Heritage consultant Mitch McKay led two heritage walking tours with assistance from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Aboriginal liaison officer Kelly O’Brien and historian and author Richard Grimmond.

Mr McKay detailed the historical significance of the Allman Hill and Gaol Point area, while Mr Grimmond  spoke about the Hastings River bar and the maritime history.

The walking tours stopped at the Together as One sculpture where Ms O’Brien outlined how the sculpture came about.

The sculpture honours Australia's first recorded surf rescue in 1827 when seven Aboriginal men rescued the crew of a small European pilot boat after it overturned on the bar.

Supporters also took the time to appreciate Mrs York’s Garden and enjoy morning tea.

The late Bertha York started planting her garden in 1963. It became a focal point of Port Macquarie’s headland and a tourist attraction. 

Volunteers have revitalised the garden with more than 3500 native plants over the past three and a half years.

The garden acts to showcase the beauty of native plants and is a place of reflection and enjoyment.

Heritage walking tour participant Janet Gunn said she was really impressed, not only with the history, but the work the volunteers had done at Mrs York’s Garden.

Friends of Mrs York’s Garden volunteer Di Davison said people were starting to know about the garden.

“We are trying to make people more aware of what’s here and people can just come and wander through and enjoy the space,” she said.

Friends of Mrs York’s Garden received a $500 grant from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to support the celebrate our heritage event.

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