THERE was a buzz in Port Macquarie last Friday, and it wasn’t just from the Ironman crowd. Gina Chick was also in town. Warming up with book signings at Collins Booksellers earlier in the day, Chick was the guest of Port Macquarie-Hastings Library that evening. Barefoot, wearing loose clothing, and waving a fan near the […]
Port Macquarie’s Phillips Lane comes alive with art
Damon Moroney (iknograffix) with his koala-inspired work in Phillips Lane. Photo: Pauline Cain. Patrick Hunter’s (InkHunter) whale in Phillips Lane. Photo: Pauline Cain. Brad Collins’ pelican. Photo: Pauline Cain. INDO the artist’s ‘Port Mac’ work. Photo: Pauline Cain. Phillips Lane comes alive with street art. Photo: Pauline Cain. PROFESSIONAL street artists are breathing new life […]

Promotions and a family fun day to mark supermarket changeover
THE transition of Hastings Co-op’s IGA supermarkets to Ritchies is now complete, with the changeover to be celebrated through a family fun day and the continuation of community grants. The supermarket sale means there will now be Ritchies IGA stores at Sovereign Place, Wauchope, Timbertown and in Gordon Street Port Macquarie. They will continue to […]

Wauchope’s Physical Culture Club wins Ironman volunteer award
Wauchope Physical Culture Club members Selena Ewart, Shelby Mackenzie and Lydene Heslop receive the Ironman award from Danny Souter, Rex O’Rourke and Michael Reid. Photo: supplied. Volunteers Gemma Riley, Caitlin French, Holly Richardson, Karen Cusato and Kim Patrick. Photo: supplied. Individual club members volunteering. Photo: supplied. DEDICATED volunteers transform a major sporting event into a […]
Heartbeat of the Hastings: Bianca Moore
YOU’VE probably seen Bianca Moore’s smiling face at markets or local events, or maybe you’ve popped into her Port Macquarie business, The Witchy Nook. What you might not know is just how much heart and community spirit she brings to everything she does. Bianca grew up in the Hunter Valley and moved to the Mid […]
‘The Last Lap’: RSCPA to host final Million Paws Walk fundraiser
PORT Macquarie RSPCA is inviting the community to join them for the final lap of their Million Paws Walk. After 30 years of branches around the country raising $17m to fight animal cruelty, this will be the event’s last. The decision to hang up the leash was due to cost-of-living pressures and the rise in […]

First edition of News Of The Area hits the streets of Port Macquarie
Country Women’s Association members Pat Banister, Robyn Baker, Jill Adams and Wendy Evans taking a break on Town Green on Friday morning to read the first edition of News Of The Area. Photo: Pauline Cain. A wet Saturday morning with coffee and the first edition of NOTA at Roam Cafe, Flynns Beach Photo: Pauline Cain. […]
Heartbeat of the Hastings: Ellen Crepaz
ELLEN Crepaz has always had a heart for helping others, but it was in the close-knit community of Port Macquarie that she discovered just how much of a difference one person can make. Arriving in the region from Sydney nine years ago, looking to make a fresh start, she ended up finding a sense of […]
Hooked On: Wet weather doesn’t dampen fishing spirits
WHILE the Mid North Coast has experienced a significant downpour for what feels like a few months, local anglers know a bit of rain is often beneficial for the waterways in the long run, though some sunny days would certainly be appreciated. Unfortunately, the forecast suggests continued wet conditions for the rest of May. The […]
How to honour our defence forces on one of the most important days on the national calendar
The Cenotaph at the end of Horton Street, Port Macquarie. Photo: Sue Stephenson. Rhys Birrane of Club Lake Cathie and Alistair Flower of Flower Hotels will be encouraging patrons to “shout a veteran a beer”. Photos: supplied. VETERANS and serving defence force personnel have been busy steaming their suits and polishing their […]