January 19, 2026
Record urgent care and surgery demand across Hunter New England Health district The number of emergency and urgent care patients is the highest since reporting began.
Government, Health

Record urgent care and surgery demand across Hunter New England Health district

THE latest Bureau of Health Information report shows increased demand for hospital care and urgent surgery across the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD). The quarterly report is based on the period between July – September 2025. There were 108,152 presentations to emergency departments (EDs) across the district, which is 2174 fewer than in […]

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Thursday Walkers enjoy drier November The historic old shops at Raymond Terrace. Photo: Bea.
Community, Health

Thursday Walkers enjoy drier November

The historic old shops at Raymond Terrace. Photo: Bea. Along Stockton’s shipwreck walk. Photo: Robyn. Through the rocks at Glenrock. Photo: Robyn. View from Leichhardt’s Lookout at Glenrock. Photo: Judy. THURSDAY Walkers laced up their year of trekking around the region with several successful and fair-weather outings during November. The first Thursday took the Walkers […]

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Dr Paul Hardisty speaks to Myall U3A about Great Barrier Reef and an environmental ‘trilemma’ Dr Paul Hardisty explaining the great ‘trilemma’ of food, energy and water that awaits the near future. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
Health

Dr Paul Hardisty speaks to Myall U3A about Great Barrier Reef and an environmental ‘trilemma’

ENVIRONMENTAL scientist, engineer and author Dr Paul Hardisty shared the ecological realities surrounding the Great Barrier Reef during a visit to the Myall U3A on Friday 31 October. Originally from Canada and now based in Perth, Dr Hardisty also shared his long-held love of writing, fostered by his parents. “Write what you know, and what […]

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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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Nature at the doorstep: how to bring biodiversity to your yard
Community, Health

Nature at the doorstep: how to bring biodiversity to your yard

IT is often said that there are many benefits associated with spending time in nature. “Increasingly, being in nature is recognised as being important,” explains Mat Bell, Senior Ecologist with MidCoast Council. “Contact with nature benefits human health and well-being by reducing stress, improving mental health, enhancing physical health, and improving cognitive function, like concentration […]

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Surf Club receives multiple grants to keep community safe SLSC President Rebecca Curtis, VP and Grants Co-Ordinator Jackie Bower, Lyne Federal MP Alison Penfold, and club educator Debbie Booth with the new first aid equipment. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
Community, Health

Surf Club receives multiple grants to keep community safe

  SLSC President Rebecca Curtis, VP and Grants Co-Ordinator Jackie Bower, Lyne Federal MP Alison Penfold, and club educator Debbie Booth with the new first aid equipment. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.   Alison Penfold tried out the new state-of-the-art CPR mannequins. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.   TGHNSLSC members with Port Stephens state MP Kate Washington and the […]

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Tea Gardens gains new medical centre and doctors The Tea Gardens CGP team Dr Shaimaa Elgayar, receptionist Wendy*, Dr M. Mohammed, Dr Ahmed Shetia and his wife and practice manager Sam. Photo: Bob Burbank.
Community, Health

Tea Gardens gains new medical centre and doctors

NEW medical services have become available to Myall Coast residents, with the opening of the Tea Gardens GP Medical Centre. Just over a month since the grand opening, founder and clinical supervisor Dr M. Mohammed said he is very happy to be back. Dr Mohammed practiced in Hawks Nest between 2019-23, arriving just in time […]

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North Arm Cove local walks for suicide prevention Biljana with friend and supporter Tammy on the long road into North Arm Cove. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
Health

North Arm Cove local walks for suicide prevention

Biljana with friend and supporter Tammy on the long road into North Arm Cove. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Biljana’s late daughter Iskra also volunteered for Lifeline. Photo: B. Soleil. BILJANA Soleil has supported Lifeline’s suicide prevention program by undertaking the “Out Of The Shadows’ trek in North Arm Cove. The Walk was first conceived as a […]

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Hunter researcher develops breakthrough IVF technology Newcastle Permanent’s Paul Juergens, Honeysuckle Health CEO and Dr Swegen’s Program Coach Rhod McKensey, Dr Aleona Swegen, HMRI CEO and Institute Director Professor Frances Kay. Photo: supplied.
Health

Hunter researcher develops breakthrough IVF technology

UNIVERSITY of Newcastle researcher Dr Aleona Swegen, a member of the Hunter Medical Research Institute’s Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, is driving a breakthrough in fertility treatment. Dr Sewgan has secured $200,000 from the inaugural Newcastle Permanent Innovation Accelerator Program for her technology, SpermSafe. Dr Swegen created SpermSafe as a storage medium that improves survival […]

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Drainage reserve smothered by thick azolla bloom
Health

Drainage reserve smothered by thick azolla bloom

The azolla mat moves in the wind, giving stark contrast to the areas it covers. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Waterbirds like this local black swan seem to eat the azolla, but it may carry pollutants harmful to them. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. The most affected area is a drainage reserve designed to capture run-off from the nearby […]

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