NSW POLICE are appealing for public assistance to help locate 16-year-old Shantana Cowan, who has been reported missing from the Mid North Coast. Shantana was last seen in the West Kempsey area on Sunday, 25 May 2025. When she could not be located or contacted, officers from the Mid North Coast Police District were notified […]

Making a Difference with free coffee, food and conversation in Wauchope
Suzanne Strauh, Julie Bruce, Cathie Pilgrim, Karen Green, Helen Bicket, Lyn Ward and Judy Crick. Photo: Pauline Cain. Julie making coffee. Photo: Pauline Cain. EACH Monday at the Wauchope Country Club, a team of volunteers prepares and serves a hot meal for those in need. Make a Difference (M.A.D), a not-for-profit charity based in Port […]
Flying fox saved from fishing line in dramatic Lake Cathie rescue
A MORNING dog walk turned into a wildlife emergency on Friday 27 June, when a local spotted a distressed flying fox suspended from a tree near the Lake Cathie foreshore. It was entangled in a fishing line with a hook lodged through its mouth and nose. The witness quickly called Wildlife Rescue. A concerned FAWNA […]

Roadblocks abound en route to decarbonisation of Australia’s freight industry
Transport engineering expert, Dr Elnaz Irannezhad from UNSW’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The freight industry is under growing pressure as it struggles to align with Australia’s sustainability targets. Photo: NSW Government. FREIGHT is critical to Australia’s economy but a University of NSW (UON) expert is warning the industry is falling behind on the […]
Samaritan’s Purse clocks up 9000 hours of hands-on help for flood-hit Mid North Coast communities
Ray Vasukinausori, Tarai Kubukawa and Semi Kubunavanua rolled up their sleeves to help rebuild lives and communities. Photo: supplied. Ray Vasukinausori and Tarai Kubukawa install new windows as they rebuild homes one frame at a time. Photo: supplied. SAMARITAN’S Purse officially wrapped-up more than 9000 hours of hands-on flood disaster response, on Tuesday 1 July. […]
Mid North Coast finalists named in Emergency Services Awards
FIVE Mid North Coast rescuers have been named as finalists in the 2025 NSW Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA), honouring their outstanding service and commitment to community safety. Announced by Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib at a special event at Parliament House, the awards recognise 28 finalists across NSW. The local finalists are: […]
Local encouraged to tune-up as Australian Idol recruits in Port Macquarie for the first time
CHECK the mics and tune up the vocal chords – Australian Idol wants to hear from you. The much-loved reality singing TV show has been uncovering some of the country’s most formidable musical geniuses since 2003 and, for the first time ever, Channel 7 wants to hear the incredible talent this region has to offer. […]
Mayor joins MPs in urging State Government to prioritise Oxley Highway upgrade
Traffic going around in circles at Wrights Road roundabout: Photo: Lindsay Moller. Bumper-to-bumper traffic on Oxley Highway. Photo: Lindsay Moller. Oxley MP Michael Kemp and Port Macquarie MP Rob Dwyer, discuss the push to prioritise the highway’s upgrade with Mayor Adam Roberts. Photo: supplied. PORT Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts has joined the renewed push for […]

Local clubs fundraising to help dairy farmers’ flood recovery
A GRASSROOTS fundraising campaign to support local dairy farmers devastated by recent floods, was launched on Monday 30 June by Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer. “The recent severe flooding has had a devastating impact on our local communities, including the dairy farmers in the Manning and Hastings region,” he said. “These hardworking families are […]
‘We won’t be forgotten’: Kempsey rally calls out flood recovery delays
FLOOD-AFFECTED communities of the Mid North Coast came together to rally for Category D disaster funding at Kempsey Racecourse on Sunday 29 June. Residents, farmers and business owners united in a call for urgent recovery support, including increased flood relief payments for primary producers from $25,000 to the maximum $75,000. A free community BBQ, provided […]