January 23, 2026
RFS receives ultra-heavy vehicle upgrade in Tea Gardens
Local News

RFS receives ultra-heavy vehicle upgrade in Tea Gardens

  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.   […]

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CSU study reveals the ‘ecosystem’ feeding on great whites
Local News

CSU study reveals the ‘ecosystem’ feeding on great whites

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 […]

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Stinker’s History: Broughton Island a ‘must-visit’ This Greek fisherman's hut on Broughton Island was destroyed in a raging fire.
Local News

Stinker’s History: Broughton Island a ‘must-visit’

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 […]

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Government flags tougher penalties for animal cruelty including jail time for leaving dogs in hot cars Even if parked in the shade with the windows partially down, dogs can die in a car in less than six minutes. Photo: GabesDotPhotos/Pexels.
Local News

Government flags tougher penalties for animal cruelty including jail time for leaving dogs in hot cars

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, […]

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Firies and fireworks spread holiday joy
Local News

Firies and fireworks spread holiday joy

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 […]

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Crafty ladies ready to give again in 2026
Local News

Crafty ladies ready to give again in 2026

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 […]

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Local Art Gallery promotes donations to Pindimar/Tea Gardens RFS Pindimar /Tea Gardens RFS members Aaron, David and Thomas out front of the Gallery, with the giant Mambo fish skeleton from the Sydney Olympics. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
Local News

Local Art Gallery promotes donations to Pindimar/Tea Gardens RFS

Pindimar /Tea Gardens RFS members Aaron, David and Thomas out front of the Gallery, with the giant Mambo fish skeleton from the Sydney Olympics. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Pindimar/Tea Gardens RFS Captain David Bright and new member Aaron Colyer are shown the big Reg Mombassa raffle prizes by Ian Morphett and Anne Stuart. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. […]

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Stinker’s History: still much to learn
Local News

Stinker’s History: still much to learn

THIS is my 50th year in Port Stephens and I still feel like I am scratching the surface. Being a Fingal Bay resident for all those years I know every rock on the land and in the water. Fishing in my tinny everywhere from the Outer Light south to Rocky Point for all those years, […]

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NSW foster and kinship carers to receive allowance boost Member for Port Stephens, and Families and Communities MP Kate Washington.
Local News

NSW foster and kinship carers to receive allowance boost

FOR the first time in more than two decades, foster and kinship carers across NSW have received a 20 percent increase to their care allowance. The increase aims to ease cost-of-living pressures and strengthen support for vulnerable children in out-of-home care. The tax-free increase took effect from 1 January 2026 and applies to authorised carers […]

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