Top 10 things to do around the region

1) Photo Walkabout

Friday, January 31, 4pm – 6pm
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
This month’s Photo Walkabout will focus on capturing the beauty of plants in the soft afternoon light. If you have a tripod, please bring it along. All participants will have an opportunity to display photos in an exhibition in March 2020. Come along with a camera, from an iPhone to a DSLR with a desire to learn to take amazing photos! To find out more, please contact Botanic Gardens Administration on phone (07) 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au.

2) Dad’s Reading Group

Saturday, February 1, 10.30am – 11.30am
Dudley Denny City Library
The Neighbourhood Hub invites you to attend the Dad's Reading Group. Access to free events is one of many benefits of our library membership. If you are not already a library member, please join at http://bit.ly/2Ye9StH

3) “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.

4) 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.

5) Live Life Get Active - City Centre

Monday, February 3 until Wednesday, May 20, 6am - 6.45am
Council Lawns, Civic Precinct

Mondays and Wednesday - cross-training
Tuesdays and Thursdays - boxing
Friday - yoga
The Live Life Get Active program offers free weekly sessions in boxing, cross training and yoga in the City Centre. For a full list of locations and times and to register for your free session/s, visit www.livelifegetactive.com and register at http://bit.ly/2RSZ4OZ.

6) Active in the Region (Activate your health)

Northern Beaches
Camilleri Street Park
Monday, February 3 to Friday, June 26, 5.45pm - 6.30pm
Mondays and Wednesdays - boxing
Tuesdays and Thursdays - cross training

Blacks Beach Park (Yoga sessions)
Friday, February 7 to Friday, June 26, 5.45pm - 6.30pm

Sarina
Monday, February 3 to Friday, June 26, 5.45pm - 6.30pm
Sarina Field of Dreams Parklands
Mondays and Wednesdays – cross-training
Tuesdays and Thursdays – boxing
Fridays – yoga

Register at http://bit.ly/2RSZ4OZ or for more information, contact council’s Sport and Recreation team on 4961 9610 or 4961 9475 or email sport@mackay.qld.gov.au.

7) Robots on Tour

Tuesday, February 4, 4pm – 5pm
Gordon White Library

Thursday, February 6, 4pm – 5pm
Dudley Denny City Library
The future is S.T.E.A.M! Come along to meet our loveable robotic buddies, see what they can do and take-a-peek behind the programming. We'll be bringing some of our robotics to a library near you this February! For more details visit http://bit.ly/30Zjbiq.

8) DiscoverIT – Basics

Wednesday, February 5, 10am – 11.30am
Dudley Denny City Library
Join us for 90 minutes to get you started on your technology journey at these hands-on, practical classes. 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.

9) Greater Whitsunday Farmers’ Market

Wednesday, February 5, 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.

10) Register for Kids Art Club term one

First week, Saturday, February 22 at 10am
10am - 12pm (6 to 8 years old)
1pm - 3pm (9 to 12 years old)
Artspace Mackay
Saturday art classes with award winning artist Rosemary Payne will start soon, now is the time to register.  Kids Art Club is Artspace Mackay’s ongoing term-based art program for kids. Artspace Mackay is excited to announce local award-winning artist Rosemary Payne will deliver a rich six- week program of creative art for kids in two age groups. Each week students will explore and respond to the exhibitions on show at Artspace Mackay through fun-filled art activities. They will learn new techniques and make art with all kinds of creative art materials. $160 per child for six weeks (includes all materials). To book call: 4961 9722

Reminders:

2020 Chinese New Year

Saturday, February 8, 6pm – 9pm
Mackay City Centre, Wood Street
Join us this Chinese New Year to celebrate the year of the Rat. Wood Street will be transformed to create a China Town atmosphere. 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. More details at http://bit.ly/38HzrHE.

Optus Sports Expo and Sign-on Day

Sunday, February 9, 9am – 1pm
Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre
The event, which is now in its 10th year, will be bigger than ever with more than 7000 people expected to attend! A wide range of sporting organisations, teams and active leisure groups will be on display to provide a ‘one stop information shop’ of exciting get-active opportunities on offer in our region. More details at http://bit.ly/39Hg0QI.