🟡 April events & life saving legends

Including: Events happening across the region this month, a local surf boat crew takes home silver from "The Aussies" and another chat with Punter's Politics.

Ellie Chamberlain
April 08, 2026

⏱️ The 109th edition of our newsletter is a five-minute read.

✋ Hi there, it's Ellie – your Mid North Coaster reporter.

📢 Today’s call out: I’m looking to speak with anyone who has a government-provided pod or caravan on their property as a result of the 2025 May floods. I’d love to hear your story, and you can remain anonymous if that’s what you’d prefer. Hit reply to this email and we can set up a time to talk.

🗞️ In today’s newsletter:

I’ll share a list of events on the MNC in April, including free options and kids activities.
I’ll spotlight a local surf boat crew, which won a silver medal after “hectic” swells at The Aussies event
We have another chat - in response to a positive reader response - between our national reporter, Archie, and Konrad Benjamin from Punter’s Politics, about Benjamin’s faith.

Let’s dive straight in…

🥈 MNC surf boat crew takes silver after "hectic" swells delay nationals

The Kempsey-Crescent Head 240s Surf Boat crew won a silver medal at last month’s Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on the Gold Coast. Images supplied.

After dangerous surf conditions led to the rescheduling of some events, the Kempsey-Crescent Head 240s Surf Boat crew won a silver medal at last month’s Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on the Gold Coast.

The 240s’ crew of Gavin Burke, Joe Notley, Simon Tamblyn and Stewart Henderson were swept by Mick Megaloconomos.
“Being the second best crew in Australia is a pretty good feeling, especially surviving those hectic conditions,” said Henderson, the captain.

Dangerous conditions postponed the races for a number of days. Image supplied: Steve Pellen.

Add it to the trophy cabinet: The club’s 220+ men’s boat crew - the number is based on the combined age of the competitors - won a NSW state gold medal in early March, after winning bronze at the Australian Surf Rowers League competition in mid-February.

Henderson said the “pretty amazing year” was a result of “the hard work and dedication these guys put into training and volunteering, given their work commitments”.

Last man standing: Henderson said the 180s’ surf boat crew battled six to 10-feet swells, and at one point, as Mick Megaloconomos rode to shore, he stood up and realised he was the only crew member still in the boat.

Henderson recounted Megaloconomos saying to him, “I looked around and thought, ‘Where are the other fellas? I hope they enjoy their swim’”.

Last man standing after a rough ride to shore. Image supplied: Steve Pellen

What next: The boat crews are taking a break from training and will continue beach patrols until April 27.

In order to compete at events, crew members must undertake voluntary beach patrols on weekends.

📹 CHRISTIAN PODCAST TO POLITICS

Over at The National Account, our reporter Archie Milligan sat down with Konrad Benjamin aka Punter’s Politics and asked a question he’d never been asked before…

Watch the video:

@thenationalaccount
Punter's Politics: From Christian podcast to politics @punterspolitics @archie_milligan #nationalaccount #australia #punterspolitics #podcast

👀 You can also watch on Instagram here or head to The National Account’s YouTube channel for the full-length interviews.

Events across the MNC in April

There’s plenty happening in April on the Mid North Coast to keep the kids busy during school break, enjoy a night out or spend time outdoors while the weather is still warm.

Here’s our top picks including drag bingo, art sessions, a play screening, the annual Kempsey Show and more.

Plus a couple of live music gigs, in case you missed last week’s newsletter.

🟡 Drag Bingo with Timberlina

Credit: Timberlina Facebook page.

Hosted by South West Rocks Country Club, Timberlina brings “glitz, giggles and over-the-top glamour” to a cheeky night of banter and bingo prizes. Adult-only event.

🗓️ Saturday 18 April, from 6.30pm
📍South West Rocks Country Club
🎟️$30 pp – includes three games, BYO marker.

🟡 Gaarlaway Baalijingu – Back to Bellingen Concert

Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation invites the community to celebrate culture and country at the Back to Bellingen Concert.

The evening includes live music by Jumbaal Dreamin’ and the Gunganbu Band and cultural dance from Budabaang Bari, SWR Figtree Descendants, and Giingan Yiiliwiyay Girrwaa

There’ll also be weaving and canoe-making workshops and bush tucker on offer.

🗓️ Friday 10 April, 6 - 8.30pm
📍Bellingen Showground
🎟️ Cash donation

🟡 Fifth Step live on film

Credit: Ticketsearch

In April the Manning Entertainment Centre (MEC) will screen a live London West End performance of The National Theatre of Scotland’s Fifth Step.

The play by David Ireland is directed by Finn den Hertog and stars Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk) and Martin Freeman (The Responder, Sherlock).

“After years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James becomes a sponsor to newcomer Luka. The pair bond over black coffee, trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences. But as Luka approaches step five – the moment of confession – dangerous truths emerge, threatening the trust on which both of their recoveries depend.”

🗓️ Tuesday 28, 10am and 6pm
📍Beryl Jane Flett Studio, Taree
🎟️Tickets from $20

🟡 Youth Week

NSW Youth Week is from April 16-26.

There are plenty of free, family-friendly activities for young people across the region, including workshops, performances, and art.

For example: Youthfest is at Jetty Beach Park in Coffs Harbour on Thursday 16 between 1pm and 6.30pm.

It’s a free community event for all ages and includes live music, arts and crafts, games for the kids, competitions and prizes. In the afternoon winners in the Coffs Coast Youth Awards will be announced.

🗓️ Thursday April 16 – Sunday April 26

📍Various locations across the Mid North Coast
🎟️ Free events (some require bookings)
ℹ️ Check your local council website for upcoming events

🟡 Lego Movie screenings

The Jetty Memorial Theatre is hosting school holidays screenings of The Lego Movie (2014) and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019).

Make a day of it on Thursday 16 with part one showing at 11am and part two at 2pm.

🗓️ Thursday 16 April, 11am and 2pm
📍Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour
🎟️ Tickets from $10 via the website

🟡 Sprouts Art Sessions

Credit: The Glasshouse website

Back for the school holidays are the hands on Sprouts Glasshouse creative workshops where little ones make seascape dioramas and mobiles with local artists.

Designed for ages four to nine, and parents can join for free.

🗓️ Thursday April 9 and Thursday April 16
🕙 10am – 11am and 3pm – 4pm on both days
📍 Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
🎟️ $15 per child, bookings required via the website

🟡 Free bike repair sessions

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is hosting three rapid repair sessions across the LGA where young people can get their bikes up to scratch for free.

Experts will give bicycles a quick spruce to fix squeaky breaks and flat tyres, and a once over safety check.

Lake Cathie Skate Park
Wednesday 8 April 11am - 2pm
Bain Park, Wauchope
Thursday 9 April 11am - 2pm
Wayne Richards Park, Port Macquarie
Friday 10 April 11am - 2pm

🟡 The Kempsey Show

Credit: Kempsey Show/ Elizabeth Argue

The Kempsey Show began in 1881 and in 2026 celebrates and showcases the region’s agriculture industry and local talent with equestrian events, competitions, exhibitors and trade sites.

The 2026 theme is Macleay’s Flora and Fauna.

🗓️ Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15, 11am and 2pm
📍Kempsey Showground
🎟️Free to attend

🟡 Hammers Death Wobbles tour

Something for the metal heads – the Gold Coast’s Hammers is stopping by on its Death Wobbles album tour.

Expect a loud and sweaty night of heavy rock in the backroom at The Coffs Hotel, and to wake up with a sore neck and raspy vocal chords.

🗓️ Friday 17 April, from 7pm
📍Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour
🎟️ Tickets $23.50 from OzTix

🟡 Gigs at Gladstone’s Heritage Hotel

The Heritage Hotel in Gladstone on the Macleay River has a beer garden, well-run kitchen and live music.

April gigs
Sunday 5: Singer, songwriter and guitarist Craig Stewart.
Sunday 12: Brody Ireland combines acoustic guitar, vocals and stompbox to perform covers from the 1960s and beyond.
Sunday 19: Graham Howle is a vocalist, guitarist and storyteller.

🗓️ Sundays in April, 3- 6pm
📍The Heritage Hotel, Gladstone.
🎟️ Free

Thanks for reading – I hope you enjoyed this edition.

I’ll be back with another newsie on Friday morning. Until then, make sure you’re following along on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and our website to keep up to date with local news throughout the week.

👋 Ellie