December 7, 2025
Reform urged as native animals face deadly spring An estimated 10 million native animals are killed on Australian roads every year. Photo: Leanda Connor.
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Reform urged as native animals face deadly spring

KOALA Azaliah and her joey Zali were hit by a car not long after 40 eucalyptus trees in their home were destroyed. Mother and baby recovered after intensive care at Northern Rivers Koala Hospital in Lismore, NSW, and were released back into the wild in October. But another joey, Guinevere, was not so fortunate, dying […]

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Glasshouse launches education program for 2026 Bec Washington and Bridget Purtill launched next year’s education program.
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Glasshouse launches education program for 2026

  Bec Washington and Bridget Purtill launched next year’s education program.   Teachers from across the region attended the launch event.   GLASSHOUSE Port Macquarie has launched its 2026 Education Program. Designed to ignite creativity in students from pre-school through to Year 12, “Education@Glasshouse” engages more than 7000 young people each year from across the […]

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Gurmesh Singh wins NSW Nationals leadership after shock Saunders exit Newly elected NSW Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh addresses the media.
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Gurmesh Singh wins NSW Nationals leadership after shock Saunders exit

COFFS HARBOUR MP Gurmesh Singh has been elected as the new leader of the NSW Nationals, following the shock resignation of Dugald Saunders earlier this week. It is the latest promotion for Mr Singh, a former macadamia and blueberry farmer from Woolgoolga, who was named Deputy Leader of the NSW National Party in June 2024. […]

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Guulabaa’s Big Koala features on new Monopoly board Port Macquarie MP Rob Dwyer, Hello Koalas founder Margret Maher, Deputy Mayor Nik Lipovac, and ‘Big Koala’ artist Pauline Roods unveiling the ‘Big Things Edition’.
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Guulabaa’s Big Koala features on new Monopoly board

Port Macquarie MP Rob Dwyer, Hello Koalas founder Margret Maher, Deputy Mayor Nik Lipovac, and ‘Big Koala’ artist Pauline Roods unveiling the ‘Big Things Edition’. The new Monopoly board features The Big Koala in the centre. The game’s inspiration at Guulabaa, west of Port Macquarie. PORT Macquarie’s Big Koala has made the cover of Monopoly’s […]

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Camden Haven Chamber strengthens local focus following AGM President Luke Hadfield and Vice President Terry Mulligan.
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Camden Haven Chamber strengthens local focus following AGM

THE Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce has reaffirmed its commitment to “representing the full spectrum of the region’s business community” following its recent Annual General Meeting (AGM). President Luke Hadfield reflected on the Chamber’s progress over the past twelve months at the AGM, highlighting renewed stability, stronger advocacy, and a more inclusive focus across all […]

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Feedback sought on body-worn camera trial at Port Macquarie hospital
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Feedback sought on body-worn camera trial at Port Macquarie hospital

A CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY (CSU) research team is inviting feedback from visitors and patients on their perceptions of body-worn cameras (BWC) worn by security staff at Port Macquarie hospital. Chief Investigator for the independent evaluation project, Dr Amanda Davies from the Charles Sturt School of Policing Studies, leads the team of researchers. Dr Davies has […]

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Lake Cathie closes to the ocean; recreational activities still encouraged An opening will typically occur when water levels rise due to rainfall, while closures happen as sand accumulates - creating a berm which acts as a natural seal between the lake and ocean.
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Lake Cathie closes to the ocean; recreational activities still encouraged

LAKE CATHIE has closed to the ocean, however Port Macquarie-Hastings Council says conditions remain “ripe for recreation”. Excessive sand movement and dry conditions have caused the sand berm to close the entrance to the ocean, after more than 15 months of favourable weather conditions allowing it to remain open, according to Council. This is a […]

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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.
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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 […]

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Funding windfall for community organisations in Wauchope and Laurieton Community organisations receiving the funding at the Wauchope Country Club.
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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 […]

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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.
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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 […]

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