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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

John Drinan AM on duty at the recent Bonny Hills Art Prize. Photo: Sue Stephenson. Centenarian Marjorie Cameron OAM with News Of The Area’s Chantelle Ansell. Childhood educator and former director Karen McKay OAM. Photo: Semann & Slattery. THE leading lights of the Camden Haven have shone brightly in the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours. The […]

NO cup of tea or coffee is complete at this time of year without an Anzac Biscuit – or three. Birdon made sure they didn’t run short last Tuesday, when 300 were on offer for staff at its Port Macquarie headquarters. It was part of a company-wide morning tea to honour Australian Defence Force (ADF) […]

Sir William Lyne, the man who could have been Australia’s first Prime Minister. Photo: National Library of Australia. Headlines from the federal election of 1975, in which an Independent candidate was seen as a genuine threat. Photo: Port Macquarie Museum. Queuing in Laurieton to avoid the queues on Election Day. Photo: Chantelle Ansell. Queuing in […]

CANDIDATES from across the political spectrum have complained of campaign signs being damaged and defaced during a tense campaign for the seat of Lyne. Earlier this month, Libertarian candidate Mark Hornshaw told NOTA his campaign banner on the Pacific Highway at Herons Creek had been vandalised. The banner featured images of Mr Hornshaw and Libertarian […]