What's on across the Mid North Coast in November

From art exhibitions to community forums and a nationwide garage sale trail, here’s a list of events happening across the region – both free to attend and with tickets still available.

Did we miss something? Tip us off at [email protected] 

🗺️ Gathering Roadshow

The Create NSW First Nations team is travelling around NSW to meet with First Nations artistic and cultural communities to discuss Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP). 

ICIP includes all aspects of cultural practices and traditional knowledge developed by Indigenous people as part of their identity. 

The team is coming to the Mid North Coast in November for two community briefings on what is happening locally and federally, as well as a broad ranging discussion on the ICIP issues that directly affect local communities and cultural practices. 

Coffs Harbour stop:

🗓️Tuesday 4
📍Saltwater Freshwater Gallery, Coffs Harbour
⏰ 11am - 2pm
🎟️Free, register here
ℹ️More information here

Port Macquarie session:

🗓️Wednesday 5
📍TAFE, Block C, Restaurant Room, Port Macquarie
⏰ 11am - 2pm
🎟️Free, register here
ℹ️More information here

👩‍🎨 Let Our River Speak

Held at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie, the works exhibited by “Innes Artists” – a group of 12 retired women – are all inspired by the Hastings River and its seven tributaries.

During the show, each Sunday there will be an exhibiting artist present at the gallery, working on a new piece, or available for a chat about the works.

🗓️Until Sunday 9
📍Glasshouse Regional Gallery, Port Macquarie
⏰ Tues to Fri 10am - 4pm, weekends 10am - 2pm
🎟️Free
ℹ️More information here

🎨 Bellingen Shire Arts Trail

This year’s Bellingen Arts Trail Weekend celebrates 80 local artists in 31 open studios, galleries and shared spaces across the Shire including Dorrigo, Bellingen, Raleigh and Urunga. 

Along with getting a glimpse into artistic processes, discovering emerging artists, and having the opportunity to purchase works, there will be music, dance and artist talks at some of the venues over the weekend.

🗓️Saturday 8 and Sunday 9
⏰10am - 4pm
📍Bellingen Shire
🎟️Free
ℹ️More information including maps here

👗 Garage Sale Trail

Port Macquarie Hastings Council is joining the Australia-wide secondhand garage sale event over two weekends in November, including a car boot sale day on Sunday 16.

Every November, homes, unit blocks, schools, community groups, charities and pubs across the country host garage sales and secondhand markets, all on the same two weekends. 

Registrations are now open for those who wish to get involved and pass along pre-loved items.

🗓️Saturday 8, Sunday 9, Saturday 15, Sunday 16
⏰7am - 4pm
📍Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA
🎟️Free

ℹ️More information here including a map and list of participating locations.

🖼️ The Annual Dorrigo Show Fine Arts Exhibition

This year’s Dorrigo Show Fine Arts Exhibition is introducing a new category for 2D works

by youth (16 - 21yrs) to the competition lineup, alongside drawing, printmaking, watercolour and painting.

Prizes are awarded for first and second place in each category, as well as People’s Choice and an Overall Winner. Entries close Friday, November 7, at 5pm. Entry forms available online or at the Dorrigo and Bellingen Libraries and information centres.

🗓️Awards Night Wednesday 19, 6pm
⏰10am - 4pm
📍Bellingen Shire
🎟️Free
ℹ️More information here or email [email protected].

🗣️ Rights of the River for the Macleay

Save Our Macleay River (SOMR) is hosting a community information forum about how the Macleay River can be protected from human impact.

For the past 12 years, SOMR has been monitoring and raising awareness about pollution of the waterways in the catchment.

"Last year, group members became aware of the concept of ongoing legal protection of rivers throughout the world and began the conversation about how to achieve it for the Macleay River,” SOMR President Paul Smith said in a statement.

At the forum, SOMR will provide an update on current issues of concern and plans for the future.

Dr Michelle Maloney, a lawyer and Co-Founder and Director of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA) will talk about the concept of nature as an interconnected ecosystem, and there will be a screening of the film “I Am The River, The River Is Me”.

The event is also a fundraiser for SOMR, with a raffle to be drawn. 

🗓️Saturday 8
⏰2pm - 5.30pm
📍Oddfellows Hall, West Kempsey
🎟️$10

🐐 Bush School Open Day

Bring a picnic rug for a family day out experiencing bush play and activities. There will be a sausage sizzle, tea and coffee, kids lucky dip and the opportunity to feed the goats, as well as arts and crafts for sale.

🗓️Saturday 15
⏰10am - 2pm
📍Funky Frog Bush School, Cedar Party
🎟️ Gold coin donation

Do you know of an upcoming event? Email the details to [email protected]

Thumbnail: Let Our River Speak. Image: Port Macquarie Glasshouse