THE third rendition of the Draft Laurieton Town Centre Master Plan has officially gone on public exhibition. Residents are now being encouraged to carefully review the document and make formal submissions as debate around the town’s future intensifies. The latest draft became publicly available on Monday, 20 April and will remain on exhibition until Friday, […]

Wauchope Men’s Shed was granted $39,000 for a workshop extension. The Camden Haven Rural Fire Service received $54,792 for station upgrade works in last year’s CBP grants. EXPRESSIONS of Interest (EOIs) are now open for the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership (CBP) Grants Program, with up to $450,000 available for projects in each electorate. Local […]

A NEW multi-agency taskforce has been launched to accelerate hazard reduction and better protect communities across NSW. Launched by the NSW Government, Taskforce Fire Guard will bring together fire agencies and land managers to strengthen coordination and prioritise high risk areas over the coming months. Operating from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) State Operations […]

Artist Peggy Eather demonstrating her techniques. Photo: supplied Composition, colour and capturing the horizon. YOUNG aspiring artists were treated to a “Paint and Shake” workshop hosted by Port City Bowling Club (PCBC) as part of the fourth annual Hastings Valley Open Art Prize. Artists Peggy Eather and Jan von Schoenberg from the Hastings Valley Fine […]

FOR Bonny Hills volunteer Casey Whitehouse it was becoming a parent that truly opened her eyes to the importance of strong support networks. While she had always believed in the importance of community, motherhood gave her a deeper understanding of how vital connection and support can be. “Parenthood can be incredibly joyful, but it can […]

IT’S time for people across the Mid North Coast to nominate family, friends or work mates for the 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, to help celebrate the enormous positive impact of volunteers across the state. The awards are in their 20th year and are run by The Centre for Volunteering to recognise the […]

FOR California-born Dawn Tindall, Australia was just going to be one stop of several on a working holiday. But meeting her now husband and falling in love with the country and its people, meant a change of plans. The couple and their daughter now call Port Macquarie home. With a background in education and disability, […]

A RECORD 14,000 books found new homes at the annual Rotary Club of Port Macquarie book sale. Now in its 26th year, the sale drew crowds of locals and visitors between 10-12 April. Book sale convenor Bob Cleland told News Of The Area, “the sale was a huge success.” “It was great to see so […]