Rural Fire Service crews worked in smoke and haze to contain the fires and prevent them restarting. Photo: NSW Rural Fire Service. Smoke clouds covered an otherwise sunny day on Bennetts Beach. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Ash fell from the sky Friday night and all day Saturday, washing up on Bennetts Beach. Photo: Oce Brett/Facebook. Debra […]

COMMUNITY conversation about life, loss and everything in between returned to Tea Gardens this week, with the Death Cafe restarting at the local library. The Death Cafe provides a safe, welcoming space for people to talk openly and listen to others about death and what it encompasses, without judgement or expectation. One reader on Facebook […]

OVER the past 50 or so years, the pure waters of Port Stephens have been threatened by viruses and parasites in the oyster industry, acid sulphate from the disturbed soil leaching into the water column, and inappropriate development and aquatic industries – as with the coal wharf at Fingal and the proposed 90-hectare pearl farm. […]

Louise and Amanda warding swimmers back into the flagged zone, eternally vigilant of the strong northerly drift. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. The first decent beach day in a while saw few beachgoers venture into the blue waters of Bennetts Beach Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. RECENT reports of shark attacks along the NSW coast have made many holidaymakers […]

The blue mats being levelled and re-laid. Photo: Sherrie O’Keefe. HNTGPA Vice President Thomas, President Sandra, and Secretary Bruce manually re-rolling the MobiMats at Jimmys Beach. Photo: Sherrie O’Keefe. MOBILITY was restored at Jimmys Beach in Hawks Nest by volunteers of the Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association (HNTGPA) on Thursday 15 January.  The hardy […]

There is currently no off-leash park in the Hawks Nest-Tea Gardens area. Concept images of the proposed off-leash dog park. THE Tea Gardens Lions Club has launched its 2026 community fundraising campaign to build a fenced off-leash dog park for Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens.   It would be located at Providence Bay Park in an […]

THE air was emotionally charged with reminiscence, gratitude, and awe at the “10 Years On Bravery and Remembrance Breakfast,” hosted by Marine Rescue Port Stephens (MRPS) at Soldiers Point Marina. The gathering marked a significant opportunity to reflect on the dramatic rescue operations of 6 January 2016, when a ferocious East Coast low battered the […]

Spearow on the day of her rescue in Tanilba Bay, September 2025. Photo: Sea Shelter. Spearow, in December 2025 on the road to a healthy recovery and her subsequent release. Photo: Sea Shelter. BEHIND the walls of Irukandji Shark and Ray Centre, the team at Sea Shelter are quietly continuing to write the rescue tales […]

Karen (Myall U3A) with Teresa (Estia TG staff) and Pat (Estia TG volunteer). Photo: Ros Jones. Karen and Ros from Myall U3A with Estia volunteer Pat. Photo: Ros Jones. One of the cards being lovingly created. Photo: MU3A. MEMBERS of the Myall University of the Third Age (U3A) have finished the year with a bang, […]

Darrall sits with the pentagonal ‘wicking bed’ memorial he constructed for his late partner, Philippa, in the North Arm Cove garden. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. A plaque highlights Philippa’s impact on the community garden. NORTH Arm Cove residents and visitors can pay their respects to Philippa Coltart, a strong local advocate for the environment, at a […]