Top 10 things to do...

1) A Roomful of Zzzzzz’s Bedtime Stories

Thursday, January 16, 5pm – 6pm
Gordon White Library
A fun evening out for all children and their families, the session features stories, songs and a craft activity. Don’t forget to wear your PJ’s! For children aged 0 – 8 years and their families.

2) Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Thursday, January 16, 5pm – 6.30pm
Dudley Denny City Library
Save money and the environment! Mackay Regional Council’s Sustainability officer will talk about the importance of environmental sustainability projects in the Mackay region and find out more about saving money on your electricity bills with a local solar provider available for Q&A. To find out more visit http://bit.ly/2FJG4wH

3) Take a Moment

Friday, January 17, 11.30am - noon
Dudley Denny City Library
Start 2020 with a more mindful approach. Come along and learn the techniques of breathing and meditation, and the amazing benefits they can have in your everyday life. For more details visit http://bit.ly/3703j1i

4) Night at the Library (7 – 17 years old)

Monday, January 20, 5pm – 6.30pm
Gordon White Library
Discover secret library business when the doors close at night. Receive a backstage pass to discover and participate in a variety of activities, robotics, storytelling and block building. This free program offers a welcoming, low-sensory and non-judgemental space for all family members. To find out more visit http://bit.ly/37UJ0m6

5) Intercept Mackay’s Marine Debris

Wednesday, January 22, 10am – 12.30pm
Caneland Park, Mangrove Road (next to Bluewater Lagoon)
Join Reef Catchments and Cleanwater Australia to audit the litter traps in the Mackay CBD. It is estimated that seven billion tonne of litter enters the ocean each year. At this event we will sort the rubbish that our litter traps have intercepted on the way down the Mackay CBD drains. Contact Cass Hayward at cass.hayward@reefcatchments.com or call 0429 155 841 to RSVP.

6) Summer Reading Club – “A Roomful of Stories”

Until Friday, January 24, 2020
The Summer Reading Club is on again! Participation in the Summer Reading Club is free and is a great way to keep the kids busy and reading over the school holidays. There are online competitions to participate in, reading logs to complete and submit into prize draws, a 40-day reading challenge plus competitions and activities at your library. Register online or ask for assistance at any one of our library branches.

7) Summer Holiday Art: Artspace Mackay

Until Saturday, January 25
10am – 5pm Tuesday to Friday
10am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday
Artspace Workshop Room
North Queensland Bulk Ports and Artspace Mackay present the Summer Holiday Art for all ages program. It is a free drop-in art activity for families and people of all ages to experiment, create, and have fun using shiny aluminium embossing shim. A simple manual embossing tool and a variety of colourful craft materials to make your own mobile, wall decoration or small metallic masterpiece to take home. Come along and drop-in anytime, stay for a few hours or a few minutes. (Children under 13 years old must be supervised by an adult). For more information call 4961 9722 or visit artspacemackay.com.au

8) A Sense of Place by Margaret Worthington

Until Sunday, January 26, 2020  
Lagoons Gallery – Botanic Gardens Café
Tree kangaroos have always fascinated Margaret. During her visit to far north Queensland, she stayed with a tree kangaroo carer. Margaret also spent time exploring the Crater Lakes National Park, watching birds and studying plants. Margaret wanted to capture how special tree kangaroos and other inhabitants are in the ecosystem of the Tablelands Wet Rainforest. This exhibition consists of Dobby the Young Tree Kangaroo book and the watercolour paintings used in the book. There are also a series of contemporary aluminium sculptures fabricated by Margaret Worthington and Clive Rouse. Find out more at http://bit.ly/2DIPnff

9) Bluewater Lagoon

Open 7 days, 9am – 5.45pm
River Street, Mackay
Cool down and splash around with the whole family at the free, three-tiered Bluewater Lagoon. Overlooking the picturesque Pioneer River in the heart of the Mackay City Centre, the facilities provide the ideal stinger-free environment for kids and adults alike. Kids will love the waterfall, drop-bucket and wading pool! Pop into Pancake Bliss for a delicious breakfast or lunch. For more details visit mackay.qld.gov.au/bluewaterlagoon

10) Tibbles Hide and Seek – Self-guided activity

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Bring the kids for a visit to the Botanic Gardens to find Tibbles, the resident gnome. He has hidden a series of letters which spell a secret word. Find Tibbles to spell the word. Pick-up an activity sheet from the Gardens Administration and begin your hunt through the lush Tropical Shade Garden…can you find them all?

Reminders:

A Roomful of Popcorn: Angry Bird Movie 2

Gordon White Library
Friday, January 24, 2pm – 4pm
Red, Chuck, Bomb and the rest of their feathered friends are surprised when a green pig suggests that they put aside their differences and unite to fight a common threat. Aggressive birds from an island covered in ice are planning to use an elaborate weapon to destroy the fowl and swine way of life. After picking their best and brightest, the birds and pigs come up with a scheme to infiltrate the island, deactivate the device and return to their respective paradises intact. Book your place at http://bit.ly/2tU6NUq

Artist Talk: Barbara Dover and Robyn Glade-Wright

Artspace Mackay
Thursday, January 23, 6pm – 7.30pm
Join Cairns artists Barbara Dover and Robyn Glade-Wright as they discuss their touring exhibition, Disquiet: Ecological Anxieties and Transformations. Featuring large-scale sculptures made from discarded plastics and other ocean debris, the show highlights urgent ecological threats to the marine environment. The artists will discuss their long-term engagement with environmental concerns in their art practices, raising awareness of the destructive impact of this ‘age of plastic’ we are living in. This is a free event - ages 13+ are encouraged to attend! More details visit http://bit.ly/3a70VI2