February 19, 2026
Nominations open for 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards Molly Croft, the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year, with Minister Jodie Harrison (left), her mother Ange, and Minister Jihad Dib. Photo: Salty Dingo.
Local News

Nominations open for 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards

NOMINATIONS for the 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are now open, with family, friends and work mates urged to help celebrate the enormous positive impact of volunteers across the state. The awards are in their 20th year and are run by The Centre for Volunteering to recognise the outstanding work of volunteers in […]

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Historic family set to gather in Paterson Merchants Road in Martins Creek. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Historic family set to gather in Paterson

Merchants Road in Martins Creek. Photo: supplied. Clipping from local newspapers highlight the family’s gatherings over the years. Photos: supplied. Clipping from local newspapers highlight the family’s gatherings over the years. Photos: supplied. DESCENDANTS of the Merchant family will gather in Paterson on Saturday, 21 February, to share anecdotes of a clan with significant historic […]

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Classical sounds and community voices in Dungog The Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra.
Community

Classical sounds and community voices in Dungog

The Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra. The Petrichor Choir. DUNGOG is set to come alive with the sounds of music in the coming weeks, with two very different, yet equally inviting, musical experiences on offer. At the James Theatre on Sunday 8 March, the acclaimed Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra will present First Light, an […]

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Additional public holiday to follow Anzac Day
Local News

Additional public holiday to follow Anzac Day

AN additional public holiday has been announced for NSW this year. It falls on the Monday following Anzac Day, 25 April, which falls on a weekend. “Each year, thousands of families rise before dawn on Anzac Day to commemorate and remember those who have served,” Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said. “The additional holiday […]

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Doug Walters Foundation rolls on in support of Dungog cricket Darren Wilkinson with Doug Walters and the new roller.
Community

Doug Walters Foundation rolls on in support of Dungog cricket

A GENEROUS boost from the Doug Walters Foundation has delivered a significant win for cricket in Dungog, with the donation of a new cricket roller for Bennett Park. The funding has supported both the Dungog Senior and Junior Cricket clubs, providing an important piece of equipment that will help maintain the quality and safety of […]

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NSW Farmers offer government suggestions for firearm rule improvements NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin addresses the media. Photo: NSW Farmers.
Local News

NSW Farmers offer government suggestions for firearm rule improvements

THE state’s peak body for farmers has presented the state government with a range of suggestions for improvements to firearms regulations. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said that “sudden, sweeping changes” to firearms laws had created adverse and unintended consequences, with ongoing uncertainty causing major problems for food and fibre producers. “At the moment I’m […]

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Emergency Services Levy reform to face parliamentary inquiry
Government

Emergency Services Levy reform to face parliamentary inquiry

OPTIONS to reduce household insurance costs and fix an “unfair funding model” for emergency services will be put to a NSW parliamentary inquiry. While emergency services benefit everyone, most of their funding comes from a levy not everyone pays. The NSW Government says it is committed to removing this Emergency Services Levy (ESL) and replacing […]

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Record remand numbers drive growth in NSW prison population
Dungog Shire

Record remand numbers drive growth in NSW prison population

NEW data released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) shows the state’s prison population reached 13,133 in December 2025, an increase of 8.5 percent (1,026 people) over the past two years. The growth has been driven by a sharp rise in the number of people held on remand. Between December 2023 […]

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$15 million investment in state’s renewable energy workforce
Dungog Shire

$15 million investment in state’s renewable energy workforce

THE NSW and Federal governments are investing $15 million over four years to train the skilled workforce needed for the state’s renewable energy rollout, set to create thousands of jobs in regional NSW. The investment underpins the state’s Renewable Energy Skills Strategy, launched last week by Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe and Minister for Skills, […]

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NSW Government invests $1 million to fund biocontrol research to manage weeds Dr Ben Gooden, CSIRO research scientist, surrounded by fleabane weed. Image GRDC
Government

NSW Government invests $1 million to fund biocontrol research to manage weeds

THE NSW Government has granted $1 million to Australia’s national science agency the CSIRO to carry out biocontrol research to help control invasive weeds.         Biocontrol reduces weeds by deploying natural biological agents, such as fungi or insects, and is considered increasingly important as an environment-friendly, self-sustaining and cost-effective weed-management tool. Invasive weeds cost Australian agriculture […]

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