Kim says she’s looking forward to making the most of being nominated but it’s not why she does what she does.

“I think I just love waking up and putting on the outrageous dresses that I wear,” she laughed.

“But all of that – my dresses, my fruit and veggie shoes, my big earrings, it all adds to the engagement and the start of a conversation, so there’s method to my madness.

“I’m so passionate about it, I just love it. I just feel like I can make a difference and I am making a difference.”

Active Squirtz mainly run programs through community centres, kindergartens and early learning centres throughout the region.

To find out more about Active Squirtz and where you can find Kim, visit www.activesquirtz.com.au.

To vote for Kim and Active Squirtz, visit www.whatson4kids.com.au/awards/awards-voting.

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Friday 8 July

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

Knock off drinks, lakeside dinner, good friends, and LIVE MUSIC.

Wake House Australia

The Festival Hub

Friday, 6pm to 9pm

Festival Hub, located on our picturesque Pioneer River will feature live entertainment and family fun for all ages on select dates during the July school holidays. With live musicians, roving street performers, food options and a licenced bar – take a seat, relax, and enjoy the festival atmosphere. This is a free ticketed event for all ages.

Bluewater Quay, Brisbane Street Mackay

Read the Room

Friday, 7.30pm

A quiz panel show where the audience answer curly questions live through their phones while guest contestants try to work out which way the room will swing. It’s fun, cheeky, clever and hilarious. From ‘would you rather’, moral dilemmas, comparing the audience to national averages… it could get messy, but we promise it will be hilarious! Each night has a new panel of contestants, so come and support your favourite team and see if they can Read the Room!

$35 admission

Lush Room, Ambassador Hotel

Saturday 9 July

The Platypus Paddle 2022

Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10

Mackay's annual two-day SUP/OCEAN SKI/OUTRIGGER competitive races including the technical surf battle, flat-water sprints, free community clinic, short (5km) and Long (10km) courses. Visit the Facebook event page for more information.

Mackay Surf Life Saving Club

PDRC Champs 2022 and Rotary Feature

Saturday, 12:00pm to 9:00pm

Palmyra Drag Racing club are proud to be bringing ROTARY POWER to Mackay again in 2022 along with a full field of our 2022 Championship brackets! PRO ROTARY - With some big HP engines in small light weight cars these guys now how to put on a show! STREET ROTARY - Street registered Rotary powered machines, some hitting the 1/4 mile for the first time! Spectators: $20 at the gate, cash or card. Gates open at 8:00am, racing from 12:00pm until approx 8:00pm.

Palmyra Drag Racing Club Inc

Bluewater Fling 2022

Saturday, 1:30pm to 5:00pm

Gather your clan and celebrate Scottish culture at the Bluewater Fling in Mackay Saturday 9th of July! See bagpipes, drums, scottish rock, celtic folk, heilan dancing and much mair.

Jings, crivens, help ma boab!! You won't want to miss this FREE, fun day out for all ages!

Bluewater Quay

Sunset Launch Party

Saturday, 5:00pm

BE Social and Rhythm & The Reef are teaming up for a big one at The Ambassador Hotel! Join two of Mackay's favourite events as they celebrate the return of Festivals throughout Australia! Sunset Launch Party featuring Yolanda Be Cool with Support From Benny Frank (RCK), AVNU (TSV), Clovr, Cherry, Pacey, Shieldsy (TSV), Caleb Pace.

The Ambassador Hotel

1950-60s Las Vegas Casino Ball

Saturday, 6:30pm to late

Pioneer Valley Classic Car Club Presents 1950-60's Las Vegas Charity Ball. Proceeds to Dragons Abreast Mackay. Tickets $60pp, bevy on arrival, canape's throughout the night. $5000 of casino chips, silent Auction and live music with The Two Maoris. Dress code strictly 1950-60’s formal.

Souths Leagues Club Mackay

Sunday 10 July

Bullet Bikes Superstore presents Motorcycle Beach Races

Sunday, 9:30am

It's On Again! Who will be King of the Beach? Join the Motorcycle Beach Races for a fun family community event held in the Mackay region for over 90 years. Methanol fuelled action under tropical skies. Gates open for competitors at 6am with racing starting from 10am. Mini Eat Street, Jumping Castles, Trade Displays and more. Tickets online now. Check out www.motorcyclebeachraces.com.au for more information

Grasstree Beach

Sunday Live Music – The Feels

Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Music every Sunday from 2pm - 5pm. Head down to the Seabreeze Hotel this Sunday for some fresh tunes, delicious food, and ice-cold brews.

Seabreeze Hotel

Passport To Airlie Mackay 2022 – Round 1

Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Passport to Airlie is one of the most exciting moments around Airlie Beach Festival of Music, giving the audience not only a taste of the music we all love and know but displaying the talents of some incredible up-and-coming Australian artists. Mackay will have three heats and a final before deciding which artist will be announced as the winner. All regional winners will be awarded with accommodation and VIP tickets to the festival in November.

Harrup Park

Monday 11 July

‘Dinosaurs Ruled’ self-guided quiz

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm during school holidays

Calling all dinosaur lovers! Have you ever wondered about the type of plants dinosaurs ate? Grab a ‘Dinosaurs Ruled’ quiz sheet from Botanic Gardens Visitor Information (Administration) and find out as you venture along the Coal Garden pathways, exploring dinosaur footprints, petrified wood and plants like those from ancient times.

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Tibbles Hunt in the Tropical Shade Garden

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm during school holidays

Pick up your activity sheet and wander the pathways to find Tibbles and decode the latest message he has for you!

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Bocce in the Gardens

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm

Did you know we have a sand bocce court in the Malta Garden? Bring your own set and play or hire a set of bocce balls from Botanic Gardens Visitor Information for just $5 a set. Hire is available weekdays 9am to 4pm or play at your leisure with your own set at any time.

Malta Garden’s Bocce Court

Wednesday 13 July

Mackay Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday, 6:30am to 10:30am

The market is a showcase of our region’s amazing produce direct from the farmer.

Bluewater Quay

Thursday 14 July

DBCT Kids’ Theatre Season 2022 presents Alphabet of Awesome Science

Thursday, 1:00pm and 6:00pm

Debuting to rave reviews as part of the 2019 Adelaide Fringe, The Alphabet of Awesome Science uses BIG words to inspire BIG science – with a performance that’s equal parts explosive, messy, spectacular, hilarious, fascinating and gross. Professor Lexi Con has curated a collection of her absolutely favourite words – one for every letter of the alphabet. Each word provides Professor Noel Edge with an inspirational jumping off point for 26 quirky, (sometimes ‘explody’!) scientific demonstrations.

MECC

Artist's Talk: In Conversation with Shelley Engwirda

Thursday, 6:00pm

Join Mackay artist Shelley Engwirda as she talks about her exhibition We Rise on show in the Foyer Gallery at Artspace Mackay. Inspired by her experience as a new grandmother, Engwirda explores the way female artists have been regarded historically. For this exhibition she examines the success and failures of the women’s movement through her multidisciplinary practice. The artist’s large scale patchwork quilts alongside glass work respond to what she considers major moments in the women’s movement from the 1970s to present.

Foyer Gallery, Artspace Mackay

Luke Kidgell

Thursday, 6:45pm and 9:00pm

Australia's most loved comedian* Luke Kidgell, is back on tour with his brand-new show 'Cheers to that!' (*not a fact, just a personal opinion of Luke's). After a big year in 2021 dodging lockdowns and attending almost every pub in the country, Luke has some tales to tell.

Mackay Northern Beaches Bowls Club

The Vicar of Dibley 2

Thursday, 7:30pm to 10:00pm

The sequel to Kucom Theatre's highly successful 2018 season, "The Vicar of Dibley 2" will feature the wedding of Alice and Hugo, Geraldine’s romance with David Horton's younger brother, and the Dibley Nativity play. "The Vicar of Dibley 2" is a Mackay Festival Fringe event, opening Thursday, July 14 and running until Saturday, July 23.

Kucom Theatre

Wonder Rooms

Thursday, July 7, to Sunday, July 10

Thursday, July 14, to Sunday, July 17

Thursday, July 21, to Sunday, July 24

Shipping containers converted into vibrant selfie museums, Wonder Rooms will awe visitors with their creative and unique backdrops. Get your camera ready for a day of exploration, with the Wonder Rooms set up across the region, from the Bluewater Quay to Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens, Melba House to Sarina Field of Dreams and Slade Point’s Ram Chandra Park – all with different themes! Travel the region, take a selfie and tag @mackay_festivals

5 locations to explore

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Artspace Mackay is usually a quiet place to study works of art, but that changed with the opening of a new exhibition last Friday.

“Material Sound” will have gallery visitors immersed in a cacophony of sound created by a myriad of materials.

It features newly commissioned work by artists Vicky Browne, Pia van Gelder, Caitlin Franzmann, Peter Blamey, Vincent and Vaughan Wozniak-O’Connor and Ross Manning.

Each of these artists’ work investigates sound and materials within art and performance.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the show would really appeal to families.

“All six works make their own sounds – many are interactive, and they are kinetic works based on movement that encourages audience participation,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Together they will make their own blend of sounds that will have a real impact when you walk into the Main Gallery,” he said.

Material Sound curator Caleb Kelley said this show differed from many shows in that it was an exhibition in an art gallery that was primarily focused on sound.

“There is plenty to look at – there’s installation, there’s movement, there’s interaction – but what we are doing in this show is listening to the exhibition,” Mr Kelley said.  

“The artists are all working with sound; they’re all working with ways of thinking about materials through sound,” he said.

“And, by listening, we learn something that we can’t by just looking.”

Also on show, in the Foyer Gallery, is the exciting exhibition We Rise by prominent local artist Shelley Engwirda.

Artspace Mackay director Tracey Heathwood said Shelley explored feminism and looked at the success and failures of the women’s movement in We Rise.

“She has these beautiful large scale patchwork quilts alongside glass work,” Ms Heathwood said.

“With these works she responds to what she considers major moments in the women’s movement from the 1970s to the present,” she said.

Ms Heathwood said the final new exhibition which opened last Friday was Nathalie Hartog-Gautier: Looking for Paradise, a show that brings refugee experiences to the fore via artists’ books and digital animation.

“Hartog-Gautier highlights Australia’s responsibility as a first signatory of the United Nations Human Rights Charter and examines the treatment of asylum seekers in Australia,” she said.

Shelley Engwirda will deliver an artist’s talk at 6pm on Thursday, July 14.

Tickets are free and available at www.artspacemackay.eventbrite.com

Material Sound is a Murray Art Museum Albury exhibition, curated by Caleb Kelly and presented nationally by Museums & Galleries of NSW. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

Ross Manning, Pixel Points (detail) 2018, Material Sound, installation view, Murray Art Museum Albury, 2018. (Photo: Tyler Grace)

On show in the Foyer Gallery is the exciting exhibition We Rise by prominent local artist Shelley Engwirda

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The festival of STEM concluded with the next generation of STEM practitioners competing in F1 in Schools, Drones and Robotics at the MECC on Wednesday, June 15.

F1 in Schools involves activities based on Formula 1 racing and tests students on project management, interviewing and racing.

The winners of F1 in Schools will now be off to the State Finals in Brisbane in October.

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Last month, ATSICHS Mackay and The Pioneer Murri Court Elders hosted the 3rd annual Mr and Miss NAIDOC pageant. Anjelina Hankin-Bero was crowned Miss NAIDOC while Mr NAIDOC was awarded to Kynan Nicholls. NAIDOC Week continues this weekend, the 2022 theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! It is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and a chance to acknowledge our history, culture and achievements.

The Mr and Miss NAIDOC pageant was held on June 22 at the Ocean International. Photo credit: SarahHearts Photography

WINNERS

MISS NAIDOC 2022 - Anjelina Hankin-Bero

MR NAIDOC 2022- Kynan Nicholls

Cultural knowledge (boy)

Runner up — Naseili Tamwoy

Winner — Kynan Nicholls

Cultural knowledge (girl)

Runner up — Cody Mann

Winner — Anjelina Hankin-Bero

Get up! Stand up! Show up! NAIDOC 2022 theme meaning (boy)

Runner up — Kynan Nicholls

Winner — Andrew Malayta

Get up! Stand up! Show up! NAIDOC 2022 Theme meaning (girl)

Runner up — Janeile Seden

Winner — Theresa Malayta

Best dressed (boy)

Runner up — Jalias Campbell

Winner — Kailu Phineasa

Best dressed (girl)

Runner up — Anita Daniel

Winner — Sophie Cruikshank

2022 Mr & Miss NAIDOC

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Friday 1 July

Clifford the Big Red Dog (PG)

Friday, 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Join us for an afternoon movie and popcorn. This event is for children aged five to 12 years. When Emily Elizabeth meets a magical animal rescuer who gives her a little red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a giant, 10-foot hound in her small New York City apartment.

Gordon White Library

Festival Hub

Friday, July 1 - Sunday July 3, 6:00pm to 9:00pm daily

Festival Hub, located on our picturesque Pioneer River, will feature live entertainment and family fun for all ages on select dates during the July school holidays. With live musicians, roving street performers, food options and a licenced bar, take a seat, relax, and enjoy the festival atmosphere. Park your car in Brisbane Street and enter the Bluewater Quay, grab a bite to eat, a drink and relax in front of the stage for a night of free entertainment.

Bluewater Quay

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

Knock off drinks, lakeside dinner, good friends, and LIVE MUSIC.

Wake House Australia

Bliss n Eso

Friday, 7:00pm to 10:30pm

Illusive Presents and Frontier Touring are excited to announce a 30-date metro and regional Australian tour for one of the country’s finest hip hop acts, Bliss n Eso. In what is a truly national tour, the three-time ARIA-award winning group will take their electric energy and unmatchable flow to audiences in every Australian state and territory in 2022.

Harrup Park

Goanna

Friday, 7:30pm

Forty years on, and with their messages of positive engagement in Indigenous rights and environmental protection more relevant than ever, Australian icons Goanna return to celebrate their multi-platinum, game-changing debut album ‘Spirit of Place’. In 2022, Shane Howard, Rose Bygrave, Marcia Howard and Graham Davidge, together with special guests, embark on a new journey, paying homage to their classic songs and reigniting the Goanna spirit once more.

MECC

Flickerfest 2022 Tour – Mackay

Friday, 7:30pm

A Kaleidoscopic Carnival of Short Films! Celebrating 31 years, Flickerfest is Australia’s only Academy Qualifying and BAFTA Qualifying Short Film Festival, and the country’s largest Australian & International short film competition, screening the best of shorts from Australia and around the world, hand-picked from over 3,200 entries. Flickerfest is excited to be bringing its National Tour back to the Central QLD Conservatorium of Music in Mackay showcasing the Best Of Australian Shorts programme.

Central Queensland Conservatorium Of Music

Latin Night

Friday, 7:30pm

Latin Roots presents Social Latin Night with special guests. It's a mixed event for all styles. Visit the website for details, updates and future dates: https://latinrootsnights.com/ plus invite your friends who would love a night like this.

The Gallery Lounge and Bar

Saturday 2 July

Curator's Talk with Material Sound curator Caleb Kelly, and Performance with artist Ross Manning

Saturday, 10:30am to 11:45am

Join exhibition curator Caleb Kelly and Brisbane performance artist Ross Manning for a Curator’s Talk and Sound Performance to celebrate the opening of their touring exhibition Material Sound. This multi-form exhibition draws together six art practitioners and collaborative groups, each creating an experience of sound within installations constructed from everyday materials. Handmade instruments and electronics, recycled components, outmoded technologies, fake technologies, imagined sounds, and silences are brought together to challenge the way we think about materiality in a cumulative sound experience.

Artspace Mackay

Mackay Twilight Market

Saturday, 4:00pm to 9:00pm

Mackay Twilight Market, Mackay Showgrounds at the big shed. $2 adult entry, kids 17 and under free. Market stalls, Mini Eat Street, local musicians, jumping castles and face painting. Come browse the many local small business market stalls then have a seat and listen to local musicians all while enjoying the yummy food Mackay food trucks have to offer. ATM on site for customer convenience. Come enjoy a night out with your family. Not just another market, it’s a great family night out.

Mackay Showgrounds

Sunday 3 July

Warrior Mackay Multisport Festival

Sunday, 6:30am to 11:00am

The Multisport Festival is Mackay Triathlon Club’s Major event on the calendar and the only event in which they hold a standard (Olympic) distance race. The event expanded in 2021 to include Duathlon, Aquathlon & Aquabike events across all 3 distances to allow those not so keen on a particular discipline to race solo rather than in a team. There are four different multiport events. Participants can choose between Triathlon (Swim / Bike / Run), Duathlon (Run / Bike / Run), Aquabike (Swim / Bike) or Aquathlon (Swim / Run).

Mackay Harbour

Seabreeze Sunday Live Music

Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Music every Sunday from 2pm - 5pm. Head down to the Seabreeze Hotel this Sunday for some fresh tunes, delicious food, and ice-cold brews.

Seabreeze Hotel

Monday 4 July

‘Dinosaurs Ruled’ self-guided quiz

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm during school holidays

Calling all dinosaur lovers! Have you ever wondered about the type of plants dinosaurs ate? Grab a ‘Dinosaurs Ruled’ quiz sheet from Botanic Gardens Visitor Information (Administration) and find out as you venture along the Coal Garden pathways, exploring dinosaur footprints, petrified wood and plants like those from ancient times.

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Tibbles Hunt in the Tropical Shade Garden

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm during school holidays

Pick up your activity sheet and wander the pathways to find Tibbles and decode the latest message he has for you!

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Bocce in the Gardens

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm

Did you know we have a sand bocce court in the Malta Garden? Bring your own set and play or hire a set of bocce balls from Botanic Gardens Visitor Information for just $5 a set. Hire is available weekdays 9am to 4pm or play at your leisure with your own set at any time.

Malta Garden’s Bocce Court

Wednesday 6 July

Mackay Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday, 6:30am to 10:30am

The market is a showcase of our region’s amazing produce direct from the farmer.

Bluewater Quay

Thursday 7 July

Ukulele for kids

Thursday, 3:40pm to 4:40pm

This program is the perfect opportunity for children and their parents to come along and have a go at playing the ukulele and learn some basic musical skills in a fun environment. Specifically designed for children aged eight to 12 years and their parent/guardian. This program will run on the first Thursday of the month at Gordon White Library.

Gordon White Library

Festival Hub Continued

Thursday, July 7 to Friday, July 8, 6:00pm to 9:00pm daily

Festival Hub, located on our picturesque Pioneer River, will feature live entertainment and family fun for all ages on select dates during the July school holidays.

Bluewater Quay

Story Party Mackay | True Dating Stories

Thursday, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

At Story Party you will hear true dating stories that will make you feel better because, let’s be honest, it could be worse. Story Party has played to sold out audiences in over 65 countries because the dating struggle is real worldwide! You'll hear stories from our professional storytellers and some brave audience members.

Haunt Mackay

Read The Room

Thursday, July 7 and Friday, July 8, 7:30pm to 9:00pm

A quiz panel show where the audience answer curly questions live through their phones while guest contestants try to work out which way The Room will swing. It’s fun, cheeky, clever and hilarious!

Ambassador Hotel

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Ballistic Beer Co are heading to the Bluewater Quay for a special Mackay Festival of Arts event.

The team will be bringing their exciting Reef Range of North Queensland inspired brews to the Festival Hub from June 30 to July 3 and again on July 7 and 8.

Ballistic Whitsundays head brewer Liam Paget said the team would be bringing the Ballistic mobile bar with the Reef Lager, Reef Pale, Reef Red Ale and Reef Mid Lager.

“The Reef Range is crisp, refreshing and easy-drinking to suit our tropical climate,” Mr Paget said.

“The Red Ale is a little more malty – it’s English inspired – and tends to be a hit with more mature drinkers who often comment that it reminds them of beers they’ve drank decades ago that you can’t find any more in Australia,” he said.

“For those that like the bigger, hoppier beers, we will have a selection of Ballistic favourites available in tins.”

Mayor Greg Williamson said the Ballistic Whitsundays team were brewing some great beers that were also supporting our local environment.

“Ballistic Whitsundays is a big supporter of Libby Edge’s Eco Barge Clean Seas project,” he said.

“Every Reef Beer sold contributes 10c to Eco Barge Clean Seas, which cleans up litter and pollutants from our offshore islands, including Blacksmith Island, Goldsmith Island, Keyser Island, Linne Island, Thomas Island and Tinsmith Island.

“Funds are also used to support the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre.”

Acting manager MECC and Events Jemma Carey said while trying new brews was obviously a drawcard, the Festival Hub was a family friendly event.  

“The aim of the Festival Hub is to provide the ultimate space to get together before or after a number of Festival events where you can enjoy live music, roving entertainment, great food and drinks and talk about what you’ve seen and plan what to attend next,” Ms Carey said.

“The event is completely free, but due to the event being licensed, we have had to cap numbers at 500 per night,” she said.

“So, to avoid disappointment, we are encouraging Hub-goers to head to our website (themecc.com.au/festivals) and book their free tickets straight away.”

If for some reason you can’t make it to the Festival Hub, don’t panic, because there’s a chance we will be seeing more of the Ballistic team in our region in the future.

Liam Paget said Ballistic was very interested in having a more permanent presence in the Mackay region.

“It’s no secret that we have been looking at locations in Mackay, and this will be a great trial run for our beers on tap in the local market,” he said.

“We love Mackay and have been in town recently working with the guys at Red Dog Brewery on a collaboration beer that I hope will show up on taps in the Mackay and Whitsundays in the not-so-distant future, so keep an eye out for that.”

The full line-up of performers at the Festival Hub are:

•Friday, July 1, 6pm – 9pm – Bella Mackenzie

•Saturday, July 2, 6pm – 9pm – Jonte

•Sunday, July 3, 6pm – 9pm – Tiffany Grace

•Thursday, July 7, 6pm – 9pm – Red Dirt Blues Band

•Friday, July 8, 6pm – 9pm – G Force

Sensory Circus Tribe will be onsite at the Festival Hub performing at the following times:

•Friday, July 1, 7pm to 7.45pm – fire twirling

•Saturday, July 2, 7pm to 7.45pm - fire twirling

•Sunday, July 3, 6pm to 7pm – street theatre

•Thursday, July 7, 7pm to 7.45pm – fire twirling

•Friday, July 8, 7pm to 7.45pm – fire twirling

Ballistic Beer Co will bring their exciting Reef Range of North Queensland inspired brews to the Festival Hub as part of the Mackay Festival of Arts

Sensory Circus will be onsite at the Festival Hub performing street theatre and fire twirling

Bella Mackenzie will be playing at the Festival Hub this evening

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One of the most exciting events on the Mackay calendar, Rumble on the Reef, is back for 2022 and is bringing some of skateboarding’s best talent to the region.

The FMS Group Rumble on the Reef Skateboarding Championships has cemented itself as one of the premier skateboarding competitions in Australia and was a regular stop for the world’s biggest pro skaters Prior to the pandemic.

Now in its fifth year, the event will bring a new fleet of internationals as well as some returning icons to take on the Sugar Bowl in September.

The 2022 competition will see the return of international pros Matt Berger from Canada and Aidan Campbell from the US.

Berger competed in skateboarding’s Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020 and the two of them will be looking to bring a few mates along for the ride.

They will be one of the main highlights of the week performing live demos before the finals broadcast.

Two of Australia’s best, Tommy Fynn and Dennis Durrant, will be back in town as well.

The two of them have continually brought the energy to Rumble on the Reef throughout border closures, with Fynn winning the Championship twice.

Rumble on the Reef has also been developing throughout the pacific region and will feature representation from Fiji for the first time, as well as New Zealand.

Event Manager Donny Fraser says Rumble on the Reef brings people from all over the country to Mackay while also delighting local audiences.

“It’s one of the biggest platforms in Australia for skateboarding, kiteboarding and wakeboarding where people can see it live and free in their hometown,” he said.

“It’s something quite special and unique to the town.”

Mr Fraser says the event strives to deliver skateboarding’s biggest names and gives the next generation more opportunities.

“It’s been really important to make sure skaters around Australia have opportunities to make a living,” he said.

Rumble on the Reef will run from September 19 to October 1 and feature skateboarding, wakeboarding and hydrofoil competitions as well as music festival Rhythm on the Reef.

September will see national and international pro skaters, as well as up and coming superstars, take on the Sugar Bowl. Photos supplied: Rumble On The Reef

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Ten former Mackay State High School classmates reunited at the Austral Hotel on Thursday, June 9, some seeing each other for the first time in 60 years.

The women formed part of the Mackay State High School Commercial Studies Class of 1962, completing most of their studies at the Alfred Street campus.

With plenty to catch up on, many lengthy conversations ensued, stories were exchanged and photographs were explored.

The commercial studies subject incorporated bookkeeping, typing and shorthand, putting students in good stead for later life.

It was a subject offered to students alongside English, geography, history, mathematics and a language other than English.

A particular highlight came one year when Commercial Studies students took centre stage during a school concert at the Theatre Royal to perform on typewriters to the music of the William Tell Overture.

The first reunion was held in 1987 and the group has big plans for future reunions.

In 2023, the organisers are planning a major reunion and are seeking suggestions from former students.

To get in touch and make a suggestion, please contact Marion Brown on mshs1962reunion@hotmail.com.

L-R Lynn Whitmore (Wallace), Raye Atkinson (Walsh), Christine Taylor (Lancaster), Carol Boxall (Goldston), Merle Edmonds (Zillfleish), Marion Brown (Matheison), Kaaren Sephton (Lester), Beth Gordon (Ferris), Marlene Lanigan (White) and Barbara Blackford (Tennant)

The first Commercial Girls Reunion took place in 1987. Photos supplied: Marion Brown

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Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Mackay International Film Festival is back for 2022 and delivers a stellar line-up of thought-provoking Arthouse and Independent cinema.

The festival will showcase a diverse range of stories from around the world, to be screened over six days at four venues.

A pre-festival screening of UK drama film Belfast (2021) will kick off proceedings at Pinnacle Playhouse on Saturday, July 30 at 7:00PM.

Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Kenneth Branagh, and starring an acclaimed ensemble cast, Belfast is a personal and joyful story about the power of memory, set in late 1960s Northern Ireland.

Based on Branagh’s own childhood, at the centre of the film is 9-year-old Buddy whose life is filled with familial love, childhood hijinks, and a blossoming romance.

Yet, with his beloved hometown caught up in increasing turmoil, his family faces a momentous choice: hope the Troubles will pass or leave everything they know behind for a new life.

The festival will then continue at BCC Cinemas Mackay with an Opening Night Screening of Spanish comedy Official Competition (2021) on Friday, August 5 at 7:00PM.

BCC Cinemas Mackay is the place to be for the rest of the weekend with a wide array of films to be screened before the festival heads to Sarina and Proserpine.

Visit Film & Arts Mackay on Facebook for all the details.

Mackay International Film Festival Dates

Saturday, July 30 – Pre-festival screening of Belfast (2021) at Pinnacle Playhouse

Friday, August 5 – Sunday, August 7 – Mackay International Film Festival at BCC Cinemas Mackay

Saturday, August 13 – Reels to Reef Project film in Sarina

Sunday, September 25 – Reels to Reef Project film in Proserpine

Mackay International Film Festival will kick off its 10th year with a screening of Belfast at Pinnacle Playhouse

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Schools across the region celebrated b kinder day last Wednesday by spreading its message of love and empathy.

The June 22 event was started by the mother of Billie Kinder, a 12-year-old girl who passed away in a tragic horse accident in 2016.

Billie’s legacy has become the b kinder initiative, as well as the charity flyhighbille. Both of which remember her empathy and compassion by promoting them at schools across the globe.

Organisations like Proserpine State School have continued to adopt the annual commemoration and make it their own.

The primary school’s iteration of the event this year included selling 500 badges leading up to the day - with the funds heading back to flyhighbillie – each with hand-drawn artwork from students.

The badges were illustrated by teacher Kylie Edmondson’s prep class.

The prep cohort began their day by reading individual, personalised notes left on their desks that had been written by Ms Edmonson.

The messages were compassionate and thoughtful expressions for the students to cherish. The prep class then wrote their own kindness letters to be given to another student – an activity the entire school undertook.

b kinder volunteer Mel Turner said it was excellent to see how much the Whitsundays have “totally embraced the message”.

“This is the second year at this school and they’re really going all out this time; the badges in particular that the students designed has made it so interactive,” Ms Turner said.

“At the end of the day, it’s about being kind and empathetic, and inspired activities like those badges are an expression of that.”

That morning the school had installed, with the help of parent Iain Karon, a B the ‘I’ in Kind wall – a large poster painted by parents Sue Thompson, Jade Olsen, and Bec Radford.

Students individually stood in front of the poster to become the I in kind and have their picture taken – just one of many activities they took part in over the course of b kinder day.

Fleur Wallis, Sue Thompson, Shiralee Morris-Blair, Linda Sippel, Kylie Edmonson, Mel Turner, Rachel Crisp, Kelly Bennett, Jade Olsen, and Bec Radford

B kinder volunteer Mel Turner with some of Ms Edmonson’s prep class

Teacher Fleur Wallis, b kinder volunteer Mel Turner, and teacher Kylie Edmonson

Students enjoyed the B the ‘I’ in Kind wall created by parents

Ms Edmonson’s prep class forming a love heart on the school’s oval

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One of the country’s biggest hip-hop groups is finally touching down in Airlie Beach to bring their electric energy and unmatched flow to the Whitsundays in celebration of their seventh studio album.

The nine-time ARIA-award winning group Bliss N Eso are set for the stage at Magnums tomorrow night at 7.30pm, returning to finish the Queensland shows in their The Sun tour.

Originally planned to play at the local venue in January, the group were forced to can the Airlie Beach performance due to positive Covid cases in their touring party.

Renowned for their captivating live performances and boisterous energy, the Aussie superstars are excited to rock out with a Whitsunday audience this weekend.

Ahead of the tour, we caught up with one third of the iconic trio for a one-on-one interview about Covid hiatuses, collabs, and the hunger to hit the stage.

One On One With Eso

When it comes to creating and recording, Max MacKinnon, or better known as Eso to his legions of fans, said the band have always been in the habit of lockdowns.

“We already lock ourselves away. It’s kind of like lockdown anyway. We shut ourselves in a studio, away from society, and write and record,” MacKinnon said.

“But when it comes to promoting the album, recording video clips and of course live performances, [Covid] was a real kick in the balls.”

But, recording still had its Covid blues, too. The album - released in late 2021 – features its share of guest artists, including the likes of Xzibit, Dizzee Rascal, Lee Fields, and Aussie artists Kasey Chambers.

MacKinnon said the collab with Dizzee Rascal was an odd one, born from a direct message on Instagram.

“I tagged him in a post thinking nothing of it,” he said.

“Next thing, he messages me back saying ‘yo, I know who you are man, let’s f**king ‘ave it’, and it was on!”

With the show fast approaching, MacKinnon reflected on the stage being their “second home”.

“I’m so hungry to get back out on that stage, by the time I’m finished, there’ll be nothing left. There better not be an act playing after us because there will be no stage left, that’s our hunger,” he said.

“We love what we do and we’re grateful for what we do. We’ll forever keep doing what we love.”

The Aus hip-hop supergroup will jam out at Magnums tomorrow night, with tickets from the original show date still applicable.

WHAT: Bliss N Eso – The Sun Tour

WHEN: Saturday, July 2, 7.30pm

WHERE: Magnums, Airlie Beach

Iconic Aussie hiphop group Bliss N Eso will perform tomorrow night at Magnums

Photograph: Dean Hammer

We sat down with Eso (Max MacKinnon) for a one-on-one ahead of the Airlie Beach performance

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Picture this: waves gently lapping against the rocks, palm fronds swaying along the shoreline in one of the most iconic locations in the Whitsundays, and you painting a masterpiece to hang above the mantle.

Not an artist? Not a problem. Coral Sea Resort’s first Cocktails and Canvas event in just under a months’ time will provide the easel and the alcohol to help you get over those paintbrush jitters.

The local resort is putting their own spin on the wildly popular paint and sip format where novice artists get daubing, smearing and rendering with the help of a creative juice – usually wine.

But at Coral Sea Resort, the no-pressure painting will be helped along by cocktails instead of vino and is set to take place on the venue’s iconic jetty.

The relaxing, fun way to dive into painting will see a resident artist – in this case the creative gurus Angela and Joan - take participants step-by-step through creating a landscape, portrait, still life or a smear – if you’re so inclined.

The best part (aside from the cocktails): no painting experience or skills are needed.

The $65 dollar tickets include a Coral Sea Cocktail On Arrival, painting materials like brushes, paints and canvas, a delicious grazing station, and of course the easy to follow instructions from the art teacher.

And, don’t forget, you’ll be bringing home an original one-off image, painted by you on a quality canvas in colours of your choice.

Drag your bestie, make it a date, or get your family along for an afternoon that goes into the night, it’s guaranteed to be loaded with laughter, fun and creativity.

WHAT: Cocktails and Canvas

WHEN: Saturday, July 23

WHERE: Coral Sea Resort Hotel

Coral Sea Resort will host their first Cocktails and Canvas event, a spin on the paint and sip format where participants are guided through painting and enjoy a bit of booze

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The world is in an eighties renaissance thanks to the vanguard of creatives born and raised in that long-ago time of hairspray and synth. The influence from that era of popular culture seeped into the 2010s and has become a permanent stain on the carpeting of our collective cultural unconscious.

We’ve welcomed shows like the Netflix flagship Stranger Things and garish fashion dominates the shelves. The mullet even seems to have made its resurgence – although that one might just have to go. So, in Hollywood it is easy to see why previously failing franchises like Marvel’s Thor series took a new direction; one with a bit of pomp, some Led Zeppelin, and (yes) some hairspray.

Director Taiki Waititi’s newest romp in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is, again, an ‘80s inspired trip through the wilder side of the now-well-travelled comic book films. It follows in Thor Ragnorak’s at times fever dream footsteps, traversing space alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy in a post-Endgame Marvel world.

Thor is rediscovering himself in a journey for inner peace, and the film is a brilliant match made in heaven between Hemsworth’s Thor – who has been manifestly ridiculous since even his first outing but was somehow supposed to be thought of as serious – and Chris Pratt’s wily band of space-trotting misfits.

The zany story of the Guardians meets Thor becomes a sidepiece for the film, however, even though it’s one of its stronger facets.

Thor comes face to face with Gorr the God Butcher – an uber serious and plaintive villain who seeks the extinction of the gods (Thor included) and played by Christian Bale. It’s a clear dichotomy where Waititi balances the film on a tonal border between comedy and drama deftly and to great success.

For lovers of Marvel, this is a must-see, and even for those just missing the ‘80s.

Don’t miss Thor: Love and Thunder’s opening day at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema Thursday, July 7.

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The Pub’s bar-top stage will be a Stairway to Heaven for No Quarter, a tribute to the legacy of Led Zeppelin performing as the Airlie Beach Hotel’s first ever show by an internationally touring band.

The American group coming straight from Seattle are bringing their live concert to the little coastal town, smashing out famous riffs from Heartbreaker, Immigrant Song, Kashmir, and more for Whitsunday audiences.

Potentially the greatest band of all time will be recreated in painstaking detail by No Quarter in two afternoon shows at everyone’s favourite local on July 16 and 17.

Led Zeppelin IV

The word has spread; this Rock and Roll band from Over the Hill and Far Away have captured the characters of John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and infamous leading man Robert Plant.

They’re the real deal.

No Quarter are their own Led Zeppelin IV – they recapture the vigour and bring it back to fore as if the hard rock band were within touching distance, live on stage in their absolute prime.

Die Hard Zeppelin Fans and even the rockstars they’ve shared the stage with have sworn they were watching the real group live. Their show is a pounding, haunting experience where history comes alive, as if the original band have returned for once last gig.

Bryan Christiansen founded No Quarter back in 1998 – cementing a lifelong love affair with the band – and acts as the stand-in for Zeppelin’s stalwart guitarist, Jimmy Page.

On touching down in Australia, landing in Sydney, he was “dying to see the Great Barrier Reef” and the iconic landscapes in Australia that are “absolutely breathtaking”.

Born in the United Kingdom, Christiansen moved stateside to live in Tacoma, Washington, and fell in love with Led Zeppelin from the first time he listened to When The Levee Breaks.

“When I was a kid, my brother played Led Zeppelin albums and I didn’t know who they were. I heard the drums on When The Levee Breaks and it wasn’t until years later that I even connected that was Zeppelin,” he said.

“I picked up the guitar and started fiddling around and I was learning all the styles as a kid; there wasn’t a better idol to have than Jimmy Page growing up as a young guitarist. He’s always consistently in the top three greatest of all time.”

Christiansen has been a lifelong musician since those days, and eventually realised he wanted to continue the legacy for a band that has brought him so much joy. He formed No Quarter to create a real-to-life experience that only a Led Zeppelin show can provide.

It led him on a career to perform alongside incredible artists, strumming Stratocaster guitars last played by Jimmy Hendrix at Woodstock, and keeping Zeppelin alive in the best way possible: through their music.

“It’s hard to put into words. There’s a musical force, an energy that gets thrown out when you play like them. The audience throws back their own energy and you see in their eyes that they’re feeling what Led Zeppelin were like; that they’re right in front of them,” he said.

“We throw the energy back at them until the roof’s ready to blow up. There’s a magic to the music.”

In their performance at Airlie Beach Hotel, Christiansen said the show will be a special one for fans and for himself. The band will perform a first-ever, taking the audience through the entire iconic Led Zeppelin IV album from start to finish, just as Zeppelin played it, and just as he listened to it as a kid all those years ago.

“That extra set will be so special. We’re going to be stretched a little and I’m so excited for it – that album is mind-blowing – Stairway to Heaven, Levee Breaks, Black Dog – I can’t wait,” he said.

Christiansen ended the interview with an anecdote: Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones was signing autographs when he was approached by Chad McMurray, who plays the role of Jones for No Quarter.

McMurray presented Jones with a concert photo – an image from one of No Quarter’s legacy performances.

“That’s scary,” Jones said as he signed the concert photo and looked across the faces and likeness of each character: “As long as you’re doing it, means we don’t have to.”

Gonna Make You Sweat, Gonna Make You Groove

For over 15 years they’ve performed as No Quarter, pounding the Hammer of the Gods to Led Zeppelin fans across the US as well as internationally. Now, they’re arriving on the golden sands of the Whitsundays to bring the ocean of true Led Zeppelin fans a Whole Lotta Love.

The Black Dog barks in this authentic reproduction that goes far beyond any covering the legendary British supergroups tunes.

It’s no wonder they’ve performed alongside legendary artists like Peter Frampton, Foreigner, Molly Hatchet, Kansas, Steppenwolf, Nazareth, Tesla, Warrant, Jefferson Starship, Eric Burden and the Animals, Eddie Money, and many others.

They’re eerily close to watching one of rocks all-time great quartets in their glory days, and they’ll be arriving at the Airlie Beach Hotel for two free shows on Saturday July 16 and 17, from 2.00pm to 5.30pm both days.

Airlie Beach Hotel’s first ever internationally touring act is No Quarter, the real deal Led Zeppelin Legacy Band

They’ve performed for over 24 years, keeping the spirit of Zeppelin alive

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