With GC 2018 now only a matter of months away, five Orientation Workforce sessions were held last weekend at Convention Centre on the Gold Coast to accommodate the 15,000 volunteers who will become the face of GC 2018.
Over 47,000 applications were received, so as one of those selected to play just a small part I am very excited.
Games chairman, Peter Beattie, was at his upbeat best singing the praises of the work that has already been completed in preparation for the Games.
The GC 2018 volunteers will be known as Game Shapers with Beattie calling on everyone to “Share the Face of Queensland”.
The volunteers or at least the Game Shapers got their first look at their uniforms. The vibrant fluoro and “very GC” blue and yellow uniforms follow the colour scheme of the Games mascot Borobi, but they have met with mixed reactions.
A couple of our local ladies who have been selected to participate were a little disappointed in what they saw. Through my somewhat colour blind eyes, I thought they looked fine. But then as a bloke what would I know. One thing for certain we won’t go missing in the crowd. Listening to the experiences of those who have volunteered at the Sydney Olympics and various other major events, it is impossible not to already get caught up in the excitement.
Of course from now until March/April there is plenty of work to be done. We have all been sent home to do our homework with learning modules to be sent to us via email. (I thought this was supposed to be fun).
It is certainly going to be an interesting journey. Making it up and down the large number of stairs at the convention centre was even an interesting journey for this volunteer still on one leg.
It may be an interesting journey for those people who draw the short straw and get me as their driver.
– Casey
RSL DELIVER A MESSAGE
It was a top-of-the-table clash between Souths and RSL last weekend after the Wanderers/Valleys clash was postponed until Friday night.
RSL certainly hit their straps in this game with a decisive win over Souths. In doing so they delivered a strong message that they are not to be dismissed lightly in the 2017/’18 competition.
Souths have been the competition front runners so far in this season and although they were missing one of their star players Jordan Lanza, the scale of the victory has blown the 2017 competition right open.
RSL had first use of the wicket. Souths bowlers began economically and at the first drinks break after 20 overs had restricted RSL to only 78 runs with all wickets still intact.
When play resumed RSL ramped up the scoring rate. Openers Jason Lawer (92no) and Sam Dowie (47) proved it is not just the youngsters making the headlines this season. Their opening partnership set the platform for a score of 203 runs for the loss of only six wickets. One again it was 14-year-old Harry Williams who did the most damage with the ball. He was the pick of the Souths bowlers. Williams finished with 2/17 from his eight overs bowled.
In reply, Souths faltered, stumbled and then crumbled to be all out for 60 in just the 20th over.
It was the bowling of Josh Wren that set up the collapse. Wren ripped into the batting line-up to take 3-18. While another of the older brigade, Luke Brady, cleaned up taking four wickets for just nine runs to ensure an emphatic victory for RSL and add some spice to the premiership race this season.
TOO STRONG AT SPORTS
There was an excellent turn out on Sunday for Sporters in Stanthorpe where it was Paul Armstrong who claimed a win. Filling the runner-up spot was Dave Williams with the run downs going the way of Tony Steele and Jim Mitchell. Armstrong’s winning form also saw him grab the Bet Gross and the Pro Pin. There were no takers for the 12th pin shot but Terry Byrnes was successful at 17. Dick Hilton and Ray Thorn left with smiles on their faces and a meat tray firmly in their clutches. The Sporters crew send a cheerio to Phil Zikan and hope he is recovering well.
Hope you have 10 December in your little black book as the Sporters Christmas Party.
A reminder that tee off is now at the summer time of 7.30-8am each Sunday (someone remind the weather gods it is summer).
BUSY MALLET PLAYERS
The Stanthorpe Croquet courts are well and truly back in action after players took some time out while the court underwent some maintenance recently. In the past week four disciplines of the game were played.
The association croquet group welcomed a new player Bron who spent the morning with experienced player Pat Schnoor who guided round the greens, explaining the nuances of the game.
In the meantime, Peter and Jenny Tunbridge played strongly but their score of 14 was not good enough to beat the experienced team of Effey Russell and Val Shephard. Grace Howard and Joy Newman defeated Andrea Denkewitz 14-10 in their game.
The golf croquet group elected their new captain last week with Sharyn Roser taking the reins.
Eight players enjoyed two games in very cool and windy conditions. Marion Castles teamed up with Val Fancourt and together scored 13 hoops in their game against Liz Ellway (1) and Elaine Brown (4). Marion Castles scored nine hoops while her partner scored four including one tricky jump shot.
Teresa Pyne (7) and Diane Wren (6) had a win over Justin Liddy (2) and Sharyn Roser (4).
After the break, Sharyn Roser and (7) and Val Fancourt (6) had a narrow win over Marian Castle and Teresa Pyne. Fancourt was delighted to score a hole in one during the game.
Dead-eye Di Wren (10) and Justin Liddy (3) had a comfortable win over Elaine Brown (4) and Liz Ellway (4). Despite the score line in this game, there were some hotly contested hoops with lots of jostling. It was a game enjoyed by everyone.
For the first time, members trialled another form of the game, ricochet croquet. This form of the game is more challenging than golf croquet but not as complex as association croquet. Eight players were out on the court in cool conditions to learn more. If you are interested in finding out more about this game or would like to join the group, games will be played on Thursday commencing at 8.30am.
Numbers were down for the gateball games last week, however three games were decided. In the game one, the White Team of Pat Schnoor and Sharyn Roser had a comfortably 16-8 win over opponents in the Red Team, Andrea Denkewitz, Grace Howard and Joy Newman.
The second game saw a reversal of fortunes with the Red team taking a 15-10 win over White.
In the final game, the Pat Schnoor and Sharyn Roser (Red) had a 15-10 win over the White Team. Grace Howard and Pat Schnoor both played particularly well in spite of the challenging conditions due to the strong wind.
JONES AND JONES COMBINE FOR PEIRCE TROPHY WIN
Stanthorpe golfers played a mixed 4BBB Stableford event on Saturday – the prize the Peirce Trophy.
The winning team of Keith Jones and Helen Jones scored 49 points for the round. After scoring 26 on the front nine and 23 they were back with 23 points to wrap up a winning score. In a real team effort both players scored nine times and now have their names engraved on the perpetual trophy. For Helen it was back-to-back wins after success in this event last year. For Keith it was his first win in the competition and the first time his name will appear on the trophy.
The club acknowledges the Peirce family for their continued sponsorship of the event and the thoughtful message sent by Bob Peirce which delivered by President, Stephen Kay, at the presentation.
The member’s only section was won by Max Hunter who has hit a purple patch of form in recent weeks. He and partner Paul Mills finished the round with a score of 51 points. Greg Fraser and Phil McGreevy (46 points) claimed runner-up prize after a countback.
Men’s pin shots went to Ian Pickering at three, Stephen Kay at 12 and Keith Green at 17. Racheal Hendry collected the Ladies approach shots at 12 and 17. Bill Pyne had best second shot at 1/10, Darryl Boehkolt at 5/14 and Eric McLellan at 9/18.
In the run down, Keith Green and Paul Mills (46), Nikki Waterworth and Mick O’Brien (45) and Stephen and Sandra Kay (45) each collected a ball.
On Saturday, members and guests will tee off in the Poole’s Produce golf day, the November monthly medal and putting competition sponsored by Howard and Adele Poole. It is also the first medal round of the upcoming season. Winners of the last 12 monthly medal matches have qualified to play in the medal of medallists which will be decided on Saturday.
The men will be playing for the Roy Carnell Trophy sponsored by the Carnell family while the Saturday ladies’ winners section is sponsored by Tom and Trish Fittock.
A list of the 12 names has been placed on the time sheet in the clubhouse.
A reminder that Saturday 25 November is Delaney Family golf day with the club’s Xmas party to be held after play. Included in the celebrations will be the reading of 2017 trophy winners and the much-anticipated announcement of the men’s and ladies “Golfer of the Year”.
For catering purposes, add your name to the sheet on the notice board in the club house if you are planning to attend.
TANNY CLASSIC DECIDED
It has been a busy time at the Tannymorel Bowls club. The final round the Tanny classic was decided on Friday night and was followed by the fund-raising Jack Bunch Cancer Fund day on Saturday.
Brett Grayson claimed the crown after the final round of the Tanny classic scoring an overall 21 points and despite his claims there is no truth in the rumour that the win has earned him a guernsey at the GC 2018 Commonwealth games although I hear that he might be proudly sporting a cap that says No1.
Lyn Coleman and Mick O’Leary shared second prize money while young gun Taylor Hoffman and Aaron McKinney cleaned up third place.
It was a great effort by the non bowlers Bretto, Lyn Coleman and Taylor Hoffman who certainly showed the experienced hands how to do it. Someone has to win it and this time it was Sue Butz who won the horse’s butt prize.
In games played last Friday night, Warren Hoffman, Lyn Coleman and Croc had a 14-9 win over Ash Coleman, Brett “No 1″ Grayson and Sue. Despite being on the wrong side of the winning ledger, Grayson scored enough points to get the overall competition win.
In other games, Taylor, Anne Roche, Shep and Walshy had an 11-7 win over Krystal, Quinton, Eli and Don.
Paul Smith, Jim Lamb and Mick O’Leary defeated Tegan Smith, Myrtle and Aaron 17-11.
In a very close encounter, Lloyd Johnson, Wayne Petersen, Terry Roche and Gordie had a 9-8 win over Scott Petersen, Ken Armstrong, Fritzy and Thommo. Is there any truth to the story Thommo deliberately let Gordie win so he wouldn’t sook again?
It was the closing round of another great Tanny Classic with plenty of sledging and laughs combined with a few ends of bowls over the past six weeks in another enjoyable competition. Watch this space because I understand “it will be back”.
Following a big night on Friday night most people backed up on Saturday for the cancer fund-raiser, Jackie’s Day. In fact 66 bowlers were on the greens with plenty of prizes up for grabs and after the bowls.
It was a great day and well done to Ray Monique and Megan – Jackie would have been very proud.
The winners on the day were drawn from the hat – the lucky team, Dom, Belinda, Helena and Neil. The runners-up also came out of the hat and that was the team of Cheryl, Bruce, Mauch and Quinton. There were no losers on Saturday with everyone contributing in some way to making the day a winner.
Thanks to anyone who bought tickets, bid in the auction and of course a special thank you to the girls in the kitchen who looked after everyone so magnificently.
MARYVALE ALL CLASS
Maryvale notched up an impressive win over Sovereign Animals at Slade Park on Saturday. Their batsmen posted a good score and their bowlers gave their opposition no chances.
Tom Bourke (78) top scored while Jason Steketee scored 65 as Maryvale powered to 9/219.
Captain of Sovereign Animals Cahal Davis opened the bowling for his team taking 3/26 from six overs. Mitch Hay also finished the match with the good figures of 3/24 from five.
In reply, Sovereign Animals had no answers to the unforgiving Maryvale attack. There were some impressive performances with the ball. Andrew Mc Connell who played last season in Ipswich showed plenty of class to finish the game with 4/11 from just five overs. Fergus Connolly claimed two wickets for seven runs while Andrew Ryan (2/15) and Kieran Bourke (2/10) both bowled well.
Sovereign Animals managed only 54 runs against the barrage, best of their batsmen was Joe Wagner who top scored with 12. After playing in Ipswich last season, Andrew McConnell has started the Warwick season well and took 4-11 off five overs.
New ball bowler Fergus Connolly took 2-7 off five overs, Andrew Ryan 2-15 and Kieran Bourke 2-10
COLTS TURN AROUND THEIR FORTUNES
After a loss last round, the Warwick Hotel Colts turned their fortunes around to defeat Wheatvale by a big margin on Sunday at Slade Oval.
Colts had first use of the wicket and opener Lachlan Gross made every post a winner with an innings of 82. Colts set up a 227-run target for Wheatvale.
The batsmen certainly had the upper hand in the innings but Steve Jones and Lachlan Boal were the best of the Wheatvale bowlers each taking two wickets. Fraser McVeigh remained not out 44 at the end of the first innings.
In a similar result to Saturday’s game at Slade, the team batting second were dismissed cheaply. Wheatvale could manage only 93 runs against the reigning premiers. Lachlan Boal followed up a good bowling performance to top score with 21. It was Kev Poole who was the best of bowlers. He finished with 3/26.
REDBACKS TOO HOT FOR ALLORA
Redbacks took on Allora on their home patch on Saturday but came away with the points after a comfortable 111-run win.
Redbacks won the toss and elected bat on the synthetic pitch, and were far from comfortable early in the innings with the score 3/45 after seven overs.
Allora looked to have the upper hand when they took the prized wicket of Redbacks leading run scorer Coen Slatter caught behind for 19, his lowest score since joining the Redbacks.
Redbacks captain Tyhe Clarkson and Justin Wheeler both scored 48 runs and set up a much-needed 69-run partnership. Wheeler was caught and bowled feeding one back to the young spinner Bryson (3/41) who took his third wicket for the match. Clarkson followed in the next over when he edged a Matt Kiernan (1-32) delivery through to the keeper.
Andrew Bardsley added a valuable 41 and remained not out at the close of the innings. Chasing 215 and a run rate of 5.4 an over, Allora opened their innings impressively with a 39-run partnership between Gavan Scheiwe who scored a half century and Bruce Ole.
The first wicket fell when Ole was dismissed for 20 off a ball from Shane Iles who struggled early with his line and length. After that dismissal, wickets tumbled as the Allora batting line-up collapsed. They were bowled out for 103.
Backing up their performances with the bat, Redbacks Wheeler and Clarkson took a total of seven wickets and combined to claim the wicket of the top scorer Scheiwe after the drinks break. Wheeler finished with 4/22 and Clarkson 3/18.
Inglewood wrapped up a close game against Allora Rascals with a 33-run win. Shane Hooper top scored for the home side with 42. Also among the runs was Daren Apted (39). Good bowling performances from Darren Apted 2/33 Troy Callaghan 2/12 and Ryan Donovan 2/37 ensured Inglewood got the points.
FAST 4 FILLS THE COURTS
Teams from Warwick, Clifton, Toowoomba, Dalby and Chinchilla filled all 10 of the Warwick Tennis Association Courts as players took part in the final of the South Tennis League on Saturday
Heading in to the last round, the teams from Toowoomba, Dalby and Clifton had been strongest performers.
Warwick was represented by two teams. Playing in Team One are James Smith, Peter Le Page, Rob Quinton and Mick Kay. Playing in Team Two are James Mainey, Glen Hoffman, Cody Imber and Matthew Sharp.
The Games were played in the exciting Fast 4 format. The new format allows for shorter sets and tiebreak with no advantage. Essentially a faster, more exciting style of play.
It was two Toowoomba teams who eventually played the final.
Tennis is seen as an individual sport, however, this new format is designed around team and provides a wonderful opportunity to bring fun back to the game and help to reinvigorate tennis and the team aspect of the game.
Tennis Queensland participation leader, Emma Creighton said the day was all about fun and after the success of the five-round tournament, the goal next year is to get even more teams and towns involved.”
