The Gloucester Environment Group bushwalkers. Photo: supplied. The view from Peppers Mountain. Photo: supplied. A SPECTACULAR spring day greeted the Gloucester Environment Group bushwalkers for an assault on the 370m peak of Peppers Mountain near Stroud Road on 21 September. Peppers Mountain (sometimes referred to as Peppers Hill) is located approximately four kilometres north west […]
Eating seasonally to keep healthy and save money
THE Country Women’s Association (CWA) awareness week held earlier this month promoted the benefits of seasonal eating. It highlighted the importance of reducing food waste and advocated for the introduction of a national “Food Donation Tax Incentive”. Gloucester CWA President Anne Williamson said seasonal food is “often fresher and harvested at its peak”. “The fresher […]
Monument celebrates Gloucester’s Indigenous heritage
The gathering for the unveiling of the monument. Photo: supplied. Jack Cook. Photo: supplied. A MONUMENT celebrating the traditional custodians of the Barrington River area was unveiled during a ceremony on Monday, 22 September. The idea for the monument came from the Cook Family of the Barrington Aboriginal Corporation. Those taking part in the event […]
Council’s Community Conversations return to Gloucester
MIDCOAST Councillors and senior staff are heading back out to visit 15 communities across October and November. Mayor Claire Pontin said everybody is welcome to attend a Community Conversation, whether they wish to simply listen, ask questions or chat with a senior staff member or Councillor. “We’ll talk to you about plans and projects across […]
Nature at the doorstep: how to bring biodiversity to your yard
IT is often said that there are many benefits associated with spending time in nature. “Increasingly, being in nature is recognised as being important,” explains Mat Bell, Senior Ecologist with MidCoast Council. “Contact with nature benefits human health and well-being by reducing stress, improving mental health, enhancing physical health, and improving cognitive function, like concentration […]
CWA promote seasonal eating during awareness week
SEVEN members of the Gloucester CWA Evening Branch held a stall in Church Street on Saturday, 13 September as part of the 2025 CWA ‘Awareness Week’. “CWA Awareness Week provides branches with the opportunity to acknowledge and raise awareness of their work in the community and give other women a taste of the fun and […]
Hunter builders rank among nation’s largest
THREE leading builders based in the Hunter region have been ranked among the largest residential builders in the nation, according to the HIA-COLORBOND® steel Housing 100 Report for 2024/25. The annual report ranks Australia’s top 100 builders by the number of homes commenced. Leading the way with a total of 2,898 starts in 2024/25, NEX […]

Council releases waterway report card
MIDCOAST Council has released its annual Waterway and Catchment Report Card. Water sampling is undertaken across the LGA’s six major catchments – Manning River Estuary, Wallis Lake, Karuah River and The Branch Estuary, Myall Lakes, Kappinghat and Smiths Lake – to check in on their health and allow for a greater understanding of the patterns, […]

Gloucester U3A members tackle cybersafety
WITH scams, phishing and identity theft all concerns in the modern online world, Gloucester University of the Third Age (U3A) members recently honed their cybersafety skills and understanding. Under the expert guidance of Barrington IT professional Shaedon Flanagan, they were alerted to a range of practical tips on how to protect themselves online. Shaedon said […]
Children suffer as hidden victims of coercive control
BARNARDOS Australia warns that children in regional NSW are bearing the brunt of coercive control, as new crime statistics reveal rural communities are experiencing dramatically higher rates than other areas. The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research quarterly report shows regional NSW recorded 170 coercive control incidents from July 2024 to June 2025 compared […]