Mackay Regional Council

09/12/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/11/2022 22:01

Beat the boredom these school holidays

Keep the kids entertained these September school holidays with a heap of fun and engaging activities across council facilities.

> Artspace Mackay

Lyre Bird 'LOOKBOOKS' - free holiday drop-in art activities
Saturday, September 17 to Sunday, October 2 during Artspace opening days/hours
Workshop Room, Artspace Mackay
Free entry, all welcome
Drop-in to Artspace during the September school holidays and take a fun look at the superb Lyre Bird, an incredible native Australian bird of many talents. Be inspired by this beautiful creature and create a special lookbook of lyre birds! A lookbook is a book (often used by models, photographers, designers or stylists) to show off a collection of images. Draw your lyrebirds in different situations to highlight their creative personalities in a lookbook to take home and enjoy. Share on our socials and have lots of fun! Parental supervision for children is essential. Stay for a few minutes or a few hours, no bookings necessary.

This public program is inspired by Artspace Mackay's exhibition 'Tales of the Lyre Bird', in the Main Gallery, Artspace Mackay, until November 20.

> Bluewater Lagoon

Open 7 days, from 9am to 5.45pm (from September 17) River Street, MackayCool down and splash around with the whole family at the free, three-tiered Bluewater Lagoon. Overlooking the picturesque Pioneer River in the heart of the Mackay City Centre, the facilities provide the ideal stinger-free environment for kids and adults alike. For more details visit mackay.qld.gov.au/bluewaterlagoon

> Greenmount Homestead

Open Monday to Wednesday, from 9am to 1pm
Last Sunday of the month, from 9am to 1pm
Tours begin at 9am, 10am, 11am and noon
Greenmount Road, Walkerston
Take a step back in time and educate your children on the history of our region when you explore the iconic Greenmount Homestead. As one of Mackay's most valued historic attractions, the grounds contain several buildings including a 1915 Queenslander homestead which houses a collection of more than 20,000 historical items. For more details visit mackay.qld.gov.au/greenmount.

> Mackay Regional Council Libraries

Libraries school holiday program is specifically designed for children aged five to 12 years and young adults aged 12 to 18 years. Make a booking to attend a free event here.

Movie Matinee - Turning Red
Friday, September 23, 2pm to 4pm
Gordon White Library
Mei Lee is a 13-year-old girl who is torn between being her mother's obedient daughter and the chaos of her youth. As if that were not enough, when she gets too excited, she turns into a big red panda. Join us for an afternoon movie and popcorn. This event is for children aged five to 12 years old.

Sensational Spring Sand Art
Friday, September 23, 9.30pm to 10.30pm
Sarina Library
Come and join us at Sarina Library as we create colourful sand art designs inspired by spring, the season of colour, joy and growth. This event is for children aged five to 12 years.

Shadow Puppet Workshop
Tuesday, September 20, 9.30am to 11am - Walkerston Library
Tuesday, September 20, 2pm to 3.30pm - Mirani Library
Join us as we explore the wonderful world of shadow puppets and puppetry. Guided by Ros from Wild Puppets this 1hr 30min session encourages children to discover, investigate, design and create this traditional, theatrical form of entertainment. A shadow puppet improv performance at the conclusion of this workshop will showcase children's creations and newly acquired puppetry skills. This event is specifically for children from five to 12 years old.

Magformers Drop In Days
Tuesday, September 20 to Thursday, September 22 - Walkerston Library
Tuesday, September 27 to Thursday, September 29 - Sarina Library
Click. Connect. Create. Magformers are educational construction toys for children of all ages that allow you to build your own magnetic 3D structures. A world of exploration and discovery, limited only to your imagination. No bookings required. Suitable for children aged five to 12 years of age.

Bamboo Construction Drop In Days
Tuesday, September 20 to Thursday, September 22 - Mirani Library
Tuesday, September 27 to Thursday, September 29 - Walkerston Library
Engineer. Design. Build. Children are encouraged to explore, investigate, develop ideas and find new ways of thinking, creating and building. No bookings required. Suitable for children aged five to 12 years of age.

Lego Drop In Days
Tuesday, September 20 to Thursday, September 22 - Sarina Library
Tuesday, September 27 to Thursday, September 29 - Mirani Library
Imagine. Connect. Construct. Lego encourages children to explore, design, create and play. No bookings required. Suitable for children aged five to 12 years of age.

Copywrite with Kat Nissen
Monday, September 19, 2pm to 3.30pm - Sarina Library
Wednesday, September 21, 10am to 11.30am - Walkerston Library
Wednesday, September 21, 2pm to 3.30pm - Mirani Library
Making a career of writing has its challenges. That's where real-world insights and advice from someone with skills can help. In this crash course you will get a taste of copyrighting, social media writing, sports journalism, resume writing and more with local writer Kat Nissen. This event is for young adults aged 12 to 18 years of age.

Write with Kat
Tuesday, September 20, 10am to noon - Gordon White Library
Tuesday, September 20, 2pm to 4pm - Dudley Denny City Library
Aimed at young adults (Grade 7 to Grade 12), these workshops provide an opportunity to encourage young people to embrace their writing creativity. Young adults aged 12 to 18 years are invited to improve their skills in writing for an audience and for possible publication. Facilitated by local published author Kat Ilich.

> MECC

Pixar Putt
Friday, September 16 to Sunday, October 9
Various times
Mackay Civic Lawn, between Artspace Mackay and the MECC
This open-air mini golf sensation is made up of interactive putt-putt holes inspired by the stories, characters, and icons from some of Pixar's most beloved films including Toy Story, Cars, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles, Luca, plus many more! There will also be 'Pixar Putt After Dark' sessions available for adults 18+ on Thursday to Saturday nights from 7pm, which will include a licenced bar. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/3BfOZ6K

International Dance Affair presents "A World of Imagination"
Saturday, September 17, 7pm
MECC Auditorium
Experience some of the most prominent performers showcasing their talents to the Mackay community! "A World of Imagination" is the best variety show of Dance, Baton Twirling and Acrobatic Arts you will see in Mackay this year. It has something for everyone and is a great way to kick-start the September school holidays! Book tickets.

Pace Live presents "Fairytales on Ice" 2022 Australian Tour
Sunday, September 18, 6pm
Monday, September 19, 6pm
MECC Auditorium
Direct from its sellout tour in the US, the ice skating spectacular "Fairytales on Ice" is touring Australia this year. Delight in the spectacular as award-winning skaters bring your favourite fairy tale characters to life through ice skating, singing, and music! Featuring stories and characters from The Little Mermaid & The Pirate Adventures, explore the fairy tale land alongside Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood, and more. Book tickets.

> Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Free Friday Guided Walks
Every Friday between April and October, 10am to 11am
Meet at the Botanic Gardens Visitor Information Centre
Discover the gardens with your guide in a free guided walk. Find what's flowering, some of our rare and special plants and perhaps some wildlife spotting! To book your spot, phone the Botanic Gardens on 4952 7300 as places are limited. Group bookings welcome upon request

Bocce in the Gardens
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm (except public holidays)
Malta Garden's Bocce Court
$5 for hire of bocce set
Did you know that bocce is one of the most popular and oldest games throughout European countries? Test your skills at our bocce court in the Malta Garden. Bocce sets are available to hire ($5 per set) from Botanic Gardens Visitor Information. Bookings are not required.

Mackay Park Run
Every Saturday, 7am to 8am
Meet at Tamarind Carpark (near playground)
A 5km run/jog/walk put on by the community for the community every Saturday morning for all ages. Come together to enjoy our beautiful natural environment and get physically active in the process. Register at www.parkrun.com.au.

September Photo Walkabout - Macrophotography
Sunday, September 25, 9am to 11am
Meet at Botanic Gardens Meeting RoomsGet up close with macrophotography and make the smallest things in nature visible. This workshop is ideal for anyone with an interest in macrophotography and nature. If you have a macro lens and DSLR or a mobile phone with a clip-on lens, this is a workshop for you. To book your spot, phone the gardens on 4952 7300.

> Sarina Sugar Shed

Special kids tour of the Sarina Sugar Shed
Saturday, September 17 to Tuesday, October 4 at 10.30am
(Normal tours run 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm)
Cost: Adults at children's prices $13.60 (bookings essential)
Field of Dreams Parklands, Railway Square, Sarina
Discover the growing and harvesting of the sugar cane, complete a hunt for the critters that live in our sugar cane patch. Enter our miniature sugar mill to see how sugar cane is crushed, sample deliciously sweet sugar cane juice straight from our miniature mill - 'Bill the Mill Junior". Our stickers help the kids understand the machines that work in the process from turning juice into sugar. Touch and feel the different stages of the production from the bagasse to the sugar, taste the molasses!

During your tour (approximately 45 minutes), receive a free info sheet at the end, (great for school projects) and a quick fun quiz to help keep the young ones engaged - they are guaranteed to learn something! Finally, everyone gets to a chance to taste our non-alcoholic ginger beer brewed onsite, and freshly spun fairy floss for big and little kids! Book tickets.

> Sarina Youth Centre

School holiday activities
A variety of school holiday activities are on offer for youth aged ten to 21 years. Bookings are required for each program. Contact Sarina Youth Centre on 4961 9277 or email [email protected].

Monday, September 19: Holiday begin: Socialising, games, fun
Tuesday, September 20: Arts and craft: Creative fun to be had
Wednesday, September 21: My Centre Rules: Cooking competition with prizes
Thursday, September 22: Centre closed
Friday, September 23: Talent showcase: singing, art, dance, jokes, etc
Monday, September 26: Healthy Lifestyle: Activities, cooking, information
Tuesday, September 27: Game on! Pool competition, centre bingo with prizes
Wednesday, September 28: Centre closed
Thursday, September 29: Centre closed
Friday, September 30: Centre closed

> Ken Burgess Orchid House

Orchid Extravaganza
Saturday, October 1, 8am to 4pm

Queens Park, Goldsmith Street, Mackay
Kids and adults alike will love the beautiful and rare orchids on display at the Ken Burgess Display House. Find out everything you need to know about growing orchids plus take part in free orchid workshops and demonstrations. There will be magnificent orchid plants for sale, as well as food stalls available on site.