Port Macquarie and Hastings Shire councils will shortly confer with neighbouring councils and tourist authorities on the best course of action to take to achieve construction of a bridge to link Port Macquarie with the North Shore of the Hastings River.

Last year the councils supported a move initiated by a Sydney syndicate. The syndicate approached the state government for permission to build the bridge and a franchise to recoup its capital outlay by collecting a toll from traffic using the bridge.

Appreciating the significance of a bridge to replace the Settlement Point ferry, in boosting 'development' of the area and the lift the tourist industry would gain from provision of a northern ocean road, the councils are keen to ascertain the current position with regard to the proposal.

If it is not favourable they want to investigate what alternate plan, if any, could be promulgated.

Port Macquarie municipal engineer, Mr E.F. Grogan, in a report to his council early this year, said it had been previously estimated that cost of building a bridge at Settlement Point would be $800,000.

Assuming 50 per cent government subsidy each council - Hastings Shire and Port Macquarie - will then be up for $200,000.

Annual repayment by each council on such a loan over 40 years will be $14,000. Each council's present commitment of Settlement Point and Hibbard ferries is $8500.

Vietnam servicemen feted

Last Friday the Port Macquarie RSL and Sub-branch officially welcomed back to Port Macquarie several young men who served in Vietnam.

The men were invited to a dinner function along with their wives and girlfriends. The servicemen were Messrs R. Hodge, R. McQuade, M. Lusshwitz, L. Fowler, W. Edwards, P. Hennessey, P. Doyle, J. Debreceny and A. Taylor.

Two were absent and forwarded apologies. The night was a tremendous success. Mr Dudley Bale, organiser of the dinner, did everything possible to see the guests enjoyed themselves.

The servicemen were officially welcomed by Mr Ken Radley, president of the RSL Club, and Dr Harry Hodgson, president of the RSL Sub-branch.

Both assured them any assistance that could be given within the scope of the RSL would be given if required.

Messrs McQuade, Hennessey, and Doyle spoke in response to the welcome. All were high in praise for those organisations and people who had sent parcels, letters, etc, to them while they were in Vietnam.

Wedding bells

A guard of honour formed by members of the local hockey team greeted Mr. and Mrs. Michael Barlow after their marriage in St. Agnes' Catholic Church on Saturday, July 4.

Maree is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ken White, of Port Macquarie and Michael is the son of Mrs. M. Barlow, of Coonamble, and Mr. O. Barlow of Redfern.

The bride was attended by Cynthia Studman and her sister Debbie, while the best man was Terry Kelly and the groomsman was Lawrence Barlow.

Following the marriage a reception was held in the CWA Hall, in which guests who had travelled for quite some distances were hosted by Mr. and Mrs. White.

The couple plan to make their home in Port Macquarie.

This story contains excerpts from the Port Macquarie News as archived by Port Macquarie Museum.