_Dungog Shire Archives - Dungog Shire News Of The Area

Stroud’s Joy Tull is still line dancing, well into her 80s

Yvonne Lowrey., Linda Benson, John Rosenbaum, Joy Tull (teacher), Annette Ritter, Sheila Murray, Kaylene Gorton and Carol Bennett. Absent: Bethany Ritter, Elizabeth Bartlett and Gail Ellis. Some of the dancers in action. FOR Joy Tull of Stroud, age is just a number. At 86, she’s still leading a group of line dancers at Stroud Road […]

Dungog Shire

All the stats from Operation Christmas and New Year

OPERATION Christmas and New Year 2025, the annual statewide road traffic safety campaign, has concluded, with eight people losing their lives on NSW roads during the 17-day period. The high-visibility operation, which ran in conjunction with the double-demerits period, began on Friday 19 December and concluded on Sunday, 4 January. The operation involved Traffic and […]

Regional

RFS warns there’s no time for complacency as warmer days return

Firefighters continue to monitor active fires at Nabiac and Bulahdelah. A map released by the RFS shows the extent of lightning strikes over four hours on 3 January. THE NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is urging everyone to remain vigilant, with higher temperatures forecast to return later this week. The bushfire near Bulahdelah is still […]

Local News

Unskilled workers critical to ensuring agriculture sustainability

THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has called for a renewed focus on a sustainable agricultural workforce, urging policymakers to ensure the needs of regional communities are properly addressed. In a submission to the Value of Skilled Migration to Australia inquiry, the NFF said while skilled migrants play an important supporting role in the agricultural workforce, […]

Local News

Exemptions for farmers under new gun laws in NSW

PRIMARY producers across NSW will operate under tighter firearm regulations following new legislation. The State Government emphasises that the reforms recognise the legitimate needs of farmers while strengthening community safety. The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 passed the NSW Parliament on Wednesday 24 December in response to the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi […]

Local News

Report reveals need to address neglect of older people and adults with disability

THE NSW Ageing and Disability Commission (ADC), in partnership with the University of NSW Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), has released a report highlighting the pervasive and complex issue of neglect affecting older people and adults with disability across New South Wales. Funding was provided by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. The ADC […]

Dungog Shire

DFV strategy welcomed but more to be done

THE State Government has launched a “landmark strategy” to respond to the perpetration of domestic and family violence (DFV) in New South Wales. “Building Better Responses: NSW Strategy to Respond to the Use of Domestic and Family Violence 2026–2030” is NSW’s first dedicated plan aimed at disrupting DFV and focusing on those who cause or […]

Community

Shannon’s year in review

OVER the past year, reporting for News Of The Area has given me a front-row seat to something quietly powerful unfolding across Dungog and its surrounding villages: a renewed confidence in community, creativity and connection. One of the clearest signs of this has been the appetite for live music. From the unmistakable harmonies of The […]

Community, Police

Port Stephens-Hunter Police step up community engagement this summer

Kids and families checked out the paddy wagon at Karuah police station. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Karuah locals touring the station. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Youth Liaison Officer S/C Leanne Mann, S/C Michelle Chandler, and S/C Fred Saba from Lemon Tree Passage. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. ACLO Jemma McLeay, YLO S/C Leanne Mann and Inspector David Donovan at […]

Dungog Shire

New ideas to relieve ‘bed block’ in public hospitals

PALLIATIVE Care Australia (PCA), the peak body for palliative care in Australia, has suggested ideas on how to relieve “bed block” in public hospitals in its 2026 Federal Budget submission. PCA CEO Camilla Rowland said palliative care is a practical, compassionate way to free up hospital beds while giving people the care they need at […]