Gen-R-8 Performing Arts and the NRGize Talent Crew will be providing live entertainment at the 2009 Port Stephens Whale Festival from 11am-3pm every day.

Gen-R-8 Performing Arts was founded by Yianni Moratidis and has been training students in many aspects of the performing arts including singing, dancing and drama for a number of years now.

The NRGize Talent Crew is an elite performance troupe made up of Gen-R-8 students who have passed a rigorous audition process. The NRGize talent crew puts on a vibrant live performance with upbeat songs and energetic dance routines and is the flagship group of entertainers for Gen-R-8.

For more information on Gen-R-8 Entertainment visit www.genr8pa.com.au

Ocean and Coastal Care Initiatives (OCCI) was originally formed by the Central Coast community in 1999 as a response to the ever increasing threats to our natural environment.

The OCCI Port Stephens was formed in 2009 to include protection and conservation of the coastal environments of Port Stephens and the Tomaree Peninsula. The organisation educates the community on marine and coastal environmental issues and promotes its conservation through workshops, excursions and interactive community displays.

The OCCI will have an interactive stand at the 2009 Port Stephens Whale Festival on Sat 3rd, Sun 4th, Sat 10th and Sun 11th Oct. The OCCI meets every month to discuss marine issues and projects and welcomes any new interested members.

To find out more visit www.occi.org.au

The Port Stephens Community Band is a non-profit organisation founded in 1995. Its members come from all walks of life and musical ability ranging from beginners to professionals providing music for the local community.

The Port Stephens Community Band will be performing at the 2009 Port Stephens Whale Festival on Sat 3rd Oct from 2:30-3pm. New members are welcome to attend meetings on Tuesdays between 6:30-8:30pm at the Christian Outreach Centre Church Hall on Nelson Bay Rd, Salt Ash.

For more information on the Port Stephens Community Band contact Metta on 4982 6008.

The Seaside Singers formed in March 2009 and are the newest choir in Port Stephens consisting of over 50 members. It is a non- profit enterprise whose aim is to produce high quality singing that the community would support and be proud of.

They will be performing a varied repertoire of old favourites, show stoppers and musical comedy at the 2009 Port Stephens Whale Festival on Sun 4th Oct from 2:30-3:30pm and Thur 8th Oct from 10:45-11:45am.

For anyone interested in joining, the choir meets at the Uniting Church Hall more information on Seaside Singers contact Diana Souter on 4981 0798

Koolart is all about having fun, creating works of art through sand and trying new and exciting activities that will keep children entertained for hours.

Sand art is a fun and creative activity that will have children enthralled and amazed at their own talent. There are no mistakes in sand art and children are only limited by their own imagination. There are lots of pictures to choose from and many colours of sand as well.

Koolart will have a stand set up at the 2009 Port Stephens Whale Festival every day.

For further information on Koolart contact Deborah Ashton on (02) 9400 9500.

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Conservation Volunteers Australia is Australia’s largest practical conservation organisation, completing more than 1,500 conservation projects across Australia each year. Volunteers perform all of Conservation Volunteers Australia’s conservation work.

Conservation Volunteers Australia undertakes many environmental projects including – tree planting, erosion and salinity control and habitat restoration just to name a few.

For more information visit www.conservationvolunteers.com.au.

Escape the everyday and discover the magic of wetlands at Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia.  Just 10 mins from Newcastle’s CBD, this incredibly diverse 45 hectare wetland site offers endless opportunities to explore, discover and relax with nature.

Take a stroll, paddle a canoe, ride your bike, have a picnic or treat yourself to a gorgeous bush fusion lunch at Café Nourish.

For more information on Hunter Wetlands Centre visit www.wetlands.org.au

ORRCA is the most experienced and successful whale rescue organisation in Australia.

Every year ORRCA trains many members of government agencies (including the Department of Environment and Climate Change) and ORRCA Members in marine mammal rescue.

ORRCA is also involved with the protection, research and welfare of seals, sea lions, dolphins and dugongs. Every year ORRCA volunteers spend many hours protecting hauled out seals and monitoring other marine mammals. We also work with Government Authorities and other groups with marine mammal rehabilitation and release. ORRCA's input is also sought when legislative bodies are amending existing laws or introducing new ones.

Call ORRCA for whale dolphin standings’ / sightings or Seal haul-outs call the ORRCA hotline in Australia 02 94153333

For more information on ORRCA visit www.orrca.org.au