In 1912 during a visit by the Hon. J. R. Davey (Colonial Treasurer) the politician predicted a brilliant future for what he referred to as our ‘charming and picturesque town’. Stating that with fine beaches, beautiful drives and the soon to be completed railway, Port Macquarie was destined to become the ‘Manly of the North Coast’.  Betty Patterson from Bondi School thought the same, opening her 1938 essay about Port Macquarie with ‘Famous for its historic foundations, scenic beauty, and surfing beaches is Port Macquarie the Manly of the north’.