Community Archives - Port Macquarie News Of The Area

Sista Connections trio Ruby, Grace and Lilly repurpose shoes for remote communities

THREE Hastings Secondary College Sista Connections students have won the 2026 TCS (TATA Consultancy Services) Sydney Marathon goIT Challenge for Schools Grand Final. The GoIT Challenge encourages students to think creatively and develop technology-based solutions to real-world problems. Ruby Richardson (Year 9), Grace Morris (Year 10) and Lilly Boss (Year 8) from Port Macquarie Campus […]

Community, Health, Local News, Regional

Cyclist covers 650km solo to honour his mum and raise funds for Dementia Australia

Brett Boots with his beloved mother. Photo: Instagram. Brett Boots prepares to begin his epic journey. Photo: Instagram. CYCLING for Dementia fund-raiser Brett Boots is expected to return home on Friday, 11 September, having completed his 650km solo Ride to Remember from Brisbane to Port Macquarie. Mr Boots undertook the deeply personal four-day journey for […]

Community, Health, Local News

Gambling reforms welcomed but fall short

NEW South Wales Council of Social Service (NCOSS) has welcomed the gambling reform package announced by the Minns Government, saying the changes include practical measures that will reduce gambling harm in NSW. However, the peak body for the state’s social and community services warns that the package leaves out important measures recommended by the Independent […]

Community, Local News, Regional

Scarecrow Festival coming to Comboyne

Leah Doeland with her creation. The Scarecrow Festival. WITH the recent arrival of Spring, the inaugural Comboyne Scarecrow Festival is fast approaching, kicking off on 12 September and running through to 11 October. Scarecrow creation and registration ends on 7 September, in time for the festival commencement. Leah Doeland, a local interdisciplinary artist, has traded […]

Community, Regional

Dr Alison Bennet to speak at a free event as part of sensorial exhibition

Dr Alison Bennett. ‘SubMerge’ is part of ‘sensorial,’ currently exhibiting at The Glasshouse Regional Gallery. Photos: Pauline Cain ARTIST Dr Alison Bennett, will be speaking at a free event at The Glasshouse Regional Gallery in Port Macquarie this Saturday 5 September at 11am to complement the ‘sensorial’ exhibition. Alison will explore how different sensory experiences […]

Community, Regional

Port Macquarie librarians of the 1970s reminisce

Kay Browne and Karen Bale share memories of their time at the Port Macquarie library in the 1970s. Photo: Pauline Cain. Karen Bale – Storytime sometime in 1979. If you’re in the photo, let us know. Photo: Supplied. Kay Browne in the 1970s accessioning books – registering new acquisitions into the library session. Photo: supplied. […]

Community, Health, Local News

Combat and collision-based ‘sports’ catch Government’s eye

IF you or members of your family spend time on social media, there’s every chance that you have been exposed to new and emerging forms of combat and collision-based activities. They include bareknuckle boxing, power slap (which is exactly what it sounds like) and something called Run Nation Championship (RNC). Google describes RNC as “a […]

Community, Local News, School

Wauchope High School students build community connections through volunteering

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Community Gardens get a helping hand from Wauchope High School students. Photo: Supplied. Students serve up meals to the Wauchope community through ADRA’s SouperVan. Photo: Supplied. Students help out at Vinnies Op Shop. Photo: Supplied. WAUCHOPE High School students are stepping beyond the classroom and into their community through […]

Community, Local News

Lea Lloyd named 2026 Mid North Coast Volunteer of the Year

Lea Lloyd receives the top honour at the 2026 Mid North Coast Volunteer of the Year awards. Photo: Rob Dwyer MP. Port Macquarie Marine Rescue NSW volunteer Lilly De Belle, named Young Volunteer of the Year. Photo: Rob Dwyer MP. HOMELESSNESS services advocate and Sunrise Rotary volunteer Lea Lloyd has been named the 2026 Mid […]

Community, Health, Local News, Regional

Palliative needs missing in aged care assessments

THE question of whether elderly Australians with serious, life-limiting illness are getting timely access to palliative care has been raised by Palliative Care Australia (PCA). The ABC’s Four Corners investigation The Waiting Game put the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT), an automated decision-making system used to assess older Australians seeking government-funded aged care, under a spotlight. […]