Top 10 free Australia Day events in Mackay region

“We like to connect with the community and we like to give the community some free activities,’’ said Chris Laval, an organiser of the inaugural Sladie’s Australia Day.

“The beach is a huge part of Australia Day,’’ he said.

“We’ll be having beach volleyball in Ram Chandra Park, as well as a sausage sizzle and music.”

Anyone is welcome to attend the Sladie’s Australia Day at the Beach event.

The activities are close to the spectacular Lamberts Lookout. The Seabreeze Hotel at the other end of the esplanade also has Australia Day-themed activities.

Sladie’s Australia Day at the Beach is one of 10 council-supported free events being held across the Mackay region on Saturday.

Organisers were successful in receiving grants from council to assist with their events.

Many of the council-supported events are being held in beaches or parks throughout the region.

Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club’s A Family Day at the Beach event, held for the first time last year, returns.

A new Fishing and Games at the Beach Event, hosted by Lifeline Mackay, will be held at Binnington Esplanade at Town Beach from 10am to 2pm.

Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club’s Aussie Day at Harbour Beach and Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club’s Australia Day @ Sarina Beach events also return this year.

The popular Habana “Beach” Party is also back after becoming a regular fixture on the Mackay region’s Australia Day calendar in recent years.

The Sladie’s Australia Day at the Beach is the latest in a list of events the Slade Point Neighbourhood Watch Community Group has staged. Others have ranged from a Musical Moonlight Soiree to a Uke & Drums By the Beach event.

The success of the events and the experience gained could lead to a “whale festival” being organised in the future.

“We’d like that to be an annual event and something quite spectacular,’’ Mr Laval said.

“That event would celebrate whale watching season and would also bring awareness and education about conservation and the environment.”