Private insurers will soon cover some complementary treatments. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
WHEN Peter Hill walked into his first pilates class, he had to warm-up for the warm-up. With a feeble lower back and taut hamstrings, the then 63-year-old was hoping the therapy could aid his pain. Six years later, he can dart and dash with little-to-no trouble. “Occasionally I might have a bit of a twinge […]
Jess Watkins, local End of Life consultant.
AS AUSTRALIA’S population ages and health services strain to meet growing demands, there’s a renewed focus on how we die and how we can support each other through the process. The federal government has announced a one-off $25,000 payment to help more Australians die at home, a response to the fact that while 70 percent […]
Xavier and Chel King at the Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards
IN A landmark moment for regional and queer-owned businesses, Earth & Elm Studio in Dungog has taken out both the “Business of the Year” and “Personal Services” categories at the prestigious 2025 Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards. The awards, the largest of their kind in NSW, saw Earth & Elm triumph over competitors from across […]
This roof leak went unnoticed until the heaviest rains fell, again using wood as transmission to the lowest point.
HIDDEN dangers exist in practically every house and property, many only exposed after an incident like the heavy rainfall that the region received over the last weeks. Mould, which naturally exists almost everywhere, loves moisture and poorly-lit areas that lack decent ventilation, such as walls or wallpaper, ceilings, bathroom tiles, carpets, insulation material and wood. […]
Aedes aegypti mosquito ready for a meal, followed by laying eggs in your birdbath. Photo: Dr Cameron Webb.
Aedes aegypti mosquito ready for a meal, followed by laying eggs in your birdbath. Photo: Dr Cameron Webb. This backyard birdbath, filled by the recent rains, contains dozens of mosquito larvae that can mature within a week. The black spots are mosquito eggs or pupae, ready to hatch. MOSQUITO numbers are set to soar due […]
THE Albanese and Minns Governments have activated disaster assistance to communities in Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the Hunter and Mid North Coast following severe weather, including heavy rainfall. The NSW Government’s Natural Disaster Declaration applies to the LGAs of Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Nambucca, […]
Guests enjoyed sweet treats at the morning tea.
Guests enjoyed sweet treats at the morning tea. Annette O’Neill, Elsie Francis and Margaret Jones cutting the cake. Photo: Lyn Moseley. Some of the current DSPCV volunteers with Kate Bowman from Palliative Care NSW (third from right). Photo: Lyn Moseley. DUNGOG Shire Palliative Care Volunteers (DSPCV) had plenty of reasons to celebrate during Palliative Care […]
Alan and his dogs at Rocking Chair Farm.
ALAN Smith’s journey began in the rolling hills of North Yorkshire, UK, where his early life was steeped in craftsmanship and hospitality. With a background in furniture design and a flair for fine food, Alan carved out a career in some of the UK’s and the world’s top restaurants, working alongside renowned chefs and handling […]
A DRAFT NSW Hemp Industry Development Plan is now open for public comment. The draft plan from the NSW Government proposes an industry vision to establish hemp as a mainstream crop and sustainable source of products in NSW. “Supporting the vision, four development objectives provide strategic direction for actions to capitalise on the key opportunities […]
