Federal funding of $5000 towards the $20,000 project will see new information boards erected along the foreshore detailing history of various sites. Harrington was founded by John Oxley on October 19, 1818, and became the largest ship building centre in Australia with hundreds of boats built on the banks of the Manning River. This is a great local project that highlights some interesting parts of our local history, particularly the early boom times that occurred 200 years ago.

Harrington-Crowdy Head Chamber of Commerce are undertaking this joint community effort involving many locals, including the Harrington Men’s Shed and the Harrington Lions Club. The Men’s Shed will be constructing the information boards with timber supplied by the Chamber, and the Lions Club is providing the labour to erect the signs.

The Chamber is meeting the remaining costs of the project. The actual metal plaques are being printed by Manning Signs in Taree. This project will create a tourist attraction along the pathway on the on the banks of the Manning River and back waters setting out the history of some of the early years of Harrington. It will preserve and promote the history of the Harrington area for future generations to experience.

The funding is being made available under the federal Coalition government’s Stronger Communities Program.

Under the latest funding round, each electorate will receive $150,000 to allocate towards successful projects, with a maximum of 20 projects to be funded per electorate.

Dr Gillespie said the additional investment for a fourth round would ensure local decision making continues to play a decisive role in funding community building projects.