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

See our website for more "THINGS TO DO" plus music and television reviews and more: FIND OUT WHAT'S ON AT MANNING REGIONAL ART GALLERY HERE Markets Guide July Nabiac Farmers Market, Nabiac Showground, Saturday July 27 from 8am. Tuncurry Market, John Wright Park, Saturday July 27 from 8am. Pacific Palms Market, Pacific Palms Community Centre, Sunday July 28 from 8am. Old Bar Markets, Old Bar Reserve, Sunday July 28 from 8am. Winterfest First Sunday of the month Enjoy a variety of market stalls, grab some delicious food, and sit back to enjoy wonderful buskers performing on the banks of the Manning River at Queen Elizabeth Park. Winterfest is held from 10am - 2pm on the first Sunday of each month over winter. Bought to you by Taree Lions Club as a fundraiser for Tastefest. 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. The Taree Book Shed is located at Taree Showground and is open while the Hub Markets are on. 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. Gloucester Cockies Charity Jersey Auction July 27 Gloucester Cockies Rugby Union Club will be holding a charity jersey auction following their last home game for the 2024 regular season with proceeds going to dementia support. The women's 10-a-side team will be wearing specially designed jerseys for the game which will then be available to the highest bidders when the auction begins at 4:30pm at Gloucester District Oval. Koala habitat forest walk July 28 Continuing a weekend celebration of National Tree Day. Nursery and koala conservation experts will teach you how to identify some favourite koala feed trees as you stroll through several different types of forest at Minimbah. You'll also see koala detection dogs, drones and song meters at work as you for evidence of koalas. You'll leave with a sample box and a seedling to take home. Places are limited and bookings a must at events.humanitix.com/koala-field-id-techniques. Nabiac Automotive Swap Meet July 28 Held in the grounds of the National Motorcycle Museum, Clarkson Street, Nabiac from 7am. There will be around 100 traders selling their wares. Subject to weather. Admission $5 and a gold coin donation for children under 16. All proceeds to Camp Quality and Marine Rescue Tuncurry-Forster. Keep up to date at the Nabiac Automotive Swap Meet Facebook page. MidCoast CareerQuip August 1 The Mid-Coast's biggest careers expo is being held at Taree Universities Campus and on the banks of the Manning River from 9am to 2pm. The careers day is for community members, parents, teachers and students from high schools across the Mid North Coast to explore their future opportunities. More than 80 exhibitors will provide expert guidance on post high school possibilities or promote jobs that are currently available with their organisations. Parkinson's Support Group August 2 Morning tea meeting at the Taree Presbyterian Church hall, 76 Albert Street, at 10am. Guest speaker is Peter Castle and the subject is chair tai chi. All people with Parkinson's, their carers, friends and supporters are welcome. For more information contact Annette Cleveland, email clevos54@bigpond.net.au, phone 0427 437 459. Caravan Camping 4WD Fish and Boat Show August 2-4 The Mid North Coast outdoor show is on at Wauchope Showground. Huge range of caravans, camper trailers and hybrids. "Cookie" from Australian Travelling Fish Show will be on hand to give tips on how to go catching instead of just fishing. The Flair Action Sports Team will perform pedal and power bike demonstrations. Anyone attending the show has the opportunity to win the $5000 gate prize sponsored by Midcoast 4WD Centre. Plenty of free parking and food and refreshments. For more information visit www.ruralscene.com.au. Follow on Facebook for a chance to win free passes. Australian Haydn Ensemble, 'Viennese Influence' August 3, 4 A string quartet from the Australian Haydn Ensemble is bringing their program, 'Viennese Influence' to Taree and Gloucester, celebrating the music of Mozart, Haydn and Boccherini. Appearing at the Manning Regional Art Gallery on Saturday, August 3 from 6pm, the Taree performance includes dinner. Tickets $55, under 18s $20. Also at the Senior Citizens Centre at Gloucester on Sunday, August 4 at 4pm. Tickets $35, under 18s free. Read more here. Book at musicintheregions.com. Mid Coast Productions presents 'Fallen Angels' August 3, 4 Mid Coast Productions present a dinner theatre experience with their production of Noel Coward's Fallen Angels, to be performed at the Exchange Hotel, Taree Waterfront Pavilion. The event includes a two hour show along with a three course meal. Saturday August 3 performance is from 6.30pm with a matinee show on August 4 from 12.30pm. Show and meal bookings can be made at the Exchange Hotel, 154 Victoria St, Taree, phone 6552 1160. Also Club Old Bar on August 31, Hannam Vale Hall September 21, and Killabakh Hall on October 12. Erosion and Track Maintenance Field Day August 7 Join MidCoast 2 Tops Landcare with Michael Barberie from Local Land Services to inspect recent best practice track maintenance and erosion control measures implemented in the Macwood Road Conservation Area at Smiths Lake by MidCoast Council. 9am-1pm. For more information and to book visit Humanitix. 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. Elands Biodiveristy Extravaganza August 10 Join MidCoast 2 Tops Landcare at Bulga Soldiers Memorial Hall, Elands 10am-3pm to learn about the wonderful biodiversity of the Bulga-Elands-Killabakh area; why it is so significant and what you can do to help protect it. For more information and to book your spot go to Humanitix. Company of Voices, 'Music Inspired by Poetry' August 18 Forster-based choir Company of Voices is returning to the historic Tuncurry Memorial Hall from 2-4pm for an afternoon of Music Inspired by Poetry. A veritable feast of music from Purcell through to Australia's own Paul Jarman and a Mid-Coast premiere performance of The Lake Isle, by Norwegian composer, Ola Gjeilo for guitar, piano, strings and choir, set to the inspiring poetry of William Butler Yeats. A solo performance of three songs from A Poet's Love, Robert Schumann's musical settings of the poems by Heinrich Heine, and an impassioned piano solo, by Franz Liszt - Sonetto 104 del Petrarca will be special treats. Afternoon tea will be provided at interval by Forster Tuncurry Quota. Tickets online at events.humanitix.com/music-inspired-by-poetry. 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. Annual Spring Orchid Show August 23-24 Manning River Orchid Society's annual competition and show is being held at the Taree Uniting Church Hall in Albert Street from 9am-4pm on Friday and 9am to 2pm on Saturday. Along with a stunning display of orchids there will be plant sales, and potting demonstrations on both days from 10.30am to 1pm. Entry $2. For more information contact Ken Beeton on 6553 2686 or Ray Clement on 0448 531 012. 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. Stroud Brick and Rolling Pin Throwing Competition October 6 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. Junior Ranger: Booti Booti Coastal Adventure Tour 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. 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 &amp; 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.