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 […]
Local author awarded MidCoast Arts Grant for children’s platypus book
Illustrator Estelle Leishman, Uncle Justin Ridgeway, and Author Rachel Barry. Photos: supplied by Rachel Barry. Illustrations from the book. Illustrations from the book. Illustrations from the book. The book is titled ‘Where Ripples Rise’. STROUD local Rachel Barry has been announced as a successful recipient of the 2025 MidCoast Arts Support Program, receiving a $1500 […]
Farmsafe launches campaign: ‘Second Chances – Who Knows How Many You’ll Get?’
FARMSAFE Australia has launched its 2025 National Farm Safety Week campaign with the theme “Second Chances – Who Knows How Many You’ll Get?” It comes with a national call to action. “If you’ve had a near miss on a farm, don’t just move on. Learn from it, share it safely, and use it to protect […]
‘My First Speech’ competition launched in Australian high schools
THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Milton Dick MP, has launched the “My First Speech” competition for high school students across Australia. Federal Member for Lyne Alison Penfold is encouraging students from across the electorate to take part in this unique opportunity to learn more about Parliament and public speaking. The annual […]
Stargazing: How far to the nearest star?
LET’S say you woke up this morning, stretched, had your coffee, and thought, “I wonder how long it would take me to get to the nearest star?” First, good morning. Second, buckle up! Because this trip takes long-haul travel to a whole new level. Our destination? Proxima Centauri, the closest star beyond our Sun, is […]
$500k to boost community road safety across NSW
TRANSPORT for NSW has announced $500,000 in funding for the latest round of its Community Road Safety Grants program. Chadi Chalhoub, Executive Director for Transport Safety at Transport for NSW, said this funding matches the significant investment made in 2024 and reflects the importance of community-led efforts to help make roads safer. “Local communities know […]
‘The physical scars are there for all to see’: floods the focus of Penfold’s maiden speech
THE ongoing challenges of the May floods were the focus of Alison Penfold’s maiden speech to Federal Parliament on Wednesday 30 July. Ms Penfold was elected the new Nationals MP for Lyne on 3 May. The poll was yet to be officially declared when record flooding hit parts of the electorate, claiming lives and livestock, […]