HUNTER residents are being urged to change a child’s life and become a foster carer, with the State Government launching a local foster carer recruitment drive. Right now, there are over 160 children and young people across the Hunter who cannot live safely with their families. There is a particular need for people to care […]
Astrid Hocking posing with one of Hearts and Hands teddy bears. Photo: Nico Lombardo.
CHILD protection and foster care were the focus of an International Women’s Day event at the Raymond Terrace Library on 13 March. The guest speaker was Lake Macquarie’s 2025 Woman of the Year Astrid Hocking, who shared her many accomplishments and initiatives as a child advocate. Ms Hocking’s journey as a foster carer spans more […]
NSW Building Commissioner, James Sherrard. Photo TAFE NSW.
THE Hunter has been chosen for Building Commission NSW’s first major campaign of 2026. The three-day trip, from 16-18 March, saw Building Commission NSW inspectors and the NSW Building Commissioner, James Sherrard, visit Singleton and areas of Maitland and Newcastle. “This is a great opportunity for Building Commission NSW to connect with community and better […]
Sawmill operator Anthony Dorney. Photo: Dorney Group.
A FIFTH-GENERATION family timber operation in Bulahdelah says it is absorbing an almost $8000 weekly fuel surge to keep hardwood moving to Australia’s cities. Anthony Dorney and his brothers operate two hardwood sawmills, SA Relf and Newells Creek, continuing a timber cutting tradition which has lasted for more than a century. Last week, Anthony pulled […]
Kerrie casts off with visitors in Tea Gardens for the Hot Rods Run on 7 March. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
LOCAL business the Original Tea Gardens Ferry is a finalist in the 2026 Australian Small Business Awards. The owners of this much-loved local service, which carries a large chunk of local tourism back and forth across Port Stephens Bay, will head to Sydney on 2 May for the awards. “The ferry has such a special […]
The recipients were announced by Port Stephens Council during an event held last Saturday at Soldiers Point Bowling Club.
FOUR $1,000 scholarships have been awarded in recognition of outstanding contributions in business, sport, health and community leadership across Port Stephens. The recipients of the 2026 International Women’s Day Scholarships were announced by Port Stephens Council during an event held on Saturday 7 March at Soldiers Point Bowling Club. Council’s International Women’s Day Scholarship program […]
The exterior of Sketchley Cottage, established over 200 years ago. Photo: FB.
The exterior of Sketchley Cottage, established over 200 years ago. Photo: FB. Inside one of the rooms at Sketchley Cottage, which is filled with irreplaceable antiques. Photo: FB. A SMALL small group of dedicated volunteers is working hard to keep one of Raymond Terrace’s most important historic sites alive. However, without additional support, the future […]
Fuel has been running short in regional areas, prompting calls for supply to be rationed in cities. Photo: Jay Kogler/AAP PHOTOS.
AUSTRALIA has stockpiled billions of litres of fuel – more than a month’s supply – as frustrated motorists grapple with rising petrol prices and an explosion in demand. The country is “as prepared as possible” with 1.6 billion litres of petrol or 37 days’ supply, Energy Minister Chris Bowen told reporters on Saturday. The stockpile […]
This brilliant Fingal photograph clearly shows Shark Island, King Tommy and Point Stephens. Photo: Stephen Keating.
PREPARE yourself to be confused. As a permanent resident of the coastal hamlet of Fingal Bay for over 50 years, it could be assumed that I have learnt the names of local beaches, bays and islands. The truth is that I’m still confused after all this time and I will attempt to explain why. When […]
The cost of fuel has shot up amid concerns about shortages stemming from the war in the Middle East. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS.
RATIONING fuel in Australia’s major cities to supply the regions would cause unnecessary economic and social issues, a peak motoring body says. Iran has closed the strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil corridors, after the country was attacked by US and Israeli forces. The conflict in the Middle East has spiked […]
