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17 June 2026
Delighted to be named a finalist in the 2026 North Coast NSW Regional Tourism Awards.! We are proud to share the stories of our region, preserve our community's heritage, and provide meaningful and memorable cultural experiences. This is wonderful recognition of the passion, dedication and work of our incredible team.
16 June 2026
Wall linings have been removed from the foyer/reception room, only to reveal more linings! These will be carefully removed in coming days, as they are covering what is believed to be original building fabric.
These works are proudly supported by the NSW Government through Heritage NSW, The Copland Foundation and the Port Macquarie Historical Society.
15 June 2026
Our Quality Tourism and Sustainable Tourism Accreditation has been renewed. This means we meet specific quality assurance criteria and have demonstrated that we are committed to exceeding visitor expectations and sustainability across environmental, cultural, social and commercial business practices.
4 June 2026
Today, timber trims were removed from both front windows to allow further investigation of the iron lintels, window frames and brickwork. It has been confirmed that both lintels have failed and engineers advice is being sought to confirm the replacement methodology. Investigation for the potential to correct collapsed brick courses is also underway.
1 June 2026
Over the past week, the internal added wall linings and window displays have been carefully removed and condition of the window openings investigated. The original hardwood lintel in the western wall showed significant decay and has been replaced. Also the opening related to a previously installed steel beam has been patched.
27 May 2026
After months of paperwork, reports, and approvals, we can finally commence Stage 1 Repairs and Conservation Works to our historic Store building. Updates will be posted here and on our socials.
These works are proudly supported by the NSW Government through Heritage NSW, The Copland Foundation and the Port Macquarie Historical Society.
8 May 2026
Excited to announce we are a Finalist in the 2026 Coastline Bank Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards in 2 Categories!! - Tourism & Attractions and Outstanding Community Organisation. It's the first time we have entered the awards so we are pretty chuffed.
A big thank you to the respective category sponsors: J C Entertainment and Events, and Business Port Macquarie.
28 April 2026
Today, Robert Dwyer, Member for Port Macquarie launched our latest publication Clarence Street Port Macquarie. The illustrated book shares stories of Port Macquarie from colonisation in 1821 to present day.
The publication was supported by the Create NSW’s Cultural Grant Program, a devolved funding program administered by The Royal Australian Historical Society on behalf of the NSW Government.
19 March 2026
We've just updated our Sustainalbity Plan. The new Plan provides a practical framework to guide our decisions and actions over the coming years. We recognise that sustainability is essential to ensuring that heritage continues to be valued and accessible for generations to come.
Our approach is guided by three interconnected principles: cultural, environmental and economic sustainability.
14 March 2026
Our Blooming Portraits seniors art workshops with art tutor Vivianne Hazenveld were a great success with enthusiastic seniors exploring collage, many for the first time. Today we held a small event to celebrate workshop participant's creativity. The collage works are on display until 31 March 2026. Blooming Portraits was supported by a 2026 NSW Seniors Festival Grant from the NSW Government.
11 March 2026
Our building extensions have just undergone some much needed care. Thanks to a 2025 Community Building Partnership Grant from the NSW Government we have been able to repair and paint the fascia boards, eaves, gutters, windows, doors, etc. A big thank you to the team from Holster Painting Contractors for a great job! This important project has helped ensure the protection of our heritage collections for posterity.
11 February 2026
Calling for EOIs from local Birpai artists for works for a new exhibition 'Side by Side'. The exhibition will explore new interpretations of historic narratives and objects through a mix of visual art practices and language. Artist information sessions will be held at Port Macquarie on 3 March and Wauchope on 10 March. This project is supported by a Create NSW Cultural Access grant from the NSW Government.
02 February 2026
Seniors, please join us for free art workshops during the NSW Seniors Festival. Artist Vivianne Hazenveld will help you transform traditional photo portraits into contemporary art collage. Be inspired by the stories of people from our local history. Bookings essential. No experience necessary! This event is supported by a 2026 NSW Seniors Festival Grant from the NSW Government.
02 February 2026
Once again, we are continuing our long association with the NSW Seniors Festival this year, offering free museum entry for all Seniors throughout the festival dates - Monday 2 March to Saturday 14 March 2026. This year's festival theme is 'Live life in colour'. Discover our colourful history, explore a new exhibit 'Tickled Pink', make new memories and experience our creative 'Blooming Portraits' workshops.
15 December 2025
We have secured funding of $35,000 from The Copland Foundation towards our Store builidng Stage 1 Prioirty Repairs and Conservation Works. The Copland Foundation have prevoiusly contributed towards the costs of our Conservation Management Plan (2016) and our Conservation Management Strategy (2023). We are very pleased to have them as funding partners for this vital building conservation work.
27 November 2025
We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded Silver at the 2025 NSW Tourism Awards.
This recognition reflects the passion, hard work and dedication of our incredible team of volunteers and the support of our members, community, partners and stakeholders in our operations and achievements over the past year. Thank you all!
26 November 2025
Barayal Bila (River Song) has won a 2025 IMAGinE Award in the Exhibition Projects category. The Awards are presented annually by Museums & Galleries of NSW.
The award for Barayal Bila recognised the collaborations, connections and partnerships developed with Birpai and other community stakeholders during the project.
Image by Garry Trinh
20 November 2025
Today we hosted an exhibition of artworks by Year 11 students, mostly from MacKillop College, as part of the St Agnes Education Spark Arts Festival. The festival involved over 200 performers and more than 100 students exhibited artworks. The collaboration was arranged through our friends and supporters from Got Ya Back Productions.
14 October 2025
Excited to be named a finalist in the NSW Tourism Awards for 2025! This amazing recognition reflects the passion, hard work and dedication of our team and the support from our community, partners and stakeholders. Please join us in celebrating this achievement and our work in preserving and showcasing the rich heritage and culture of Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast.
9 September 2025
We are absolutely delighted and honoured to be announced as the winner of the inaugural HCNSW History Week Award, for our 2024 History Week event, the 'Marking the Moment' exhibition. The award comprising a citation and prize money of $600 was presented at an event hosted by the History Council of NSW held at Customs House, Sydney.
Photograph by TWH Photography.
1 September 2025
Today were were announced as a recipient of a Create NSW Cultural Access grant from the NSW Government for a new project 'Side by Side'. The project will explore new interpretations of historic narratives and objects through a mix of visual art practices and language and introduce further Birpai voices and truth telling into the Museum's exhibitions.
Image by: Chaney Boyle, 2020
8 August 2025
Pleased to be announced a recipient of one of the inaugural NSW Government's Creative Industries Connectivity Grants. We'll be working with creative technology partner Studio ESEM to create an immersive installation at our Museum, weaving narratives of kinship, culture and the environment into a multi-sensory artwork using historical, contemporary and virtual imagery and sounds.
4 August 2025
Thanks to the NSW Government's Community Building Partnership Grants program our building exterior is going to receive some much needed care and attention in coming months.
The $19,800 grant will fund exterior repairs and painting of fascia boards, eaves, gutters, etc.. We can't wait to get started!
31 July 2025
Excited to have won Gold in the Cultural Tourism category at the 2025 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards! This award is wonderful recognition of our commitment to preserving and sharing Port Macquarie's rich history and cultural stories. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible team of volunteers, community, and visitors - your support makes everything we do possible.
5 July 2025
Excited to be part of the The Hastings Arts Trail, featuring the Fibre Flair! exhibition. This two day event sees creatives open the doors to their studios, workshops and shared spaces throughout the Port Macquarie-Hastings region. The trail is a great weekend out for everyone – art lovers, families, and anyone seeking a unique experience. Hastings Arts Trail is an initiative of Vivianne Hazenveld with support from Port Macquarie Hastings Council's Community Grants program under the auspice of Port Macquarie Museum.
4 July 2025
We had a fun night partnering with St Joseph's Primary School (Joey's) for this year's ArtWalk. Their 'out this world' art installations & alien challenge were a big hit. Our new stage lights purchased with the support of a Port Macquarie Hastings Council Community Grant were put to great use, adding just the right special effects. Thanks to Joey's and thanks to the PMHC Community Grants program! Looking forward to more night time activations at our museum.
2 July 2025
Today, two Birpai stories have been published on Storyplace. The website publishes stories about the history and culture of NSW, inspired by objects, records and artworks cared for by museums, galleries and Aboriginal cultural centres, located throughout regional NSW, and told by various authors and from different points of view.
Image: Aborigines Fishing, 1910s, The Thomas Dick Birrpai Photographic Collection.
1 July 2025
Very pleased to be one of the successful grant recipients announced today, under the 2025-27 NSW Heritage Grants Program. The grant will fund up to 50% of the Stage 1 Priority Repairs & Conservation Works for our historic Store building, identified in our recently completed Conservation Management Strategy. The total cost of the work is estimated to be $155,470.
26 June 2025
Thanks to a 2025 Kendall Community Op Shop grant, we have installed solar panels to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions and electricity costs. The solar panels will reduce our carbon footprint to around 1.75 tonne (tCO2e) per annum (84% reduction) and contributes to a cleaner and sustainable environment. Thanks Kendall Community Op Shop!
17 June 2025
Delighted to be named a finalist in the 2025 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards.!
Being recognised for our continuing work in protecting and showcasing the history and culture of Port Macquarie and our region is an honour.
Thank you to all our visitors, supporters and staff (volunteers) for making this possible.
16 May 2025
We are thrilled to announce our win in the Advocacy Category at the 2025 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards. The judging panel described us as "an amazing and inspiring group that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to advocacy for over 70 years". We acknowledge the contributions of our members, volunteers and project partners, past and present. Thank you to all our supporters and to the National Trust for this recognition.
6 & 7 May 2025
Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer, has given us not one, but two recent mentions in NSW Parliament. The Community Recognition Statements acknowledge our recent achievements including the Barayal Bila exhibition working with Birpai Elder Dr. Aunty Rhonda Radley (6 May), and our Bronze award at the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards (7 May).
23 April 2025
Excited to be short listed in the 2025 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards - Advocacy Category for our project 'Ensuring the Future of Port Macquarie Museum'. Looking after a State significant building requires an ongoing commitment to maintenance, conservation and advocacy. The announcement marks 65 years since the Museum opened at 22 Clarence Street and almost 70 years of preserving, sharing and showcasing the rich heritage of the local community.
10 April 2025
We are pleased to announce the launch of our new Historic Places Driving Tour Guide which complements our Historic Places Driving Tour app on izitravel. It's a guide to discovering and learning more about our town and its history. Its available from tourist information brochure racks around town and from our Museum. The brochure was supported by Create NSW’s Cultural Grant Program, a devolved funding program administered by The Royal Australian Historical Society on behalf of the NSW Government.
4 April 2025
It's a wrap and a revelation! Design 5 Architects have completed work on a Conservation Management Strategy for our historic Store building. Their work has provided new insights into the age, construction and use of our heritage building. The report also identifies maintenance issues, access and other opportunities for improvement. The project was proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with The Copland Foundation and Port Macquarie Historical Society.
31 March 2025
We have reached another digitisation milestone for our Museum, with 1,000 objects from our collection digitised to sector standards and publicly accessible on eHive.
Our digitisation work has been made possible through the Mid North Coast Regional Digitisation Hub which was proudly funded by the NSW Government through the Creative Capital Minor Works Program (2022).
25 March 2025
This afternoon we launched Barayal Bila, a new exhibition bringing Birpai voices and Gathang language into our Museum for the very first time. Working with Dr. Aunty Rhonda Radley, Barayal Bila tells a story about Dungang (Hastings River) and the need to protect it for future generations. This has been supported by Powerhouse as part of the extending Storyplace project with Museums and Galleries NSW.
21 March 2025
Wow! We are thrilled to have won BRONZE in the cultural tourism category at the Australian Tourism Awards held this evening in Adelaide.
Thank you to our amazing staff, all of them are volunteers! Thanks also to our visitors and project partners who make it all possible. We couldn't have won this award without you!
17 March 2025
We are excited to be heading to Adelaide for the Australian Tourism Awards on 21 March and to be representing NSW in the Cultural Tourism Category alongside other state finalists.
Its great recognition of our team's hard work, dedication and passion.
02 February 2025
Join us on Monday 3 March for a special free Seniors Festival Open Day. View the new Fibre Flair! exhibition, enjoy free morning tea together with talks and demonstrations by Port Macquarie U3A Textile & Fibre artists in conjunction with the exhibition. This event is supported by a 2025 NSW Seniors Festival Grant from the NSW Government.
02 February 2025
We are continuing our long association with the NSW Seniors Festival this year, offering free museum entry for all Seniors throughout the festival dates - Monday 3 March to Saturday 15 March 2025. This year's festival theme is 'Time to Shine' and we are shining a light on the work of Port Macquarie U3A Textile and Fibre artists and their new exhibition Fibre Flair!
28 November 2024
Tonight we took out GOLD in the Cultural Tourism Category at the NSW Tourism Awards! What an amazing achievement. Our museum has always been a place where history, culture, and storytelling come together.
Thank you to our visitors, staff, and local partners who make it all possible. We couldn't have won this without you!
20 November 2024
Today, Leslie Williams, Member for Port Macquarie recognised our Museum in State Parliament, including being announced as a finalist in the cultural tourism category in the NSW Tourism Awards. Wonderful recognition of the work of our members and our volunteers. You can read the full statement in the NSW Parliament Hansard.
12 November 2024
As part of our NSW Tourism Award entry process we have been awarded sustainable tourism accreditation meeting the requirements of the Quality Tourism Framework. The Quality Tourism Brandmark (QTB) identifies those businesses that have successfully completed the minimum standards that underpin the Quality Tourism Framework (QTF).
31 October 2024
As part of our NSW Tourism Awards entry process we have been awarded tourism accreditation meeting the requirements of the Quality Tourism Framework. The Quality Tourism Brandmark (QTB) identifies those businesses that have successfully completed the minimum standards that underpin the Quality Tourism Framework (QTF).
24 October 2024
We are thrilled to announce that our Museum has been named a finalist in the NSW Tourism Awards for 2024! This incredible recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our team and the support from our wonderful community. We invite you to join us in celebrating this achievement and to continue exploring the rich history and culture of Port Macquarie.
1 August 2024
Excited to be awarded bronze for 'Excellence in Cultural Tourism' at the North Coast Tourism Awards this evening. This award is a testament to our team’s dedication and the vibrant cultural heritage we strive to showcase. A huge thank you to our staff, community and visitors for your ongoing support.
13 June 2024
Design 5 Architects have begun work on a Conservation Management Strategy for our historic Store building. The strategy will consider maintenance issues, access and opportunities for improvement. The project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with The Copland Foundation and Port Macquarie Historical Society.
06 June 2024
Thrilled to be named a finalist in the North Coast Tourism Awards! Being recognised for our work in showcasing the rich history and culture of Port Macquarie community is an honour. Thank you to all our visitors, supporters and staff for making this possible.
28 May 2024
First Sunday Free is back! Visit for free on the first Sunday of the month between 11am and 2pm during June to October. Explore, discover and learn about Port Macquarie's rich and unique history through our themed exhibitions illustrated with objects, artworks and photographs from our collection.
17 May 2024
Journeys MNC has been Highly Commended in the Publications and Resources Category at the 2024 National Trust Heritage Awards. Thanks to all our fellow museum and heritage collaborators and AMaGA Mid North Coast Chapter. Journeys MNC was funded by a NSW Heritage Grant.
08 April 2024
Today we adopted our inaugural formal First Peoples Action Plan. The plan sets out our commitment and pathway to advance truth telling and reconciliation.
The plan focuses on a set of principles and actions to build relationships, respect and reconciliation.
Image by: Chaney Boyle, 2020
26 February 2024
The Mid North Coast Regional Digitisation Hub has reached a major milestone of 1,000 items digitised and publicly accessible on eHive. Thanks to all our participating museums.
The Mid North Coast Regional Digitisation Hub is proudly funded by the NSW Government through the Creative Capital Minor Works Program.
12 January 2024
Our latest publication Burrawan - The desecration and resurrection of Lake Innes, by John Heath and Ashley Barnwell was launched today.
The publication has been supported by Create NSW Cultural Grants Program, a devolved funding program administered by the Royal Australian Historical Society on behalf of the NSW Government.
18 December 2023
Mono Couture is a new exhibition exploring fashion and design. The exhibition features couture clothing from 1845 to 2004 in a black and white theme. We are open Mon to Sat throughout the holidays except for Christmas Day. The exhibition is supported by Arts Mid North Coast through the NSW Government's Country Arts Support Program.
4 September 2023
The new online exhibition showcasing collections, stories and heritage places across the Mid North Coast was launched today by Leslie Williams, Member for Port Macquarie. The project, an initiative of AMaGA Mid North Coast Chapter, was funded by a NSW Heritage - Community Heritage Engagement Grant with additional support from Arts Mid North Coast.
16 June 2023
Over the past few months, we have been busy purchasing equipment for the Mid North Coast Regional Digitisation Hub, and today we finished installing it! Next steps are finalising all the operating procedures and training materials. We will soon be ready to start digitising and sharing MNC collections.
28 May 2023
First Sunday Free is back! Visit for free on the first Sunday of the month between 11am and 2pm during June to November. Explore, discover and learn about Port Macquarie's rich and unique history through our themed exhibitions illustrated with objects, artworks and photographs from our collection.
16 May 2023
Today we celebrated National Volunteer Week with a thank you lunch for all our hard working and dedicated volunteers. Our volunteers contribute over 21,000 hours each year to our operations. Without them we could not preserve, document or share our local history and heritage. A big thank you to each and every one of them!
10 May 2023
Introducing PAST PORT a toolkit for teachers. This online and downloadable resource provides suggested classroom and offsite activities to support specific learning outcomes for students in Stages 1, 2 and 3 within the K-10 History concept and skills continuum of the NSW HSIE Syllabus.
15 April 2023
Our MNC Regional Digitisation Hub is looking for a Digitisation/Training Officer to help us support, assist and train museum volunteers in creating high quality digital records of collection items using a range of photographic/imaging equipment and associated software. Five month fulltime contract. Expressions of Interest close 28 April 2023.
1 February 2023
We kicked off the the NSW Seniors Festival with free mask making workshops today. Participants were led by artist Lisa Hort to make masks for the Masked Messages exhibition. If you missed out, make a mask at home by following the attached instructions, drop off at the Museum and we will add it to the exhibition.
Masked messages is a NSW Seniors Festival event proudly supported by the NSW Government.
25 January 2023
Excited today to have the Premier of NSW, Dominic Perrottet and Leslie Williams, Member for Port Macquarie visit to announce State Government funding for our MNC Regional Digitisation Hub. We are looking forward to working with our partner museums across the region on this transformational project.
Photo credit: Mardi Borg, Port Macquarie News.
24 November 2022
New Journeys Broad Horizons was awarded a Highly Commended in the Museums and Galleries NSW IMAGinE Awards (Engagement Projects 2 or less paid staff). The project has helped us to engage with new audiences, particularly young people interested in creative and visual arts. It has broadened our audiences, increased participation, extended reach and developed new interest in exhibitions and collections.
This project was supported by Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program.
18 October 2022
Port Macquarie's First Convicts has won its author, Clive Smith, a Mander Jones Award from the Australian Society of Archivists. The award was for the best publication by an individual that uses, features or interprets Australian archives.
The publication was supported by Create NSW Cultural Grants Program, a devolved funding program administered by the Royal Australian Historical Society on behalf of the NSW Government.
26 September 2022
Port Macquarie U3A Textile and Fibre artists were exploring new art techniques and media at a workshop today led by Vivianne Hazenveld. The series of workshops are developing artist skills and creativity to inform a new collaborative exhibition 'Curiosity' for next year's Seniors Festival. Today, artist's took a colour adventure using acrylic paints on canvas.
The Creative Curiosity workshops are supported by Arts Mid North Coast through the NSW Government's Country Arts Support Program
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