Yvonne Lowrey., Linda Benson, John Rosenbaum, Joy Tull (teacher), Annette Ritter, Sheila Murray, Kaylene Gorton and Carol Bennett. Absent: Bethany Ritter, Elizabeth Bartlett and Gail Ellis. Some of the dancers in action. FOR Joy Tull of Stroud, age is just a number.  At 86, she’s still leading a group of line dancers at Stroud Road […]

OVER the past year, reporting for News Of The Area has given me a front-row seat to something quietly powerful unfolding across Dungog and its surrounding villages: a renewed confidence in community, creativity and connection. One of the clearest signs of this has been the appetite for live music. From the unmistakable harmonies of The […]

YOUNG people in Paterson are set to take an active role in caring for their local environment and strengthening community connections through a new youth-led initiative backed by state-wide funding. Local changemaker Julie Overton has been awarded a $50,000 grant through the Backing the Future program for her “Cultivating Futures For Our Youth” initiative. The […]

TEN-YEAR-OLD Reese Lawrence from Clarence Town is quickly making a name for herself on the local country music scene, driven by a love of classic ballads and a determination well beyond her years. Inspired by legends such as Patsy Cline and LeAnn Rimes, Reese stepped onto the stage for the first time just four months […]

Charlee Jones and partner Jordan Ward enjoyed the carols. Taking in the market stalls and attractions. SANTA paid an early visit to Clarence Town on Saturday 6 December. The Clarence Town Rural Fire Brigade gave him a lift to the Courthouse Museum for the Clarence Town Community Christmas Carols. Soaring temperatures and bushfire smoke did […]

OLDER members of the LGBTQI+ community in Dungog are being invited to a free, supportive, drop-in information session designed to help them better understand their ageing and aged care options in a safe and respectful environment. The LGBTQI+ Ageing Drop-In Support Session will be held at the Dungog Shire Community Centre on Tuesday, 16 December […]

Connor Barry gets his hands dirty preparing a jar to propagate more plants. Photo: Rachel Barry. Eleanor Barry is armed and ready to dig new flora homes. Photo: Rachel Barry. Joël Dunn and Jonathon Quaken from Landcare (far right) with members of Stroud Junior Landcare. Photo: Rachel Barry. More plants go into the ground. Photo: […]

DONATIONS for the annual Salvation Army Christmas Toy Drive Appeal are now being accepted at Newcastle Permanent and Greater Bank branches until 12 December. The joint appeal has supported local families for nearly 40 years. Last year the community donated a record 7500 gifts through the branches. Salvation Army Auxiliary Lieutenant Bernie Muendel said the […]