What’s happening?
Mackay will light up purple and blue as part of Feeding Tube Awareness Week, running from 1 to 7 February 2026.
The Sir Albert Abbott Administration Building will be illuminated throughout the week, joining more than 140 landmarks across Australia and New Zealand.
The annual campaign aims to lift understanding of tube feeding, share trusted information, and support people and families who rely on feeding tubes.
Why it matters
Tube feeding, also called enteral nutrition, provides essential nourishment for people who cannot eat or drink by mouth, or need extra nutritional support.
It supports people of all ages, including babies, children, teenagers, and adults.
Feeding Tube Awareness Week is hosted by ausEE Inc., Australia’s national support and patient advocacy organisation for eosinophilic diseases.
ausEE Inc. CEO Sarah Gray explained the meaning behind the colours.
“Purple is a common colour of feeding tube supplies, while blue represents what flows through the tube, whether that’s formula, blended foods, breastmilk, or water.”
Local impact
Mackay’s participation places the region alongside communities across Queensland and beyond, helping spark local conversations about tube feeding.
The light-up also shows public support for residents who rely on feeding tubes, and for their families and carers.
By the numbers
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More than 140 landmarks across Australia and New Zealand will light up, showing the scale of the awareness campaign.
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Feeding Tube Awareness Week runs for seven days, from 1 to 7 February 2026, with some sites lighting up on specific dates.
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In Mackay, the Sir Albert Abbott Administration Building will glow purple and blue for the full week.
Zoom in
Throughout the week, ausEE Inc. will share a series of #MyTubie stories on social media, highlighting people with lived experience of tube feeding.
A free Virtual Education Program will also run, with daily video content from tube feeding specialists, individuals, and families.
“At the time, a feeding tube felt like the beginning of the end. But now I know better. It was, in fact, the beginning of living,” said Jessie, who is sharing her story as part of the 2026 campaign.
Zoom out
Across Queensland, landmarks in Brisbane, Townsville, Toowoomba, the Gold Coast, and regional centres will also take part.
Some locations will light up for the full week, while others will shine on Tuesday 3 February, known as #TubieTuesday.
What to look for next?
Community members are encouraged to visit participating landmarks, take photos safely, and share them online.
Posts can be shared using #FTAWLightUp, #FTAW2026, and #TubieTuesday, while tagging ausEE Inc.
