THE question of whether elderly Australians with serious, life-limiting illness are getting timely access to palliative care has been raised by Palliative Care Australia (PCA). The ABC’s Four Corners investigation The Waiting Game put the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT), an automated decision-making system used to assess older Australians seeking government-funded aged care, under a spotlight. […]
Additional funding will allow the RFDS to do more for regional, rural and remote communities. Photo: RFDS.
Flying Doctor Service gets $15m funding boost
THE NSW government is investing $15 million to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) to continue providing its lifesaving services across NSW. Part of the 2026-27 State Budget, the funding will enable the RFDS to deliver primary health care, dental and mental health services, retrievals, and patient and clinician transport in regional, rural and […]
Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp, welcomed Port Macquarie and Kempsey’s 10 new probationary constables this week. Images: Supplied.
Port Macquarie and Kempsey welcome 10 new police recruits
Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp, welcomed Port Macquarie and Kempsey’s 10 new probationary constables this week. Images: Supplied. Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp, welcomed Port Macquarie and Kempsey’s 10 new probationary constables this week. Images: Supplied. TEN new probationary constables have commenced duties across the Mid North Coast this week, with six […]
Port Stephens families urged to keep talking about bullying
FOR Port Stephens families, the end of Bullying No Way Week should not mean the end of conversations about bullying. Parents, schools, sporting clubs and community groups are being encouraged to keep checking in with young people after new Kids Helpline figures highlighted the seriousness of the issue. More than 627,000 students nationally took part […]
Nationals Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan sits with members of the crossbench as he crosses the floor during a division on the Gambling Reform Bill 2026 in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra. Photo: Lukas Coch, AAP Image.
Pat Conaghan crosses the floor on gambling
COWPER MP Pat Conaghan crossed the floor in the Federal House of representatives for the first time in his parliamentary career on Tuesday, 18 August, to vote against watered-down legislation governing gambling advertising. Mr Conaghan said he did not believe the legislation adequately considered the findings of the ‘You win some, you lose more’ parliamentary […]
Whale off Crescent Head freed from rope in multi-agency operation
Supplied by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Supplied by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Supplied by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Supplied by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. AN eight-metre humpback whale was disentangled from rope and floats off Port Plomer last weekend in a successful multi-agency response. “Volunteers and a […]
Homelessness Awareness Week event in Port Macquarie
HOMELESSNESS Awareness Week was marked with a range of services and organisations set up on Town Green in Port Macquarie on Friday 7 August. There was a warm, welcoming buzz with stall holders mingling, Rotary Club West hosting a BBQ, Make a Difference serving coffee, a drumming circle as part of the YPSpace, music, raffles […]
Aboriginal organisations strengthen partnerships through Healthy Country forum
ABORIGINAL organisations from across the North Coast gathered at Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre to share knowledge, celebrate progress and strengthen partnerships through the Visions for Healthy Country project. The forum brought together Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Traditional Owner groups, industry representatives and project partners to discuss Aboriginal-led land management and environmental stewardship. Funded by the […]
Push for police drones on the Mid North Coast
MEMBER for Oxley Michael Kemp has launched a new community petition calling on the NSW Government to expand its PolAir-Remote Drone program and bring remotely operated police drones to the Mid North Coast. Mr Kemp says the technology could give local police another tool to respond to crime across a large and often difficult-to-access area. […]
Turning rescued food into delicious meals for hungry people
THE foundation of the Dignity organisation is simple, yet profound. ‘By keeping people, families and community at the heart of everything we do, and providing essential services, such as a safe place, nourishing food, new clothes and education, we walk alongside people on their journey back “home”.’ In the Port Macquarie Hastings region, the flag […]
