The event which will include free games and activities for the whole family will be on campus from 11am – 2pm and everyone in the Hastings is invited.

Courtney Haynes, community relations officer at CSU Port Macquarie said it was about the university giving back to the community that had supported it.

“The community day is really about showing off the university and inviting people to come and have a look around,” Ms Haynes said.

“It will be a good opportunity for people who haven’t been out to see us yet to come and look around the campus but it is really about giving back to a community that has been so supportive of us.

“There will be live music, stalls, lots of free children’s activities and food for everyone enjoy as well as campus tours and staff on hand to talk to.”

Ms Haynes said CSU had been wanting to do something like this for a while and with bicentenary celebrations kicking off in the coming weeks now was the perfect time.

“Our community fun day does tie into bicentenary commemorations of the anniversary of John Oxley’s exploration of the area," she said.

“We did receive a Port Macquarie-Hastings Council grant to host the event and so this is our way of marking the anniversary.

“At the community day there will also be traditional Aboriginal dancing, cooking and food tasting with Uncle Bill giving a live demonstration which we are all looking forward to.”

Professor Heather Cavanagh, acting head of campus at CSU in Port Macquarie said the day encourages locals to come and enjoy what the CSU community has to offer through plenty of family-friendly activities, live music, food and art. 

“It will be a great opportunity to not only showcase the University to Port Macquarie residents through a fun and social way but also a chance to enrich the community’s appreciation of our region’s historical ties, through Indigenous dance performances, bush tucker demonstrations, and Indigenous art,” Professor Cavanagh said. 

“We’ve been fortunate to gain the support of Council for this event through the Quick Grant, and we look forward to welcoming and sharing this day with the community.”

For more information about the community fun day head to the Facebook event.