Mid North News

Eighty anglers set out on the Manning River this morning, all out for bragging rights for the biggest catch. A national competition has attracted fishers from interstate and across the ditch.  

Headspace is celebrating 10 years supporting the Coffs Harbour community through the Park Lane Festival. The event is well underway featuring a line up of entertainment, all in a bid to keep mental health on the agenda.

Protestors marched on the office of Coalition MP Leslie Williams today, concerned she’s not doing enough to protect the environment. The group of 50 even attempting to present her with a trophy.

While planning continues for the major upgrade to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital, three smaller projects are about to begin construction. Upgrades to both the Intensive Care Unit and Transit Unit, to increase bed capacity, will begin in the coming months. As well as an Aboriginal Cultural and Wellbeing Centre, that will feature local Indigenous artwork. The $2.4 million contract has been secured by Indigenous Enterprise, J-N-C Group. “To have people come in that know their own culture, that know what’s needed and will encourage Aboriginal people to actually utilise the services.” Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 20-18.

There’s no lack of employment opportunities for security technicians in the Clarence Valley. Grafton’s McGrath Electrical and Data set to employ 90 new trainees after winning a contract at the Clarence Valley Correctional Centre.

Chatham’s Mal Myers has proved he has one of the mid north coast’s greenest thumbs, taking out grand champion at the Manning’s annual Winter Orchid Show. This stunning slipper orchid helped add another trophy to Mr Myer’s cabinet, who has won the prize nearly a dozen times. The two-day event continues tomorrow, attracting entries from across the Manning Valley and Great Lakes. (VISION ONLY)  

Taree’s new police station is a step closer to reality with an approximate start date now set for the build. Work will commence in the next three months, following the re-announcement of nearly $11-million of funding in this week’s state budget. The new facility will provide secure parking for police vehicles, and improved alcohol and drug testing facilities. (AUDIO IN PARTS)  

The Director of the National Marine Science Centre has hailed the world wide plastic free July campaign as a positive step in the right direction. Although he fully supports the idea of reducing plastic bags in our retail stores, Professor Steven Smith there’s a lot more plastic items destroying our marine environment.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will spend almost $60-million over the next financial year on key infrastructure projects. One of the items set to receive some desperate TLC is the town’s leaking swimming pool.  

As Refugee Week is recognised around the country, the Coffs Harbour community is remembering a piece of hidden history through art. An exhibition of mixed-media wall hangings, by Frances Larder, presents the stories of the Dutch-Indonesian Buitenkampers, many of whom relocated to Australia after the War of Independence. “Particularly with this as part of the Dutch heritage and Dutch history and part of Australian history it needs to be known and it will give the people a bit of closure and a bit of recognition.” The Dutch were the largest group of post World War 2 migrants to relocate to Coffs Harbour. The exhibition will run until July 7 at the regional gallery.