What a fantastic showcase of Weightlifting was the 2026 State Masters State Championships hosted by Bundaberg Weightlifting Club Inc (BUNWC) at Shalom College Bundaberg over the weekend of the 11-12 April! With school out over the Easter break we had the use of their multipurpose hangar for the competition area, and adjoining airconditioned gym for the warmup.
100 masters travelled from all over Queensland to participate in the event, from Cairns in the North, Burleigh Heads in the South, out west to Toowoomba and all towns in between.
Channel 7 News and local print media covered the event. VIP’s attended to assist with the medal presentations:
David Batt – Federal Member for Hinkler; Stephen Bennett – State Member for Burnett; Helen Blackburn – Lord Mayor of Bundaberg; Tracey McPhee – Councillor Bundaberg Regional Council
A big thank you to Crucible Weightlifting Club for the loan of their competition platform and for Jan and Cecilia Greyling arranging its trip up to Bundy and back to Brissy.
Competitors and their supporters were able to catch up for a meal at The Club Hotel in Bundaberg on the Saturday night, organised by BUNWC.
Best Male Masters Lifter of the event: Justin Connor – Burleigh Barbell Club
Presented by Lord Mayor of Bundaberg Regional Council – Helen Blackburn
Best Female Masters Lifter of the event: Penny Tudberry from AKWL Gold Coast
Find all the results and records here:
Australian Weightlifting Federation > Competition > STATISTICS > COMPETITIONS > RESULTS
Volunteer Honour list – those that volunteered for two or more sessions. A HUGE thank you to these people – without your assistance our events can’t run.
| Skip | Vongphrachanh | 9 |
| Deborah | Mildren | 8 |
| Ben | Trousdell | 7 |
| Jan | Greyling | 7 |
| Cecilia | Greyling | 7 |
| Erika | Yamasaki | 5 |
| Anastasia | Johnson | 4 |
| Isabel | O’Callaghan | 4 |
| Jarrad | McCarthy | 3 |
| Jim | Mildren | 3 |
| Jodie | Marsh | 3 |
| Julie | Davis | 3 |
| Laura | McLachlan | 3 |
| Meg | Wellby | 3 |
| Moni | Kami | 3 |
| Alan | Slack | 2 |
| Althea | Mackie | 2 |
| Chelsea | Owen | 2 |
| Erika | Faichney | 2 |
| Kathryn | Harvey | 2 |
| Kaysie | Florance | 2 |
| Mike | O’Connor | 2 |
| Monique | Sharpe | 2 |
| Olivia | Forrest | 2 |
| Rachel | McEwan | 2 |
| Wendy | Pakchung | 2 |
| Zack | Hansen | 2 |
| Rachelle | Young | 2 |
This is what our signup for spots looked like before the event kicked off. Thank you to those of you who put up your hands throughout the two days of the event to fill the gaps. So proud of everyone’s effort to ensure the event ran smoothly.
And of course, this doesn’t include the amazing team of volunteers organised by BUNWC in the preparations that started months prior to the event, organising the loan of equipment, set-up and break down of the event, Media and VIP attendances, staffing a fantastic canteen along with an amazing coffee and sweets van to keep everyone fed and caffeinated. Fantastic job for such a new club to our Weightlifting Community. we look forward to working with you again in the future. Nationals 2027?????
Thank you to Bonney Douglas Design for printing our Bib no’s and thank you certificates!
Thank you to Brent Vaughan for providing the live-stream, photographs of medalists, and lifting photos.
Thank you to Cameron Milne and Paige Ramage from Coral Coast Physiotherapy & Allied Health Clinic for providing an excellent service for our members.
National Masters Information
IMPORTANT DATES:
ENTRIES CLOSING 19TH APRIL – Tomorrow!!
EOI’S for Queensland Team Support Staff positions close 20th April
Pre-orders for QWA Hoodies close 23rd April
Dear all
Congratulations on meeting the requirements to compete at the upcoming National Masters Weightlifting Championships in Adelaide in June.
Please find all the information you need below and attached:
The AWF will assist the United Masters Weightlifting Federation to run the UMWF Masters World Cup competition in conjunction with the 2026 AWF Masters Championships in Adelaide. Please note that each of these competitions have their own regulations and separate registration processes.
The conditions for entering the AWF Masters Championships are unchanged. Please see the attached competition regulations.
Eligible AWF members can enter either or both competitions. The UMWF is offering a reduced registration fee for AWF members who enter both.
Fees and how to enter:
AWF Masters Championships. Entry fee $185. Register at https://www.awf.com.au/competition/registration
UMWF Masters Championships only. Entry fee $260. Register at https://www.umwf.net/2026-masters-world-cup
UMWF Masters Championships for lifters already registered for the AWF Masters Championships. Entry fee $60. Register at https://www.umwf.net/2026-masters-world-cup
Requirements for Queensland athletes:
You must wear a QLD State Representative lifting suit to compete in this event. The final possible order for these has already been submitted to the provider. There are only xsmall and small sizes left out of this order. Email qwa@qwa.org to see if you can order against incoming stock for small, xsmall are already available from the QWA Shop: Queensland Weightlifting
You will need a QWA t-shirt or polo shirt – no club shirts can be worn to presentation or medal ceremonies. You will find these in the QWA Shop. Note that the women’s t-shirt sizes will not be restocked prior to the event, and it is likely we will transition to unisex fittings going forward to assist with stock management.
If you would like to order a QWA Representative jacket or QWA hoodie you need to email your order to qwa@qwa.org by Thursday 23rd April 2026. You will find size charts for these in the QWA Shop.
We will be organising a Masters Squad training session prior to the Nationals. Keep an eye on your inbox for further information.
To ensure you have the best possible experience at the Nationals the QWA will be organising a Support Staff team, comprising a Team Leader, Head Coach and Assistant Coaches. EOI’s for these positions have been circulated and close Monday 20th April.
Policy information and application forms can be found here:
March Reminders and News – Queensland Weightlifting
Please let me know if you have any questions.
All the best with your training!
Deb:)