December 12, 2025
Firefighters remind landowners of pile burn protocols An orange glow is barely visible but RFS crews were on to it.
Community

Firefighters remind landowners of pile burn protocols

The RFS’s drip-torch allows a precise application of accelerant to start controlled burns. An orange glow is barely visible but RFS crews were on to it. WITH the weather finally drying out a bit, the Rural Fire Service has received requests to assist with routine pile burns and asks that landowners proceed responsibly. Although winter […]

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Meet the crew who keep Marine Rescue boats running Maintenance crew members Mark, Victoria, Ken, Mark (Boat Manager), Rob (Coxswain), Bob, and Ian (Chief Engineer).
Community

Meet the crew who keep Marine Rescue boats running

Maintenance crew members Mark, Victoria, Ken, Mark (Boat Manager), Rob (Coxswain), Bob, and Ian (Chief Engineer). Maintenance crew member Bob Montgomery. EVERY Wednesday morning, before most people have had their second coffee, a group of volunteers is already elbow-deep in checklists, toolkits, and the unmistakable scent of salt and diesel. They’re not responding to an […]

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Applications open for Australia Post’s 2025 Community Grant Program
Community

Applications open for Australia Post’s 2025 Community Grant Program

APPLICATIONS are now open for Australia Post’s 2025 Community Grants program, which funds community-led, local projects across Australia.  Eligible not-for-profit groups from New South Wales can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to support projects which have the primary purpose of improving connection and mental wellbeing in their local communities. Since 2020, Australia Post […]

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Progress Association to map defibrillator locations The AED outside Hawks Nest IGA is available 24/7.
Community, Health

Progress Association to map defibrillator locations

Kelly Pietsch instructing local tennis club members how to use their new device. The AED in Tea Gardens Coles is only available during business hours. The AED outside Hawks Nest IGA is available 24/7. An external AED between the new and old buildings at Hawks Nest Community Centre is also available 24/7. PROGRESS is being […]

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E-petition launched to secure additional flood support
Myall Coast

E-petition launched to secure additional flood support

AN E-PETITION is now available on the NSW Parliament website calling for upgraded support to assist Hunter and Mid North Coast communities devastated by the May flood. The petition calls on the NSW Government to maximise Category C funding and urgently declare Category D funding for devastated small businesses, primary producers and communities in the […]

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Backlash over ‘quiet cut’ to train passes The six-month Discovery Pass, previously available for $420, offered unlimited travel across NSW TrainLink’s regional train and coach network.
Government

Backlash over ‘quiet cut’ to train passes

LIBERAL MLC Aileen MacDonald has called for the NSW Government to immediately reinstate three-month and six-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes, describing the removal as a “quiet cut” that disproportionately hurts regional communities. Speaking in the Legislative Council last week, Ms MacDonald moved a motion highlighting the significant impact of the removal of the passes on […]

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State Forests reopening but users warned to check status Some of the damage caused by May’s floods in Mid North Coast and Hunter State Forests. Photos: Forestry Corporation.
Local News

State Forests reopening but users warned to check status

Some of the damage caused by May’s floods in Mid North Coast and Hunter State Forests. Photos: Forestry Corporation. THE region’s State Forests are progressively reopening following the floods and severe weather of May but the Forestry Corporation is urging users to check the status of trails and campgrounds in advance, and to exercise extreme […]

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Funding for ‘future economic development’ of four coal mining regions Minister Ryan Park says it's time to position the Hunter as a national leader in clean energy and advanced manufacturing. Photo: AAP Image/Pool, Nikki Short.
Government

Funding for ‘future economic development’ of four coal mining regions

THE 2025-26 NSW Budget will include $27.3 million over four years to fund the Future Jobs and Investment Authority, initially focusing on the Hunter and Central West regions. “The Authority will help guide the future economic development of the four coal mining regions – the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra, and North West – from coal […]

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Six hours in the dark: Volunteer crew recounts dramatic nighttime rescue Crew members Howard Faulks, Mark Page, Matt Coleborne, Andy Wilson and Robert Johnson (Duty Skipper).
Local News

Six hours in the dark: Volunteer crew recounts dramatic nighttime rescue

IT’S been ten weeks since the crew of John Thompson – Marine Rescue Port Stephens’ offshore vessel – steered into the blackness of open ocean for what became one of the unit’s most challenging rescues in recent memory. But for those on board that night, the moments are still vivid. “It was one of those […]

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Port Stephens named a trending Winter holiday destination
Local News

Port Stephens named a trending Winter holiday destination

PORT Stephens has been named a trending winter school holiday destination by travel booking site Wotif. “Port Stephens’ popularity is well and truly booming this year,” said travel expert Rebecca Hurley. “It’s great to see the momentum continue into the winter school holidays as a trending destination, especially following its crowning as the 2025 Aussie […]

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