_Port Macquarie Archives - Page 7 of 64 - Port Macquarie News Of The Area

Health

PBS prescription costs to drop to $25 from 1 January under Federal legislation

NEW Federal Government legislation reduces the cost of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriptions from 1 January. Under the changes, the maximum PBS co-payment falls to $25, down from $31.60, easing pressure on household budgets. The legislation follows advocacy from more than 20 health and community organisations, including the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Patients Australia, Asthma […]

Regional

Chamber calls for ‘decisive action’ on timber industry

THE Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce has called on the Premier to “take decisive action” and uphold the NSW Government’s pre-election commitment to support the timber industry while developing the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). In September, the NSW Government announced the proposed boundaries of the GKNP, extending from Kempsey to Grafton, along with a […]

Regional

Last stop Timbertown: historic park to close after 50 years

Visitors pose at the well recognised entrance of Timbertown. Photos: Timbertown, FB. Fun times by visitors over the years. Showcasing timber work at the park. Friendly residents of the park. The Iconic steam train. TIMBERTOWN Heritage Park will close permanently on 28 January 2026, bringing to an end more than 50 years of operation – […]

Local News

Christmas under the stars: The sky that started a story

EVERY year, as the festive season picks up speed, the night sky quietly rolls out its own holiday display- no tinsel, no blinking bulbs, just a crisp dome of stars performing the same cosmic pageant they’ve been staging for thousands of years. And woven into that ancient canvas is a tale as old as Christmas […]

Regional

Christmas symbols and decorations steeped in ancient history

HAVE you ever wondered why we decorate cone-bearing trees, eat turkey and ham, light candles, pull bonbons, hang Christmas stockings, decorate homes, make wreaths and credit Santa with delivering presents via flying reindeer? Most of us know that many Christmas traditions from the Northern Hemisphere sailed south with immigrants. But many so-called Christmas traditions originated […]

Local News

Port Macquarie war veteran Alfred Roy Boyle celebrates his 102nd birthday

Alfred celebrating his birthday on Tuesday. Alfred celebrating his birthday on Tuesday. Alfred was surrounded by family and friends on his birthday. Alfred was surrounded by family and friends on his birthday. Alfred was surrounded by family and friends on his birthday. A young Alfred, a proud soldier. ALFRED Roy Boyle celebrated his 102 birthday […]

Port Macquarie

Public forum rules updated under new state meeting code

PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council has unanimously adopted a new set of public forum rules, bringing its meeting procedures into line with updated State Government requirements. The decision was made at last week’s council meeting following a public exhibition process and the release of a new Model Code of Meeting Practice by the Office of Local Government […]

Local News

In dark times, one Shelly Beach local is spreading love, kindness and connection

Rick Thomson-Jones with his Christmas installation at Shelly Beach this week. Photo: Matt Taylor. Rick’s letter of love and hope to the community. AT a time of national grief following the Bondi tragedy, a simple message at Shelly Beach is helping locals pause, reflect and reconnect. That message comes courtesy of Rick Thomson-Jones, a much-loved […]

Port Macquarie

Major change to gas connection fees

THE Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) will require newly connecting retail gas customers to pay the upfront cost of their connection, often more than $2000, moving away from the old system where these costs were often shared across all customers. The recent final determination responds to a rule change request from Energy Consumers Australia and […]

Local News

Festive fishing: The region delivers the goods

IF you’ve been wetting a line this holiday season, you’ve likely been rewarded with bent rods and full eskies. The festive period has kicked off with a resounding success in our local river systems, ensuring plenty of fresh seafood has made its way onto Christmas tables. In the Hastings River, the mud crab scene is […]