I'm encouraging locals to get out and explore our shire over the break. With fine weather forecasted, it's a great opportunity to be outdoors and enjoy what the Macleay Valley has to offer. This tranquil area is your home - enjoy it, live it.

To our visitors, welcome to our beautiful valley. The local community are the friendliest people and we are always up for a yarn. Whether you are here to visit family or friends, holidaying on the best beaches or enjoying our breathtaking Hinterlands, please stay safe.

Every beach has different swimming and surfing conditions and it's important to swim between the flags and not venture out to far. If you are camping, please be mindful of any fire restrictions.

If you would like to know 'What's On' around our townships or are seeking an adventure, visit www.macleayvalleycoast.com.au.

Last Wednesday, we welcomed the announcement from Federal Member for Cowper, Luke Hartsuyker, that Kempsey will receive $3.4 million in funding for a new Headspace centre.

Headspace is an Australia-wide organisation providing a young person-specific mental health service to people aged between 12 and 25 years of age.

They focus on early identification and intervention in a broad range of life issues and work together with schools and families.

Living in a regional area brings challenges and limited access to mental health services, however, it has been flagged as a priority for this region. Therefore, in collaboration with local organisations, I am pleased with this result and look forward to working with Headspace in the not too distant future.

To learn more about Headspace and its services, visit their website: https://headspace.org.au.