The Port Macquarie-Hastings region has been selected as the pilot in a million dollar promotion by the Australian National Travel Association, entitled See Australia. This was announced at the annual general meeting of ANTA on Tuesday in Sydney by the association's chairman, Noel McCusker, the Commissioner for Railways.

Mr McCusker said the aim of ANTA would be to test and refine the procedures and principles embodied in See Australia and give a clear indication of what can be done when a region draws itself together and makes the most of its potential.

The objectives of See Australia are to bring about a very substantial increase in the number of Australians getting out and seeing their own country, and to help providers of travel services improve their level of performance, so services will be made more attractive and satisfying to travellers.

Tourist officer, Mr Hannant, said the region would benefit from the large amount of publicity which will follow the survey of the region by ANTA, from the solid recommendation which can be expected to result from the survey and from the evidence to convince residents that there is real value in the tourist industry for every individual. An audio-visual machine was used to show the Sydney meeting a 20-minute film on Port Macquarie which was shot here some weeks ago.

Nurses for Ampol Car Trial

The exciting prospect of three nursing sisters from the local hospital participating in Ampol's big Captain Cook car trial seems much too good an opportunity to miss - from a publicity point of view. The girls -Meryl Frendin, Vivienne Levick, and Coral Persson - are planning holidays for June, 1970, when the 15-day rally and trial will take place. All they need is sponsors. All the girls are experienced drivers. Sister Levick, who has been nursing at Hastings District Hospital for the past three years, has extensive driving experience in Europe and along Australia's East Coast.

The Ampol trial will be a highlight of bicentenary celebrations in 1970 to commemorate Captain Cook's discovery of eastern Australia. Competitors from each state will start from their respective capitals and follow set routes to rally at Alice Springs. From Alice Springs the whole field will follow the same route through various states to finish in Sydney - centre of the Bi-Centenary celebrations.

Airport Terminal Change

The Department of Civil Aviation will be asked by the Oxley County Council for advice on the re-design of the Port Macquarie Airport's terminal building to cater for the 78-seat planes which may land at the airport in 1972.

At the council's meeting meeting on Thursday, a letter was received from the Port Macquarie Tourist Centre and Travel Agency requesting that thought be given to eliminating the congestion at the terminal building by separating baggage unloading from passengers and spectators.

Bavarian Dining

Proprietors of the Bavarian Inn, Ilke Leslie and Anna Witte have released a new menu for their continental restaurant in The Plaza shopping centre.