In Cloncurry the new field at the Recreation Grounds was officially opened while in Mount Isa a huge crowd came to Alec Inch Oval to watch Matty Bowen and his Townsville Blackhawks team-mates put on a slick performance against the Central Queensland Capras in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup.

In Cloncurry former long-term resident Eddie Lee, accompanied by wife Voney were back in town to see the new multi-purpose sports field be officially opened and named in his honour.

The million dollar project was funded by council with $100,000 from the state government and $250,000 from Glencore and will allow for year-round sporting activity and the separation of field and horse sports at the grounds.

Mayor Greg Campbell said the separation would allow the clubs to grow and the project included a new kiosk, change rooms, replacement of the soil, and sub-surface irrigation.

Chief Operating Officer for Glencore’s North Queensland Copper Assets, Mike Westerman, said their support of local projects placed emphasis on capacity building and long-term sustainable outcomes and the new sports ground fitted the bill on both counts.

Voney Lee spoke for her husband Eddie, who used to run the town’s supermarket, and she said they were honoured the field was named for him.

“We miss the town and more so we miss the customers at our store,” Voney said.

Cloncurry hosted Normanton in an early game on the new surface before the action switched to Mount Isa in the afternoon for the big Blackhawks-Capras clash and a large crowd crammed every vantage point of Alec Inch Oval.

See back page for more on that game.