January 28, 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 […]

Read More
Port Mac Goss: Blake’s Adventures Blake Herbert.
Local News

Port Mac Goss: Blake’s Adventures

A 13-YEAR-OLD who needs no introduction, Blake Herbert is fast becoming a local celebrity through his enthusiasm for everything outdoors. For the past six months, Blake, who lives with ADHD and dyslexia, has been a regular feature alongside “Sarge” on Triple M on a Friday morning, telling listeners where and when the fish are biting. […]

Read More
‘We have not forgotten you’: flood recovery coordinator reassures Mid North Coast Flood Recovery Coordinator Dave Owens with Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffins, at the Wingham Food Hub. Photo: supplied
Regional

‘We have not forgotten you’: flood recovery coordinator reassures Mid North Coast

Flood Recovery Coordinator Dave Owens with Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffins, at the Wingham Food Hub. Photo: supplied Dave Owens with Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain, Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin and Disaster Recovery Australia volunteers at Smithtown. Photo: supplied Dave Owens speaking with farmers at Gloucester. Photo: supplied Dave Owens speaking with farmers […]

Read More
Former cop and PI Drew Lindsay is up to his 46th book Local author Drew Lindsay is inspired by his work as a police officer and private investigator.
Local News

Former cop and PI Drew Lindsay is up to his 46th book

OVER A writing career spanning 15 years, Drew Lindsay has published 46 novels. Drew tinkered with writing short stories and essays prior to embarking on serious novel writing. “My inspiration is an active imagination and wishing to share stories with others.” he told News Of The Area. “I always say, this is the last one […]

Read More
Rooster rookie’s rapid rise from Camden Haven to the NRL Blake Steep celebrates after scoring a try for the Roosters in the NRL Round 16 match against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Photo: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.
Regional

Rooster rookie’s rapid rise from Camden Haven to the NRL

Blake Steep celebrates after scoring a try for the Roosters in the NRL Round 16 match against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Photo: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts. Blake’s passion for the game began as a junior with the Camden Haven Eagles: Photo: supplied. FROM backyard tackling battles to crossing the try line in his first ANZAC Day clash, […]

Read More
Port Macquarie teen boxer takes out tournament win in first bout
Local News

Port Macquarie teen boxer takes out tournament win in first bout

WITHOUT a single prior fight under his belt, 16-year-old Harley Rayment made a statement in the boxing world last week at the 2025 Boxing Queensland Open International Golden Gloves tournament in Brisbane. Facing just one opponent due to a late withdrawal, Harley entered a professional boxing ring for the very first time, immediately competing for […]

Read More
Small businesses on the Mid North Coast left behind in flood recovery funding Michael Kemp MP addresses the funding shortage. Photo: supplied.
Government

Small businesses on the Mid North Coast left behind in flood recovery funding

SMALL businesses across the Mid North Coast have been left behind in the wake of the devastating May floods, according to local business leaders who say the NSW Government has failed to deliver critical support. Team Taree (Taree Business Chamber) and the Macleay Business Representative Group are jointly calling on the NSW Premier to act […]

Read More
Coalition’s tobacco legislation to be introduced next month
Local News

Coalition’s tobacco legislation to be introduced next month

THE NSW Coalition will introduce its proposed Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment (Stopping Illicit Tobacco) Bill 2025 when Parliament resumes next month. Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer said the legislation could see people who sell illegal tobacco and vapes be jailed for up to seven years. “The increased activity involving the illegal sale of tobacco […]

Read More
Stargazing: The energy-producing power of the sun
Local News

Stargazing: The energy-producing power of the sun

HOW much energy does the Sun produce in one hour? Let’s just say it’s enough to make your brain hurt. In just one hour, our Sun releases more energy than all of humanity uses in an entire year. Seriously. Every house lit up, every car driven, every phone charged, every plane flown – all could […]

Read More
Bank champions cultural opportunities for Mid North Coast students Kempsey High School Drama students attending a performance at The Glasshouse in June.
Regional

Bank champions cultural opportunities for Mid North Coast students

YEAR 9 students at Kempsey High School (KHS) were treated to cultural experience at The Glasshouse in June, supported by funding from the Coastline Bank Community Foundation. The students were provided tickets to a performance of ‘Scenes from the Climate Era’ by Sydney’s Belvoir St Theatre. “The performance was deeply moving – exploring the political, […]

Read More