UP&UP staff, students, and project partners posing in front of the mural. Photo: Nico Lombardo. During the 10-week workshop, students learned from scratch all the skills necessary to plan and paint the project. Photo: Nico Lombardo. Hunter Water provided the space for the mural. Photo: Nico Lombardo. A NEW, student-created mural has been unveiled on […]

FOLLOWING the outstanding success of its Valerie Taylor exhibition, which attracted more than 4500 visitors to the Tomaree Heritage Precinct, and the recent ANZAC exhibition at the Nelson Bay Visitor Information Centre, the Tomaree Museum Association (TMA) is preparing to launch its third major public exhibition for 2026. Opening in September, the exhibition will explore […]

From left to right: Lions Club members Pat Gaffney, Tilligery; Tanya Roy, Soldiers Point; Denise Bruce, Gloucester; Alec Bruce, Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Fund; and Brad Rostron and Kim Wright, Soldiers Point; with Elsie. Photos: Supplied. Elsie on her race runner. SIX-YEAR-old Elsie couldn’t stop smiling as she climbed onto her new Race Runner for […]

KEN Barry, a member of the Narrowgut Crew, was a fisherman until 1949 when he branched out into lobstering. He purchased Clatterbang, so that he could work 40-45 hand-woven lobster pots around the reefs and rocky headlands from Fingal south to Rocky Point. Clatterbang was the first motorised boat in Fingal Bay and it was […]

FOR years, the Tomaree Cultural Development Group has been fighting for the establishment of a performance centre in Port Stephens, and its efforts have now been recognised by Port Stephens’ Council (PSC). “Port Stephens is a rare LGA that doesn’t actually have a performance arts centre at the moment,” said Cristopher Bowman, of the Tomaree […]

CONTROVERSY erupted at the latest Port Stephens Council (PSC) meeting during a discussion on how to handle the overturning of the new NSW Model Code of Meeting Practices. “What an absolute disgrace this process has been,” said Cr Nathan Errington noting that, in his view, Minister Ron Hoenig failed to listen to councils across NSW […]

AFTER months of engagement, protests, and community workshops, Port Stephens Council (PSC) has agreed to revise the Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan, saying housing will not be built on the last remaining wetlands buffer zone. The decision, unanimously endorsed during the 23 June meeting, mandates that PSC will have to engage in further consultation […]

IN NSW, the recovery of energy from the thermal treatment of waste is prohibited, unless a facility is located in a designated Energy from Waste precinct. Under a proposed change to the NSW Energy from Waste framework by the Environmental Protection Authority, Tomago could become one such precinct. Port Stephens Council (PSC), however, has reported […]

Greg Smith in flow through a Tai Chi sequence. Photo: Supplied. Tai Chi Port Stephens students practicing the long form. Photo: Supplied. FOR more than 20 years, local resident Greg Smith has been sharing the ancient practice of Tai Chi with community members, helping people discover a gentle form of movement that combines exercise, relaxation […]