• Thursday 23 July 2026
• Photos supplied by Government House

The Governor and Mr Dennis Wilson enjoyed a four-day trip to Port Macquarie and surrounds, packed with community visits and important conversations with young people, business owners, schools and volunteers.

Among the highlights was a chance to meet the youth of the region, including a trip to Hastings Secondary College to learn about their Clontarf Academy and Sista Connections program; watching the Comboyne Public School students demonstrating their cooking skills in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program; and meeting the children and staff at Gathangga Wakulda Language and Cultural Centre in Wauchope.

There was also a memorable tenpin bowling night with volunteers and athletes from the Special Olympics Australia Mid North Coast, plus a visit to the Comboyne Avocados farm to talk about business initiatives and sample some freshly-picked local avocados.

Additionally, the Governor was honoured to meet Emergency First Responders from the NSW SES, Police Force, Fire and Rescue, Ambulance, RFS, and Marine Rescue – where Her Excellency thanked personnel for their involvement in the May 2025 flood emergency.