April 21, 2025
Police conducting bail checks on ‘weak’ legal basis Police have been warned about the practice of entering property to check on bail compliance. Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS.
Politics, Port Macquarie

Police conducting bail checks on ‘weak’ legal basis

POLICE in Australia’s largest state have been slammed for regularly entering the private property of former inmates out on bail to conduct compliance checks, without a court order. A damning report from the NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission says police have been stretching their authority and powers by relying on a weak legal principle to […]

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Remembering Maria River’s Private Valentine Scott Aloysius Cain Private Cain in uniform. Photo: Australian War Memorial.
Port Macquarie

Remembering Maria River’s Private Valentine Scott Aloysius Cain

Private Cain in uniform. Photo: Australian War Memorial. VALENTINE Scott Aloysius Cain was the auspicious-sounding name of a lad from the Maria River who signed up to fight for his country in 1917 and died a year later – a month before the Armistice that helped end the war was signed. Private Cain’s story is […]

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Visitors and locals gather at Oxley Beach to reflect on Good Friday Students play the roles of Jesus and Simon of Cyrene, who helped Christ carry the cross. Photos: Pauline Cain.
Community, Port Macquarie

Visitors and locals gather at Oxley Beach to reflect on Good Friday

Students play the roles of Jesus and Simon of Cyrene, who helped Christ carry the cross. Photos: Pauline Cain. ST AGNES’ Catholic Parish chose Oxley Beach as the place to reflect on the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday morning, the holiest of days in the Christian calendar. “Good Friday” comes from the word “good” […]

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St Joseph’s Regional College student Esther Cummins represents NSW at Constitutional Convention Governor-General Sam Mostyn and St Joseph’s Regional College student Esther Cummins. Photo: supplied.
Port Macquarie

St Joseph’s Regional College student Esther Cummins represents NSW at Constitutional Convention

ST JOSEPH’S Regional College student Esther Cummins was one of 30 selected to represent NSW at the National Schools Constitutional Convention (NSCC) in Canberra. Esther, who is in Year 12, joined 120 young leaders from across Australia to explore the theme of fiscal federalism and its role within the Australian Constitution. “I met Federal members […]

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Hooked On: Promising weather and post-swell bites Zac Danby with a recent cobia catch out off Port Macquarie.
Port Macquarie

Hooked On: Promising weather and post-swell bites

THIS long weekend promises promising weather, offering ample opportunities for anglers to head out fishing. Mid week we saw limited fishing due to significant swell, but this is expected to subside over the long weekend. In the Hastings, water clarity is improving, although the bottom of the tide still has some colour from consistent rainfall. […]

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Cowper candidates face-off at lively Kempsey event Candidates (L-R) Wendy Firefly (Greens), Greg Vigors (Labor), Geoffrey Marlow (Fusion), Pat Conaghan (Nationals), Chris Walsh (One Nation), Senate hopeful Michael O’Neill (Heart), Zeke Daley (Independent) and Megan Mathew (Legalise Cannabis).
Government

Cowper candidates face-off at lively Kempsey event

EIGHT candidates for Cowper in the upcoming Federal Election have faced-off in Kempsey. The Meet the Candidates event at the Pensioner’s Club was attended by around 100 people and proved to be a lively and fast-paced affair. The Lower House and Upper House candidates included Wendy Firefly (The Greens), Greg Vigors (Labor), Geoffrey Marlow (Fusion […]

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Eleven candidates to contest Cowper as ballot positions locked-in The official ballet draw for Cowper in Kempsey. Photo: Pat Conaghan FB.
Port Macquarie

Eleven candidates to contest Cowper as ballot positions locked-in

VOTERS in Cowper will choose from 11 candidates for the House of Representatives in the Federal Election on 3 May. The final number is a record for the electorate and was revealed at the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) office in Kempsey on Friday, just before a blindfolded official drew ballot positions from numbered balls in […]

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Council warns Lake Cathie lagoon and beach users to avoid unstable dunes
Port Macquarie

Council warns Lake Cathie lagoon and beach users to avoid unstable dunes

PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council is confident that forecast good weather and natural coastal processes will help Lake Cathie’s beach and lagoon recover from recent erosion. However, it is warning people to stay off the worst affected areas. “We’re continuing to monitor the situation closely,” said PMHC Coast and Estuary Coordinator Ben Foster. “In the meantime, we […]

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Artwalk 2025 now a three-day event with added locations Digital and traditional artist Cherie Hurley and The Seed Art School owner Aimee Pelley.
Port Macquarie

Artwalk 2025 now a three-day event with added locations

ARTWALK 2025 will run over three days this June long weekend instead of just Friday night. Port Macquarie-Hastings Deputy Mayor Lauren Edwards, announced the expansion during a launch event at The Glasshouse on Thursday 10 April. “Based on community feedback, there has been consideration given to extending this event throughout the long weekend with activities […]

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