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FIND OUT WHAT'S ON AT MANNING REGIONAL ART GALLERY HERE
Markets Guide
May
Hallidays Point Car Boot Sale, Hallidays Point Shopping Village, Sunday, May 5 from 8am; Johns River Country Market, community hall, Saturday, May 11 from 8am; Gloucester Farmers Markets, Billabong Park, Saturday, May 11, 9am. The Hub Markets, Wingham Showground on Saturday, May 18 from 8am.
Every Saturday from 8am
Bicentenial Walk, Pebbly Beach, Head Street, Forster. It is a free five kilometre run - or walk - it's you against the clock. Joggers are asked to register before the first run, and bring along a printed copy of the barcode. For the less energetic, Forster parkrun welcomes volunteers.
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,www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/mountain-maid-gold-mine-tour.
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.
Rattletrap 2024
May 4
Crowdy Head Beach 9am-4pm. The Drag-ens Hot Rod Club is hosting their annual event for classic hot rods, vintage race cars and vintage trail bikes. The event will include bracket sprints, grudge matches and an exhibition class for unique or historic vehicles. For updates follow the Drag-ens Facebook page.
Manning Made Artisan Fair
May 4 and 5
Manning Made Artisans Fair is an annual event to be held over two days. Manning Made is a fair to showcase the talents of Artisans in the Manning Valley and surrounds. The two day event will be filled with talented makers and creators of clothing, pottery, woodworking, jewellery, honey and much more. Free entry.
MidCoast Festival of Stories
May 11-26
Presented by MidCoast Libraries, the Festival of Stories is the perfect opportunity for storytellers of all ages to share their tales and even learn new skills and techniques. Express your creativity through song writing, illustration, dance and poetry workshops. Share a story behind a cherished cooking recipe. Join local authors and industry creatives to hear stories of inspiration and gain insights into the writing scene, including headline events from the prestigious Sydney Writers Festival. All workshops and events are free of charge, allowing participants to unleash their creativity.
Exhibitions: Fibre and photography works
to May 18
Two new exhibitions, Strange Notions and Hidden Jewels of the Southern Night Sky, launch at the Manning Regional Art Gallery soon. Two exhibitions, featuring fibre and photography artists, are on show to May 18. Strange Notions, by untethered fibre artists inc., showcases the interrelating interpretations and responses of 20 fibre and textile artists to the theme. It delves into rich resources; from the tangible to the non-tangible, the personal to the communal. Hidden Jewels of the Southern Night Sky is by local photographer Kevin Mitchel. Renowned for his detailed captures of minute beetles, Kevin has shifted his lens to the cosmic world. He presents a breathtaking exhibition featuring awe-inspiring images of nebulas and galaxies.
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
Taree and District Eisteddfod
Until June 15
The 57th Taree and District Eisteddfod begins on April 23 with the vocal section, and the public is invited to attend any sessions. Session Tickets can be purchased on the day at the Manning Entertainment Centre. Group dance weekend tickets and Grand Concert tickets are sold online with dates yet to be announced. Volunteers to help out at any of the sections are always welcome. Contact the secretary by email at tdessecretary@outlook.com for further information. Follow the Eisteddfod on their Facebook page or website for all up to date information.
Triathlon NSW Club Championships
May 25
At Forster Main Beach from 9am to 1pm. The NSW Triathlon Club Championship has long been the "end of season" trip where members get to race with their fellow club members as opposed to against them.
Millions Paws Walk
May 26
Taree RSPCA branch is hosting a Million Paws Walk at Taree Showground, beginning with registration from 9-9.30am, and the walk starting at 10am. A fun day out for dogs and humans with judging competitions, stalls, and a barbecue. Registration is $5 per dog.
Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival
June 1
Central Park, Wingham,. Starting with the parade at 9am featuring massed pipe bands followed by Scottish Highland Games, including caber tossing, tug a war, kilted dashes and hurling the haggis. Scottish dancing will be a higlight. Clan and market stalls, food and more. For program information visit www.bonniewingham.com.
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 Tie Bikers 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.
