MORE than 130 Year 7 students are set to make history at the opening of the new Medowie High School early next year. Medowie is one of the fastest-growing communities in Port Stephens, with the local population expected to increase by more than 4000 residents by 2040. For local families, the new high school means […]
Families follow a colourful Art Trail at Salamander Early Education
Creative ways the kids were encouraged to create and play with paint and colours. Photo: Salamander Early Education Centre. Tiny feet, bright colours and a lot of fun as children create their own colourful masterpieces. Photo: Salamander Early Education Centre. A young artist gets creative with paints for the Art trail evening. Photo; Salamander Early […]
Irri’s Learning Garden opens new a chapter at Irrawang Public School
Teacher-librarians Michelle Lynch and Rachael Vaughan enjoy the school’s new outdoor learning space. Photo: Althea Guinsberg. A student puts the outdoor chess area to the test at Irri’s Learning Garden. Photo: Althea Guinsberg. Aubree and Alexis enjoy the new outdoor library. Photo: Althea Guinsberg. P&C President Kim Antonio with her granddaughter Iris and the plaque […]
Port Stephens residents urged to watch for bird flu as wildlife threat grows
PORT STEPHENS residents are being urged to keep an eye on local birdlife as Australia faces the ongoing spread of H5N1 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. During an online webinar on Monday 24 August, Professor Hugh Possingham, President of BirdLife Australia, and Kim Farley spoke about what the virus could mean for Australia’s […]
Christen White, Julie Wildman and Tomaree Community Hospital Auxiliary President Jayne Kilbride at the community meeting.
Staffing is key as locals back push back on Tomaree Hospital upgrade
Kevin Lynch and Kate Washington MP at the community meeting discussing the future of health care in Port Stephens. Photo: Althea Guinsberg. Christen White, Julie Wildman and Tomaree Community Hospital Auxiliary President Jayne Kilbride at the community meeting. CALLS for Tomaree Hospital to be upgraded to a Level 3 facility were front and centre when […]
Illuminate 2026 set to light up Raymond Terrace
ILLUMINATE Raymond Terrace 2026 will again light up Boomerang Park on Saturday, 19 September. The free community celebration brings together live music, fire twirlers, fireworks, food, stalls and lanterns in the park from 4 pm to 8 pm. The much-loved event is supported by local schools, community groups, service organisations, residents and businesses. Port Stephens […]
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 […]
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. […]
Additional funding will allow the RFDS to do more for regional, rural and remote communities. Photo: RFDS.
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 […]
Measles often manifests with a characteristic rash and a fever that often peaks when the rash is at its worst. Photo: Physicians Premier.
Measles is about – check that your immunisations are up to date
PORT Stephens residents are being advised to check their immunity to measles. An estimated 1.7 million Australians are not protected against measles, putting individuals and communities at risk of more outbreaks, according to new analysis from the peak immunisation research organisation. National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) data shows more than 80,000 Australian […]
