The Manning RiverStage, which suffered damaged in the March 2021 floods, has now been repaired and is ready to host entertainment.
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"Repairing the stage was vital as we are all ready to proceed with our series of free Friday night concerts funded by a generous $90,000 Bushfire grant as soon as restrictions lift, which is now looking likely for later in the year", Donna Ballard, president of the Rotary Club of Taree on Manning, said.
"Originally we had thought that these shows might have been able to happen through September. "Of course COVID restrictions have meant these nights can't proceed yet, but we still have all the artists on standby ready to bring the stage to life once restrictions are eased", Donna said.
With some of the acts coming from Sydney and Melbourne, the evolving COVID situation means it has been hard to be able to pin down what will happen and when.
"It's kind of been like some crazy game where you try to keep all the parts moving, but different parts go into lockdown at different times," Donna said.
Acts included in the free Friday Night Live series are the Eurogliders, Tex Perkins and Matt Walker, Wendy Matthews, The Black Sorrows, James Johnston and Darren Jack.
"The pleasing thing is each of these major acts will be supported by two local acts to round out the evening, so we will all have a place to celebrate when the lockdown lifts."
The Manning RiverStage's roof was crushed by major debris in the one in 100 year flood.
The stage recovery and repair work has been guided by Ken Raison, project manager for The Rotary Club of Taree on Manning, liaising with MidCoast Council and appointed builder Nigel Young, to get the stage back to fine shape.
Ken Raison said that MidCoast Council were of vital assistance in meeting the tight September deadline.
The stage features wood carving by Uncle Russell Saunders OAM, and vibrant artwork on the roof beam by local indigenous artist, Josh Wood.
"Thankfully these meaningful artworks were not flood damaged, and were returned to their original form with a good clean', Ken said.
The Manning RiverStage, on a lease arrangement between Rotary and Mid Coast Council, is a much loved community asset, brought to life through a Lions and Rotary combined project and passed to council in October 2020.
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