Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre
We Are Here for You
As an information and referral service Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre is the place people come when they don’t know where to go. People often need support to access services, programs or assistance, especially when they are distressed or in crisis. Our centre is run by staff and dedicated and caring volunteers.
Our staff and volunteers endeavor to be kind and make our clients feel heard. We are honest about the fact we cannot fix all their problems, but we can offer a caring and empathetic ear and provide them with the most up to date referrals, and to assist in the process where possible. We can also help with emergency food provisions to tide them over until our next Food Connect day.
Our staff and volunteers endeavor to be kind and make our clients feel heard. We are honest about the fact we cannot fix all their problems, but we can offer a caring and empathetic ear and provide them with the most up to date referrals, and to assist in the process where possible. We can also help with emergency food provisions to tide them over until our next Food Connect day.
The people looking for assistance who come to our Centre may:
Our Centre is a safe place for people to gather.
We are able to provide support and assistance in many cases through our network of community support services that we work hand in hand with. We provide a free breakfast on Tuesday's at 8am before Food Connect starts at 9am where there is always someone around for a chat over breakfast.
- Need some support with emergency food supplies
- Require help with their electricity bill
- Be experiencing domestic and family violence
- Be in financial crisis
- Have Community Housing issues
- Be feeling isolated and alone
- Need support with mental health and wellbeing
- Have substance abuse issues
- Be at risk of homelessness or are homeless
- Need help with legal problems
- Have just been released from prison
- Be victims of crime
Our Centre is a safe place for people to gather.
We are able to provide support and assistance in many cases through our network of community support services that we work hand in hand with. We provide a free breakfast on Tuesday's at 8am before Food Connect starts at 9am where there is always someone around for a chat over breakfast.
Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre supports, and is actively involved in local community events such as;
- NAIDOC Week
- Child Protection Week
- Homelessness Week
- Youth Week
- Volunteer Week
Hastings Community Network
Hastings Neighbourhood Services hosts the Hastings Community Network. The Network consists of 56 other like-minded community support organisations who meet on a bimonthly basis at the Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre. The interagency meeting is an opportunity for local service providers to come together to share information, discuss current or upcoming programs, initiatives and community events, or raise any pressing issues or concerns.
If your service would like to come along to the network meeting, please email [email protected] for more information.
If your service would like to come along to the network meeting, please email [email protected] for more information.
NAIDOC Week 2025
July 6 - 13
July 6 - 13
The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy
As we enter 2025, NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honoring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.
The NAIDOC journey began as a movement for recognition and rights, sparked by Indigenous communities who saw a future built on justice and equality. Over the decades, it has grown into a powerful national celebration, a testament to the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we commemorate this 50-year legacy, we also look forward, honouring the next generation who will carry the torch, shaping the future with courage, insight, and deep respect for our roots. Guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the groundwork laid by our forebears, each NAIDOC Week reinforces our vision for an Australia where Indigenous voices are not only heard but lead the way.
This year, the National NAIDOC Committee takes an important step toward independence, embracing self-determination as a model for the next generation. With every story shared, every act of resilience remembered, and every cultural practice celebrated, we honour a legacy that reaches far into the past and extends into the future. As we celebrate this milestone, we look toward the next 50 years with excitement and confidence, while everyday ensuring that NAIDOC remains a movement grounded in community-led vision and integrity.
The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy
As we enter 2025, NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honoring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.
The NAIDOC journey began as a movement for recognition and rights, sparked by Indigenous communities who saw a future built on justice and equality. Over the decades, it has grown into a powerful national celebration, a testament to the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we commemorate this 50-year legacy, we also look forward, honouring the next generation who will carry the torch, shaping the future with courage, insight, and deep respect for our roots. Guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the groundwork laid by our forebears, each NAIDOC Week reinforces our vision for an Australia where Indigenous voices are not only heard but lead the way.
This year, the National NAIDOC Committee takes an important step toward independence, embracing self-determination as a model for the next generation. With every story shared, every act of resilience remembered, and every cultural practice celebrated, we honour a legacy that reaches far into the past and extends into the future. As we celebrate this milestone, we look toward the next 50 years with excitement and confidence, while everyday ensuring that NAIDOC remains a movement grounded in community-led vision and integrity.
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Child Protection Week 2025 September 7 - 13 Child abuse and neglect is a very challenging topic.
If you need more information about how to get support for yourself or others, you can find a list of services on: Find Support - NAPCAN |
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The main theme of National Child Protection Week every year is that ‘every child, in every community, needs a fair go’. This provides us all with a great starting point to concentrate our efforts on when it comes to keeping all children safe and being aware of their welfare.
In addition to this, each year the event has an additional theme, providing a specific focus. The theme for National Child Protection Week 2025 is ‘Every conversation matters’.
This theme reminds us that it's important to speak up - and speak together - about what needs to change for every child in every community to have a fair go.
Conversations are essential when it comes to understanding the needs of children and helping us to build solutions.
These could be conversations between:
In addition to this, each year the event has an additional theme, providing a specific focus. The theme for National Child Protection Week 2025 is ‘Every conversation matters’.
This theme reminds us that it's important to speak up - and speak together - about what needs to change for every child in every community to have a fair go.
Conversations are essential when it comes to understanding the needs of children and helping us to build solutions.
These could be conversations between:
- children and their parents or caregivers
- children and their friends
- children and their teachers or other trusted adults
- families and friends or neighbours
- families and doctors or other professionals
Child abuse and neglect is preventable. If we all work together as a community we can create an Australia where all children can grow up safe and well.
What role can you play in supporting children and their families?
Leesa Waters, CEO, NAPCAN
What role can you play in supporting children and their families?
Leesa Waters, CEO, NAPCAN
Child Protection Events and Resources
Children's Activity Booklet and Colouring In Downloads
Homelessness Week 2025
August 4 - 10
August 4 - 10
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Homelessness Australia hosts Homelessness Week annually to build community support and government commitment to end homelessness. During the week homelessness services, and community groups raise awareness of the impact of homelessness, and the solutions needed to end homelessness, and advocate for change via national and local community events, media and social media activities. |
National Youth Week 2025
April 9 - 17
April 9 - 17
Watch this space for The NSW Youth Advisory Council's announcement of this year's theme. National Youth Week celebrates young people and their contribution to their local communities.
National Volunteer Week - 2025
May 19 - 25
May 19 - 25
National Volunteer Week is Australia's largest celebration of volunteering. This special event provides an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in our community and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go.
National Volunteer Week 2025 will celebrate the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’.
Volunteering creates lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities. Join us as we explore how giving to others fosters community engagement, connection and belonging.
Let’s acknowledge the spirit of connection and the incredible impact volunteers have in building inclusive and flourishing communities.
National Volunteer Week 2025 will celebrate the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’.
Volunteering creates lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities. Join us as we explore how giving to others fosters community engagement, connection and belonging.
Let’s acknowledge the spirit of connection and the incredible impact volunteers have in building inclusive and flourishing communities.
Hastings Neighbourhood Services is funded by the Department of Communities and Justice (formerly Department of Families and Communities). In June 2020 this program was funded for 5 years through TEI (Targeted Early Intervention)
The Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre's strives to deliver;
The Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre's strives to deliver;
- community support programs
- information referrals
- build social connections
- bring the community together
Hastings Neighbourhood Services
We embrace diversity and welcome all.
We acknowledge and pay cultural respect to the Biripi people – the first custodians of the land we live and work on today.
We acknowledge and pay cultural respect to the Biripi people – the first custodians of the land we live and work on today.
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Incorporated as Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre since March 1978
Trading as an Australian Business No: 89592910624 since July 2000 Copyright HNS
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