June 18, 2026
Aussie Ark tour dates at Barrington Tops Sanctuary Visitors can once again experience Tasmanian Devils up close when Aussie Ark resumes its popular Devils in the Wild tours at Barrington Tops in August. Photo: Aussieark.org.au
Community

Aussie Ark tour dates at Barrington Tops Sanctuary

BARRINGTON Tops wildlife sanctuary Aussie Ark will welcome visitors back to its popular Devils in the Wild tours from August, following a short winter break. The fully guided two-hour experiences take guests behind the scenes of the organisation’s conservation work at its Tomalla sanctuary in the Barrington Tops. Upper Hunter MP David Layzell highlighted the […]

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James Theatre celebration marks ten years of Dungog community action Dungog’s James Theatre was the venue for a celebration.
Community, Entertainment, Film

James Theatre celebration marks ten years of Dungog community action

Dungog’s James Theatre was the venue for a celebration. On-stage local musician Peter Smith watches a piano duet performance. Andrew Simpson talks with Anne Fisher of Dungog by Design. Sharon and Emily at the Boomerang Bags stall. Diverse stalls manned by locals drew interest. Dungog High students played ambient music. DUNGOG advocates for ‘people and […]

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Stinker’s Fishing: The ultimate fishing experience The northern face of Broughton Island looking toward Seal Rocks. Photo: Supplied.
Community, Fishing

Stinker’s Fishing: The ultimate fishing experience

RECREATIONAL fishers are forever seeking the ultimate fishing experience. Fishing Utopia, the jewel in the crown. Well, I have found it! Two kilometres off the coast between Port Stephens and Forster sits an island wonderland where the fishing opportunities are endless. Three kilometres long and two kilometres wide, Broughton Island is the only island off […]

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Event showcases the many faces of Stroud Lions Lions Club members were on hand to share information about the Children’s Mobility Foundation. Photo: supplied, Lions Club of Stroud.
Community

Event showcases the many faces of Stroud Lions

THE Lions Club of Stroud held a community information event in Allen Park on Sunday 17 May. Residents were treated to a free morning tea and BBQ lunch and were invited to have their say on two proposed projects: the installation of outdoor exercise equipment in a local park and a new walking trail. The […]

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Rural grant project seeking projects which build social resilience ahead of drought Town Team Movement Ltd received an FRRR grant funded by the Future Drought Fund to build community resilience to drought in WA’s Wheatbelt Central region.
Community

Rural grant project seeking projects which build social resilience ahead of drought

MORE than $3,000,000 in grants is now available to empower eligible agriculture-dependent communities to prepare for drought by building and maintaining their social resilience. This is the second round of funding to be delivered by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) through the Future Drought Fund’s (FDF) Communities Program, which is funded by […]

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Paterson street party celebrates volunteers
Community

Paterson street party celebrates volunteers

ALMOST 50 volunteers from around 17 local organisations were celebrated during Paterson’s street party on 24 May. The inaugural National Volunteer Week event was held at John Tucker Park to highlight the enormous contribution volunteers make to the local community. Supported by Paterson Rotary, the event provided an opportunity for members of a wide range […]

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Turtles, fish bounce back after devastating Mid North Coast floods An endangered Manning River Turtle being released into the Barrington River by Aussie Ark in February. Photo: Aussie Ark.
Community, Event, Government, Health

Turtles, fish bounce back after devastating Mid North Coast floods

NEW research indicates Manning River turtles are being recorded at pre-flood numbers, twelve months after one of the region’s worst floods on record. Waterways in the Hunter and Mid North Coast were battered in the floods of May 2025, with serious concerns held about the long-term effects on fish and animals living in the rivers, […]

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Private landholders’ key role in the future of koalas
Community

Private landholders’ key role in the future of koalas

THE Koala Friendly Carbon Initiative is keen to hear from local landholders interested in having koala habitat trees planted on their properties. The initiative is a collaboration between the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia (WWF-Australia) and carbon farming service provider, Climate Friendly, supported by the NSW Government and HP Inc. This first-of-its-kind carbon farming […]

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Crash fears realised at Bucketts Way/Pacific Highway intersection Vehicles queueing at the Bucketts Way/Pacific Highway intersection in early 2026.
Community, Event, Government, Police

Crash fears realised at Bucketts Way/Pacific Highway intersection

A SERIOUS accident on Friday 15 May has brought safety issues at the Bucketts Way/Pacific Highway intersection into sharp focus once more. In April, News Of The Area reported on the strong concerns held by former Roads and Traffic Authority senior engineer Gordon Chirgwin about the dangerous state of the intersection. “I believe that the […]

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