Red-carpet charity event wows attendees at the MECC
Published on 29 May 2025
The Mackay Mayor's Charity Ball rocked the MECC on Saturday, May 10, with the event receiving raving reviews.
Mayor Greg Williamson said it was an incredible night of entertainment and the event received 100 percent satisfaction from ball-goers for the second year in a row.
“The event theme was vintage carnival and we had aerial performers suspended in the air above the dance floor, an interactive games area, live performances from Sydney show The Diamonds and local band Mango Junction, not to mention some amazing auction items up for grabs,” Mayor Williamson said.
“Almost 400 people attended the charity event and the MECC was decked out with brilliant carnival colours and theming,” he said.
“The 2025 event raised $54,765.08 which was split equally between Grapevine Group and The Salvation Army’s Family Violence Service, with each receiving $27,382.54.
“The main goal of the Ball is to support local charities, who are sometimes overlooked by State and Federal funding but are in desperate need of funds.”
Grapevine Group Training Coordinator Edie Weiss said the funds will make a huge difference in the local community.
“We were proud to be part of the Mayor’s Charity Ball for the past two years, after coming on board as a charity in 2024,” Ms Weiss said.
“The funds from the 2025 ball will help local businesses establish their own in-house safeTALK Trainers on-site to help train their workforce in suicide prevention,” she said.
“To date, Grapevine Group has trained more than 7000 people, but many more need to be suicide aware, so attempts can be prevented and those struggling can find the vital help they need.”
Acting Regional Manager for North QLD Family Violence Services Jules Kakono said they were excited to attend their first Mayor’s Charity Ball as a nominated charity.
"This was the first year for our charity and we were very grateful to be part of an event that has consistently impacted the Mackay community in such a positive manner,” Ms Kakono said.
“The funds received from the ball will help us better support victim-survivors within the community who we work with on a daily basis," she said.
“On behalf of The Salvation Army, thank you to the Mayor, sponsors and event committee for an amazing night and we look forward to 2026.”
The funds were announced and officially presented to representatives of Grapevine Group and The Salvation Army’s Family Violence Service at a council morning tea on Wednesday, May 28, to thank all sponsors.
Sponsors were also presented with certificates of appreciation for their support.
Platinum partners for the 2025 Mayor’s Charity Ball include Fergus Builders, Daly Bay and BMA.
Gold sponsors for the event were Key Solutions Group and Pentacon.
Silver sponsors include CQ Soil Testing, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure, North Queensland Bulk Ports and Southern Cross Industrial Group.
Media partners include 7 News Mackay, Daily Mercury, Hit 100.3 and Triple M, as well as Tropical Exposure.
In-kind sponsors include long-term sponsor Signarama and Twilight Mackay.
Left to right – Courtney Casey from Southern Cross Austereo, Ben Sonter from CQ Soil Testing, Lisa Enfantie from Pentacon, Paul Brescia from Daily Mercury, Edie Weiss from Grapevine Group, Amanda Bishop from Tropical Exposure, Nicole Whitley from Southern Cross Industrial Group, Nathan Borg from Fergus Builders, Mayor Greg Williamson, Kim Tweedie from Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure, Janine Jacobson from Channel 7, Sharon Johnston from Daly Bay, Jules Kakono from The Salvation Army and Leah Scheepers from BMA.