The much-anticipated Rugby League carnival, the Annual Bowen Tens, will be played at Denison Park in Bowen on Saturday.

Sponsored mainly by Whitsunday Civil, the day brings much needed funds to the Bowen Seagulls Junior League with various charities also benefitting.

A number of Bowen charities have been the recipients of money from the Bowen Tens.

This year, the main recipient will be Kids Connecting Parents.

Burdekin teams have supported the day since it was first introduced in 2012 with the Charity that year Cancer Research.

The Burdekin Old Boys made themselves a popular team by donating half the prize money they received for winning that year to the charity and it continued on with several other Burdekin teams doing the same thing.

This year, 14 men’s teams and six women’s team will contest the games for the cash and trophies donated by Kincove for the men and Abbot Point for the women.

The Burdekin will again be represented by Runamuck in the women, a group of ladies mainly from the Burdekin Hens led by the Monday sisters whose style of play will suit this format.

They will be joined by Bowen teams Boonti Busters and Bowen Bush Chooks.

Carlton from Mackay will again be playing with Townsville team Norths Devils.

The sixth team is an unknown group called Darlz Warriors but they are expected to be strong.

Three men’s teams will represent the Burdkein: Runamuck, Runamuck 10 and Fiji Time.

Fiji Time are the defending champions and they alone will bring spectators just to see their exciting brand of football.

Matches are played over two ten-minute halves on two fields at Denison Park with a two-minute half time and thirty seconds between games.

Timing is done from a central time piece.

The first games get under way at 8am with the final of the men expected about 8pm, giving some 12 hours of non-stop footy

Food and drink will be sold on the grounds and there are some big raffles taking place all for a $5 entry fee.

The player scoring a try then attempts to convert with a drop kick before the player’s team restarts.

It all makes for speed and excitement.

Teams of no more than 20 players with ten on the field at any one time come from several centres around the north as it is not only a good bonding weekend, it is also very good for pre-season fitness.

A four-person relay is also held between teams with the referees at times having a team and they have been successful in the past.

Bowen is well represented with at least 8 teams while the Moranbah Miners and Carlton Devils play in the Mackay League.

Some Townsville teams have supported the Carnival in the past with this year the Norths Devils women making the trip.

This will be the first time the Cardwell Axemen will try their luck although Herbert River have been there before.

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Contributed by Brian Carnes

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Both night tennis on Monday and pickleball on Tuesday have been fortunate to dodge rain over the recent weeks, with good numbers of players at 7:00pm. At pickleball, everyone has been enjoying the challenge of learning a new game as well as the social aspect. Friday Social tennis starts up in early March.

The upcoming AGM on the March 11 is a great opportunity for everyone to come along to Home Hill Tennis to hear about all the club’s activities in 2023. It is also time to recognise and thank those who have contributed to the club whether it is through grants, sponsors, playing and the very valuable work of club volunteers. Without these, our club would not exist.

The Burdekin hosts two junior tournaments over the next couple of weeks. Ayr has the first event and Opening Day this Saturday March 2 at 8:00am. There will be guest speakers at the opening for the parents and players. Home Hill hosts the Super JDS on March 16-17 where there will be coaching clinics and teams’ events. All visitors are welcome to the clubs on these weekends.

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Contributed by Home Hill Tennis Association

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Caption: Home Hill Tennis Association hosts tennis on Tuesday s from 7:00pm. Photo supplied

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Our North Queensland wet season again prevented any Junior Cricket to be played late last week at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex, and Charters Towers where our Under 17s were meant to play Wests.

Clear skies on Tuesday allowed the Rookies to go ahead though, with Antony Stewart from Queensland Cricket coming down from Townsville to run the session.

Antony was helped out by one of our older junior Thomas Cardillo at the East Ayr School Grounds.

This session included fun drills and games for our youngest cricket stars of the future.

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Back Cover Caption: Queensland Cricket’s Antony Stewart (back left) and junior cricketer Thomas Cardillo (back right) led the junior cricket rookies session last week. Photo supplied

Junior Cricket Recap

The Friday afternoon Challenger’s session was moved to the East Ayr State School Hall due to the weather with modified indoor skills and drills organised by our Co-Ordinator Shaun Goldsworthy.  

The 14 eager children were very appreciative of Shaun’s efforts in getting this going for a second week in a row.

There was catching practice, some bowling drills, then a fun game of indoor cricket to finish up the session.

After a very disrupted start to the second half of the season we have our fingers crossed we can play some cricket in the sunshine on Friday this week.  

Contributed by Scott Heidke

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Caption 1-4: Clear skies on Tuesday allowed the Rookies to go ahead

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Championship Rinks and Championship Singles are now open, names wanted to be drawn February 27.

Ladies Social Bowls played on February 13. Winners were R Soper, D Soper and P Power defeating R Hervey, K Page and D Cutting. Runner up on count back Merle Nixon, Joy Comollatti and S Stidston defeating K Stuckler, H Jorgensen and I Wilson.

Wednesday Feb 14

Winners were Jim Murray, Dino Poli and Henry Hazle who defeated John Hall, Anthony Bull and Ron Soper

Saturday Feb 17

Winners were John Hall, Mick Olsen and Sandra Stidston who defeated Mick Murison, Anthony Bull and Thelma Klopper.

Second place went to Merle Nixon, George Nixon and Henry Hazle who defeated John Pirrone, Chris Pearce and Maurie Power.

Wednesday night Feb 14

It was enjoyable playing lawn bowls in the cool of the evening. The winners on the night were, Lorraine Wolffe and Gary Pearce, and Marlene Lorger, Rob Jorgensen and Sam Caltabiano.

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Contributed by Michael Parravicini

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Thanks to all the members who turned up for Saturday morning’s working bee putting the shade sails back up. Chief in command Richi Maui had everyone working hard and thanks also to Sharon Penny for smoko which was enjoyed by all.

24 members attended social bowls on Monday, February 19 in favourable conditions.

Norm Storrie, Ray Panacassio and Jamie Woods played against Bernice Kugatoff, Leo Kenny, and Len Feeney. In the early stages in that game, it looked all over with Len Feeney letting everyone know how easy this game is only to be given an absolute flogging.

Championship games played on Sunday were both close games and in the single B grade round was Ross McLaughlin playing against Neville Dickinson with Ross the eventual winner.

In the A grade pairs event it was a very close game with father and son combination of Gary and Chris Pearce winning against Kevin Collins and Doug Robins.

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Contributed by Lloyd Shepherd

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Caption: Brandon Bowls Club held a working bee on Saturday to put up shade sails

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Thursday bowls went ahead even though the green was under water at 1pm after a couple of inches of rain in about an hour.  

Surprisingly, the new green drains very quickly so the games could go ahead at around 2:15pm.

RINK 2: Mick/Hugh, Dino and Stephen were to strong defeating Judy, Dave and Wayne 17 to 11 and 8 ends to 4.

RINK 3: Bob, Joe and Trevor pipped Jim, Des and Henry 10 to 9 with 6 ends to each side.

RINK 4: In a pairs game Paul and Mick steamrolled Yogi and John to the tune of 12 to 4 and 8 ends to 4 ends.

Our esteemed president Trevor has been holding a morning tea each Monday at around 10am if anyone is interested.  

Barefoot bowls will be on Wednesday night again after a sausage sizzle.

Bingo is still going strong on Thursday morning.

Kraft group is also going well on Wednesday morning and the Tuesday Trimmers on Tuesday mornings.

Good bowling till next week.

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Contributed by Stephen Doig

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Caption: Thursday’s winning team of Paul and Mick

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Rain fell throughout the district which again disrupted the Junior Cricket season last week. There were still clouds above the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex on Sunday when six Home Hill Cricket Association members undertook a coaching course. This was run by QLD Cricket’s Coaching and Talent Specialist Lachlan Ford, and these members are now Level 1 Community Cricket Coaches.  They join the 14 other accredited coaches at the club so all of our Junior players from the smallest Rookies through to our Under 17s are coached by nationally accredited coaches.

Following the Level 1 course Lachlan then ran two “Masterclass Sessions” for these and some of our existing coaches, aimed at upskilling them in the techniques of batting and pace bowling. With the help of some of our Juniors he instructed the attendees on specific technical drills and activities designed to allow the players to score more runs when batting and take more wickets safely without injury when bowling. This course and Masterclass sessions have enabled our club to grow and upskill our coaching ranks and thanks go to QLD Cricket, Lachlan Ford and our Juniors who helped out.  

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Contributed by Scott Heidke

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Caption: Six coaches undertook a coaching clinic and masterclass last weekend. Photos supplied

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The 2024 football season was due to start last Saturday but the very wet weather caused all football activity in the Burdekin to be postponed. The Panthers were due to play JCU Riverway in the 3rd round of the Cup. The match has been re-scheduled for this Saturday night, February 24, at International Park at 7.00pm.

Training at International Park is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30pm for men and Wednesdays at 6.00pm for women.

The Week 1 pre-season matches for Juniors were unfortunately called off due to the wet weather. Week 1 will now be held this Saturday at East Ayr School (both junior and senior grounds are unavailable). Age groups and times have been posted on Burdekin FC Facebook page and emailed out.  

We are still looking for coaches for some age groups. A big thanks to the Under 7 parents who have put their hands up for this large age group, we have filled all coaches there! We still are looking for 3 x Under 5, 2 x Under 6, 2 x Under 11, 1 x Under 12 and there is a possibility of a second girls 12/13 team so will also need a coach there.

There will be a Working Bee on Sunday February 25 at the junior grounds commencing 8.30am to mark out the fields. Many hands make light work!

The busy weekend continues as, also on Sunday Feb 25, there is a Mini-Roos coaching course at the Junior grounds from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. All 2024 coaches have been advised of this course. Anyone else who is interested please contact the Club for how to register. Let’s hope we kick things off this Saturday!

Burdekin FC needs members and supporters to vote on the Ergon grant for the club to hopefully win. www.ergon.com.au/peopleschoice2024 - Vote for Burdekin FC!

Monday Night Masters was also cancelled but assuming there is not too much more rain, it will be on again next Monday. So, it’s usual time, usual place, 6.30 at International Park. New and old players are all welcome. In fact, it doesn’t really matter if you can’t play. Treat it as an escape.

Read Football Matters with Cyclops every week on the Burdekin FC Facebook page.

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The draw from Rugby League Townsville & Districts (RLTD) has been released showing the Burdekin Roosters will have eight home games during the regular season, which gets under way for the Burdekin teams on Sunday April 7 when they travel to meet the Western Lions in Townsville.

The first home game will be a big one when they host powerhouse Brothers on Saturday April 20 at Rugby Park.

Other home games will be Sunday April 28 against Souths in A grade and Bowen, Saturday May 25 against Centrals, Saturday June 1 against Norths, Saturday June 15 against Lions, Saturday June 22 against Souths, Saturday July 20 against Ch Towers and Saturday Aug 17 against Herbert River.

It is shown that the Roosters will play Centrals, Brothers, Norths, Charters Towers and Herbert River twice during the season on a home and away basis.

The club will play both Western Lions and Souths three times each with twice away to the Lions and twice at home to Souths.

The reserves and under 20 are also to play Bowen in home and away games.

Grades to be played this season are A, Reserve, Under 20 and Ladies.

At this stage the club is struggling to form the under 20 team and may reluctantly have to withdraw from that competition.

All coaches are at present readying their squads to play trials with Mackay Magpies at Rugby Park on Saturday March 9.

It is expected that three grades will be played against the Mackay Club: A, Reserve and Under 20.

Magpies will not be bringing a ladies team but the club is hoping to arrange a match with a visiting Charters Towers ladies squad.

A grade coach Daniel Beazley will take a squad to Airlie Beach on Saturday March 16 to play a trial with Townsville Brothers.

Several players both male and female will take part in the Bowen Tens Carnival on Saturday March 2, won last year by a team called Fiji Time made up mainly of the Roosters Fijian players.

The club is also planning an Official Opening of the season at the Ayr Anzac Club on Friday March 22.

Work is expected to commence shortly on the million-dollar improvements to Rugby Park but they will pose no interruption to playing or training days.

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Contributed by Brian Carnes

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Caption: Burdekin Roosters have been training ahead of their season opener on Sunday, April 7. Photo supplied

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Burdekin Clay Target Club held their 100 Target Double Barrel event on Sunday February 11.

44 shooters attended, including travelling shooters from various clubs, which is always wonderful to see.

Our Major sponsor for the day was Honeycombes Sales & Service, thank you for your ongoing support.

The weather was hot in the sun with a slight breeze now and then.

Wayne Cislowski was top dog for the day shooting a clean sweep with 100/100; he was on fire, not even looking like he was going to miss a target.

Followed by an intense shoot off between Joe Caruso and Ron Gough to decide 1st and 2nd in AA Grade.

Unfortunately, after shooting a further 100 targets, Joe Caruso dropped a target, which meant Ron Gough placing 1st in AA Grade and Joe Caruso 2nd.

In A Grade Joe Scalia and Joe (Jnr) Sebastiani shot 99/100 which is an awesome achievement and then had to shoot off to find a winner – Joe Scalia won.

Two Burdekin members John Cerqui and Geoff Dalton shot off for B Grade and John took out the win.

C Grade shoot off was won by Townsville Member Peter Scott – congratulations to all.

If you’re looking at starting a new sport or just want to try something different, why not come to our come & try day, held on Saturday February 24.

For further details, check out Burdekin Clay Target Club on Facebook.

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Contributed by Sylvia Rossato

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Results

Event 1-15 Target Pointscore 15m

AA Grade 1st Joe Caruso 45/45, 2nd Ray Collinson 44/45

A Grade 1st Benji Micallef 44/45, 2nd Colin Ferguson, Joe Scalia & David Stitt 42/45

B Grade 1st Sylvia Rossato 44/45, 2nd Mark Simpson 42/45

C Grade 1st Brian Bonanno 43/45, 2nd Pedro Le Blowitz 42/45

Event 2-100 Target Double Barrel 15m sponsored by Honeycombes Sales & Service

OPEN 1st Wayne Cislowski 100/100

AA Grade 1st Ron Gough 199/201, 2nd Joe Caruso 198/201

A Grade 1st Joe Scalia 107/108, 2nd Joe ( Jnr) Sebastiani 106/108

B Grade 1st John Cerqui 98/101, 2nd Geoff Dalton 97/101

C Grade 1st Peter Scott 90/103, 2nd Richard Stanhope 89/103

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Caption 1: Back Row L-R Honeycombes Sales & Service Bud Taylor, Ron Gough, Joe Scalia, John Cerqui, Peter Scott. Front Row L-R Joe Caruso, Joe (Jnr) Sebastiani, Wayne Cislowski, Geoff Dalton, Richard Stanhope

Caption 2: Sponsor Honeycombes Sales & Service Bud Taylor and Wayne Cislowski

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On the weekend of the February 10-11, Millie Lyne and her coaches, Kim and Mick McConnachie, travelled to Brisbane to compete in the QLD State Sprint (50m events) Championships held at Chandler Swimming Pool. Millie represented the Burdekin Torpedoes in five events and one final, which included the open 50m Breaststroke where she secured her qualifying time for the National Age Swimming Championships held on the Gold Coast in April with a time of 36.24s, smashing her personal best time by 1.08s. A great achievement for all the hard work she and her coaches have put in over the past year.

She then backed it up in the 13yo girls 50m Breaststroke and qualified for the final where she placed 9th in the State for her age. Millie is hoping to secure more times for the National Age Championships in the next month at upcoming Swimming meets in North QLD.

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Contributed by Kate Lyne

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Caption 1: Burdekin Swimmer Millie Lyne qualified for the National Age Swimming Championships after a personal best swim at Chandler recently

Caption 2: Millie with her coaches Kim (left) and Mick (right) McConnachie

Photos supplied

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For six years, locals and visitors alike have been starting their weekends with a social run through Ayr’s Plantation Park.

Plantation parkrun marked its sixth anniversary on Saturday, February 17, with 25 runners joining the celebrations.

Co-Event Director Stephen Crouther attended the first Plantation parkrun on February 18, 2018 where 90 people attended.

“Since then, we’ve run with 20-30 people each week,” he said.

“It’s good to see people turn up and volunteers turn up to make it happen.”

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Caption: 25 runners took part in Plantation parkrun’s 6th birthday run. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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A Social Run For All To Enjoy

Since the first Plantation parkrun on February 17, 2018, 926 participants have completed 4,861 parkruns covering a total distance of 24,305-kilometres and a total of 169 individuals have volunteered 1,480 times.

In the 160 events Plantation parkrun Co-Event Director Stephen Crouther has participated in, he said he hasn’t run once, shaving his time from what was once an hour to 53 minutes to complete the 5-kilometre course.

“It’s a run, not a race, so it’s up to people as to whether they walk it or run it,” Mr Crouther said.

“Just get out and be active.”

Plantation parkrun happens every Saturday at Plantation Park where people gather to run or walk a 5-kilometre course through the park and the Juru Walk.

The event is free and open to all ages and abilities.

“It’s a good social get together encouraging people to get out and move,” Mr Crouther said.

Entirely dependent on volunteers, Mr Crouther is proud to claim the Plantation parkrun has never cancelled due to a lack of volunteers in its six-year history.

“To run each week, we really need a run director, timekeeper, someone scanning barcodes, someone handing out barcodes, and a tail walker,” he said.

“We’ve got a good team of run directors which makes this job so much simpler.

“I just want to thank everyone who has supported us over the six years.

“There have been people who have come and gone for various reasons, but I just want to thank everyone who has helped us over the years, there’s been a large number of volunteers and people who support us.

“I particularly want to thank the Council for the support they have given us too; just the fact that we can use this park, it’s a beautiful place, Council keeps it nice and tidy, and we thank them for that.”

To find out more and to register as a participant or volunteer, visit www.parkrun.com.au/plantation.

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Caption 2: Nathan Barrett

Caption 3: Drew Bursey

Caption 6: Cathy Friend

Caption 9: Nick and William Wiseman

Caption 11: Holly Giarrusso

Caption 12: Henrietta Cherry and Holly Alford

Caption 18: Ian Condon and his son

Caption 21: Rowan and Courtney Anderson

Caption 22: Stephen Crouther

Caption 23: Eddie Jones and Matilda Wiseman

Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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The 2024 football season started last Saturday for Burdekin FC. The Panthers were away to Estates in the Kappa Cup. It was a good start to the season with the Panthers winning 2-1 at Victoria Park in Townsville.

The boys were keen to get into their first fixture of the year. The Panthers always seem to do well in the Cup and wanted to continue that. Burdekin started well with Matthew Kolb hitting the post with a well drilled left foot shot. With lots of short, sharp passing, the Panthers were able to find pockets of space, and eventually got the breakthrough they deserved after Jay Leckenby in the box, laid a nice pass to Ryan Scodellaro who from just outside the penalty area calmly placed his left foot shot in the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

Estates fought back, growing into the game and with the Panthers fitness levels lacking, Burdekin were on the back foot for the last twenty minutes of the first half, and under pressure. Estates got their reward just before half time to go into the break all square at 1-1. Burdekin came out in the second half trying to play like they had in the first twenty minutes and the game was far more evenly poised. The Panthers went ahead with fifteen minutes to go when Elliot Dal Santo, unmarked at the back post, calmly headed in a cross. 

Congratulations to Jarrod Dal Santo who made his first team starting debut and to Oscar Licciardello who was named on the bench for the first time, a step up in his football career. The Panthers now play JCU Riverway in the next round of the Cup. The match is at International Park this Saturday night at 7.00.

Training at International Park is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30 pm for men and Wednesdays at 6.00 pm for women.

Junior Registration for the 2024 season closed on Sunday. There are nearly 200 juniors nominated for the season, great numbers!  Coaches will be getting together during the week to pick teams for each age group. The first pre-season game will be this Saturday, at times to be determined. 

Keep an eye out on your emails and Facebook for any information this week leading up to the first pre-season game. The MiniRoos Coaching Clinic will be held on 25th February from 4:30pm- 6:30pm, This is a Free Coaching Clinic.

Read Football Matters with Cyclops on the Burdekin FC Facebook page.

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Contributed by Richard Samwell

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Elliot Dal Santo. Photo supplied

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Hordes of people descended on the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday February 10 for their annual Beach Golf Day.

The day kicked off with the drawing event of their Top 100 Club, where the masses mingled over lunch and drinks until the big wheel revealed the lucky winners. First prize went to Ena Daniels, whilst Carol Rossato was the winner of second prize.

20 teams took to the unique beach golf course to make their way around the 6 holes, enjoying an afternoon of sunshine, sand and laughs.

The Ayr Surf Club would like to thank their sponsors for the day, The Kalamia Hotel and Padman Water Solutions for their generous donation of prizes, and all those who attended to support their club.

Best dressed team for the day were The Drunken Bus Drivers - Ben Nielson, Danny Horan, Jimmy Hayllor and Greeny.

Overall Winners were 4 Over Par - Ben Pontifex, Dave and Kathryn Sartori, Jarrod Rossato and Sarah Pontifex.

Their next event is a Family Fun Day being held on Saturday March 2 which will be a great family day out with lots of activities for young and old.

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Contributed by Kellie Lawry

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‘4 Over Par’ were overall winners on the day

‘The Drunken Bus Drivers’ were awarded Best Dressed

Photos supplied: Kellie Lawry

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The services of some of its most dedicated members and volunteers were recognised by Burdekin Race Club at a presentation late last year.

At a race meeting on December 9 2023, four volunteers were presented with Life Memberships while a further four were honoured for their volunteer service.

“It’s all about recognising those many years of volunteering,” said Burdekin Race Club President Rick Gudge.

“Everything that’s done here is done by volunteers and, without them, there’s no club.”

Life Memberships were presented to Doug Chappell, Robyn Hewson, Torrie Davies and Jan Davies.

Jim and Fay Olsen and Mitchell and Margaret Gudge were also highlighted for their contributions to the club.

Mr Chappell has worked in numerous stewarding roles since he first became involved in racing as a teenager and was honoured after around 60 years of service to the club.

“I was real thrilled,” Mr Chappell told Racing Queensland.

“I got the shock of my life when I was told.

“It has been a big journey.”

Fellow Life Member Ms Hewson was a member of Burdekin Delta Turf Club before joining Burdekin Race Club in the early 1990s.

“She’s been a strong member of our club for many years,” said Mr Gudge.

Mr Davies is a former Burdekin Race Club President and Vice President while Ms Davies aids in the publicity of the Burdekin Grower Race Day.

“Both were a main part in the setting up of Burdekin Grower Race Day in 1999; Torrie’s a judge and Jan looks after all of our correspondence,” said Mr Gudge.

Mr Gudge said the Burdekin Race Club is looking for new members, particularly younger members.

“It’s about getting satisfaction out of what you do and supplying a product for other people,” he said.

“When we get together, it’s good camaraderie, we all get along well, and it’s good to be a part of a club.”

Contact Mr Gudge on 0407 022 719 if you’re interested in getting involved in the club.

Burdekin Race Club will hold its next meet this Saturday, February 17 while tickets for the iconic Burdekin Growers Race Day, set to be held on Saturday, May 18, will go on sale in April.

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Life membership presentation L-R Burdekin Race Club Vice President Ron Scott, Robyn Hewson, Doug Chappell, Jan and Torrie Davies and Club President Ricky Gudge. Photo credit: David Jackson

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