September 2, 2026
Port Stephens families urged to keep talking about bullying Bullying No Way Week has ended, however conversations can’t stop. Photo: Shutterstock.
Community, Health, Local News, Regional, School

Port Stephens families urged to keep talking about bullying

FOR Port Stephens families, the end of Bullying No Way Week should not mean the end of conversations about bullying. Parents, schools, sporting clubs and community groups are being encouraged to keep checking in with young people after new Kids Helpline figures highlighted the seriousness of the issue. More than 627,000 students nationally took part […]

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Palliative needs missing in aged care assessments
Community, Health, Local News, Regional

Palliative needs missing in aged care assessments

THE question of whether elderly Australians with serious, life-limiting illness are getting timely access to palliative care has been raised by Palliative Care Australia (PCA). The ABC’s Four Corners investigation The Waiting Game put the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT), an automated decision-making system used to assess older Australians seeking government-funded aged care, under a spotlight. […]

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Flying Doctor Service gets $15m funding boost Additional funding will allow the RFDS to do more for regional, rural and remote communities. Photo: RFDS.
Community, Government, Health, Local News, Regional

Flying Doctor Service gets $15m funding boost

THE NSW government is investing $15 million to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) to continue providing its lifesaving services across NSW. Part of the 2026-27 State Budget, the funding will enable the RFDS to deliver primary health care, dental and mental health services, retrievals, and patient and clinician transport in regional, rural and […]

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Kitted out for Indigenous Round from jerseys to boots
Community, Local News, Regional

Kitted out for Indigenous Round from jerseys to boots

Students from Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie present Newcastle Knights players with their hand-painted boots honouring Indigenous Round. Photos: CMCC Facebook. Students from Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie present Newcastle Knights players with their hand-painted boots honouring Indigenous Round. Photos: CMCC Facebook. Students from Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie present Newcastle Knights players with their […]

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Port Stephens Council’s plan to manage road conditions for the next 10 years Projected road conditions from keeping the current funding levels for 2 years, allocating additional investments from year 3. Image: Road Futures Strategy, PSC.
Community, Local News, Regional

Port Stephens Council’s plan to manage road conditions for the next 10 years

Projected road conditions from keeping the current funding levels for 2 years, allocating additional investments from year 3. Image: Road Futures Strategy, PSC. Projected road conditions from increasing funding by $1 million each year over ten years. Image: Road Futures Strategy, PSC. ACCORDING to annual surveys, road condition is by far the biggest source of […]

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Gendered abuse is a threat to democracy Women should not have to choose between public office and personal safety. Photo: Magnific.
Community, Government, Local News, National, Regional

Gendered abuse is a threat to democracy

GENDERED abuse and intimidation is discouraging strong female candidates from standing for office or applying for executive roles, a NSW survey has revealed. The Women for Election survey found 89 per cent of respondents, or almost nine out of 10, had experienced online abuse. Three-quarters said it had worsened over the past two years, and […]

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Citizen scientists photograph and catalogue fungi The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens participated in the Great Aussie Fungi Hunt for the first time. Photo: Nico Lombardo.
Community, Local News, Regional

Citizen scientists photograph and catalogue fungi

The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens participated in the Great Aussie Fungi Hunt for the first time. Photo: Nico Lombardo. Professor Tim Roberts performing an introductory talk about fungi. Photo: Nico Lombardo. A stinkhorn, one of the many fungi growing in the area. Photo: Nico Lombardo. THE Great Aussie Fungi Hunt 2026 is on, and community […]

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Local Lions clubs back life-changing domestic violence project Assistant Manager of PSFNS, Ann Fletcher, receiving the $10,000 donation from combined Lions Clubs. Photo: Supplied.
Community, Local News, Regional

Local Lions clubs back life-changing domestic violence project

FIVE Port Stephens Lions Clubs have joined forces to help create a brighter future for women, children and young people escaping domestic and family violence. The clubs recently donated $10,000 towards the region’s new Domestic Violence Core and Cluster development. The combined contribution from the Lions Clubs of Raymond Terrace, Tilligerry, Soldiers Point, Medowie and […]

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Black pelican highlights lasting impact of oil spill The oiled pelican was photographed at Woodville, around 140km north of the chemical spill in the Alexandria Canal.
Community, Local News, Regional

Black pelican highlights lasting impact of oil spill

The oiled pelican was photographed at Woodville, around 140km north of the chemical spill in the Alexandria Canal. Connor’s keen eye and honed lens spotted and clearly captured the oiled pelican on film. Photos: Connor Nash. A STRIKING photograph of an almost completely black Australian pelican has become a powerful reminder that environmental disasters can […]

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New editor for News Of The Area newspaper group Eve with a few of her favourite things - eight different mastheads of News Of The Area. Photo: Angus Cheetham.
Business, Community, Local News, Regional

New editor for News Of The Area newspaper group

Eve with a few of her favourite things – eight different mastheads of News Of The Area. Photo: Angus Cheetham. Freckle, the sick little bird who grew up and identified as a homing pigeon, with his rescuer. Photo: Angus Cheetham. EVE Nesmith has been named Editor of News Of The Area, the family-owned independent local […]

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