Nominations are now open for the 2018 Port Macquarie-Hastings Australia Day awards. 

There are so many people within our community doing wonderful things every day, often with little praise or thanks. So why not consider nominating an individual or group that you know who have made an outstanding community contribution.

The awards offer an opportunity to recognise those who dedicate their time and contribute to making the Port Macquarie-Hastings region such an inclusive community and a great place to live, work and prosper.

Award categories include the Young Citizen of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Community Group of Year, with Award recipients announced on the evening before Australia Day, January 26, 2018.

Nominations can be done online and are open until Thursday, November 30. Visit pmhc.nsw.gov.au/australiaday to nominate your local hero.

Kooloonbung Creek comes alive

If you’ve been along Gordon Street in Port Macquarie lately, you may have noticed the giant water dragon sculpture in the Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park.

It’s part of upgrades to the Cath Le Page Arboretum that are now close to completion. Cath Le Page was a dedicated community member who worked tirelessly to establish the Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park from 1985.

There’s new picnic facilities including an accessible barecue and water bubbler, plus new bicycle racks. It’s a fantastic space to take the family for some educational fun, and a great starting point for a walk through the park.

A huge thanks to the Friends of Kooloonbung Creek for their commitment and ongoing dedication to improving the area, the water dragon is already proving extremely popular with the young.... and young at heart.

Next time you’re in the area drop by and enjoy this great community space.