THROUGH heartbreak and happiness, Sherrill Weidenbohm’s story is one of kindness, resilience, and the joy that can be found in helping others. Born and raised in Kempsey, Sherrill came from a family of eleven kids. “My dad passed away when I was only three, so my mum Kathleen raised us on her own but we […]
Hastings Choristers treat audiences to a taste of Broadway with musical medley
Mark Morabito (L) and Craig M. Wood. Photo: Paul Colla Photography. Hastings Choristers performing in ‘Patterns – A Musical Medley’. Photo: Paul Colla Photography. HASTINGS Choristers are known for their high standard of musical performance. Founded in 1990 by Robyn Ryan OAM, they are now under the musical direction of Craig M. Wood. The choristers […]
NSW Gov announce funding to expand crisis and transitional housing
THE State Government has announced $30.4 million for a new crisis intervention package to “ensure more vulnerable people can access homelessness services and find a safe place to live”. The 2025-26 NSW Budget will include $20 million to expand existing crisis and transitional housing, and $10.4 million over four years for homelessness charity the Bill […]
Beyond the bite: How our fishing community rises above the floods
AS we transition into winter, we’ve been blessed with a couple of lovely, calm and sunny days. However, the recent floods unfortunately the mackerel season has drawn to a close. While the fishing report highlights the bounty the region offers its impossible to ignore the impact of the recent floods and the incredible resilience of […]

First-ever DNA mapping of NSW river mouths and estuaries
Dr Maarten De Brauwer of SCU and Fisheries Technician Kait Harris conduct estuarine monitoring in Yamba. Dr Maarten De Brauwer and Kait Harris collect samples to send to Wilderlab for processing. Dr Maarten De Brauwer and Kait Harris collect samples to send to Wilderlab for processing. A MAJOR study of NSW estuaries using a novel […]
Road safety educator Luke Ramm receives national award
LUKE Ramm has been recognised with the prestigious Road Safety Education (RSE) Facilitator Award for his outstanding contribution to road safety education in the Port Macquarie region. Presented by RSE Limited in partnership with BOC, Toyota, Bridgestone and Boral, the annual award celebrates individuals who go above and beyond in delivering the Ryda program – […]

Ex-PM lauded over honours gong but not everyone’s happy
FORMER prime minister Scott Morrison has been congratulated after receiving Australia’s highest civilian honour, but there is at least one call for him to decline the gong. Mr Morrison is one of 14 people named as a Companion of the Order of Australia in the annual King’s Birthday Honours List, alongside filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and […]
The day that led to Kerry Medway’s 60 years of ministry
Kerry Medway with his wife Julie: Photo: supplied. Kerry as a young man. Photo: supplied. KERRY Medway is celebrating 60 years since what he calls “the day that changed my life.” On 6 June 1965, at just 17-years-old, he said he experienced a spiritual awakening that would set him on a lifelong path of Christian […]

Animal advocates shoot down bill for enabling ‘yahoos’
ENVIRONMENTALISTS have opened fire on a bill which could pay recreational hunters for killing invasive pests, describing the plan as enabling a “fringe minority of men” to let loose. A bill before NSW parliament aims to establish a Conservation Hunting Authority, with debate in the upper house taking place on Wednesday. It would better enable […]

King’s Honours for Port Macquarie health and childcare advocates
Hastings Home Hospice volunteer Marita Crighton OAM and her husband Doctor Colin Crighton OAM. File photos: Mid North Coast Health and PMQ Clay Target Club. Disability advocate and Autism Swim founder Erika Gleeson OAM. Photo: Erika Gleeson Consultancy. Childhood educator Karen McKay OAM: Photo: Semann & Slattery. THE Port Macquarie-Hastings was strongly represented in […]