February 16, 2026
Game changer: State of Origin eligibility shake-up Maroons and Kangaroos star Kalyn Ponga is a step closer to also being able to play for New Zealand. Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS.
Sport

Game changer: State of Origin eligibility shake-up

THE NRL has made the biggest change to State of Origin in years, opening the door for New Zealand and England internationals to play if they hail from NSW or Queensland. Under previous rules, no player was able to run out on the interstate arena if they had chosen to represent the Kiwis or Lions […]

Read More
Charges laid after elderly targeted in carpark fraud
Local News

Charges laid after elderly targeted in carpark fraud

CHARGES have been laid as detectives investigate fraud and stealing offences allegedly committed in car parks in dozens of locations across NSW, including in Port Stephens and the Mid Coast. Officers attached to North West Metropolitan Region established Strike Force Pitstop to investigate incidents reported across the state, from Newcastle to Wagga Wagga and including […]

Read More
604 people detected drug driving in statewide traffic operation
Local News

604 people detected drug driving in statewide traffic operation

MORE than 600 drivers were detected allegedly driving with drugs in their systems during a statewide police traffic operation last week. Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) commenced at 12am on Thursday 12 February and concluded at 4am on Sunday 15 February, targeting people driving while affected by alcohol, drugs and fatigue. During the operation, […]

Read More
Paterson Golf Club
Sport Results

Paterson Golf Club

SATURDAY 7TH FEBRUARY INDIVIDUAL STROKE & MONTHLY MEDAL FIELD | 39 members. DIVISION 1 (<15) | Winner Paul Geddes (6) 61 Nett, Runner Up Gerg Scott (6) 62 Nett, 3rd Place David Bambach (9) 62 Nett DIVISION 2 (16-36) | Winner & Monthly Medal Benjamin Herden (22) 58 Nett, Runner Up Noah Bambach (20) 62 […]

Read More
On the couch with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

On the couch with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, MY ex-boyfriend is in many significant family photos such as Christmases, weddings, birthdays and other occasions. Now we are no longer together, what on earth do I do with all the pictures? It upsets me to look at them, but I don’t want to forget the occasions. Rachel P. Dear Rachel, This one […]

Read More
Nerong fires continue to burn and smother towns in smoke A water-bombing helicopter refills at a dam on a property near Nerong. Photo: Pindimar-Tea Gardens RFS/Facebook.
Community, Health

Nerong fires continue to burn and smother towns in smoke

The 6500ha bushfire sits just a few kilometres north of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest. Image: Fires Near Me website. A water-bombing helicopter refills at a dam on a property near Nerong. Photo: Pindimar-Tea Gardens RFS/Facebook. Diggers clear burnt trees and open up hidden ground fires near the pine plantation. Photo: Pindimar-Tea Gardens/RFS Facebook. Grass […]

Read More
Atmospheric inversion causes thick smoke to linger over Myall Coast
Regional

Atmospheric inversion causes thick smoke to linger over Myall Coast

MISERABLE grey skies in the morning, followed by daytime gloom, have joined the biting odour of smoke across the Myall Coast and regions nearby in the aftermath of the Nerong fires, lingering in place thanks to a natural meteorological pattern called the “inversion layer”. While ordinary atmospheric conditions usually see cooler air temperatures at higher […]

Read More
A passion for social justice inspires new event in Gloucester
Regional

A passion for social justice inspires new event in Gloucester

LONGTIME Gloucester resident Julie Lyford and newcomer Sonja Duncan have discovered a common passion: social justice. The two women are organising an event in Gloucester titled ‘Hidden In Plain Sight: Connection with Purpose’, which aims to spark community conversation about social justice issues both locally and internationally. Both women bring more than 25 years of […]

Read More
Australian Wildlife Conservancy calls for Stroud landholders to join new Conservation Precinct Koala at Waulinbakh. Photo: Brad Leue/AWC.
Local News

Australian Wildlife Conservancy calls for Stroud landholders to join new Conservation Precinct

AUSTRALIAN Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is calling on private landholders in the Stroud district to join a proposed large-scale conservation precinct. The initiative aims to strengthen habitat connectivity across the region and increase protection for threatened species, including the koala and greater glider. One AWC project is the 3871-hectare Waulinbakh Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Stroud, which […]

Read More