August 21, 2025
Heartbeat of the Hastings: Lyn Murphy Lyn Murphy.
Local News

Heartbeat of the Hastings: Lyn Murphy

LYN Murphy is one of those people whose presence makes you feel calm, inspired and hopeful all at once. From a young age, Lyn had a deep sense of compassion. She began fundraising at school, drawn to helping others and making a difference. That sense of community never left her. Over the years, Lyn has […]

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Farm flood damage trickling through to grocery checkout Blueberry prices are expected to remain high with recent flooding destroying Australian crops. Photo: Frank Redward/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Farm flood damage trickling through to grocery checkout

EYE-WATERING prices for blueberries are set to continue but shoppers will be mostly protected elsewhere from recent widespread farm flooding. Extensive rainfall and floods across northern NSW in May left thousands of farmers with crop and cattle losses. About one in four blueberries will not make the shelves this season due to the floods as […]

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4YP ‘Smiley Bus’ rolls into town with Youth Support on board Paul and Amy are ready for chats, games and a feed by the smiley bus. Photo: supplied.
Community

4YP ‘Smiley Bus’ rolls into town with Youth Support on board

Paul and Amy are ready for chats, games and a feed by the smiley bus. Photo: supplied. Social worker and co-founder of 4YP Paul Condon. Photo: supplied. Amy Trotter is all smiles for the youth program. Photo: supplied. LOCAL teenagers across the Hastings region are finding a new source of connection, support, and fun, all […]

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Kendall Public School community celebrates NAIDOC Week CHHS students Eva and Zahli with Flynn and Ayla from KPS enjoying the rock art activity. Photo: Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography.
Regional

Kendall Public School community celebrates NAIDOC Week

CHHS students Eva and Zahli with Flynn and Ayla from KPS enjoying the rock art activity. Photo: Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography. KPS school parliament prime ministers Braxton and Ava address the whole-school assembly. Photo: Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography. CHHS student Kitty Miller offers a cultural performance. Photo: Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography. Yindi White delivering an Acknowledgement of Country during the NAIDOC […]

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Local wins and missed opportunities in State Budget Port Macquarie MP Rob Dwyer (right) with Health Minister Ryan Park after this week’s State Budget. Photo: supplied.
Regional

Local wins and missed opportunities in State Budget

THE 2025-2026 State Budget failed to deliver for the Oxley Highway in Port Macquarie, but MP Rob Dwyer has welcomed the funding of other local projects. “I was very pleased to see $5m in this year’s budget towards the commencement of the massive upgrade of Port Macquarie Base Hospital,” Mr Dwyer said. “[Additionally] residents in […]

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Leadership competition invites young leaders to life-changing Power Trip in Canberra 2024 Power Trip winners from rural, regional, and remote Australia at Parliament House.
Government

Leadership competition invites young leaders to life-changing Power Trip in Canberra

YOUNG rural women and non-binary students in Years 10 to 12 from across Australia will have the opportunity to win a once-in-a-lifetime ‘Power Trip’ to the nation’s capital. Country to Canberra’s (C2C) prestigious Leadership Competition launched on Monday, opening the door for young rural leaders to embark on a four-day leadership experience designed to help […]

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Veterans given free vehicle access to National Parks A family runs towards the sea at Booti Booti National Park, where park entry fees for motor vehicles apply. Photo: John Spencer/DPIE.
Regional

Veterans given free vehicle access to National Parks

THE Minns Government is extending free vehicle access to National Parks to all Commonwealth Veteran Card holders. Park entry fees for motor vehicles apply at 45 of NSW’s 895 national parks and reserves. A 2025-26 budget measure will enable veterans from around Australia to apply for a pass to enter for free. The pass is […]

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NSW residents urged to purchase firewood collection authorisations this winter
Local News

NSW residents urged to purchase firewood collection authorisations this winter

FORESTRY Corporation is reminding residents to purchase firewood authorisations before collecting wood from State forests. Recent updates have been made to Forestry Corporation’s online firewood permit page. The conditions for firewood collection have also been updated and should be understood prior to entering State forests. The system now distinguishes some locations between pine and native […]

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Support available for farmers after floods The Local Land Services team is available to support landholders impacted by the recent floods
Government

Support available for farmers after floods

LOCAL Land Services (LLS) is encouraging landholders impacted by the recent floods to access the support, services and advice available to help them recover. Andrew Mulligan, Recovery Coordinator for LLS, said recovery is a process, but landholders don’t have to face it alone. “Our team of experts is on hand to assist with advice on […]

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