April 11, 2026
Walkable towns help regional Australians exercise 75 minutes more each week The report shows walkability has a bigger impact on the amount of time spent walking in regional communities. Photo: David Guerrero/Pexels.
School

Walkable towns help regional Australians exercise 75 minutes more each week

AMID soaring fuel prices which are prompting Australians to explore alternative transport options, a new study highlights the health benefits of walkable neighbourhoods. New research shows that regional residents living in walkable towns and centres walk 75 minutes more each week, prompting calls for Governments to invest more in well-connected, safe footpaths to boost community […]

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Top marks for sports uniform proposal to boost students’ physical activity University of Newcastle’s Belinda Peden of HMRI’s Population Health Research program.
School

Top marks for sports uniform proposal to boost students’ physical activity

NEW research suggests most Australians support a simple change that could significantly boost children’s physical activity levels: letting students wear sports uniforms every day. The majority of young Australians are still not active enough, despite well-established evidence that regular physical activity improves children’s physical and mental health. Schools are seen as an important setting to […]

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Hastings Valley Fine Art Society Prize highlights creative hub Suzanne and David Edwards, Christina Unger, Michelle Randone, Kerry Fox and Chris Higginbotham.
Regional

Hastings Valley Fine Art Society Prize highlights creative hub

Carly Marchment won Best in Show. Photos: Pauline Cain. Deputy Mayor Nik Lipovac, Hastings Fine Art Society committee member Jill Cairns and judge Vivianne Hazenveld. Suzanne and David Edwards, Christina Unger, Michelle Randone, Kerry Fox and Chris Higginbotham. Artist Maddalena Piola with friend Suzi Nichols. Julie Mills with her artwork ‘Bonny’s Due North.’ Artist Kim […]

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Get to know Laurieton RSL sub-Branch president Allan ‘Buster’ Beatty Laurieton RSL sub-Branch president Allan ‘Buster’ Beatty. Photo: Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography.
Community

Get to know Laurieton RSL sub-Branch president Allan ‘Buster’ Beatty

WITH Anzac Day around the corner, News Of The Area gets to know Laurieton RSL sub-Branch president Allan ‘Buster’ Beatty. Buster, tell us about your journey to the Hastings region. My wife Sandie lived in Port Macquarie for most of her life before joining the Army. We met in Townsville in 1982 and spent many […]

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Community displays ongoing support for B2B shared pathway Committee President Penny Small addresses the community meeting.
Community

Community displays ongoing support for B2B shared pathway

THE Laurieton United Services Club was the venue for a lively community meeting held by the Beach to Beach Shared Pathway Committee on Tuesday, 31 March. More than 180 people joined Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer, Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts, Council General Manager Robert Fish, and Director of Community Infrastructure Ben Wood to […]

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High fuel prices drive ‘massive spike’ in e-bike sales More people are contemplating buying e-bikes, Bicycle Industries Australia members say. Photo: Darren England/AAP PHOTOS.
Local News

High fuel prices drive ‘massive spike’ in e-bike sales

ELECTRIC bike sales are surging as rising fuel costs push commuters to find a cheaper way to get around, industry figures say. While Australian e-bike sales have been climbing for years, retailers say recent fuel price pressures have sharply accelerated the trend. “We’ve seen a massive spike in interest in e-bikes in the last couple […]

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CCTV released in Port Macquarie assault investigation Police wish to speak with the occupants of this vehicle.
Local News

CCTV released in Port Macquarie assault investigation

DETECTIVES have released CCTV images of a vehicle as an investigation continues into a serious assault in Port Macquarie late last year. About 10.20pm on Wednesday 12 November 2025, emergency services were called to the corner of Buller and Hollingsworth Street, Port Macquarie, following reports of an assault. Inquiries revealed that a man was walking […]

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Donation speeds up lifesaving response at Camden Haven SLSC Members of Port Macquarie and Laurieton Rotary Clubs, and Camden Haven SLSC.
Local News

Donation speeds up lifesaving response at Camden Haven SLSC

A $4500 DONATION from the Rotary Clubs of Laurieton and Port Macquarie West has allowed new roller doors to be installed at Camden Haven Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), improving emergency response times. The Camden Haven SLSC has been serving the local community since 1956, with a record of zero drownings between the flags. Keeping […]

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