Council has approved funding for some ripper community events ready for 2023 Australia Day celebrations.
Funding ranging from $400 to $1000 will support 13 true-blue Australia Day celebrations by local not-for-profit groups.
Deputy Mayor Karen May said the wide range of events for 2023 was great to see.
“From barefoot bowls and live music at Seaforth to dinghy sailing and a sausage sizzle at Kinchant Dam, there really is something for the whole family,” Cr May said.
“The Australia Day events are spread around the Mackay region from Sarina to the Mackay City Centre, north to St Helens Beach and west to Kinchant Dam,” she said.
“Held at various times throughout the day and at 13 locations across the region, the events are an opportunity to celebrate what makes our region great.”
Steve Campbell, Mackay Junior Motocross Secretary, said the club was really excited to receive a grant.
“It’s the first time our club had applied for an Australia Day event grant and the committee was very excited when we found out we were successful,” Mr Campbell said.
“We would like to invite the community to come down to the riverside motocross track, located on Hume Street in the CBD, for our motocross come and try event,” he said.
“The free event will run from 8:30am to 1pm on Australia Day and will include a jumping castle, slip and slide and sausage sizzle.
“Thanks to the generosity of Bullet Bikes Superstore there will also be some demo motorbikes available for beginner riders to come and try.”
To be eligible for funding, all events had to be held on the Australia Day public holiday (Thursday, January 26), be free for all to attend and be within the Mackay Regional Council area.
A list of council supported Australia Day 2023 events can be found below, with more information available on the council website at mackay.qld.gov.au/ausdayevents:
1. Armstrong Beach Progress Association – Australia Day Celebrations 2023, 2pm to 8pm, Llewellyn Hall, Armstrong Beach Road, Armstrong Beach
2. Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club – A day at the beach, 11am to 2pm, Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club, Eimeo Beach
3. Finch Hatton Progress Association – Finch Hatton Australia Day Celebrations, 10am to 3pm, Finch Hatton Showgrounds, Finch Hatton
4. Habana and Districts Progress Association – Australia Day the Habana Way, 3pm to 7pm, Habana Community Precinct, 1091 Mackay-Habana Road, Habana
5. Mackay Bowling Club – Go Oz with Lawn Bowls, 9am – 4pm, Mackay Bowling Club, Nebo Road, Mackay
6. Mackay Contract Bridge Club – Contract Bridge Aussie Day come and try, 10am – 3pm, Mackay Contract Bridge Club House, 414 Shakespeare St, West Mackay
7. Mackay Junior Motocross – Australia Day come and try, 8:30am to 1pm, Riverside Motocross Track, 2 Hume St, Mackay CBD
8. Mackay Sailing Club – Sail Away on Australia Day, 11am to 3pm, Sailor’s Corner, Kinchant Dam
9. Mackay Surf Life Saving Club – Australia Day Beach Party, 10am to 4pm, Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club, Mackay Harbour
10. Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club – Sarina Beach Australia Day, 1pm to 5pm, Sarina Beach Esplanade
11. Seaforth Bowls Club – Aussie Day at Seaforth, 1:30pm till late, Seaforth Bowls Club, Walsh Avenue, Seaforth
12. St Helens Beach Progress and Environment Association Inc – Aussie Day Celebration, 9am to 4pm, Repulse Esplanade, St Helens Beach
13. The Scout Association of Australia Qld Branch (Banksia Scout Group) – Australia Day Open Day, 10am to 1pm, Jaycee Park, Bedford Road, Andergrove
* Please note that two of the above events were carried over from 2022 due to COVID-19.
Emily Lovell (left) and Tyson Lovell (right) at the St Helens Beach 2022 Australia Day celebration
