PORT Macquarie–based maritime engineering company Birdon has secured a $125 million contract to design and build a new fleet of Amphibious Vehicles – Logistics (AV-L) for the Australian Army. The contract covers the construction of one prototype and 15 production vehicles, which will replace the Army’s ageing Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo vehicle (LARC-V). The new […]

A RARE white humpback whale sighting off the Mid North Coast has prompted wildlife authorities to urge the public to report any further sightings immediately and to strictly observe exclusion zones. The whale was sighted off Little Nobby near Crescent Head approximately 5pm on Saturday 10 January, drawing the attention of marine scientists and conservation […]

PALLIATIVE Care Australia (PCA), the peak body for palliative care in Australia, has suggested ideas on how to relieve “bed block” in public hospitals in its 2026 Federal Budget submission. PCA CEO Camilla Rowland said palliative care is a practical, compassionate way to free up hospital beds while giving people the care they need at […]

COMMUNITY at 3 Inc. Chairman Theo Hazelgrove has thanked the local community for its remarkable support of people doing it tough over the Christmas period. In the two weeks leading up to Christmas, Community at 3 assisted 164 people, providing food, support and connection at a time when many experienced heightened isolation and hardship. One […]

St Columba Anglican School delivered a bus load of gifts to Liberty. Lewis Land donated gifts, including vouchers and toys, for women and children supported by Liberty. Miss Motivator Women’s Workouts collected vouchers to empower women during the festive season. Photos: supplied. FOR women and children experiencing domestic and family violence, the holiday period often […]

THE NSW Ageing and Disability Commission (ADC), in partnership with the University of NSW Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), has released a report highlighting the pervasive and complex issue of neglect affecting older people and adults with disability across NSW. Funding was provided by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. The ADC is responsible […]

Dr Nandini Subbiah with Dr John Kramer. Photo: supplied. 2025 Rural Medical Service Award recipients with Drs Schuetz and Kramer. Photo: supplied. HUSBAND and wife team Dr Brenton Schuetz and Dr Nandini Subbiah have received NSW Rural Medical Service Awards for more than 35 years of work in rural communities. They were among seven General […]

  Pasture dieback can start in small patches. Photo: DPI.   Pasture dieback can start in small patches. Photo: DPI.   THE region’s producers are being urged to report any sign of pasture dieback this Summer to the Department of Primary Industries, following detections in the North Coast and Hunter. Pasture dieback is a destructive […]

The Point Plomer campground in Limeburners Creek National Park. Photo: NPWS. Kayaking in the Barrington River. Photo: NPWS. WITH temperatures high and visitors flocking to the region’s stunning beaches, rivers, and waterholes, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is urging everyone to stay vigilant and safe. National parks offer countless opportunities for swimming, fishing, […]

THE NSW Government has completed its first comprehensive statewide koala survey. It says it provides the most accurate picture to date of where koalas live and how populations are distributed across the state. Using new tools such as heat-detecting drones and acoustic recorders, scientists surveyed more than 1,000 locations across national parks, state forests and […]