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 […]

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 […]
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 […]
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 […]

Businesses and farmers to ‘take matters into their own hands’ over flood relief
Member for Oxley Michael Kemp has spoken to hundreds of local farmers since the floods. Photos: supplied. MICHAEL Kemp fears as many as 95 percent of flood affected farmers and businesses in the Oxley electorate will struggle to stay in operation if the state doesn’t request a Category D declaration from the Federal Government. The […]

School music program hits the right note with Club North Haven support
CLUB North Haven has provided a significant financial boost to the music program at North Haven Public School. General Manager Tim Harris attended the school recently to present a cheque for $5000 on behalf of the club’s board of directors to students and band coordinator Mrs Skerritt. “It was great to see so many kids […]

Estimated thousands trapped in Australian farm slavery
A BACKPACKER hoping for a memorable working holiday on an Australian farm finds himself crammed into a house with 17 people, eating dry bread and deprived of sunshine and fresh air. After arriving on a visa from China, the young man had headed to a small town on the NSW coast in 2024 to pick […]

‘Can’t afford to hold our breath’: MPs angry at lack of Wrights Road funding in NSW Budget
THE MPs driving the campaign to fix traffic congestion at Wrights Road and the Oxley Highway in Port Macquarie, say they are “angry” and “disappointed” that Tuesday’s NSW Budget failed to deliver the funds needed to progress an upgrade. Member for Port Macquarie Rob Dwyer said while he welcomed confirmation of funding to commence the […]
Treasurer throws down gauntlet for ‘crucial’ tax reform
THE groundwork has been laid for Australia’s most substantive attempt at tax reform in more than two decades as the treasurer promises to “grasp the nettle” on the thorny issue. Outlining his government’s economic agenda for its second term of parliament, Jim Chalmers threw down the gauntlet to industry, media, civil society and the political […]

Junior surf life savers ride the wave to community service
Lillian Hosick, Leah Rumsby and Thomas Maxwell from Camden Haven Surf Life Saving Club. Photo: Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography. Leah Rumsby. Photo: Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography. Lillian Hosick. Photo: Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography. THREE junior members of Camden Haven Surf Life Saving Club (CHSLSC) were celebrated at the club’s annual Awards of Excellence held at Laurieton United Services Club on Friday, […]