REGIONAL Arts Australia is launching a “transformative” new funding initiative with $2.4 million dollars in support from Minderoo Foundation. The program offers multi-year grants of $160,000 to support independent artists living and working in regional communities across Australia. “Practice in Community” will deliver two funding rounds for independent artists working in Community Arts and Cultural […]

Farm fire vehicle scheme launched after series of trials
FARMERS and rural landholders can now register to use Farm Firefighting Vehicles (FFVs) to respond to emergency bushfires near their property. On Wednesday the NSW Government launched a conditional registration scheme to enable typically unregistered FFVs to be used legally and under the protection of insurance. FFVs are commonly small trucks, utes or trailers with […]
Megan Joins Fire and Rescue
TEA GARDENS has a newly minted on-call firefighter, with local Megan Markham recently completing her rigorous training and tests. Megan had recently returned from her two-week ‘phase training’ in Wellington, central NSW, where she met new recruits from across the state. Phase training comes after the extensive medical and physical checks, where they put new […]
Strategic vision set to boost public transport in the Hunter
THE Hunter needs more public transport. That’s the key takeaway from the NSW Government’s just-released Hunter Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan, which sets out 49 short and medium-term actions across public and active transport, and roads and freight. Over the next five years, 30,000 new homes are expected to be built across the Lower Hunter […]
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 […]
Hunter builders rank among nation’s largest
THREE leading builders based in the Hunter region have been ranked among the largest residential builders in the nation, according to the HIA-COLORBOND® steel Housing 100 Report for 2024/25. The annual report ranks Australia’s top 100 builders by the number of homes commenced. Leading the way with a total of 2,898 starts in 2024/25, NEX […]
Karuah kids help rehabilitate Longworth Park
The slope at the end of the day, all replanted and ready to grow again. Lily was involved in the planting. Myles planted some regenerative flora. Zayne with trophies from the many plants put into the slope last week. Student Max worked with Landcare volunteer Cheryl Crotty to fix up the slope. STUDENTS from Karuah […]
Hunter Surf Life Saving raises the flags for a new season
The Raising of the Flags ceremony was attended by local politicians and NSW Premier Chris Minns. NSW Premier Chris Minns shaking hands with Hunter SLS Nipper Mason Overton AS the weather heats up and locals prepare to enjoy another blissful summer, Hunter Surf Life Saving welcomed another season with its annual Raising of the Flags […]
MidCoast Council to visit communities for a conversation
MIDCOAST Councillors and senior staff are heading back out to visit 15 communities across October and November. Mayor Claire Pontin said everybody is welcome to attend a Community Conversation, whether they wish to simply listen, ask questions or chat with a senior staff member or Councillor. “We’ll talk to you about plans and projects across […]

Community invited toTea Gardens Library celebrations
THE community is invited to celebrate the official opening of the Tea Gardens Library extension. The event coincides with the anniversary of the Tea Gardens Library’s official opening 22 years ago. The celebration will be held on Monday 13 October from 10am to 11am at the Tea Gardens Library, with a free morning tea on […]