History Of Mackay Sugartime Festival - Part 1 - Written by Steven Pritchard

(Note: due to lack of complete records of the History of the subject in the following articles, some subjects mentioned in the articles are not mentioned in some years while in other years they are mentioned. thorough Research for this article has been done however due to incomplete records some information has not been able to be recovered – apologies are given for any inconvenience this may have caused), Note: due to Legal Reasons names of Sugartime Queens or awards presented to individual persons have not been published - apologies are given for any inconvenience this may have caused.)


Mackay’s Sugartime Festival was an annual event held every year from 1979 – 2002 The Sugartime Festival was held every September and was organised by the Mackay Host Lions Club.
The first Sugartime Festival was held in 1979. The 1979 festival was held between August 31 and September 9. A Sugartime Queen was crowned in 1979. Winners of the 1979 procession were: St Josephs Catholic Youth Group (Best Festival Theme), Mackay Visitors Bureau (Best Association – Group) and Mackay State High School (Best School). A Best Decorated Bike Award was presented. Events during the 1979 festival included: Beer Festival, Fireworks Display and 1979 Mackay and District Rugby League Grand Final.
In 1980 the Sugartime Festival was held between August 29 and September 7. The Sugartime Queen for 1980 was crowned by then Mayor of Mackay Albert Abbott (Now deceased) at Cloud 9. HMAS Snipe visited Mackay as part of the Sugartime Festival in 1980. The RAAF Roulettes visited Mackay as part of the Sugartime Festival in 1980. In 1980 the former annual Mackay Agricultural Field Days Ag Fest was held as part of the Sugartime Festival. The Pioneer Shire Council celebrated its centenary in 1980 – The Sugartime Festival in conjunction with the Sugartime Festival and the Pioneer Shire Council’s Centenary Committee held a Sunday Fun At The Harbour event at the Mackay Harbour. Winners of the 1980 procession were: Mackay Harbour Board – Became Mackay Port Authority in 1987 (Best Illustrating Festival Theme) Racecourse Mill (Best portraying Festival Theme), Brampton Island (Best Decorated), Mackay Jaycees (Most Humorous), Mackay Hairdressing Association (Best Advertising), Betty Maskell School Of Dancing (Best Association- Group) and Mackay State High School (Best School)
Events during the 1980 festival included: North Jacklin Datsun (Now North Jacklin Nissan) Air Navigation Trial, Beer Festival, Fishing Competition, Fun Run from the Pioneer Swim Centre (a.k.a North Mackay Pool) to Mackay Harbour, Sugartime Greyhound Race Meeting, Mackay and District Horticultural Society Garden Scene 80. Pottery competition, Sugartime race meeting was held at Ooralea Racecourse. A Table tennis competition was held at Reids Department Store at Caneland Shoppingtown. The Soccer Federation Cup Final was held at Mackay Showgrounds. The Croker Volvo yacht race from Mackay Harbour to Brampton Island. An offshore boat race was held at Mackay Harbour. A. An Offshore Ski Classic was held at the Mackay Harbour North wall. Mackay Society for Growing Plants Flowers Of Australia Display, , Oakdale Rodeo, Carnival at Mackay Showgrounds, , Raft Race, Lolly drop, Sand Castle competition, Kite Flying Competition and a harbour carnival was held coinciding at the end of the festival in 1980.
In 1981 the Sugartime Festival was held between September 5 and September 13. The Sugartime Queen for 1981 was crowned by the 1980 Sugartime Queen at the Mackay Squash Ball (now known as Mackay Leisure Centre). The Window Competition winner for 1981 was Lamberts at Centrepoint Arcade. The 1981 festival featured The official opening of the Erakala – Mackay Harbour Rail Link was officially opened by then Minister for Transport Don Lane and then Minister for Northern Development and Maritime Services Val Bird on September 5 1981 – Overpasses for the Rail Link are located on the Bruce Highway at Glenella, Mackay Bucasia Road at Mount Pleasant, Glenpark Street at Andergrove and Slade Point Road at Mackay Harbour. . In 1981 the procession winners were: North Jacklin Datsun (Best Festival Theme), Pioneer Shire Council (Best decorated), Mackay City Cabs (Most Humorous), Eagers Retail – Now New Pioneer Motors (Best Advertising), Torres Strait Island Dancing Group (Best Association Group), West Mackay State School (Best School) A best decorated Bike Award was also presented.
Events during the 1981 festival included: North Jacklin Datsun (now North Jacklin Nissan) Air Navigation Trial, Beer Festival, The Port Curtis Dairy fun run, Sugartime Greyhound Race Meeting, pottery competition, A Raft Race was in 1981. A, sponsored by), a. A City Mall was conducted; A Sugartime Fun Carnival was within in the Caneland Shoppingtown carpark. An all day beach carnival coinciding with the finish of the Sugartime Festival was at Harbour Park in 1981. Events during the 1981 festival included: Arrest of Mackay’s Mayor (1981 Mayor: Albert Abbott), Special Night at Mackay Squash Bowl (Now known as Mackay Leisure Centre), Anything Goes Fun Day at Queens Park, Jaycees Car Wrecking Demolition, Slade Point Scouts Kite Flying Competition, Mackay City Cabs Cabbie Race, Pioneer Photographic Club Display, Fun Carnival at Caneland Shoppingtown carpark, City Heart Mall, , Jaycees Home Garden Competition, Raft Race and a Harbour carnival was held coinciding at the end of the festival in 1981.
In 1982 the Sugartime Festival was held between August 28 and September 5. The Sugartime Queen for 1982 was crowned by then Mayor Of Mackay Albert Abbott (Now Deceased) at the Farview Tavern – Farleigh. The Window Competition Winner for 1982 was: Lamberts at Centrepoint Arcade. In 1982 The Mackay Festival Of Performing Arts (a.k.a The Mackay Eisteddfod) was during the 1982 festival- The venue was the Theatre Royal in Wood Street (Now demolished). In 1982 planned trains to transport people to the 1982 Sugartime Festival Carnival at Mackay Harbour were cancelled due to a railway employee’s overtime ban. In 1982 the procession winners were: The Meriam Cultural Group (Best Decorated), Michael Moohin – Steptoe & Son (Most Humorous), West Mackay State School (Best School), Proserpine Squash Club (Best Association Group) and North Jacklin Datsun Centre (Best Advertising). There was no best decorated Bike Award or Best Festival Theme Award presented in 1982
Events during the 1982 festival included: Air Navigation Trial, Art competition, Beer Festival, Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre Fireworks Display, fun carnival at Caneland Park, Port Curtis Dairy Lions Fun Run, Sugartime Greyhound Race Meeting, Fish Auction, Jaycees Fun Day at John Breen Park, Mackay Friends Of The Library storytelling, pottery competition, Raft Race the mens competition winner was awarded to a group of individual persons. The women’s competition was won by North Jacklin Datsun Centre and a Harbour carnival was held coinciding at the end of the festival in 1982
In 1983 the Sugartime Festival was held between August 26 and September 4. The Sugartime Queen for 1983 was crowned by then Mayor of Mackay Albert Abbott (Now Deceased) at the Farview Tavern – Farleigh. The Window Competition Winner for 1983 was: Shirley’s Shoes located at Caneland Shoppingtown. The Sugartime Theme in 1983 was: Star Wars. In 1983 the procession winners were: North Jacklin Motors (Best Festival Theme), Pioneer Family Day Care Scheme (Best Decorated), Michael Moohins Second-hand Dealers Ma & Pa Kettle (Most Humorous), Dundula State School Pre-School (Best School), Company Blue Bank (Best Advertisement Float), Gaiya College Parents Support Group (Best Association – Group), A Best decorated Bike Award was also awarded.
Events during the 1983 festival included: Mackay and District Canegrowers children’s art competition, Beer Festival, BMX Carnival, Family fun carnival at Caneland Park, Tagged fishing competition, FREEPS Event at Queens Park, Sugartime Fun Carnival at Caneland Park, Radio 4MK (Now 4MK AM) – NQX Transport Fun Run, Children’s Star Wars Gala Night, Mackay And District Horticultural Society Garden Scene 83, Sugartime Greyhound Race Meeting, Mackay Branch Of Society of growing Australian plants flowers of Australia display, pottery competition, Castlemaine Perkins XXXX Beer Raft Race and A Harbour Beach Carnival was coinciding with the finish of the Sugartime Festival was held at Harbour Park.
In 1984 the Sugartime Festival was held between September 7 and September 16. The Sugartime Queen for 1984 was crowned by then Mayor of Mackay Albert Abbott (Now Deceased) at the Farview Tavern – Farleigh .The festival was officially opened by then Member for Dawson Ray Braithwaite (1984 was the first year that the festival was officially opened). The Sugartime Theme in 1984 was: Nursery Rhymes. In 1984 the procession winners were: North Jacklin Nissan (Best Festival Theme), Good Old Days (Most Humorous), Slade Point State School (Best School), Roylen Cruises (Best Business), Fifth Mackay Cub Pack (Best Club), Best Decorated Bike and most humorous individual were also awarded.
In 1984 the first Rock Pop Mime (which was sponsored by 4MK in 1984) was held. The winner was a group of individual persons. Events during the 1984 festival included: primary school art competition, Beer Festival, Carnival at Caneland Park, Boat show was (1984 was the first year that this event was held), City Mall was conducted – A Primary School’s Spectacular was during this event, Mackay Electricity Board (Now Ergon Energy) cooking demonstration, Fireworks Display, Fish Auction, Tagged fishing competition, FREEPS Event at Queens Park, Radio 4MK (Now 4MK AM) – Speedi Colour Fun Run, pottery competition and Castlemaine Perkins XXXX Beer sponsored Raft Race – winner was: PJ Engineering – Mount Ossa and Tri-Aquathon,
In 1985 the Sugartime Festival was held between September 6 and September 15. The Sugartime Queen for 1985 was crowned by Wife of then former Mayor Of Mackay Albert Abbott Lady Abbott (Now Deceased) at the Whitsunday Hotel. The Festival was officially opened by then Member for Dawson Ray Braithwaite. The RAAF Roulettes visited Mackay as part of the Sugartime Festival in 1985. The Window Competition winner for 1985 was: Shirley’s Shoes located at Caneland Shoppingtown. In 1985 the procession winners were: Mackay City Council (Best Festival Theme), Dundula State School (Best School), 5th Mackay Cub Pack (Best Club), Mackay Harbour Board – became Mackay Port Authority in 1987 (Most Humorous) and Coca Cola Bottlers Mackay (Best Business). No Best Decorated Bike and most humorous individual award were presented in 1985.
Events during the 1985 festival included: Mackay And District Canegrowers Children’s Art Competition, Aquatic Carnival at Theresa Creek Dam near Clermont, Whitsunday Hotel Beer Festival, Boat show, catamaran race at Harbour Beach City Mall was conducted – A Primary School’s Spectacular was during this event, Family Fun Night at Caneland Park, Fireworks Display, Fish Auction, Tagged fishing competition, FREEPS Event at Queens Park, Prince Of Wales Hotel Golden Mile foot race, Sugartime Greyhound Race Meeting, pottery competition, Raft Race - winner was: Hodge Muffler, 4MK Rock Pop Mime and A carnival at Mackay Harbour was held at the conclusion at Mackay Harbour
In 1986 the Sugartime Festival was held between: September 5 and September 14. The Sugartime Queen for 1986 was crowned by then Mayor of Mackay Albert Abbott (Deceased) at Harbour Lights Restaurant. The festival was officially jointly opened by then Minister for Education Lin Powell and then Mayor Of Mackay Albert Abbott (now Deceased). The Window Competition winner for 1986 was: Westpac Bank (Corner Wood & Victoria Sts). Then Mackay Commercial Television Station MVQ6 (also known on- air in 1986 as Tropical Television) broadcasted a Sugartime festival special on September 14 1986. In 1986 the procession winners were: Friendly Motors (Best Festival Theme), Dundula State School Preschool (Best School), Mackay Maritime Archaeological Society (Best Club), Mackay Holiday Region Council (Most Humorous), Moranbah Baton Twirlers (Best Marching Group), Most Humorous individual and best equestrian award was also awarded.
Events during the 1986 festival included: North Queensland Antique Bottle and Collectors Club display at Cloud 9, Battle of the Bands competition, Beer Festival. Catamaran race, Childrens Art Display, Family Fun Carnival was at Caneland Park, Fireworks Display, Fish Auction, fishing competition, Sugartime Greyhound Race Meeting, Leisuretime Expo, pottery competition, Raft Race – winner was: Mackay Demolitions, Rock Pop Mime, The Golden Mile foot race, Triathlon, Tug Of War Event, Wheelbarrow Race and A Carnival at Mackay Harbour was held at the conclusion of the Festival in 1986.
In 1987 the Sugartime Festival was held between September 4 and September 13, The Sugartime Queen for 1987 was crowned by then Mayor of Mackay Albert Abbott (Now Deceased) at North Mackay Bowls Club. The festival was officially opened by then Queensland Travel & Tourism Corporation President Pat King. The Theme for the 1987 festival was: Holiday Mackay. The Window Competition winner for 1987 was: Pioneer Permanent Building Society. HMAS Ipswich visited Mackay as part of the Sugartime Festival in 1987. Then Mackay Commercial Television Station MVQ6 (also known on-air in 1987 as Tropical Television) continued broadcasting Specials in 1987. The specials for 1987 were broadcasted on: September 10 and September 14. Nightly reports were also broadcasted on MVQ in 1987. These were broadcasted on September 8, September 9, September 10 and September 11 1987. MVQ6 did not broadcast any specials or reports about the Sugartime Festival in 1988. MVQ6 also held a beach run at the Mackay Harbour on September 12 1987.
In September 1987 the festival received $3,000 in funding from The Mackay-Pioneer Bicentennial Community Committee for the 1988 festival. Also in 1987 the Caneland Park Soundshell (which was officially opened in January 1988) was first used for the Sugartime Festival. Construction had begun in July 1987. In 1987 The Sugartime Committee was considering extending the 1988 festival for 2 weeks – this never eventuated. In 1987 the procession winners were: Tourism Mackay (Best Festival theme), Dundula State School Pre-school (Best School), Coca-Cola Bottlers Mackay (Best Business), Maritime And Archaeological Museum (Best Club Float), Ansett Airlines (Humorous Float), The Pioneer News – No Longer in existence (Most Original), Bundaberg Drum Corps (Best Marching Group) – A Most Humorous person award was also awarded. No Best Equestrian award was presented in 1987.
Winners of the 1987 Coca Cola Softdrink Sponsored annual Rock Pop Mime were: Pioneer State High School (High School Winner) and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School (Primary School Winner) Events during the 1987 festival included: Battle Of The Bands, Sugartime Bowls Carnival at the Slade Point Memorial RSL Lawn Bowls Club, Coca Cola Softdrink Fireworks Display, fish auction, Fishing competition, Rod and casting fishing competition, Sugartime Greyhound Race Meeting, pottery competition, Raft Race – winner was Mackay Demolition. Sugartime Race meeting was at Ooralea, Leisuretime Expo, Golden Mile footrace, The Queensland Championship Motor Bike Beach Races at Bucasia Beach, Triple S Auto Spares and Hossacks Harbour Beach Triathlon, Tug Of War Competition and a Family Fun Carnival at Caneland Park.
In 1988 the Sugartime Festival was held between September 3 to September 11. The festival was officially opened by then Member for Whitsunday Geoff Muntz. The Window Competition winner for 1988 was: Friendly Motors (Now Powerhouse Ford). The Theme for the 1988 festival was: Tourism Mackay in Our Bicentennial Year. HMAS Whyalla visited Mackay as part of the Sugartime Festival in 1988. In 1988 the procession winners were: Endeavour Industries Sheltered Workshop (Best Festival Theme), Dundula State School (Best School), Coca-Cola (Best Business), Genealogical Society of Queensland Mackay Branch – Now Mackay Family History Society (Best Club Float), Sarina Hospital (Humorous Float) A most humorous person award was also awarded.
Winners of the 1988 Coca Cola Softdrink sponsored annual Rock Pop Mime were: Mirani State High School (High School Winner) and St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School (Primary School Winner). Events during the 1988 festival included: Mackay Antique Bottlers Antique Bottle display at Cloud Nine, Battle of the Bands winner was: Nightlife, Bicentennials, Bicentennial Variety Spectacular, Carnival at Caneland Park. Mackay Air Sea Rescue fish auction, Sugartime Horse Racing meeting, Boomerang Hotel and Motel Tagged fishing competition, fishing competition, Golden Mile foot race, Sugartime Greyhound Race Meeting, Sugartime Lawn Bowls Carnival, pottery competition, Raft Race – winner was: Murray Craft Fibreglass. Mackay Dive Centre Triathlon, Triathlon at Mackay Harbour and The National Mutual Insurance Beach Carnival was held at the conclusion of the festival.
In 1989 the Sugartime Festival was held between: September 1 to September 10. The Sugartime Queen for 1989 was crowned by the 1988 Sugartime Festival Queen at the 500 pavilion – Mackay Showgrounds. The Window Competition winner for 1989 was: The Commonwealth Employment Centre – Commonwealth Employment Services is now known as Centrelink. The Theme for the 1989 festival was: Camping In Tropical Paradise. HMAS Townsville visited Mackay as part of the Sugartime Festival in 1989. Then Mackay Commercial Television Station MVQ6 (also known on – air as Tropical Television in 1989) broadcasted a Sugartime Festival special on September 9 1989 – 1989’s special was the last Sugartime Special to be broadcasted on MVQ6, the station became the Sunshine Television Network on August 28 1990 and on December 31 1990 became a sole Seven Network Affiliate and also began to broadcast into Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton and Toowoomba. MVQ and Bundaberg, Maryborough and Sunshine Coast Commercial Television Station SEQ combined to form the network.
In 1989 the procession winners were: Mackay TAFE College (Best Festival Theme), Bucasia State School (Best School), Sunshine Produce (Best Business), Body Image Fitness Club (Best Club) and Mater Hospital (Most Humorous). No most humorous individual award was presented in 1989.
Winners of the 1989 Coca Cola Softdrink sponsored Rock Pop Mime were: Mirani State High School (High School Winner) and Fitzgerald State School (Primary School Winner). Events during the 1989 festival included: Daily Mercury Newspaper and City Gym (Now City Fitness) Aerobation, Battle of the Bands winners were: North Mackay State High School (High School Winner), Fitzgerald State School (Primary School Winner) and Mackay State High School Brass Quintet (Small Group), Mackay Commercial Television MVQ6 (also known on-air as Tropical Television in 1989) harbour Carnival, Castlemaine Perkins XXXX Beer and Prince Of Wales Hotel Beer Festival, Carnival at Caneland Park, Coca Cola Softdrink Fireworks, Prince Of Wales Hotel Golden Mile foot race, Tagged fishing competition, Raft Race, Hossack’s Rod and casting fishing competition, Castlemaine Perkins XXXX Beer and Prince Of Wales Hotel Tug Of War Competition, tent painting auction and Mackay Air Sea Rescue Squad Fish auction.