August 27, 2026
Enter World Photography Day image competition online
Local News

Enter World Photography Day image competition online

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 […]

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Water a key ingredient in food security menu
Local News

Water a key ingredient in food security menu

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 […]

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Measles is about – check that your immunisations are up to date Measles often manifests with a characteristic rash and a fever that often peaks when the rash is at its worst. Photo: Physicians Premier.
Community, Health, Local News

Measles is about – check that your immunisations are up to date

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 […]

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Port Stephens families urged to keep talking about bullying Bullying No Way Week has ended, however conversations can’t stop. Photo: Shutterstock.
Community, Health, Local News, Regional, School

Port Stephens families urged to keep talking about bullying

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 […]

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Slow down – koalas out and about looking for love Koalas can travel much greater distances when looking for a potential breeding partner. Picture: MidCoast Council.
Featured

Slow down – koalas out and about looking for love

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, […]

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Record enrolments in vocational education as public schools mark National Skills Week Emma and Sienna both study vocational education and training in addition to other high-school subjects. Photo: Andrew Vivian.
Featured

Record enrolments in vocational education as public schools mark National Skills Week

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 […]

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Call to protect farmers and their livestock from wild dogs
Dungog Shire

Call to protect farmers and their livestock from wild dogs

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 […]

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Prepare now for hotter, drier weather ahead
Dungog Shire

Prepare now for hotter, drier weather ahead

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 […]

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The Dungog Hospital Tree: still standing, for now
Community, Local News

The Dungog Hospital Tree: still standing, for now

The hospital tree stands alone and can be seen from all directions and the Dungog Common. The tree as seen from the East. The tree as seen from the hospital’s sunroom. This view inspired a poem. The tree as seen from the West. A historic photograph of what was then the Dungog Cottage Hospital shows […]

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Support for rural, regional and remote families when a child is seriously ill Celebrating the opening of the new facility at Westmead are, from left: Donna Davis, Member for Parramatta; Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, CEO Christina Keneally; Claire Barber, CEO Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney; and the NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park. Photo: NSW Health.
Community, Health, Local News, National, Regional

Support for rural, regional and remote families when a child is seriously ill

FAMILIES from regional, rural and remote NSW with seriously ill children will benefit from new facilities at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead that can provide overnight accommodation for up to 10 families at a time. The accommodation is located on Level 9 of the new 14-storey Paediatric Services Building, close to the cardiac and critical […]

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