PILAR Patterson is a Clarence Town artist whose skill in making and decorating ceramic works is deservedly gaining attention. Recently, at the Dungog Arts Society “Faces and Places” exhibition, her work “the Brig O’Johnston Bridge” won first prize in Ceramics. It is a wheel-thrown platter, with a softly-coloured and thoughtfully-observed view of the bridge and […]
Council to tackle traffic congestion at Birubi Headland with shuttle bus trial
PORT Stephens Council is trialing a beach shuttle bus service in Anna Bay during the upcoming holiday period to improve connectivity and accessibility and ease congestion around Birubi Headland. The Birubi Beach Shuttle Bus trial runs from Saturday 12 April until Sunday 27 April, on a continuous loop from 9am to 12pm and 12:30pm to […]
Stinker’s Fishin’: Here come the mullet
WITH the colder months just around the corner it is time to reorganise and focus our efforts on fish that are more likely to arrive in our waters. This is the start of the bream and luderick season so you can expect to see the breakwall in Nelson Bay bristling with rods with an expectant […]
Nominations now open for 2025 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll
THE community has an opportunity to celebrate the incredible women who volunteer their time to make a difference, by nominating them for the 2025 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll. The Honour Roll, an initiative by the NSW Government, highlights the vital contributions of female volunteers across rural, regional and remote New South Wales. Since its inception […]

Murder rate soars as killers claim multiple victims
MURDERS have spiked in Australia’s most populous state, driven by multiple-victim homicides including a shopping centre massacre in which six people were killed. A total of 85 people were murdered in NSW in 2024, up from 56 in the previous year and the highest toll since 2014, the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reports. […]
Urgent mental health help needed in agriculture
A COALITION of rural organisations has called for immediate action to address the mental health crisis in agriculture. More than 30 rural and healthcare organisations launched a joint statement to address the crisis this week. Ahead of a federal budget and election, the group is calling on the Government to make an immediate investment of […]

Council commits $20 million-plus to local road improvements
PORT Stephens Council is committing more than $20 million to improve local roads as part of its new Roads Acceleration Program (RAP). Mayor Leah Anderson said the program was developed in response to community concerns about road conditions. “We know how important safe and reliable roads are to our community,” Mayor Anderson said. “Through ongoing […]

Clarence Town Community Workshop set to spark new opportunities
THE Community Builders Program has been making waves across Dungog Shire and Stroud over the past 12 months, inspiring residents to think critically about what it means to build a strong and thriving community. The program is now entering its next phase, and locals are invited to take part in shaping their towns through a […]
Tomaree High celebrate Scarlett Lack as Dux of 2024
TOMAREE High School proudly announced Scarlett Lack as the Dux of 2024 at a special recognition assembly last week. Scarlett earned an ATAR of 95.35, achieving a Band 6 in Engineering and Maths Extension 1, a High Band 5 in English and PDHPE, and a Band E3 in Maths Extension 2. She has recently started […]
Fifty-six apartment proposal declared state significant
A PROPOSAL for a 56-dwelling apartment block on Donald and Church streets, Nelson Bay has been declared a State Significant Development (SSD). The development at 5-7 Church St and 42 Donald St is being overseen by the Fortezza Group, with assistance from Ryan Planning and Development. The proposal involves the construction of a mixed-use development […]