About

Port Macquarie Hastings Heritage

Mitch McKay, principal of Port Macquarie Hastings Heritage, has more than 25 years experience in planning and heritage.

Prior to establishing the business in 2009 Mitch was the Heritage Officer for the local Council for 10 years during which time he was involved in many projects.

Projects were varied and included archaeological excavations, conservation works at several historical sites, historical research, preparing of archaeological guidelines for the Port Macquarie town area and the implementation of numerous interpretive signage projects just to name a few.

Mitch established the local heritage assistance fund, a fund that provided financial assistance to owners of heritage sites to carry out maintenance to their properties for the benefit of future generations. He also co-ordinated the annual heritage festival that saw the festival grow from 9 events in 1999 to more than 30 events in 2008 and attracting more than 7,000 people.

Mitch also wrote a book, If I Could Just See Your Face, and in association with others developed a School Education Kit for Port Macquarie's Historic Cemetery. Proceeds from the sale of the book go towards further conservation work at the cemetery.

Yet while managing all of this Mitch still found time to operate bus and walking tours and fulfil speaking engagements to community groups, schools and visiting travel writers.

Port Macquarie Hastings Heritage taps into Mitch's work while at the Council and expands on this by providing a research and consultancy service.