THE Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) will step up water compliance checks along regulated sections of the Hunter River catchment during May to improve water law compliance. NRAR will visit properties across the Hunter region in the coming weeks to speak with water licence holders about their water take conditions. The visits follow a review […]

CONSUMERS must be told why their phone or internet service has been disconnected during major outages and when they can expect it to return under stricter telecommunication rules. Providers will also have to improve the way they deal with triple-zero outages under the regulations and issue detailed plans to prevent recurrences. The Australian Communications and […]

Locals and visitors young and old gathered in Kaurah to commemorate Anzac Day. Photos: Robert Whiteman. Locals and visitors young and old gathered in Kaurah to commemorate Anzac Day. Photos: Robert Whiteman. Locals and visitors young and old gathered in Kaurah to commemorate Anzac Day. Photos: Robert Whiteman. Locals and visitors young and old gathered […]

TEN years ago, on the evening of 20 April, a highly destructive East Coast Low (ECL) slammed into the coast just north of Hawks Nest causing damage in all directions. Local observations saw wind gusts in excess of 145km/h, and rainfall exceeding 300mm within a 24-hour period. Waves reached heights of 10m, and coastal erosion […]

FARMER and lobster fisherman Frederick Henry ‘Fred’ Blanch (b 1883), son of John Blanch and Eliza Lorman (Eagleton), married Ella West in 1913. Fred worked on his father’s farm on Marsh Road from the age of 14 and went net fishing near Mosquito Island. In 1979 Fred died at the age of 95 years, being […]

DEMOCRACY was exercised yet again across the country last week, with voters of the Federal electorates of Lyne and Paterson heading to the polls to have their say on the nation’s future leadership. Candidates’ volunteer armies mobilised at polling places across the electorates, wearing distinctive campaign t-shirts and brandishing ‘How-to-Vote’ cards. Polling places around the […]

Irrawang High School captain Daniel Cobby and vice captain Jack Skaines. Photo: Amanda Green. Grahamstown Public School students in quiet contemplation. Photo: Amanda Green. The Salvation Army Hope Community Choir in full voice. Photo: Amanda Green. The community lined the streets for the procession. Photo: Amanda Green. The Irrawang High School Drum Corps. Photo: Amanda […]

STATE Government, Council and sailing enthusiasts are predicting the expansion of Newcastle Airport will further propel the Sail Port Stephens regatta in future years. The Sail Port Stephens Performance Series took place from 25-27 April, with thousands of spectators flocking to catch the regatta in action. The Sail Port Stephens Bay Series follows from 2-4 […]

THE Friends of Tomaree National Park group is continuing work to regenerate bush and improve the resilience of coastal forest on One Mile Beach headland. The community is invited to join the effort on Saturday morning, 10 May, when volunteers will tackle invasive Bitou Bush and undertake planting in bare areas. “[The] community have already […]

The RAAF Catafalque Party march to the memorial. Nelson Bay RSL President Mark Balsarini opens proceedings. Wing Commander Nicholson gives the main address. The moment an F-35A Lightning aircraft from RAAF Williamtown performed a flypast. Personnel from RAAF Williamtown march through Nelson Bay. Veterans lead the march to the Nelson Bay memorial. Musicians Private Luke […]