Diamonds, Dinner And A Double Mission For Good Grab Your Tickets For The 2026 Mayors Charity Ball Now!

Mackay will soon go undercover in black tie, taking on a glamourous mission for a greater cause.

At the 2026 Mackay Mayor’s Charity Ball on Saturday, May 2nd, guests will step into a world worthy of a Bond title sequence, where elegance meets purpose, glamour shakes and stirs, and every glass raised carries meaning beyond the four walls.

Hosted at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, the evening embraces a Casino Royale–inspired theme, transforming the venue into a landscape of glamour, mystery and celebration. Doors to the foyer and halls open at 6.30pm, inviting guests to dress in black tie or Bond-inspired style for a night designed to dazzle.

This year’s ball will raise vital funds for The Salvation Army Family Violence Service and The Neighbourhood Community Hub’s Food Diversion Program.

Salvation Army State Manager of Family Violence Programs, Hannah Stephen, highlighted the ongoing importance of community-led fundraising support, particularly through events such as the Mayor’s Charity Ball.

“Time and again, the local community have stepped up to offer support for victim survivors of family violence, and to strongly stand by the fact that violence is not okay… And that's very reflective of the support that we've received from the Mayor's Charity Ball.”

“The funds we receive from the event specifically support victim survivors of family violence, including women and children.”

“We’re very fortunate to be the beneficiary last year, and we’re also very grateful to continue into this financial year.”

She said the impact of the funding is already being seen in frontline services across Mackay.

“Through the funds raised last year, we’ve been able to recruit a therapeutic practitioner for Mackay.

“The community support from the Mayor’s Charity Ball helps us go that extra mile to provide essentials like food supplies, clothing, transport, and therapeutic supports for those in need.”

“These supports are absolutely essential for women and children escaping family violence and stepping into healing and recovery.”

Adding an extra layer of intrigue to the evening, guests can take part in an interactive “Assassin” mission game. Participants can purchase $100 mission cards revealing classified clues about the identity of a hidden assassin in the room, gathering intelligence before submitting their final guess. One successful sleuth will crack the case and win a generous Paradise Phuket Holiday Package.

Guests will enjoy a three-course gala dinner, accompanied by beer, wine and soft drinks throughout the evening, alongside live entertainment from Brisbane-based band Beccy & The Jets. The energy is expected to rise even further under the hosting of Australia’s much-loved comedian Dave O'Neil, who will take the stage as MC for the night.

O’Neil brings a career spanning more than three decades to the event, firmly established as one of Australia’s most recognisable and enduring comedic voices. With an extensive list of television and media credits including Spicks and Specks, Fisk, Utopia and appearances on The Project, he has built a reputation for sharp wit delivered with a relaxed, conversational style that consistently connects with audiences.

Returning to regional Queensland, O’Neil said he always enjoys performing in the north, praising both the atmosphere and the audiences.

“I’ve done a lot of gigs in Far North Queensland and I always enjoy the crowd.”

As MC, guests can expect humour grounded in everyday life, timely observations and spontaneous crowd interaction.

“I’ll talk a lot about parenting… some topical stuff, stuff going on in the world and in the region,” he said.

“I like to get involved… interact with the crowd, and have a whole lot of fun.”

Beyond the stage, the evening will feature live and silent auctions, casino-style fundraising games, raffles, prize draws, and dancing to close the night in style.

The Mackay Mayor’s Charity Ball continues to stand as one of the region’s signature fundraising events, where sophistication meets generosity, and where a single evening helps create lasting impact across the community.

Tickets can be purchased via the MECC or ticketsearch.com with sales ending Wednesday 22 April at 12pm.