January 19, 2026
Golden Lures and coastal catches: celebrating 42 years of tournament fishing Mick Lee (right) celebrates his first striped marlin, landed off Plomer on live bait. He’s pictured with crew member Will Campagnolo.
Fishing

Golden Lures and coastal catches: celebrating 42 years of tournament fishing

CELEBRATING its 42nd year, the Garmin Golden Lure Tournament is back with an exciting line-up for competing anglers. Weather permitting, it promises to be a fantastic event for everyone involved. Spectators are encouraged to head down to the Hastings River waterfront this Saturday morning at 7:45am to witness the traditional sail-past as the fleet heads […]

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3/68 Lord Street, Laurieton is on the market with Harcourts Laurieton
Property

3/68 Lord Street, Laurieton is on the market with Harcourts Laurieton

3/68 Lord Street, Laurieton JUST one street back from Laurieton’s vibrant main street, this generously sized villa offers convenience and lifestyle in one. At only 350 metres to the town centre, you’ll enjoy easy walking access to shops, cafes, medical facilities, and everything this charming coastal town has to offer. If you’re looking to downsize […]

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Channelling my mother’s festive spirit through her Christmas cake Ladies in black: Jean Ball, Ann Cain and Duna Miranda with Miss McGregor in her shop in 1958.
Food

Channelling my mother’s festive spirit through her Christmas cake

The recipe written in Mum’s hand in 1958. Photos: Pauline Cain. Ladies in black: Jean Ball, Ann Cain and Duna Miranda with Miss McGregor in her shop in 1958. Soaking the fruit in Grandma Cain’s bowl. Mum wrote the recipe in the back of this well worn Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union cookbook, which I suspect […]

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Jane Austen’s 250th birthday celebrated at Port Macquarie Hastings Library Some of those who dressed for the occasion, admiring the afternoon tea. Photo: Pauline Cain.
Event

Jane Austen’s 250th birthday celebrated at Port Macquarie Hastings Library

Some of those who dressed for the occasion, admiring the afternoon tea. Photo: Pauline Cain. Jeannie Bennett (best costume), Claire from Bookface (who donated prizes) and Angela Frimberger (quiz winner). Photo: Pauline Cain. IT’S been 250 years since celebrated writer Jane Austen was born in the village of Steventon in North Hampshire, England. Port Macquarie […]

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Peter FitzSimons ‘works the crowd’ at Port Macquarie Library
Entertainment, Event

Peter FitzSimons ‘works the crowd’ at Port Macquarie Library

Peter FitzSimons at the Port Macquarie Library. Photo: supplied. Karen Bale with Peter FitzSimons. Photo: Pauline Cain. AUTHOR, journalist and former Australian rugby player Peter FitzSimons charmed a crowd of around 100 people at the Port Macquarie Library on Monday, 24 November. FitzSimons is one of Australia’s best selling non-fiction writers, and was in town […]

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Local author Blair Montague-Drake makes ‘A Biblical Herbal’ available for Christmas
Entertainment

Local author Blair Montague-Drake makes ‘A Biblical Herbal’ available for Christmas

Local author, Blair Montague-Drake: Photo: supplied. ‘A Biblical Herbal’ is available at Collins Booksellers Port Macquarie. Photo: supplied. LOCAL author Blair Montague-Drake, 83, has made his popular title “A Biblical Herbal” available at Collins Booksellers Port Macquarie, just in time for the Christmas season. The book explores the plants and herbs mentioned throughout biblical history. […]

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Mud crabs in the creek, yellowfin success offshore
Fishing

Mud crabs in the creek, yellowfin success offshore

I SPENT last weekend camping at Hat Head with friends. The kids had a blast catching mud crabs in the creek, while the dads headed offshore and were rewarded with some great yellowfin tuna action. I must admit I was a little jealous, but someone had to look after the baby. Fishing in the Camden […]

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Annual Christmas Fair to transform city centre into festive wonderland Children will be delighted by special appearances from Santa Claus.
Entertainment, Event

Annual Christmas Fair to transform city centre into festive wonderland

PORT Macquarie Hastings Council is inviting the community to kick off the festive season in style at the annual Christmas Fair. A free, family-friendly event, the fair will transform the Town Square and Town Green precinct into a buzzing celebration filled with live entertainment, local markets, delicious food and more from 5-9pm on Friday, 5 […]

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