Top 10 things to do around the region

Published: 14 Mar 2022

With regular programs resuming and the weather starting to cool off, it’s a great chance to get out again or catch up with your neighbour for a cuppa. Check out the great events coming up this week.

1) Library book sale

Until Thursday, March 17
Gordon White Library
Bag a bargain at the members-only book sale as the libraries clean-up their excess collection. There will be a great selection on offer, with everything from bestsellers to books on gardening, craft and cooking and all for $1 each, $5 for a small bag or $10 for large bag or box. Pre-book tickets via Eventbrite for each person attending, including children. All the details are on Mackay Regional Council Libraries’ Facebook page or call 4961 9387.

2) Conversations with art 

Friday, March 18, 1pm to 2.30pm
Artspace Mackay
Join in the free and enjoyable discussion led by Artspace Mackay staff as they look at images of traditional and contemporary artworks from gallery and museum collections from around the world. Visit their Facebook events page for more information.

3) Falun Gong Classes

Saturday, March 19, 9am to 11am
Tropical Sun Lawn, Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Soak in the morning sun and enjoy the fresh air as you experience relaxation, meditation, inner peace and health through movement. Falun Gong classes are a regular event at the Gardens. Find out more on their Facebook page.

4) Photo Walkabout at the Botanic Gardens

Sunday, March 20, 9am to 11am
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Do you love capturing interesting photos with your camera or smart phone? This month’s Photo Walkabout workshop is focussing on "What lies on the forest floor?". Open to all photographers from beginners to advanced, it is a free activity for anyone to join. To book your spot, phone Kim on 4952 7321 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au. Visit their Facebook event for more information.

5) Bjorn Again – Mamma Mia! We are back again tour

Sunday, March 20, 7.30pm
The MECC Auditorium
Dust off those flares, platform shoes and satins and get ready to sing, dance and have the time of your life as they play ABBA’s biggest hits in an action-packed, highly entertaining concert that is ABBA-SOLUTE fun for the whole family and is not one to be missed! Book online at www.themecc.com.au.

6) Library programs for babies and toddlers  

Visit our library branches for some creative and educational programs for the young ones. Bookings are required through Eventbrite.

> Baby Bounce  
Monday, March 21, 9.30am at Mirani Library
Tuesday, March 22, 9.30am at Sarina Library
Tuesday, March 22, 11am at Walkerston Library
Promotes language development in babies from birth to walking. Session features nursery rhymes, finger plays and songs. It's never too early to talk, read and tell stories with your child.

> Toddler Time
Monday, March 21, 9.30am at Sarina Library
Monday, March 21, 9.30am at Gordon White Library  
Wednesday, March 23, 9.30am at Mirani Library
Promotes early language and literacy development for toddlers up to two-and-a-half. Session features nursery rhymes, finger plays and songs.

7) Cuppa with your neighbour

Friday, March 18, 9am to 11am at St Helen’s Beach https://bit.ly/3hZN8bv
Monday, March 21, 8am to 10am at Armstrong Street, Farleigh https://bit.ly/3t0Tkq3
Come along and join in a cuppa with your neighbour to celebrate Neighbour Day 2022 (March 27). This is a series of free events being held by council in various communities where Community Development Officers will be there to have a chat and share more info on activities happening in your neighbourhood.

8) Artspace Mackay Exhibitions
www.artspacemackay.com.au

Hom Swit Hom Exhibition by Jasmine Togo-Brisby
Until Sunday, March 27
Main Gallery and Foundation Gallery, Artspace Mackay
Contemporary Australian South Sea Islander artist Jasmine Togo-Brisby examines Australia’s dark history of plantation colonisation through a range of techniques, from photography and filmmaking to sculpture. Hom Swit Hom invites us to consider the history and contemporary legacy of blackbirding from the viewpoint of the people whose identity is intrinsically connected to this narrative.

Boundless Exhibition by Dylan Mooney
Until Sunday, March 20
Foyer Gallery, Artspace Mackay
Yuwi, Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander artist Dylan Mooney explores intersections between identity and ancestry in Boundless, a combination of graphic illustration and mixed media work. 'Queer, Blak and Here,’ Mooney’s first major series of graphic illustrations, narrate the artists’ lived experience of love within the queer community. Mooney also looks to his South Sea Islander heritage in a new series of portraits rendered in sugar. This symbolic choice of material draws attention to the artist's familial legacy in the Mackay region, starting a dialogue about contemporary Australian South Sea Islander identity.

9) Sarina Arts Gallery exhibition

Until Friday, April 1, 10am to 3pm
Sarina Art Gallery, Field of Dreams Parklands
Don’t miss local artists including Susan Day, Brigitte Zimmerman, Kerry Williams, Tia Gabriellah, Jenny Tibbett, Naomi Oxborough and Lenore Chapple as they showcase art pieces as part of the first Sarina Arts Gallery exhibition for 2022. Entry is free. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

10) "Botanic Gardens Captured" Photo Exhibition

Until Sunday, April 17, 9am to 2pm
Lagoons Gallery, Botanic Gardens Café
Visit this amazing display of the Botanic Gardens Photo Walkabout group, showcasing a selection of fantastic images captured within the gardens, all while enjoying the tasty offerings at the Botanic Gardens Café. The café is open Wednesday to Friday, 9am to 2pm, and weekends, 8am to 4pm. Visit the Gardens’ Facebook events page for more information.

Reminders:

My Legendary Neighbour competition
Nominations close Monday, March 21
To celebrate Neighbour Day 2022, we are asking you – what is great about your relationship with your neighbour/neighbourhood?  Simply submit a My Legendary Neighbour nomination for your chance to win a wonderful prize to share with your legendary neighbour, including Weber Premium Family Q Barbecue from Porters Mitre 10, a Deli Nook platter and a Sinclair Meats barbecue pack. The winner will be announced on Friday, March 25. Find out more at mackay.qld.gov.au/mylegendaryneighbour

The MECC presents Dirty Laundry
Saturday, April 2, 7.30pm
MECC Plenary Halls
After 10 years of selling out festivals worldwide, the Briefs boys are back with their hills hoist poised ready to air their Dirty Laundry in this brand-new party cabaret you don’t want to miss out on.With more glitter stains and ballsy attitude than ever before, your favourite Briefs misfits give you a night of intoxicating physicality, gob-smacking comedy, unapologetic truths and ridiculous showmanship. Tickets available at www.mecc.com.au