A FUNDRAISER has been launched to repatriate the bodies of the two men who drowned in the Never Never River near Bellingen on Sunday. Launched on GoFundMe by Sunita Kalkal of Melton West in Victoria, the stated aim is to cover the cost of repatriation to India and funeral expenses, and to support family members […]

Colton Craig on stage with the Australian Ballet School. Photo: The Australian Ballet. Colton dancing with PMPA as a 9 year old. Photo: supplied. Colton’s first eisteddfod solo at age five at the Port Macquarie Eisteddfod where he won the baby dance championship. Photo: supplied. COLTON Craig, recipient of a NSW Ballet Society Scholarship for […]

NEW research, real-time tracking and expanded drone surveillance lead a $4.2 million NSW Government initiative to keep people safer in the water this summer. The investment follows an unprecedented number of attacks in recent weeks and the need for better education and community messaging on shark behaviour – particularly before and after weather events. Surf […]

AS families across the Mid North Coast prepare for the return to school, new research has revealed the growing pressure many households face simply trying to meet the basic costs of education. The latest Pulse Survey of families supported by The Smith Family shows that more than four out of five parents and carers are […]

FOR the first time in more than two decades, foster and kinship carers across NSW have received a 20 percent increase to their care allowance. The increase aims to ease cost-of-living pressures and strengthen support for vulnerable children in out-of-home care. The tax-free increase took effect from 1 January 2026 and applies to authorised carers […]

LANA Cooper has a wide range of options to consider after receiving her Higher School Certificate results, with her performance opening pathways she had not anticipated. The Wauchope High School vice-captain achieved an ATAR of 91.4, a result that exceeded her expectations and significantly broadened her post-school opportunities. Lana was also named on the Distinguished […]

PRIMARY producers across NSW will operate under tighter firearm regulations following new legislation. The State Government emphasises that the reforms recognise the legitimate needs of farmers while strengthening community safety. The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 passed the NSW Parliament on Wednesday 24 December in response to the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi […]

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 […]

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 – […]

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 […]