DUNGOG will celebrate one of its most legendary locals on Saturday 19 July, with the unveiling of a life-size statue of cricket great Doug Walters. Set to be revealed at 2pm on Saturday, 19 July, the statue has been organised by a group of Walters’s friends, who travel with him to Dungog twice a year. […]
New paramedic interns for the Hunter
TEN new paramedic interns set to begin the on-road component of their 12-month internships in the Hunter region, taking their next steps towards becoming fully qualified paramedics. Four of the interns will be based in Hunter Zone 1, with the remaining six heading to Hunter Zone 2. Zone 1 is a smaller geographical area which […]

State Forests reopening but users warned to check status
Some of the damage caused by May’s floods in Mid North Coast and Hunter State Forests. Photos: Forestry Corporation. THE region’s State Forests are progressively reopening following the floods and severe weather of May but the Forestry Corporation is urging users to check the status of trails and campgrounds in advance, and to exercise extreme […]
Leadership competition invites young leaders to life-changing Power Trip in Canberra
YOUNG rural women and non-binary students in Years 10 to 12 from across Australia will have the opportunity to win a once-in-a-lifetime ‘Power Trip’ to the nation’s capital. Country to Canberra’s (C2C) prestigious Leadership Competition launched on Monday, opening the door for young rural leaders to embark on a four-day leadership experience designed to help […]

Veterans given free vehicle access to National Parks
THE Minns Government is extending free vehicle access to National Parks to all Commonwealth Veteran Card holders. Park entry fees for motor vehicles apply at 45 of NSW’s 895 national parks and reserves. A 2025-26 budget measure will enable veterans from around Australia to apply for a pass to enter for free. The pass is […]
Household water bills to increase after IPART determination
HUNTER Water bills for a typical household customer will increase by 6.9 percent next financial year including inflation and then by 3.8 percent each year plus yearly inflation in subsequent years. The rise comes after a pricing determination by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). Tribunal Chair Carmel Donnelly said IPART reviewed costs […]
Transport for NSW advises of bridge closures
TRANSPORT for NSW has advised it will be temporarily closing the Brig O’Johnston Bridge to carry out essential maintenance and safety upgrades. The NSW Government is investing in rehabilitation of the Brig O’Johnston Bridge as part of its bridge maintenance program. The bridge over the Williams River at Clarence Town was built in 1880 and […]
Home schooled students get their hands dirty with Stroud Landcare
Platypus mascot ‘Yappi’ (platypus in Gathang language) with Connor and Rachel Barry at a Stroud Jr Landcare event. Photo: Rachel Barry. Stroud Jr Landcare Group at a water quality testing workshop for home schooled students. Photo: Stroud Landcare. Jonathon Quaken of Landcare and Worimi Traditional Owner Justin Ridgeway plant a red cedar tree at Mill […]

Hunter projects benefit from Newcastle Permanent grant funding
Prelude will connect Hunter-based early childhood educators with allied health workers, early intervention teachers and other experts. The Men’s Table takes a peer-led, placed-based approach to combatting social isolation and mental health challenges faced by men. FIVE Hunter projects are set to benefit from a share in almost $750,000 as part of Newcastle Permanent Charitable […]
Endangered Manning River Turtle faces new threat
A NATIVE invader is threatening the long-term survival of the endemic Manning River turtle, which is only found in the freshwater creeks and rivers of the Manning River system. This ancient, unique creature is at risk of extinction because of its limited population size and a range of other threats. Of all the pressures on […]