Port Macquarie-Hastings Council allocated $15,000 from the bicentenary activities fund for the operation of a quick grant fund pool to support community-led bicentenary activities up to $3000 per event/project.

The money will go to non-profit organisations to fund special bicentenary projects and events.

The aim is to provide agility without being limited to the two rounds of the community grant program in August/February.

A key element of the bicentenary celebrations is to support community-led events.

A Bicentenary Working Group, established under the Cultural Steering Group charter, oversees the activities council will undertake to commemorate the bicentenary of Port Macquarie-Hastings. 

Cr Rob Turner said the Bicentenary Working Group was going to lead to some really good liaison between the council and the community.

The council has adopted a logo for the bicentenary activities.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann acknowledged the dot format of the logo’s mountain, with streams running down it, which she said was a clear nod to our Aboriginal communities.

Meanwhile, the council, alongside members of the community, has developed a day-long event on October 28 to mark 200 years since John Oxley first explored our region.

A full list of community-led bicentenary projects and calendar of events will be available soon.​