A NEW National Youth Parliament program has been launched, designed to inspire greater civic participation among Year 10 students across Australia. Students aged 16–17 are invited to apply for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent their federal electorate in an immersive five-day parliamentary experience in Canberra. One student from each of Australia’s 150 electorates will be […]

THE NSW Government has begun consultation on potential offences for landlords who knowingly lease premises to retailers selling illicit tobacco and illegal vapes. The consultation includes engagement with landlord representatives, retailers, health advocates, partner government agencies and other key stakeholders. The outcomes of the consultation will be reviewed by the Government’s cross-agency NSW Illicit Tobacco […]

Volunteers, local artists, MP Kate Washington and mural artist Jennifer Stelco. A small section of the colourful mural painted by Jennifer Stelco. THE old Rural Fire Brigade building in Lemon Tree Passage, where the Tilligerry Arts Group Gallery is homed, has had its modest frontage transformed into a vibrant work of art. Thanks to the […]

CITY of Newcastle will seek the final tick of approval from the NSW Government for a $63 million plan to buffer Stockton’s coastline from erosion. Councillors voted unanimously at last week’s Council meeting to endorse the Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) and formally submit it to the NSW Environment Minister for certification. City of […]

HUNTER residents are encouraged to have their say on the Hunter Transmission Project’s environmental impact statement (EIS), which is now on public display and open for submissions. EnergyCo lodged the EIS with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure last week, which will be on public exhibition until 5pm on Wednesday 24 September. According to […]

A 32-YEAR-OLD man has faced court following an investigation into alleged online grooming offences. On Monday 25 August 2025, a woman attended Liverpool Police Station to report that her 10-year-old daughter had allegedly been groomed online via a chat function on a gaming console. Following inquiries by Liverpool Police, the matter was referred to detectives […]

ELIZABETH Crouch AM has been announced as Chair of the Hunter Water Board of Directors for a three-year term. In a statement to media, Hunter Water said that Ms Crouch brings extensive experience across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, with a distinguished career in governance, infrastructure and public policy. She currently chairs the boards […]

SPARE a thought for the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). They may float 400 kilometres above Earth at 28,000 km/h, eating their dinner out of pouches while gazing down at the swirling blue planet below – but they have one very down-to-earth problem: laundry. Or rather, the complete lack of it. That’s right. […]

THE Premier and Minister for Regional NSW will convene an advisory group to address the challenges faced by people living and working in regional, rural and remote areas of the state. Announced at the 2025 Bush Summit, the NSW Premier’s “Rural, Remote & Regional Advisory Council” (PRRRAC) will meet twice annually with Premier Chris Minns […]

THE Rotary Club of Nelson Bay is planning an extension to Tomaree Community Hospital Rotary Garden. It was completed two years ago and has been called an “outstanding success”. “The garden was built on a barren area adjacent to the patient wards and is in constant use by patients and visitors to the hospital,” a […]