Over the last few weeks, Mackay's city heart has undergone a major transformation, with the Mky City Heart Collective leading efforts to revitalise the region. This initiative celebrates the city’s rich history, particularly its once-thriving Chinatown, by blending art, culture, and community to breathe new life into downtown Mackay.
Inspired by the once-thriving Chinatown district between Wellington and Macalister streets from the 1880s to the 1930s, the project highlights this important hub for market gardens and Asian grocers. Despite its significance, this chapter of Mackay's history remains largely unknown to many, and that’s why the Mky City Heart Collective is working hard to bring this forgotten history back to life.
Local business owners, artists, and volunteers have teamed up to create unique experiences for the community that blend Mackay's history with modern-day culture. Among the highlights is a stunning installation of traditional Koi kites, created by the community and on display as part of the celebrations.
These kites, along with other stunning art pieces, aim to acknowledge the importance of Chinatown while injecting fresh energy, colour, and creativity into the city.
Ally Blines, owner of Let The Children Play Toyshop, is one of the many local business owners contributing to this exciting initiative.
"The kites are part of a bigger project," she explains.
Ally has been hosting kite-making workshops at Let The Children Play Toyshop during the school holidays, where children can create their own Koi kites that will be featured in the installation.
"We did some workshops in-store during the school holidays where the kids could make kites and they're being used in the installation and then they can come and collect them when it's all over.
“It’s about making people aware that this part of town used to be part of Mackay’s Chinatown,” she shares.
“A lot of people don’t realise that we had a Chinatown or what an important part it played in the development of the city.”
As part of the Mky City Heart Collective, Ally is just one member of a passionate group of volunteers, business owners, and artists all working together to show that the city heart is far from "dead."
"We all work together…there's actually a lot happening here in the city heart and we just want people to know that our town is alive and it’s such a nice community to be involved in!”
Ally Blines, owner of Let The Children Play Toyshop, has been hosting kite-making workshops where children create Koi kites to be featured in a vibrant installation celebrating Mackay's Chinatown history. Photo source: Let The Children Play Toyshop
Adora: Part of the Chinatown installation being installed outside of Adora Cafe on Victoria Street
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