THE 2025 Ritchies IGA Hastings Grant Campaign has officially closed, with 53 applications received from community organisations across the Hastings region. Ritchies Community Development Manager Tim Walker said, “It was incredible to receive so many applications, and it is an indication of how many local clubs, groups and schools require financial assistance for their chosen […]

THE Hastings Auto Restorers Society Inc has continued its long-running fundraising commitment, donating $7,000 to support the Mid North Coast Cancer Institute at Port Macquarie. The donation was raised through two major initiatives organised by the Society. Fundraising activities included raffling of a wheelbarrow hamper filled with non-perishable food items and the club’s annual Swap […]

The ‘Top Shop’ by Jan Wilson. Bonny Hills Art Prize Display AFTER five years, the Bonny Hills Art Prize is firmly ensconced as a cultural institution on the summer calendar. This year saw 1000 locals and 200 tourists through the doors enjoying the incredible range of work on display. “Top Shop” by Jan Wilson caught […]

THE small community of Kindee has a population of 91 with a significant portion of the residents falling into an older demographic. Their lifeline to medical services as well as social connection is historic Kindee Bridge. Built in 1936, the bridge is Australia’s oldest surviving timber suspension bridge with its age and construction design necessitating […]

PORT Macquarie–based maritime engineering company Birdon has secured a $125 million contract to design and build a new fleet of Amphibious Vehicles – Logistics (AV-Ls) for the Australian Army. The contract covers the construction of one prototype and 15 production vehicles, which will replace the Army’s ageing Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo vehicle (LARC-V). All vehicles […]