WHILE trains between Sydney and Grafton resume next week, a date has yet to be set for the introduction of the long-awaited XPT replacement fleet. “A timeline for the new Regional Rail fleet’s entry into service on the North Coast line will be confirmed once the trains have progressed through testing and the relevant verifications […]
Philanthropy Australia pushes for donations to be equal. Photo: Julia M. Cameron.
MYALL Coast residents, like most in regional Australia, are known for helping others in need. But changes to charity funding rules have led to concerns that the system isn’t working as well as it could. The Federal Government has announced that “Giving Funds” will be required to distribute six percent of assets each year, up […]
Sailor Ruth Boydell has released a compelling memoir covering her adventures across the globe. Photo: Galen Boydell.
HUNTER-BASED sailor and death doula Ruth Boydell has released a memoir, “Rocking the Boat: A Life in Three Voyages”, outlining global ocean adventures in the days before GPS and chartplotters. Ruth’s story begins at the age of 17, when she joined a thirty-something Englishman who was single-handing a sailboat around the world. The adventures came […]
2025 Hunter Volunteer of the Year David Dorhauer with Pat Conroy MP and Dungog councillor Liam Ley.
IT’S time for people across the Hunter to nominate family, friends or work mates for the 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, to help celebrate the enormous positive impact of volunteers across the state. The awards are in their 20th year and are run by The Centre for Volunteering to recognise the outstanding work […]
Ten-year Probus pin recipients (L-R): Jan MacDonald, Inga Reed, Carol Harrap, Keith Harrap, with President John Lamb. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
Ten-year Probus pin recipients (L-R): Jan MacDonald, Inga Reed, Carol Harrap, Keith Harrap, with President John Lamb. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. President John Lamb with new Probus member Judy Binnie. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Jo Sheehan, from Home Caring Myall Coast, spoke to the members in April. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. MEMBERS of the Hawks Nest and District […]
Measuring soil moisture is just one factor in responding to seasonal conditions.
NEW analysis from Hunter Local Land Services (LLS) is providing practical insights for producers looking to make timely decisions as seasonal conditions tighten, with distinct patterns emerging between the Upper and Lower Hunter. The latest data combines Meat and Livestock Australia saleyard throughput, the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) and soil moisture readings from the […]
Some of the Trauma Teddies produced by Tea Gardens Red Cross. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
Tea Gardens Red Cross members knitting Trauma Teddies in March. Photo: Elizabeth Fenton. Some of the Trauma Teddies produced by Tea Gardens Red Cross. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Jane and Narelle from Tea Gardens Red Cross share the comfort that Trauma Teddies bring children worldwide. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. TRAUMA Teddies, those vital comforters that help children […]
Angus Taylor is being accused of trying to replicate One Nation's anti-immigration stance. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS.
THE coalition’s hardline migration plan has been lashed as divisive and Australia’s multicultural communities say they are tired of being dehumanised by all sides of politics. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled a plan to boot migrants from the nation if they do not exhibit “Australian values”, shut the door on some asylum seekers and […]
Local MPs celebrate the progress with the project team.
THE M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace is now expected to open to traffic in late 2026, more than a year earlier than originally planned. The accelerated timeline comes as the project reaches a major milestone, with the northern section, the Heatherbrae Bypass, now complete. The M1 Pacific Motorway extension and Hexham Straight widening […]
The XPT trains have been painted to reflect their history.
The XPT trains have been painted to reflect their history. The XPT trains have been painted to reflect their history. THE Sydney to Grafton XPT train service is set to return from 28 April, after a year of coach replacements during fleet upgrades. Sydney to Grafton train services – travelling through the Central Coast, Hunter […]
