WITH much of Australia bracing for heightened bushfire danger this summer and authorities calling for early preparations for the season ahead, Transgrid has completed its bushfire prevention throughout NSW. Transgrid’s transmission network spans 12,200km and its prevention work included extensive surveys, inspections and preventative maintenance. About half of Transgrid’s annual maintenance expenditure is directed to […]
New scholarship program from St Agnes’ Catholic Parish helps local students pursue careers in nursing and early childhood education
APPLICATIONS opened this week for a new scholarship program from St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, designed to help local students pursue careers in nursing and early childhood education. ‘Parish Pathways’ will provide eligible students with up to $12,000 over the duration of their degree to help with tuition fees and other study-related expenses. The program is […]
The Mark Hughes Foundation is a past recipient of a Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation grant. Photo: MHF.
Grants open for applications from charities and not-for-profits
CHARITIES and not-for-profit organisations in regional NSW with inspiring ideas are encouraged to apply for financial assistance through a grant from the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation (NPCF). This year the NPCF’s annual grassroots grants program has more than $540,000 available to support the health and social wellbeing of communities in regional NSW. The program offers […]
Unusually warm weather behind mass bat starvation on Mid North Coast
OCTOBER is Bat Appreciation Month, with 1300-1500 species globally representing one-fifth of all mammal species on Earth. Bats are the only mammals capable of true, sustained flight, with the Australasian Bat Society recording 81 distinct species across our continent and offshore islands. These are broadly separated into two distinct ecological groups: insectivorous microbats and megabats, […]
Members of the Djarii Markets Working Group, from left: Alunya Wilkinson, Keri Harris, Rebecca Cant, Kate Everingham, Jane Hosking and Elise Wynyard. Photo: Supplied.
Djarii Markets to celebrate First Nations culture and creativity in Taree
FIRST Nations artists, makers and producers will take centre stage at the inaugural Djarii Markets in Taree on Saturday, 10 October. Presented by Reconciliation Taree and Manning Regional Art Gallery, the event will celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creativity, entrepreneurship and cultural strength. Reconciliation Taree secretary Kate Everingham said the markets were inspired by […]
The countdown is on and Camden Haven Show is calling for competition entries
A crocheted blanket made by Roz Fraser of North Haven. Photo: Supplied. A knitted jumper made by Lake Cathie’s Joy Pengilly. Photo: Supplied. The scarf designed and made by Kendall’s Debra Parker. Photo: Supplied. THE local show is a highlight of the year for many – especially for those who regularly enter its competitions. The […]
Dr Mark Worthing, Bishop Richard Schwedes, Pastor Brian Schwarz and Pastor David Thompson. Photo: Supplied.
Lutheran church celebrates 40 years in Port Macquarie
SEVERAL founding members of Port Macquarie’s St Peter’s Lutheran Church were on hand to celebrate the church’s 40th anniversary recently. They included Brenda Worthing, Joan Rayward, and Ian and Dot Marshall, accompanied by their daughter Karen. The special anniversary service was officiated by Bishop Richard Schwedes, accompanied by Pastors Mark Worthing, David Thompson, and Brian […]
Bonny Hills dancer steps up at Grafton’s annual highland dancing competition
LOWLAND Clearances, the Highland Potato Famine and the Gold Rush era in Australia led to an exodus of Scots to Australian shores. By the 1850s, Australia’s Scotland-born population represented more than 20 per cent of the total population. By 1891, 124,000 first-generation Scottish-born lived here. With them came their rich culture, of bagpipe-led pipe bands […]
Aussie Battlers plans community food hub in time for Christmas
Karen Sparkes with the Aussie Battlers. Photo: Aussie Battlers. A view of the shop. Photo: Aussie Battlers. Free photos with Santa from 2025. Photo: Aussie Battlers. AUSSIE Battlers is on track to open a food hub in Laurieton by late November, offering relief for those facing poverty this Christmas. Providing food year-round, the space will […]
Laurieton Brigade urges residents to reduce fire hazards during spring clean
AS the weather warms up and people begin their annual spring clean, NSW Fire and Rescue is urging residents to add fire hazard reduction to the jobs list. Firefighters attended 1005 residential fires across NSW last spring alone. Of the homes that caught fire, almost half had no working smoke alarms. Laurieton Station Commander Les […]
