Community support

Advice, information and training for:

• Meeting management
• Hosting events
• Fundraising
• Group promotion
• Media contacts
• Governance and incorporation
• Grant information and applications

Networking opportunities:

• Council reference groups
• Regular community networking meetings
• Email groups sharing local events and services
• Regular council newsletters
• Local directories
• Regular community events

Specialist community knowledge:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander worker
• Australian South Sea Islander worker
• Older people, multicultural, youth, disabilities, homelessness, volunteers, arts, museums, sports and recreation workers
• Sarina Neighbourhood and Youth Centres
• Rural localities support
• Statistics

Helping you find the right person to talk to at council, including:

• Event approval applications
• Food stall applications
• Contacting your councillor

Acknowledgment

First Nations Aboriginal people have lived in Australia for over 60,000 years. Mackay Regional Council acknowledges the Yuwibara people as the traditional custodians of our region and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents.

Council’s commitment

Through our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), we honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and contributions. Since 2014, we have worked with Reconciliation Australia to strengthen relationships and create opportunities. Our third RAP is now in progress.

RAP working group

Includes Traditional Custodians, council staff, and community representatives supporting understanding, reconciliation and inclusion.

Download our Reconciliation Action Plan(PDF, 3MB) for more details.

Significant dates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

These dates hold cultural and historical importance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. By sharing them, council aims to promote awareness, respect, and appreciation.

Key dates:

• March 15 – National Close the Gap Day
  Raises awareness about closing the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
• May 26 – National Sorry Day
  Acknowledges the impact of past government policies that forcibly removed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families.
• May 27 – June 3 – National Reconciliation Week
  Celebrates First Nations culture and history while reflecting on the journey toward reconciliation.
• June 3 – Mabo Day
  Commemorates the 1992 High Court decision that recognised Native Title for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• July 1 – Coming of the Light Festival
  Marks the arrival of Christianity in the Torres Strait Islands in 1871.
• July 8–15 – National NAIDOC Week
  Celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture, and achievements across Australia.
• August 4 – National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
  Highlights issues affecting Indigenous children and their future.

For more information, visit the official websites of these events.

Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country

Welcome to Country

A Welcome to Country is a formal ceremony performed by a Traditional Custodian (Elder or family member) before an event. It recognises and respects the Aboriginal custodians of the land.

For large or significant events, invite a local Traditional Custodian to conduct the ceremony. If one is unavailable, an Acknowledgement of Country can be given instead.

For more information or to arrange a Welcome to Country, contact Yuwi Aboriginal Corporation – 4865 1212 or admin@yuwi.com.au.

Acknowledgement of Country

An Acknowledgement of Country can be given by anyone (Indigenous or non-Indigenous) to show respect for the traditional custodians and their ongoing connection to the land.

Example: "I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to Elders past, present, and emerging."

Community Development Officer
Mulum Stone | mulum.stone@mackay.qld.gov.au | 07 4961 9435

Good Access = Good Business

This guide is designed to help local businesses and service providers understand why accessibility matters, their legal responsibilities and how to make their business more inclusive for people with disabilities.

Why accessibility matters

• Improves customer experience and attracts more customers
• Small, affordable changes can make a big impact
• Ensures compliance with accessibility regulations

How to improve accessibility

• Simple adjustments can enhance access
• Some changes may require professional advice
• Use the checklist to identify and fix potential barriers

Download the resources:

• Good Access = Good Business Guide(PDF, 1MB)
• Good Access = Good Business Checklist(PDF, 124KB)

Inclusive Communities Action Plan

Council’s Inclusive Communities Action Plan focuses on improving accessibility for the entire community, including people with disabilities, older adults and parents with prams. While ensuring inclusivity for all, the plan maintains a strong focus on the needs of people with disabilities.

Download the Inclusive Communities Action Plan 2023-2027(PDF, 17MB)

Resources and support services

• Text only format accessibility checklist(PDF, 138KB)
• Make your communications accessible - Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
• Inclusive Communities Reference Group (supports the implementation of the Inclusive Communities Action Plan)
• Disability Service Provider Network - meetings held every second month
• Mackay Disability Expo

For more information, contact the team member below.

Community Development Officer
Jonathan Greenhalgh | jonathan.greenhalgh@mackay.qld.gov.au | 07 4961 9536

Mackay has a thriving arts community with many opportunities for involvement.

Resources and support services

• Arts and Culture Strategy 2025-2030(PDF, 5MB)
• Regional Arts Development Fund (ADD LINK)
• Creative Mackay Facebook page

Community Development Officers
Fiona Vuibeqa | fiona.vuibeqa@mackay.qld.gov.au | 07 4961 9630
Bonnie McCarthy | bonnie.mccarthy@mackay.qld.gov.au | 07 4961 9623

Council provides resources, services and events to assist migrants and multicultural community members in settling into the region.

Resources and support services

• Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) – A government free service to help eligible migrants improve their English language skills and settle into Australia.
• Free translating and interpreting services (IT)
• Migrant community facts – view our community profile (Australian Bureau of Statistics)

Stay connected

• Migrant Voice - Join our local Facebook group. This social media community is a free group where all of the migrant communities in our region can interact and share ideas, events, recipes, opportunities and programs. It’s also a top resource if you are new to the region and are looking to meet new people or have questions you’d like answered.

Community Development Officer
Mulum Stone | mulum.stone@mackay.qld.gov.au | 07 4961 9435

The Mackay-Matsuura sister city relationship was formed in 1989. 

This is a very active relationship with annual exchanges between students and biennial citizen visits.

Youth Ambassador Program

One of the cultural exchange programs of the sister city relationship is annual visits by Mackay school students to Matsuura. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen our cities' ties and to expose Mackay and Matsuura students to each other's cultures.

Chaperones are appointed to accompany the students.

Next scholarship opportunity will be in 2026. Details will be listed here once available together with an expression of interest for chaperones.

Every year Matsuura City sends a group of students accompanied by two or three chaperones to Mackay for approximately seven days. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen our cities' ties and expose Mackay families and Japanese students with each other's cultures.

Council arranges home-hosts and activities for the students whilst they are here.

Activities usually consist of time at local schools, visits to local beaches and places of interest, a bush dance and art/craft workshops. Free time is allowed for the students to experience Australian family life with the host families.

The students are aged between 13 and 17 years and council seek host families each year. Family members over the age of 18 years must be holders of a Blue Card.

Citizen visits

Every two years a group of citizens from Matsuura visits Mackay for around three to four days. The citizens visit local attractions and have the opportunity of meeting up with old friends and make new acquaintances in the community.

On the alternating years, a group of residents from the Mackay region visits Matsuura. The citizens usually spend around three to four days in Matsuura and have an option to extend their visit in Japan.

Sister Cities Mackay Committee

The aim of this committee is to support the Youth Ambassador Program for Mackay students, along with the student visits from Matsuura.

The committee also supports many other events throughout the year, including an Australia Day Skype, the Drawing Exchange Program, a Speech Contest and Children’s Day.

Membership of the group is open to all residents in the region.

Stay Connected

• Sister Cities Mackay Facebook page

Community Development Team
For more information or enquiries, contact mackaysisterscities@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Mackay has various groups offering services, support and activities for local seniors. 

If you wish to get in touch with these groups you can use council’s Community Development Officer below as a first point of reference to provide you with the most up to date contacts.

We also have networking meetings and email lists you can be added to keep you in the loop.

Resources and support services

• Mackay Seniors Expo

Community Development Officer
Jonathan Greenhalgh | jonathan.greenhalgh@mackay.qld.gov.au | 07 4961 9536

Mackay offers a range of youth programs, services and leadership opportunities to support and empower young people.

Programs

Valley District Youth Council (VDYC)

A youth group for ages 12-18 that meets every Tuesday from 3pm to 5pm during school terms at Mirani Community Hall. All young people are welcome to join and get involved.

Young Mayors Program Mackay

In partnership with the Foundation for Young Australians, this initiative gives young people a voice in local decision-making.

• Encourages youth involvement in the community
• Provides leadership opportunities
• Ensures young voices are represented in decision-making

YOL1000

A project designed to empower young people (ages 10-21) in Mackay by amplifying their voices, supporting personal growth, and fostering community connections.

• Gives young people a platform to be heard
• Creates opportunities for personal and leadership development
• Addresses local youth concerns with real solutions

Read the YOL1000 Report(PDF, 13MB) to see what young people have shared about growing up in the region.

Services

There are a number of groups in Mackay working in this space and offering services, support and leisure and lifestyle activities for young people across the region.

If you wish to get in touch with these groups you can use council’s youth workers as a first point of reference to provide you with the most up to date contacts.

Council also has regular networking meetings and email lists you can be added to keep you in the loop and provides a range of services to young people.

Resources and support services 

• Young Mayors Mackay website
• YOL1000 project factsheet(PDF, 188KB)
• Youth Services Charter(PDF, 13MB)
• Sarina Youth Centre

Stay connected

• Valley District Youth Facebook page
• Mackay Youth Connections Facebook page
• Sarina Youth Centre Facebook page

   

Community and Youth Development Team
Connect with the Youth Team on youthteam@mackay.qld.gov.au

Anna Kahler (Pioneer Valley)
anna.kahler@mackay.qld.gov.au | 4961 9203 | 0417 799 680

Katrina Morrissey (Northern Beaches/Slade Point)
katrina.morrissey@mackay.qld.gov.au | 4961 9436 | 0457 245 069

Elisa Crooks (Northern Beaches/Slade Point)
elisa.crooks@mackay.qld.gov.au | 4961 9436 | 0457 245 069

Peta (PJ) Burridge (Sarina)
peta.burridge@mackay.qld.gov.au | 4961 9278 | 0448 941 077