June 24, 2026
Hunter Region Botanic Gardens secures major grant for groundbreaking fungi DNA research Professor Tim Roberts and volunteer Louise Watterson soil sampling to compare DNA and understand how healthy ecosystems function. Photo: Supplied.
Local News

Hunter Region Botanic Gardens secures major grant for groundbreaking fungi DNA research

The fungi project is expected to reveal hundreds of Hunter Region fungal species that are currently undocumented. Photo: Supplied. Professor Tim Roberts and volunteer Louise Watterson soil sampling to compare DNA and understand how healthy ecosystems function. Photo: Supplied. THE Hunter Region Botanic Gardens has secured a significant $148,984 grant from the NSW Government’s Environmental […]

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Give former lab rats, mice, guinea pigs and rabbits a forever home
Community

Give former lab rats, mice, guinea pigs and rabbits a forever home

RABBITS, guinea pigs, rats and mice who were formerly used in research are now up for adoption and looking for their forever homes as pets and competitions. The Liberty Adoption Centre, at Wyong, on the Central Coast, is now home to Australia’s first adoption centre for small animals transitioning out of research facilities into the […]

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Local author Denis Bright presents ‘Something is Seriously Wrong’, a real story of domestic abuse set in NSW Local author Denis Bright presenting his book, ‘Something is Seriously Wrong’, at the Raymond Terrace Library on 19 June. Photo: Nico Lombardo.
Local News

Local author Denis Bright presents ‘Something is Seriously Wrong’, a real story of domestic abuse set in NSW

“WHEN our grandson was taken, locked away in a room, we thought the Department of Community and Justice would intervene. They didn’t.” These are the words of local author Denis Bright, who saw his family torn apart by an abuser who, after the end of a toxic marriage to his daughter, attempted to get her […]

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Australian records first case of H5 bird flu
Health, National, Regional

Australian records first case of H5 bird flu

THE deadly H5 bird flu has been detected in Australia, the Australian Government confirmed on 20 June, 2026. A detection of H5 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) was confirmed by the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) in a single brown skua (migratory seabird) in an isolated area in southern Western Australia. This is the […]

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Men’s Health Week now on
Dungog Shire

Men’s Health Week now on

IT’S Men’s Health Week and this year Australian men are being reminded that there are ‘101 Reasons to See Your GP’ and urges men to just get on with it. The event’s website, https://www.menshealthweek.com.au/, looks crafted with straightforward, no-drama sensibilities; a brown background, beige writing, and no-nonsense text. “There are 101 reasons to see your […]

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Healthy Cities Landcare Grants Program 2026 opens for community environmental projects
Dungog Shire

Healthy Cities Landcare Grants Program 2026 opens for community environmental projects

A GRANTS program that last year helped plant 123,000 trees, shrubs and groundcovers will return in 2026. Grants of between $5,000 and $25,000 are available to support the native planting projects of Landcare groups, Bushcare, Coastcare and Dunecare groups, local governments, natural resource management organisations, not-for-profit organisations and First Nations organisations. It is the second […]

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Aussie Ark tour dates at Barrington Tops Sanctuary Visitors can once again experience Tasmanian Devils up close when Aussie Ark resumes its popular Devils in the Wild tours at Barrington Tops in August. Photo: Aussieark.org.au
Community

Aussie Ark tour dates at Barrington Tops Sanctuary

BARRINGTON Tops wildlife sanctuary Aussie Ark will welcome visitors back to its popular Devils in the Wild tours from August, following a short winter break. The fully guided two-hour experiences take guests behind the scenes of the organisation’s conservation work at its Tomalla sanctuary in the Barrington Tops. Upper Hunter MP David Layzell highlighted the […]

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James Theatre celebration marks ten years of Dungog community action Dungog’s James Theatre was the venue for a celebration.
Community, Entertainment, Film

James Theatre celebration marks ten years of Dungog community action

Dungog’s James Theatre was the venue for a celebration. On-stage local musician Peter Smith watches a piano duet performance. Andrew Simpson talks with Anne Fisher of Dungog by Design. Sharon and Emily at the Boomerang Bags stall. Diverse stalls manned by locals drew interest. Dungog High students played ambient music. DUNGOG advocates for ‘people and […]

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