Less than an hour away from Taree/Forster is one of the hinterland’s hidden gems – the warmly welcoming and charming village of Comboyne. To experience the beautiful mountain scenery and the friendly hospitality of the locals, make Sunday, September 16 the day you pay a visit to the Comboyne plateau, as the Comboyne Village Fair will be in full swing. With floral displays, live music, children’s entertainment, a parade, street markets, vintage and veteran cars – even lawn mower racing – Donna Lance shares some of the expected highlights of the event …
What do you love about living in the Manning-Great Lakes? Read more
The sport of Rugby Union has a long history on the Mid North Coast and has enjoyed mixed fortunes. We speak about Rugby to Phil Wilkins, Club Member of the Forster Tuncurry Dolphins and Old Bar Clams Club President, Tim Brown. Read more
Every year when I sit down to write the Social Scene for the February edition, I seem to get writers’ block. It’s not that there isn’t anything to write about, because January is an active month; it’s just that I have hardly left Wingham. January is a fabulous month for business, when all the lovely tourists are in town, and we must make hay while the sun shines.
Now here is a little bit of news from Hallidays Point. Yes, some of it is Christmas related, but they do throw a great party down there, so it is worth a mention – it was sent to me by one of our readers.
Each year the Red Head village community partakes in a Christmas light competition, where the streets are beautifully lit up with a display of street lights, helping to keep Essential Energy afloat and giving the village a wonderful festive feel. At the annual Christmas party, the previous year’s winner has the honour of selecting the current year’s winner of the competition.
There was great excitement when Maddison Aiken announced that this year’s winners were Cathy and Grant Whitelaw. More than 100 residents attended the Christmas Party held in the Red Head Reserve, and the highlight was the arrival of the Santa Claus with his endless supply of lollies. He is a hit at every street party, that Santa Claus!
Still at Hallidays Point, the 2012 Head2Head Ocean Classic was held on Monday 2 January 2012 at Black Head Beach, with fantastic conditions, the sun shining and the seas calm after some pretty heavy swells the week before. Numbers were up on last year’s swim, with a successful day for the hardworking team at the surf club. 2012 was the third year for the ocean swims, with 88 finishers in the 700 m race and 161 in the 1500 m race.
Sixteen year old Kurtis Kavanagh from Burleigh Waters in QLD took the honours in both races. In the 1500 m race, last year’s winner, 15 year old Connor Shakespeare from Forster, came in 11 seconds later to claim 2nd place.
In the women’s section, 41 year old Dori Miller from Sydney NSW was the first female home in both races. Last year’s winner of the 1500 m race, 15 year old Maddison Carnegie from Bella Vista in NSW, came in 13 seconds behind Dori to take 2nd placed female.
This year also saw the running of the inaugural 10 km ocean ski race as part of the day’s events. 18 hardy paddlers took part in the race from Black Head Beach to Diamond Beach and return, with the winner being 37 year old Shane Cornish from Forster, while 46 year old Laura Thurtell from Forster was the first female home.
As I said, Bent on Food has been busy with many happenings, including the successful launch of our evening menu, cooking classes and the usual chaos.
At the cookery school, Michael and his daughter Gaby enjoyed conducting a Big Chef, Little Chef class, with participants learning the art of cutting a chicken and turning it into the most wonderful Fricassee; I was on the dishes, so I was given a taste … yum. Not to mention that the dessert was my favourite – vanilla pannacotta, all wobbly, and perfectly formed too!
A private class was also held, with the Cudlin ladies learning some pasta making skills and my next favourite dessert, tiramisu. The ladies had a great time, and they were a pleasure to spend the evening with. They were good sharers too, and their ravioli was restaurant quality.
Michael and I also taught some very well behaved children how to make cupcakes and 3 different types of icing. The children were delightful, and they were all very good students. I felt very special when they all donated a cupcake to me – like I need any more food!
Troy Bayliss was a hit when he visited Taree Motorcycle Club’s annual twilight meet held at Old Bar race track on Saturday 21 January. Troy was competing on the day in a number of classes and was clearly a crowd favourite, with the spectators enjoying seeing their hometown boy race locally. Troy is now retired and living on the Gold Coast with his family. Originally from Taree, he returned to his home track for the first time in 20 years.
I would love to hear from you if you have any social events, weddings, parties, anything!
Send pics and info to Donna Carrier
Cheers, Donna.
Karen Farrell speaks with Scott Lambert, owner of Mik’s Pet Barn in Forster. 
After healthier options for breakfast, lunch and snacks? Like our name suggests, our juices are made from all fresh fruit and our smoothies are made from 100% natural ingredients. We don’t use any syrups, powders, thickeners or any nasty fillers.
In light of Country Week 2009, Focus explores the contrasting lifestyles of living in the city and living beside the sea.
The week long carnival, now in its second year, brings together anglers from far and wide. Focus talks to Max Frost about this family event, which will be held later this month.
Greg Smith is the director of the Forster Film Festival and a short film maker. He studied Philosophy at Newcastle and Macquarie Universities, film editing at MetroScreen and supports himself as a cartoonist.
