FOR the first time in more than two decades, foster and kinship carers across NSW have received a 20 percent increase to their care allowance. The increase aims to ease cost-of-living pressures and strengthen support for vulnerable children in out-of-home care. The tax-free increase took effect from 1 January 2026 and applies to authorised carers […]

LANA Cooper has a wide range of options to consider after receiving her Higher School Certificate results, with her performance opening pathways she had not anticipated. The Wauchope High School vice-captain achieved an ATAR of 91.4, a result that exceeded her expectations and significantly broadened her post-school opportunities. Lana was also named on the Distinguished […]

PRIMARY producers across NSW will operate under tighter firearm regulations following new legislation. The State Government emphasises that the reforms recognise the legitimate needs of farmers while strengthening community safety. The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 passed the NSW Parliament on Wednesday 24 December in response to the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi […]

THE Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce has called on the Premier to “take decisive action” and uphold the NSW Government’s pre-election commitment to support the timber industry while developing the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). In September, the NSW Government announced the proposed boundaries of the GKNP, extending from Kempsey to Grafton, along with a […]

Visitors pose at the well recognised entrance of Timbertown. Photos: Timbertown, FB. Fun times by visitors over the years. Showcasing timber work at the park. Friendly residents of the park. The Iconic steam train. TIMBERTOWN Heritage Park will close permanently on 28 January 2026, bringing to an end more than 50 years of operation – […]

HAVE you ever wondered why we decorate cone-bearing trees, eat turkey and ham, light candles, pull bonbons, hang Christmas stockings, decorate homes, make wreaths and credit Santa with delivering presents via flying reindeer? Most of us know that many Christmas traditions from the Northern Hemisphere sailed south with immigrants. But many so-called Christmas traditions originated […]

Santa’s Link-Dasher 8 delivered cheer to children from Coopernook Public School. Photos: Pauline Cain. Red Cross volunteers with Port Macquarie MP Robert Dwyer. The Red Cross Bear, ‘Big Ted’, with children from Coopernook. The children’s faces were filled with joy. Red Cross volunteers with Port Macquarie Airport staff. QANTAS team members and Australian Red Cross […]

CATTLE and dairy farmers have welcomed the government’s decision to legalise virtual stock fencing, which involves using GPS collars to control the animals through audio cues and electric shocks. The move is expected to reduce physical fencing costs, improve rotational grazing systems, and provide remote access to data on the welfare of herds. Minister for […]

Students at the maths challenge in Newcastle. Photo: supplied. Maths challenge activities in progress. Photo: supplied. Students doing problem-solving activities. Photo: supplied. FIVE Mid North Coast students took part in the Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Challenge in Newcastle on Tuesday 25 November. Mid North Coast participants were Hugo Wyndham, Bishop Druitt College; Harroop Bahia, […]

Craig M. Wood conducted the Macleay Music Ensemble and Hastings and Macleay Choristers. Photo: Pauline Cain. Craig M. Wood and Christine Wells were farewelled at the Macleay Proms. Photo: Pauline Cain. PORT Macquarie residents and musicians Christine Wells and Craig M. Wood were farewelled on Sunday afternoon 30 November, during the Macleay Proms in Kempsey. […]