THE deadly H5 bird flu has been detected in Australia, the Australian Government confirmed on 20 June, 2026. A detection of H5 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) was confirmed by the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) in a single brown skua (migratory seabird) in an isolated area in southern Western Australia. This is the […]
Some of Wilma’s many crochet animals.
Wilma with her gifts of love. Some of Wilma’s many crochet animals. YOU never know what happens when you hand over a gift to someone. Will it be appreciated, loved, packed away, passed onto someone else or – worse – sent to the Op Shop? Wilma Whysall, a retired bank teller who had relocated from […]
LGBTQ+ families across New South Wales will benefit from expanded antenatal education and pregnancy support services after the NSW Government announced $250,000 in funding for a statewide program. The one-off funding contribution will support LGBTQ+ organisation Rainbow Families to deliver culturally appropriate antenatal education and pregnancy support throughout the next three years. NSW Minister for […]
Landcare group representatives in Port Stephens planting trees. Photo: @PortStephensCouncil
A GRANTS program that last year helped plant 123,000 trees, shrubs and groundcovers will return in 2026. Grants of between $5,000 and $25,000 are available to support the native planting projects of Landcare groups, Bushcare, Coastcare and Dunecare groups, local governments, natural resource management organisations, not-for-profit organisations and First Nations organisations. It is the second […]
Lucy Scarrott is the granddaughter of Michael Simms, who is vice president of The Seaside Singers. She is described as “full of fun” despite her battle with brain cancer.
SINGERS in a Port Stephens community choir are raising their voices for a little girl facing the battle of her young life. The Seaside Singers Community Choir of Port Stephens will present Songs for Lucy at Soldiers Point Bowling Club on June 27, with all proceeds helping four-year-old Lucy and her family as they navigate […]
Women’s health awareness campaign launched nationally. Photo: NSW Health
A NEW campaign has been launched to support Australian women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. Perimenopause and menopause affect women differently, with symptoms ranging from hot flushes and sleep disturbances to anxiety, brain fog and changes to mental health and wellbeing. The campaign aims to improve understanding, reduce stigma and help women access reliable health information […]
The report shows walkability has a bigger impact on the amount of time spent walking in regional communities. Photo: David Guerrero/Pexels.
AMID soaring fuel prices which are prompting Australians to explore alternative transport options, a new study highlights the health benefits of walkable neighbourhoods. New research shows that regional residents living in walkable towns and centres walk 75 minutes more each week, prompting calls for Governments to invest more in well-connected, safe footpaths to boost community […]
Medical student Aimee Long is one of the 7,900 students who have benefitted from the program since 2024. Photo: NSW Health.
UP TO $12,000 in financial support is on offer for students enrolled in medical, nursing, midwifery, dentistry, Aboriginal health and allied health degrees across NSW. The new round of applications for the Tertiary Health Study Subsidies Program opened on 28 January. This year, support will be available for up to 4,000 students across the state. […]
THE Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) says extreme weather across Australia is increasing health risks for rural, remote and First Nations communities and placing growing pressure on local health services. ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says prolonged and severe weather events are affecting the health of rural communities and will continue to […]
Committee members Nev Stanfield (President / Treasurer), Richard Yeomans (Secretary/ Patient Co-Ordinator), John Stanbury, John Every (Driver Co-Ordinator) Barry Elliott (Patient Buddy), Iain Woodhill, Max Pride.
TOMAREE Prostate Cancer Support Group and Nelson Bay Cancer Patient Transport Group recently came together for their combined 2025 Annual General Meeting, held at Soldiers Point Bowling Club. The two community groups, established in 2012 and 2014 respectively, work closely to support local residents affected by cancer. Driver Co-ordinator John Every, who has held the […]
