In perfect weather conditions yesterday 350 senior citizens from various towns on the north coast met at West Port Park for a combined senior citizens picnic day.

In charge of arrangements at Port Macquarie were Mrs Northey and Mr Stan Low, who worked non-stop during the day to ensure its success.

Senior citizens from places as far away as Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Sawtell, Taree, Camden Haven and Wauchope travelled by special buses to attend the picnic day.

Various card games, sporting and novelty events were played with many citizens participating and the others simply enjoying each other's company.

Morning and afternoon tea, and lunch, were provided by the women of the local branch of the Asthma Foundation and were thoroughly enjoyed by all present.

The official opening was held at 1pm and due to the unavoidable absence of the mayor and deputy mayor, Ald C. Chapman represented council.

New Ampol Service Station

Mr and Mrs L.G. Lauzon opened their new Ampol Service Station The Lodge in Horton Street this week.

Mr and Mrs Lauzon were the proprietors of several service stations in New Zealand before coming to Australia.

Early in January, the couple made a trip to Port Macquarie for a holiday and they liked the place so much that they decided to move here. Mr Lauzon feels that his garage is in a good position in a good town and therefore he expects it to be a good business.

He feels that the work is very time consuming, but it is not just a job to him, it is a way of life.

Mrs Lauzon said a feature of the new service station would be the supply of spoken and printed information to all who pull up at the station, as to what they might do and see in the town and district.

In this way, we hope to keep visitors here longer, she said.

The Lodge Service Station has been designed by Ampol's own architectural division and is known as a "Mosman" type and is designed to blend in with a prestige neighbourhood.

It is only the second of its type ever built in Australia. The Service Station features striking mosaic floor tiles, blending in with teak office furniture in the sales room.

The decision to build "The Lodge" in Port Macquarie was testimony to the great faith Ampol Petroleum Limited had in the town. Ampol's Northern NSW manager, Mr W.J. Phillips said that Port Macquarie had reported unprecedented growth over the last 15 years and Ampol regarded the town's tourist development and potential of immeasurable significance.

Hamilton House

The new name of Hamilton House will attach to this useful old building at Hibbard, with the Progress Association there combining with Port Macquarie's Art Society "to make full use of it".

Hamilton House, a former school, stands on land with historical associations reaching back to the beginning for Port Macquarie.

No doubt, the efforts of both organisations will result in a very presentable and interesting centre for Hibbard, which originally was known as Hamilton.

Confusion with Newcastle's Hamilton led to the change of name to Hibbard.