ALMOST one million adults across the state were sunburnt at least once over a four-week period, according to a new report from the Cancer Institute NSW. The “Sun Protection Behaviours Report”, released last week, shows 15 percent of people surveyed reported being sunburnt, up from 12 percent in the previous report. The research analyses data […]
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 […]

Process begins for urgent care clinic in Maitland
AN expressions of interest (EOI) process to establish a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) in Maitland closed on 15 July. The EOI was open to existing general practices, community health centres and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. Fifty new Medicare UCCs were announced in the 2025-26 Budget, set to provide walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent […]
Talk2MeBro community catch-ups support ‘smoother sailing strategies’
Facilitators Chris Rapaport and Ben Grover opening the community catch-up event at Little Beach. Conch player Donna May calling in a sense of unity and connection. Anna Bay attendee Dylan Brown in the ice bath. THE air was crisp but the rising sun took the edge off the fresh Port Stephens dawn as Talk2MeBro held […]

Whiteley opens new Human Therapeutics Plant in Tomago
Whiteley Executive Chairman Dr Greg Whiteley with Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington at last Thursday’s opening. The new Human Therapeutics Plant will create 30 new jobs. FAMILY-OWNED Australian manufacturer Whiteley has officially opened its new Human Therapeutics Plant in Tomago. The $25 million purpose-built plant will manufacture alcohol-based hand rubs and over-the-counter medicines for […]
Cheaper complementary health treatments are on the way
WHEN Peter Hill walked into his first pilates class, he had to warm-up for the warm-up. With a feeble lower back and taut hamstrings, the then 63-year-old was hoping the therapy could aid his pain. Six years later, he can dart and dash with little-to-no trouble. “Occasionally I might have a bit of a twinge […]

Mosquito numbers set to soar after long rains
Aedes aegypti mosquito ready for a meal, followed by laying eggs in your birdbath. Photo: Dr Cameron Webb. This backyard birdbath, filled by the recent rains, contains dozens of mosquito larvae that can mature within a week. The black spots are mosquito eggs or pupae, ready to hatch. MOSQUITO numbers are set to soar due […]

Residents urged to be aware of mould impacts after floods
HIDDEN dangers exist in practically every house and property, many only exposed after an incident like the heavy rainfall that the region received over the last weeks. Mould, which naturally exists almost everywhere, loves moisture and poorly-lit areas that lack decent ventilation, such as walls or wallpaper, ceilings, bathroom tiles, carpets, insulation material and wood. […]
Olympian Matthew Gray inspires Tea Gardens students
Students were keen to get into the discussion about sports dreams and goal-setting. Some students got to try on Olympic uniforms (L-R): Maddie, Kayleigh, Karim, Otto, Sonny, Christine, Zachary, Hudson and Tegan. Olympic archer Matthew Gray gave Tea Gardens student Owen Dennis a go at pulling the bow. STUDENTS at Tea Gardens Public School (TGPS) […]
Port Stephens care home celebrates International Nurses Day
RN Claire, training a new staff member. The nurses station in Harbourside Port Stephens’ hospital. Care staff competed in a ‘bandage race’. Care staff competed in a ‘bandage race’. INTERNATIONAL Nurses Day is celebrated on 12 May – the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. This year, the occasion was marked stylishly at Shoal Bay’s Harbourside […]