January 20, 2026
A taste of What’s On in Port Macquarie for National Volunteer Week The Friends of Mrs York’s Garden are hosting a Biggest Morning Tea to support the Cancer Council Photo: Pauline Cain.
Community

A taste of What’s On in Port Macquarie for National Volunteer Week

THE community’s volunteers are being celebrated during the week starting 19 May, with anyone else leaning towards freely helping others encouraged to join them. National Volunteer Week highlights the important role of volunteers in our community, with this year’s theme “Connecting Communities”. Erin Denham, co-founder of Making A Difference (MAD), stresses the importance of volunteers. […]

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Friends step in for families on special day
Community

Friends step in for families on special day

FAMILIES weren’t the only ones to gather on Mother’s Day to honour the women in their lives. Members of the Port Macquarie Seniors Club also celebrated the occasion in the company of others, with lunch at the Hot Wok Chinese Restaurant. Held annually, the get-together is for members – both women and men – who […]

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Hastings Cancer Trust fundraising events selling out, raising at least $45k Vital equipment purchased from funds raised by the Trust. Photo: The Hastings Cancer Trust.
Community, Health, Regional

Hastings Cancer Trust fundraising events selling out, raising at least $45k

COMMUNITY support for the Hastings Cancer Trust remains strong, with tickets selling fast for two of its annual fundraising events. The High Tea and Fashion Parade, to be held at the Port City Bowling Club on 25 May, reached full capacity with 114 guests securing tickets soon after release. The event is expected to raise […]

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Wrights Road the focus of Dwyer’s maiden speech Rob Dwyer is congratulated by Liberal Party leader Mark Speakman after making his maiden speech in the NSW Parliament.
Community, Government, Regional

Wrights Road the focus of Dwyer’s maiden speech

NEWLY elected Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer has used his inaugural speech in Parliament to highlight the growing traffic congestion on the Oxley Highway. Backed by his new colleagues and party leader Mark Speakman, Mr Dwyer said something needed to be done now to fix the huge volume of traffic, particularly between the Wrights […]

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Heartbeat of the Hastings: Dr Kristy Kostalas Dr Kristy Kostalas
Community

Heartbeat of the Hastings: Dr Kristy Kostalas

HAVING practiced medicine for more than 15 years, Dr Kristy Kostalas maintains a burning passion for giving back and building community. A working general practitioner (GP), Kristy is also the founding doctor of Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic. Kristy told News Of The Area it wasn’t until she moved to Port Macquarie that she discovered the […]

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Bird Rock background: 45 years of honouring lost mates 2024 Men’s Open Winner Kelly Mills. Photo: supplied.
Community, Regional

Bird Rock background: 45 years of honouring lost mates

AS heavy rain continues to wreak havoc up and down the coast, the surf community is calling upon Huey to deliver the goods for this weekend’s 45th Bird Rock Memorial Surf Classic. At 6pm on Friday, surfers, families and friends will firstly gather at the Bird Rock memorial at Town Beach Headland to honour the […]

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Coastal Crafters to host Biggest Morning Tea in Port Macquarie Club secretary Sue Scale outside the Munster Street hall. Photo: Bill Harrow.
Community, Event, Health

Coastal Crafters to host Biggest Morning Tea in Port Macquarie

MEMBERS of the Port Macquarie Seniors Club will be putting the kettle on for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea on 24 May. Hosted by The Coastal Crafters, the event is to support the national Cancer Council in its quest to raise funds for those impacted by cancer. Starting at 10am at The Senior Citizens Hall at […]

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Rainbow Beach to host the annual Bird Rock Memorial Classic on 17 May The board donated to this weekend’s Bird Rock Memorial Surf Classic. Photo: supplied
Community

Rainbow Beach to host the annual Bird Rock Memorial Classic on 17 May

THE Bird Rock Memorial Surf Classic is on again this weekend, Saturday 17 May, to remember all past surfers. The competition is to be held at Rainbow Beach, Bonny Hills. Among the prizes will be a board shaped by Scott Wylie and glassed by Tony from Spade Surfboards. There will be two competitions running side […]

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Event and community funding announced Council has announced 22 recipients of its Major Events and Community Grants program. Photo: PMHC FB.
Community, Event

Event and community funding announced

PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council has allocated almost $75,000 to local organisations through its Major Events and Community Grants programs. “These grants reflect our commitment to supporting the people and organisations who enrich our communities, promote cultural expression, and contribute to our growing local economy,” Mayor Adam Roberts said. “By supporting both grassroots initiatives and large-scale events, […]

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