Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
International Legends of League and The Herbert River Crushers players together pre-game. Photo credit: International Legends of League
It was a weekend of rugby league and plenty of star power as the Legends of League came to the Hinchinbrook Shire. From school visits and community events, to a packed day at the Ingham Bowls Club and an evening at Lee’s Hotel, the weekend gave locals the chance to meet some of the game’s biggest names. The action culminated at Artie Gofton Oval, where more than 2,500 people watched the Australian League Legends take on the Herbert River Crushers Allstars.
A huge weekend of rugby league has wrapped up in Ingham, with the International Legends of League event bringing NRL stars, local legends and more than 2,500 spectators to Artie Gofton Oval on Saturday night.
The Hinchinbrook event was the 102nd Legends of League showcase, but the first time the organisation had brought its NRL legends to the region, with players taking part in community visits and activities throughout the weekend.
The weekend began with the legends visiting schools across the Hinchinbrook Shire, delivering the Dream, Believe, Achieve program and speaking with students at Trebonne, Forrest Beach, Halifax, Ingham, Toobanna and Abergowrie State Schools.
The players also visited the Ingham Bowls Club for a bowls day, while Friday night featured a dinner at the Lees Hotel.
Saturday's main event featured junior rugby league games before the Lewie Fire Protection Australian Legends took on the DRM Plumbing FNQ Pty Ltd Herbert River Crushers Allstars.
The star-studded Australian Legends side included the likes of Matt Bowen, Sam Thaiday, Ben Hannant, Antonio Winterstein and Alex Glenn, while the Crushers team featured local rugby league legends from across the region.
The visitors took a 16-6 lead into the second half, but the local side fought back in a thrilling finish. Jarrod Modder, a local fan who joined the team through an auction, levelled the scores at full-time. He had the chance to win the match with the conversion, but the kick missed, leaving the game tied 16-all.
The event was proudly presented by Hinchinbrook Shire Council, supported by the Queensland Government and made possible through the efforts of the Herbert River Crushers RLFC committee, sponsors, volunteers and the wider community.
“Footy is part of the fabric of our community, and events like this give us the chance to celebrate that while also delivering real benefits for our young people and local clubs,” Mayor Jayo said.
Organisers thanked the more than 2,500 people who attended and supported the event, as well as the many local businesses, schools and organisations that helped make the weekend possible. Special thanks were extended to Matt Chiesa and the hard-working Herbert River Crushers RLFC committee for partnering in the event, along with all sponsors whose support helped bring the Legends of League weekend to the Hinchinbrook Shire.
List of notable players include:
Visiting Lewie Fire Protection Australian Legends Players
Craig Wilson
Craig Teevan
Russell Bawden
Luke Goodwin
Stu Kelly
Scott Bolton
Jaiman Lowe
Neville Costigan
Kevin Campion
Noel Goldthorpe
John Hopoate
Darren Smith
Antonio Winterstein
Alex Glenn
Ben Hannant
Matt Bowen
Sam Thaiday
DRM Plumbing FNQ Pty Ltd Herbert River Crushers Allstars Players
Todd Cockburn
Scott Vardanega
Paul Rose
Mitchell Seri
Grant Swarbrick
Damon Cockburn
Brenden Seri
Brendan Chapman
Smiles all round as competitors hit the beach for the opening surf lifesaving carnival of the season Archie Towe, Joel Dixon, Lander Doolan, Samuel Lardi, Jimmy Felan, Eli Dixon, Owen Ruthos, Ronnie - Photo Credit Sian Bantock
South Mission Beach was bursting with community spirit as Surf Life Savers kicked off their first carnival of the season.
Dunk Island was the perfect backdrop with bright blue skies and a gentle breeze; the stage was set for some friendly competition.
Around 170 Lifesavers took part in the carnival, hailing from five clubs between Mission Beach and Port Douglas. From nippers to masters, participants donned their team colours to compete in beach and water activities, showcasing the very best of their skills.
Camaraderie, resilience and team spirit were displayed in abundance across the two-day event, which showcased how integral Surf Life Savers are to their communities.
South Mission Beach was a hive of activity on Saturday, 18 July as 170 competitors from five Surf Life Saving clubs between Mission Beach and Port Douglas gathered for the first carnival of the season. With bright blue skies and the sun shining, Dunk Island framed the course and highlighted what a unique carnival this was set to be.
North Queensland Branch President Fiona Grant thought Mission Beach was the perfect place to kick-start the season.
“Mission Beach has one of the best beaches in the area and we tend to have it as our first carnival, conditions are always beautiful,” Ms Grant said.
The two-day carnival featured a variety of challenges, during which Surf Life Savers from different clubs competed against one another. Competitors of different age categories - from Nippers up to Masters in their 70s - put their fitness to the test, demonstratingtheir skills in beach and water-based activities.
Irene Knight, President of the Port Douglas Club, won the Female Mass Board Race - a high-intensity event which sees competitors line up on the water’s edge with rescue boards, run through the surf, paddle around a set of buoys and race back to the beach.
“It was a bit of a long range and it’s the first carnival of the season so we’re still a bit rough around the edges but otherwise that was beautiful,” Ms Knight said.
“The sport was born out of making sure our lifesavers are fit and we’ve got the fitness and skills to actually rescue someone… and are ready to take action whenever we need to.”
Beyond friendly competition, Ms Grant said the carnival highlighted a strong sense of community and connection within the Surf Life Saving clubs.
“It’s camaraderie, Surf Life Saving is really being part of a family. We all know each other and it’s a way of celebrating what we do,” she said.
“By joining [the surf lifesavers] you instantly have friends all around Australia, within any club wherever you go. You knock on the door and can join in with their training. It’s just one big community,” added Ms Knight.
The event reinforced how valuable Surf Life Savers are to local communities. If you come across them patrolling the beaches, be sure to thank them for the work they do.
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