Local goods, live music at Breezes market day

Local craft, plants and produce will be on sale at 40 stalls when Bolton Clarke’s Breezes Retirement Village at Mackay opens its doors for its fourth annual Market Day and Open House on Saturday, 12 October.

Resident Dorothy Macgroarty said this year’s event would be bigger and better than ever with the best locally made goods, live music all day and the chance to explore the community’s resort-style facilities.

“This year there will be craft, sewing, plants, woodwork, soaps, jams and chutneys, hand-made jewellery and home baked goods,” Dorothy said.

“The residents will host morning tea and a sausage sizzle and after exploring the stalls visitors can sit on the terrace and listen to the music from Slade Point Ukelele Group, Sylvia and Royce on keyboard and saxophone and an acapella choir.”

Stallholders will come from across the region, with residents making items including knitting and crochet, woodwork, embroidery and cards to add to the mix.

A raffle of items from every stallholder will be held on the day to raise money for social activities.

Dorothy, who was “born and bred” in Mackay, said she and her husband Bill have lived at Breezes for 10 years and enjoyed the community feel.

“We’re only a small community and everybody knows everyone,” she said.

“There’s always someone to talk to or something on that you can go to – we have a busy social life.”

“I’ve lived at Breezes for more than nine years and there are endless activities to do,” said fellow resident Debbie Colquhoun, who is also looking forward to the market day.

“You can join in what you want or just spend quiet time at homer. Our swimming pool and spa are amazing, and we have a library, gym, pool table, darts and more. It’s like living in a resort 24/7.”

The Breezes Market Day and Open House will be held on Saturday, 12 October from 9am.