January 9, 2026
Stinker’s History: the fate of the Italia Star The Italia Star aground in the middle of the harbour.
Local News

Stinker’s History: the fate of the Italia Star

IT WAS in the early evening of Sunday March 15 1959, that a cyclone had built a huge sea with crashing surf and whitewater breaking across the entrance to Port Stephens. The sea was rolling into the Port as far as Corlette. Conditions on the water were extremely hazardous. Sydney based, Italian owned trawlers had […]

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Board decides against mandated health checks for senior GPs
Local News

Board decides against mandated health checks for senior GPs

A RANGE of healthcare industry bodies have welcomed a Medical Board of Australia decision not to proceed with mandatory health checks for doctors aged over 70. In 2024, the Board consulted on options to keep late career doctors in safe practice, including through mandatory health checks. A total of 201 submissions were received. Australian Health […]

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Stinker’s Fishin’: Rise early in January East of the Outer Light.
Local News

Stinker’s Fishin’: Rise early in January

WITHOUT doubt January is the craziest month of the year in Port Stephens. We are a tourist town and we survive on tourism so for all the local business houses this is the time to pay the rent. For we fishers problems do arise including access to boat ramps and cleaning tables. There is an […]

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MidCoast property values surge as region outperforms Sydney post-COVID
Local News

MidCoast property values surge as region outperforms Sydney post-COVID

THE MidCoast region has recorded strong property growth since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with dwelling values rising by 58.3 percent over the past six years. According to new property data from Cotality, the area’s post-COVID growth has outperformed Greater Sydney (38.9 percent) in dwelling values since December 2019. House values in the MidCoast […]

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Friends with benefits: Social connections slow ageing in dolphins, too Dolphin friendships can last decades­ - they surf waves together, rest side-by-side and build deep, stable alliances that look remarkably like human relationships. Photos: Dr Simon Allen, Shark Bay Dolphin Research.
Local News

Friends with benefits: Social connections slow ageing in dolphins, too

Dolphin friendships can last decades­ – they surf waves together, rest side-by-side and build deep, stable alliances that look remarkably like human relationships. Photos: Dr Simon Allen, Shark Bay Dolphin Research. Dolphin friendships can last decades­ – they surf waves together, rest side-by-side and build deep, stable alliances that look remarkably like human relationships. Photos: […]

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New gene-mapping method unlocks hidden drivers of cancer
Local News

New gene-mapping method unlocks hidden drivers of cancer

UNIVERSITY of South Australia scientists say they have developed a powerful new way to uncover the genetic interactions that fuel cancer progression, paving the way for earlier and more precise treatments. The AI-driven method, published recently in the Royal Society Open Science journal, reveals that tumour progression is driven by cooperating groups of genes, rather […]

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Agents reveal the post-COVID trends shaping Myall Coast market River Realty agent Tom Woods.
Local News

Agents reveal the post-COVID trends shaping Myall Coast market

Hawks Nest First National principal John Rumble. River Realty agent Tom Woods. THE Myall Coast has ridden the wave of regional property growth since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, with agents reporting strong gains across Hawks Nest, Tea Gardens and North Arm Cove, as well as quieter pockets of Port Stephens. Cotality’s latest property data […]

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Trial to reduce hours at Stroud customer service point and library Stroud Customer Service Point and Library.
Local News

Trial to reduce hours at Stroud customer service point and library

MIDCOAST Council will trial reduced hours of operation at the Stroud Customer Service Point and Library. From 5 January, the service will open from Tuesday to Thursday 9am – 12pm each week for a three-month period. According to Council, the aim of the trial is to align opening hours with service usage by the community. […]

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Accident sparks concerns over reliability of NSW Live Traffic App
Local News

Accident sparks concerns over reliability of NSW Live Traffic App

A RECENT accident has raised questions about the reliability of the NSW Live Traffic app. According to information on the App, “Live Traffic NSW provides real-time information about incidents and changes in traffic conditions that affect your journey. “Our aim is to help customers make the best possible travel decisions that will, in turn, contribute […]

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