THE NSW Food Authority says consumers can feel confident enjoying locally grown berries, with NSW Government laboratory testing confirming they meet food safety standards for pesticide residues. Twenty-five kilograms of blueberries and raspberries, representing 100 samples of 250 grams each, were purchased from a range of Sydney retail stores in November 2025. They were tested […]
Petrol
Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services CEO Kelly Lamb, Dr Kristy Kostalas from Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic and Regional Australia Bank Chief Risk Officer Les Bailey. Photo: Atlantis Creative.
Community generosity drives record result at Port Macquarie ToxTails fundraiser
Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services CEO Kelly Lamb, Dr Kristy Kostalas from Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic and Regional Australia Bank Chief Risk Officer Les Bailey. Photo: Atlantis Creative. Dancers entertain the crowd at the fundraiser. Photo: Atlantis Creative. THE Hastings community has again given generously in support of Liberty Domestic and Family Violence […]
Letter to the Editor: Where are the consumer watchdogs?
DEAR News Of The Area, WAR breaks out in the Middle East and immediately fuel prices in Australia jump. Within two weeks they rise by more than 50c per litre. Why? A Government spokesman states that we have 30 days supply on hand, so for this fortnight we are purchasing fuel at the bowser that […]
Dashcam shows the moment the B-double’s rear wheels lifted off the pavement. Photo: supplied to @PortMacquarieOnScene.
B-double accident adds to Oxley Highway chaos
Dashcam shows the moment the B-double’s rear wheels lifted off the pavement. Photo: supplied to @PortMacquarieOnScene. The B-double tipped on its side at the John Oxley Drive and Oxley Highway roundabout. Photos: supplied by @PortMacquarieOnScene. The B-double tipped on its side at the John Oxley Drive and Oxley Highway roundabout. Photos: supplied by @PortMacquarieOnScene. The […]
Fuel has been running short in regional areas, prompting calls for supply to be rationed in cities. Photo: Jay Kogler/AAP PHOTOS.
Fuel stockpile topped up as minister says supply secure
AUSTRALIA has stockpiled billions of litres of fuel – more than a month’s supply – as frustrated motorists grapple with rising petrol prices and an explosion in demand. The country is “as prepared as possible” with 1.6 billion litres of petrol or 37 days’ supply, Energy Minister Chris Bowen told reporters on Saturday. The stockpile […]
Essential Grants applications closing soon
CHARITIES, community groups and not‑for‑profit organisations delivering community‑led projects across Essential Energy’s network area are encouraged to submit their applications for the 2026 Essential Grants program before the end of March. The program is offering grants of up to $15,000 to help eligible organisations bring their initiatives to life and deliver real benefits for people, […]
St Columba Anglican School students share perspectives to a full house at the Technology Summit. Photo: Sis Higgins.
Mid North Coast students and experts discuss AI and the future of the workforce
AROUND 150 business leaders, industry representatives and technology practitioners from across the Mid North Coast attended a “Future of Business – Technology Summit” in Port Macquarie on Tuesday, 17 March. Hosted by Business NSW at Panthers Port Macquarie, the summit’s primary focus was how artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies are reshaping education, healthcare and […]
Farmers share insights on mental health realities in the bush
RURAL Aid has released the third annual Pulse of the Paddock farmer survey report, offering a candid snapshot of how Australian farmers are navigating mental health, uncertainty and the realities of life on the land. Based on the experiences of nearly 1,400 farmers surveyed during October and November 2025, Rural Aid says the report shows […]
Letter to the Editor: Why fear campaigns work
DEAR News Of The Area, I FIND it hard to find sensible discussion about migration coming from the opposition. Instead they seek to politicise the issue and turn it into a fear campaign. Fear campaigns work because they do not require facts, merely a grievance, and appeal to our natural desire for simple solutions to […]
