Gillian and William Maher receive their certificate. Photo: supplied. A young Adav family at the ceremony with Mayor Claire Pontin. Photo: supplied. MIDCOAST Council hosted its annual Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony, welcoming new Australian citizens from across the MidCoast community.  The ceremony recognised the commitment made by participants as they formally became Australian citizens, marking […]

ONE of the most frequent questions I am asked is, “where can I catch a fish around Broughton Island?” The beaches around the island are spectacular with excellent fishing for whiting and flathead in the summer months. It is the surrounding reef system that provides ideal habitat for snapper, mulloway, teraglin, a growing population of […]

MIDCOAST Council recently reminded residents that keeping chemicals out of waterways starts with simple, everyday choices made at home. What runs off driveways, roads and hard surfaces does not disappear. It flows into stormwater drains and ends up in rivers, lakes and beaches, often without treatment. Council continues to encourage residents to be mindful of […]

The Port Stephens and Myall Coast communities have spent years protesting against a proposed wind farm. Photo: NOTA file. The designated zone runs between Norah Head and Port Stephens. THE Newcastle Port Stephens Game Fish Club (NPSGFC) has joined community groups in accusing Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen of attempting to revive the region’s failed […]

  The front-mounted monitor can shoot water at 800L/min, around 30m ahead.   Tea Gardens’ fleet includes the new Tatra (L), Cat 1 and Cat 7.   The cabin resembles a spaceship, still with room for more buttons.   Size matters when the Tatra holds 7000L of water, and is still a firefighting machine.   […]

A WORLD-FIRST study by Charles Sturt University (CSU) has identified an ecosystem of parasites inside great white sharks. The global study by researchers in CSU’s School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, and the Gulbali Institute for Agriculture Water and Environment, found evidence of at least 116 parasites inside the apex predator. Professor in Veterinary […]

ONCE a little-known NSW island, Broughton has become a ‘must visit’ destination for fishermen, boaties and day trippers. Over recent years, the island has changed socially, for the better, with an influx of families rather than a domination of fishermen. Bird watching, hiking, photography, snorkelling and of course, fishing, are all part of the island […]

DOG owners tempted to leave their pet in the car when they run to the shops, will soon risk tougher penalties. The State Government is delivering on its election promise to review the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTAA), flagging heavier fines and longer jail sentences. Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, […]

Santa visited kids at the Hawks Nest Reflections Caravan Park. All photos: Thomas O’Keefe. Gorgeous fireworks over the Tea Gardens Country Club. All photos: Thomas O’Keefe. RFS volunteers supervised the TGCC fireworks, in case any got out of hand. All photos: Thomas O’Keefe. Brilliant local fireworks easily rivalled some seen in the big cities. All […]

THE women of the Wednesday Craft Group saw off a very successful 2025, and are ready to start fundraising and giving again in 2026. “We were able to make generous donations to several groups that have a direct impact upon the lives of people in the Myall Coast area,” returned President Kris Whitely told News […]