May 12, 2026
Stroud author’s new children’s book celebrates the platypus and connecting to Country Rachel and her family, including new twins, at the Bower Collective near Stroud. Photo: supplied.
Regional

Stroud author’s new children’s book celebrates the platypus and connecting to Country

STROUD author Rachel Barry has released a new children’s book inspired by the creeks, wildlife and landscapes of the region. Set in Worimi Country, the story invites children to slow down and observe the quiet beauty of a bushland creek. It was inspired by Rachel’s own experiences exploring local waterways with her children. “‘Where Ripples […]

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Gresford Show ‘ticks all the boxes’ 2026 Gresford Show Junior Young Woman winner Tiahnee Eldridge and runner up Lexie Rayfield.
Community

Gresford Show ‘ticks all the boxes’

2026 Gresford Show Junior Young Woman winner Tiahnee Eldridge and runner up Lexie Rayfield. Mary Kealy Perpetual Trophy winner Jodi Pender and runner up Janelle McKenzie. Guests at the Showgrounds on Thursday night for the opening night of the art show and the Young Woman Presentation. Guests at the Showgrounds on Thursday night for the […]

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Hardwood supply chain at risk from soaring fuel prices Sawmill operator Anthony Dorney. Photo: Dorney Group.
Local News

Hardwood supply chain at risk from soaring fuel prices

A FIFTH-GENERATION family timber operation says it is absorbing an almost $8000 weekly fuel surge to keep hardwood moving to Australia’s cities. Anthony Dorney and his brothers operate two hardwood sawmills in Bulahdelah, SA Relf and Newells Creek, continuing a timber cutting tradition which has lasted for more than a century. Last week, Anthony pulled […]

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Government extends funding for two key programs
Dungog Shire

Government extends funding for two key programs

THE state government has extended funding for both the No Interest Loan Scheme (“the NIL Scheme”) and Aged-Care Supported Accommodation (“the ASCA Program”).  The Government committed $21.5 million in funding to administer the NIL Scheme for another five years, continuing its history of providing fee and interest-free loans to low-income earners since its establishment in […]

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Foster care recruitment drive across the Hunter
Local News

Foster care recruitment drive across the Hunter

HUNTER residents are being urged to change a child’s life and become a foster carer, with the State Government launching a local foster carer recruitment drive. Right now, there are over 160 children and young people across the Hunter who cannot live safely with their families. There is a particular need for people to care […]

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Letter to the Editor: The Vision Splendid
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: The Vision Splendid

DEAR News Of The Area, It seems the newspaper is flogging the dead horse to resurrect another shot at addressing the unacceptable risk of two infamous intersections, Bucketts Way and Medowie Road, as well as roasting Labor politicians. “Funding promises for highway intersections” (NOTA 17 April 2025) informs me of one certainty, the paper knows […]

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Essential Grants applications closing soon The Repurposing for Resilience volunteers with Kate Haynes from Essential Energy.
Community

Essential Grants applications closing soon

CHARITIES, community groups and not‑for‑profit organisations delivering community‑led projects across Essential Energy’s network area are encouraged to submit their applications for the 2026 Essential Grants program before the end of March. The program is offering grants of up to $15,000 to help eligible organisations bring their initiatives to life and deliver real benefits for people, […]

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Community invited to celebrate the famous Paterson River Oranges Frank Auckett’s Orange Packing Shed opposite Paterson Railway Station, 1922. Photo: Paterson Historical Society.
Community

Community invited to celebrate the famous Paterson River Oranges

RESIDENTS are invited to take part in a creative community workshop celebrating one of the area’s most distinctive pieces of local history, the famous Paterson River Orange. Once widely known for their flavour and quality, the oranges grown in the rich soils along the Paterson River were an important part of the town’s agricultural history. […]

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