A BUSY and exciting year is underway for Paterson and surrounding communities, with several new projects and initiatives rolling out in early 2026 that celebrate local history, support young people and strengthen community connections.
Among the standout projects is The Famous Paterson River Orange, an arts and history collaboration funded by Arts Upper Hunter.
Led by artist Jenny McCracken and supported by the Paterson Historical Society and the Paterson Court House Museum, the project will explore the rich citrus-growing heritage of the region.
Workshops and story-gathering sessions will invite locals to share family memories, photographs and connections to the Paterson River Orange, which once played a significant role in the area’s agricultural history.
Young people are also at the centre of several new initiatives this year.
Through the Dungog Region Youth Volunteering project, funded via a grant awarded to the Gresford Community Group, Paterson youth will be invited to participate in local events and projects that showcase volunteering opportunities and community leadership.
In addition, the Cultivating Futures project, supported by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation’s Backing the Future grant, will offer young people hands-on opportunities to care for the environment while building skills, confidence and stronger community connections.
Community spaces and gatherings continue to play an important role locally.
The Paterson ‘Pop-in’ Hub will reopen on Wednesday 4 February, operating every Wednesday afternoon at St Paul’s Church Hall.
The Hub provides a welcoming place for conversation, idea-sharing and access to information, including printed copies of the Paterson Plan.
Other upcoming events include Permaculture at the Pub at the Paterson Tavern on Thursday 5 February, a relaxed evening focused on practical sustainability, and the first Vacy Crop Swap for 2026 on Sunday 15 February at the Vacy General Store, encouraging locals to share produce, plants and homemade goods.
Rounding out the month are a Paterson Police community catch-up and a visit from the Service NSW Mobile Centre on Tuesday 17 February, offering residents opportunities to connect with services close to home.
By Shannon BENTON
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