NEWCASTLE Airport’s new international terminal came to life last week as more than 120 local volunteers helped test the facility during a full-scale Mass Passenger Exercise. With surfboards in tow, guitars slung over shoulders and bags packed to the brim, participants from across the Hunter took on the role of international travellers. They moved through […]
Councils and tourism leaders unite to chart course for regional cruise growth
SEVEN councils and two peak tourism organisations from the Hunter and Central Coast met for the first time last week, seeking to unlock new opportunities for local businesses to benefit from the regional cruise industry in NSW. The meeting marked the official launch of the three-year partnership, led by Port Authority of NSW, which brings […]
Council approves plan to accelerate road improvements
PORT Stephens Council has approved a motion that will see up to $9 million made available for the improvement of roads across the local government area (LGA). The motion was introduced at the most recent council meeting on Tuesday 10 June by Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson. Reading from a prepared report on the matter, […]
Chimney safety warning to avoid winter housefires
This chimney was originally installed by an amateur and had never been swept. Creosote was visible on the roof. Craig Baldwin uncovers inappropriate lead flashing, which allowed water to rust the roof below. What a perfectly clean and safe chimney looks like, free of ugly black creosote residue. FIRE safety around chimneys is an area […]
The Korsmans on the water for a shooting excursion (c 1905) hunting with shotguns. The boat is the ‘Greyhound’ brought to Tea Gardens by ‘Diver’ Duncan.
Stinker’s History: Recreational shooting at Myall Lakes
THE main recreational activities at Port Stephens have traditionally been fishing and boating. From the 1880s up until the Second World War, there was an additional outdoor sporting activity in the Myall Lakes district – recreational shooting. Groups would travel to Port Stephens for the combined activities of fishing and shooting. For many years from […]
Council to investigate shuttle bus proposal for Tomaree Headland
PORT Stephens councillor Mark Watson successfully moved a motion on 10 June requesting that Council investigate trialling a Shuttle Bus Service at the Tomaree Headland and Shoal Bay, in order to address traffic and parking issues at peak times. The Tomaree Headland Heritage Group (THHG) strongly supports the proposal, as the issues were identified during […]
The development of an offshore wind industry off the Hunter coast has divided opinions in recent years.
Offshore wind continues to divide opinions in the Hunter
A COALITION of unions, business groups, industry representatives and environment advocates have called for a “full-scale commitment from both federal and state governments” on the “responsible” delivery of an offshore wind industry in the Hunter. “While offshore wind became a campaign issue in the seat of Paterson, voters ultimately backed Labor’s renewable energy agenda,” said […]
Former teacher charged over alleged child sexual offences
POLICE have charged an 84-year-old Clarence Town man over alleged historic sexual offences in the Upper Hunter area. In January 2025, detectives from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commenced an investigation into reports a teacher in the Raymond Terrace area had allegedly sexually assaulted two boys aged between 14 and 15 in the 1980s. Police will […]
Wikner’s Halifax bomber named ‘Waltzing Matilda’ at Mascot Airport on 20 June 1946. Photo: John Hopton Collection.
Stinker’s History: Geoffrey Wikner’s extraordinary story
Geoffrey Neville Wikner (1904-1990) was born in Grafton. Wikner’s Halifax bomber named ‘Waltzing Matilda’ at Mascot Airport on 20 June 1946. Photo: John Hopton Collection. The original entry to Halifax Park, then in the early stages of its development. The person in the photograph looking at the big game fish is likely to be Mrs […]
Dr Maarten De Brauwer of SCU and Fisheries Technician Kait Harris conduct estuarine monitoring in Yamba.
First-ever DNA mapping of NSW river mouths and estuaries
Dr Maarten De Brauwer of SCU and Fisheries Technician Kait Harris conduct estuarine monitoring in Yamba. Dr Maarten De Brauwer and Kait Harris collect samples to send to Wilderlab for processing. Dr Maarten De Brauwer and Kait Harris collect samples to send to Wilderlab for processing. A MAJOR study of NSW estuaries using a novel […]
