mongrels’ run chase was off to a rocky start with an early wicket, but opener Jaidyn Lambie-Fabbro and number three batsman Alex Stillhard steadied the ship with a respective 19 off 12 and 15 off 17 before Andrew Wallwork contributed a mighty 48 from 45 balls.

Casper Licciardello and Adam Camer also contributed with 17 from 36 and 11 from 10, steering the Mongrels to a match winning 9/171 from their 35 overs.

Simon Vickers, Brad Parravicini and Mark Nosworthy all took two wickets each for Peto's Marine and Leon Franklin, Salvatore Cardillo and Daniel Olditch took one.

Crowned Mongrels will take on round one victors Guardian Pharmacy in this weekend’s clash at Barry Richards Field.

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A bowler’s day out - Scott Hazard took 3 wickets for 7 runs off 2 overs and Alex Stillhard took 3 wickets for 8 runs off 2 overs. Photo supplied

The Ayr Ladies Golf Club is cheering after completing their annual Baxter Family Day 4bbb Stableford  Medley.

“Many thanks to Peter Baxter for your ongoing support each year,” said a representative from the club.

In a fantastic day of golf, there of course had to be one winning team.

“And the winning score was mind blowing,” said the representative.

“A pairing of ladies Marion Chappell and Kim Manty scored a massive 50 points. Well done ladies.”

Second place was secured by Dennis Mondin and Kevin Campbell with 46 points.

“And in third place was Joy Cornford and John Kapeechkin with 45 points.”

The Ayr Ladies Golf Club would also like to invite members and community members to the Ayr Golf Club end of year presentation dinner and Christmas party.

Scheduled for December 1, the presentation will include welcome nibbles and a two course meal, a

Tickets are $50 per person and will be available for purchase from the clubhouse in early November.

“Also a big thank you to all the members who helped with the big event of Karrie Webb Junior Masters. This takes a lot of work and to those that helped in any way - a big thank you.”

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Happy winners of the Baxter Family Day at Ayr Ladies Golf Club. Photo supplied

Plantation parkrun, hosted at Ayr’s Plantation Park, celebrated 250 runs on Saturday, October 14.

16 runners and walkers celebrated by completing the course, one joining for the first time and two smashing their personal bests, as well as plenty of furry friends joining in on the fun.

Plantation parkrun thanked their volunteers, including Holly Alford, Donna Howard, Jody Lindley, Carol O'connor, Robert Tama, Nicholas Wiseman, for making the event possible.

Plantation parkrun takes place every Saturday from 7:00am at Plantation Park, Bruce Highway, Ayr.

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16 runners completed Plantation parkrun’s 250th run on Saturday, October 14. Photos supplied: Plantation parkrun

Thursday October 19 saw 24 players at the new Home Hill rink.

Rink 5 saw a great game between Judy, John and Glen running out as eventual winners over Hugh, Alex and Peter 17 to 13.  

Rink 6 saw a pairs game with Happy and Mick winning over Lee and Henry 28 to 7.  

Rink 7 saw what turned out to be the match of the day with Dino, Bob and Trevor winning on the last end against Karl, Paul and Des 18 to 17.

Rink 8 pitted Jimmy, Dave and Gary eventually winning against Natasha, Joe and Stephen.  

Winning the lucky Rink and the day on Rink 6 was Mick and Happy while the weekly raffle was won by Jimmy Murray; thanks to Dino Poli for donating the prize.

Don't forget next Thursday October 26 is the Burdekin Motors sponsor day with cash prizes up for grabs.

Names in by 1pm for a 1.30pm start, $12 a head, teams of triples will be done in the lucky mixed format.

Friday night bowls has also been moved to Wednesday night barefoot bowls; family and children are welcome.

Contributed by Stephen Doig

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Last week’s winners Mick and Happy

The Burdekin community came together for a fun day of festivities at Burdekin Netball’s A Spring Day on the Lawn. The event, a part of the Harvest Festival’s Dayna Linton's journey, celebrated the spirit of togetherness.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the "Battle of the Balls," which brought forth spirited competition and good-natured rivalry. Participants from various local sports clubs, including the Burdekin Roosters, Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads, and Burdekin FC Inc, joined forces with the BNA Old Boys and Young Guns to create a lively atmosphere. In a thrilling finale, the Burdekin Panthers emerged as the victors of the day, competing closely against the Old Boys.

The event wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and hard work of the Burdekin Netball Association (BNA) committee and numerous volunteers who lent a helping hand in various aspects of the event. From the initial setup to food preparation, BBQ cooking, service, and post-event cleanup, the collective effort of these individuals was truly commendable.

The excitement didn't end with the sports activities. The "Buy a Netballer" raffle drew substantial attention, and the lucky winner, the Woods family, walked away with a generous prize of $10,000 in cash.

Entertainment was not in short supply, thanks to the musical talents of Brendan Ford, who kept the crowd grooving throughout the day. Additionally, the little ones were treated to some amazing face painting by Dene, adding an extra layer of fun to the event.

It was a day filled with joy, camaraderie, and spirited competition, and it wouldn't have been such a tremendous success without the enthusiastic participation of the local sports clubs, volunteers, and attendees. The event not only brought smiles to many faces but also supported a worthy cause.

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Photo credit: Burdekin Netball Association

Celebrating the fantastic achievements of sports stars across the region, the 2023 MM Electrical North Queensland Sportstar Awards will be the place to be.

And from the Burdekin, the region will be sending three local sporting legends.

None other than Ky Mitchell, Kiera Wiseman and Lisa Furnell have been nominated.

For their impressive excellence in sporting, Ky Mitchell and Kiera Wiseman have been nominated for the NQ Junior Sportstar of the Year, sponsored by Anything Environmental. Both of these youths’ performances were excellent and outstanding, so exceptional that their achievements have been identified to be exceptional.

Due to this nomination, the pair have also been considered for the NQ Rural And Remote Sportstar of the Year, sponsored by Fitzroy.

Living outside Cairns, Townsville, and Mackay, Ky and Kiera have shown exceptional sporting achievement while living in a regional or remote area.

The third Burdekin local heading to the awards is Lisa Furnell.

Lisa has been nominated for NQ Sport Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by Queensland Hydro, due to her excellent service, commitment, and dedication to her club.

The NQ Sportstar Awards recognise athletes from across the region, and we wish them all the best.

WHAT: North Queensland Sportstar Awards

WHERE: Mackay Entertainment Centre Plenary Halls

WHEN: Saturday November 4, from 6pm

TICKETS: themecc.com.au

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The U14 Burdekin Wildcat Girls basketball team were runner up for the 2022 NQ Sportstar Team of the Year Award. Photo supplied

In a thrilling night of high-octane action, Pioneer Park Speedway played host to the 2023 Queensland Sidecar Championships, showcasing the skills of some of the best riders in the state. The track was on fire, and the crowd was treated to some heart-stopping moments as the sidecar teams battled it out for supremacy.

Taking the top step of the podium was the formidable duo of Brodie Cohen and Josh Murray, who displayed their prowess on the dirt with a stellar performance. Their lightning-quick manoeuvres and unwavering determination secured them the well-deserved gold medal, making them the 2023 Queensland Sidecar Champions.

Not far behind, Stuart Firth and Jason Martin claimed the second spot with an impressive showing, demonstrating their skill and teamwork.

In third place, Trent Headland and April Cottrell showcased their mettle, earning themselves the bronze medal and a spot on the podium. Their tenacity and skill were evident throughout the championship, solidifying their place among Queensland's top sidecar riders.

Tyler Moon and Adam Lovell also put up a commendable performance, finishing in fourth place. While they narrowly missed the podium, their racing spirit and camaraderie were evident to all in attendance.

The action-packed night didn't stop with the sidecars, as the 125cc Solos and Stockbikes also added to the excitement. Ky Mitchell took the top spot in the 125cc Solos, demonstrating exceptional talent and speed. Beau Baker and Kai Moran claimed the second and third positions, respectively, making it a hard-fought competition.

In the Stockbikes category, the battles were fierce, with multiple riders taking the lead at different points in the event. Shane Oats, Lucas Quinn, Lachy Moody, and Jesse Tuffin all showcased their skills and claimed victories on various occasions. The competition was so intense that every race seemed up for grabs, keeping the audience at the edge of their seats.

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Pioneer Park Speedway hosted the 2023 Queensland Sidecar Championships. Photo source: Pioneer Park Speedway on FacebooK

Burdekin FC Celebrates Half a Century

Football's roots in the Burdekin region trace back to the early 1900s when passionate individuals would engage in informal matches in Ayr and Home Hill. Most of these early players were migrants hailing from countries such as Scotland, Ireland, England, and various parts of Europe. In those days, there was no structured club or competition – the focus was on fostering camaraderie and shared love for the beautiful game.

The early 1970s witnessed the emergence of a more organized senior soccer competition as a group of men from Ayr began to lay the foundations for formal gameplay. Sunday afternoons became synonymous with thrilling matches. Over the years, teams would ebb and flow, with typically four teams participating at any given time. The teams included Centrals, Comets, Crusaders, Easts, Grenadiers, Juventus, and Parkside Rangers.

In 1971, the North Queensland Soccer Federation (NQSF), based in Townsville, extended an invitation to Ayr players to compete in their first division, filling in to play teams on their bye weeks. Ayr embraced this opportunity, leading to periodic journeys to Townsville for matches and reciprocal visits from Townsville teams. Although many players were content with this arrangement, some aspired to compete more regularly in the more elite NQSF competition.

During the 1972 season, the idea of joining the NQSF officially took root. By 1973, the Ayr Senior Soccer Association played its inaugural season, eventually evolving into the Burdekin Soccer Club in 1987, now fondly known as Burdekin FC.

Meanwhile, in the early days of junior football, clubs were formed by local schools for players in U8 to U16 age groups, including Comets from Brandon, Centrals from Ayr, AK United from Airdmillan and Kalamia, Rangers from Home Hill and Easts United from East Ayr. Both junior and senior competitions were played at fields on MacMillan Street behind the Ayr Pool, where junior games were played as curtain raisers to the senior matches. In 1974, the Burdekin Football Senior competition was relocated to its current home at International Park on Beach Road.  

With an increase in the number of children enrolled in the local small schools, these schools joined forces to form Crusaders. By the 1980s there were four clubs in the local competition; Home Hill Rangers, Easts United, Saint Francis Saints and Crusaders, later joined by the Bowen Football Association. In 2010, Burdekin Junior Football also relocated to Beach Road.

It was decided that in 2016 the existing juniors’ clubs would unite and the Burdekin Junior Soccer body would run the competition, providing a local non-competitive fixture for U5-U12 and the U12-U16 players playing in the FQ Northern Football Competition in Townsville. The Senior players also compete in the FQ Northern Competition in Premier League Men, Reserve Men, 1st Division Men, 2nd Division Men, Premier League Women and Reserve Women divisions, playing in both Townsville and at home. In 2021, the senior and junior football bodies amalgamated to form Burdekin FC, providing new opportunities for the club and its members while maintaining club values and culture.

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Burdekin FC’s 50 year celebrations started the night before the Gala Dinner at the Annual Escriva Cup and meet and greet, held at International Park on Friday, October 13.

12 teams battled it out in the social 6-a-side tournament, with Class of 13 defeating Mad Punts 3-1 in the men’s final and Pink Panthers triumphing over Fireball with a convincing 6-0 win in the Ladies final.

The Escriva Cup was established in recognition of past player and mate of the club, Eddie Escriva who served as the First Division goalkeeper for many years.

Eddie played his junior soccer in the Burdekin and went on to play for Ayr, Burdekin, and North Queensland.

The annual event is run by the SLoBs (Soccer Legends of the Burdekin) to raise funds for the Burdekin Ex-Players Benevolent Association.

Results

Men’s Final

Class of 13 3 (goals to Kyle Taylor, Patrick Puddlefoot and Jake Perry) def Mad Punts 1 (goal to Mark Grasso)

Women’s Final

Pink Panthers 6 (goals to Sian Reardon (2), Charlotte Dal Santo (2), Maygen Valle (2)) def Fireball 0

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Class of 13

Pink Panthers

Bill and Helen Taylor

Maureen Perry, Chris Perry, and Jerome Lacco

Hope Perry and Jobe Oar

Felix Gabiola, Jessie Escriva, Ann Escriva, Elena Sesma, and Tracey Gabiola

Marty Pierce, Shane Feeney, and Raymon Oar

Laurence Dal Santo, Michael Taylor, and Clinton Southern

Rick Romeo and Nick Predebon

Piggy the Bendigo Bank mascot

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Name: Catherine West (Roncato)

Years with Burdekin FC: 1993 – 2019

Position: Centre Midfield

It’s a career that began in the Burdekin, led to captaining Australia, and resulted in legendary status in north Queensland football, but Catherine West will never forget her roots.

Catherine embarked on her football journey at a time that she says was a rocky one for the women’s team at Burdekin FC, but it didn’t stop her from going on to join the U16 North Queensland women’s team in 1992 before representing Australia in 1993, 1994 and 1995.

In 1995, she even captained the Junior Matildas side to a three-nil victory against New Zealand in a test match while on tour.

They are all fond memories, but Catherine holds her time in the Burdekin dearest.

It was a time of hard work and rebuilding, but she said the players around her made the journey worthwhile.

“We’d gone through a period where other teams had dominated the competition,” Catherine said.

“We were bottom of the ladder for a long, long time.”

It wasn’t until 2006 that she won her first grand final with the club, and it remains one of her most cherished memories.

Catherine went on to play for and coach multiple clubs in Townsville but will never forget her roots.

“Nothing ever beats playing for Burdekin,” she said.

“There’s something great about playing club football.

“You’ll maintain those memories forever because it’s something that you work for the whole year round.”

As her career progressed into coaching the beautiful game, Catherine’s piece of advice to young players is a simple message: “Remember to have fun and don’t get caught up in the pressure of what jersey you’re wearing but focus on what you love doing and that’s playing the game.”

Catherine returned to the Burdekin for Burdekin FC’s 50 year celebrations where she and fellow guest speaker Felix Gabiola guided the audience through the 1993-2002 era of the club.

“You can take the girl out of the Burdekin, but you can’t take the Burdekin out of the girl,” she said.

“That’s something I genuinely believe in.”

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Catherine, her sister Monica and Monica’s daughter Amaia playing for Burdekin FC in 2014

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