Top 10 things to do around the region

Published: 05 Feb 2020

There’s plenty to do around the region…

1) Money Smart

Thursday, February 6, 10:30am
Dudley Denny City Library

Tools and information to help you navigate the financial world. Need to talk about your utility bills, concessions, information about credit, superannuation, financial hardship, budgeting? Drop in and have a chat to find out where to locate information online and start making a difference to your financial well-being thanks to The Neighbourhood Hub.

2) Active in the City – Aqua Fitness

Saturday, February 8, 9am
Bluewater Lagoon

There are plenty of ways to get Active in the City! Aqua Fitness with Sue will be held Saturday mornings at the Bluewater Lagoon. The Active in the City program is a great way to get fit and meet new friends and it's FREE. All activities cater for varying levels of fitness and ability and are suitable for beginners.

3) Chinese New Year

Saturday, February 8, 6pm – 9pm
Wood Street

Join us this Chinese New Year to celebrate the year of the Rat. Wood Street will be transformed to have a Chinatown feel. Lanterns and banners will be hung ready for an evening of performances and traditional demonstrations by the Brisbane based Chinese dragon and lion dancers. Book a table at your favourite Wood Street eatery to sit back, relax and enjoy the roaming performances throughout the night. The activation will commence at 6pm and performances will be staged intermittently throughout Wood Street until 9pm.

4) Optus Sports Expo and Sign-on Day

Sunday, February 9, 9am – 1pm
Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre

The Optus Sports Expo & Sign-on Day is an annual, half day sign-on event held at the MECC. The event, which is now in its tenth year, will be bigger than ever with more than 7000 people expected to attend and heaps of prizes are up for grabs! A record number of more than 120 sport and recreation exhibitors will be on display while two indoor Active Zones will provide live demonstrations, including come-and-try activities for the kids. There will also be an outdoor active space running throughout the day for the first time ever. Club mascots are also welcome and can enter the mascot race! Rob Kidd from Star 101.9 will be broadcasting live at the event and Perko from 4MK will be the event emcee.

5) Active in the City - Zumba

Sunday, February 9, 9am
Bluewater Quay

There are plenty of ways to get Active in the City! Elena's Fitness Fusion Zumba will be held Sunday mornings at the Bluewater Quay. The Active in the City program is a great way to get fit and meet new friends and it's FREE. All activities cater for varying levels of fitness and ability and are suitable for beginners.

6) Craft and Conversation

Sunday, February 9, 9am
Do you craft so hard you sweat glitter? Come along to create and chatter with this imaginative group. All experience levels and craft types welcome. 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.

7) Tristan Kane talks fashion, studies & career options

Wednesday, February 12, 6pm – 7:30pm
Artspace Mackay

Free artist talk with 2019 Artspace Mackay Foundation ‘Hands On’ Bursary winner, Tristan Kane. Recently graduating from The University of Technology, Sydney with a Bachelor of Design in Fashion and Textiles (Honours), Tristan is a rising talent in the field of fashion design. Tristan will return to Mackay to chat to students and others keen to know more about his experiences studying art and fashion at a tertiary level. He’ll talk about his experience working professionally in art and image across numerous luxury international brands, notably ELLERY which has led him to be based between Sydney, Australia / Paris, France and The Vampire’s Wife by Susie Cave in London, UK. Tristan’s personal design practice is characterised by quiet offerings which suggest a distinctly intellectual image of tailoring and knit wear in a contemporary space. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain insight into study options and learn about career pathways from a young artist who grew up in our region.

8) Greater Whitsunday Farmers’ Market

Wednesday, February 12, 7am – 11am
Bluewater Quay   

Join the fresh local produce revolution and support our farmers by buying seasonal local produce straight from the farmer. Want to know who will be selling at the markets each, head to their Facebook page every Tuesday, all the details of markets stall and produce will be listed. For more details visit http://bit.ly/369yDth.

9) “Reflections” by Maryanne Villalba

Until Sunday, February 23
Botanic Gardens Café, Lagoons Gallery

Showcasing Maryanne Villalba's love of the ocean in all its different forms. Maryanne has always been interested in arts and crafts and exploring many different mediums. Through this time one thing has remained constant, drawing from nature and the ocean. She loves the movement and the depth that can be attained from using multiple layers of resin and manipulating resin on the board.  All artworks will be for sale. The Botanic Gardens Cafe is open Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 3pm and weekends, 8am to 4pm.

10) Disquiet: Ecological Anxieties and Transformations

Until Sunday, April 19, 2020
Gallery Three, Artspace Mackay

A Queensland touring exhibition by Barbara Dover and Robyn Glade-Wright, Disquiet examines the anxieties surrounding human generated pressures on the marine environment. Created using discarded plastic and other debris that has been carried in from the sea and washed ashore along the Queensland coast, their work highlights the global issue of ocean pollution, and the plight of an increasingly threatened ocean ecology. For more details visit http://bit.ly/2RumCdU.

Reminders:

Helloworld Travel Expo

Saturday, February 22, 10am – 3pm
Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre

The Helloworld Travel Expo is on Saturday, February 22 from 10am - 3pm at the MECC! You could win a trip to the Maldives just by attending! This is a FREE event.  Skip the queue and register online at https://bit.ly/2GoE9hb

✔️ Exclusive deals
✔️ Expert advice
✔️ Free suitcase for first 50 bookings on the day!
✔️ 28 free travel seminars
✔️ $15,000 in prizes and giveaways