October 16, 2026
Fishing Stinker History Part 3 'Nowadays, if anyone sees a shark, it always is a great white.' Photo: freepik.
Fishing

Fishing Stinker History Part 3

Part 3: See earlier editions of NOTA for Parts 1 and 2.  “In 1945, my first year in the Narrowgut Crew, I earned £450 in two months. That was a lot of money for a young bloke,” said Ken Barry. “Did you ever come face-to-face with a great white shark?” I quizzed “Probably have,” replied […]

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Endangered turtle population bounces back from flood
Editor's Picks

Endangered turtle population bounces back from flood

DAVE Layzell MP, Member for Upper Hunter, has shared the news that the endangered Manning River turtle population appears to have bounced back from last year’s East Coast severe weather event. The storm swamped the MidCoast, Hunter coast and the Upper Hunter in May 2025, causing significant disruption native animals in those environments. Mr Layzell […]

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50 years of NAIDOC to be celebrated at Yalawanyi Ganya recognising the enduring strength of Aboriginal people The exhibition blends traditional weaving techniques with contemporary artistic expression. Photo: supplied.
Local News

50 years of NAIDOC to be celebrated at Yalawanyi Ganya recognising the enduring strength of Aboriginal people

ABORIGINAL culture will be celebrated across the MidCoast during NAIDOC Week through a new exhibition by local artist Kaylah Slater Mitchell. “Always Here: Woven Through Time” opens at Yalawanyi Ganya on 3 July, showcasing contemporary weaving inspired by the 2026 NAIDOC Week theme, “50 Years of Deadly”. The exhibition blends traditional weaving techniques with contemporary […]

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Young artist captures local landscape and wins major award
Local News

Young artist captures local landscape and wins major award

A QUIET corner of Hawks Nest has helped earn young artist Sunny Allen a major regional art award. Sunny was recently named one of the winners of the 2026 Young Dobell Art Competition for her landscape artwork, ‘Moira Park’, which shone the brightest out of more than 400 entries submitted by artists aged between five […]

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Core samples from beneath riverbed affect Wingham’s Bight Bridge design The Bight Bridge replacement project begins with understanding what lies beneath the Manning River. Photo: Supplied.
Local News

Core samples from beneath riverbed affect Wingham’s Bight Bridge design

GEOTECHNICAL investigations are under way as MidCoast Council moves forward with plans to replace Wingham’s Bight Bridge. Crews began work earlier this week, lifting a barge and core drilling rig into the Manning River to collect core samples from four locations across the river. The samples will provide engineers with critical information about the ground […]

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Best spots to land rock blackfish in Port Stephens If you’re fishing off the rocks, wear a lifejacket and try to fish with a mate.
Fishing

Best spots to land rock blackfish in Port Stephens

FROM recent reports black drummer, also known as rock blackfish, are keen to rumble off the rocks anywhere between Fingal and Rocky Point. Best baits include fresh or salted cunjevoi, or bread and prawns tossed into a bread berley trail. A 2/0 hook and just enough lead to get you into the strike zone, which […]

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Council to bring the world-class airshow back to Taree Regional Airport World-class event returns to the region. Photo: supplied
Editor's Picks

Council to bring the world-class airshow back to Taree Regional Airport

SKIES above Taree are set to roar back to life this November as the spectacular Barrington Coast Airshow returns, promising breathtaking aerial displays, family entertainment and a major boost for the MidCoast economy. MidCoast Council has once again partnered with Paul Bennet Airshows to bring the world-class event back to Taree Regional Airport on Saturday, […]

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‘They ruined our dream’: Socceroos’ Egypt redemption Connor Metcalfe celebrates a goal against Turkey. Photo: EPA/BOB FRID
Sport

‘They ruined our dream’: Socceroos’ Egypt redemption

AUSTRALIA’S World Cup round-of-32 clash with Egypt is personal for some of the Socceroos’ stars, including attacker Connor Metcalfe. Connor Metcalfe has already had Egypt ruin one of his football dreams. So the Socceroos attacker has no plans of letting the north African nation  bring Australia’s World Cup journey to an end. Australia’s senior international […]

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MidCoast Council provides an update on roadworks Council advises motorists to plan ahead due to road works. Photo: supplied.
Editor's Picks

MidCoast Council provides an update on roadworks

MOTORISTS are being urged to plan ahead over the next fortnight, with MidCoast Council rolling out a broad program of road reconstruction, restoration, maintenance and pothole repairs across the region. The works, published in  ouncil’s latest fortnightly roads update, will see crews working on dozens of roads spanning urban centres and rural communities, with drivers […]

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