Mayor launches 2026 Charity Gala to support Christmas Appeal

Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto has announced the 2026 Mayor’s Charity Gala will be held at The Ville Resort-Casino on Saturday 21 November 2026, with all funds raised supporting the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal.

“The Mayor’s Charity Gala will be our major fundraiser leading into Christmas, providing those who can with the opportunity to give back, truly make a difference, and have a lot of fun doing it,” Cr Dametto said.

“Christmas can be a difficult time for families doing it tough and we want to help our chosen charities make sure those less fortunate don’t miss out on this.

"After a two-year hiatus, we're excited to bring the gala event back and give the community an opportunity to come together for a great cause.

"Our goal is to raise as much money as possible for local families this Christmas, and every ticket, sponsorship and donation will make a difference to local families.”

All proceeds from the appeal and gala will stay in Townsville, supporting three charity partners: Act for Kids, North Townsville Community Hub (NOTCH) and St Vincent de Paul Society to deliver relief to those most in need this Christmas.

The black-tie event will include a 3-course meal & beverage package, live entertainment, a live auction and a chance to learn more about and support the appeal’s charities.

Mayor Nick Dametto said community support for the event’s return was already inspiring local companies to give, with The Doyle Group coming on board as this year’s Presenting Partner.

“We’re extremely grateful to The Doyle Group for joining us as our Presenting Partner of the Mayor’s Charity Gala. Their generosity will directly support the appeal to help Townsville families doing it tough this holiday season,” Cr Dametto said.

For more than 65 years, The Doyle Group has been part of the Townsville community, helping build North Queensland through civil construction, infrastructure, quarries, transport, and property development projects.

As a locally owned and operated third generation family business, The Doyle Group continues to invest in the region and support the people who call it home.

The Doyle Group General Manager Natasha Doyle said supporting the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal was a natural extension of the company’s values and its belief in making a positive difference in the lives of others.

“For us, supporting the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal is about more than just making a contribution. It’s about recognising that Christmas can be a particularly challenging time for some families and individuals and doing what we can to bring a little hope, happiness and support when it is needed most,” Mrs Doyle said.

“Giving back is something we genuinely believe in, and it is a commitment we strive to put into action throughout the year, not just at Christmas.”

Mrs Doyle said these initiatives reflected the importance of looking beyond business and recognising the role local businesses can play in strengthening their communities.

She said the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal was particularly important because it brought the community together around a shared purpose — ensuring those experiencing hardship were not forgotten during the festive season.

"One of the things that makes Townsville special is the way people rally around each other when times are hard. We're proud to be part of this year's Mayor's Christmas Appeal and to support the charities making a real difference in people's lives every day,” Mrs Doyle said.

The Mayor’s Charity Gala will be held at The Ville on Saturday 21 November 2026. For details, visit Mayor's Christmas Charity Gala | What's On Townsville or to donate, visit the Mayor's Christmas Appeal website.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, with tables of 10 on sale now.