LIBERAL MLC Aileen MacDonald OAM has sponsored a petition to the NSW Legislative Council demanding the reinstatement of three-month and six-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes. The six-month Discovery Pass, previously available for $420, offered unlimited travel across NSW TrainLink’s regional train and coach network. The longer term passes have recently been paused by the state […]
Increased rate of NSW adults getting sunburnt
ALMOST one million adults across the state were sunburnt at least once over a four-week period, according to a new report from the Cancer Institute NSW. The “Sun Protection Behaviours Report”, released last week, shows 15 percent of people surveyed reported being sunburnt, up from 12 percent in the previous report. The research analyses data […]
St Agnes’ and Lourdes villages celebrate creativity at art and craft Fair
St Agnes’ Village resident Barbara Swan with friend Marjorie Bird. Photo: Pauline Cain Lourdes Village resident Neville Ross with his colourful collection of wooden trucks and cars. Photo: Pauline Cain. Emmaus Village artworks. Photo: Pauline Cain. Beautiful quilts by Rosaleen Johnson. Photo: Pauline Cain. Henry Field, artist in residence at Emmaus Village, was drawing live […]
‘Spirit of the Bush’ competition returns to celebrate life on the land
RURAL Aid has launched the sixth annual Spirit of the Bush Photo Competition, inviting Upper Hunter residents to share striking images that capture the strength, resilience, and beauty of life on the land. Running from 14 July to 31 August 2025, the much-loved competition provides a powerful platform for rural and regional Australians to tell […]
Port Mac Goss: Andrew Morello
ONE of my favourite shows is The Apprentice Australia. Back in 2009 a young Victorian man, Andrew Morello, a real estate agent and auctioneer, was a contestant on the first Australian Apprentice, featuring Yellow Brick Road founder and high profile businessman, Mark Bouris AM. Andrew won that first season, with his prize being the chance […]

Otters Basil and Josie make a big splash at Port Macquarie’s Billabong Zoo
Operations Manager Blake Stone and Zookeeper Naomi Gardner feeding Basil and Josie. Photos: Pauline Cain OTTERS Basil and Josie have made their debut in Port Macquarie, just in time for the school holidays. The siblings turned five last Monday and had plenty of visitors to help them celebrate. They have officially taken up residence at […]
KoaLaMan hits the road to find a home
DO not be alarmed if you encounter a large koala with a blue head trudging along the road to Sydney – it is simply “KoaLaMan looking for a home”. The 550km, 30-day walk from the “Happy Frog” in Coffs Harbour to Parliament House in Sydney, is the latest in Peter Elzer’s efforts to halt logging […]

Guulabaa shortlisted for World Architecture Festival award
GUULABAA – Place of Koala has been shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2025 Awards, recognised in the Completed Buildings: Civic and Community category. Held annually, the WAF is one of the world’s most respected design events, celebrating the best in built and future architecture across a broad range of categories. This year’s shortlist […]

Lake Cathie local shares his second chance at life ahead of DonateLife Week
Dennis and Karen Andrighetto recently at Rainbow Beach. Dennis and a special newspaper article about his brave donor at the end of the Camino Finisterre walking trail. DONATELIFEWeek, Australia’s national awareness campaign for organ and tissue donation, will be marked this year from Sunday 27 July to Sunday 3 August. It’s a time to encourage […]
New grants to help bush connectivity
THE Regional Tech Hub has announced a new grants program, offering up to $3000 to community groups across rural, regional and remote Australia. The Connect Grants are open to grassroots projects that help people navigate the complex world of phone and internet connectivity. Regional Tech Hub General Manager, Jennifer Medway, said the program is about […]