Mayor’s Charity Ball to ignite ‘Saturday Night Fever’

Published: 18 Mar 2022

The 2022 Mayor’s Charity Ball will be held at the MECC in May and those attending are being asked to channel their inner “Saturday Night Fever”.

The Ball on Saturday, May 14, officially launched tonight (Friday, March 18), is going disco.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the disco theme should resonate with many of those attending and he expected plenty of people to boogie on the dance floor.

“I will be doing my best John Travolta impersonation, although my wife Annette may disown me. It will be plenty of fun as we raise funds for two great causes,’’ Mayor Williamson said.

This year’s ball will raise money for HeartKids Mackay, also a recipient last year, and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) to assist with construction and operation of a Ronald McDonald Family Room in Mackay.

The launch for sponsors and recipients was held on stage in the MECC auditorium tonight and tickets for the Ball are now on sale through themecc.com.au

The Red Tie band, as well as some surprise guests, will help create the disco atmosphere on the night. Emcee will be Channel 7 fishing personality Scotty Hillier.

There will also be the usual gala charity auction.

This 2021 Mayor’s Charity Ball raised nearly $100,000 for charity, split 50-50 between Domestic Violence Resource Service (DVRS) – a recipient for two years – and HeartKids Mackay.

HeartKids Queensland manager Holly Williams, who attended tonight’s launch, said the organisation was thrilled to be a beneficiary of the Mackay Mayor’s Charity Ball once again in 2022.

“Following the amazing success of the 2021 Gala, HeartKids was able to employ a support coordinator in Mackay to provide meaningful support to individuals and families within the Mackay HeartKids community, as well as foster strong connections within the local community to increase awareness of congenital heart disease,’’ she said.

“We look forward to increasing our connections within the Mackay HeartKids community throughout 2022 by growing our support opportunities and options for all families impacted by congenital heart disease.”

HeartKids is the only national not-for-profit organisation focused on enhancing the quality of life and helping secure the future of all Australians impacted by congenital/childhood heart disease (CHD). Every day in Australia eight babies are born with congenital heart disease and sadly four lives are lost each week.

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) North Australia chief executive officer Tamara South said she sincerely appreciated the generous support the local community had shown for the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Mackay.

“We are delighted by and incredibly grateful for the generous support the entire Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday communities have shown for the Mackay Capital Campaign,” said Ms South.

“The construction of a Ronald McDonald Family Room in Mackay will make an immense difference to the lives of local families. It will give families with sick or injured kids a place where they can rest and recuperate and enjoy a much-needed break from the clinical environment of the hospital.”

Mayor Williamson said the 2022 event was off to a fantastic start, with corporate sponsorship of nearly $50,000 locked in.

Platinum partners, including long-term sponsor DGH Engineering, Fergus and Daly Bay are back onboard.

Gold sponsors include Allure Laser and Skin Studio, Southern Cross Industrial Group and Champ. Bronze sponsors are Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure, Shoal Point Waters By Pointglen and Mortar Finance.

Media partners include 7 News Mackay, Daily Mercury, Hit 100.3 and Triple M 98.7, as well as Tropical Exposure.

Inkind assistance is also provided by Signarama and In The Booth.

The Mayor’s Charity Golf Day, hosted by Rotary Club of Mackay and sponsored by Enlightened Financial Solutions, will be held the day before the Ball on Friday, May 13.