COMMUNITIES across NSW are invited to register as a volunteer and help protect dolphins by taking part in the first statewide Dolphin Census on Saturday 30 May. The one-day census is a collaboration between Dolphin Research Australia and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to create a statewide snapshot of where dolphins are found […]

BETWEEN 2pm and 4pm on 29 April, Hastings Community Radio presenter Liz Faassen will broadcast her final program of “The Sounds of the Swinging 60’s and 70’s”. Liz became a 2WAY FM presenter in 2014 after completing the required training. She had listened to 2WAY FM for many years prior to this, and was a […]

ONE of the Port Macquarie-Hastings region’s most recognised organisations, Willing & Able marks 60 years of supporting people with disability, while continuing to evolve to meet the needs of the community. Despite its long history, many people are still unaware of the full scope of services it provides and the impact it has had on […]

A 49-YEAR-OLD married father of three, Dylan Luke is very clear on his life goals. He wants to play more cricket with his kids, spend time with his devoted wife, and hang out at the beach. In early February, a niggling pain that wouldn’t go away saw him visit the hospital for scans, leading to […]

WITH Anzac Day around the corner, News Of The Area gets to know Laurieton RSL sub-Branch president Allan ‘Buster’ Beatty. Buster, tell us about your journey to the Hastings region. My wife Sandie lived in Port Macquarie for most of her life before joining the Army. We met in Townsville in 1982 and spent many […]

THE Rotary Club of Port Macquarie has a strong history of ‘service above self’ dating back to its inception in 1948. Its impact is felt through countless projects such as the Rotary Lodge at Port Macquarie Base Hospital, which provides accommodation for those needing to stay close to loved ones. A significant portion of their […]

THE Laurieton United Services Club was the venue for a lively community meeting held by the Beach to Beach Shared Pathway Committee on Tuesday, 31 March. More than 180 people joined Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer, Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts, Council General Manager Robert Fish, and Director of Community Infrastructure Ben Wood to […]

Bec the barista blitzes her job at the cafe. Photo: supplied. Bec, on the job kicking goals. Photo: supplied. ANYONE who shops at op shops like Willing and Able knows there are community gems behind the scenes who make the experience a pleasant one. They are the friendly faces, the helping hands, the people who […]

Footage captured by an AI-powered camera system on a watch tower. Photos: supplied. RFS volunteers now have improved access to real-time imagery, particularly in remote and high-risk areas. Drones provide volunteers with live vision of firegrounds. RURAL firefighters in NSW are utilising new technology helping to detect fires earlier, improve situational awareness and strengthen communications […]

REGIONAL Development Australia (RDA) Mid North Coast is asking the community to help answer a key question: are recent childcare reforms making a real difference in regional areas? In 2023, RDA Mid North Coast found only 65 percent of childcare demand in the region was being met, costing families an estimated $384 million in lost […]