ELIZABETH Crouch AM has been announced as Chair of the Hunter Water Board of Directors for a three-year term. In a statement to media, Hunter Water said that Ms Crouch brings extensive experience across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, with a distinguished career in governance, infrastructure and public policy. She currently chairs the boards […]
Gala opening for Sculpture On The Farm
Guests walk the red carpet into the James Theatre. Lining up to enter the Gala Cocktail Party. Bruce Pussell, locals Martyn Robinson and Lynne McNairn, and sculptor Sally Robinson. Nibbling delicacies and talking sculpture at the Gala. DIGNITARIES, artists, volunteers and guests rubbed shoulders at Sculpture On The Farm’s Gala Cocktail Party. The red carpet […]
State Government to convene regional advisory group
THE Premier and Minister for Regional NSW will convene an advisory group to address the challenges faced by people living and working in regional, rural and remote areas of the state. Announced at the 2025 Bush Summit, the NSW Premier’s “Rural, Remote & Regional Advisory Council” (PRRRAC) will meet twice annually with Premier Chris Minns […]
Consultation to begin on illegal tobacco offences for landlords
THE NSW Government has begun consultation on potential offences for landlords who knowingly lease premises to retailers selling illicit tobacco and illegal vapes. The consultation includes engagement with landlord representatives, retailers, health advocates, partner government agencies and other key stakeholders. The outcomes of the consultation will be reviewed by the Government’s cross-agency NSW Illicit Tobacco […]
Hunter residents warned as money mule scams rise through social media
HUNTER region residents are being urged to stay alert as cyber criminals step up efforts to recruit so-called “money mules” through social media, fake job offers and online scams. NGM Group, the parent company of Greater Bank and Newcastle Permanent, has reported a 20 percent rise in fraudulent online account openings, with criminals attempting to […]
Australians warned to pay attention to superannuation paperwork
MILLIONS of Australians are putting their superannuation at risk by not following-through with proper, and legally binding, beneficiary paperwork, according to a nation-wide survey. Research conducted by Super Consumers Australia, an advocate for people on low and middle incomes in Australia’s superannuation system, shows that more than one in three Australians with super say they […]
Celebrating 60 years of Tocal College
The original building pictured in 1967. Photo: supplied. Adult education at Tocal College. Photo: Dean Morris. Tocal College circa 1965-66. Photo: Mal Henderson. THE NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) is celebrating 60 years of agricultural education at Tocal College. On Saturday 6 September, NSW DPIRD is inviting alumni, staff, students […]
Stargazing: that big ball of nuclear fire
THE next time you see the sunrise, take a moment. That big ball of nuclear fire lighting up your morning sky is not just sitting there politely waiting for you to make coffee. It’s racing around the Milky Way at an eye-watering 828,000 km/h, dragging Earth and the rest of the solar system along for […]
No plans to improve Barrington’s mobile phone service
LOCAL resident Shelley Faull has described the Telstra mobile phone service to the village of Barrington and its surrounds as being “woeful”. According to Telstra’s Network Coverage Map the whole village of Barrington is covered by its mobile service, and there is nothing to indicate that Barrington residents are likely to experience issues using their […]

Quad bike standards saving lives as crackdown urged
FARMERS, their families and workers are returning home safely after a day on the land due to stronger quad bike safety standards, but tougher enforcement could save even more lives. Quad bikes have long been a leading cause of deaths on farms, with 10 fatalities in 2024 and 46 reports of injuries, according to Farmsafe […]