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Markets Guide
December
Gloucester Farmers Market, Billabong Park, Saturday, December 9 from 8am; Coomba Growers Market, Coomba Aquatic Club, Saturday, December 9 at 9am; Johns River Country Market, Johns River Hall, Saturday, December 9 at 8am; Burrell Creek Hall Market, Sunday, December 10 at 9am; Forster Town park Market, Sunday, December 10 at 8am; Gloucester Twilight Christmas Markets, Billabong Park, Friday, December 15 from 5.30pm; Taree High Christmas Twilight market, Saturday, December 16 from 3pm; Hub Markets, Saturday, December 16 at Wingham Showground from 8am.
FIND OUT WHAT'S ON AT MANNING REGIONAL ART GALLERY HERE
Mountain Maid Heritage Gold Mine Tour
Every Wednesday and Saturday
Copeland Tops State Conservation Area is a precinct of natural beauty and colonial heritage near Gloucester. You can uncover its treasures on a guided tour. You'll be guided through Mountain Maid gold mining precinct hidden in the rainforest near the village of Copeland. Time 10am-12pm. Bookings essential, online only at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/mountain-maid-gold-mine-tour.
Riverwatch sampling day
December 6
Meet at Cattai Wetlands carpark, Springhill Road, Coopernook at 8.30am. Wear long pants, enclosedshoes, wide brimmed hat, pack a raincoat BYO lunch, snacks, waterbottle (there are no shops). Bookings essential: riverwatch@ausecosolutions.com.au or on 0418 379 329.
"As I See It" exhibit
December 7-31
After 14 years on the brushes, Fred Bullen has since established himself as an artist of considerable note, as evidenced by his exhibition As I See It, on show at Gloucester Gallery from December 7 to 31.
Beats on the Bank
December 8
Beats on the Bank, Taree's newest musical festival, celebrates the young musical talent right here on the Mid-Coast. Organised by Taree Universities Campus, Beats on the Bank is a live and local music event for 12-24-year-olds. The festival will be held on Friday, December 8 from 4pm to 9pm at the Manning River Rowing Club. Artists are all local, and the line-up includes: Patrick Hayes, Lizzy's Angels, Jack the Bread Guy, Angry Cantaloupe, Daisy Avenue, 12:51, Butterknife, Hey Lenny. There are two workshop performances also scheduled in the festival. Free courtesy buses ensure youth from all over the Mid-Coast can attend. Buses will be going to and from Gloucester and Wingham, Bulahdelah and Nabiac, Forster and Hallidays Point, and Harrington and Cundletown. Food, non-alcoholic beverages and light snacks will be available to buy on the night. Tickets are free but registration is essential as there is limited capacity at the venue. Register online at /www.beatsonthebank.com. Security will be provided for the event, however Beats on the Bank is not a supervised event.
Musicians Alive! concert
December 8
Manning Valley U3A announces its end of term concert at the Uniting Church, Taree. The morning event (10am to 12 noon) will feature the musicians and singers of U3A, with much loved favourites as well as songs from Germany and Italy, excerpts from the musical "Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat", ukulele groups, fiddles, recorders and more.
Forster Discovery Day
December 9
Forster Civic Centre will host a Discovery Day on Saturday, December 9 from 10am to 2pm. A day of free activities and entertainment at the new Forster Civic Centre, perfect to take the kids to, or take a look around yourself! There will be sausage sizzles, kids arts and crafts, family and maritime history, author and illustrator workshops, treasure hunt, coffee van, guided tours of the Forster Civic Centre, Aussie Ark will be there with two Tassie Devil joeys - Fury and Dawn. No bookings needed, just turn up.
Coopernook Carols in the Park
December 9
Come along and celebrate Christmas in Coopernook with Christmas Carols in the Coopernook Park from 6pm to 8.30pm. Food stalls and lots of singing involved!
Coomba Aquatic Club
December 10 and January 14
Join us for some fun on the lake. Sailing (your boat or ours), motor boat, fishing, paddle board, kayak - all at your leisure. Free sausage sizzle from 12pm. Participants must wear life jackets (yours or ours), boat shoes or sneakers, and have sun protection. For enquiries or more details, contact: secretary@coombaaquatic.club or 0429 272 363.
Carols in the Park - Black Head
December 10
Carols in the Park, in Wylie Breckenridge Park at Black Head, on Sunday, December 10 from 6pm to 7.30 is presented by Uniting (Community) Church and Hallidays Point Lions. Enjoy entertainment and community singing lead by Manning Concert Band and featuring Raelene Brown, Alysse Iverson, Paul Eade, George Hoad, Amiel Camphuis, Chanel Webber, St Clare's Rock Band, Nic Burton, Paul Vandersvelt and Alan Tickle. Santa will be making an appearance. Coffee van, Lions catering, glo candles and stars for sale. Santa will be making an appearance. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the evening. A donation is appreciated on the night.
Carols by Candlelight
December 11
Rotary Club of Lower Midcoast Carols by Candlelight, Harry Elliott Oval Tuncurry, , 6pm for 6.30pm
Christmas Race Day Party
December 11
Enjoy a great day of racing at Tuncurry Jockey Club's Christmas party race day. As usual, all the bells and whistles with free live entertainment, free local buses, free on site parking, great food and of course a fantastic day of thoroughbred racing.
Taree Carols by Candlelight
December 16
Celebrate the festive season with the community at the 2023 Carols by Candlelight held at the Manning Riverstage. Barbecue, drinks, tea and coffee and of course ice creams will be available. Grab your candles and stars too! Bring a chair or picnic rug to sit on and enjoy this great night for the whole family! Proudly presented by the Combined Services Club of Taree.
Twilight Christmas Market
December 16
A Twilight Christmas Market will be held at Taree High School raising funds for the P and C. Presented by Night Bazaar, the community market is for all to attend and show your support by purchasing from local small businesses. A barbecue and drinks will be available. Plenty of parking and easy access for all. Stall sites available $20. To book contact 0422 950 456 or email thspcmarket@gmail.com. All money from site fees goes to Taree High P&C.
Christmas party in the Paddock
December 16
"The Good Fellas Band" will be performing at Great Lakes Paddock, Wootton. These guys are good fun for the whole family and are ready to party. Bring what you need to get comfy in the paddock a camp chair or a picnic rug with a spare pair of dancing shoes or maybe barefoot is more your style!
Gloucester Carols by Candlelight
December 17
Join us for Carols by Candlelight at the Gloucester Showground. A barbecue will be available from 6.30pm, with the program to start at 7.30pm. Candles and bangles for sale. Sponsored by Gloucester Combined Churches.
River Walk Art Project unveiling
December 18
Join some of the artists and Dundaloo Support Services for the unveiling of a permanent installation of 327 works of art created by people living with disabilities to celebrate International Day of People with Disability. Fifteen panels are being installed along a blank brick wall in Queen Elizabeth Park, Taree. The unveiling takes place at 10.30am and everyone is invited.
Carols in the Paddock
December 20
Krambach Christmas Carols in the Paddock, The Bucketts Way, Krambach, from 7pm.
Cars and Coffee
December 31
It's time to set the date for the next Hallidays Point Cars and Coffee. Don't forget, this is a monthly event held on the last Sunday of each month. So once again shine up those cars and bikes, all are welcome. Again we will have a trophy and voucher for best in show, voucher for runner-up. A trophy for best bike also will be presented. Great food and coffee on-site.
New Year's Eve fireworks at Taree
December 31
Ring in the new year with family and friends on the foreshore of the Manning River at Taree. The fireworks display will begin at 9pm, launched from a barge located opposite Queen Elizabeth Park. There are plenty of vantage points from both sides of the river.
New Year's Eve fireworks at Forster-Tuncurry
December 31
Ring in the new year with family and friends on the foreshore of Wallis Lake with the fireworks display from 9pm. Fireworks will launch to the south of the bridge. There are plenty of vantage points from both Tuncurry and Forster - John Wright Park, John Holland Park, Gregory Reserve, Lone Pine Park, Forster waterside.
Toni Bell
Manning Great Lakes editor covering mastheads Manning River Times, Great Lakes Advocate, Gloucester Advocate, Wingham Chronicle and the Manning Great Lakes Extra. A journalist for 40 plus years.
Manning Great Lakes editor covering mastheads Manning River Times, Great Lakes Advocate, Gloucester Advocate, Wingham Chronicle and the Manning Great Lakes Extra. A journalist for 40 plus years.
