OVER the past year, reporting for News Of The Area has given me a front-row seat to something quietly powerful unfolding across Dungog and its surrounding villages: a renewed confidence in community, creativity and connection. One of the clearest signs of this has been the appetite for live music. From the unmistakable harmonies of The […]
S/C Fred Saba and Inspector David Donovan with the Sista Speak students at Lemon Tree Passage police station. Photo: PSHPD.
Kids and families checked out the paddy wagon at Karuah police station. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Karuah locals touring the station. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Youth Liaison Officer S/C Leanne Mann, S/C Michelle Chandler, and S/C Fred Saba from Lemon Tree Passage. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. ACLO Jemma McLeay, YLO S/C Leanne Mann and Inspector David Donovan at […]
PALLIATIVE Care Australia (PCA), the peak body for palliative care in Australia, has suggested ideas on how to relieve “bed block” in public hospitals in its 2026 Federal Budget submission. PCA CEO Camilla Rowland said palliative care is a practical, compassionate way to free up hospital beds while giving people the care they need at […]
Coffin weaving.
Coffin weaving. Workshop participants enjoy the process. A DEEPLY meaningful creative workshop will take place in the Upper Hunter early next year, blending ancient craft practices with the local landscape and a strong sense of place. On 31 January and 1 February, participants will gather for a ‘Coffin Weaving’ workshop led by renowned fibre artist […]
The rain radar and weather map were at the top of the Bureau’s list of fixes. Photo: Sue Stephenson.
THE Bureau of Meteorology has implemented the first round of changes to its heavily-criticised $96.5m website. Since launching, the site has attracted 400,000 “items of feedback”. As a result, the rain radar and weather map have been improved and there is more information about daily temperature highs and lows on state, territory and district pages. […]
Malcolm Marquet presented the giant cheque to Margaret Jones.
Dungog Shire Palliative Care Volunteers, Rumble committee members and the new car. Malcolm Marquet presented the giant cheque to Margaret Jones. Dungog Rumble members with the giant cheque and new car. REPRESENTATIVES from the Dungog Rumble and Dungog Shire Palliative Care Volunteers met on Sunday afternoon, 7 December at the Bank Hotel, Dungog. The Rumble […]
YOUNG people in Paterson are set to take an active role in caring for their local environment and strengthening community connections through a new youth-led initiative backed by state-wide funding. Local changemaker Julie Overton has been awarded a $50,000 grant through the Backing the Future program for her “Cultivating Futures For Our Youth” initiative. The […]
MPs and surfers at the announcement.
MPs and surfers at the announcement. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp and NSW Premier Chris Minns enjoy a surf in Newcastle. THE HUNTER is set to make waves on the world stage, with the NSW Government announcing that a World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series event will headline Newcastle Surfest in 2027. Newcastle Surfest, Australia’s […]
Stroud Customer Service Point and Library.
MIDCOAST Council will trial reduced hours of operation at the Stroud Customer Service Point and Library. From 5 January, the service will open from Tuesday to Thursday 9am – 12pm each week for a three-month period. According to Council, the aim of the trial is to align opening hours with service usage by the community. […]
