Top 10 things to do around the region this week...

Published: 16 Jan 2019

Don’t miss the last week of Movie Matinees, Curious Creature Creations, Re-Purposed Pot Planters at Mackay Regional Council Libraries to keep the kids entertained as the school holidays start to come to an end.

1) Movie Matinees

Gordon White Library
January 18, 2pm - 4pm - Christopher Robin
January 25, 2pm - 4pm - Small Foot

Children aged five to 12 years are invited to join us for movie matinees these school holidays at Gordon White Library. Bookings are essential and can be made online at www.mackay.qld.gov.au/whatson

2) Curious Creature Creations

> Dudley Denny City Library
Thursday, January 17, 10am - 11am
> Sarina Library
Friday, January 18, 10am - 11am

Children aged five to 12 years old, create some curious creatures these school holidays at our craft sessions. Choose from a variety of supplies to create your very own curious creatures. Book online at www.mackay.qld.gov.au/whatson

3) Re-Purposed Pot Planters and BYO Picnic and Recycling Relay (5 - 12 years old)

Gordon White Library
Tuesday, January 22, 10am – 11am (picnic 11am)

Join our friends from Mackay Community Gardens and Auscan Worm Farms in a planting activity with a purpose. Children are to bring along an old toy, interesting container, tea cup or small boot to re-purpose into a creative and fun pot plant. BYO picnic morning tea and stay on after the planting activity for a snack and to participate in a recycling relay. Learn where your scraps should go and implement your new knowledge at home! Access to free events is only one of the benefits of library membership. If you are not already a library member, please join at https://library.mackay.qld.gov.au/Montage/Join.aspx

4) VR & AR Workshops

> Sarina Library
January 21, 2pm - 4pm
> Walkerston Library
January 22, 10am - noon
> Mirani Library
January 22, 2pm - 4pm
> Dudley Denny City Library
January 23, 2pm - 4pm
> Gordon White Library
January 24, 2pm - 4pm

Young adults aged 12 to 18! Bend the world to your desire! Use our equipment to experiment with Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality technologies. Where can you go? What can you create? Book online from Wednesday, January 2 at www.mackay.qld.gov.au/whatson

5) Painting Competition

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens  
Until January 25  

This is a fantastic opportunity for your children to have their artwork showcased in the February Lagoons Gallery art exhibition and also win a $50 Australian Geographic gift voucher. The competition is open to children aged 10 -17 years old. Use your imagination to create a piece of hand painted canvas art that reflects the theme, “nature”. As part of the exhibition we will ask members of the public to vote on their favoured art work. For more information, please contact the Visitor Services Officer on phone (07) 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au - http://bit.ly/2R1bXZR

6) QAGOMA's APT9 Kids on Tour

Artspace Mackay
Gallery hours until Friday, January 25

The Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) brings the interactive project APT9 Kids on Tour to Artspace Mackay! APT9 Kids on Tour includes activities developed by the Children’s Art Centre in collaboration with artists Pauline Kimei Anis (Bougainville), Sadik Kwaish Alfraji (Iraq/The Netherlands), Gary Carsley (Australia/The Netherlands), Nona Garcia (The Philippines), Vincent Namatjira (Australia) and Jakkai Siributr (Thailand). These activities are specially designed for children and families, enabling Queensland communities to enjoy key elements of the original exhibition at their local venue.

7) Summer Reading Club

Mackay Regional Council Libraries
Until January 25

The Summer Reading Club is on again! With a “Curious Creatures!” theme, this summer’s club is packed full of fun and creativity. Participation in the Summer Reading Club is free and is a fun and safe program to keep the kids busy this summer. All children who register for the Summer Reading Club go into a national draw to win 1 of 8 iPods. There are online competitions to participate in, reading logs to complete and submit into a prize draw plus competitions and activities at your library. Register at any of our library branches or online at - www.summerreadingclub.org.au/theclub/registration. View our reading list at bit.ly/2RmP4vE

8) Mackay in Pictures, Through My Eyes by Jeff Jones Foto GraphiX

Lagoons Gallery located in the Botanic Gardens Cafe
Until Sunday, January 27

Local photographer Jeff Jones invites you to come and see his various works from around the Mackay Region. Jeff hopes he will raise people’s awareness about the conservation of our stunning local ecosystems and hopes that he is able to inspire others to get outdoors and appreciate our local region as much as he does. https://bit.ly/2klU2Nc

9) Bocce with a Buddy

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens, Malta Gardens
Monday to Friday until January 29. 9am to 5pm

Enjoy a game of bocce or croquet with a friend on our sand bocce court. Bocce sets are available for hire from Gardens Administration. Cost: $5 for hire of bocce set with a $50 cash only deposit http://bit.ly/2SDobUU

10) Bluewater Lagoon

River Street, Mackay
Open 7 days, 9am – 5.45pm

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.

Reminders:

2019 Australia Day Awards Gala Dinner

MECC Plenary Halls
Friday, January 25, 2019, 6pm

P. Comino and Sons and Mackay Regional Council present the 2019 Australia Day Gala Dinner. Join us and say thanks to those individuals or groups that help make our region great. The Australia Day Awards celebrate and recognise our local heroes. Doors open at 6pm, with the official ceremony starting at 6.30pm. https://bit.ly/2CYHjY4

2019 Australia Day Community Events

Saturday, January 26, 2019  
Grab your stubbies and thongs and celebrate Australia Day at one of 10 council supported events across the Mackay region! From lamington and pie eating competitions to water slides and jumping castles, there’s something for everyone. The Aussie themed events will take place on Australia Day 2019 (Saturday, January 26) at Andergrove, East Mackay, Eimeo, Habana, Mackay Harbour, North Mackay, Pioneer Valley, Sarina, Slade Point and South Mackay. For all events and details, visit http://bit.ly/2Vp03Hp