September 22, 2026
Singing, drumming, and dancing as Dementia Friendly Community Alliance celebrates first anniversary Generations come together to celebrate. Photo: supplied.
Community, Health

Singing, drumming, and dancing as Dementia Friendly Community Alliance celebrates first anniversary

Generations come together to celebrate. Photo: supplied. Tambourines and drums were out, ready to make music. Photo: supplied. MUSIC rang down the hallways as the Port Macquarie Dementia Friendly Community Alliance celebrated the first anniversary of its weekly musical program “Memories in Melodies”. The group supports people living with dementia, Parkinson’s disease and other similar […]

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Increased rate of NSW adults getting sunburnt The report found more than 80 percent of respondents used at least one form of sun protection.
Health

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 […]

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Lake Cathie local shares his second chance at life ahead of DonateLife Week Dennis and a special newspaper article about his brave donor at the end of the Camino Finisterre walking trail.
Health

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 […]

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Council to host career info session for veterans Council’s Group Manager for Utilities Planning and Design, Cameron Hawkins.
Government, Health

Council to host career info session for veterans

Council’s Group Manager for Utilities Planning and Design, Cameron Hawkins. Cameron Hawkins during his time serving with the ADF. PORT Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) is hosting a Veterans Information Session, featuring representatives from the NSW Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA), TAFE NSW and RSL. The session will be held on Monday 28 July from 4:00-6:30pm […]

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Dry July fundraiser now in full swing Cheers to Dry July.
Health

Dry July fundraiser now in full swing

TUESDAY 1 July saw the annual Dry July fundraiser kick-off with individuals and teams committing to going alcohol-free for the month to raise funds for people affected by cancer. The funds provide services for cancer patients, their families and carers, whether it’s a lift to a life-saving appointment, guidance from a specialist nurse, connection to […]

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Chronic pain research project starts across the North Coast Local physiotherapists have received training to deliver integrated care treatments for people suffering from hip and knee pain, osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain.
Health

Chronic pain research project starts across the North Coast

RESEARCHERS at the University Centre for Northern Rivers (UCRH) spent two days training 20 local physiotherapists to deliver integrated care treatments for people suffering from hip and knee pain, osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. The training marks the first step in a four year research project that will run in the physiotherapy departments of […]

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Cheaper complementary health treatments are on the way Private insurers will soon cover some complementary treatments. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
Government, Health

Cheaper complementary health treatments are on the way

WHEN Peter Hill walked into his first pilates class, he had to warm-up for the warm-up. With a feeble lower back and taut hamstrings, the then 63-year-old was hoping the therapy could aid his pain. Six years later, he can dart and dash with little-to-no trouble. “Occasionally I might have a bit of a twinge […]

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Health district awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer Reg Craig with Aboriginal Health Practitioner Laurie Clay accepting the Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare award for the Hastings Aboriginal Diabetes Education Service.
Community, Health

Health district awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership

Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer Reg Craig with Aboriginal Health Practitioner Laurie Clay accepting the Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare award for the Hastings Aboriginal Diabetes Education Service. NSW Health Chief Experience Officer Anne-Marie Hadley with Tara O’Brien and Zoe Chaffer from the Paediatric Complex Care Coordination Service who won the Transforming the Patient Experience Award. MNCLHD […]

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SES helps nurse deliver lifesaving chemo to flood isolated patient
Community, Health

SES helps nurse deliver lifesaving chemo to flood isolated patient

PORT Macquarie-based cancer nurse Helen Adair delivered vital chemotherapy to a Crescent Head resident on Wednesday 28 May, thanks to the quick response of the State Emergency Service (SES). Helen is a registered nurse with chemo@home and needed to reach her patient Christopher Dockrill, to administer his scheduled chemotherapy infusion for multiple myeloma. With Crescent […]

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Community rallies around injured mountain biker James Lowe Erica, James and their daughter. Photo: supplied
Health

Community rallies around injured mountain biker James Lowe

THE Port Macquarie community is rallying around James Lowe, 33, following a “traumatic” mountain bike accident. The husband, father and skilled refrigeration mechanic and electrician, is well-known for his jovial spirit and love of the outdoors. Friend Allie Isaacs describes him as a “beautiful, kind man who has touched the lives of many.” She has […]

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