_Port Macquarie Archives - Port Macquarie News Of The Area

Seven decades later, Kevin’s military service is finally recognised

AFTER more than 70 years of waiting, 93-year-old Nambucca Valley resident and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) veteran Kevin Blanch has finally received the medals recognising his military service, including his involvement in Britain’s first atomic bomb test in 1952. For Mr Blanch, who had long given up hope of receiving formal recognition, the arrival […]

Community, Health, Local News, National

King Creek’s Kerry Baxter is on a personal journey to better mental health

IN March this year, Kerry Baxter reached a turning point. He had been self-medicating with alcohol, and this increased after he lost both of his parents to cancer. Mr Baxter, married with a loving wife and two children, experienced an acute period of crisis. This made him realise he had to make changes. Born in […]

Community, Health, Local News

Program aims to reduce domestic violence by addressing harmful behaviours in men

THERE’S been an alarming rise in the number of family and domestic violence offences against women and children in Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics data has revealed the number of offenders increased by eight per cent in 2024-25, to 97,800 offenders nationally, representing the largest annual increase since national reporting began. The statistics on violence […]

Business, Community, Local News, Regional

Port Macquarie’s Repair Fair celebrates sustainability and new skills

Last year’s leathercraft workshop was popular with 2026 Repair Fair patrons. Photo: PMH Council. Craft workshops are among the activities for all ages at the 2026 Repair Fair next month. Photo: PMH Council. The needlecraft workshop drew a crowd at last year’s inaugural Repair Fair. Photo: PMH Council. Around 1500 people attended last year’s Repair […]

Community, Health, Local News, National, Regional

Care for a carer: making carers visible during National Carers Week in Port Macquarie

Kelly, a support worker with Mission Australia, and David, from Carer Gateway, at The Glasshouse event. Photo: Pauline Cain. Clarissa Hawkins, left, and carer Carole Hawkins. NATIONAL Carers Week is a time to recognise, celebrate and raise awareness of the more than three million Australians who provide unpaid care to a family member or friend. […]

Highlights

No social licence for native forest logging say protesters

Ashley Love addresses the protesters. Protesters had a clear message. Photo: Brian Mahoney. MORE than 60 people from the NSW Mid North Coast protested simultaneously with actions in Canberra, Sydney, Batemans Bay and Hobart on 8 October, to send a message that there was no social licence for the clear-felling of forests, damage to wildlife […]

Community, Regional, School

HSC exams get under way for Port Macquarie Year 12 students

YEAR 12 students across NSW began their Higher School Certificate written examinations this week. Hastings Secondary College students from Port Macquarie campus are sitting their exams at the Salvation Army Hall in Lord Street. After the first English paper, student leaders Lachlan Browne (vice captain) and Cameron Carson (Towns house captain) were quietly confident about […]

Highlights

Port Macquarie charity will inspire Aboriginal students to strive for STEM careers

A $250,000 NSW Government grant will allow Port Macquarie-based Indigenous STEM charity Deadly Science to deliver workshops in 50 regional and remote schools across New South Wales. The workshops will reach students from Kindergarten to Year 9, with a particular focus on Years 4 to 9. They will begin in 16 regional schools during Term […]

Community, Local News, Regional

Transgrid’s bushfire prevention work complete

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 […]

Community, Local News, Regional, School

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 […]