Top 10 things to do around the region

1) Tech Talks

> Thursday, January 10, 10am  
Dudley Denny City Library
> Tuesday, January 15, 10am  
Gordon White Library
Need assistance using your device? Bring your device to find out how to access your information needs and investigate your areas of interest.

2) Ranger Ros & her Curious Creatures

Thursday, January 10, 10am to 10.45am
Dudley Denny City Library
Meet local puppeteer Ros from Wild Puppets for a performance with her magnificent collection of curious creatures. Ranger Ros and her Curious Creatures will be roving through the library after the performance, so you can chat to her and get up close and personal with her amazing puppets. Bookings are essential and can be made online: https://bit.ly/2TzVCrD

3) Mackay City Centre – Active Kids in the City

If you are looking for something fun and free or low cost for the kids to do these school holidays, check out the Active Kids in the City school holiday program!  For more details, please visit: www.mackaycitycentre.com.au
Thursday, January 10
> Stop Motion Animation Workshop (years 10-16), Split Spaces, 9.30am – noon and 1pm – 3.30pm
Friday, January 11
> Smarty’s Active Squirtz (years 2-5), Bluewater Quay, Smarty’s Fit Food and Fun, 8.30am – 9.15am
Monday, January 14
> Face painting, Sydney Street Markets, Fascinating Faces, 10:30am – 12:30pm
> Mr Poppa’s Balloons, Sydney Street Markets, Fascinating Faces. 10:30am – 12:30pm
Tuesday, January 15
> Aqua Dance and Fitness (years 4 – 12), Bluewater Lagoon, Elena’s Fitness Fusion, 9.30am – 10.30pm
Wednesday, January 16
> Paper Mosaic a pencil box, Bluewater Quay, 12.30pm - 4.30pm
Friday, January 18
> Smarty’s Active Squirtz (years 2 – 5), Bluewater Quay, Smarty’s Fit Food and Fun, 8.30am – 9.15am

4) Movie Matinees

> January 11, 2pm - 4pm - Hotel Transylvania 3
> January 18, 2pm - 4pm - Christopher Robin
> January 25, 2pm - 4pm - Small Foot
Gordon White Library 
Children aged five to 12 years are invited to join us for movie matinees these school holidays at Gordon White Library. Bookings are essential and can be made online at www.mackay.qld.gov.au/whatson

5) Curious Creature Creations

> Tuesday, January 15, 10am - 11am
Walkerston Library
> Tuesday, January 15, 2pm – 3pm
Mirani Library
> Wednesday, January 16, 10am - 11am
Gordon White Library
> Thursday, January 17, 10am - 11am
Dudley Denny City Library
> Friday, January 18, 10am - 11am
Sarina Library
Children aged five to 12, Create some curious creatures these school holidays at our craft sessions. Choose from a variety of supplies to create your very own curious creatures. Book online at www.mackay.qld.gov.au/whatson

6) Valley Page Turners Book Club

Wednesday, January 16, 7pm
Mirani Shire Library  
Looking for an opportunity to talk about books or to connect with people who have similar reading interests? One of our book clubs are perfect for you! If you love reading and want to make this usually solitary pursuit a social one, join one of our book clubs or start your own and bring a whole new aspect to your favourite pastime. New members always welcome. https://bit.ly/2FiQuoO

7) Summer Reading Club

Until January 25
Mackay Regional Council Libraries
The Summer Reading Club is on again! With a “Curious Creatures!” theme, this summer’s club is packed full of fun and creativity. Participation in the Summer Reading Club is free and is a fun and safe program to keep the kids busy this summer. All children who register for the Summer Reading Club go into a national draw to win 1 of 8 iPods. Register at any of our library branches or online. Our reading list includes titles that explore the strange, odd, peculiar, funny, unusual, bizarre, weird, eccentric, unexpected, unfamiliar, abnormal, and macabre. View our reading list at bit.ly/2RmP4vE

8) Painting Competition

Until January 25  
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens  
This is a fantastic opportunity for your children to have their artwork showcased in the February Lagoons Gallery art exhibition and also win a $50 Australian Geographic gift voucher. The competition is open to children aged 10 -17 years old. Use your imagination to create a piece of hand painted canvas art that reflects the theme, “nature”. As part of the exhibition we will ask members of the public to vote on their favoured art work. For more information, please contact the Visitor Services Officer on phone (07) 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au - http://bit.ly/2R1bXZR

9) Mackay in Pictures, Through My Eyes by Jeff Jones Foto GraphiX

Until Sunday, January 27
Lagoons Gallery located in the Botanic Gardens Cafe
Local photographer Jeff Jones invites you to come and see his various works from around the Mackay Region. Jeff hopes he will raise people’s awareness about the conservation of our stunning local ecosystems and hopes that he is able to inspire others to get outdoors and appreciate our local region as much as he does. https://bit.ly/2klU2Nc

10) Bocce with a buddy

Monday to Friday until January 29. 9am to 5pm
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens, Malta Gardens
Enjoy a game of bocce or croquet with a friend on our sand bocce court. Bocce sets are available for hire from Gardens Administration. Cost: $5 for hire of bocce set with a $50 cash only deposit http://bit.ly/2SDobUU

Reminders:

2019 Australia Day Awards Gala Dinner

Friday, January 25, 2019, 6pm
MECC Plenary Halls
P. Comino and Sons and Mackay Regional Council present the 2019 Australia Day Gala Dinner. Join us and say thanks to those individuals or groups that help make our region great. The Australia Day Awards celebrate and recognise our local heroes. Doors open at 6pm, with the official ceremony starting at 6.30pm.

2019 Australia Day Community Events

Saturday, January 26, 2019  
Grab your stubbies and thongs and celebrate Australia Day at one of 10 council supported events across the Mackay region! From lamington and pie eating competitions to water slides and jumping castles, there’s something for everyone.

The Aussie themed events will take place on Australia Day 2019 (Saturday, January 26) at Andergrove, East Mackay, Eimeo, Habana, Mackay Harbour, North Mackay, Pioneer Valley, Sarina, Slade Point and South Mackay.