June 5, 2026
Council urges Hunter Water not to close Finnan Park playground The fenced-off playground in Finnan Park, which is scheduled to be removed next month. Photo: Nico Lombardo.
Community

Council urges Hunter Water not to close Finnan Park playground

THE Finnan Park playground, situated next to the Grahamstown Dam in Raymond Terrace, has been slated for removal in June, having been fenced off for several months. Hunter Water Corporation has stated that the equipment, which they own, is no longer safe to use and they do not operate playgrounds as part of their core […]

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Shoal Bay named People’s Choice Winner in tourist town awards Shoal Bay has taken out the popular vote in the NSW Top Tourism Town Awards. Photo: supplied, Destination Port Stephens.
Community

Shoal Bay named People’s Choice Winner in tourist town awards

SHOAL Bay has been recognised as the People’s Choice Winner in the Small Tourism Town category at the 2026 NSW Top Tourism Town Awards. Presented by the NSW Tourism Association, the People’s Choice Award is determined by public vote, recognising destinations that create memorable visitor experiences and meaningful connections with both visitors and locals. Destination […]

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Residents raise parking and safety concerns around Catherine McAuley College Vehicles line both sides of roads surrounding Catherine McAuley College during school periods. Photo: Ruby van de Wijgaart.
Community, School

Residents raise parking and safety concerns around Catherine McAuley College

Vehicles line both sides of roads surrounding Catherine McAuley College during school periods. Photo: Ruby van de Wijgaart. Residents say increasing parking pressure has become a growing concern near the Catherine McAuley College precinct. Photo: Ruby van de Wijgaart. TRAFFIC and parking concerns are growing for residents surrounding the Catherine McAuley College precinct in Medowie. […]

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Street libraries across Medowie are encouraging reading and community connection The street library on Tea Tree Drive in Medowie. Photo: Ruby van de Wijgaart.
Community

Street libraries across Medowie are encouraging reading and community connection

Tea Tree Drive’s community street library encourages locals to exchange books. Photo: Ruby van de Wijgaart. The street library on Tea Tree Drive in Medowie. Photo: Ruby van de Wijgaart. STREET libraries across Medowie are helping build community connections while encouraging locals of all ages to read.   Tea Tree Drive is a particular hot-spot, with […]

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Art competition highlights annual bird migration The Latham’s Snipe. Photo: supplied, Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee.
Community

Art competition highlights annual bird migration

THE enigmatic Latham’ s Snipe, after departing early autumn on an epic non-stop 8,500-kilometre flight from the Hunter Estuary wetlands, is now taking time out to breed in northern Japan. Come July, Latham’s Snipe and other migratory species will commence their journey back to the Hunter wetlands to fatten up on invertebrates, insects and seeds […]

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Art installation in Nelson Bay to promote safety for women and girls The ‘Nellies’ lighting up Yacaaba Street at night. Photo: Nico Lombardo.
Community

Art installation in Nelson Bay to promote safety for women and girls

The four local women who helped shape the ‘Nellies’: Fiona Brown, Mayor Leah Anderson, Janine Hanna and Maddie Lilley. Photo: PSC. Professor Tamara Blakemore and Mayor Leah Anderson unveiling one of the “Nellies”. Photo: Nico Lombardo. The ‘Nellies’ lighting up Yacaaba Street at night. Photo: Nico Lombardo. FOUR interactive installations called the “Nellies” were unveiled […]

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Peter Murray celebrated for Vibrant Spaces initiative in Boat Harbour
Community

Peter Murray celebrated for Vibrant Spaces initiative in Boat Harbour

THE Port Stephens community is remembering the life and legacy of dedicated volunteer Peter Murray, whose passion for people and place has left a lasting imprint on Boat Harbour’s coastline. A long-time leader with the Boat Harbour Parks and Reserves volunteer group, Mr Murray played a pivotal role in transforming the Noamunga headland into one […]

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