Tasting of the Hastings 2010

For a gourmet journey around Port Macquarie’s extraordinary locations and attractions, the region’s annual food and wine festival, The Holiday Coast Credit Union Tastings of the Hastings, is on this October. For a gourmet journey around Port Macquarie’s extraordinary locations and attractions, the region’s annual food and wine festival, The Holiday Coast Credit Union Tastings of the Hastings,... [Read more]

TAFE – Green Day Out

EcoSmart Mid North Coast and Great Lakes Wins at EcoSmart Dealer of the Year Awards The annual Green Day Out event is a mix of market stalls, entertainment and interactive demonstrations from local businesses focusing on environmental sustainability and healthy living. The Green Day Out is a relatively new event. Can you explain to us what it’s all about? The Green Day Out is an annual environmental... [Read more]

Hastings Woodworkers

Kevin Carmody shares his passion for woodworking and the creative efforts of the Hastings Woodworkers Guild Inc. with Jo Atkins … What’s the story behind the formation of the Hastings Woodworkers Guild Inc.? The inaugural meeting of what was to become the Hastings Woodworkers Guild Inc. took place on 5 May 1994 at the Wauchope Woodturning Supplies, Rocks Ferry Road, Wauchope at the instigation... [Read more]

Diamonds ‘n Denim Line Dancing

Diane Andrews from Diamonds ‘n Denim Line Dancing tells Jo Atkins how a shared love of Country music and a sense of curiosity brought the group together … Where, when and how did your interest in line dancing begin? In Port Macquarie, in 1995, my brother and his wife showed us a music video clip with people line dancing in the background. Being Country music fans, we joked that we should learn... [Read more]

Your Town, Your Song

Calling all poets, balladeers and aspiring songwriters … Here’s your chance to put you – and your home town – on the map. ABC Radio is inviting Australians to pen the lyrics for a song about their town. The winning entry will have Golden Guitar winners Ian ‘Quinny’ Quinn write an accompanying melody and Felicity Urquhart recording the finished product. Quinny tells us more about his career,... [Read more]

Hastings Fly Fishers

Ben Hicks, Captain of the Hastings Fly Fishers club explains how fly fishing is a peaceful, yet fun and challenging past-time for people of all ages … > Give a brief history of how Hastings Fly Fishers was formed … We have just celebrated our first birthday. A few of us, four I believe, got together to discuss the formation of a fly fishing club. From there, we asked some friends... [Read more]

Bounty Hunters

With their eclectic mixture of original tracks and classic pub rock, the Bounty Hunters are thrilling audiences near and far … > Tell us a little about how the original Bounty Hunters was formed. Lyn: Back in 2006 David and I had written a bunch of songs that we wanted to record and release, so we approached David’s old bandmate from the Rabbi days, Mark Tinson, to co-produce and organise... [Read more]

The Little Brewing Company

They say ‘a Little beer is good’, but as Kylie and Warwick Little are finding out it’s A LOT of beer that’s needed. As the medal hauls and demand for Port’s The Little Brewing Company’s beer keep pouring in, proprietors Kylie and Warwick turn to the locals who have supported them to say thanks and are looking at ways to keep up  with production. They fill us in with the recent awards,... [Read more]

Hastings Old Holdens Car Club

Members of the Hastings Old Holdens Car Club have a big month ahead of them, as they prepare to buff and polish their prize Holdens in time for the third annual Classic Cruise. In the lead-up to the event Club Vice President, Rick Wilson, talks to Kim Gould about the club’s history, the upcoming Cruise and their beloved old Holdens. > How did the club first come about? Back in October 2004,... [Read more]

Peak Coffee visits Sumatra

Local Head Coffee Roaster, Shayne McCrystal took a journey deep into the heart of Indonesia’s Sumatra to visit the coffee plantations and meet the local people who process some of the finest coffee in the world. The beans from Sumatra make up part of the ‘Daily Ritual’ blend from our local coffee roaster, Peak Coffee. > This was your first time to a growing origin (the source of coffee beans),... [Read more]

Poultry of Burrawong

Grant Jolliffe, his wife Trudi and dad Bruce rear and process chickens and ducks on their property located 30 km north of Kempsey along the Stuarts Point Road. Their business, Poultry of Burrawong is developing a reputation for providing quality poultry to both local and metropolitan markets, and the Jolliffe family are regular visitors to the Hastings Farmers’ Markets at Wauchope. > Give us... [Read more]

Port Macquarie Hastings Canoe Club

Feel like keeping fit, meeting new people and enjoying beautiful scenery while having minimal impact on the environment? Caroline Swan-Webber and her husband Bill Webber established the Port Macquarie Hastings Canoe Club Inc. in 2007. Jo Atkins talks to Caroline about the club and the many benefits of canoeing and kayaking. > How did you and Bill become involved with canoeing? We’ve been involved... [Read more]

Girl Guides 100th Anniversary

Australian Girl Guides have been celebrating their 100th Anniversary since September last year and will continue the festivities until February 2011. As we mark such an important milestone for the character-building organisation, Kim Gould interviews Division Leader, Jenny Cox, about the benefits for girls worldwide. > How did Girl Guides begin and what are the aims of the organisation? The Girl... [Read more]

Port Macquarie Historical Society

Records and relics of Port Macquarie’s 189 year history are safely housed at the Historical Museum in Clarence Street … safe, except for a leaky roof causing water damage to our precious historic records. Fortunately though, thanks to the Panthers and Tooheys’ recent joint promotion ‘Renovate your Community’, the Historical Society now has $20,000 for badly needed roof repairs. Leonie... [Read more]

Hastings Valley Mountain Bike Riders

Hastings Valley Mountain Bike Riders is one of the oldest cycling clubs in the area, incorporating both social rides and competitive racing. Kim Gould catches up with Lloyd Newell to find out about the upcoming 12 hour endurance race. > Tell us about the Hastings Valley Mountain Riders. The club formed here in the Hastings Valley around 25 years ago, and we still have some of the original members.... [Read more]

The McClymonts

Individually, Brooke, Samantha and Mollie McClymont are among the most talented performers of their generation. But put them together, and The McClymonts weave a very special kind of musical magic. The talented trio will hit the stage at Laurieton United Services Club later this month, and we talk to Mollie McClymont about the show and their recent successes. > After releasing your debut album... [Read more]

Mid Coast Old Holden Car Club

Mid Coast Old Holdens Car Club has been established for less than 6 months. We catch up with club secretary, Sue Kennerson, to find out more… > How did the Club first come about? The club was officially formed on June 16, 2009, due to popular demand to have an Old Holden club in the Manning Valley, Gloucester & Great Lakes regions. There was a desperate need for a local Holden Car Club,... [Read more]

Glasshouse Seat Endowment Program

The Play a Part Seat Endowment Program is an initiative of the Glasshouse that allows you to bestow a seat in the name of a loved one or group. The first people to take part in this program, Jack and Patricia Ross, tell us about the significance of their donation. > What are your impressions of the Glasshouse? Patricia: I think it’s beautiful in every way. I think it’s a big asset to Port... [Read more]

Wauchope Bonsai Club

Ever wondered how they grow miniature trees in a tray – aka a Bonsai? Wauchope Bonsai club tells us more. > Tell us about the origins of the Wauchope Bonsai Club. The group was formed by a group of local enthusiasts in 2003, when it outgrew a backyard friendship group. Since then the club has continued to grow, with new members moving to the area and members from the now defunct Port Macquarie... [Read more]

Festival of the Sun 2009

Festival of the Sun is back in December and promises to be a not to be missed music event. We talk to Scott Mesiti about this year’s lineup. > Now in its fifth year, FOTSUN 2009 is soon approaching. Tell us about this year’s event. Yeah, 5 years is a long time. We are stoked with the support we have had … we took an idea and ran with it and we are still standing. This year is our biggest... [Read more]

Brandenburg Soloists

On October 22, the Glasshouse will host its first fine music performance, the Brandenburg Soloists. Melissa Farrow and Matt Bruce, two of the performers, invite us to experience this unique classical concert. > You are both high profile musical performers. Tell us about your background in music and how you achieved success at this elite level. Melissa: I started playing music when I was 8. I started... [Read more]

Graham Bell – Angel Flight

There is an angel in Port Macquarie. Granted, he’s a bit hard to recognise as such, dressed as he usually is in his trademark polo shirt, Bermuda shorts and long socks. But he’s a genuine angel, all right. People living in remote locations across New South Wales, needing non-emergency treatment in city hospitals, know what an angel he is. Remote Australia is brilliantly served by the Royal Flying... [Read more]

Mic Rees – iPhone art

Amazingly talented Port Macquarie artist Mic Rees is pushing the boundaries … using a mobile phone to create his latest works. > We’re extremely impressed with your latest artwork, and more astonishingly you’ve created it using the equivalent of a mobile phone. What was involved in the process? The artwork is created on an iPhone or iTouch using a program called ‘Brushes’.... [Read more]

St Leonards – Shane Fritsch

St Leonards front man, homegrown local Shane Fritsch is pleased to announce the band’s debut album launch, with a special event to be held this month. We catch up for all the goss about the album and the people behind it. > Tell us how your band and its new name ‘St Leonards’ came about. St Leonards is an evolution from my solo project. We all played under the ‘Shane Fritsch’ banner... [Read more]

Leila Brulee – Burlesque Dancer

Leila Brulee is living her passion, inspired by the artform and era of Burlesque epitomised by the infamous Gypsy Rose Lee. What is Burlesque? Burlesque is a theatrical form of satire. It is usually tongue in cheek, and involves song, dance, mime and bit of risque humor – but it is never smutty! It is about sensuality in its various forms and giving the audience something to think about or giggle... [Read more]

Jack and Brodie White – Waterskiing Brothers

Chrissy Jones speaks with talented waterskiing brothers Jack and Brodie White. The Wauchope boys tell us about their achievements and where they think their chosen sport may take them. Jack and Brodie water-ski behind their family boat Per4ma, spending many hours training on the Hastings River at Wauchope, and both have had some great successes to be proud of. Fifteen year old Jack has competed all... [Read more]

BMW 135i Sport Coupe Test Drive

This month we buckle up tight as Andrew Richmond takes a spin in BMW’s new 135i Sport Coupe, courtesy of McGuigan BMW. When I took on the task of writing for Focus Magazine Motoring section five cars ago, I promised to deliver cars that provided a sense of excitement and enjoyment in everyday driving. We’ve put to the test cars such as the Evolution X Lancer, Mercedes Benz AMG C63 and the ultra... [Read more]

Francis Furniture

Francis Furniture has been in the business of creating beautiful specialty timber pieces locally for over 27 years. Kim Francis shares their unique style.. > Hi Kim. You and your brother Chris have been making furniture in the Hastings for more than 27 years now. How did you become involved in furniture making, and where do you get your inspiration from? I was working in Sydney making doors and... [Read more]

Port Maritime

John Gwalter is passionate about our local area and more specifically, everything involving our waterways. After visiting hundreds of locations and gathering details and images from the Hastings waterways, John has complied a thorough and detailed directory of our waterways, boat ramps, public wharves, fishing spots, wild bait spots, slipways and much more. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. >... [Read more]

Nude at Miners Beach

Miners Beach in Port Macquarie has always been known as an unofficial but widely used nude beach. In what was once a secluded location for nude bathers to get in touch with nature, Miners Beach has now found itself in the middle of a newly built public walkway. The new walking track is part of a bigger plan being promoted by local member for Port Macquarie Rob Oakeshott; to link the Port Macquarie... [Read more]