August 22, 2025
Residents counting costs after ‘heartbreaking’ floods Floodwaters have destroyed Daniel Fitzgerald and his family's home in Taree for the second time. Photo: Sharon Revell.
Local News

Residents counting costs after ‘heartbreaking’ floods

DANIEL Fitzgerald slept in his car for five days, watching helplessly as floodwaters slowly destroyed everything inside his home for the second time. Deadly flooding has lashed parts of NSW, resulting in five deaths, damaging up to 10,000 properties and cutting off more than 50,000 people in regional towns. The deluge did not spare Mr […]

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Landslips close Oxley Highway at Mt Seaview in both directions Photos taken by the operators of the Ginger’s Creek Roadhouse, show the damage from one of last week’s landslips.
Community, Government, Regional

Landslips close Oxley Highway at Mt Seaview in both directions

THE Oxley Highway between Forbes River and Clay roads will remain closed until further notice because of landslips. More than 100 new landslips have been detected on this section of the highway since heavy rainfall over the past week. Engineers are urgently assessing damage and planning clean-up operations and long-term repairs. Transport for NSW (TfNSW) […]

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Tyrrell foster mum spared intimidation conviction William Tyrrell's foster mum has avoided conviction for intimidating and assaulting another child. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Tyrrell foster mum spared intimidation conviction

THE foster mother of missing toddler William Tyrrell has been spared conviction for intimidating and assaulting another child while mentally distressed over his disappearance. A magistrate in 2024 found her threats to slap the child on two occasions amounted to intimidation. The woman, who cannot be legally identified, had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts […]

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Police warn against looting in flood-stricken towns Police will "throw the book" at anyone found looting as NSW residents continue their flood recovery. Photo: Adam Oswell/AAP PHOTOS.
National

Police warn against looting in flood-stricken towns

POLICE are pouring resources into Australia’s flood-ravaged towns to prevent a breakdown in law and order after two men were arrested for alleged looting. NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell said extra officers were on the beat in NSW’s mid-north coast and Hunter regions after the men, both aged 20, were arrested for allegedly stealing […]

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Scamming behaviour tipped to spike following natural disaster Authorities are warning that scammers may attempt to exploit the recent natural disaster through fake fundraising appeals. Photo: NSW SES.
Community, Regional

Scamming behaviour tipped to spike following natural disaster

PREDATORY scammer activity is predicted to skyrocket in the wake of the recent rains and flood disasters. In the aftermath of severe flooding, the State Government is urging people to remain vigilant when donating to recovery efforts. As communities recover and rebuild, authorities are warning that scammers may attempt to exploit the situation through fake […]

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Koalas ‘safe’ as hospital’s tree giveaway continues Soggy but safe, and eager for more locals to take advantage of the koala tree giveaway.
Community, Regional

Koalas ‘safe’ as hospital’s tree giveaway continues

ALL the furry residents of the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and Guulabaa Visitor Centre are safe after last week’s deluge. “Despite the extreme weather, our dedicated koala care team has been onsite every day to ensure they’re protected, well-fed with fresh leaves, and closely monitored,” a spokesperson from Koala Conservation Australia told News Of The […]

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Over 100 call-outs but SES says Camden Haven ‘dodged a bullet’ Camden Haven SES responding to extreme weather call-outs. Photos: SES.
Local News

Over 100 call-outs but SES says Camden Haven ‘dodged a bullet’

Camden Haven SES responding to extreme weather call-outs. Photos: SES. Camden Haven SES responding to extreme weather call-outs. Photos: SES. A rare break for the unit’s volunteers. THE Camden Haven branch of the SES responded to over 100 calls for help during the recent extreme weather. This came just 48 hours after the entire unit […]

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Heart of the Haven: Anissa Hilton
Community

Heart of the Haven: Anissa Hilton

AFTER moving to Camden Haven from Orange in 1998 and serving the local community at the Commonwealth Bank Branch in Laurieton for the past 23 years, Anissa Hilton began a journey in martial arts that has since grown into a passion and a purpose. What started in 2011 as a mum watching her daughter train […]

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CSU awards more than $300k in scholarships to Hastings students Vice Chancellor Renée Leon PSM presents the Inland Digital Scholarship to Maverick Fardell. Photo: supplied.
Local News

CSU awards more than $300k in scholarships to Hastings students

FIFTY-SEVEN students from the Port Macquarie-Hastings region will receive financial support through the Charles Sturt Foundation Trust this year. The total value of the scholarships is $335,926. The amount is part of the $3m awarded to students across all six CSU campuses. Recipients in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region were the first to be presented with […]

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Bonny Hills father and son rolling-up to one of Australia’s fastest growing sports Jake Everden joins his father Scott on the basketball court. Photo: Sue Stephenson.
Regional

Bonny Hills father and son rolling-up to one of Australia’s fastest growing sports

Jake Everden joins his father Scott on the basketball court. Photo: Sue Stephenson. The Rollers lost to the Coffs Stingrays but won against Newcastle in Round 11. Photos: Sue Stephenson. The Rollers lost to the Coffs Stingrays but won against Newcastle in Round 11. Photos: Sue Stephenson. Hub leader Meredith Evans with four-time Paralympian Gerry […]

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