GIVE YOUR MUM THE GIFT OF CRAFT

Applications are now open for original acts to enter what has now become Australia’s largest live, original music initiative, Passport to Airlie.

Winners from each region, including Mackay, will get the opportunity to open Airlie Beach Festival of Music 2023, performing in the main tent on Thursday, November 9.

“The chance to be on a bill with international stars was once-in-a-lifetime,” said Passport to Airlie co-ordinator Cherrie Hughes.

“Fresh new acts and established artists can all enter to have this chance plus the opportunity to build experience and networks as well as their opportunity for a spot on the Airlie Beach Festival of Music line-up.”

Winners will be hoping for not just an overall win but also the prize of a headline spot at next year’s Airlie Beach Festival of Music.

Passport to Airlie’s 2022 winner Perry Street Park have gone on an absolute tear since winning last year's competition, now winning the Bluesfest Byron Bay Busking Competition which saw them playing the Juke Joint stage for Bluesfest 2023.

“Passport to Airlie gives up and coming bands from all around Australia the opportunity to perform at a renowned festival on the big stage in front of industry and music lovers,” said lead singer Benny.

Airlie Beach Festival of Music Ambassador

Sarah McLeod is also back as head judge and mentor before she rocks the stage with The Superjesus Saturday night.

“What a great opportunity for bands to be discovered on a legit platform in front of real fans who will follow their journey,” she said.

“Australian Idol this ain’t!”

Applications for Passport to Airlie 2023 are open now and can be made at www.airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au/how-to-enter.

Spoil your mum this Mother’s Day with a gift from the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre.

Leading up to Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14, the centre is featuring its locally made crafts, giving you a chance to say ‘love you, Mum’ to the most important person in your life.

All our crafts are hand-made locally to a high standard by our highly experienced crafters, who put many hours of painstaking work into their creations.

“We are very proud of all our crafters,” centre manager Jenny Costello said.

“They all have many years of experience be- hind them in creating their crafts, which is apparent from the standard of their items, and our prices are quite cheap.”

The centre is a non-profit group run entirely by volunteers in heritage buildings at the Sarina Field of Dreams Parkland, which is at the southern entrance to the town.

The parkland also houses the Sarina Museum, the Sarina Art Gallery and the Sarina Sugar Shed, along with the Mackay Tourism Information Centre, which is housed in the town’s railway station.

The centre is open Monday-Saturday 9am to 1pm.

Contributed by Charlie Payne