July 26, 2026
New editor for News Of The Area newspaper group
Business, Regional

New editor for News Of The Area newspaper group

Freckles, the sick little bird who grew up and identified as a homing pigeon, with his rescuer. Photo: Angus Cheetham. News Of The Area media group owner Michael Wright. EVE Nesmith has been named Editor of News Of The Area, the family-owned independent local newspaper group. The News Of The Area (NOTA) media group publishes […]

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Police deploy road spikes during pursuit from Frederickton to Coffs
Police

Police deploy road spikes during pursuit from Frederickton to Coffs

A TEENAGE boy has been charged following an alleged pursuit from Frederickton to Coffs Harbour in the state’s north. Shortly after 8am on Wednesday 8 July 2026, officers from Mid North Coast Police District were patrolling the Pacific Highway, Frederickton when they saw a Kia SUV, which had been reported stolen from a Bronte address […]

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Appeal to locate teenage girl missing from Port Macquarie
Police

Appeal to locate teenage girl missing from Port Macquarie

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from the Mid North Coast area. Gabrielle Michaels, aged 17, was last seen on Lord Street, Port Macquarie, about 6.00am on Friday 10 July 2026. When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District were notified […]

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Bailey’s Law campaign gains momentum
Government

Bailey’s Law campaign gains momentum

Caroline Micallef with her late son Bailey Jones. Photo: Supplied by Caroline Micallef. Bailey’s rock at the Port Macquarie breakwall. Photo: Supplied by Caroline Micallef. IN December of 2022, 18-year-old Bailey Jones had his whole life ahead of him. He had goals of becoming a welder, and was on the cusp of falling in love […]

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CSU Port Macquarie professor leads research revealing rising discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in regional Australia LGBTQ+ adults living in rural and regional Australia, found more than 40 percent of respondents had experienced discrimination. Photo: news.csu.edu.au.
Health, Regional

CSU Port Macquarie professor leads research revealing rising discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in regional Australia

REGIONAL Australians who identify as LGBTQ+ are reporting growing levels of discrimination, with new research led by Charles Sturt University (CSU) academics revealing many people still do not feel safe being themselves in country communities. Professor Suzanne McLaren, from CSU’s School of Psychology in Port Macquarie, co-led the second Regional Rainbow Survey alongside Associate Professor […]

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St Agnes’ Parish Secondary School bands entertained lunchtime crowds at The Glasshouse in Port Macquarie
Entertainment, Event, School

St Agnes’ Parish Secondary School bands entertained lunchtime crowds at The Glasshouse in Port Macquarie

Lunchtime music concert with SAPSS student musicians. Photos: Pauline Cain. Lunchtime music concert with SAPSS student musicians. Photos: Pauline Cain. Lunchtime music concert with SAPSS student musicians. Photos: Pauline Cain. LUNCHTIME crowds in Port Macquarie stopped to listen to school bands on The Glasshouse steps on Friday 26 June. St Agnes’ Parish Secondary Schools (SAPSS) […]

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East coast NSW councils encourage residents to take the Plastic Free July pledge Council encourages the community to get involved in the Plastic Free July pledge. Photo: @pmhcouncil.
Regional

East coast NSW councils encourage residents to take the Plastic Free July pledge

THOUSANDS of Australians are being encouraged to make one simple change this month by taking the Plastic Free July pledge. Councils along the east coast of New South Wales are supporting the global campaign, encouraging residents to refuse just one unnecessary plastic item during July and help reduce plastic waste in their communities. The Plastic […]

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Biripi artwork features on environmental monitoring boat The newly designed First Nations boat. Photo: pmhc.nsw.gov.au
Highlights

Biripi artwork features on environmental monitoring boat

PORT Macquarie Hastings Council has unveiled a First Nations design on one of its environmental monitoring boats, marking another step in the development of its Sea Country Action Plan with the Birpai community. The unveiling took place at Fisherman’s Wharf in Port Macquarie, where Mayor Adam Roberts joined Biripi artist Jacinta Janik and Council staff […]

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