Like most small towns in NSW, Portland has a rich and vibrant history littered with settlement, mining, manufacturing and farming. On the back of the cement works and other industry, the town grew swiftly and at one stage the region had enough people that it supported a bath house, ice skating rink, Olympic swimming pool and even a casino. These days Portland supports a more laid back lifestyle and while the town now has a population of approximately 2500 people, local businesses continue to thrive with delicious produce, quality products and of course friendly and genuine customer service.
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Declared a town in 1906, recently many organisations and businesses have celebrated significant milestones as they continue to be a strong part of the Portland community. In 2018 the Portland RSL sub-branch held a gala dinner and reception to mark 100 years of veteran support at the Portland RSL Sport and Recreation Club with the night, including solid support for veterans, amazing food and heartfelt speeches, lauded as a great success.
Like the Portland RSL, the Portland Bowling Club has also been a social hub for the community and recently it celebrated it's 70th anniversary. The "little friendly club with good beer and a brand new green" has undergone some dramatic changes since it first opened in 1948, the most recent being when the club received a grant of $30,000 from the NSW Governments Community Building Partnership program which was used to improve facilities including seating and the erection of shade cloth and fencing.
However, it is not just large businesses that offer services to locals and visitors alike. Small businesses have battled against tough times including the drought and have seen an uplift recently. Portland Automotive will rack up 20 years of local service in December this year and are able to assist you with any vehicle requirements included 24 hour towing.
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Andrew Toole, Licensee of First National Bowyer & Livermore has been in real estate since 2004, and has a knowledge of both the industry as a whole and an in-depth understanding of the market in the Central West. 2019 will see 15 years of service in Portland that not only includes his real estate efforts but also some fishing and rugby thrown in to boot.
Of course Portland would not be complete without the strong schools that support it's young population and the popular community events that it hosts throughout the year. The annual Spring Fair, complete with ute display, show 'n' shine, markets, rides and food stalls, always brings the town together, while the Portland Easter Festival makes for a great family day out with jumping castles, face-painting, crafts, carpentry and more.