October 26, 2026
Leaders urged not to mess with criminal responsibility Changing a long-standing youth conviction principle would only lead to future criminal offending, advocates say, following the release of a review. Photo: NSW Police.
Government, Police

Leaders urged not to mess with criminal responsibility

LEGAL advocates have welcomed a report’s recommendations into a presumption that children under 14 are “incapable of evil”, urging a state not to tinker with the long-standing principle, despite a drop in youth convictions. A NSW review of doli incapax was released on Saturday after it was launched by the state Labor government in May […]

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Sudden stratospheric warming causes weather chaos Bureau of Meteorology heat map for Wednesday 22 October, showing new record temps. Photo: BOM.
Regional

Sudden stratospheric warming causes weather chaos

RISING temperatures over Antarctica have been a major contributing factor to recent volatile weather along the East Coast, according to new information from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). A “sudden stratospheric warming” (SSW) is to blame. This is a documented weather scenario in which air temperatures high above the South Pole rise by 30 degrees […]

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Water Night to raise awareness of water waste and sustainability
Local News

Water Night to raise awareness of water waste and sustainability

WATER Night is on again in 2025 and households across the MidCoast are being encouraged to get involved in the awareness-raising event. Each year, Water Night asks Australians to turn off their taps between 5pm-10pm on Thursday 23 October to highlight just how regularly and mindlessly people reach for their taps, and in the process, […]

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Winners revealed in HIA Hunter Housing Awards
Local News

Winners revealed in HIA Hunter Housing Awards

BUTLER Building won the pinnacle award at the 2025 HIA Hunter Housing and Kitchen & Bathrooms Awards, being presented the HIA Hunter Home of the Year award for a project described as “nothing short of a masterpiece”. The Awards were announced on 18 October in front of a capacity audience of industry leaders and peers […]

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Finalists named in 2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards Finalists will be recognised and winners announced at the Hunter Manufacturing Awards Gala on Thursday 30 October at the Newcastle Exhibition & Convention Centre.
Business

Finalists named in 2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards

THE finalists of the Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) have been announced for 2025, recognising the breadth and capability of the manufacturing sector across the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast and surrounding regions. A record number of entries were received this year, reflecting a strong mix of first-time entrants, emerging start-ups and established industry leaders. […]

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Help shape the future of outdoor spaces in our region
Myall Coast

Help shape the future of outdoor spaces in our region

RESIDENTS are invited to take part in the online AusPlay survey, conducted by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), to help shape the future of outdoor spaces in our region. According to the latest AusPlay report (May 2025), Australians are moving away from traditional sports club activities. They are choosing to get active outdoors in parks, […]

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Aussie Bird Count underway this week The Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy Miner, and Australian Magpie topped the charts in 2024.
Community

Aussie Bird Count underway this week

THE 2025 Aussie Bird Count, one of Australia’s largest citizen science events, began on Monday. This national celebration of our unique and diverse birdlife will run to Sunday, 26 October 2025. BirdLife Australia invites people of all ages to take just 20 minutes out of their day to spot, identify, and count the birds around […]

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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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Old church, new vision in Stroud The newly renovated Stroud Church.
Local News

Old church, new vision in Stroud

The newly renovated Stroud Church. The newly renovated Stroud Church. FORMER ABC weather presenter Graham Creed and his partner Bridgit English have given one of Stroud’s most treasured landmarks a new lease on life, transforming the 1887-built St James Presbyterian Church into a striking blend of heritage and contemporary design. The couple purchased the deconsecrated […]

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