Take two regional creatives from Far North Queensland, Roz Pappalardo and Rachel Terry, inspiration from a series of rocking female 80's musicians, a few 'writing trips' to Port Douglas, and what do you get? A cranking and inspiring part rock concert / part 80's aerobics dance class / part theatre show, telling the story of one woman's epic midlife crisis solved by a touch of time travel and a close encounter with the favourite songs of her youth - All Fired Up.

After a sold-out season at Brisbane Powerhouse, renowned Queensland artists Rachel Terry and Roz Pappalardo (women in docs, Soldiers Wife and Lontano), are set to present their electrifying, epic adventure at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre on 5 March 2023.

Hearing Pat Benatar belt out “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” and Cyndi Lauper shriek with passion to her parents that “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” were life changing moments and made creatives, Roz Pappalardo and Rachel Terry, and a host of women you know, the people they are today.

Rachel and Roz take great pride in gathering and leading a team of strong and uniquely skilled regional creatives to present this new work.

The team includes Cairns based four-piece live band taking the place of the AM radio playing the hits of the decade LIVE, written, directed, set designed, produced and musically directed by Terry and Pappalardo, with a touch of Brisbane injected by award winning lighting designer, Jason Glenwright, and musical maestro on keys, Tnee Dyer.

A 60-minute jammed packed show featuring Rachel Terry and her real-life daughter, Scarlet Terry, who time travel to tell the story of the power of the arts solving life's problems, and Roz Pappalardo as your favourite radio DJ "Neon" and singer of approximately 20 hit songs of the decade. All Fired Up will inspire, excite and literally have you singing and dancing on your seats.

WHAT: All Fired Up - solving the problems of your world, one 80's song at a time! All Fired Up

WHEN: Sunday 5 March, 7.30pm

WHERE: MECC Auditorium

TICKETS: www.themecc.com.au

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The Banksia Scout Group held an Open Day as part of Mackay Regional Council's Australia Day celebrations. The Fernleigh Avenue den in Andergrove was bustling with families joining in the activities promoting scouting in the community.

Scouting is all about hands-on learning in small groups, outdoors, and through fun. Our programs aim to build confidence, social skills, leadership, resilience, independence, responsibility, and a sense of community by providing adventures. This was reflected in the youth-led activities during the Open Day.

District Commissioner Katrina Hoare, Adventurous Activities Leaders, Scouting Leaders, and Parents were busy with activities such as crate stacking, rope bridge, low ropes, archery, and damper twist making. The excitement on the youth's faces as they explored new activities was a rewarding experience for the leaders, who strive to provide a fun learning environment.

The Open Day marked the start of the Scouting year and launched the Hibiscus Coast District Scouts "Try the 5" campaign, open to all ages starting at 5 years old and eligible for school.

Try the 5 - Pre-registration is required:

5th February Try the 5 – Abseiling https://www.trybooking.com/CEWTF

12th February Try the 5 – Rope Bridge at MRC Sports Sign On https://www.facebook.com/events/514665220628918

19th February Try the 5 – Mountain Biking https://www.trybooking.com/CFJJX

19th February Try the 5 – Archery https://www.trybooking.com/CEWTM

Except for the Sports Expo at the MECC, all activities will be held at Rowallan Scout Park, 290 Glendaragh Road, Farleigh.  Contact aa@hibiscuscoast.scoutsqld.com.au if you have any questions.

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Images: Banksia Scouts enjoyed archery and robe bridges among other challenges on Australia Day

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Following their sold-out national tour in 2022, Australia's new 'Kings of Variety Television' are back in 2023 with a brand-new show.

The Robertson Brothers are returning to Mackay with their new heart-warming and uplifting 1960’s Variety TV Show.

Geoff and Ben Robertson are back as your charming and cheeky hosts for this nostalgic night of entertainment as they pay tribute to the musical giants of the 1960’s - The Bee Gees, Simon & Garfunkel, Roy Orbison, Cliff Richard & The Shadows, Frankie Valli, The Everly Brothers, Neil Sedaka and The Seekers.

Simon Brook McLachlan (from the Original Australian cast of Jersey Boys) will return to the show in 2023 to thrill audiences with special tributes to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons and Neil Sedaka, as well as a brand new Variety Show tribute to the much-loved 1960s superstar, Sir Cliff Richard.

Another bonus for fans is the addition of Australia’s internationally acclaimed #1 Roy Orbison tribute artist, Dean Bourne.

Dean will perform his very special Variety Show tribute to the one and only ‘Big O’ and his biggest hits from the 1960’s.

This 150-minute ground-breaking and interactive theatrical TV experience is filled with all the fun, music and long forgotten memories of the fabulous 1960’s.

Join the star-studded cast for an unforgettable trip down memory lane.

WHAT: The Robertson Brothers 1960’s Variety TV Show

WHERE: MECC Auditorium

WHEN: Friday March 3 from 7:30pm

TICKETS: www.themecc.com.au

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Image: The Robertson Brothers return to Mackay in 2023

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Two Mackay musicians feature on the newest season of Australian Idol to show off their singing voices in a bid to go all the way and launch themselves into national stardom.

Noah Cookson and Damien Agius both auditioned for the show – which returns to screens after a 13-year hiatus - at the end of last year and will represent the Sugar City on national television in what Damien called “a childhood dream come true.”

The 27-year-old country musician let the cat out of the bag on Tuesday and said he could hardly keep his excitement a secret for the past few months.

Agius, who began singing at the age of eight in the Mirani Primary School Choir, grew up watching Australian Idol and said he auditioned after seeing an advertisement whilst at a local pub.

“The secrets out! I am so excited,” Damien said.

“Thanks, everyone, for your support [in Mackay]. It’s been a long wait but Idol is back!”

Agius will join fellow Mackay muso Noah Cookson whose episode premiered on Wednesday night.

Cookson, a talented bright star in the Mackay scene, showed off his talents on the episode and told the tale of choosing between playing footy and singing – an easy choice for the youngster who said music was his “absolute passion.”

Tune in to catch Damien Agius’ audition on Sunday, February 5 on Channel 7.

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Damien Agius is one of two Mackay musicians to audition on the return season of Australian Idol

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The Mackay region is home to the largest population of South Sea Islander people outside of the Pacific, their story seldom told until now.

‘Black Snow’, streaming on Stan, is a work of fiction created and written by Lucas Taylor and produced by Goalpost Television set in the fictional town Ashford but filmed in the sugarcane fields of Proserpine, producers saw an opportunity to tell the true story of the region’s South Sea Islander people.

Mackay resident Marion Fatnowna Healy has worked for over 30 years to share the history of the South Sea Islander people of the region, with her latest assignment being Cultural and Historical Consultant on the show.

The series follows a cold case investigation of the 1994 murder of seventeen-year-old Jasmine Baker, a crime that shocked the town and devastated Jasmine’s Australian South Sea Islander community.

“Because Lucas had that idea that he would feature this cold case in the cane fields, the opportunity then came for the story to be aligned with the Australian South Sea Islander community,” said Ms Fatnowna Healy.

“We got to tell a bit of our history and story through that via our families and you see it roll out.”

The first boatload of South Sea Islander people was brought into Mackay in 1867, seven years after John Mackay first discovered the region.

Over 62,000 South Sea Islander people were shipped to Australia between 1863 and 1904, mostly to Queensland, where they worked mainly in the sugar industry in poor-to-terrible conditions.

After 40 years of labour, as Australia moved towards federation, the White Australia Policy was introduced.

“The big push was to remove all the South Sea Islanders out of Australia, so they deported 7,000 and 1,000 were left behind,” said Ms Fatnowna Healy.

“They were left either by their choice, they had to plead to the government … or they hid, farmers hid them, and from that 1,000 you have us today.”

Ms Fatnowna Healy has worked in education for over 30 years, supporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Island children and works to educate people on the untold history of South Sea Island people.

“We are the forgotten people,” she said.

“This year, we acknowledged that we’ve been in this country 160 years and the federal government only gave us recognition in 1994 and the Queensland Government, and I worked on it … we only got recognition in the year 2000.

“I have five children and we’re not even considered people of this country, but we helped build this nation.”

It’s Ms Fatnowna Healy’s rich knowledge of and advocacy for local and cultural history that got her the role of Cultural and Historical Consultant on ‘Black Snow’.

She was initially invited into the writer’s room to read through the completed script with Mr Taylor and other writers.

Ms Fatnowna Healy went on to workshop with the entire cast and crew, almost 170 people, telling the story of the South Sea Island people of Mackay.

“The commitment from Goalpost was … to educate everybody about the Australian South Sea Island audience,” Ms Fatnowna Healy said.

“People need to understand that it wasn’t all rosy, it definitely wasn’t rosy growing up.”

Working on the series for two and a half years, Ms Fatnowna Healy said she was honoured to share her culture’s story.

“What happened there was the feeling of compassion for us and the feeling of family amongst us, that we welcomed everybody into our community,” she said.

The cast features a large South Sea Islander contingent, many descendants of those who were brought over to the region in the 1800s and acting for the first time.

“We made sure that the application form gave the kids the opportunity to identify any which way they wanted, but when they did the lesson with me … many of those South Sea young people who were sitting at the table, it was the first time they were hearing their history,” said Ms Fatnowna Healy.

Less than a month after the show’s release, Ms Fatnowna Healy has already received glowing feedback from audiences.

“There’s been an amazing response from so many people, so it builds pride in me,” she said.

“Just like those young people not knowing who they were, it’s opened them up to start asking questions and having those conversations about, ‘Who are we? How do I find my history?’

“It’ll help those young ones, it’ll help my community, wherever they are, to have pride to be able to identify, ‘Hey, I’m a proud South Sea Islander and I matter.’”

In 2023, Ms Fatnowna Healy will continue to build her business Mer Bar Wakai Consultancy offering cultural and professional development workshops, leadership programs, cultural heritage awareness workshops, cultural activities and tours.

“I want our story to be told more further and further,” she said.

“I formed a business that brings in awareness and I’m available to anybody, private or public, to sit down and talk about our local history, so white history, black history, where we’re at and how we move forward.”

Ms Fatnowna Healy also runs the Kanaka Proud Cup with her brother Joseph Fatnowna, which Mackay is hosting from November 4 to 5 this year.

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Caption 1: Mackay resident Marion Fatnowna Healy worked as Cultural and Historical Consultant on Stan series ‘Black Snow’

Caption 2: Black Snow was released on New Year's Day after filming wrapped up in the Proserpine region. Photos supplied

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Is improving public speaking one of your New Year’s Resolutions?

If so, take the first step to make your goal a reality by attending Mackay Toastmasters Club's Presentation Mastery Class on Tuesday, 7 February.

The class will run from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm and cover the essentials you need to plan and deliver a presentation.

“We know many people want to improve their public speaking skills and build their confidence,” Mackay Toastmasters Club member Megan Dillon said.

“However, they often struggle to believe that they can do something about it.

“If that sounds like you, come along to our class to learn some practical skills that will help you be confident in front of an audience.”

The class is suitable for anyone who would like to be able to improve their presentation skills. It will cover what goes into giving a presentation; from the first time you sit down to plan it to the moment you step out in front of your audience.

Tickets must be purchased to attend the event. The price of $24.95 includes refreshments and education materials.

Mackay Toastmasters Club is part of the worldwide network of clubs that make up the not-for-profit educational organisation: Toastmasters International.

Megan Dillon said Mackay Toastmasters Club offers people an opportunity to practise their communication and leadership skills.

“Public speaking is like any skill,” she explained.

“You can learn what to do, but you’ll only begin to see improvement when you practise.

“Toastmasters can speed up this process because we practise our skills then get almost instant feedback on how we could improve next time.

“Plus, we make our meetings fun, so our members want to keep coming back!

WHAT: Mackay Toastmasters Presentation Mastery Class

WHEN: Tuesday, February 7 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

WHERE: Jubilee Community Centre

COST: $24.95 including refreshments and education materials. Purchase tickets at mackay.toastmastersclubs.org

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Rebel Rebel The Bowie Anthology is a captivating live concert experience recreating the iconic sound of David Bowie.

This live rock performance set in a rockumentary format explores the journey of David Bowie's life and music.

From Bowie’s 1969 release "Space Oddity" to his last Album "Blackstar". This concert will have you cheering and wanting more, as vocalist Whalen Hughes together with an outstanding live band and a visually spectacular stage show, pays tribute to one of rock’s most influential performers.

Performing all of Bowie’s classic hits including” Starman", "The Man Who Sold the World", "Space Oddity", "Changes", "Ashes To Ashes”, “Ziggy Stardust", "Golden Years", "Fame", "Fashion", "Life On Mars", "Let’s Dance", "China Girl", and many, many more. This is a concert not to be missed, book now!

Please note - This is a tribute concert

WHAT: Rebel Rebel – The Bowie Anthology

WHEN: Saturday 18 February, 7.30pm

WHERE: MECC Auditorium

TICKETS: www.themecc.com.au

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Eimeo residents are being advised that the swing set in Sunset Park will be out of action in February.

From Monday, January 30, Mackay District Council will begin work replacing it with a like-for-like swing set and soft fall sand surfacing. The work is expected to take four weeks to complete, weather permitting.

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Having successfully weathered 75 years as Mackay's longest-running community theatre company, Kucom Theatre is kicking off the new year with a season of four one-act plays - two of them written by local Mackay playwright Paul Vander Loos.

"Quartet", a season of one-act plays, is opening on 23 February.

The season includes:

“Murder Most Fowl” and “In Good Spirits”, by local author Paul Vander Loos, directed by Joe Clutterbuck and Brian O'Neill; “Putting Back the Fest”, by Australian playwright Michael Jeffrey, presented by Ken Sanders; and “A Lady of Letters”, from the “Talking Heads” series by Alan Bennett, presented by Tessa King.

What are they all about?

“Murder Most Fowl” centres around a neighbourhood disagreement over a prized rooster that ends with a surprising twist!

“In Good Spirits”, performed as a radio play, follows four friends on a stormy night in which they experience some supernatural events.

“Putting Back the Fest”: the one-act play festival is over. Now it’s time for the presentations - and tonight’s adjudicator is taking no prisoners!

“A Lady of Letters”: middle-aged Irene Ruddock observes the lives of those living around her, and writes letters of complaints to those whose behaviour she deems unacceptable.

Tickets are now on sale at the special price of just $20 each.

Just follow this link or scan the attached QR code to go to the bookings website: https://events.humanitix.com/one_act_plays_2023.

For more information about Kucom Theatre, visit its website www.kucom.org.au or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Image: Lovely Day takes the stage as the first Morning Melodies performance of 2023

Each year, Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) presents the much-loved Morning Melodies season, featuring a stellar line-up of four captivating daytime performances programmed to bring music to Mackay's Friday mornings throughout the year.

Manager MECC & Events, Andrew Bobeldyk said “Our Friends of the MECC’s Morning Melodies season is a popular series of performances among the Mackay community, and we're excited about the line-up for 2023.”

Popular with the senior community and proudly sponsored by the Friends of the MECC, the Morning Melodies program offers four shows annually, celebrating musical hits and stars of the past, often with tributes or storytelling about the greatest musical stars of current and past generations.

“We have carefully programmed four shows that are sure to impress our music-loving audience and look forward to bringing them to Mackay in 2023,” Mr Bobeldyk added.

For the opening performance of the season, relive awe-inspiring musical moments from the past 50 years and let nostalgia flood your soul with Lovely Day. Lovely Day unites award-winning music theatre star Mat Verevis (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Who’s Tommy) and soulful songstress Alisha Todd (Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves, Geniie Boy) for a captivating journey down memory lane. Immerse yourself in the soulful sounds of the past and relive inspiring musical moments from iconic artists such as Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Bill Withers, Jill Scott, Etta James, and Roberta Flack.

Promising soulful original arrangements, magical vocals, and a walk down memory lane, The Little Red Company’s Lovely Day will uplift and inspire.

"Lucky door prizes will once again take place during each performance. This year we have Whitsunday Biscuit Factory and Guardian Pharmacy Mackay supplying prizes. We're thrilled to have these two businesses on board," Mr Bobeldyk said.

The first Morning Melodies performance is on Friday, February 17th at 11am where patrons can enjoy a soulful morning of music with the opportunity to win exciting door prizes. There will also be complimentary coffee and morning tea before the performance, courtesy of the volunteer organization Friends of the MECC.

Tickets for Morning Melodies performances are capped at an affordable $15 per person thanks to the sponsorship The Friends of the MECC.

To avoid disappointment, the MECC strongly recommends booking in advance to secure your tickets and avoid the queues on the day.

WHAT: The Friends of the MECC’s Morning Melodies 2023 Lovely Day

WHEN: Friday 17 February, 11am

WHERE: MECC Plenary Halls

TICKETS: www.themecc.com.au

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Friday 27 January

Birdlife Mackay Monthly Surveys

Friday, 6:00am to 8:00am

Join Birdlife Mackay with their monthly bird count in the Botanic Gardens. If you are a keen bird watcher or just love birds and keen to find out more, come along! Meet at the Viewing Deck next to the Café, off Lagoon Street. Bring a hat, water bottle, camera and binoculars (if you have them). Bird counts are held on the last Friday of each month.

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

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

Wake House Australia

Significant Other Live at Souths

Friday, 6:30pm to 10:30pm

Join Souths on Friday for live music with Significant Other performing from 6:30pm-10:30pm. Come along for a great night.

Souths Suburban Bowls Club

Mango Junction @ Northern Beaches Bowls Club

Friday, 8:00pm

Shake off the working week with Mango Junction cranking out your favourite party tunes in the main bar 8pm.

Mackay Northern Beaches Bowls Club

Saturday 28 January

Broken Ballerina Inc. Fundraiser

Saturday, 9:00am

Catch Broken Ballerina Inc. at Mount Pleasant Centre for their first fundraiser of 2023. They will be at the top of the escalators selling cupcakes, Pete’s caramel slice and merchandise.

Mount Pleasant Centre

Saints Hottest 100 Countdown Party

Saturday, 9:00am

Everyone is invited to Saints for a big day of fun to count down the hottest 100. Club opens from 9am till late, the bar opening from number 100. There will be a waterslide from 9am to 1pm. BBQ lunch will be served. A big cricket game planned and more games throughout the day. Rock up in your best party shirt.

North Mackay Saints AFL Grounds

Triple J's Hottest 100 Party

Saturday, 11:00am

It's the hottest party of the year! Who is your number 1 pick? Harrup Park have Triple J's Hottest 100 countdown of 2022 live and loud in the Garden Bar from 11am. Live sport on the big screen, drink specials and live music after the countdown. Free Entry.

Harrup Park

Tiffany Grace at Red Dog Brewery

Saturday, 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Catch Tiffany Grace live at Red Dog from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

Red Dog Brewery

VaMa Live at Souths

Friday, 6:00pm to 10:00pm

VaMa will be performing live in the Sports Bar on Saturday from 6pm-10pm. Come along for a great night.

Souths Suburban Bowls Club

Mango Junction @ Moss on Wood

Saturday, 9:00pm

Party time at Moss on Wood.

Moss on Wood

Sunday 29 January

Sunday Live Music – Viva Acoustics

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

Wednesday 1 February

Teen Shed Mackay Teen Circle

Every Wednesday, 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Teen Circle is a place for all teens in the community to come together. It's a safe space for them to connect, heal & learn from each other. They can be seen, heard & understood with no judgement. It's a space to honour the uniqueness of each individual, everyone is equal. They will be able to speak from their hearts about things that trouble, annoy, frustrate them. This gathering will be held every Wednesday, all teenagers are welcome to attend. It is a free event, but attendees are asked to register for numbers.

Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School

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

Sugar City Rock and Roll Mackay Club Wednesday Night Lessons

Every Wednesday, 7:00pm

Why not come along and learn to rock ‘n’ roll in a friendly and fun atmosphere with the Sugar City Rock ‘n’ Rollers Mackay Club? Previous experience is not required. Everyone learns at their own pace and, even better, the first lesson is free on your way to learning the four step style of rock ‘n’ roll. $5 for members and $8 for non-members after that. The club caters for social activities for club members with regular dances with live bands in attendance and away trips. For further enquiries call 0408 983 911.

58 Macalister St, Mackay

Thursday 2 February

Wave Tank Workshop

Thursday, 11:00am to 1:00pm

See a wave tank in action when environmental consultants Alluvium visit our region. The wave tank simulates the ocean’s movements to demonstrate how different combinations of coastal defences and wave and tide conditions can affect issues such as wave overtopping and flood risk. Alluvium will be hosting four community workshops in February as part of the Mackay Coast Our Future program, which will include coastal erosion and storm tide inundation displays and maps, and opportunities to discuss possible adaptation options for the region. No bookings are required.

Jubilee Community Centre

Mackay Riverside Market

Every Thursday, 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Come and meet your local growers, bakers and makers, chill on the lawn listening to some beautiful tunes and grab some delicious dinner and desert.

Bluewater Quay

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A child drumming protégé and an actor with three international films under his belt before he was a teenager, Colin Petersen didn’t realise he was to become the fourth Bee Gee when he met Maurice Gibb at a gig.

Maurice explained he was captivated by Colin’s film ‘Smiley’, in which he plays the titular character, and had begged his parents to move to Australia.

In 1966, Colin joined Maurice and his brothers, becoming the first official non-Gibb band member of the Bee Gees.

Essential to the Bee Gees sound, Colin was driving the evolution of the supergroup on stage and in the studio over four albums and #1 singles Massachusetts, To Love Somebody, New York Mining Disaster, I Started A Joke and many more.

Colin joins The Best of the Bee Gees Show, bringing a massive catalogue of mega-hits and first-hand stories to the Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre on Saturday, February 4.

“I add that extra image to it - ‘Hey, I was there, this is the dialogue that was going on between the brothers, this is where we were when we recorded a particular song,’ and give the audience some sort of idea of what it felt like to be in the band in that extraordinary part of my life,” Colin said.

“It just adds that extra layer onto it and adds depth to what we’re presenting.”

The Best of the Bee Gees has brought global audiences to their feet for more than two decades with Colin joined by Evan Webster (Barry Gibb), Russell Davey (Robin Gibb) and Greg Wain (Maurice Gibb).

Colin said he was blown away the first time he heard the band and had to get involved.

“I’m closing my eyes and I’m listening to it and it’s so close,” he said.

“(Evan’s) capturing little nuances, it’s not like he’s trying to superficially cover it, he’s got the emotion of it.

“They’re really great musicians, all of them.”

The band meld together to create an immersive Bee Gees experience, recreating hits like Saturday Night Fever, Stayin’ Alive, Spicks & Specks, To Love Somebody, Massachusetts, You Should Be Dancing and more.

“Those songs, they’ll live on forever, and you can see that with the audience,” said Colin.

“They sing along, and they know all the words.”

Tickets for The Best of the Bee Gees with Colin “Smiley” Petersen are on sale now, with a special Family ticket encouraging the little ones to come along and discover the music of the Bee Gees.

WHAT: The Best of the Bee Gees with Colin “Smiley” Petersen

WHERE: The MECC

WHEN: Saturday, February 4 from 7:30pm

TICKETS: On sale now through MECC Box Office 4961 9777 and themecc.com.au

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Image 1: Colin Petersen tells his stories of childhood fame, acting and drumming for the Bee Gees in The Best of the Bee Gees

Image 2: Photo credit: John Elliot

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Aaron Saxon considers himself a local having been adopted by a town that he says has one of the healthiest music scenes he’s ever seen.

Aaron first visited Airlie Beach in 2002 on the way to the Whitsunday Islands to perform.

He was living in New Zealand at the time and would often return to the heart of the Whitsundays.

“That’s how I knew, when I came back to Australia, where I was going to go,” he said.

“There’s a very healthy music scene and good people up here.”

Aaron’s been based in Airlie since 2015 and has been playing music professionally since he left school.

It was a musical upbringing that first inspired him to pick up a guitar.

“My parents had a huge vinyl collection, so they would be playing rhythm and blues and some jazz and some old soul stuff, all kinds of stuff really, so I was just growing up hearing that,” Aaron said.

Music ran in Aaron’s family, the family record collection consisting of Bill Haley, Louis Prima, Fats Domino, Sam Cook and Creedence Clearwater Revival who all continue to inspire Aaron today.

“They would just be on high rotation, turned up really loud so it was all part of our journey as a family,” he said.

“They all have (music) in them and for some reason I was really drawn to it and got my first guitar in year 12 and since then I haven’t really put it down, I just felt like it was the right thing to do.”

After decades of touring and performing across the world, both solo and with bands, Airlie’s intimate yet thriving music scene drew Aaron in.

“It’s a very small street and there’s a lot of live music condensed into that one street,” he said.

“As a punter, they can walk up and down the street and see a variety of different musicians and different acts happening almost seven days a week.

“As a musician, it’s a good place to be.

“There doesn’t seem to really be another town or street like it.”

As Aaron looks to settle down in Airlie Beach, he hopes to establish his own music studio and plant his roots.

“After doing what I’ve done for years and years and years, just constantly travelling, it’s a refreshing change to just take a breath,” he said.

With regular gigs at KC's Bar & Grill, Beaches Bar & Grill and Sorrento Restaurant & Bar, he said his sets depend on the time and place.

“I enjoy playing the chill singalong stuff and then it can get high energy and get people up and dancing.

“I use a looping pedal and I use the guitar as a percussive device as well, so I can create a soundscape that sounds similar to a band.”

One to please a crowd, Aaron sets often consist of songs that people know and love with a twist but will mix in some reggae and funk-inspired originals.

“A lot of the flavour that I do is based around reggae or funk at the moment with the looper, and just groove based stuff,” he said.

Find Aaron Saxon on Instagram at @aaronsaxonmusic.

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Aaron Saxon has played music professionally since he left school. Photos supplied

It’s time to get your eyeliner, ripped jeans and skater belt out, because Airlie Beach Hotel is taking you back to the ‘90s for an afternoon of pop punk and emo hits.

On Saturday, February 11, the afternoon will kick off with the Blink-182 and Green Day Experience straight out of Brisbane.

The band will then back it up with The Teenage Dirtbags, the ultimate tribute to ‘90s pop punk and emo with songs from My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco, Weezer, All American Rejects, Simple Plan, Good Charlotte, Frenzal Rhomb and many more.

Lead singer and guitarist Michael Geeves said the tribute shows came from the band’s love of pop punk music.

“We all grew up as little skater kids, we loved skateboarding when we were teenagers,” he said.

“Because pop punk is well aligned with the skating scene and Tony Hawk Pro Skater and that sort of thing, that was the music we listened to.

“When we were playing in bands around town down here, we would play that stuff in pubs and people were responding really well to those songs.

“Over time we started adding more of those songs to our set.”

The band then decided to start the tribute show, filling a gap in the market for tribute acts dedicated to ‘90s pop punk.

“We started getting a really good reaction,” said Michael.

“We actually have 40 and 50 year olds who bring their parents along because them and their parents used to listen to it back in the ‘90s when they were teenagers and they also bring their kids along.

“At shows, we’ve had three or four generations of people there.”

Michael fronts the band that also consists of his brother on bass and his best mate on drums, the trio playing music together since 2010.

“To do it with those two guys, we just have the best time because it’s what we love doing, we love seeing people go off to it, having a good time and enjoying themselves and it’s just as enjoyable for us,” he said.

“It’s a ball, it’s the best thing you can ever do.”

The Airlie Beach crowd can expect a set of hard hitting punk, taking them back to the days of Recovery, Doc Martins and chain wallets.

“It’s a tribute to Blink-182 and Green Day,” said Michael.

“People can expect lots of hit songs from the 90s.

“We’re also doing a special set at the end of the show to keep with the theme of pop punk and that sort of thing, we’re doing an extra show of pop punk and emo so there’ll be extra stuff like The Offspring, Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Good Charlotte, all that sort of stuff.”

The band brought the show to the Airlie Beach Hotel last year and are looking forward to returning to the north Queensland heat.

“We made a lot of good friends last time we were there so we’re looking forward to catching up with a whole bunch of people as well.”

This show is a nonstop, hit after hit party that draws crowds of all ages and pays tribute to two of the greatest legacies in modern music.

The Blink 182 and Greenday Experience draws on all eras of both bands, featuring all the greatest hits and always leaving fans asking for more.

WHAT: Blink 182 and Greenday Experience plus the Teenage Dirtbags party set

WHERE: The Airlie Beach Hotel

WHEN: Saturday, February 11 from 2:00pm to 5:30pm

This is a free show.

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From the award-winning creators of Rumour Has It, Golden and Christmas Actually comes a brand-new music experience celebrating the world’s greatest soul artists.

Lovely Day brings together award-winning music theatre star Mat Verevis and soulful songstress Alisha Todd for a soulful walk down memory lane.

Audiences will relive and sing along to awe-inspiring music moments from the past 50 years including iconic songs from Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Bill Withers, Jill Scott, Etta James and Roberta Flack.

Every song on this must-hear setlist evokes a bygone era, set alight by world-class musicianship and emotional storytelling.

Mat Verevis is a singer, actor and songwriter best known for his performance as Barry Mann in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical which earned him a 2018 Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

He also has many credits across theatre and opera in supporting, production and backing vocal roles, including a role in the Australian premiere of Lazarus by David Bowie.

The talented performer has even made appearances on national TV as a former contestant on The Voice Australia.

Alisha is a pop and soul singer, her passion and talent spanning songwriting, production and performance.

When not performing theatre, Alisha has been gracing the Australian original music scene and festival circuit in her indie-pop project GENIIE BOY and latin-soul-groove band Volcanic Lovers.

With a wealth of experience, Alisha is sure to deliver a memorable performance with Mat by her side.

Created by Adam Brunes and Naomi Price and produced by Little Red Company, Lovely Day’s promise is in the name, guaranteeing a lovely morning of melodies and singalongs.

The show embarks on a regional tour in February supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, also making stops in Bundaberg, Carins, Ayr, Mackay, Gladstone, Maryborough and Caloundra.

Promising soulful original arrangements, magical vocals, and a musical walk down memory lane, The Little Red Company’s Lovely Day will uplift and inspire.

WHAT: The Little Red Company presents Lovely Day

WHERE: Bowen PCYC, Cnr Hay St & Queens Rd, Bowen QLD 4805

WHEN: Thursday, February 16, 11:00am to 12:10pm

TICKETS: $15 available from www.proserpineentertainmentcentre.com.au

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Photo credit: Dylan Evans Photography