Water Skiing Wiseman Receives Runner Up At NQ Sportstar Awards

Three Burdekin athletes were recently announced as finalists for the NQ Sport star Awards held in Mackay over the weekend, with 18-year-old Kiera Wiseman being recognised as runner-up in the NQ Junior Rural And Remote Sport star Of The Year category.

Kiera and Ky Mitchell were both finalists in NQ Junior Sport star Of The Year and NQ Junior Rural And Remote Sport star Of The Year categories while Lisa Furnell was a finalist in the NQ Sport Volunteer Of The Year category.

Kiera and Ky, their families and other members of the Burdekin community travelled to Mackay for the awards which have played a major role in sporting communities for 32 years, recognising the incredible achievements of regional North Queensland athletes.

An unforgettable evening recognising sporting excellence in north Queensland took place at the highly anticipated 2023 MM Electrical NQ Sportstar Awards last Saturday, November 4 in Mackay.

Hosted by, and marking the 40th anniversary of the North Queensland Sports Foundation, the event was a celebration of sporting achievements across north Queensland with three Burdekin superstars, Kiera Wiseman, Ky Mitchell and Lisa Furnell, all nominated across a variety of categories.

Read on to learn more about the Burdekin’s star nominees.

Kiera Wiseman

A finalist in both NQ Junior Sportstar Of The Year and NQ Junior Rural And Remote Sportstar Of The Year, Kiera Wiseman feels proud to be recognised for her hard work in the sport of waterskiing.

Kiera first started social skiing at 3 years old with her dad, turning to tournament skiing at the age of 10.

Now 18 years old, she’s been tournament skiing ever since.

“I love being able to travel so much for the sport, as well as the amount of really good friends I’ve made,” Kiera said. “I also love the adrenaline rush I get when skiing.”

2023 has been a massive year for Kiera, a highlight coming when she travelled to Chile to represent Australia at the Junior World Championships.

She also competed in her first junior Moomba Master on the Yarra River in Melbourne and represented Australia for the 3rd time in the Aussie/Kiwi challenge in Albury.

While preparing for the World Championships, Kiera would train up to four times a week and often travel to receive expert coaching.

She recognises elite water-skier and two-time world champion of water ski jumping, Jacinta Carroll, as her role model; Jacinta’s world record breaking jumps inspiring Kiera to strive in the sport.

Kiera was announced as runner-up NQ Junior Rural And Remote Sportstar Of The Year and was in Mackay to accept her award.

“It was a really lovely night,” she said.

“I’d just like to thank the sponsors of the event as it’s always such a great night to attend.”

As she finishes high school this year, Kiera is looking forward to enjoying this time of her life and, as for next year she says “Anything is possible”.

Ky Mitchell

Ky Mitchell was also a finalist in both NQ Junior Sportstar Of The Year and NQ Junior Rural And Remote Sportstar Of The Year categories.

The 11-year-old started riding motorbikes at age 3 and racing at age 5, now competing in two disciplines: Flat Track; 85cc 9-13yrs and Speedway; 125cc solo under 16yrs.

“I love everything about bikes from riding for fun to racing speedway and dirt bikes and anything with wheels,” he said.

“I ride every day and compete most weekends.”

Ky said he was extremely happy to be nominated and picked as a finalist in the NQ Sportstar Awards.

Attending on the night, he and his family found great inspiration from fellow nominees and guest speaker Brook Hansen OAM.

Ky has won multiple titles in recent years and is proving himself as a star of the future in motorcycle racing.

Having been selected in the Under 16yrs Australian Speedway Championship, Ky and his family will travel to Tamworth next weekend to take on the next chapter of his racing journey.

Lisa Furnell

Lisa Furnell was unable to attend the NQ Sportstar Awards over the weekend as she had to cover an eight-hour patrol for Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club the following day.

While on patrol on Sunday, Lisa and the team completed a rescue, highlighting the importance of her role in the Burdekin community and the justification behind her nomination for NQ Sport Volunteer Of The Year.

“We don’t have a lot of rescues, but it’s nice to know that we’re out there covering the beach, especially in the stinger season,” Lisa said.

Lisa was the first member of the Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club, and has come to achieve 1,000 patrolling hours and she’s also heavily involved in training younger members and fundraising.

She first became involved in the club when her children started Nippers before competing and volunteering herself.

“I just loved the idea of being down there on the beach and patrolling the beach,” she said.

Following on from a Lifesaver of the Year award in 2022, Lisa was disappointed to be unable to attend the awards but thankful for the recognition and support.

“It was a privilege to be nominated considering there are so many volunteers involved in local clubs,” she said.

“It’s just a great club and we have a really supportive community.”

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Kiera Wiseman was announced as runner-up NQ Junior Rural And Remote Sportstar Of The Year. Photo supplied

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin, Kiera Wiseman, Ky Mitchell and Burdekin Shire Council Manager Community Services Tony Blackwell at the NQ Sportstar Awards in Mackay