WHEN Mayor Adam Roberts throws up a price match challenge to Phil Cassegrain, you know you’re onto something special. And something special is exactly what local artist Halia Senu served up as part of last weekend’s Hastings Arts Trail at Cassegrain Wines. Wanting to do something to support local farmers following devastating floods, Halia created […]
50 years of NAIDOC celebrated in Port Macquarie
Josh Wright, Uncle Bill O’Brien and Chris O’Brien Photo: Pauline Cain. The Smoking Ceremony at Town Green. Photo: Pauline Cain. The Yapun Yapun dancers. Photo: Pauline Cain. Cleansing smoke fills the air at Town Green. Photos: PMHC. Cleansing smoke fills the air at Town Green. Photos: PMHC. NAIDOC Week celebrations began on Monday morning with […]
New pie shop in Wauchope stirs the pot with risky, and now viral, shop name
EVERYONE loves a good pie. Well, everyone except for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) when Wauchope’s new bakery offering, the Phat Phuc Pie Shop, tried to register its business name. Forced to assume the registered business name of Double P Bakehouse following multiple failed attempts, the bright neon sign that hangs in the […]
Port Mac Goss: Alex and Marianna Vozzo
THIS week for Port Mac Goss, I caught up with Alex and Marianna Vozzo, the proud owners of East Port Motor Inn. As relative newcomers to Port Macquarie, what do you think about the vibe of the region? It’s heaven to us! We honestly believe that Port Macquarie is the best town in NSW. We […]
LGNSW CEO David Reynolds, LGNSW President Cr Phyllis Miller OAM, Mayor Adam Roberts and Acting CEO Robert Fish.
Council leaders discuss funding challenges
DISASTER recovery and resilience, collaboration between councils and local government funding models were discussed at a meeting of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (PMHC) and Local Government NSW (LGNSW) leaders on Tuesday. Port Macquarie Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts and Acting CEO Robert Fish joined LGNSW President Cr Phyllis Miller OAM and CEO David Reynolds, as part of […]
Printed Edition 11 JULY 2025
Affinity Education Group has come under fire following the arrest of a childcare worker in Victoria. Photo: Affinity Education Group website.
Affinity Education moves to reassure parents amid fallout from Victorian worker arrest
EVERY morning, hundreds of families across the Port Macquarie-Hastings region drop their children off at a registered childcare centre. With a kiss on the forehead and a hug goodbye, they expect them to be fed, educated, and cared for. But above all else, they expect them to be safe. Following the arrest of a male […]
Police seek public help to locate missing Mid North Coast teen
NSW POLICE are appealing for public assistance to help locate 16-year-old Shantana Cowan, who has been reported missing from the Mid North Coast. Shantana was last seen in the West Kempsey area on Sunday, 25 May 2025. When she could not be located or contacted, officers from the Mid North Coast Police District were notified […]
Letter to the Editor: Does the Treasurer own a calculator?
DEAR News Of The Area, LABOR’S proposal to introduce an unrealized capital gains tax on superannuation funds has created quite a bit of attention since Chalmer’s Federal Budget back on 25 March. I don’t believe Jim Chalmers owns a financial calculator or has thought through the effect of his tax. Recently the Government estimated that […]
NPWS staff boarded whale-watching cruises along the NSW coast this week as part of Operation Ketos. Photo: NPWS.
National Parks work to protect whales during migrations
NPWS staff boarded whale-watching cruises along the NSW coast this week as part of Operation Ketos. Photo: NPWS. AS humpback whales undertake their annual migration, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have teamed up with professional tour operators to help remind the industry, recreational boat users and the community to keep a safe distance […]
