November 17, 2025
Sophie Lien wins Youth Category of 2025 Phoenix Art Prize Sophie and her winning ceramics “Superstar Stacy” & “Windy Wendy.” Photo: Sarah Jae, Photographer, Doula and Creative (via Facebook).
Local News

Sophie Lien wins Youth Category of 2025 Phoenix Art Prize

SOPHIE Lien has been recognised for her creativity and passion at this year’s Phoenix Art Prize 2025, held in Bowraville. The 22-year-old local artist won the Youth Category with her striking ceramic works of “Superstar Stacy” & “Windy Wendy.” The Phoenix Art Prize 2025 celebrates artists of all ages and abilities, providing an inclusive platform […]

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Hastings Cancer Trust join country music fundraiser at Kew Hastings Cancer Trust directors and friends
Community, Health

Hastings Cancer Trust join country music fundraiser at Kew

HASTINGS Cancer Trust (HCT) was formed in 2005 with a goal to mobilise funding and volunteers to assist cancer patients in the region. Administration Co-ordinator Sue Ryan told News Of The Area, “We aim to fund and provide a full spectrum of equipment so that patients can be treated locally instead of travelling long distances […]

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‘Amazing’ Pink Ladies launch Christmas fundraiser The Port Macquarie Pink Ladies.
Community, Health

‘Amazing’ Pink Ladies launch Christmas fundraiser

IF you’ve ever spent time in Port Macquarie Base Hospital, it is likely that you have interacted with one of the “Pink Ladies”. This dedicated group of approximately 70 women and 30 men can be found in almost every ward of the hospital and refer to themselves as ‘gophers’. With one volunteer scheduled on most […]

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Citizen scientists recording the Coffs Coast’s frogs for FrogID Week Australian Museum Lead Scientist for FrogID Dr Jodi Rowley.
Community

Citizen scientists recording the Coffs Coast’s frogs for FrogID Week

THE Australian Museum’s FrogID Week is on, finishing at midnight on Sunday 16 November. Australia’s biggest citizen science project and the world’s biggest frog count, FrogID Week encourages the public to make a meaningful contribution to scientific understanding of the world. The free FrogID app enables anyone with a smartphone to record different frog species […]

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Port Macquarie Hastings region pauses to remember veterans’ service
Local News

Port Macquarie Hastings region pauses to remember veterans’ service

Laurieton RSL sub-Branch President Allan ‘Buster’ Beatty and Port Macquarie Mayor Adam Roberts at the Laurieton service. Photo: PMHC. Mayor Adam Roberts lays a wreath at the cenotaph in Laurieton. Photo: PMHC. The Port Macquarie Hastings Municipal Band plays at the Port Macquarie service. Photo: Pat Conaghan MP FB. The solemn service in Port Macquarie […]

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Busy start to season for Marine Rescue volunteers A total of 56 people were safely returned to shore last month across all nine Marine Rescue units on the Mid North Coast.
Local News

Busy start to season for Marine Rescue volunteers

MARINE Rescue NSW volunteers across the Mid North Coast have experienced their busiest start to a boating season on record, with 33 search and rescue missions including 19 emergency responses during October. A total of 56 people were safely returned to shore last month across all nine Mid North Coast units – Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, […]

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North Haven family history comes full circle with raffle win Ostler family descendants Leanne Ostler, Ray Lee, and Chris Trotter outside River Cottage.
Community

North Haven family history comes full circle with raffle win

IN 1929 Alf and Valma Ostler built a home for their family on Ocean Drive, North Haven and subsequently began selling fishing tackle and groceries out of their front room. As holidaymakers started flocking to the area, Alf built a row of cottages that are still standing today. Their granddaughter Chris Trotter, a keen family […]

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Applications now open for 2026 Youth Parliament Program Youth Parliament offers young people the opportunity to debate in NSW Parliament, create Youth Bills on issues for change, and have their voices and recommendations heard by Members of Parliament.
Community, School

Applications now open for 2026 Youth Parliament Program

THE Y NSW is calling for passionate young people from across the state to apply for the 2026 Youth Parliament program, now open to students in Years 10 to 12 across NSW. Operated for over 20 years by the Y NSW (formerly YMCA), Youth Parliament offers young people the opportunity to debate in NSW Parliament, […]

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New initiative urges Australians to uncover and photograph backyard bugs Invasive Species Council’s Citizen Science Coordinator Jess Ward-Jones. Photo: Hayden Starr.
Community, National

New initiative urges Australians to uncover and photograph backyard bugs

FROM 17-23 November, Australians are being urged to step outside and discover the secret world beneath their feet. Bugs in My Backyard Week is a new national initiative encouraging families, schools and nature lovers to photograph and record the mini-beasts living all around them. It coincides with the official launch of a national citizen-science project […]

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