THE Brig O’Johnston Bridge at Clarence Town has reopened to traffic following the early completion of essential maintenance and safety improvement work. Pedestrian and vehicle access across the bridge returned to normal on Friday. For more information on this work, visit www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/240007, download the Live Traffic NSW app or call 132 701. To receive updates […]
Grants of up to $3000 are availanble to community groups across rural, regional and remote Australia.
New grants to help bush connectivity
THE Regional Tech Hub has announced a new grants program, offering up to $3000 to community groups across rural, regional and remote Australia. The Connect Grants are open to grassroots projects that help people navigate the complex world of phone and internet connectivity. Regional Tech Hub General Manager, Jennifer Medway, said the program is about […]
Petition calls for return of Discovery train passes
LIBERAL MLC Aileen MacDonald OAM has sponsored a petition to the NSW Legislative Council demanding the reinstatement of three-month and six-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes. The six-month Discovery Pass, previously available for $420, offered unlimited travel across NSW TrainLink’s regional train and coach network. The longer term passes have recently been paused by the state […]
‘Spirit of the Bush’ competition returns to celebrate life on the land
RURAL Aid has launched the sixth annual Spirit of the Bush Photo Competition, inviting Upper Hunter residents to share striking images that capture the strength, resilience, and beauty of life on the land. Running from 14 July to 31 August 2025, the much-loved competition provides a powerful platform for rural and regional Australians to tell […]
Brookfield breeders rule the roost
Geese at the hobby farm. Tanya’s prize-winning Giant Dewlap Toulouse. Chinese Brown gander. TANYA Quant and her family have been quietly raising eyebrows, and geese, from their hobby farm in Brookfield for the past 25 years. Specialising in rare and heritage breeds, their feathered fascination has blossomed into national acclaim, with their flock dominating poultry […]
Gloucester Gallery to celebrate quilt artist Elizabeth Maxwell
Elizabeth Maxwell. Photo: supplied. Spotty Quilt by Elizabeth Maxwell. Photo: supplied. THE Gloucester Gallery will host an exhibition titled “Collage In Cloth” featuring the quilts of Elizabeth Maxwell from July 16 to August 10. The exhibition is curated by her close friend and fellow artist Kylie Goldthorpe. Before retiring to Barrington, Elizabeth Maxwell worked as […]
Printed Edition 16 JULY 2025
Personal Hardship Assistance payment extended to new Hunter suburbs
AN additional 29 suburbs in the Hunter and Mid North Coast are now eligible for the East Coast Severe Weather Personal Hardship Assistance payment for people impacted by recent floods. In the Hunter this includes Balickera 2324, Brandy Hill 2324, Butterwick 2321, Duns Creek 2321 and Glen Oak 2320, and comes following further assessments by […]
Letter to the Editor: Where were you?
DEAR News Of The Area, ON Sunday, 7 June, I attended a meeting at the Doug Walters Pavillion. It had been arranged by the Dungog Council, and was to keep all of us locals up to speed with what is going on with the planning for the future Housing and Infrastructure Master Plan, for our […]
Urgent care clinics provide walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies.
Process begins for urgent care clinic in Maitland
AN expressions of interest (EOI) process to establish a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) in Maitland closed on 15 July. The EOI was open to existing general practices, community health centres and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. Fifty new Medicare UCCs were announced in the 2025-26 Budget, set to provide walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent […]
