Roll up for a touch of vintage carnival at Mayor’s Charity Ball
Published on 17 March 2025
The 2025 Mayor's Charity Ball in May will bring a touch of vintage carnival to the MECC.
Think Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman, aerial acrobats and a sideshow alley of games, with prizes on offer.
Mayor Williamson said “vintage carnival” was the room theme for the MECC Plenary Halls for the Ball on Saturday, May 10.
“As always, the Ball isn’t a fancy-dress event. Ball-goers should come dressed to suit Mackay’s premier red-carpet night out,’’ he said.
Mayor Williamson said the Community Committee that organised the event had made format changes based on feedback from previous Balls.
“There will still be a live auction, but it will only be one, short segment, with the focus on having a great social night out,’’ he said.
“A silent auction and the ‘sideshow alley’ carnival games will help boost funds raised for charities.”
Musical entertainment on the night will be provided by world-class act The Diamonds, from Sydney, and local band Mango Junction.
Channel 7 presenter Chris Parsons, from The Great Outdoors, returns as emcee.
In another change this year, BMA joins Fergus Builders and Daly Bay as Platinum sponsors. BMA was a sponsor last year but steps up to Platinum to replace DGH, which had stepped away after more than 15 years as a major sponsor.
Linda Murry, General Manager of BMA’s Hay Point Coal Terminal, said the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) was proud to upgrade its sponsorship level to platinum for the 2025 Mayor’s Charity Ball.
“The Mayor’s Charity Ball is an important event which raises much needed funds for the Mackay community and through our sponsorship of the ball, this is just one of the ways we can help bring people together to support local charities,” she said.
The launch for the 2025 Mayor’s Charity Ball was held at the MECC on Friday night (March 14).
It was attended by the Mayor, Councillors, other council representatives, the organising committee, sponsors, media partners and representatives of the two charities which will benefit from proceeds this year.
The Ball has raised more than $1 million since its inception.
Mayor Williamson said the Ball raised funds for two charities for two years to enable significant funds to be raised for each charity and make a real difference in our community.
“Proceeds this year will be split 50-50 between Grapevine Group, in its second year of being a beneficiary and new beneficiary, the Salvation Amy’s Samaritan House,” Mayor Williamson said.
Training coordinator Edie Weiss said Grapevine Group was honoured to be a Mayor’s Charity Ball recipient.
“Our focus is education and awareness. It can make a life-saving difference,’’ she said.
“The 2025 funds provide an opportunity to expand our network of suicide prevention trainers via our new In-house safeTALK Trainer Program.
“Grapevine Group is offering medium and large businesses the chance to have their own staff qualify as safeTALK trainers, then provide suicide prevention training to their colleagues.
“To date, Grapevine Group has trained almost 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.
“It is essential that more people are trained in our region and we are asking businesses to get involved by implementing their own suicide prevention programs with our support.
“It’s fitting that the theme of our first fundraiser was ‘Have a ball and make a difference’. We know people attending the 2025 Ball will be doing that.”
Hannah Stephen, State Manager Family Violence Programs – NT/QLD, said the Salvation Army Family Violence Services were grateful for being selected as one of the beneficiaries for the funds raised through the Mayor’s Charity Ball.
“The costs associated with family violence and the long-term impacts on both adult and child victim survivors are significant,’’ she said.
“As a public health issue, a whole-of-community response to end family violence is crucial. The Salvos believe in good, and we are glad to be part of a community who stand together in preventing family violence and in responding to the needs of victim survivors.
“The donation from the Mayor’s Charity Ball will support therapeutic services for victim survivors in Mackay, which will help ensure that women and children are not caught in the cycle of violence but have the opportunity to recover and thrive.”
Platinum partners for the 2025 Mayor’s Charity Ball include Fergus Builders, Daly Bay and BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA).
Gold sponsors include Pentacon and Key Solutions Group.
Silver sponsors include long-term sponsor Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure, as well as returning sponsors CQ Soil Testing, Southern
Cross Industrial Group and North Queensland Bulk Ports.
Media partners for the Ball are 7 News Mackay, Daily Mercury, Hit 100.3 and Triple M, and Tropical Exposure.
In-kind sponsors include long-term sponsor Signarama and Twilight Mackay.
Tickets can be purchased on the MECC website at www.themecc.com.au.