ENTRIES are now open for the 2026 Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Tidy Towns and Sustainable Cities Awards, with communities, councils, organisations, businesses and individuals encouraged to showcase their environmental achievements. Since 1981, Keep Australia Beautiful NSW has recognised projects and initiatives that demonstrate environmental leadership, sustainability and strong community spirit across the state. The long-running […]
Regional apprentices sought in the energy sector
ESSENTIAL Energy is recruiting for the next generation of field crews and Gloucester residents are encouraged to apply. With the catch-phrase of ‘Swap the desk for the field’, Essential Energy has launched its 2027 Apprentice Program and is actively looking for people who want a hands-on career close to home. Applications are now open for […]
Gloucester High students gain vital quad bike safety skills
ACCORDING to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission quad bikes are one of the leading causes of injury and death on Australian farms, with over 200 recorded fatalities from quad bikes in Australia since 2011. As a farming area there are likely to be many Gloucester High School students who will look to a career […]
Upper Hunter Hidden Treasures revealed
SIX Upper Hunter electorate women are among the 80 outstanding regional women volunteers named on the 2025 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll. In his State Matters newsletter, Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell congratulated Winifred Wilson of Limeburners Creek, Rosslyn Sherlock from Lorn, Singleton’s Lyn MacBain, Carol Johnstone from Clarence Town, Joan Hart of Bolwarra and Dungog’s […]
Gloucester Gallery and MidTown Gallery join forces for cultural exhibition
SKY Country: Stories of the Sky is an immersive, interactive exhibition celebrating First Nations interpretations of the night sky through Gathang language, light, sound, and technology aiming to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture within the Gloucester community. The exhibition held across two venues: Gloucester Gallery and MidTown Gallery, features paintings, weavings, […]
Gloucester locals could help shape Australia’s energy future
GLOUCESTER electricity and gas consumers, including small businesses, might be eligible to take part in a new study which could help them reduce their power costs as well as providing direction for the smoothest and most equitable path for the transition away from fossil fuel power generation. Energy prices are a significant expense for many […]
MidCoast Council welcomes State Government decision to take ownership of Rural Fire Service assets
MIDCOAST Council Mayor Claire Pontin has welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to take back financial ownership of Rural Fire Service (RFS) assets, commonly known as the ‘Red Fleet’. The transfer of ownership will include around 150 RFS vehicles across the MidCoast region and is scheduled to take effect from 1 July 2027. The announcement follows […]
MidCoast Council recognised for supporting primary producers through agritourism program
RECOGNITION has been awarded to MidCoast Council for its efforts in helping local primary producers diversify their businesses through agritourism. Council’s agritourism product development and mentoring program recently earned the economic development team a highly commended excellence award at the Local Government Professionals awards. The program was designed to help primary producers build the skills, […]
Australian records first case of H5 bird flu
THE deadly H5 bird flu has been detected in Australia, the Australian Government confirmed on 20 June, 2026. A detection of H5 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) was confirmed by the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) in a single brown skua (migratory seabird) in an isolated area in southern Western Australia. This is the […]
Sex discrimination law changes opposed by Sex Discrimination Commissioner
NOTA reported (7 May) that Gloucester’s local member of Federal Parliament Alison Penfold had introduced a Private Members Bill into Parliament to amend the definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ in the Sex Discrimination Act, suggesting that it was necessary to provide legal protections for women and girls. Ms Penfold’s Bill provides that the definitions of […]
