March 21, 2026
Record remand numbers drive growth in NSW prison population
Camden Haven

Record remand numbers drive growth in NSW prison population

NEW data released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) shows the state’s prison population reached 13,133 in December 2025, an increase of 8.5 percent (1,026 people) over the past two years. The growth has been driven by a sharp rise in the number of people held on remand. Between December 2023 […]

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Hastings stargazers prepare for incoming blood moon On Tuesday night, 3 March, the Moon will begin to change.
Community

Hastings stargazers prepare for incoming blood moon

ON a warm late summer evening, with cicadas humming and the day’s heat still in the air, something remarkable will unfold above Australia. On Tuesday night, 3 March, the Moon will begin to change. Slowly. Quietly. And then it will turn red. This will be a total lunar eclipse – a blood moon. For just […]

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30 years of karate education in Kew Some of Mid North Coast Karate black belts: Sempai Isla Wilkinson, Sempai Jackson Smith, Sempai Troy Phillipson-Nichols, Sempai Anick Beaumont, Sempai Jade Hilton, Sempai Eric Millgate, Sempai Patrick Fisher, Sempai Kellie Eggins, Sempai Phil Vercoe, Sempai Indi Cook, Sempai Isaac Salmon, Sempai Sean Butcher with Instructors Sensei Shaun Budai and Sensei Anissa Hilton.
Community

30 years of karate education in Kew

Some of Mid North Coast Karate black belts: Sempai Isla Wilkinson, Sempai Jackson Smith, Sempai Troy Phillipson-Nichols, Sempai Anick Beaumont, Sempai Jade Hilton, Sempai Eric Millgate, Sempai Patrick Fisher, Sempai Kellie Eggins, Sempai Phil Vercoe, Sempai Indi Cook, Sempai Isaac Salmon, Sempai Sean Butcher with Instructors Sensei Shaun Budai and Sensei Anissa Hilton. A newspaper […]

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Rural residents urged to report connectivity issues
Local News

Rural residents urged to report connectivity issues

FED up farmers and families facing poor regional, rural and remote mobile services are being encouraged to “keep complaining”. The latest report from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) revealed an increase in complaints in NSW, with almost a quarter coming from regional areas. A total of 4,285 complaints were made by people in NSW, up […]

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90-year-old Kindee Bridge gets a much needed restoration
Local News

90-year-old Kindee Bridge gets a much needed restoration

PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council will strengthen the ageing Kindee Bridge, restoring it to a 10-tonne load limit and extending its operational life by an estimated 10 to 20 years. Community members received the update at a recent meeting attended by Member for Oxley Michael Kemp, Federal Member for Lyne Alison Penfold, Mayor of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council […]

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CWA’s Land Cookery competition celebrates 75 years CWA members at the Mid North Coast Group Land Cookery competition: (l-r) Joy Pengilly, Rhonda Merchant, Lexie Burton, Denise Hawdon, Barbara Reichert and judge Ellice Schrader. Photo: Pauline Cain.
Regional

CWA’s Land Cookery competition celebrates 75 years

LAND Cookery, a Country Women’s Association competition, is celebrating its 75th year. Ahead of the CWA state conference in Forster in May, the Wauchope branch hosted the Mid North Coast Group’s Land Cookery and Friendship Day at Wauchope RSL Club on Thursday 19 February. It was attended by 52 members from 11 branches, spanning Gloucester […]

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Arts Mid North Coast back NSW Government’s plan for regional creativity Warren Mason performing at Tin Camp Studio at Lightning Ridge. Photo Outback Outloud Rainy King.
Local News

Arts Mid North Coast back NSW Government’s plan for regional creativity

ARTS Mid North Coast (AMNC) has welcomed the NSW Government’s launch of “Heartland: A Plan for Regional NSW Arts, Culture and Creative Industries 2026–2035”, backed by a $5.2 million investment aimed at strengthening arts, culture and creative industries across regional NSW. AMNC is the Regional Arts Development Organisation (RADO) and peak body for arts and […]

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Dunbogan’s Bruce de Graaf cracks 700 blood donations
Community, Health

Dunbogan’s Bruce de Graaf cracks 700 blood donations

Bruce de Graaf making his 700th donation. Bruce de Graaf and Port Macquarie MP Rob Dwyer. DUNBOGAN’S Bruce de Graaf celebrated his 700th donation at Lifeblood Port Macquarie on Friday, 20 February.  He now holds the record for the most blood/plasma donations in the Port Macquarie region and is one of the top ten donors […]

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Mid North Coast Girl Guides unite for Thinking Day Celebrating Thinking Day at Bruce Porter Reserve.
Community

Mid North Coast Girl Guides unite for Thinking Day

Celebrating Thinking Day at Bruce Porter Reserve. Girl Guides Alexia Herr, Danielle Steele and Ashley Baxter. BRUCE Porter Reserve in Laurieton sprung to life on Sunday 22 February as Girl Guides from Port Macquarie, Forster, Wauchope and Camden Haven came together to celebrate the centenary of Thinking Day.  Joined by family members and volunteers, the […]

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Rotary Club of Laurieton backs bright futures through robotics support Rotarian John Saunders, CHHS student Cooper Boese, CHHS student Gemma Fowler, Rotarian Jennifer Peters, CHHS Head of Mathematics James Langley and CHHS student Jazz Jones. Photo: Rotary.
Community, School

Rotary Club of Laurieton backs bright futures through robotics support

THE Rotary Club of Laurieton has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to local youth, continuing more than a decade of support for the Camden Haven High School (CHHS) Robotics Team. The partnership began in 2014 under the presidency of John Saunders, when a $4,000 grant funded the introduction of robotics at the school. What started as […]

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