Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Mackay Disability Expo Moves To The Big Shed

The Mackay Disability Expo, coming up on Friday, August 12, has almost doubled in size since the inaugural expo in 2021.

In fact, with exhibitor numbers increasing from about 30 to more than 50 this year, council has made the decision to move the event from a community hall to the Big Shed in the Mackay Showgrounds.  

The expo will kick off at 9am and run until noon, with four exciting demonstrations scheduled throughout that time.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the event organisers had arranged for Art from the Blind Side, Groove Movers, Crossroad Arts and Fit Boy International to put on interactive demonstrations at the expo.

“David Conway of Art from the Blind Side will be doing some live painting,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Groove Movers will be doing some of their interpretive dances, and are inviting attendees to join in,” he said.

“Fit Boy International is an NDIS registered fitness provider who supports people with disability to reach their fitness goals.

“And the tremendous team at Crossroad Arts will share their weekly ROAR program in the Showgrounds Big Shed with us, so everyone can have a go and participate if they like.”

The Mayor said that with more than 18 per cent of Queenslanders living with some form of disability and more than 10 per cent acting as carers, there was a very real call for an expo of this nature.

“If you crunch the numbers, that means, in our region, more than 33,000 people could potentially require some level of assistance from the disability sector,” he said.

“This expo is council’s way of offering local providers an inexpensive way to showcase themselves while also providing an opportunity for service providers and businesses to network and connect with each other.

“It’s all about promoting those who offer services, information and products that enhance the lives of people with disability.”

Entry is free.  For more information, follow the Mackay Disability Expo 2022 event on Facebook.

Peyawadee Petts, Theresa Ahwang and Julie Browne at the 2021 Mackay Disability Expo

There is lots to see and discover at the Mackay Disability Expo

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