Top 10 things to do around the region

1) 7 steps to build an effective business website

Friday, May 17, 9am to 11am
Bob Wood Cultural Hall, Broad Street, Sarina
Give your business a digital advantage! Are you a small business with 0-19 employees? ASBAS Digital Solutions QLD offers low cost, high quality workshops to help you build your online presence and compete in a digital world. You will learn the best hosting solutions, how to register a domain name, a plan to build and design your website, how to promote your website and a guide to maintaining your website. More information or register: http://bit.ly/2WJ6Qw3

2) Mackay Musical Comedy Players presents The Wizard of Oz

Friday, May 17, 8pm
Saturday, May 18, 2pm & 8pm
MECC Auditorium
Following on from their smash hit “Wicked” in 2017, MMCP brings to Mackay audiences the other side of the story, thanks to Optus Mackay! Dorothy Gale is swept away in a tornado from a farm in Kansas to the fantastical world of Oz. There, she makes new friends, battles evil witches, and embarks on a quest to see the all-powerful and mysterious Wizard who can help her return home and help her friends as well. This magical re-interpretation of The Wizard of Oz will have you smiling all the way home from the theatre.

3) Jayco Mackay Italian Street Party

Saturday, May 18, 3pm to 9pm
Mackay City Centre, Wood Street & Victoria Streets
Come along and be entertained by Pavarotti and the Diva, Domenico Taraborrelli, the Latin Mafia, Attori plus plenty of local Italian talents. From traditional Italian Folk Dancing, pizza tossing demonstrations to spaghetti eating competition kids Italian cooking classes and crafts. There will be something there for everyone and who doesn’t love amazing Italian food and drinks. Come dressed in the Italian colours red, white and green! https://bit.ly/2DVU4D1

4) Zach Mach Adventure Challenge 2019

Saturday, May 18, 8am to 5pm
Pioneer Valley
A fun, action packed Adventure for the whole Family based in the beautiful Pioneer Valley. MINI MACH: 3k Ride - 2k Run - 3k Ride. A perfect entry level course for participants of all abilities with a MTB and Trail Run to and through the Pioneer River! Ages 8+
FULL MACH: 30k MTB, 10k Kayak, 10k Trail Run, 30k Cycle. MTB the mountains, KAYAK with Barra on Teemburra Dam, RUN with Butterflies in the Rainforest near Cattle Creek and ROAD RIDE past historic Cane Farms. www.zachmach.com

5) Try the 5 – Gym/Personal Training

May 18 to May 26  
Various locations in the Mackay region
Get active this May and you could win $6000 in fitness prizes! Check out these great events and activities during the second week of Try the 5 - Adrenaline Sports. Don't forget to take a photo/video while getting active and share it on social media with the hashtag #trythe5 or upload to the council website to WIN!

6) Flood Study Survey

> Sandy Creek Catchment: Sunday, May 19, 11am to 2pm at North Eton CWA Hall
> Rocky Dam: Saturday, May 25, 1pm to 4pm at Koumala Community Hall
> Funnel Creek: Sunday, May 26, 1pm to 4pm at CWA Hall, Sarina Range
Council is preparing a flood study for Sandy Creek and we want to know how flood waters impacted residents in Eton, North Eton, Drapers, Homebush and Oakenden. Your information on the flooding during the Cyclone Debbie event (March 27-29, 2017) is important – please bring rainfall records from and photos of the flood (preferably on USB, however a scanner will be available). Even if you don’t live in this catchment, we still want to hear from you – this information may inform future flood studies. For more information, or to do the online survey, please go to www.connectingmackay.com.au

7) National Simultaneous Storytime “Alpacas with Maracas”

> Wednesday, May 22, 10am to 11am at Sarina Library
> Wednesday, May 22, 10.30am to 11am at Gordon White Library
National Simultaneous Storytime is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 19th year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy. This event is in support of Australian Library and Information Week. http://bit.ly/2JngnG7

8) Djuki Mala

Thursday, May 23, 7.30pm
MECC Auditorium
A vibrant celebration of ingenuity and energy. Energetic, hilarious, ground breaking. Direct from North East Arnhem Land, Indigenous dance sensations and landmark dance/theatre company that took the world by storm present their internationally acclaimed smash hit production.

9) Birds of Botanic Gardens exhibition

Until May 26
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Birdlife Mackay came to life after Birds Australia and the Bird Observers Club of Australia (BOCA) amalgamated in 2012. The Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens is fast becoming one of the best birding locations in the area. As the plants develop steadily over time and improve the habitat for wildlife, so too will the bird list grow. Ten of our keenest photographers were sought and asked if they’d supply two photos of birds that they’ve seen and photographed at the gardens. https://bit.ly/2Zvymiv

10) ANZAC Day Exhibition

Until May 31
Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre, Community Hub
In the lead up to ANZAC Day, there will be a pop-up exhibition illustrating history from the First World War, and its legacy in Mackay. It will take you on a journey into the past through a series of historical photos from the Mackay Regional Council Heritage Collection, and learn about the history of Mackay war stories, the ANZAC's and our local soldiers. Open during centre trading hours. https://bit.ly/2Gyoqw1

Reminders:

Mayor’s Charity Ball

Saturday, May 25  
MECC Plenary Halls  
The Mayor’s Charity Ball, a major initiative of Mackay Sunrise Rotary Club, has raised more than $500,000 to support local charities since its inception 15 years ago. Mackay Regional Council and the MECC are playing a larger role in the organisation of this year’s ball, forming an organising committee with Sunrise Rotary Club. Funds will be directed towards providing extra resources to help Mackay children impacted by family and domestic violence. Tickets include a three-course dinner and drinks. Entertainment by Stylus Crew and speed painter, Gavin Bell.

Winged Wonders’ Live Butterfly Display

Friday, May 24 to June 1
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Come along and discover what flutters in the Botanic Gardens. For a limited time, Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens Visitor Information Centre will be transformed into a live butterfly display. Come down to see some of our local treasures up close and personal. All children under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult. Cost by gold coin donation.
Weekdays: 9am to 4pm and weekends: 10am to 2pm. http://bit.ly/2WLcqhh