Director Kate Denborough and Actor Helen Morse are both involved with the inspiring stage production Sundowner. The production will appear at the Glasshouse on April 11, and provides an isight into the effect Alzheimer’s has on families …     Please provide a little bit of background about your directing experience, including how long you’ve been involved with the theatre … I... [Read more]

The Mobile Library Literacy Van Project  aims to improve literacy skills among our local youth – many of whom may not have access to a public library. A joint initiative between The Westport Club and Port Macquarie-Hasting Council, Jenny Edmunds explains how the van will visit outlying schools in the area …   Can you tell us a bit about the Mobile Library Literacy Van Project? The Club’s... [Read more]

Salsa Footprints will celebrate their 10th anniversary with a party at Abundance Lifestyle and Garden, and you are invited! Chrissy Jones spoke with organiser Galina about her love of Salsa.     Galina, tell us about your passion and profession … Salsa dancing. Salsa is originally from Cuba and is now danced all over the world from Europe to Indonesia and in every city in Australia.... [Read more]

Meet Mark Rawlingson, whose early years holidaying in the region laid the foundation for him to relocate here from the big smoke. Mark has some big plans for the club …         Where are you from originally? I was born and raised in Sydney. When did you first come to the Port Macquarie-Hastings region? What were your first impressions? My parents built a holiday house at The Beam,... [Read more]

Kerrie is a Charter Member of Rotary Club Sunrise and is extremely proud of some of the major works the club has taken on board. The club also encourages community members to become involved with the Big Dig event at Town Beach on May 4, which will help to support both Rotary and the local business community. How long have you been a resident of Port Macquarie? I have been in Port Macquarie of over... [Read more]

John Paul Young celebrates a music career spanning 40 years with a series of gigs around the country. Touring with the Allstar Band and dropping in at Port Panthers on April 19, this is not a show you want to miss!     Forty years is a long time to be involved with the entertainment industry. What do you think has kept your music alive and popular for such an extended period of time? It’s... [Read more]

The Aussie Rock Extravaganza concert in Coffs Harbour features a massive line-up of Rock royalty: Jimmy Barnes, with special guests Baby Animals, Ian Moss, Dragon and Chocolate Starfish. This is the biggest line-up The Red Hot Summer Tour has put together yet, making this undoubtedly one of the biggest concert experiences on the Australian touring circuit.   Not only is the 2013 Red Hot Summer... [Read more]

Todd Murray, his family and two friends recently experienced the trip of a lifetime with a visit to our very own ‘ Top End’. Fallen trees, hairy river crossings and an encounter with a Saltwater Croc were only some of their adventures … Travel location: The very tip of Australia – Port Macquarie to Cape York and back in one month. Myself, my wife and our two children, aged 6 and 8, with... [Read more]

Ralph, a local Camden Haven resident, has a passion for collecting barware and jugs. He shares his interest in collecting with many others who also enjoy the process of searching for special items, and he travels regularly to the Manning area as a member of the Taree Collectors Club …   Please share a bit of your family background – how did you end up living in the Camden Haven area? I was born... [Read more]

Looking for a fun night out with a bit of a difference? If your answer is yes, then book your ticket now for the Burlesque Ball. Chrissy Jones chatted with organiser Mandy Davidson about the event, to be held in the Wauchope Showground Hall on Saturday 20 April. With all profits going to the Hastings Women and Children’s Refuge, the ball sounds like a fantastic fundraiser.  What’s in... [Read more]

Hi Andy. Whereabouts in the Hastings area do you call home, and how long have you lived there?  I was born and bred in the Hastings area. I moved away to the city for about 10 years and decided to come home to Wauchope about 3 years ago. I missed the easy, laidback lifestyle and natural beauty the Hastings region has to offer. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else now. Were you a shutterbug as... [Read more]

Winsome & Willow is a collection of mixed media artistic diaries, notebooks, cards, affirmations and prints. Sue’s whimsical mixed media, characters, combined with words of wisdom and affirmation, are part of this mother of five’s artistic journey.   Tell us about your designs and inspiration for your brand, Winsome & Willow. Winsome & Willow was inspired by my paintings of... [Read more]

Tony Park leads a life most of us could only dream about … living half of each year in Africa, while he researches and writes his novels, and the other half of the year in Sydney. His latest novel, Dark Heart, is a an adventurous thriller set against the backdrop of stunning African scenery and wildlife, with some insights into the mass genocide in Rwanda at its heart. Tony will visit the Port Macquarie... [Read more]

Have you ever thought about the sheer scale and size Noah’s Ark would have needed to be to carry its cargo – or indeed, wondered if it would actually be possible for ANY ship to cope with this amount of weight, given the conditions it needed to operate under?   Noel Deed has done a lot of research on this subject, and he’s also constructed two model Arks to scale, following the dimensions... [Read more]

Wauchope girl Kate Richardson one day dreams of taking a lifelong love of nature and photography from hobby to career. Chrissy Jones chatted with her and had a look at some of her creative works.       How did you first get into photography? I was inspired by my grandfather, who was a professional photographer. Grandfather’s stories and many experiences always fascinated me when... [Read more]

John Patrick Prestige Cars has recently been awarded the prestigious title of Regional Jaguar Dealer of the Year. In selecting the Dealer of the Year winners, Jaguar Land Rover Australia takes into account a diverse set of criteria; these include sales performance, customer satisfaction, facilities presentation and training. John Patrick Prestige Cars opened in 1992; how has the industry changed for... [Read more]

The extremely talented winner of the Kendall National Violin Competition, James Dong has bright future ahead of him. At just 19 years of age, James is used to performing under pressure and hopes one day to pass on his musical knowledge to others. You can see James perform at the Kendall School of Arts this month … Hi James. Whereabouts do you call home? I was born in Melbourne, where I received... [Read more]

Eleanor Pinkerton is an inspiration, using her own experiences of coping with grief and loss to help others who may be going through similar circumstances. Eleanor’s a talented vocalist and songwriter, Gestalt Psychotherapist and a volunteer with Lifeline. Her music spreads the message about enjoying what’s important in life, and above all – a message of hope … You were born in Scotland –... [Read more]

The beautiful voice of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will soar in Port Macquarie’s Glasshouse on March 13. From her early concerts in New Zealand to an operatic career that’s spanned the world and several decades, Dame Kiri is a musical phenomenon …     You were born in New Zealand, and from all accounts you began singing at a young age. What are some of your fondest memories from those early... [Read more]

Dale Velvet-Rose, aka Dale Rankmore, has her foot firmly in two worlds … CEO of local enterprise Business Mechanic, with all the modern day issues of computer technology, people management and career challenges; plus, she also personifies the ideal woman from the 1950s – stylish, glamorous, while embracing the simpler things in life that the era offered. Dale will compete in the Miss Prestige category... [Read more]

Sean Edwards from Café Culture magazine and consultant to Peak Coffee in Port Macquarie has filled his passport travelling the world, discovering the origins of coffee.       Hi Sean. You’ve travelled extensively to coffee origins around the world. Where have you been so far? Since my 15 years in the coffee industry, I have travelled to coffee growing countries such as Mexico,... [Read more]

Hi Thomas. Your interest with images actually began with a love for filming and editing video. What video projects have you been involved with? I have always been into shooting videos and the video editing process; it’s what I studied and found myself doing in my spare time. I’m a cameraman and editor for NBN Television so I get to work on a lot of different things, which is great. Some of my... [Read more]

Translating paint into experience is a speciality for Frazer – an artist who captures the energy of the natural world in his creations …         You were born in Canberra, but where did you complete your studies (formal or informal) or gain most of your artistic experience? I was born in Canberra, and although raised in NZ, I have spent about half my life in Australia. I... [Read more]

From Port Macquarie to the Colosseum, locals Robbi Kitchen and Gail Flockton recently spent 6 weeks travelling in Europe and cheering on the Aussies at the Olympics.       Our trip began at Port Macquarie Airport. We excitedly boarded our Qantas flight to Sydney, to embark on our trip to Europe. Gail Flockton and I had been preparing for this for months. We would meet often and sort... [Read more]

The Toastmasters Hastings Morning Talkers welcome in 2013 with a new committee. Peter Alley (new President), Guy Middlebrook and Ian Last explain the benefits they’ve all gained from being members of the group …   Peter Alley, President. Please introduce us to the new Hastings Morning Talkers committee … We have George Mills as Education Vice President, assisted in this role by David... [Read more]

A chance opportunity for Emma Gillogly to play Rugby Union has led to amazing things for this former Port Macquarie High School student, who has since gone on to represent Australia in the sport. Emma’s sights are now firmly set on the 2016 Olympics …   Hi Emma. You went to Port Macquarie High School, before moving away for uni. What are some of your best memories from your school days? I... [Read more]

Michael Giles has a long and proud history with the Greater Port Macquarie area – long serving retired Police Officer, local rugby player and now a lawyer with Blue Water Legal. Michael is giving back by sponsoring local sports teams and kindly donating a new boxing ring to the Port Macquarie Boxing Club. You’re the owner of Blue Water Legal. How did you get into law? It really happened by... [Read more]

Peter and Christine Calabria from Artisans on the Hill will host an exciting and unique Artisans Expo from February 22 – 24. Skills that will be demonstrated at the Expo include woodwork, glass blowing, jewellery making, blacksmithing and creating musical instruments; plus there’ll be an opportunity to stock up on tools and supplies. School and TAFE students, inexperienced or experienced artisans... [Read more]

Born in Kempsey and completing her studies at Port Macquarie TAFE, Mary Bianco has her sights set on a career in fashion. Not allowing her upbringing in the country or her young age to deter her, Mary has created her own self-titled fashion label…     Hi Mary. Where did you grow up and go to school? I was born in the Philippines and came to Australia at 8 years of age. I grew up in... [Read more]

Inspired by actor Clyde Cook, local author Mitch McKay has written a book titled Gone but not Forgotten – which details Clyde’s life and career. Mitch describes Clyde as Australia’s “lost celebrity”…       Mitch, tell us about yourself and your background. Where are you from originally? I’m originally from Sydney and moved to Port Macquarie 32 years ago. I was employed... [Read more]