Top 10 things to do around the region

1) Tech Talks

> Thursday, January 3, 10am  
Dudley Denny City Library
> Tuesday, January 8, 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. Access to free events is only one of the benefits of library membership. If you are not already a library member, please join at https://library.mackay.qld.gov.au/Montage/Join.aspx

2) 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
Monday, January 7
> 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 8
> Aqua Dance and Fitness (years 4-12), Bluewater Lagoon, Elena’s Fitness Fusion, 9:30am – 10:30am
Wednesday, January 9
> Pencil boxes, Bluewater Quay, Margaret Burgess, 8am – 12pm
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

3) Ask a Genie

Tuesday, January 8, 1pm
Gordon White Library  
Bring your family history queries to the library for assistance. The Mackay Family History Society will assist with questions regarding your family history. No bookings required.

4) Ranger Ros & her Curious Creatures

Tuesday, January 8, 10am to 10.45am  - Gordon White Library
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 at www.mackay.qld.gov.au/whatson This activity is for children aged 4 to 8 years.

5) 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

6) Creative Shots People’s Choice Exhibition

Until January 21
Gordon White Library   
Each year, Creative Shots Photo Club holds a People’s Choice Exhibition where printed images are displayed for the public to enjoy and ‘vote’ for their favourite. The theme for 2018 is Australia, covering all aspects of Australia and Australian Life. People (environmental portraits) – Places (landscapes, street scenes) and of course – Life (activities, sports, social gatherings etc things we do as Australians). View the exhibition and cast your vote. http://bit.ly/2Rql1GP

7) Summer Reading Club

Mackay Regional Council Libraries
Until January 25
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 at – www.summerreadingclub.org.au/theclub/registration. 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 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.