THE question of whether elderly Australians with serious, life-limiting illness are getting timely access to palliative care has been raised by Palliative Care Australia (PCA). The ABC’s Four Corners investigation The Waiting Game put the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT), an automated decision-making system used to assess older Australians seeking government-funded aged care, under a spotlight. […]
Additional funding will allow the RFDS to do more for regional, rural and remote communities. Photo: RFDS.
THE NSW government is investing $15 million to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) to continue providing its lifesaving services across NSW. Part of the 2026-27 State Budget, the funding will enable the RFDS to deliver primary health care, dental and mental health services, retrievals, and patient and clinician transport in regional, rural and […]
NEWCASTLE Airport is calling for residents throughout the broader region to showcase the region through the eyes of the people who know it best. To celebrate World Photography Day, the airport is running an online competition. Photographers can enter across five categories including Junior, Youth, Community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and Aviation. Each category […]
WATER is critical to Australia’s food security strategy, according to irrigation industry leaders attending the recent National Farmers’ Federation Summit in Canberra. National Irrigators’ Council, NSW Irrigators’ Council (NSWIC), Ricegrowers’ Association, Citrus Australia and Cotton Australia were united in their call that water policy belonged in Australia’s food security conversation. Australia must stop treating healthy […]
Measles often manifests with a characteristic rash and a fever that often peaks when the rash is at its worst. Photo: Physicians Premier.
PORT Stephens residents are being advised to check their immunity to measles. An estimated 1.7 million Australians are not protected against measles, putting individuals and communities at risk of more outbreaks, according to new analysis from the peak immunisation research organisation. National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) data shows more than 80,000 Australian […]
Bullying No Way Week has ended, however conversations can’t stop. Photo: Shutterstock.
FOR Port Stephens families, the end of Bullying No Way Week should not mean the end of conversations about bullying. Parents, schools, sporting clubs and community groups are being encouraged to keep checking in with young people after new Kids Helpline figures highlighted the seriousness of the issue. More than 627,000 students nationally took part […]
Koalas can travel much greater distances when looking for a potential breeding partner. Picture: MidCoast Council.
DRIVERS travelling through known koala habitation zones are being urged to slow down and stay alert as the annual koala breeding season gets under way. Warmer weather signals the start of the season and there have been increased sightings of the iconic marsupials attempting to cross roads. Koalas can travel greater distances during this time, […]
Emma and Sienna both study vocational education and training in addition to other high-school subjects. Photo: Andrew Vivian.
AN increasing number of students are signing up in NSW public schools to vocational education and training courses, which are helping them gain practical, job-ready skills for rewarding careers. This week is National Skills Week and new National Centre for Vocational Education Research figures show that NSW vocational education and training (VET) in-school commencements increased […]
THE emotional, economic and environmental impact of wild dogs is in the spotlight as the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) calls for a Government commitment to fund the National Wild Dog action plan and the role of National Wild Dog management coordinator. The Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Darren Chester, is championing the cause […]
PREPARATIONS are ramping up across NSW as the bushfire season approaches, with a strong focus on protecting local homes, properties and communities. Senior leaders from emergency services, land managers and community groups are meeting this week at the NSW Hazard Reduction Roundtable to fine-tune plans before the official danger period begins for most of the […]
