PETER Gambrill and Mia Finch claimed the Men’s Open and Women’s Open titles as hundreds of competitors and spectators gathered for the annual Stroud Brick and Rolling Pin Throwing Competition during the town’s bicentenary celebrations. The pair emerged as the day’s top throwers at the Stroud Showground, where one of regional Australia’s most distinctive sporting […]
A stinkhorn, one of many fungi that may be found in Australia. This one smells very, very bad, as the name suggests. Photo: Nico Lombardo.
THE Great Aussie Fungi Hunt 2026 is on, and community members are playing their part in a worldwide effort to catalogue mushroom species. The Great Aussie Fungi Hunt is a yearly event organised by Fungimap, a not for profit, citizen-science organisation dedicated to researching and protecting Australian fungi. One of the chief goals of the […]
Seven suspected cases of bird flu have been detected in greater crested terns, a common coastal species in Australia. Photo: AAP Image/Andrew Stafford.
THE poultry industry is on alert after seven suspected bird flu cases were found in native species, potentially marking a new phase for the outbreak. The poultry industry is on alert after seven sick greater crested terns were found in South Australia’s southeast, sparking fears of a local transmission. Five were collected from Southend in […]
A NEW national warning system, AusAlert, is being rolled out and a test message will be sent next Monday, 27 July, at 2pm. Dave Layzell MP, Member for Upper Hunter, has issued a message to constituents, informing them to expect the message and reassuring people that the Monday afternoon message is simply a test. “We […]
WINTER has claimed two more lives in separate house fires, prompting Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) to issue an urgent reminder for residents to check smoke alarms and take extra care with heating appliances. Two people, both believed to have been in their 70s, died in separate residential fires within five days of each other. […]
Long-term Broughton Island resident Jim Karageorgis features on the front of Clarke’s book, ‘Broughton Islanders’. Photo: Supplied.
“I HAVE just returned from a fantastic overseas holiday where the weather was perfect and the fishing excellent. Magnificent scenery and a fascinating local history. Travel time by boat around about 40 minutes from the entrance to Port Stephens. “Broughton Island is an absolute wonderland with high peaks rolling down to long golden beaches. The […]
Eve with a few of her favourite things - eight different mastheads of News Of The Area. Photo: Angus Cheetham.
Eve with a few of her favourite things – eight different mastheads of News Of The Area. Photo: Angus Cheetham. Freckle, the sick little bird who grew up and identified as a homing pigeon, with his rescuer. Photo: Angus Cheetham. EVE Nesmith has been named Editor of News Of The Area, the family-owned independent local […]
People are encouraged to care for Country. Photo: @WIRES.wildlife.rescue.
People are encouraged to care for Country. Photo: @WIRES.wildlife.rescue. Every animal rescue reflects broader environmental challenges. Photo: @WIRES.wildlife.rescue.. WIRES volunteers care for injured and orphaned wildlife. Photo: @WIRES.wildlife.rescue. WIRES is using NAIDOC Week to encourage people to care for Country, highlighting the link between healthy environments and the survival of Australia’s native wildlife. The wildlife […]
Agriculture minister Tara Moriarty, accompanied by NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Joanne Coombe, addresses the media. Photo: AAP Image/George Chan.
AUTHORITIES have called for calm after Australia’s sixth bird flu case was confirmed at Hawks Nest, with thousands of department staff deployed to the coastline. Authorities insist there’s no bird flu crisis and no need to panic, despite a growing number of birds testing positive to the deadly virus along the Australian coastline. Poultry farms […]
THE Barrington Coast and other select NSW locations are set to receive a tourism boost under a new NSW Government marketing strategy designed to attract more visitors, support local businesses and create jobs across the State. The first phase of the campaign will promote the Barrington Coast, Shoalhaven, Port Stephens, Byron Bay and Sapphire Coast […]
