_Port Stephens Archives - Page 28 of 84 - Port Stephens News Of The Area

Government flags tougher penalties for animal cruelty including jail time for leaving dogs in hot cars

DOG owners tempted to leave their pet in the car when they run to the shops, will soon risk tougher penalties. The State Government is delivering on its election promise to review the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTAA), flagging heavier fines and longer jail sentences. Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, […]

Local News

Port Stephens Council urges residents to prepare for hot January days

RESIDENTS of Port Stephens were urged to prepare for the heat as January temperatures reached the high 30s. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast severe to extreme heatwave conditions across southeastern NSW on 10 January, including in coastal areas like Port Stephens. From Monday 12 January, coastal winds remained mostly east to northeasterly. By the end […]

Community

Rescue, recovery and hope: Inside Sea Shelter’s fight to save Port Stephens’ green sea turtles

Spearow, in December 2025 on the road to a healthy recovery and her subsequent release. Photo: Sea Shelter. Spearow on the day of her rescue in Tanilba Bay, September 2025. Photo: Sea Shelter. BEHIND the walls of Irukandji Shark and Ray Centre, the team at Sea Shelter are quietly continuing to write the rescue tales […]

Community

The selfless heroes of Port Stephens reflect on the night Marine Rescue needed rescuing in 2016

Mayor Leah Anderson, Kate Washington MP, MRPS Unit Commander Ben van der Wijngaart and other members and guests at the anniversary event. MRPS Volunteers Laurie Nolan and Colin Cahil being interviewed by host Matt Coleborne. Photo: Jacie Whitfield. THE air was emotionally charged with reminiscence, gratitude, and awe at the “10 Years On Bravery and […]

Regional

The Smith Family’s 2026 Back to School Appeal being launches

AS families across Australia prepare for the return to school, new research has revealed the growing pressure many households face simply trying to meet the basic costs of education. The latest Pulse Survey of families supported by The Smith Family shows that more than four out of five parents and carers are worried about being […]

Community

Voices united: Port Harmony’s concert raises over $10,500 for ovarian cancer

THE spirit of generosity, community and music was on full display on Sunday 7 December, as Port Stephens locals and friends gathered at Soldiers Point Bowling Club for a special fundraising concert in support of Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA). The concert, titled Peace, Joy and Harmony, drew an enthusiastic crowd of around 200 people, filling […]

Regional

Safety blitz targets jet skis in joint campaign led by NSW Maritime and NSW Police

THE message from maritime authorities this summer was clear: slow down, stay alert and respect the rules as a statewide compliance crackdown puts jet ski safety firmly in the spotlight. Operation Cool Your Jets, a week-long joint campaign led by NSW Maritime and NSW Police Marine Area Command, aimed at reducing risky behaviour and keeping […]

Local News

Stinker’s History: still much to learn

THIS is my 50th year in Port Stephens and I still feel like I am scratching the surface. Being a Fingal Bay resident for all those years I know every rock on the land and in the water. Fishing in my tinny everywhere from the Outer Light south to Rocky Point for all those years, […]

Community

Grant to support the restoration of Fingal Bay foreshore

THE Fingal Bay Community Association has been putting a Port Stephens Council environmental grant to good use. The group is completing important restoration works along the foreshore at Kiddies Corner, which is located at the southern end of Fingal Bay beach. The project is focused on improving the health and resilience of the coastal environment […]

Community, Health

Extreme weather increasing health risks in rural and remote Australia

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 […]