October 22, 2025
Finalists named in 2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards Finalists will be recognised and winners announced at the Hunter Manufacturing Awards Gala on Thursday 30 October at the Newcastle Exhibition & Convention Centre.
Business

Finalists named in 2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards

THE finalists of the Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) have been announced for 2025, recognising the breadth and capability of the manufacturing sector across the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast and surrounding regions. A record number of entries were received this year, reflecting a strong mix of first-time entrants, emerging start-ups and established industry leaders. […]

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Help shape the future of outdoor spaces in our region
Myall Coast

Help shape the future of outdoor spaces in our region

RESIDENTS are invited to take part in the online AusPlay survey, conducted by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), to help shape the future of outdoor spaces in our region. According to the latest AusPlay report (May 2025), Australians are moving away from traditional sports club activities. They are choosing to get active outdoors in parks, […]

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Aussie Bird Count underway this week The Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy Miner, and Australian Magpie topped the charts in 2024.
Community

Aussie Bird Count underway this week

THE 2025 Aussie Bird Count, one of Australia’s largest citizen science events, began on Monday. This national celebration of our unique and diverse birdlife will run to Sunday, 26 October 2025. BirdLife Australia invites people of all ages to take just 20 minutes out of their day to spot, identify, and count the birds around […]

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Spring relief for Thursday Walkers Salamander Bay, 4 September. Photo: Bea.
Community, Health

Spring relief for Thursday Walkers

Salamander Bay, 4 September. Photo: Bea. On the way to Johnson’s Beach, 18 September. Photo: Judy. Mt Sugarloaf Cliff Top Walk, 25 September. Photo: Judy. THE local Thursday Walkers ventured out on a delightful series of Spring walks during September. The first Thursday was blessed with mostly sunshine and a slight breeze as the group […]

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Old church, new vision in Stroud The newly renovated Stroud Church.
Local News

Old church, new vision in Stroud

The newly renovated Stroud Church. The newly renovated Stroud Church. FORMER ABC weather presenter Graham Creed and his partner Bridgit English have given one of Stroud’s most treasured landmarks a new lease on life, transforming the 1887-built St James Presbyterian Church into a striking blend of heritage and contemporary design. The couple purchased the deconsecrated […]

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Citizen scientists called on to spot underwater flowers Posidonia australis forms rich underwater meadows. Photo: Seeds of the Sea.
Regional

Citizen scientists called on to spot underwater flowers

A NEW citizen science project led by UNSW Sydney is inviting beachgoers, snorkelers and divers to spot and share photographs of seagrass flowers along Australia’s coasts. The endangered seagrass Posidonia australis forms rich underwater meadows that capture carbon, support fisheries, and help stabilise shorelines. It’s one of the most important habitats in coastal ecosystems but […]

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Health, housing and jobs stifling the country dream While the country lifestyle and lower cost-of-living was appealing, access to housing, health care, connectivity and public transport were seen as key barriers.
Regional

Health, housing and jobs stifling the country dream

A QUIET life in the countryside appeals to nearly half of Australia’s city residents, but concerns about access to health care, housing and jobs are stopping them making the move. Country Australia is on track to become home to 11 million people by 2032, or 40 percent of the population, while 40 percent of people […]

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Councillors not supportive of ‘blanket ban on powered vessels’
Myall Coast

Councillors not supportive of ‘blanket ban on powered vessels’

FOUR independent Port Stephens councillors have released a statement seeking to clarify their position on a proposed ban on “powered vessels” in local waterways. In February the four councillors backed a unanimously supported motion requesting that Transport for NSW complete an “urgent review into jet ski usage, including speed limits for all personal watercraft and […]

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MP to highlight funding needs ahead of budget
Myall Coast

MP to highlight funding needs ahead of budget

LYNE’S Federal MP has announced her intention to provide a pre-Budget submission to the Federal Government’s Treasury Department to highlight community and infrastructure funding needs across the electorate. Alison Penfold MP said pre-budget submissions offer an opportunity to highlight local priorities for funding consideration in the 2026-27 federal budget. “The Albanese Government needs to hear […]

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NSW Women over 50invited to join free program for active living Professor Anne Tiedemann from the University of Sydney.
Myall Coast

NSW Women over 50invited to join free program for active living

WOMEN across NSW are being invited to take part in a major government-funded health initiative designed to support active, independent ageing. The program, Active Women over 50, is led by Professor Anne Tiedemann from the University of Sydney and supported by the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund. It will provide free, tailored support to […]

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