Your never-ending guide to what's happening on the Mid Coast

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Markets Guide

June

Tuncurry Market, John Wright Park, Saturday, June 22 from 8am. Old Bar Markets, Old Bar Reserve, Sunday, June 23 from 8am. Aussie Night Markets, Little Street sports fields, Forster, Sunday, June 23 from 4pm. Nabiac Farmers Market, Nabiac Showground, Saturday, June 29 from 8am. Lansdowne Community Market, Lansdowne Hall, Saturday, June 29 from 8am. Pacific Palms Market, Pacific Palms Community Centre, Sunday, June 30 from 8am.

Rotary Book Fair, Taree and Wingham

Third Saturday of the month

The Rotary Book Sheds at Taree and Wingham are both open from 8am to 12/12.30pm. The Wingham Rotary Book Shed is located in the old wool shed at Wingham Showground and is open while the Hub Markets are on. The Taree Book Shed is located at Taree Showground. If you wish to donate books to Rotary, you can drop them at Taree Book Shed on Tuesdays from 12-2, or at Wingham on Saturdays when they are open.

Mountain Maid Heritage Gold Mine Tour

Every Wednesday and Saturday

Copeland Tops State Conservation Area is a precinct of natural beauty and colonial heritage near Gloucester. You can uncover its treasures on a guided tour. You'll be guided through Mountain Maid gold mining precinct hidden in the rainforest near the village of Copeland. Time 10am-12pm. Bookings essential, online only at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/mountain-maid-gold-mine-tour.

Copeland Tops Twilight Tour

First Friday of the month

Explore the Hidden Treasure track and the historic buildings of Mountain Maid gold mine on this evening tour near Gloucester. Uncover the mysterious wildlife that call this special place their home, including microbats, brush-tail possums and wompoo pigeons. Fun for all ages, you'll be amazed at what you discover on this twilight adventure. Mountain Maid gold mine and Hidden Treasure track are only accessible through a guided tour. All tours depart from the carpark at Copeland Tops State Conservation Area.

Cattai Wetlands

Open daily

Located just off the Pacific Highway, 20 minutes north of Taree, Cattai Wetlands has been described as a 'hidden gem in our Valley'. Cattai is a beautiful coastal wetland that provides a sanctuary for over 180 different species of birds, kangaroos, wallabies and goannas. The wetlands are recognised as an international bird watching spot.

Probus Club of Taree North

Meets monthly

Probus Club of Taree North meets the third Wednesday of each month at 10am, at Taree League and Sports Club, where visitors are most welcome to come along and enjoy friendship, fellowship and fun plus a complementary cup of tea. For further information contact Allan Richards, phone 0401 013 867.

Manning River Orchid Society

Meets monthly

Manning River Orchid Society meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 2pm at Uniting Church, Albert Street, Taree. All welcome. Email manningriverorchidsociety@gmail.com.au

Pix in the Stix entries

To July 30

Photography enthusiasts, it's time to get snapping with Gloucester's annual competition now taking entries. The 2024 Pix from the Stix competition officially opened on Monday, May 1 and close at 11pm on July 30, with entries accepted via the Gloucester Arts and Cultural Council Inc's (GACCI) website. This year's competition will once again be judged digitally with all works being hung on display in the Gloucester Gallery for a four week exhibition period. Pix from the Stix is open to photographers of all levels of skill from amateur to professional with a range of categories in the senior section, as well as a junior section. The winners will be announced at the official exhibition opening on Friday, August 16 from 7pm to 9pm at the Gloucester Gallery. For more information about the competition, the conditions and criteria and to enter visit the website gloucester-arts.com.au/pix.

Sinfonia Mid North Coast 25th anniversary concert

June 30

Sinfonia MNC presents is 25th anniversary concert, to be held at the Manning Entertainment Centre at 2pm. The program includes works by Russian composers of the 19th century Rimsky-Korsakov and Borodin, including the Polovetsian Dances. Also included are well known works by Saint-Saens, Mussorgsky and Faure. By contrast "Fnugg Blue" is a work by a modern Norwegian composer, with stunning brass solos by Will Jackson, a previous Sinfonia scholarship awardee. The finale of the concert features the heart stopping Csardas composed by Vittorio Monti, played by the young violinist Abi French, who was another previous Sinfonia scholarship awardee.

Parkinson's Support Group

July 5

Taree Parkinson's Support Group meet at the Taree Presbyterian church hall, 76 Albert Street, Taree at 10am. This month's guest speaker is John from Kinetic Medicine and he will take about exercise for Parkinson's. We welcome all people with Parkinson's, their carer's, friends and supporters. For more information contact Annette Cleveland on clevos54@bigpond.net.au, phone 0427 437 459.

Lakes Trail Festival

July 5-6

Australia's freshest off road trail running event, traversing the Great Lakes, the Lakes Trail Festival, is back. The first weekend in July will see trail runners descend on the twin coastal towns of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest to explore the regions tracks, trails and beaches. Runners can complete 100 kilometre, 70 kilometre, 50 kilometre, 30 kilometre or 12 kilometre. There also will be a one kilometre trail experience for the kids.

Black Bikers Tie Ball

July 6

Sisters on Steel SMC (social motorcycle club), Hunter Region NSW chapter, is hosting the Black Tie Bikers Ball at Club Forster on July 6 to raise money for the Great Lakes Women's Shelter. The only female bikers club in Australia, SoS has quietly raised thousands of dollars for local charities over the past decade or so. The three-course, sit down meal will be accompanied by live music, lucky door prizes and thousands of dollars worth of raffles including a giant TV donated by Harvey Norman, along with prizes for the bell of the ball and best dressed group. For more information call 0421 159 753 or 048 406 473.

Kantabile goes to Broadway

July 7

Kantabile Chamber Choir's mid-year concert is one with a difference this year, showcasing songs from some of the greatest shows ever to hit Broadway. Fiddler on the Roof to 42^nd Street, Hair to Hamilton, Carousel to Chess, Sweet Charity to Sweeney Todd, and much more. The concert is at the Manning Regional Art Gallery from 2pm to 4pm and includes afternoon tea. Book online at www.trybooking.com/CSAXA. For more information call 0419 515 856.

Nuclear Energy Information Forum

July 9

A Nuclear Energy Information Forum is being held at Club Taree on Tuesday, July 9 from 6pm. Hosted by NSW Nationals Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie and Chair of Nuclear for Climate, Mr Robert Parker. More information here.

Junior Ranger: Booti Booti Coastal Adventure Tour

July 12, October 8

From 10am to 12pm at 4374 The Lakes Way, Booti Booti. Walk to the beach and learn about Booti Booti National Park and all its beauty. You'll gain an understanding of the important role of workers in a national park, and how you can help to conserve and protect these special places. Discover what role our future environmental leaders or junior rangers can play in preserving these important places into the future. Easy walk suitable for children 5 years and over. Price $15 per child 5-16 years. Accompanying adults free. Park use fees $8 per vehicle, day passes available from Manning Great Lakes Area Office, Bulahdelah Visitor Information Centre and Hawks Nest Newsagency.

Stroud Brick and Rolling Pin Throwing Competition

July 13

Bricks are tossed, rolling pins hurled and rubber chickens chucked at the annual Stroud Brick and Rolling Pin Throwing competition. Providing the ultimate family day out, the Stroud Showground will be bursting with the market and local food stalls, activities, and entertainment for the entire family. The littlest visitors can enjoy face painting and a variety of fun games and ever-popular tug-o-war returns each year along with the fast and furious post splitting and wood chop and a display of the vintage vehicle. Anyone with an eye on becoming the best on the planet would need to beat the world record toss of about 43m with a brick and some 48m with a rolling pin. See 'what's on' here.

Gloucester NAIDOC Day

July 13

The whole community is welcome to come along and enjoy a day of fun and culture marking NAIDOC Week at Gloucester Recreation Centre. This year's NAIDOC theme is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.

30th Envirofair and Multicultural Festival

NEW DATE July 20

A fabulous day of family fun entertainment with face painting, dance workshops and activity installations for the kids and more. This year the focus of the festival will be to encourage better environmental practices and a more tolerant and accepting community strengthened by our cultural diversity. The day will start at 9am and finish at 3pm with a gold coin donation requested upon entry.

Billie

July 20 and 21

Eight elite dancers under 18 from the coastal town of Woolgoolga have created an incredible concept show, 'Billie' for youth and teens inspired by the music of Billie Eilish. Through dance, each artist experiences their own journey of breaking through the boundaries and restrictions teens and young adults place on themselves in this fast-paced world of comparison and perfectionism. Paired with incredible lighting, costumes and visuals, Billie is a commercial dance show that boasts electric neon visuals inspired by the pop goth queen herself. A project by NAIDU Theatre Company and Woolgoolga Performing Arts Studio, Billie is all about giving country kids a platform to share their art and creativity by providing a platform for them to dance 'on tour,' and experience the world of dance on tour. Follow each dancer's journey of growth onstage Featuring many dance styles and performance art such as contemporary, lyrical, commercial jazz, hip hop, acro and more, this 70-minute show is perfect for any aspiring dancer or lover of pop music, especially for those under 18 Creative directors Tegan Haley and Hayley Evans have been developing Billie with the eight vocational training students from Woolgoolga Performing Arts Studio for the past 12 months, and they are excited to see it come to life onstage. Billie will perform in Taree at the Manning Entertainment Centre (MEC) on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21. This is and all-ages event.

Dirty Detour Monkerai

August 10

An adventure gravel cycling event in the foothills of Barrington Tops. Dirty Detour is a one-day gravel and mountain bike event being held from Riverwood Downs in Monkerai near Stroud in the Barrington Coast The event has something for all rider levels with courses being 20km, 50km and 90km in length and varying difficulty. Dirty Detour is a participation event not a race. It's challenging but fun! Dirty Detour is an adventure-inspired gravel biking weekend for the whole family with the perfect party-to-ride combo.

Run Fest Forster Tuncurry

August 18

Starts at Main Beach Forster at 6am. Whether you are an elite athlete, jogger or walker there is an event for everyone. Choose from kids 4km fun run, 5km run, 10km run and a half marathon. Alternatively you can choose to take on the ultimate challenge: the Treble Bridge Buster or Treble Team Relay. forsterrunningfestival.com.au/event.

Gloucester Mountain Man Tri Challenge 2024

September 8

Gloucester's premier sporting event since 1991, an exciting triathlon in the beautiful Gloucester countryside. Entries are now open for the 2024 event, the 31st year of the Gloucester Mountain Man Tri Challenge. Held on the second Sunday of September each year, the Gloucester Mountain Man Tri Challenge is a unique multisport event, also known as an off-road triathlon. The format is different from a normal triathlon in that it consists of 3 off road legs - bike-paddle-and-run. Starting with a 24km mountain bike ride along mountain and 4WD roads, creek beds, cattle tracks, rainforest, country roads and open country; following by 11 km kayak paddle down the cool waters of the Barrington River; ending with 9km cross country run through scenic fields back into Gloucester.

Craven Creek Music Festival

September 14-15

As well as great musical performances, this year we will be celebrating local poet, Les Murray, the "Bard from Bunyah", with a world premier performance of a new composition by composer Ross Edwards to accompany a reading by Guy Noble of a Murray Poem. Australia's music innovation perofrmers, lEnsemble Offspring led by Claire Edwards, willbe performing at afternoon concerts and a young, vibrant string quartet will perform Sunday Morning. For more information go to www.cravencreekmusic.com.

Stroud Rodeo and Campdraft

September 20 and 21

The Stroud Rodeo is an action packed two days with a full campdraft and rodeo program. Campdraft and Junior Rodeo on Friday and Campdraft and Main Rodeo on Saturday into the night. There will be stalls onsite and following the rodeo there will be a live band that will play into the night.

Pink Up Forster-Tuncurry

September 26

Starting in October the popular Pink Up Your Town concept will spread its wings across the area in an effort to help raise much needed funds for the McGrath Foundation to fund its breast care nurses. To kick things off Pink Up Forster-Tuncurry will host an epic launch party - complete with pink cocktails of course - at Wharf St. Distillery on Thursday, September 26. Cocktails and finger food will be accompanied by special guest, Tracey Bevan, who will speak about the Pink Up Your Town movement and the McGrath Foundation and share a collection of inspiring stories of love, courage and overcoming adversity. Learn more about the Pink Up Forster Tuncurry at events.humanitix.com/pink-up-forster-tuncurry-launch-party.

Wingham Brush Twilight Tour

October 10

Meander along the boardwalk at Wingham B rush while the sun sets over a canopty of flying foxes from 6pm-8pm. The Brush is home to the vulnerable grey-headed flying fox. Learn about this mysterious mammal as you explore the tree canopy by torchlight. You'll discover what they eat, where they sleep and how they live. This is a family-frendly adventure for all ages. This is a guided tour. Please wear fully enclosed footwear and bring insect repellent, drinking water, snacks and a small torch. The walk is g2km on a flat boardwalk and is suitable for adults and children aged 5 years and over.

Taree Show

October 12 and 13

The fun-filled weekend is jam packed with entertainment and activities including the arts and craft shed, petting zoo, reptile show, carnival rides, wood chop, chainsaw racing, and many more! The Manning River Agricultural & Horticultural Society Taree Inc. is a band of loyal volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the Showground venues for the use and enjoyment of locals and visitors alike.

Wingham Music Festival

October 18-20

Save the date - 2024 artists so far include Baby Animals, Ganggajang, The Wolfe Brothers, Pierce Brothers, Dom Turner and the Rural Blues Project, Bill Chambers, Blues Arcadia, Nathan Cavaleri, Minnie Marks and Dean Ray.

Lakeside Festival

November 1-3

Now in its 11th year, the aim of the festival is to create a community event which showcases the region's music, attractions and local food and wine to the thousands who travel from near and far. It is held on the Tuncurry foreshore, John Wright Park. Enjoy brilliant live music with a gorgeous backdrop - the crystal, blue waters of Wallis Lake. Great views, shady lawns and a single intimate stage create your perfect zone to chill out or dance till you drop. As the sun sets into the evening the music ramps up while the lake sparkles with lights. Enjoy fabulous live music along with the best local food and drinks. Lakeside Music Festival is an eclectic mix of renowned and breakthrough artists, with a magic blend of genres. All on a single intimate stage with lake views, shady lawns and plenty of space. Bring a chair or picnic rug and soak up the Lakeside atmosphere. Enjoy a wide selection of drinks from the Lakeside Popup Bar and fabulous meals from the food court.

Barrington Coast Airshow

November 9

The Barrington Coast Airshow will be on at Taree Airport and will feature a diverse lineup of aerial performances, including heart-stopping aerobatic displays, warbirds, and on-ground entertainment including exhibits and food vendors. Headlining the Barrington Coast Airshow is Paul Bennet, an internationally recognised airshow pilot and the current Australian Unlimited Freestyle Champion. More information and tickets for the Barrington Coast Airshow will be available for purchase online at barringtoncoastairshow.com.au.