Life membership badges were presented to Mr Athol Platt and Mr Tony York at a social function held by Port Macquarie Race Club at the golf club on Friday.

The function included a presentation to jockeys of the winner's and runner's-up trophies for the country jockeys' premiership sponsored by Black and White Whisky. The trophies are normally presented at Randwick at an Australian Jockey Club meeting.

Agents Spurn Port

Only one of the 30 North American travel agents who had undertaken to visit Port Macquarie on a special tourist promotion tour has arrived in town.

This major anti-climax was experienced at the weekend when Mr Ross Machin, an executive from two travel agencies in Toronto, Canada, arrived without his 29 expected companions.

It was reported last month that the tourism spotlight would be turned on Port Macquarie this week after 3000 experienced and trained travel experts arrived in Australia from the United States.

They are here for a massive convention and conference being run by ASTA, the body controlling American travel agencies.

The party of 30 delegates were to be flown to Port Macquarie during the weekend to investigate the district's tourist potential.

Only three other Australian holiday centres were to be visited by the delegates, indicating the importance the travel industry placed on the Port Macquarie-Hastings area.

The agents were being offered what was virtually a free tour. Not only had East-West Airlines offered them free flights, but Travelodge and Intermedia also offered them a free air and coach tour.

The only man to take up the offer says he is interested in bringing tourists to see the 'real Australia' as well as the Pacific region.

He is to be taken around Port Macquarie and shown the major highlights and will travel to Wauchope and neighbouring forest areas.

Observatory Sees Stars

Several Hastings District social clubs and public organisations complained yesterday that they are on the brink of having to close their doors due to a growing lack of interest among erstwhile supporters.

The complaints followed publication this week of the plight of some local young organisations which have been hard pressed to find helping hands among the town's parents.

Included in the latest groups to highlight lethargy of would-be office bearers and other interested people is the Port Macquarie Observatory in Rotary Park.

Run as a club, the observatory is in danger of closing as it cannot find sufficient helpers, even though it caters for many thousands of visitors each year.

For the past few months, only three people have been available to operate the telescope and give a lecture, while there are only two people to admit visitors.

The observatory is the only one of its type in Australia and has proved a great tourist attraction for Port Macquarie providing sorely needed evening entertainment for young and old alike.

Lone Pine Cut Down

The lone pine of Arncliffe Avenue, Port Macquarie, was cut down on Friday after it became a danger to passing traffic following a lightning strike.

The tree was for many years a landmark for blue water fishermen. When measured, it was 90 feet long.