2019 May 9 Sport

Tully Woman

Myra and Vicki Wickham, daughter and mum.

Overcomes the Odds to Reach the Top of Roller Derby World SEAN DENT

PHOTO CREDIT RICHARD TOMPSETT

WHEN Myra Wickham, a 31-year-old soc ial worker, was named to the Australian Roller Derby team, she was astonished.

So was her mum, Vicki Wickham. This was not in the cards for the Tully Woman.

There were no early signs in her childhood, nor a linear path from anything in her past that looked like it would lead to expertise in literally any sport. Her mother Vicki Wickham certainly never saw it coming. Her daughter was not a very sporty girl in school.

She played no sports as a kid. Nothing. Nothing at all. Even compulsory gym events, she wouldn’t do them. “No, no, I’d rather be sent to detention.”

Vicki chimes in, “She did Tae Kwon Do, but that was under duress because I forced her to. But that is the only form of sport she played ever.”

Neither was she a skater. In fact, when she went to her first roller derby event seven years ago, she’d never been on skates in her life. Myra watched Townsville play Cairns, and she was hooked.

She learned how to skate, went to the next ‘fresh meat intake’ for the Reef City Roller Girls in Cairns, fell in love, and hasn’t stopped since.

Another factor against her being picked for the Aussie team is that this remote part of Australia is not exactly known for its roller-skating prodigies. When her Reef City Roller Girls team went up against the number one team in the world, Victoria, they lost badly. “They beat us something like 800-13,” said Wickham.

Most of the top skaters in Australia come from the big cities where they get to compete against top skaters all the time.

As in any sport, competition develops the higher skills that usually lead to national acceptance.

In February, Myra tried out for the Skate Australia Roller Derby Team in Brisbane. Neither she nor her mum had any expectations. Vicki said, “I was just glad that she found something she loved, and then she went to tryouts for the Aussie team and I thought, good on ya, give it

a go. But she made the team!” When she said the last four words, her voice rose, and you get the feeling she’s still in shock about it.

She’s not the only one. Myra also never expected to get the call back. “I really wanted it, so I tried out, but you don’t expect to get it, especially as a regional skater because we don’t get a lot of opportunities to play whereas Brisbane, Victoria, and NSW all have big teams and numerous teams. Brisbane has six teams, for example, and they play each other all the time and have a lot more experienced skaters. When I saw all those people trying out, I did not think I’d get in.” If you push Myra to tell you her strengths, she’ll reluctantly tell you, “I’m fast, good on my feet, and agile.”

Her mum did what mums do and said what Myra couldn’t bring herself to say: “She’s that good! She got picked, and I am over the moon about it. My head is so swollen at the moment.”

One of the things that attracted Myra to the game was the sense of community.

“When someone is too injured in a match to continue, for example, everyone on both teams will take a knee, and then the girls on the track will hold up a curtain around the player to give her some privacy. Then, if they are badly injured, their teammates will do things like prepare her meals and bring them to her house.”

Listening to her, even when talking about the competitive side of things, she sounds more like she’s describing a social event than a competitive sport. “it doesn’t bother me if we win or lose. I mean, you definitely want to win, but it’s just that we have a good team of people: it’s about how you’re playing together. So, we set team goals. When we reach them, it’s a good thing, so it doesn’t matter if you win or lose.”

Was her mum worried when she heard she was taking up roller derby? “Not really, no. Not until she started talking to me about some of the broken bones that people sustain, but hey, I got hurt last year

Myra Wickham, ready to play. just going for a walk in my garden.

And she loves it, and I get a great thrill out of screaming when I watch her play.”

Her mum likes that no one tells her she has to be quiet. “You’re allowed to be loud.”

Vicki loves watching her daughter play and doesn’t think about in-

juries because she knows Myra can take care of herself. “Although I do cringe when I see the big bruises.

I look at them and I say, ooh yeah, that would have hurt.” Myra has two daughters herself, aged 10 and 12, and they’ve watched her playing since they were very young, so they don’t worry either. “It’s normal for

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them because they’ve been around it so long.”

Team training will be in Brisbane and they will travel to Barcelona in July to compete in the World Roller Games. Myra is hopeful for the team’s prospects. Australia is good at this sport. It came third at the last world championships in China.

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FINALLY some blue skies and reasonable boating conditions. Even if we couldn`t fish the islands and blue water it was fantastic to be outdoors in the creeks. Most of the keen fishos headed down to Cardwell and fished the sheltered waters of the Hinchinbrook channel. The Barra fishing down in the channel has been tough with the Barra fixated on the masses of jelly prawn that are on the edges of the flats and around the gutters in the creeks. These fish are very difficult to get to bite and spend hours just laying in the mud. Tony Mossop and I headed down last week and had Barra feeding all around us for the whole time we were there.

With persistence, we managed to boat 4 Barra and a variety of other species such as Mangrove Jack, Flathead, Trevally, Grunter and even a small Jewfish. All caught on prawn style lures such as the Zerek prawn and the Keitech Plazo Prong. The Barra were all very black in colour, a result of laying dormant in the mud for long periods, no wonder they were difficult to entice to bite.

On Monday Derek and Ethan headed down and found small schools of Barra travelling along a flat, some of these Barra were good fish, but apart from one hook up the Barra showed no interest. Derek is a Mangrove Jack specialist and did manage to catch 4 nice Jacks between

41 and 45 cm for the mornings outing along with some very good-sized creek Trevally.

The reports on Grunter and Fingermark have been scarce over the past week, however this weekend’s evening tide will be ideal to fish for these great table fish, try fishing the deeper holes along the edges of the Hinchinbrook channel.

There have been plenty of reports of mud crabs both in the coastal creeks and in the Hinchinbrook area. If the wind can manage to drop, we should also see plenty of prawns along the beaches between the Tully river and Cardwell.

With the change in temperature we should also see some good whiting start to enter the estuaries. These fish are great eating and are also great fun that the whole family can get involved in. There are good yabby beds in both the Hull and the Murray rivers, you cannot get better bait.

The mouth of the drains and backwaters in the freshwater reaches of the Liverpool, Maria, Tully and Murray are all still fishing reasonably well for Barra, Sooty Grunter and Tarpon. As the creeks clear up and the water temperatures drop the majority of these Barra will move on down into the estuaries.

Unfortunately, the forecast is for strong winds over the weekend.

There is a lot of southerly in it, which could indicate that close-in areas such as the Hinchinbrook channel may avoid the worst of it. The larger early morning run out tide will suite those wishing to chase Grunter both in the creeks or on the Hinchinbrook flats. Either side of the mid-morning low tide are ideal to fish for Barra and Mangrove Jacks in the creeks.

The smaller run during the day will hopefully allow the water to clear up and bring the Jacks out to play.

Good Fishing Roly Newton Tackle World Tully

info@ccin.com.au

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Roly Newton with a nice sized barra from the Hinchinbrook Channel – Tackle Word's Tully Manager Derek Maynard with a solid Mangrove Jack note the dark colouration from the barra lying dormant on the bottom that ate an Atomic Prong for several days.

TULLY DARTS RESULTS

Week: 30.04.2019 Kingfishers def All Stars 6/4 Charlie Darby 9/3, David Stone 13/4, Trent Thompson 14/6, John Jordan 8/2, Dennis McLaughlin 11/1, David Kalkman 8/2, Bev Achilles 1/0 Spartans drew with Lowey’s Sharks 5/All Malcolm Muller Jnr 13/2, Dwayne Roberts 12/3, Malcolm Muller Snr 5/2, Warren Grant 8/4, Joseph Nona 12/4, Shawn Thompson 9/2, Derek Nona 15/4, Nephi Denham 10/1 Nephi Denham 1 x 180 Ghundois 2 def Falcons 6/4 Robert Milini 12/4, Charlotte Wone 9/4, Cecilia Duncan 6/2, Gavin

Spencer 10/2, Judy Meibusch 14/4, Emma Hagley 5/1, Talitha 5/4, Richard Wimbis 14/5 Marlins def Ghundois due to forfeit “Euramo Darts Comp” Saturday May 25 10:30am Start $20.00 nomination $1000 prize money Nominate and pay by May 22 No late nominations will be accepted Email: tullydarts@hotmail.com Or call Dianne 0409 672 481

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1752 1.27 m

Friday 10 0116 2.9 m

0905 1.7 m

1329 2.02 m

1945 1.39 m Saturday 11 0300 2.93 m

1027 1.44 m

1530 2.11 m

2127 1.35 m Sunday 12 0418 3.1 m

1112 1.18 m

1649 2.38 m

2247 1.21 m Monday 13 0516 3.28 m

1151 0.94 m

1745 2.68 m

2346 1.04 m Tuesday 14 0603 3.4 m

1229 0.73 m

1833 2.96 m

Wednesday 15 0035 0.9 m

0645 3.46 m

1305 0.56 m

1918 3.2 m

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NORSHIP Bait • Block & Bag Ice • Fishing Gear • Boating Supplies • Inboard - Outboard Servicing & Repairs Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 9, 2019 Page 19

SPORT

Golf

Tully Tigers

Tully Tigers U8s with coach, Troy Ellson on Saturday 4th May

WHAT’S HAPPING IN

Cardwell Golf

Last Thursday at Cardwell, the 18-hole stableford was won by Christine Ihle with 38 pts. Second Betty Taylor 30 pts. The rundown went to Tracey Cousemacker and Jackie Olditch. Betty won N.T.P. and Tracey the approach shot. Sporters 9-hole stableford saw Christine Ihle continue her winning way with 19 pts. Second, Kevin Martin, 18 pts on a count back from Ray Rogulskyj and Wayne Sheahan, also 18 pts then Keith Hoare 16 pts NTPs were Wayne Sheahan and Christine, winning two.

On Saturday, the May Monthly Medal was played, and the medal winner for the Ladies was Mandy Carucci. Second, Christine Ihle and third, Betty Taylor, NTP was Christine, Jackie Olditch won the approach, and Arlie Robinson won the putting.

Bert Pajonk was the winner for the Men’s Medal, second was Keith Hoare and third, Ian Ingram. The run down went to Wayne Sheahan, Greg Smith, Ron Ash and Heath Sampson, NTPs were Wayne, Ian and Heath. A very big thank you to the sponsors for their great trophies, Vicki Mott for the Ladies and to Rowly Mott for the Men. Thursday has an 18-hole event. Register 9.00am for 9.30am tee-off and Sporters 9-hole stableford. Register 12.30pm for tee off from 12.45pm.

Saturday will be a 4-ball Multiplier. Register by 10.30am for 11.00am tee off.

Tully Golf

On Saturday, golfers contested the May Monthly Medal.

This was generously sponsored by Alex and Jess from Tyres Plus Tully.

The club also welcomed three visitors for the afternoon, one from Townsville and two from Bowen.

In first place with a great round of 76 gross in the wet was Adam Stubbing, which gave him a net 68. Well done.

In second place was Derek Brown (Bowen) on a countback from Kim Milini in third place with nett 74.

Nearest to the pins for the afternoon were, Ladies 2/11 and 7/16 Kim Milini. Mens 2/11 Robert Milini and 7/16 Derek Brown.

Thursday’s 9-hole sporters competition also saw good numbers on course. Dave Morris coming in with 20 points to claim first prize. Mike Kennedy took out the 6 hole with 13 points. Les Edwards and Robert Milini both on 18 points completed the rundown.

Nearest to the pins were – 2/11 Clare Bourke, 5/14 Dave Morris, 7/16 Mike Kennedy, 9/18 A Grade Michael Devries, B Grade Dave Morris, C Grade A Gray.

With fine conditions forecast this week, the course will be in great condition for Thursday’s 9-hole sporters competition hitting off from 12:30pm.

On Saturday, there will be a Single Stableford event with prizes kindly donated by Kitchen Essentials nominations will be from 11:00am.

Rainbow in Tully

Image submitted by Phillip Davis

Tully Bridge Results Monday April 29

Anne McLean / Jan Pease Geoff Stapley / Kath McGowan Sandi Raiti / Sandy Mollenhagen

Friday May 3

Brone Reed / Rhonda Murdoch Korma Byrne / Sandy Mollenhagen Anne McLean / Kath McGowan

El Arish Golf

I am including in this report the outstanding results and photo of the winners of our 2-Ball Ambrose played a couple of Saturday’s back. Jake Perkins and Paul Topper came in with an amazing 53 1/2 nett score, which was 6 under off the stick – winners were certainly grinners that day! Current results as follows: Last TUESDAY’s 18 hole Stableford comp won by Hipas Donald on c/back to Wayne Bolton both on 35, with NTPs going to Marie Pavan on 5/14 and Tony Haydock taking the approach shot on 6/15.THURSDAY’s Sporters was a stroke event playing the first nine with results as follows: Winner Nigel Piner with 24, r/ up Peter Hicks on 29 , who also won the least putts with 11. NTP result Paul Marland took out 1 and 3, Jake Perkins took 2 and 4, Lindsey Perkins taking the Cash Pin on 5 and Rod Rackley took 7. SATURDAY’s Monthly Medal Stroke event sponsored

by King Reef Resort, played under perfect conditions, with LADIES Winner Marie Pavan on 64 nett, with Fran Lomas r/up on 65. The MEN’s outcome closely contested with a playoff between Paul Marland and Col Bidgood, resulting in Paul being the winner and Col r/up. NTP results:2/11 Col Bidgood – 4/13 Paul Marland, with Kelly Cavallaro taking the ladies on 5/14.

SUNDAY, the final of the MEN’s Interclub matchplay was contested, with El Arish rightfully retaining our title as ‘HOME OF CHAMPIONS’, winning the Teitzel’s Super IGA southern district’s interclub matchplay championship for the 3rd consecutive year, holding off Tully and Cardwell in a tight contest. Watch out for the FNQGA pennant series coming this year. This Sat 11th a Single Stroke event sponsored by Island Coast Holden will be played –TIMES:12.30 for 1:00pm TEE OFF.

South Johnstone Bowls Twilight bowls this Friday the 10th. Night kicks off with barbecue at 6pm with bowls to commence at 6:30pm. Cost for the night is $15 with bowls provided; also raffle on the night and the members draw of $200.

Saturday 11th SJBC 3rd Division will travel to Tully for their first match of the season.

Team is D Leach, K Villalba, F Caltabiano, T Kerrigan, R Mc-

Carthy, T Edgerton, P Hitzke and P Longford.

Sunday 12th SJBC Mixed Pennants team will travel to Yungaburra. Team is S McInerney, T Burns, L Hoskins, V Rowe, E Rowbotham, M Roots, T Edgerton and S Harris.

Social Bowls Sunday cards called at 1:00pm with bowls at 1:30pm.

Innisfail Men’s Bowls Despite the Easter Holidays, members still found time for their Bowls. On Thursday, we had 28 players, with bragging rights going to J.Fossey, M.Achello, I.Zangrande. On Saturday, 16 social bowlers enjoyed their game. The numbers for the monthly Triples on Sunday were slightly down, but those taking part enjoyed the morning. Our representative team in the Destro Shield had two big wins on the Saturday but had to beat South Johnstone on the Sunday to reach the final.

Unfortunately, “The Mongrels” proved too strong.

Pennants are on next weekend. Division 1 has a bye. The Division 3 team to play Silkwood at Innisfail is : G.Anderson, R.Maguire, M.Achello, S.Micale. D.Juhas, G.Goes, J.Morrison, T.Dorrington. Re-

serves; G.Edgerton, M.Clifford.

The Final of the Club Fours will be played on Friday May 31. Teams taking part are S. Dunne, I.Humphries, M.Roots, M.Auchello. versus T.Curran, P.Broccardo, R.Maguire, G.Anderson.

Silkwood Bowls Wednesday May 1 Social games: Anna Della Bella, Alan Hudson, & Wayne Mayell defeated Lee Mayell, Tony Haydock, Karin Rastoll 18/17 Sunday games May 5 At last we had sunshine.

Ladies Singles Club Championship got under way.

A very close game between Carol Lowe and Lee Mayell, after 30 ends Lee Mayell crossed the 25 points target line. At 29 ends the score was equal 23/23 but Lee scored four points to cross the winning line first.

Social game between Dan Dunne, TonyHaydock, Chris Lower, Brian Brooks, Tony Cates resulted in a draw 21/21 at 21 ends As usual, Friday Night Barefoot Bowls was enormous fun.

Ccome along and try our bowls game. Bowls are pro-

Page 18 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 9, 2019

BOWLS TULLY

Butler St Wednesday 5.30pm register for 6pm start Sunday 12.30pm register for 1 pm start

SILKWOOD

185 Silkwood/Japoon Rd Wednesday 1pm register for 1.30pm start Friday 6pm Bare Foot Bowls & BBQ Sunday 1pm register for 1.30pm start

SOUTH JOHNSTONE Fleming Branch Rd Every 2nd Friday of the month at 6pm Sunday from 1pm

INNISFAIL

1 The Corso Wednesday Ladies Social 12pm – 5pm Thursday Men’s Social 12pm – 5pm Friday Bare Foot Bowls 3pm – Late Saturday Mixed Social 12pm – 5pm

GOLF TULLY

Pratt St Thursday 9 Hole Sporters from 12.30pm Saturday 18 Hole comp from 11am

CARDWELL

23 Gregory St Thursday Ladies 18 hole A.G Event Handicap required Register 9am Tee off 9.30am 9 Hole Sporters Stableford No Handicap required 10.30am _ 11 am Tee off Saturday 18 Hole Mens A.G handicap Register 10.30am Tee off 11am

EL ARISH

Bruce Highway Tuesday 18 Hole 12.30pm for 1pm Tee off Thursday 9 Hole 12.30 to 4pm Tee off Saturday 18 Hole 12.30pm for 1pm Tee off

INNISFAIL

Bowls This Week Tully Bowls Wednesday May1,. 12 players enjoyed the three bowl pairs competition. Winners who enjoyed a free drink were Ray Downing and Val Zamora.

The Jackpot did not go off, so next Wednesday May 8 will start at $124.00.

Friday May 3, numbers were down due to the long weekend plus four of our men bowlers travelled to South Johnston for the two-day event competing in the Bruno Destro Shield.

They did not come home as the winners.

Sunday May 5,.14 bowlers enjoyed the glorious weather (and the bowls). Winners were Gordon Williams and Val Zamora they won a $10.00 voucher from the leagues club.

See you on the green!

SPORT

vided, all are welcome. We start with a BBQ at 6:00pm followed by a game of bowls and ending with a cuppa and some yummies.

FREE BOWLS COACHING First Saturday of each month, start 9:00am at Silkwood Bowls Club. All welcome For more information call Denise 0400 791 517.

You can follow us on Facebook with all upcoming events.

Social Bowls are played on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Please register by1:00pm , Play starts at 1.30pm Innisfail Ladies Bowls Several Innisfail ladies are involved in the FNQ Pennants team and enjoyed their first wins in the competition.

Games are played on a home and away basis where FNQ defeated Mossman in Mossman on April 26 and then again in Innisfail on April 29.

FNQ does not have another pennants game until June, but will have plenty more local competitions during May. In the Innisfail Ladies B Grade Singles competition, Ann Windsor defeated Dell Steve, while Ann Rule defeated Helen Paterson, and last Wednesday

Diana O’Brien defeated Ann Rule.

Bev Anderson is to play Joan Atkinson before the semi-finals can be contested. The competition has produced some very close games with the promise of more to come.

In last Wednesday’s social game, Joan Atkinson, Daphne Kirkman and Eileen Hamann 19 defeated Dell Steve and Pam Anderson 12.

FNQ ladies will also be involved in the FNQ Pairs competition which was played on May 7 at South Johnstone.

2 Palmerston Dr Wednesday All Sports 12pm & 3pm tee off Friday Comp 12pm & 3pm Tee off Saturday Comp 7.30am & 12pm Tee off Sunday junior Comp from 8am

BRIDGE TULLY

Behind Bowls Club 1 Coronation Dr Monday & Friday at 12.45pm

DARTS TULLY

Bowls Club Tuesday’s 7pm

CLAY SHOOTING SILKWOOD

Japoon Rd Practice every Saturday 9am – 12pm Every 2nd Saturday 9am – 3pm Comp 1st Saturday of every month

NETBALL TULLY

Igloo Mondays Under 12’s 4.30pm – 5.30pm MPC/Igloo DIV 3 5.20pm – 6.10pm & 6.10pm – 7pm DIV 1&2 6.10pm – 7pm & 7pm – 7.50pm

TENNIS TULLY

Behind Show Grounds B Grade Tuesday Night 7pm A Grade Thursday Night 6.30pm for 6.40pm start Thursday Mornings Ladies 8.15am for a 8.30am start

Pam Anderson recently claimed the Ladies Open Singles Bowls Championship for the second time after she convincingly defeated Esther Manly in the final.

FOOTBALL TULLY

Show Grounds Training Tuesday & Thursday 6pm

SPORT ADVERTORIAL

Tully Netball Association to host a major event TULLY Netball Association is very excited to be hosting a major event this Sunday May 12 at the Tully State High School Mulit-Purpose Centre.

The netballing & wider community are invited to watch the stars of North Queensland Netball battle it out in a training match in preparation for the 2019 Sapphire & Ruby Series. Hart Sapphire Series superstars, the Northern Rays take on Marlin Coast’s own Marlins in a tough, uncompromising display of netball talent. Doors open at 12:30pm for a 1:15pm start (gold coin donation for entry).

President of Tully Netball Association Jonette Wright is also extending an invite to the Tully’s sporting community to observe

the Northern Rays as they train. Watch North Queensland’s top level players train, learn tips & tricks and see what it takes to be a semi-professional player. Rays open training will be from 9:15am – 11:30am (gold coin donation for entry) The Northern Rays will represent all of North Queensland in the new NQ Netball Sapphire Series comprised of players from Cairns, Townsville and Mackay associations.

With hard work and dedication from some key North Queensland Netball personnel, Netball NQ was established enabling the recently formed Rays and the opportunity to develop pathways for local talent that now have the opportunity to stay close to home. The unfor-

tunate truth is before the Rays come to being, quality players were forced south to pursue there netball journeys. The Northern Rays are the first step on the path to retaining North Queensland netball talent.

Their continued presence in the region will be a major benefit to the grassroots level of netballers. Jonette said the Tully Netball Community is encouraged to attend a meet & greet with a signing session with Northern Rays & Marlin Coast Marlins, two pre-elite teams.

(12:00 – 12:30pm, BBQ gold coin donation) This opportunity shows our juniors there is a reachable pathway from local associations through to Firebirds and highest level of netball.

Three Junior Female Surf Life Savers from Etty Bay Club Make Waves

Junior Football Season Kicks Off! LYDIA VALLARIANOS

Junior life saver Rylee Jones (far right) from Etty Bay Surf Life Saving Club on the podium after she won a bronze medal at the Queensland Laerdal State Surf Rescue Championships on Gold Coast.

MARIA GIRGENTI THREE Under 14 girls from Etty Bay Surf Life Saving Club: Ella Cook, Rylee Jones and Julia Thompson attended the NQB Surf Rescue Championships in September last year where they competed in the Champion Lifesaver event.

This individual event consisted of three sections with multiple choice theory questions, resuscitation and live patient assessment, as well as four physical events (board race, beach sprint, surf race and rescue tube race). A failure to start in any of the events leads to disqualification.

First place was 10 points, second place nine points through to 10th place – one point and the competitor with the most points at the end of the competition was the winner.

All three girls performed very well at the NQ Branch Championships, top scoring over all the age groups (Under 14 through to Masters) in the Resuscitation and Live Patient section.

Rylee Jones was named the Under 14 NQ Branch Champion taking out the gold medal, with Julia Thompson claiming silver, and Ella Cook bronze.

Rylee and Julia then went on to represent Etty Bay Surf Life Saving Club and NQ Branch at the Queensland Laerdal State Surf Rescue Championships earlier this year.

There were approximately 150 competitors which also covers first aid and patrol teams.

All competitors have qualified to attend the State Championships via their respective branch championships.

After a day and a half of competition, there was a change of venue from Mermaid Beach to Bilinga, and an initial postponement of their physical events due to the rough conditions.However, both girls came through the experience with

a sense of pride at their achievements.

Rylee was fortunate to secure the bronze medal for her efforts in a very close finish between the second and fourth place getters.

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) Sports Manager Stuart Hogben said the Surf Rescue Championships were designed to replicate and test the same set of skills lifesavers use when patrolling and protecting beaches along the state’s coastline.

SD NOTE: the next three paragraphs are all one quote from one person. Separating the paragraphs is good, but you don’t close the quote till the final paragraph.

“Every second counts when there’s a life on the line, and these championships are designed to test and challenge the core lifesaving skills used each and every weekend by patrolling surf lifesavers.

“Throughout the event, lifesavers are tested across a range of challenges and scenarios including mock rescues, resuscitations and first aid treatments, and are the very same skills they might be required to carry out when undertaking regular beach patrols and rescuing beachgoers.

“This event brings those vital skills into the competitive arena and seeks to recognise those people who are not only great athletes in their own right, but also world-class lifesavers,” said Mr Hogben.

Jones and Thompson attend Good Counsel College and completed their Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) last year in the September school holidays, along with Ella Cook, Tazmin Cunneen, Erin Darveniza, Tamsin Darveniza, Niall Hickey and Baylee Worth from the Under 14 age group.

All are now active voluntary patrolling lifesavers with Etty Bay Surf Life Saving Club.

THE sleepy town of Silkwood once again came alive with keen young junior footballers last Saturday for the first game of the season. Teams come from Tully, Mission Beach, Silkwood, Innisfail and Boogan from ages under six to a competitive age group under 11/12.

“Johnstone River (JR) Football Association has seen an increase in numbers from 350 to nearly 400 which is a positive as many clubs in sport report a decrease in numbers” stated association President Kristy Nutting.

Pre-season has also been a busy time for the association, with various club committee members and coaches who have been attending referee and coaching courses “which

have helped encourage a strong competition and lifted the standard of the game for 2019 and coming seasons,” Kristy said.

Another highlight “has been our Girls Gala Day which was held on March 9 and encouraged girls to come and try the game of soccer. This great day was facilitated by ex-Tully girl Sarah Jones. We hope to hold more events like this in the coming months.”

It is not too late to sign-on for the 2019 season, for more information about Johnstone River Football Association and the 2019 season please visit https://www. facebook.com/Johnstone-River-Football-Club-1698104517132584/ or contact Kristy Nutting on 0499 301 772.

Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 9, 2019 Page 17