Sign up to our monthly eNewsletter Council Connect FAST FACTS Behind-the-scenes Australia Day celebrations theatre experience Rotary Lookout Grab your boardies and thongs and celebrate Australia Day at one of 11 council supported events, upgrade under way BECOMING a Mackay “The Youth Ambassadors gain a from pie eating competitions to water slides and sailing - there’s plenty on offer across the region WORK on the Rotary Lookout Entertainment and Convention unique insight into the workings in North Mackay has started. THE Aussie-themed events will Centre (MECC) Youth of the theatre and its productions The $1,389,375 upgrade is take place on Australia Day 2020 Ambassador gives young adults and promotions while having jointly funded by state and (Sunday, January 26) at a range a foot in the performing arts behind-the-scenes access to local governments, with of locations from Sarina to the industry’s door. performances workshops,” he $694,687 provided through Mackay City Centre, north to said. the Queensland Government’s Seaforth and west to Kinchant Not only do they enjoy special Building our Regions (BoR) Dam. access to arts events, they 2019 Youth Ambassador program and $694,688 from gain hands-on experiences Emmalese Dunn said the Mackay Regional Council. The upgrade works will see Australia Day at Sarina Beach in performing arts, technical opportunity allowed her to the current observation deck Host: Sarina Surf Life Saving Club productions, media and surround herself with the theatre replaced with an architecturally Where: Sarina Beach marketing. and with people passionate designed viewing platform, Time: 2pm - 6pm about the performing arts. giving visitors a safe space to In its seventh year, this event Cr Justin Englert said the MECC enjoy the view in all weather will be bigger than ever with had just opened applications for “As someone looking for a conditions. The work is a barbecue, water slide and 2020 Youth Ambassadors. career in the performing arts, expected to be completed by heaps of fun competitions like it allowed me to make some late May 2020. pie eating, thong throwing, “This is an amazing opportunity amazing contacts and I loved fastest man on the sand and for young people, especially the supportive environment,” Protect yourself wheelbarrow races. Cash prizes if they are budding drama Emmalese said. against dengue are up for grabs! BYO picnic Come along to any of these free community events performers, singers, dancers, blanket and chair. Note - this sound designers, lighting Grade 10-12 students DENGUE mosquitoes only need a small amount of water event is free to attend but some Aussie Day at Northern Beaches mini games, thong throwing traditional Australia Day activities Kinchant Dam Road, Kinchant technicians, curators, producers are welcome to apply by activities and food may require Host/Where: Mackay Northern competitions, giant snakes and including sand castle building on Dam Time: 10am – 3:30pm Youth Ambassadors Savannah Vella and Emmalese Dunn or just lovers of the theatre,” Cr to breed in so it’s important completing the nomination to keep the area around your a gold coin donation. For more Beaches Bowls Club ladders and connect four, giant our “borrowed” beach, backyard Get sailing this Australia Day with with Disco Dani (Guru Dudu’s Silent Disco Tour) Englert said. form on the MECC website. house clean, so water doesn’t details, call 4956 6476. Time: 11am - 6pm egg and spoon, giant Jenga, giant cricket, inflatable water play, a fun-filled adventure at Kinchant pool in areas and become Grab the kids and come on down quoits, tug-of-war, lamington lamington eating, tug-of-war Dam. The event is being held for stagnant. Throw out any Aussie Family BBQ for some ripper Aussie day fun. eating competition, free tennis and thong throwing. Cold drinks the first time on Australia Day rubbish lying around and clean Host: Mackay & District Activities will include a free court hire, photo booth to and meat pies will be available and will include a free sausage out your gutters. For more Australian South Sea Islander giant inflatable water slide and capture the moment with friends, for sale. Find out about local sizzle, fun races, heaps of prizes dengue prevention tips for Association Inc inflatable obstacle course, free mini prizes for competitions, giant groups you can join at the event and a commodore’s sail past. We your family, visit our website. Where: Quota park - Southern sausage sizzle, free barefoot beach ball tennis, balloon animals including craft, rural fire and encourage anyone who already Wild Puppeteer brings Gruffalo Puppet Show end of Binnington Esplanade bowls, live music and DJ, display and sausage sizzle. For more Tai Chi. For more details, call has a sailing dinghy to dust it off Time: 11am – 3pm by RACQ CQ Rescue, heaps of details, call 0422 676 276. Danielle on 0438 787 791. and join in the fun. All members of ROS Campbell has been Show for children at four Catch the Sports Come along and celebrate games for the kids with prizes the general public are welcome instructed in the craft of council libraries: Expo at the MECC our diversity and culture at a and best dressed Aussie male, Australia Day Scouts Open Day Pancakes and play in the park to participate. For more details, puppetry by Peter Linz SIGN up to a new sport or community BBQ by the beach. female and child. All raffle Host: Banksia Scout Group Host: Shed Happens Mackay call Commodore Geoff on 0432 (Sesame Street’s Ernie) and • Gordon White Library recreation activity at the Activities will include a free proceeds will go to CQ Rescue. Where: Jaycee Park, Cnr Where: the grass area near 033 188. Noel MacNeal (Bear from - 10.30am to 11am on Optus Sports Expo & Sign- BBQ and plenty of beach game For more details, call 4954 8677. Fernleigh Av and Bedford Rd, the Mackay Sugar Bowl, Phillip Bear in the Big Blue House). Tuesday, January 21 on Day, 9am to 1pm Sunday, activities for the kids and family. Andergrove Time: 10am - 1pm Street, North Mackay Seaforth Aussie Family • Mirani Library - February 9. More than 110 A special bus service is available Australia Day Beach Party Bring a chair and enjoy the shade Time: 10:30am – 2:30pm Host: Hibiscus Coast Progress The local, self-taught 2pm to 2.30pm on clubs and groups will be on for the elderly. For more details, Host: Mackay Surf Lifesaving of the trees while the kids have Shed Happens Mackay, a local and Sports Association puppeteer flew to Texas, Tuesday, January 21 display at the MECC with two call Starrett on 0488 113 181. Club Where: Harbour Beach some fun. Activities will include men’s support group, will be Where: Seaforth Foreshore USA this year and undertook • Dudley Denny City active zones providing non- Time: 9:30am - 4pm rope bridge, low ropes course, running heaps of games and Park Time: 9am - 1pm an extensive workshop with Library - 10.30am to stop demonstrations and activities on the day. For more Aussie Family Fun Day Dive into Australia Day and bring ‘land based’ canoe races, group sharing activities during Get your vitamin “sea” this the puppeteering greats. 11am on Thursday, information, visit our website. Host: North Mackay Saints AFL the kids to this Aussie themed damper cooking and much the event and of course free Australia Day at the Seaforth January 23 Mayor Greg Williamson with Where: Zeolla Park AFL Grounds event with water slide, beach more! Sausage sizzle and drinks pancakes! The games will be Aussie Family Day! Activities She’s now back and ready to • Sarina Library - Ros Campbell and puppet Dingo Open: Community Time: 10am – 3pm volley ball, tug-of-war, thong available for gold coin donation. family oriented and involve team will include park cricket, thong take children from three to 2pm to 2.30pm on This event is guaranteed to throwing competition and more! For more details, call Peter 0419 building exercises including throwing, pie eating, SAO eating 10 years-of-age on a journey Thursday, January 23 enthusiasm for her craft,” Cr get up close and personal Reference Group make you shout “Aussie! Aussie! For more details, call Lexi on 732 783. three-legged race, sack race and competition, cooee competition, through the deep, dark Mann said. with her magnificent EXPRESSIONS of interest Aussie!”. Activities will include a 0455 686 196. egg and spoon race. For more lamington drive and best woods as she brings family Cr Fran Mann said council’s puppets. are being sought for a new jumping castle/water slide, AFL Habana Aussie Party details, call Frank on 0434 908 lamington competition. For more favourite The Gruffalo to life libraries were lucky to have Ms Campbell and her community reference group to grudge match (juniors versus Australia Day Open Fun Day Host: Habana and Districts 968. details, call 0429 897 045. with her amazing puppets. the Wild Puppets puppeteer puppets will be roving Spots are limited. Make help inform the redevelopment parents), volley ball (round robin), Host: Mackay Tennis Association Progress Association performing. through the library for an sure you reserve your of facilities at Mackay’s cricket match and free BBQ Where: 125 Kippen Street Where: 1091 Mackay-Habana Sail Away on Australia Day For more information on Ms Campbell will be putting hour after the performances, spot by visiting mackay. Memorial Swimming Centre. lunch. For more details, call Peter Time: noon - 6pm Rd Time: 3pm – 7pm Host: Mackay Sailing Club these events, visit mackay. on the Gruffalo Puppet “Ros has an infectious so you can chat to her and qld.gov.au/whatson We are seeking up to 10 community members to join on 0487 046 124.