FEDERAL Member for Lyne Alison Penfold is encouraging not-for-profit organisations to apply for funding under the Australian Government’s 2025–26 Volunteer Grants Program, with expressions of interest now open. Volunteer Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to eligible community organisations that rely on volunteers. The program is designed to strengthen local volunteering by helping […]
Bridge Construction and Maintenance apprentice Maddi Ormsby. Photo: NSW Gov.
SEVENTY-ONE new apprentices and trainees are kicking off their careers at Transport for NSW worksites this month. From filling potholes to rebuilding flood‑damaged roads, planning major works and maintaining heavy vehicles, the new Roads Maintenance and Resilience recruits will join and support frontline teams strengthening the state’s transport network. Following group inductions in Wollongong, Newcastle […]
Port Authority of NSW Port Officer Tilley Murgatroyd. Photo: Port Authority of NSW.
HUNTER trainee Tilley Murgatroyd is taking her first steps into a maritime career as a Port Officer with Port Authority of NSW, after completing a hands-on traineeship delivered through a unique collaboration with Port of Newcastle and Svitzer. Through the Newcastle-based industry traineeship, Ms Murgatroyd rotated across towage, pilotage support, on-water safety and port operations, […]
Julie and Andrew Overton attended the international conference in Goa, India earlier this year. Photo: PCB.
PATERSON Community Builders (PCB) representatives Julie and Andrew Overton attended an international community-building conference in Goa, India from 27 to 30 January. “Goa’s cultural diversity, scenic environment and historical richness of being a Portuguese colony for over 450 years was a vibrant backdrop for the gathering focused on learning and community exchange,” they said in […]
One key source of program funds is the “Books & More” second hand bookshop on Dowling Street.
THE Mutual Bank has again committed funds to support the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program across the Dungog Shire. Following a $540 donation to the program in 2025, it has now been confirmed the Hunter-based bank will continue its support for 2026 and beyond. “Thanks to Maddi Beasley at our Dungog branch for securing $500 […]
FOUR-YEAR funding is being made available to local organisations to combat the impact of priority weeds, updating a previously annual grant program. The new $40.7 million NSW Weeds Action Program (WAP) is a key component of the NSW Government’s Biosecurity Action Plan, with funding being provided to 97 Local Control Authorities (LCA). Minister for Agriculture […]
Demonstrating Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology in CSIRO's Renewable Energy Integration Facility.
THE CSIRO has officially launched the $3 million upgrade of the Renewable Energy Integration Facility (REIF) at its Energy Centre in Newcastle. The national science agency says the upgrade will significantly expand Australia’s capability to test, validate and commercialise technologies needed for a more sustainable, reliable and secure electricity system. The expanded facility includes a […]
The reforms include a cap limiting individuals to four firearms, with exemptions for primary producers up to ten. Photo: Michael Kemp MP.
NSW MINISTER for Police Yasmin Catley is calling on the NSW Liberals and Nationals to “come clean” about a plan to “water down” the state’s new gun laws passed in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack. Minister Catley cited comments made on radio by Shadow Minister Anthony Roberts (Liberals), which suggested that the Coalition […]
Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison. Photo: Tim Crakanthorp FB.
THE long-awaited widening of the Hexham Straight is complete, clearing a bottleneck infamous across the Hunter. Motorists can now travel on three lanes in each direction, along the full six-kilometre stretch. The speed limit has also been increased to 80 kilometres per hour. With all lanes now open, teams are carrying out minor finishing work […]
Energy Minister Penny Sharpe speaks in Kurri Kurri.
CONSTRUCTION is officially underway on the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), a project the state government says will generate enough energy to power more than all the homes in the Hunter. REZs aim to group new wind and solar power generation and batteries into locations where it can be efficiently stored and transmitted across […]
