Top 10 things to do around the region

1) Jimmy Barnes – Shutting Down Your Town

Wednesday, September 18, 7pm    
MECC Plenary Halls    
Jimmy Barnes is back with his biggest headlining tour yet! ‘Barnesy’ is the heart and soul of Australian pub rock. Over recent years his bestselling memoirs “Working Class Boy” and “Working Class Man” have struck a deep chord across his homeland. He returns with an electrifying string of hits along with his current radio hit “Shutting Your Town”. Spend one special night with the man who defines Australian rock’n’roll.

2) The Australian Reading Hour

Thursday, September 19, 11.30am to 2pm
Bluewater Quay  
Join other readers for one hour and rediscover or introduce yourself to the benefits of reading. Come along during your lunch break to participate in the Australian Reading Hour by the riverside with your lunch and a great book! For more details visit https://bit.ly/2lNgU9x

3) Aussie Farm and Drinks Tour

Friday, September 20, 8am to 4.30pm
Mackay region
A fully guided whole day tour to enjoy the highlights of our region! Lunch, snacks and drinks included. Our farmers and producers on this tour have a passionate desire to foster the development of a vibrant regional food culture where locals and visitors alike can access and enjoy the wonderful produce and value-added goods that are grown, raised, caught and made in our region. The tour will take visitors to family owned farms in-season as well as other food-related businesses who use local produce. To book your tickets visit https://bit.ly/2kpypN5

4) Mackay ARC Open Day

Saturday, September 21, 9am to 2pm    
Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex    
Meet Olympic gold and silver medallist Brooke Hanson at the Mackay ARC Open Day. Take advantage of come and try the learn to swim sessions, kids’ activities and a sausage sizzle. Free entry from 9am to 2pm. For more information visit https://bit.ly/2mjXObr

5) International Dance Affair – Celebrating 30 years

Saturday, September 21, 7.30pm
MECC Auditorium
International Dance Affair is celebrating 30 years! To mark this special milestone, a variety show featuring ballet, tap, jazz, highland, Irish, contemporary, hip hop and baton twirling has been created. An array of diverse entertainment which will keep you cheering for more!

6) Etnies Rumble on the Reef 2019

September 23 – 28
Sugarbowl Skatepark 
Rumble on the Reef is a skateboarding festival based along the Great Barrier Reef coastline in Mackay, Queensland. This is for the skaters, the brands, the partners and everyone involved in skateboarding to have a week in a tropical location and enjoy skateboarding culture in one place. Check out the full schedule to plan your week at www.rumbleonthereef.com

7) Better than TED

Monday, September 23, 9.30am to 12.30pm
Lynette Denny Space, MECC
TED talks are a recent reminder of a timeless fact. That is, the ability to speak in public has a HUGE bearing on your life. And yet today’s students spend more time than ever on devices that stunt face-to-face communication. The good news? Those who do switch off screens and step onto the speaker’s stage will have a massive advantage. Enter Sean Murphy with a three-hour workshop for people ages 12-18. Book your tickets at https://bit.ly/2lYMD88

8) Get your zombie on

September 23 - 26    
Mackay Regional Council Libraries   
Young adults aged 12 to 18 years, learn the make-up techniques that bring zombie’s to life (well – sort of). Bring clothes fit for ripping, old make-up, and your best zombie stagger. We’ll limp our way along the library stacks looking for brains…

9) Altered books and collage

September 24 – October 6
Artspace Mackay   
Drop-in to Artspace Mackay during the September school holidays and participate in our free artists’ book and collage activities! Enjoy a fun range of creative art projects inspired by the Mackay Regional Council artists’ book collection, including book making, drawing, collage and fun for all ages! You can leave your finished piece on display in the workshop room to inspire others or take it home to show family and friends. Parental supervision is essential, stay for a few minutes or a few hours. For more information phone 49619722.  www.artspacemackay.com.au - 10am - 5pm Tuesday to Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10am - 3pm

10) Kids craft

Thursday, September 26
Friday, October 4
10am to 11.30am  
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Come along for some creative fun making necklaces and key chains using seed pods, bamboo, clay and beads. Suitable for children aged six years and over. Parental supervision required. Bookings essential and places are limited. For more information or to book a spot, please call 4952 7300.

Reminders:

Busby Marou – The Great Divide Central QLD album launch

Friday, September 27, 7pm
MECC Auditorium    
Tom Busby (hailing from Queensland) and Jeremy Marou (from the beautiful Torres Strait Islands) have been playing music together for over a decade since their initial music connection at a pub in Rockhampton. Since then there has been a potent chemistry that drives Busby Marou and the energy they put into touring regional Australia with fans from across the country loving the live experience. Get ready to rock at the MECC. Book your tickets at www.themecc.com.au

Orchid Extravaganza

Saturday, September 28, 8am to 4pm
Sunday, September 29, 8am to 3pm
Victoria Park State School    
The Orchid Extravaganza is being held on September 28-29 at Victoria Park State School. There will be orchid displays, food and beverages, talks and demonstrations and raffles. Admission is $2. For more details visit https://bit.ly/2krIXeE