THE state government has extended funding for both the No Interest Loan Scheme (“the NIL Scheme”) and Aged-Care Supported Accommodation (“the ASCA Program”). The Government committed $21.5 million in funding to administer the NIL Scheme for another five years, continuing its history of providing fee and interest-free loans to low-income earners since its establishment in […]
Botanical artist Lauren May SK. Photo: supplied.
LAKE Macquarie-based botanical artist Lauren May SK is presenting her first solo exhibition, Botanical Observations, at the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens this month. The exhibition brings together a curated collection of original watercolour paintings of local native plants, with eucalyptus leaves and native flora as recurring subjects. Each piece reflects Lauren’s deep commitment to observation, […]
The perfect backdrop for the sea of marquee. Photo: Jacie Whitfield.
Street partygoers (L-R) Taylor Corry, Kim Smith and Linda Jury enjoyed the sweet and sticky baklava. Photo: Jacie Whitfield. The perfect backdrop for the sea of marquee. Photo: Jacie Whitfield. SHOAL Bay’s waterfront was transformed into a lively street party on Saturday 14 March, as locals and visitors flocked to the annual Wine and Food […]
CLARENCE TOWN’S Emma Spartalis has been selected as a finalist in the 2026 NSW/ACT AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. The Award celebrates women who are driving change through entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership, while addressing complex social, economic and workforce challenges facing regional Australia. Ms Spartalis is the founder of Spartalis Consulting, an artificial intelligence and digital […]
Examples of the wildlife cared for by WINC volunteers.
Examples of the wildlife cared for by WINC volunteers. Examples of the wildlife cared for by WINC volunteers. Examples of the wildlife cared for by WINC volunteers. WILDLIFE in Need of Care Inc. (WINC) is a dedicated volunteer organisation committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife. WINC provides […]
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 […]
