Mackay Mayor’s Charity Ball

The 2023 Mayor's Charity Ball was a huge success!  

The 2023 Ball raised more than $90,000 for our two local charities and the event has now donated more than $1 million for charity!

This year’s funds have been split equally between Australian Street Aid Project and Ronald McDonald House Charities Mackay Family Room, with each receiving $45,529.01.

The funds were announced and officially presented to representatives of Australian Street Aid Project and Ronald McDonald House Charities at a council morning tea on May 30 to thank all our sponsors.

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) are planning to use the funds to assist with operational costs of the RMHC Family Room in Mackay and Australian Street Aid Project will use the funds to help support people experiencing homelessness in the Mackay region.

All sponsors were also presented with certificates of appreciation for their support at the morning tea.

The Ball was formerly organised by Sunrise Rotary Club of Mackay and raised about $600,000 over 15 years before the reins were handed over to council, the MECC and a community committee.

It has since raised about $410,000, including $91,000, to be split between two local charities, earlier this month at the MECC.

If your business would like to come on board as a sponsor for the 2024 event, or if you're interested in donating an item for the auction to help raise funds for local charities, please email communications@mackay.qld.gov.au.

History of the Mayor’s Charity Ball

The Mackay Mayor’s Charity Ball raised more than $600,000 for charity during 15 years when Sunrise Rotary Club of Mackay was at the helm.

Council and the MECC played a greater role in organisation since the 2019 ball, joining Sunrise Rotary Club representatives on an organising committee.

That year’s ball was the most successful to that time, including record corporate sponsorship of $50,000, record attendance and a record amount raised for charity.

More than $121,000, including a donation of $50,000 on the night by the Mackay Foundation, was raised to assist Mackay kids experiencing trauma through domestic and family violence and sexual abuse. The funds were donated to the Domestic Violence Resource Service (DVRS) to reach more children in need through additional counselling services.

That year’s ball also marked the 10th year of involvement of one of its major sponsors DGH Engineering.

Sunrise Rotary Club then decided the time was right to hand over the baton to council, the MECC and a community organising committee for future balls.

The 2020 Mayor’s Ball was postponed due to COVID.

Held in 2021, it was again a huge success, attracting a record attendance of 422, and raising nearly $100,000 for charity.

These proceeds were split 50-50 between DVRS and HeartKids Mackay.

The 2022 Mayor’s Charity Ball, which had a disco theme, was held at the MECC on Saturday, May 14 and once again smashed records.

The Ball raised a record amount of $135,121 (including GST), which was split equally between that year's two beneficiaries.

HeartKids Mackay and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), which was building the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Mackay Base Hospital, each received $60,804.

Funds raised to date

Thanks to our sponsors!