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 […]
Kiralea’s fight to get help and stay with her family
Kiralea at Rankin Park with her son, who lives with autism, and her daughter. Kiralea at her mother’s home with her sisters. (Photos: Courtesy of Kiralea Powell.) THE turning point in Kiralea Powell’s life came in October 2020, when she was first diagnosed with a brain tumour. The aggressive meningioma would soon upend her health, […]
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 […]
Hundreds of entries for art competition celebrating migratory shorebirds
Bar-Tailed Godwit. Photo: Stephanie Owen. Latham’s Snipe. Photo: Stephanie Owen. WINNING artworks of the Wings over Wetlands competition, which celebrates the annual arrival of migratory shorebirds in local wetlands, will be showcased at Roy Wood Reserve on Sunday, 13 September, from 11 am to 2 pm. Wings over Wetlands is the result of a partnership […]
Medowie Fire Brigade helps locals get fire-ready
Come and meet the brigade and get a closer look inside the fire trucks. Photo: Althea Guinsberg. Medowie Rural Fire Brigade Community Engagement Officer, Jolene Smith. Photo: Althea Guinsberg. Photo of the information packs available for the community at Medowie Rural Fire Brigade’s Get Ready Weekend on 12 September. Photo: Althea Guinsberg. WITH warmer weather […]
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 […]
Unplugged: How parents and caretakers can protect kids from technology overload
PORT Stephens Unplugged, the nonprofit movement that aims to empower the community to counter children’s overuse of technology, was launched recently. “Unplugged is a movement that was created because no one – no parent, no school, no part of the community – is to blame for what’s happening with kids overusing screens,” psychologist and founding […]
23 Soldiers Point Road, Soldiers Point: the Blackbutt tree on the right will be removed under the DA. Photo: Nico Lombardo.
Council splits over approval of controversial Soldiers Point development application
PORT Stephens Council has approved a controversial development application for eight multi-dwelling houses at 23 Soldiers Point Road, Soldiers Point, following a split among councillors. The site is currently occupied by a single-storey house, boat sheds and vegetation, which will be removed. Four councillors raised objections to the development, which aims to encourage more infill […]
