Roll Up For A Touch Of Vintage Carnival At Mayor’s Charity Ball

The 2025 Mayor’s Charity Ball in May will bring a touch of vintage carnival to the MECC.

Think Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman, aerial acrobats and a sideshow alley of games, with prizes on offer.

Mayor Williamson said “vintage carnival” was the room theme for the MECC Plenary Halls for the Ball on Saturday, May 10.

“As always, the Ball isn’t a fancy-dress event. Ball-goers should come dressed to suit Mackay’s premier red-carpet night out," he said.

Mayor Williamson said the Community Committee that organised the event had made format changes based on feedback from previous Balls.

“There will still be a live auction, but it will only be one, short segment, with the focus on having a great social night out," he said.

“A silent auction and the ‘sideshow alley’ carnival games will help boost funds raised for charities.”

Musical entertainment on the night will be provided by world-class act The Diamonds, from Sydney, and local band Mango Junction.

Channel 7 presenter Chris Parsons, from The Great Outdoors, returns as emcee.

The Ball has raised more than $1 million since its inception.

Mayor Williamson said the Ball raised funds for two charities for two years to enable significant funds to be raised for each charity and make a real difference in our community.

“Proceeds this year will be split 50-50 between Grapevine Group, in its second year of being a beneficiary and new beneficiary, the Salvation Amy’s Samaritan House,” Mayor Williamson said.

Training coordinator Edie Weiss said Grapevine Group was honoured to be a Mayor’s Charity Ball recipient.

“Our focus is education and awareness. It can make a life-saving difference,’’ she said.

“The 2025 funds provide an opportunity to expand our network of suicide prevention trainers via our new In-house safeTALK Trainer Program.

“Grapevine Group is offering medium and large businesses the chance to have their own staff qualify as safeTALK trainers, then provide suicide prevention training to their colleagues."

Hannah Stephen, State Manager Family Violence Programs – NT/QLD, said the Salvation Army Family Violence Services were grateful for being selected as one of the beneficiaries for the funds raised through the Mayor’s Charity Ball.

“The costs associated with family violence and the long-term impacts on both adult and child victim survivors are significant,’’ she said.

“As a public health issue, a whole-of-community response to end family violence is crucial.

“The donation from the Mayor’s Charity Ball will support therapeutic services for victim survivors in Mackay, which will help ensure that women and children are not caught in the cycle of violence but have the opportunity to recover and thrive.”

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