Around 100 members and friends of the Tomaree Museum Association (TMA) celebrated the launch of the Port Stephens Council-sponsored Vibrant Spaces pop-up, which is located inside Broughtons at the Bay at d'Albora Marinas.

The launch event showcased future plans for a regional museum for Port Stephens, proposed by TMA, and brought together historical society representatives from the Tomaree and Tilligery peninsulas, Raymond Terrace, Karuah and Tea Gardens - who have all collaborated in the display.

Councillor Len Roberts of Mid Coast Council told stories of early human settlement in the Port's northern towns.

TMA chairman Ian Farnsworth said that the free pop-up exhibition aimed to inject life and vibrancy into a somewhat rain-sodden and COVID-19 challenged holiday environment.

"In keeping with the aim of the Vibrant Spaces grant program, the exhibition is free and open to the whole community," he said.

"It showcases an interesting sample of Port Stephens' great natural and human history with story panels, audio-visual records and artefacts.

"There is also an Australian National Maritime Museum Submerged exhibition on east coast shipwrecks and a selection of artworks by local artists."

Mr Farnsworth said that the museum would also provide Port Stephens residents the opportunity to share their own stories of local history and the environment with the volunteers manning the displays.

Deputy mayor Paul Le Mottee opened the Monday, December 21 launch following a moving welcome to country and smoking ceremony conducted by Beryl Cowan, Sheryl Hendry, 'Little' Archie and Jamie Tarrant.

The pop-up museum exhibition is open from 10am-4pm every day except Christmas Day until January 8 at Broughtons, situated on the balcony level of d'Albora Marina in Nelson Bay.