HASTINGS Neighbourhood Services has launched its annual Christmas appeal. Last year the organisation supported more than 250 families doing it tough. A spokesperson for Hastings Neighbourhood Services said they were grateful for the community’s generosity. The team hopes locals will help again by donating gifts and essential items. They are calling for new, unwrapped gifts […]
Jade Goodwin, the illustrator of Sam Kerr’s children’s books, with young readers in Port Macquarie. Photo: supplied.
The Inspired Readers Festival welcomes more than 1000 students
OVER a thousand children and teachers from 22 schools across the Mid North Coast took part in the Inspired Readers Festival from 11 to 13 November. Students met authors and illustrators who encouraged them to read, write, draw and dream bigger. For many, including the 300 students sponsored to attend, it was a rare opportunity […]
Animal lover, 10, hosting garage sale fundraiser for Wootton sanctuary
DUNBOGAN’S Maya Oakham is on a mission to improve the lives of Australia’s animals. Developing a passion for animals of all sorts at a young age, 10-year-old Maya has been fundraising for animal sanctuaries for several years. Her next fundraiser, a garage sale, will be held on Saturday, with all money raised going to the […]
NSW residents encouraged to be alert to signs of avian influenza in poultry
THE NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is encouraging everyone to be alert to signs of avian influenza in commercial and domestic poultry, and wildlife. Australia remains free from the H5N1 strain that is causing concern globally, however there is a risk the disease may be introduced by wild birds that migrate […]
Pros and cons after Coalition’s decision to abandon Net Zero
ALL sectors have weighed in on the Federal Coalition’s decision to abandon Net Zero by 2050. This major tool for combatting climate change involves balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere with the amount removed. Patrick Leyland, Chief Digital Officer at Populares and former Director of Digital Campaigns for the Australian Labor […]
‘Just get me in the door’: campaign for accessibility info in real estate listings
IN 2019 Sarah Eade was a busy wife and mum working in the aged care and disability support sector, until a workplace accident changed everything. Subsequent surgical treatment resulted in a permanent spinal cord injury, leaving her a full-time wheelchair user. At the time, her family was living in a house in Port Macquarie that […]
Port Macquarie Hastings region pauses to remember veterans’ service
Laurieton RSL sub-Branch President Allan ‘Buster’ Beatty and Port Macquarie Mayor Adam Roberts at the Laurieton service. Photo: PMHC. Mayor Adam Roberts lays a wreath at the cenotaph in Laurieton. Photo: PMHC. The Port Macquarie Hastings Municipal Band plays at the Port Macquarie service. Photo: Pat Conaghan MP FB. The solemn […]
A total of 56 people were safely returned to shore last month across all nine Marine Rescue units on the Mid North Coast.
Busy start to season for Marine Rescue volunteers
MARINE Rescue NSW volunteers across the Mid North Coast have experienced their busiest start to a boating season on record, with 33 search and rescue missions including 19 emergency responses during October. A total of 56 people were safely returned to shore last month across all nine Mid North Coast units – Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, […]
Supermoon lights up Mid North Coast skies
Supermoons are the closest to earth. Photo Greg Higgins. The moon was 30% brighter than normal. Photo: Sis Higgins. SKYWATCHERS across the Mid North Coast looked to the heavens on Tuesday night as the biggest and brightest moon of 2025 rose over the horizon. Dennis Hughes, one of the amateur astronomers at the Port Macquarie […]
Variety Postie Bike Dash raising $400K for regional kids
Posties set off from the starting line at Nabiac. Photo: supplied. Nabiac Public School gets the first cheque of the ride. Photo: supplied. Huntingdon Public School gets a cheque for $4,400 on Day 2. Photo: supplied. Posties riding on dirt roads for children in need. Photo: supplied. NEARLY 100 riders set off on Sunday 2 […]
