Top 10 things to do around the region

1) Library programs for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers  

Visit the library branches for some creative and educational programs for the young ones. Bookings are required through Eventbrite.

> Baby Bounce  
Tuesday, March 22, 9.30am at Sarina Library
Tuesday, March 22, 11am at Walkerston Library
Thursday, March 24, 10.30am at Gordon White Library
Saturday, March 26, 10.00am at Dudley Denny City Library (Dads ‘n’ Bubs)
Monday, March 28, 9.30am at Mirani Library
Monday, March 28, 11.00am at Dudley Denny City Library
Promotes language development in babies from birth to walking. Session features nursery rhymes, finger plays and songs. It's never too early to talk, read and tell stories with your child.

> Toddler Time
Wednesday, March 23, 9.30am at Mirani Library
Friday, March 25, 9.30am at Dudley Denny City Library
Monday, March 28, 9.30am at Sarina Library
Monday, March 28, 9.30am at Gordon White Library  
Promotes early language and literacy development for toddlers up to two-and-a-half. Session features nursery rhymes, finger plays and songs.

> Story Time
Tuesday, March 22, 9.30am at Mirani Library
Tuesday, March 22, 9.30am at Walkerston Library
Wednesday, March 23, 9.30am at Sarina Library
Wednesday, March 23, 9.30am at Gordon White Library
Thursday, March 24, 10.30am at Dudley Denny City Library
Story Time enhances language and literacy development and is aimed at children aged two-and-a-half to five years.

2) BMA Kidspace  

Tuesday, March 22, 10am to 2pm
Artspace Mackay
The ever-popular toddler’s program has resumed, giving children under five a chance to explore and have fun with art in a climate of co-operative learning. The program includes free artist-run workshops from 10am to 2pm and live musical entertainment from 12pm to 1pm. Bring your children along for a fun day of art-making, singing and dancing. Proudly presented by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance.

Free to attend, drop-in anytime! Visit their Facebook events page for more information.

3) Cuppa with your neighbour

Tuesday, March 22, 8am to 10am at Mirani Community Hall https://fb.me/e/2haBpfjdI
Wednesday, March 23, 9am to 11am at The Palms, Sarina Beach https://fb.me/e/1wqgjWPK9
Thursday, March 24, 8am to 10am at Eton Oval https://fb.me/e/1brFnaya3
Sunday, March 27, 8am to 10am at Slade Point Community Garden https://fb.me/e/2chA3LEZ2
Come along and join in a cuppa with your neighbour to celebrate Neighbour Day 2022 (March 27). This is a series of free events being held by council in various communities where Community Development Officers will be there to have a chat and share more info on activities happening in your neighbourhood.

4) Greenmount Homestead tours

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week, 9am | 10am | 11am | 12pm
Greenmount Homestead
Regular tours during the week have now resumed at the Greenmount Homestead. Enjoy a walk or a picnic in the stunning heritage listed gardens, soak up the homestead's history on one of the guided tours, and enjoy the ambiance. Visitors who arrive outside the tour times will be welcome to explore the homestead grounds with their brand-new brochure, have a picnic in the gardens, or check out the information panels located at the Resource Centre. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

5) STEAM Club – Coding with Spheros and Blue Bots  

Wednesday, March 23, 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Gordon White Library
Sphero and Blue Bots are undeniably cool, programmable robots and STEAM-based educational tools that transform the way kids learn. STEAM club is specifically designed for children in Year 3 to Year 6. Bookings through Eventbrite are essential for all attendees.

6) All Bout Da Bass Music Group 

Thursday, March 24, 5pm to 6.30pm
Dudley Denny City Library
An opportunity to share your unique rhythm talent and creative beats with a crew that keep the songs pumping for all to enjoy. Share your tracks and jam with others. Plenty of information to be shared to progress your musical knowledge and interests. All genres and interests are welcome. Library instruments and amplifiers provided as required. For ages 15 and above. Bookings through Eventbrite are essential for all attendees.

7) Neighbourhood Hub kids yoga in the gardens

Friday, March 25, 9.15am
Tropical Sun Lawn, Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Free morning yoga session for children to enjoy out in the fresh air on the Tropical Sun Lawn. Suitable for families with children aged 0-5 years. Bring along a mat, hat, water bottle and sunscreen. To keep up-to-date with any changes, visit the Botanic Gardens Facebook page.

8) Cocktail Masterclass

Saturday, March 26, 4pm to 5pm
Sarina Sugar Shed
Who doesn't love a good cocktail? Especially if you make it yourself! A cocktail on arrival, a tasting paddle with individual nibbles to match, guidance to make your own cocktail, a cocktail recipe sheet, and after-hours access to the retail store! Cost is just $55 per person. For groups of 4 or more, the designated driver is free and so is their non-alcoholic ginger beer! Don't miss out, places are limited! Call on 07 4943 2801 between 9am and 4pm to book. Visit their Facebook page to find out more.

9) Pioneer Bonsai Mackay workshops

Sunday, March 27, 1pm
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
If you enjoy the fellowship of bonsai or are interested in learning more, come along and join in the workshops resuming again at the gardens. New members are always welcome with regular meetings held the last Sunday of each month. For more information, contact Michael Watt via email mackaybonsai@bigpond.com or visit the Botanic Gardens Facebook events page.

10) Art Exhibitions

>Hom Swit Hom Exhibition by Jasmine Togo-Brisby
Until Sunday, March 27
Main Gallery and Foundation Gallery, Artspace Mackay
Contemporary Australian South Sea Islander artist Jasmine Togo-Brisby examines Australia’s dark history of plantation colonisation through a range of techniques, from photography and filmmaking to sculpture. Hom Swit Hom invites us to consider the history and contemporary legacy of blackbirding from the viewpoint of the people whose identity is intrinsically connected to this narrative. www.artspacemackay.com.au

>Sarina Art Gallery exhibition

Until Friday, April 1, 10am to 3pm
Sarina Art Gallery, Field of Dreams Parklands
Don’t miss local artists including Susan Day, Brigitte Zimmerman, Kerry Williams, Tia Gabriellah, Jenny Tibbett, Naomi Oxborough and Lenore Chapple as they showcase art pieces as part of the first Sarina Art Gallery exhibition for 2022. Entry is free. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Reminders:

2022 Heritage Awards

Nominations close Friday, March 25
Do you know a person or organisation who is renovating or restoring a heritage property?

They could be part of the 2022 Heritage Awards. Entry is free with $7000 in prize money up for grabs over four categories.

Nominate individuals, schools or organisations that promote and/or preserve our history and heritage across four categories. To nominate, or for more info, go to https://bit.ly/35EFUa4

The MECC presents Black Cockatoo

Thursday, April 14, 7.30pm
MECC Auditorium
Over 150 years ago, 13 brave Aboriginal men in Western Victoria picked up their cricket bats and embarked on a treacherous voyage to England and into the unknown — all in the name of sport. Risking illness and persecution, Australia’s first international cricket team, including Australia's first Indigenous sporting hero, Johnny Mullagh, amazed the English crowds with astonishing talent, personality and grit. They should have returned to Australia as celebrated heroes. Instead, they came back to find the world they once knew was no longer there. This is not just a story about cricket — this is story of strength, resistance, hope and possibility.  Tickets available at www.mecc.com.au