March 12, 2026
XPT replacement trains unlikely to arrive anytime soon An artist’s impression of the XPT replacement trains. Photo: TfNSW.
Community, Government

XPT replacement trains unlikely to arrive anytime soon

THE wait for XPT replacement trains looks set to continue for the foreseeable future, with Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Camilla Drover unable to put a date on when the new trains would come into service. “I’m not willing to commit to a hard and fast date,” she said at a recent Parliamentary budget estimates […]

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National Parks work to protect whales during migrations NPWS staff boarded whale-watching cruises along the NSW coast this week as part of Operation Ketos. Photo: NPWS.
Regional

National Parks work to protect whales during migrations

NPWS staff boarded whale-watching cruises along the NSW coast this week as part of Operation Ketos. Photo: NPWS. NPWS staff boarded whale-watching cruises along the NSW coast this week as part of Operation Ketos. Photo: NPWS. NPWS staff boarded whale-watching cruises along the NSW coast this week as part of Operation Ketos. Photo: NPWS. AS […]

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Stinker’s History: The first ship Just imagine what the Worimi thought as the ‘Salamander’ sailed into the port.
Local News

Stinker’s History: The first ship

SSS Salamander. Photo: State Library Victoria. Just imagine what the Worimi thought as the ‘Salamander’ sailed into the port. STUDYING local history, one of the most fascinating events was the sailing of the ship “Salamander” through the heads into the calm waters of Port Stephens late in 1791, becoming the first ship to enter the […]

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Tea Gardens Public School P&C host Winter Disco Brodie, Hudson and Isla at the TGPS disco. Photo: R Faunt.
Community, School

Tea Gardens Public School P&C host Winter Disco

Brodie, Hudson and Isla at the TGPS disco. Photo: R Faunt. Hudson gets a look at DJ Jomeca’s turntables. Photo: R Faunt. TEA GARDENS Public School (TGPS) students enjoyed a rollicking evening at the P&C Disco on Thursday 3 July. “This night was all about the kids and they had an absolute blast!” TGPS P&C […]

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A celebration of culture as NAIDOC commemorated in Bulahdelah Barry sharing local history.
Local News

A celebration of culture as NAIDOC commemorated in Bulahdelah

Barry Syron and his daughter Pauline Syron-Coxon. Barry sharing local history. Pauline’s painting reflects on traditional themes. Traditional artefacts and items were on display. BULAHDELAH Visitor Information Centre (VIC) held a morning tea with a difference to promote NAIDOC week. Activities are held throughout the country in the first week of July each year to […]

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Petition calls for return of Discovery train passes
Local News

Petition calls for return of Discovery train passes

LIBERAL MLC Aileen MacDonald OAM has sponsored a petition to the NSW Legislative Council demanding the reinstatement of three-month and six-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes. The six-month Discovery Pass, previously available for $420, offered unlimited travel across NSW TrainLink’s regional train and coach network. The longer term passes have recently been paused by the state […]

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Progress Association cleans up public facilities in Tea Gardens
Community, Health

Progress Association cleans up public facilities in Tea Gardens

Unseemly graffiti was painstakingly removed from inside the public toilets. This mural was defaced and has since been rejuvenated. The men’s room door is solid and impenetrable again. MEMBERS of the Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association (HNTGPA) have dug in to keep their area beautiful and liveable, attacking several projects of late in collaboration […]

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No creature too great or small for WINC WINC volunteers help care for recovering wildlife like this feather-tailed glider.
Community

No creature too great or small for WINC

AS any pet owner will tell you, with no government subsidies such as Medicare, treating injury and illness in companion animals can be an expensive prospect. What hope is there, then, when native animals are struck by cars, or traumatised by bushfires? That’s where the volunteers of Wildlife In Need Of Care (WINC) get involved. […]

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EXPLAINER – The Eastern Blue Groper: A NSW coastal icon An Eastern Blue Groper posing. Photo: Malcolm Nobbs.
Local News

EXPLAINER – The Eastern Blue Groper: A NSW coastal icon

THE eastern blue groper (Achoerodus viridis) is endemic and one of the most iconic fish species found in New South Wales coastal waters. Recognised for its striking cobalt blue colouration and curious nature, this fish holds ecological, cultural, and conservation significance. Its visibility and frequent non-aggressive interactions with snorkelers and divers have made it an […]

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Increased rate of NSW adults getting sunburnt The report found more than 80 percent of respondents used at least one form of sun protection.
Health

Increased rate of NSW adults getting sunburnt

ALMOST one million adults across the state were sunburnt at least once over a four-week period, according to a new report from the Cancer Institute NSW. The “Sun Protection Behaviours Report”, released last week, shows 15 percent of people surveyed reported being sunburnt, up from 12 percent in the previous report. The research analyses data […]

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