Top 10 things to do around the region

1) Multicultural Women’s Club

Friday, May 14, from 10am to noon
Mackay Women’s Centre, 418 Shakespeare Street
The Neighbourhood Hub invites women from multicultural backgrounds to join the Multicultural Women's Club. It is a free social club for migrant women in Mackay and new participants are always welcome. For more information, please contact Val by email vale@tnhub.org.au or phone 4957 2626 or 0400 788 218.

2) Free guided walks

Friday, May 14, from 10am to 11am  
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Join volunteer guides for a free guided walk in the Botanic Gardens. Walks go at a leisurely pace for about an hour wandering the pathways of the gardens. Bookings are essential. Phone 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au to book a spot.

3) Mayor’s Charity Ball 2021

Saturday, May 15, at 6pm
The MECC
The Mackay Mayor’s Charity Ball will be proudly staged by a community committee in conjunction with Mackay Regional Council and the MECC. There will be some amazing auction items and prizes up for grabs once again, with funds raised going to the Domestic Violence Resource Centre and HeartKids. We're celebrating this year with a touch of Moulin Rouge, decadent decor and an indulgent French-inspired three course menu and cocktails available. Price of ticket includes a delicious three-course meal, wine, beer, basic spirits, soft drink, water. Book at www.themecc.com.au.

4) Mackay Volunteer Expo 2021

Sunday, May 16, from 10am to 2pm
The Big Shed Pavilion, Mackay Showgrounds
The Mackay Volunteer Expo is an event designed to promote local volunteering opportunities; provide community groups with promotion, exposure, and an opportunity to recruit new volunteers and acknowledge and celebrate the valuable contribution volunteers make to our community. Whether you’re interested in volunteering as a firefighter, dog walker, historian, lifesaver or environmentalist, there will be more than 50 organisations offering something for everyone at the Volunteer Expo. More information at www.mackay.qld.gov.au/volunteerexpo

5) Library Information Week

Monday, May 17, from 9am to 1pm
Melba House, Marian
Wednesday, May 19, from 7am to 11am
Greater Whitsunday Farmers Markets, Bluewater Quay
Mackay Regional Council libraries will be out in the Mackay region with their new pop-up trailer. Discover how libraries embrace innovation to bring you creative spaces - virtual and physical - and the services that open a new world through your library membership.

6) Party in the Park  

Tuesday, May 18, from 9am to 11.30am
Jubilee Community Centre
Party in the Park is an event designed to promote services who work with children aged 0-6 and opportunities for parents to connect with each other in a fun, relaxed environment. The morning will showcase the wonderful services and playgroups Mackay has to offer. Services are encouraged to hold interactive activities and displays.

7) BMA Kidspace

Tuesday, May 18, from 10am to 2pm
Artspace Mackay
BMA Kidspace, the ever-popular toddlers' program, gives children under five a chance to explore and have fun with art in a climate of co-operative learning. The program includes free artist-run workshops and live musical entertainment for kids from noon to 1pm. Bring your children along for a fun day of artmaking, singing and dancing. Drop-ins welcome, no bookings required.

8) Mackay Musical Comedy Players presents Mamma Mia

Thursday, May 20, at 8pm
Friday, May 21, at 8pm
Saturday, May 22, at 2pm and 8pm
The MECC  
Fresh out of quarantine, Mackay Musical Comedy players (MMCP) brings you the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs in this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. Over 60 million people worldwide have fallen in love with the characters, story and the ABBA hits that tell the hilarious story of a young woman’s search for her birth father.

9) Plastic bottle art workshop

Friday, May 21, from 3pm to 4.30pm
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Join Kim to create colourful flowers to add to a display at the Botanic Gardens Open Day on Saturday, June 5. Bring your own plastic bottle. Paint, brushes and decorations will be provided. This is a family-friendly activity for all ages. For more information, phone Kim on 4952 7300.

10) Conversations with Art

Friday, May 21, from 1pm to 2.30pm
Artspace Mackay
Conversations with Art is a free and enjoyable discussion led by Artspace staff, looking at
images of traditional and contemporary artworks from gallery and museum collections from around the world. Whether you’re an artist, an art and language lover, beginner or expert, we invite you to come along for this casual conversation where we deconstruct the works, consider themes, discuss possible techniques used by the artists and create links with our own personal experiences. Book at http://bit.ly/3qrvM9t.

Reminders

MAD Mountain Bike Classic

Friday, May 28, to Sunday, May 30
Rowallan Park, Farleigh
The MAD Mountain Bike Classic will be held at Rowallan Park where competitors can ride the rock gardens, dodge the bush turkeys, and enjoy the lush rainforest. Race participants will come from all over Australia to attend this exciting event. Registrations are still open, visit www.madmtbclassic.com

Jimeoin – Ramble On

Saturday, June 12, from 8pm
The MECC Auditorium
A stalwart of Australian comedy and all-round likeable rogue, comedian Jimeoin in his new stand-up show Ramble On happily imparts his clever and quirky observations on everyday suburban life in his trademark devil-may-care style. Age recommendation is 15 years and older. Visit www.themecc.com.au to book tickets or find out more.