FROM 17-23 November, Australians are being urged to step outside and discover the secret world beneath their feet. Bugs in My Backyard Week is a new national initiative encouraging families, schools and nature lovers to photograph and record the mini-beasts living all around them. It coincides with the official launch of a national citizen-science project […]
Fears ‘free’ electricity could come with hidden costs
ENERGY retailers say they’ve been blindsided by reforms promising free electricity to hundreds of thousands of Australians during peak solar power hours. The Solar Sharer program, announced by the federal government last Tuesday, would give consumers free access to electricity for three hours each day as part of the default offer available. Households in NSW, […]
Supermoon lights up Mid North Coast skies
Supermoons are the closest to earth. Photo Greg Higgins. The moon was 30% brighter than normal. Photo: Sis Higgins. SKYWATCHERS across the Mid North Coast looked to the heavens on Tuesday night as the biggest and brightest moon of 2025 rose over the horizon. Dennis Hughes, one of the amateur astronomers at the Port Macquarie […]
Nationals ditch net zero as Liberals ponder policy
THE Nationals have set up a possible showdown with their political ally the Liberals after unanimously agreeing to scrap their commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. The regional party argues Australia is doing more than its fair share to reduce carbon pollution, and emissions reductions should instead be tied to an average of similar […]
Ruth Durant, Mayor Adam Roberts, President Dr Caterine Settle, Susanne Pritchard and Dan Abei. Photo: supplied.
Hastings Home Hospice honours volunteers’ decades of compassion
Ruth Durant, Mayor Adam Roberts, President Dr Caterine Settle, Susanne Pritchard and Dan Abei. Photo: supplied. HHH Secretary Jenny Delroy thanks members and volunteers. Photo: supplied. CURRENT and past members of Hastings Home Hospice (HHH) gathered for a special afternoon tea on Thursday 30 October at the Lions Club in Port Macquarie. The event was […]
Hastings Cancer Trust’s 2025 fundraising totals $113k for local cancer care
Dr Baerin Houghton explains how the EBUS diagnostic equipment works. Photo: supplied. Mary Trotter, Wauchope Palliative Care Unit, accepts the grant certificate from Brendon and Kate Roods at the 2024 awards. Photo: supplied Nasendoscope funded by HCT, in use. Photo: supplied THE Hastings Cancer Trust’s 2025 fundraising year will end on Thursday 13 November, with […]
Port Macquarie Repair Fair to bring Council’s Repair Directory to life
THE Port Macquarie Repair Fair 2025 is being held on Sunday 16 November from 10am to 1pm at the Port Macquarie Library. The event showcases local repairers, reusers and recyclers helping to build a more sustainable community. The fair features hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, a car-boot sale, and creative market stalls that exhibit the region’s […]
Beechwood Shamrocks members with palliative care staff: (l-r) Ben Gilbert, Fred Hanley, Tim Bardell, Kaylee Schmakeit, Laura Scott, Cameron Savage, Michael Cole and Mary Trotter.
Hastings Trust and Beechwood Shamrocks boost comfort care at Wauchope Hospital
COMMUNITY support has delivered a boost to comfort care at Wauchope District Memorial Hospital. The Hastings Cancer Trust has donated almost $7400 to the Palliative Care Unit while the fundraising efforts of the Beechwood Shamrocks Rugby League Football Club have helped purchase essential allied health equipment. The items will enhance the comfort of patients at […]
Birdon's General Manager Assets and Contracts Sarah Yuen, and Ferry Operations Manager John Gray, with Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon and CEO Scott Osman. Photo: supplied.
Birdon awarded contract to design, build, operate and maintain Daintree River Ferry
Birdon’s General Manager Assets and Contracts Sarah Yuen, and Ferry Operations Manager John Gray, with Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon and CEO Scott Osman. Photo: supplied. The Daintree River ferry to be built at Birdon’s Sancrox shipyard. Photo: supplied. PORT Macquarie maritime engineering company Birdon has signed a 20-year contract with Douglas Shire Council to […]
Variety Postie Bike Dash raising $400K for regional kids
Posties set off from the starting line at Nabiac. Photo: supplied. Nabiac Public School gets the first cheque of the ride. Photo: supplied. Huntingdon Public School gets a cheque for $4,400 on Day 2. Photo: supplied. Posties riding on dirt roads for children in need. Photo: supplied. NEARLY 100 riders set off on Sunday 2 […]
