Check out the rolling coverage delivered by the Port Macquarie News to show to the Hastings celebrated Australia Day 2018. 

6pm – That’s a wrap!

It was a special Australia Day for 24 member of the Port Macquarie-Hastings area as they made the pledge to become citizens.

17 people made the pledge at Town Green in Port Macquarie this afternoon, after 5 made the pledge in Wauchope and 2 others in the Camden Haven earlier today.

In her mayoral address, Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peta Pinson said she was delighted to welcome all our new citizens joking that tomorrow (January 27) they should all be eating Vegemite on toast for breakfast.

3.45pm: Australia Day action on the Town Green

The Hastings District Highland Pipe Band led the official party from the Historic Courthouse to the Town Green as the crowd looked on.

Our Australia Day ambassador Liz-Deep Jones was among the official party.

Mrs Deep-Jones has enjoyed her time in the area.

“It’s beautiful, absolutely sensational, incredible, overwhelming and inspiring,” she said about the Hastings on Australia Day.

“I’ve travelled to four or five other Australia Day locations [as an ambassador] and this is the first time I’ve been to Port Macquarie-Hastings.

“I’ve fallen in love with it.”

1pm – Activities on the water delight the crowds.

Hundreds of people were thrilled to watch a variety of boats sail past Lady Nelson Wharf and Town Green as Australia Day activities continue.

It was a spectacle to see with many boats dressed with Australia Day themed banners and flags and people on board waving to the crowds on land.

After the sail past the Port Macquarie Marine Rescue wowed onlookers with a few fantastic rescue simulations, replicating some of the potential scenarios they are faced with when they are called out to help in emergency situations.

The simulation included a person floating in the water who needed to be rescued as well as what they would do to help people stuck on a boat with a fire.

With the water activities now concluded people can now turn and enjoy live music on the Town Green with a number of local groups entertaining crowds before the official Australia Day ceremony will begin at 3pm.

8am – Australia Day 2018 is underway.

There is a record number of stalls lining up to help us celebrate Australia Day.

Lions Club Tacking Point Port Macquarie’s Rob Bruce said the 138 stalls was ‘up on last year, a record’.

“The success of Australia Day in Port Macquarie is a reflection of this community,” Mr Bruce said.

“It is becoming an increasingly popular event and just the second significant event hosted on the new-look Town Square.”

Hundreds of people are already gathering on the Town Green with kids fun games to commence at 10am along with a very full program of events and other activities – land and water-based.

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