PRIMARY school, high school and homeschool students across the MidCoast are encouraged to get their entries in soon to the National Water Week Junior Writing Prize. Students are encouraged to submit a short story, poem or work of creative non-fiction that explores the theme ‘Water Connects Everything’, with the competition closing on Friday, 25 September. […]
A sea lion has tested positive for bird flu, sparking fears of a possible extinction event. Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS.
First case of bird flu in endangered sea lion
AUSTRALIA’S rarest seal species has recorded a case of bird flu for the first time, with an animal dying from the disease while recovering from a shark attack. The first case in an Australian sea lion has raised concerns for the species’ already dwindling population. A sea lion at South Australia’s Seal Bay on Kangaroo […]
Coalition call to make tobacco products legal and affordable to smash black market
AUSTRALIA must smash the illicit tobacco market that is fuelling organised crime, hurting legitimate businesses and making a mockery of our laws, according to Federal Member for Lyne, Alison Penfold. “Illicit tobacco is not a victimless crime,” Ms Penfold said. “It has become big business for organised crime.” Ms Penfold says she has backed a […]
Staff’s quick response saved Bob’s life after heart attack
QUICK thinking and even quicker action saved 72-year-old Bob Launders’ life when he had a heart attack and collapsed at Tea Gardens Waste Management Centre and Reviva Reuse Shop in June. When three staff members found Mr Launders unconscious, unresponsive and not breathing, they immediately called triple zero and began CPR. Leading hand Tyla Ralphs […]
Prepare now for hotter, drier weather ahead
PREPARATIONS are ramping up across NSW as the bushfire season approaches, with a strong focus on protecting local homes, properties and communities. Senior leaders from emergency services, land managers and community groups are meeting this week at the NSW Hazard Reduction Roundtable to fine-tune plans before the official danger period begins for most of the […]
Kitted out for Indigenous Round from jerseys to boots
Students from Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie present Newcastle Knights players with their hand-painted boots honouring Indigenous Round. Photos: CMCC Facebook. Students from Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie present Newcastle Knights players with their hand-painted boots honouring Indigenous Round. Photos: CMCC Facebook. Students from Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie present Newcastle Knights players with their […]
Tea Gardens restaurateur receives international honour
Dr Peter Hodges and his medal, certificates, and images of Orélie-Antoine de Tounens and Gustave-Achille Laviarde. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. A museum-produced map of the Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Peter’s Médaille de la Légion de la Constellation du Sud (Medal of the Legion of the Southern Constellation) awarded by Prince Phillipe III. […]
Celebrating the opening of the new facility at Westmead are, from left: Donna Davis, Member for Parramatta; Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, CEO Christina Keneally; Claire Barber, CEO Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney; and the NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park. Photo: NSW Health.
Support for rural, regional and remote families when a child is seriously ill
FAMILIES from regional, rural and remote NSW with seriously ill children will benefit from new facilities at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead that can provide overnight accommodation for up to 10 families at a time. The accommodation is located on Level 9 of the new 14-storey Paediatric Services Building, close to the cardiac and critical […]
Peter Gambrill and Mia Finch claim top honours at Stroud Brick and Rolling Pin Throwing Competition
Stroud Men’s Open brick-throwing winner Peter Gambrill. Photo: Nyomi Aubrey Photography. Mia Finch claims the champion’s title in the Women’s Open brick-throwing competition. Photo: Nyomi Aubrey Photography. PETER Gambrill and Mia Finch claimed the Men’s Open and Women’s Open titles as hundreds of competitors and spectators gathered for the annual Stroud Brick and Rolling Pin […]
A stinkhorn, one of many fungi that may be found in Australia. This one smells very, very bad, as the name suggests. Photo: Nico Lombardo.
Citizen scientists photograph and catalogue fungi
THE Great Aussie Fungi Hunt 2026 is on, and community members are playing their part in a worldwide effort to catalogue mushroom species. The Great Aussie Fungi Hunt is a yearly event organised by Fungimap, a not for profit, citizen-science organisation dedicated to researching and protecting Australian fungi. One of the chief goals of the […]
