Port Macquarie High School celebrates a major milestone, with its 50th anniversary in April this year. Kickstarting the celebrations early is a special art exhibition at the Glasshouse from February 25, featuring work from past students of the school. Exhibition organisers, Karen Richards and Jim Matsinos, are very excited at the diversity of the pieces on display. Hi Karen and Jim. What’s your involvement... [Read more]
Doug Piper is a local who’s passionate about Rugby Union, having spent a lot of his time being a player, coach, trainer and manager. He has been able to combine his skills as a teacher of the deaf with this sporting experience to help hearing impaired players – most recently at the Australian Deaf Games in Geelong, Victoria. How long have you lived in Port Macquarie, Doug? What originally brought... [Read more]
Michelle, you recently moved to the Camden Haven area from Sydney’s Northern Beaches with your partner G. Tell us what prompted the sea change. Actually, it wasn’t too much of a sea change for either of us, as we have been living on the Northern Beaches of Sydney for the past 15 years. We are now living in Lake Cathie, which is very similar, but with one huge difference … it is so wonderfully... [Read more]
Multiple ARIA winner, Katie Noonan, is a vocal phenomenon in her own right … but team her with guitarist Stephen Magnusson and saxophonist Zac Hurren, and what you get is Elixir! The trio will perform at the Glasshouse on February 29. Hi Katie. Please introduce us to Elixir … It’s always hard to describe your own music, but I guess the best way to describe Elixir would be... [Read more]
“Love it or loathe it – the festive and often ferocious holiday season is upon us …” Jingle Bells, deck the halls, pop the cork, put up the tree, brace for the relos and reach for the Valium! Yes folks, it is indeed that special time of year. Love it or loathe it – the festive and often ferocious holiday season is upon us, bringing with it an onslaught... [Read more]
Port’s notable for a diversity of community groups dedicated to social interaction, networking, education, sport and more, their leaders regularly featured in Out To Lunch. This month, Susie dines with an identity typical of the prime movers of such groups … Sam Openshaw’s eyes are the most striking feature of this tall, slim, immaculately dressed woman. Photos don’t do justice to the gamin-haired... [Read more]
The Camden Haven and Hastings areas are fortunate to experience a fabulous array of artistic events each year, encompassing art exhibitions, musical, dance and dramatic performances and craft displays. The Camden Haven Arts Council is one local organisation that aims to promote an appreciation of the arts within the community. Chrystine Bouffler, President of Management Committee, shares... [Read more]
The Port Macquarie Croquet Club will celebrate its 60th birthday on December 4 – a major milestone for the organisation. Club President, John Hincks, fills us in on the history of the club and tells us more about the birthday celebrations planned for the big day. Hi John. How long have you been President of the Port Macquarie Croquet Club? I have been the President of the Port Macquarie Croquet... [Read more]
One little church that has become an icon in the Pappinbarra Valley, west of Wauchope, will celebrate its 80th anniversary on Sunday 4 December. Chrissy Jones chatted with the Reverend Judy Taylor, Rector of the Parish of Wauchope, about the festivities and the history of the church. All Saints Anglican Church Pappinbarra will be celebrating its 80th anniversary on 4 December 2011. How did the church... [Read more]
Wayne Barnard, President of the Port Macquarie Maroro Outrigger Canoe Club, shares their adventures on the water … Please give a brief history of the club … Our club is a relative newcomer to the Hastings, having been established in 2004. At that time, we had a couple of people in town who were familiar with the sport and had asked our neighbours at the Coffs... [Read more]
About 4 years ago, a need to provide a safe, soft fall and weatherproof playground area for the Special Education Support Unit students of Westport High School was identified. Chrissy Jones found out how the project came to fruition from Head Teacher of Special Education, Greg Ferrett. What is the Special Education Support Unit at Westport High? Our Special Education Unit at Westport High... [Read more]
With her father as inspiration, Amanda’s nursing career took an interesting turn. She is now dedicated to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of skin cancer … Please tell us a little bit about yourself … I have lived in Port Macquarie for the past 8 years. I am married, with 5 children and 8 grandchildren. I was born in Walcha and moved to Orange at the age... [Read more]
The Point Community Church has been busy raising funds for a new Compassion Child Development Centre in Tanzania, Africa. Ian and Meg Hazelton have lived and worked in Tanzania and have experienced first hand the difference that can be made to help families and children… Hi Ian and Meg. What brings you both to Port Macquarie? Ian: We live in Armidale, and we’ve come to Port Macquarie to work... [Read more]
A life long love affair with all things beer has seen Jason develop his craft to where he has become the consummate micro brewer. Tell us a bit about yourself … My wife and I have been in Port Macquarie for almost four years. We moved from Sydney to escape the hustle and bustle. Funnily enough, we had been camping at Crowdy Bay for years and had never been to Port, thinking... [Read more]
Di McNeill is the maker and creator of the gourmet condiments range, di-licious. After following in her parents’ footsteps and using their special recipes to make relishes and sauces for family and friends, di-licious products are now available for everyone to enjoy. Tell us about the range of sweet and savoury condiments in the di-licious range. There are different types of relishes and sauces,... [Read more]
The Port Macquarie Historical museum will play host to a remarkable exhibition throughout December and January – World War 2 at Home. Debbie Sommers explains how the exhibition helps to highlight the Hastings area’s contributions to the war efforts… What is your position with the museum – and what’s involved with your role? I am the Vice President of the Port Macquarie Historical Society... [Read more]
Meet the Program Manager – Performing Arts at the Glasshouse. During the course of her career, Belinda has ran the gamut of entertainment experiences – capably managing children, animals and celebrities with her trademark flair… You moved to the Port Macquarie region in 2008 to take up the role of Venue Operations Manager at the Glasshouse. How have you settled into the region in that time? I... [Read more]
James Gallagher from the Pixiekills fills us in on what’s been happening since these local lads moved to the big smoke. The band will be coming back to visit us at FOTSUN in December … You’re all from Port Macquarie. Tell us who makes up the band and what drew you all together? We started out as a band of four, but now we have three – me, my brother Andrew and my best mate... [Read more]
Welcome to Percival Property. Michelle and Michael are excited about the launch of their new company. Congratulations on the launch of Percival Property. For those who do not know of you, please tell us a little about yourselves and your company. Thank you. We are very excited about our new direction. Michelle and I have been involved in the real estate industry all of our... [Read more]
The Big EXO Day … Wow, what an experience! People Builders Youth took 53 young people down to Parramatta Park for the biggest drug and alcohol free event in Australia. Kailey Weatherstone Tell us a little bit about yourself … Kailey Weatherstone: I am 23 years old and have been happily married to Tim Weatherstone for 1 and a half years. I have been working in the travel... [Read more]
The Open House Project is a three-year (2012-2015) cultural partnership between Port Macquarie’s Glasshouse and the Sydney Opera House. The partnership is the first of its kind in Australia and will bring untold economic, educational and cultural benefits to the area… Joe Conneely What exactly is the Open House Project? The Glasshouse in Port Macquarie has entered into a three-year multi-level... [Read more]
Local training provider Equalis has just been recognised with a major award. Narelle Henry tells us about this enterprising business, which is truly setting the benchmark for quality training in the community services sector. Narelle, give us a bit of background on yourself and Equalis … The business was established about 10 years ago by a group of clinicians, who were working for the... [Read more]
Fantastic for Weddings, private events & corporate functions. Matt, what are Pose It! Photo Booths? Pose It! is a standalone old school Photo Booth equipped with the latest in digital technology. Grab a friend, jump in, close the curtain and choose from the feature options, colour or black and white, fix your do and Pose It! Fifteen seconds later, out pops... [Read more]
Lauren Howard’s passion for art and creativity began as a child, which is now reflected in her ‘Dare to be Different’ range of flasks, key chains and door stops… What products are in the ‘Dare to be Different’ range? We started with handmade and individual stainless steel flasks with designer fabrics for all tastes, age groups and genders. Along with these... [Read more]
Local author, John Lewis joins the eBook revolution with his book, Savage Odyssey. John, you’ve decided to publish your latest book, ‘Savage Odyssey’, exclusively in eBook format with Amazon. Why did you do that? A part of Savage Odyssey absorbs my novel Savage Exile, which was originally published by Pan Macmillan here in Australia in 1996 and by Pan in the... [Read more]
Motherhood the Musical brings barrel loads of laughter – and tears – to the Glasshouse this month, in a production that celebrates the joyful (and not so joyful) moments of being a mum. Actor Jacquie Hoy plays Trisha – a mother struggling with single parenthood … Hi Jacquie. What’s your background as an actor? I’ve been a singer and actor for the last ten years. I’ve done a lot of... [Read more]
Internationally renowned singer/songwriter Isla Grant is making an appearance at Port Panthers this month as a part of her Happy Anniversary tour. Scottish-born Isla shares her love of Country Music and tells us just how she stays motivated after producing 15 albums … You came from an exceptionally musical background, and starting performing in clubs at the age of fourteen. Was that a... [Read more]
Hydro Photographics has become a Port Macquarie institution. With over 60 years’ combined experience, thousands of weddings and jobs ranging from family portraits to aerial photography … we catch up with the team behind the lens: Paul Dawson, Annemaree Roach and Michelle Morrison. Paul, you’ve been a professional photographer since 1988. You must have seen a lot of changes in the... [Read more]
What’s the history behind the establishment of the business? Hokubee Australia Pty Ltd was established in 2001 as a further processing beef factory based in Wauchope NSW. The aim of establishing the company was to increase global sales of Meltique Beef. We have another factory based in Japan but due to certain trade restrictions, Japan cannot export... [Read more]
The Girl Guides organisation has achieved some major milestones, with Guiding celebrating its world-wide centenary recently and the local Port Macquarie Guides reaching their 75th birthday. District Leader in Port Macquarie, Kim Rayner, shares her enthusiasm for Guiding. What is your position with the Girl Guides, and how long you’ve been in this position? I am the District Leader of Girl Guides... [Read more]
