AFTER 19 years of steady, silent service through the night, Peter Bliss, a dedicated member of Marine Rescue Port Stephens, has hung up the headset on his final overnight shift. Often working while the rest of the community slept, Peter was one of the unit’s most reliable night radio operators, logging a remarkable 1,323 shifts […]
Tomaree Neighbourhood Centre launching two new support groups
The Tomaree Neighbourhood Centre team. Manager Clare Saunders and Port Stephens volunteer Helen Dykes. Clare Saunders TNC Manager and Kelly Hammond TNC Community Engagement Officer at the Kindness Trolley fundraising initiative. Helen Bellamy TNC Volunteer for over 30 years, Clare Saunders TNC Manager and Kelly Hammond Community TNC Engagement Officer. TWO new community support groups […]
Marine Rescue Port Stephens volunteers complete medical evacuation
VOLUNTEERS from Marine Rescue Port Stephens assisted with a medical mission on Sunday 27 July. Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond said the call for assistance came through just before 9am. “Volunteer Radio Operators at Marine Rescue Port Stephens received a call from the skipper of a sailing vessel shortly before 9am, advising a passenger […]
Registrations soar for Newcastle Permanent Maths Competition
MORE than 13,000 students from over 200 schools across the Hunter will put their numeracy and problem-solving skills to the test this week in the 45th Newcastle Permanent Primary Schools Mathematics Competition. The competition is one of Australia’s largest and longest-running primary school mathematics contests, giving participants a unique opportunity to shine. Newcastle Permanent spokesperson […]
Dolphin census day invites community participation
A dolphin takes to the air. Photo: Elsa Cabanie. Dolphins surf an unbroken wave. Photo: Jodie Lowe. A pod of dolphins travels together. Photo: Selina Guckenbiehl. LOCAL residents are once again invited to take part in the Port Stephens Dolphin Census, Australia’s longest-running community dolphin count. This year’s event will be held by ORRCA (Organisation […]
Council calls on state government to repair Port Stephens’ roads
A COMMUNITY petition has been launched to fund repairs to Medowie Road and Lemon Tree Passage Road. The petition was created by Port Stephens Council and calls for urgent action from the state government. “Medowie Road and Lemon Tree Passage Road are showing the impacts of both increasing traffic and ongoing weather events,” Port Stephens […]
Port Stephens adventurers to drive more than 3000kms on the Drover’s Run
BRUCE Smalley and Merilyn Evans are outback adventurers. Bruce describes their travels as “extensive”. “Cape York, the Northern Territory, the Kimberleys in WA, Victoria and parts of SA, outback NSW and the Simpson Desert.” But their next adventure is more than a chance to make some memories for themselves, it is a chance to help […]
National honours for Marine Rescue volunteers
Lee Ryman, Laurie Nolan and Unit Commander Ben van der Wijngaart. Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and Lee Ryman. Kate Washington MP and Laurie Nolan. The awards were handed out at a ceremony at Nelson Head. Marine Rescue Port Stephens base at Nelson Head. TWO Marine Rescue Port Stephens volunteers, with a combined 30 years […]
XPT replacement trains unlikely to arrive anytime soon
THE wait for XPT replacement trains looks set to continue for the foreseeable future, with Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Camilla Drover unable to put a date on when the new trains would come into service. “I’m not willing to commit to a hard and fast date,” she said at a recent Parliamentary budget estimates […]
Exercise pioneer celebrates 38 years of growing fitness in Tomaree’s over 50s
TOFFs founding member Laraine Dunn raises her glass to 38 years of exercising in The Bay. Some of the TOFFs club members corralled for an exercise class at the PCYC at Nelson Bay. One of the first TOFFs classes run by Laraine Dunn – circa the 1990s. THE Tomaree Over Fifties Fitness (TOFFs) community recently […]