Take The Welcome Experience at Open Streets
Published on 09 February 2026
New residents to the Nambucca Valley are invited to connect with their community at a special ‘Welcome to the Valley’ event, taking place in Macksville as part of the Open Streets Festival on Saturday 14 February 2025 from 2pm.
Hosted by Nambucca Valley Council, in partnership with The Welcome Experience and Regional Development Australia, the welcome event is designed to help people who are new to the region feel informed, connected and find relevant support services.
Nambucca Valley Council Mayor Gary Lee said The Welcome Experience marquee would be part of the market stalls at the Open Streets Festival in Macksville.
“Our valley has a long tradition of being a welcoming and inclusive community,” he said.
“However when you are new, you can often need help with integrating and navigating what local services are available. This program and its representatives who will be at Open Streets Festival will be there to greet newcomers and help them to feel at home.”
The Welcome Experience’s Local Connector, Helen Mansfield, will be present at Open Streets Festival on 14 February from 2pm and she is willing to start to assist new residents with practical things like finding housing, connecting with schools, navigating healthcare and more.
“Relocating can be both exciting and challenging,” she said.
“The Welcome Experience is here to make that transition easier by helping people connect socially and professionally, and this event is a wonderful way to start that journey.”
New residents and families, or anyone who has recently moved to the area, are invited to drop in to The Welcome Experience’s marquee, positioned along River Street, during the valley’s premiere Open Streets Festival on Saturday 14 February.
Learn more about The Welcome Experience here.
More information about Open Streets Festival and its exciting line up of musicians, markets and other activities is available here.
Nambucca Valley Open Streets Festival is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program, led by Transport for NSW. Council was successful in receiving $350,000 through the Open Streets Program over three years.
ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:
Mr Bede Spannagle
GENERAL MANAGER
02 6568 2555
Bede Spannagle
GENERAL MANAGER