December 21, 2025
On the couch with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

On the couch with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, OUR home was adorned with beautifully framed photographic memories of our travels and adventures. Over the past few visits from in-laws, these memories have all been replaced with watercolours. Is this something to embrace or something to mourn? Brett P. Dear Brett, What an unusual conundrum. Are you suggesting your in-laws are perhaps […]

Read More
Stinker’s Fishin’: Rare catch
Fishing

Stinker’s Fishin’: Rare catch

DID you hear what I heard? For the past 40 odd years I have been reporting fishing in and around Port Stephens. Something happened this week that, to my knowledge, has never happened before. Fishing around the deep water off Middle Island, Soldiers Point, John Latter hooked and landed a 58cm Mangrove Jack! So, what […]

Read More
Aboriginal Business Roundtable spotlights cultural tourism Dwayne Bannon-Harrison, Chair of the NSW Aboriginal Tourism Operators Council.
Community

Aboriginal Business Roundtable spotlights cultural tourism

Dwayne Bannon-Harrison, Chair of the NSW Aboriginal Tourism Operators Council. A smoking ceremony welcomed guests to the roundtable. A panel discussion featuring Phil Lockyer, Sharon Winsor and Andrew Smith. Speed networking at the event. REPRESENTATIVES from the Aboriginal business and cultural tourism sectors came together at the Murrook Culture Centre in Williamtown for the eighth […]

Read More
Councillors not supportive of ‘blanket ban on powered vessels’
Port Stephens

Councillors not supportive of ‘blanket ban on powered vessels’

FOUR independent Port Stephens councillors have released a statement seeking to clarify their position on a proposed ban on “powered vessels” in local waterways. In February the four councillors backed a unanimously supported motion requesting that Transport for NSW complete an “urgent review into jet ski usage, including speed limits for all personal watercraft and […]

Read More
Pindimar Brewing Competition returns to the markets Discerning connoisseurs will doubtless partake in the next brewing competition. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
Event, Food

Pindimar Brewing Competition returns to the markets

Discerning connoisseurs will doubtless partake in the next brewing competition. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. PBCA Home Brew Competition Winner 2024 Joel Anderson, with co-ordinators Glen and Kerrie Croaker. Photo: K. Croaker. BREWERS across the Myall Coast are concocting some special fermentations in prelude to the Home Brew Competition at the Pindimar Markets on Saturday 25 October. […]

Read More
From the Mayor’s Desk: Our Incredible Place Strategy
From The Mayor's Desk

From the Mayor’s Desk: Our Incredible Place Strategy

INVESTING in events, the arts, and culture is about more than just entertainment, it’s about creating better spaces and stronger communities. When we invest in vibrant spaces, we help foster a sense of community and security, while boosting the health and wellbeing of residents. Our Incredible Place Strategy, adopted in 2021, has been a vital […]

Read More
Port Stephens researcher captures the moment a humpback whale and calf breach the surface The humpback whale mum and calf breaching the surface.
Local News

Port Stephens researcher captures the moment a humpback whale and calf breach the surface

LOCAL cetacean researcher Leanne Maffesoni has captured the breathtaking moment a humpback whale and its calf breached the water off Port Stephens. “We saw several mum and calf pairs heading south, however this female calf and her mum were next level,” Leanne said. Leanne has spent over 27 years photographing cetaceans along the east coast […]

Read More
Stinker’s History: The origins of Fame Cove Early members of the extensive Cromarty family: Jim, Elizabeth (1880 - 1976), Christina (1902 - 1989), Effie (1882 -1976) and Niel (1873 - 1958).
Sport

Stinker’s History: The origins of Fame Cove

FAME Cove was named after the supply and trading vessel “Fame”, a brig that used the cove for shelter while supporting the Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) at Carrington. The 139 ton brig was sailed by Captain William Cromarty in the 1820s and 1830s. He sailed far and wide in Australian waters, including to Tasmania. Some […]

Read More