June 25, 2025
Alison Penfold succeeds Dr David Gillespie as Lyne MP National candidate Alison Penfold on the campaign trail. Photo: Alison Penfold FB.
Government, National, Regional

Alison Penfold succeeds Dr David Gillespie as Lyne MP

THE National Party’s Alison Penfold will be the next Federal Member for Lyne, succeeding the long-serving Dr David Gillespie. As of Monday morning, Ms Penfold held 60.55 percent of the Two candidate preferred count over Labor’s Digby Wilson (39.45 percent) after Saturday’s federal election. Ms Penfold took 37.20 percent of first preference votes, with Mr […]

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Heartbeat of the Hastings: Kylie Brown Firies Chris and Kylie Brown at the Lake Cathie RFS station.
Regional

Heartbeat of the Hastings: Kylie Brown

WELCOME to Heartbeat of the Hastings, a regular NOTA feature which highlights the incredible people that make our region so special. If you know of someone making a difference in the community, who is deserving of some recognition, let us know! Email Chan@newsofthearea.com.au. WHEN Kylie Brown moved to Port Macquarie in 2001, she didn’t know […]

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Overwhelming turnout for Laurieton Anzac Day dawn service Members of the Australian Air Force Cadets 333 Squadron of Port Macquarie. Photo: Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography.
Regional

Overwhelming turnout for Laurieton Anzac Day dawn service

IN the stillness of the morning on Friday, 25 April, more than 1000 community members gathered in silence at the Cenotaph at Laurie Memorial Park, Laurieton, to commemorate the nation’s veterans on Anzac Day. The annual event embodies the unyielding spirit of remembrance and pays tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives […]

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Anzac Biscuits and a cuppa as Birdon honours veterans Melanie Barnes, Andrew McAlary, John White, Jamie Bruce, Veteran Mark Albertson, Natasha Hamblin, Brady Pinkstone and Meg Teasdell enjoying the Aussie favourite at the Birdon Anzac Biscuit Morning Tea.
Regional

Anzac Biscuits and a cuppa as Birdon honours veterans

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 on 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) […]

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Boy’s drowning adds to ‘most horrific’ Easter toll A nine-year-old boy died after becoming trapped between rocks at South West Rocks. Photo: AAP Image/Lucy Coffey.
Regional

Boy’s drowning adds to ‘most horrific’ Easter toll

HOLIDAYMAKERS are warned to avoid any unnecessary risks as powerful swells lash the east coast, resulting in record drownings in one state. Seven people are confirmed dead – six in NSW and one in Victoria – with the search for two others missing since Good Friday continuing on Easter Monday. In the latest tragedy, a […]

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Public input sought on hemp industry’s future
Health, Regional

Public input sought on hemp industry’s future

A DRAFT NSW Hemp Industry Development Plan is now open for public comment. The draft plan from the NSW Government proposes an industry vision to establish hemp as a mainstream crop and sustainable source of products in NSW. “Supporting the vision, four development objectives provide strategic direction for actions to capitalise on the key opportunities […]

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Meet your Gloucester Australia Day award nominees Belle Mulder.
Regional

Meet your Gloucester Australia Day award nominees

MEET the nominees for the 2025 Gloucester Australia Day awards. Winners will be announced across four categories: Local Young Citizen of the Year; Local Citizen of the Year; Local Project of the Year; and Local Community Business of the Year.   Local Young Citizen of the Year Nominee Findlay McIntosh Findlay is the youngest Gloucester […]

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