February 8, 2026
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

‘On the couch’ with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, I’ve been invited to the staff Christmas party but the people going are hard partiers and I always end up being the designated driver. I’m aware there’s an expectation for me to remain under-the-limit to ferry all the guests home. I’m thinking I might not go for this reason. Harriet L. Dear Harriet, […]

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Dungog Warriors announce coaching staff for 2026 season
Sport

Dungog Warriors announce coaching staff for 2026 season

THE Dungog Warriors Rugby League Football Club has announced the appointment of Aaron Dyett and Mia Henderson as coaches for the 2026 season. Dyett will take over the men’s coaching role from Jackson Partridge, who after leading the Warriors to a grand final appearance in 2024 and a strong showing in 2025 has decided to […]

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Letter to the Editor: Big thanks to fire volunteers
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Big thanks to fire volunteers

DEAR News Of The Area, IT’S truly humbling that almost 50 people volunteered their time to undertake a hazard reduction burn that will help keep our property, the wildlife and nature that lives here, and our family safer this summer. Volunteers like you all are the fabric that knits our community together. I would like […]

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Fears ‘free’ electricity could come with hidden costs Chris Bowen says you don't have to have solar panels on your roof to reap the benefits. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP
Regional

Fears ‘free’ electricity could come with hidden costs

ENERGY retailers say they’ve been blindsided by reforms promising free electricity to hundreds of thousands of Australians during peak solar power hours. The Solar Sharer program, announced by the federal government last Tuesday, would give consumers free access to electricity for three hours each day as part of the default offer available. Households in NSW, […]

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Tocal College showcases student excellence at annual stock horse sale Tocal College horse husbandry students and educators with the top selling gelding and mare from the 2025 Approved Australian Stock Horse sale.
Regional

Tocal College showcases student excellence at annual stock horse sale

ELEVEN stock horses bred and trained by students at Tocal College have fetched a total of $168,000 in winning bids at the annual Approved Australian Stock Horse (ASH) Sale held over 2 and 3 November. Now in its 17th year, the sale event showcased the strength of Tocal College’s equine training program and dedication of […]

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Free grain and bait on offer in statewide offensive on feral pigs The cost to farmers of grain for feral pig trapping and baiting can be significant. Photo: supplied.
Regional

Free grain and bait on offer in statewide offensive on feral pigs

LANDHOLDERS across NSW are being encouraged to take advantage of $850,000 worth of free grain and bait on offer as part of a statewide crackdown on feral pigs. The funding is part of the Government’s Feral Pig and Pest Program with funding from the State’s more than $1 billion biosecurity budget. It is the third […]

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Paterson Golf Club
Sport Results

Paterson Golf Club

Male Club Championships Scratch Winners, Greg Kellner (l), Peter Nicholson (c) and Greg Scott (r). Divisional Stroke Winners, Peter Nicholson (l) and Paul Bennetts (r). SATURDAY 25TH OCTOBER INDIVIDUAL STROKE, TOM GOODMAN TROPHY & MALE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS (FINAL ROUND) FIELD | 38 members & 4 visitors. DIVISION 1 (<15) | Winner Paul Langley (15) 62 […]

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Newcastle Airport showcased on international stage Airport representatives at the Future-Proofing Airport Development workshop in Singapore.
Local News

Newcastle Airport showcased on international stage

Airport representatives at the Future-Proofing Airport Development workshop in Singapore. Burcak Sezer GAICD, Executive General Manager People Communications at Newcastle Airport. NEWCASTLE Airport was represented on the international stage last week at the Future-Proofing Airport Development workshop in Singapore, hosted by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Bringing together decision-makers from across […]

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‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

‘On the couch’ with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, LAST night (when I was sound asleep) my husband woke me about the mosquitoes in the room. He then searched (unsuccessfully) for the flyspray before trying other tactics. By the time he’d killed them, I was wide awake and stayed that way. What do I do to avoid this in the future, Katie […]

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