The Stone family: Brooke Rayner-Stone (and son Hugo), Blake, Mark and Danena. Photo: supplied. Billabong Zoo Koala Keeper Kelsie Redman was named ‘Employee of the Year’ Photo: supplied. PORT Macquarie’s Billabong Zoo achieved outstanding recognition at the 2025 Mid North Coast Regional Business Awards on Friday night, taking out four major categories and receiving a […]
Funding windfall for community organisations in Wauchope and Laurieton
REGIONAL Australia Bank has returned more than $98,000 to local organisations across Wauchope and Laurieton through its Community Partnership Program (CPP), celebrated at an event at Wauchope Country Club earlier this month. The CPP encourages bank members to nominate a local organisation they care about, and each year the bank donates a share of its […]
Four wins for Billabong Zoo at Mid North Coast Regional Business Awards
The Stone family: Brooke Rayner-Stone (and son Hugo), Blake, Mark and Danena. Photo: supplied. Billabong Zoo Koala Keeper Kelsie Redman was named ‘Employee of the Year’ Photo: supplied. PORT Macquarie’s Billabong Zoo achieved outstanding recognition at the 2025 Mid North Coast Regional Business Awards on Friday night, taking out four major categories and receiving a […]
VALE Lisle Crossing
LISLE Crossing was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand on 28 February 1928. In 1934, he came to Australia with his family, settling first in Newcastle before later moving to Sydney. Lisle attended Sydney Technical High and his first job was as an industrial chemist for Peter’s Ice Cream. Over the years, he tried his […]
Road trauma survivors Jody and Myka join koala breeding program
Jody and Myka being reunited after their road trauma. Photo: Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. Mother and joey are now healthy and happy and a part of the Wild Koala Breeding Program. Photos: KCA. Mother and joey are now healthy and happy and a part of the Wild Koala Breeding Program. Photos: KCA. Mother and joey […]

Councillor Nik Lipovac parts ways with Liberal Party
PORT Macquarie-Hastings councillor Nik Lipovac has confirmed he is no longer a member of the Liberal Party, announcing he will once again serve as an Independent. “I’ve decided not to renew my Liberal Party membership,” Mr Lipovac said. “Frankly, I’m too progressive and my views don’t necessarily align with just one political party.” While a […]
Landcare heroes making a difference at Queens Lake
A DEDICATED team of local volunteers is quietly transforming the Queens Lake foreshore, working each week to restore native bushland and protect the unique ecology of the area. Operating under the umbrella of Port Macquarie Landcare, the Queens Lake group meets every Tuesday morning for three hours, tending to an expansive patch of bushland along […]
Contract awarded for koala hospital redevelopment
CONSTRUCTION firm AW Edwards has been awarded the contract to undertake the redevelopment of the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. The project will transform the hospital into a wildlife rehabilitation, research, and education centre, supporting Koala Conservation Australia’s mission to conserve koalas and their habitats for future generations. A W Edwards was selected to undertake the […]
Celebrating excellence in Mid North Coast surf lifesaving
SURF lifesavers on the Mid North Coast came together to celebrate the achievements of clubs and their members over the 2024/25 season on Saturday night. One-hundred volunteer lifesavers, sponsors and special guests attended the annual Newcastle Permanent Awards of Excellence for Surf Life Saving Mid North Coast (SLCMNC) at the South West Rocks SLSC. Represented […]

Chronic pain research project starts across the North Coast
RESEARCHERS at the University Centre for Northern Rivers (UCRH) spent two days training 20 local physiotherapists to deliver integrated care treatments for people suffering from hip and knee pain, osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. The training marks the first step in a four year research project that will run in the physiotherapy departments of […]