'Keep your hands off our coastline and foreshore'.
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This statement has been used in relation to Port Macquarie's unique coastal strip by the Port Macquarie Conservation Society (PMCS) for the past 50 years.
It is one that is still echoed today.
On November 21, a community event will be held to mark the 50th anniversary of the first meeting of the conservation society, lead by one of the region's trailblazing women, Grace Easterbrook.
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The event will also celebrate the early work of the region's conservationists who fought to protect Port Macquarie's coastline from development.
For Port Macquarie local Krissa Wilkinson, this acknowledgement of the work undertaken by early conservationists has never been more important.
"When my 2019 research uncovered the lost history of Grace Easterbrook and the PMCS's Battle for Windmill Hill and our much loved coastal walk, many of us understood how Port Macquarie was saved from turning into the Gold Coast," she said.
"The phrase 'keep your hands off our coastline and foreshore' used by the PMCS is still echoed today as developers press council to approve buildings that exceed the height restrictions along Pacific Drive."
Krissa said the women who were behind protecting Port Macquarie's popular coastline should be remembered and celebrated.
"Women are often left out of history, so it is important to acknowledge the women who followed Grace Easterbrook, who are no longer with us, but left their mark in what they preserved," she said.
"Lighthouse Beach is a popular destination but few would be aware that in the 80's , Nancy Short and other PMCS members grew wattles and banksias in their backyards as part of Dune Care. Now a beautiful habitat where wildlife flourish."
Loris Hoare also led the push to preserve and regenerate the remaining rainforest gully near Lighthouse Beach.
In the 1980's the PMCS, led by Phil Tuite, supported National Parks in their campaign to create a nature reserve from Shelly beach to Lighthouse. In 1987 it was declared a Nature Reserve before it became a National Park in 2010.
Another popular destination for travelers is the Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park.
"From 1974 to 1985, Cath Le Page and PMCS lobbied council and the state government to protect the precious wetlands of Port Macquarie from development," Krissa said.
"From 2007, Jacqi Cartwright and members of the PMCS led the 'Hands off Our Foreshore' campaign at Westport Park to prevent the state government from selling our public park to a private developer for commercial interests.
"Westport was gazetted as public open space in 2012 and completed the vision of a walk from Lighthouse to Westport."
Krissa said in addition to these popular green areas around town, we can also thank the PMCS for the preservation of Port Macquarie's Historic Courthouse as well as headland adjoining Mrs Yorks Garden.
"PMCS blossomed into a tree that attracted many people and as it branched out women took the lead in their many campaigns from 1971 to 2012 and they shaped Port Macquarie and the region," she said.
"For some it's like we have come full circle and there is a growing concern, especially in regards to climate change, to protect our way of life.
"Grace Easterbrook knew that urban development should fit into this landscape, not dominate it, destroying the all-important landscape features which made it so special.
"We must also acknowledge the many people who contributed, from many families in the Hastings and from other organisations who supported and networked with the PMCS."
A community 50th anniversary event will be held this Sunday, November 21, between 3pm and 5pm at Windmill Hill.
Port Macquarie Hastings Council will install signage on Windmill Hill to recognise this anniversary milestone and honour our environmental heritage.
This is an all-weather event, organisers request that you please bring your own food and drink to toast our environmental pioneers. Please also wear a hat and comfortable shoes, and bring an umbrella or coat in case it's wet.
For more information, contact Krissa Wilkinson on 0429 854 733.
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