A NEW National Youth Parliament program has been launched, designed to inspire greater civic participation among Year 10 students across Australia. Students aged 16–17 are invited to apply for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent their federal electorate in an immersive five-day parliamentary experience in Canberra. One student from each of Australia’s 150 electorates will be […]
COMMUNITY groups in Gloucester, Stroud and the surrounding district are being encouraged to apply for funding in the next round of Stratford Coal’s Community Support Program. The 2026 Community Support Program is funded by Yancoal Australia and provides financial assistance to local groups working in the areas of health, community, environment, arts, culture, education and […]
THE NSW Government has begun consultation on potential offences for landlords who knowingly lease premises to retailers selling illicit tobacco and illegal vapes. The consultation includes engagement with landlord representatives, retailers, health advocates, partner government agencies and other key stakeholders. The outcomes of the consultation will be reviewed by the Government’s cross-agency NSW Illicit Tobacco […]
A NUMBER of changes to social security payments, rates, and limits will commence from 20 September 2025. People receiving the full single rate of Age Pension, Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment will see a $29.70 boost to their fortnightly payment. People receiving Commonwealth Rent Assistance, JobSeeker, ABSTUDY (aged 22 and over), and Parenting Payment […]
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has released a new Model Code of Meeting Practice for local councils.
A NEW Model Code of Meeting Practice for local councils has been released and will come into effect in local councils from 1 January 2026. All councils will need to adopt a code of meeting practice that contains the mandatory provisions of the updated Model Meeting Code by 31 December 2025. Key changes to the […]
Regional Australia Bank has branches across the Hunter and Mid North Coast.
THE Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has given the green light to a proposed merger between Summerland Bank and Regional Australia Bank. Regional Australia Bank currently operates 39 bank branches across the New England, North West, Central West, Riverina, Mid North Coast and Hunter regions of NSW, whilst Summerland operates 10 branches across the NSW […]
Marrabooka Place resident Gail Cady. Some of the quilts on display, including Gail’s. WHILE many seniors fear going into a residential aged care facility for various reasons, 92-year-old Gail Cady simply trusted in her God. Gail moved from Armidale some months ago to live with her daughter Vicky in Gloucester. She had worried where she […]
The walkers ready to head off.
The walkers ready to head off. The ocean view from Crowdy Bay National Park. MEMBERS of the Gloucester Environment Group enjoyed a welcome day of sunshine for their monthly bushwalk on Sunday 17 August. Meeting at Gloucester Skate Park, they car-pooled to Crowdy Head National Park and set out on the Diamond Head loop walk. […]
NOTA reporter Sis Higgins, who also runs a marketing agency, gives her top tips for submitting press releases.
AS someone who wears two hats – newspaper reporter and marketing agency owner – I see first-hand the difference between stories that get picked up quickly and those that stall in the inbox. The good news? Most community organisations already have great stories to tell. The challenge is in how that information is shared with […]
Recruitment for more nurses is underway. File photo.
TWENTY-SEVEN more hospitals across NSW are rolling-out safe staffing levels in their emergency departments. In the broader Hunter region these include Manning Base Hospital, Maitland Hospital and John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. This brings to 40 the number of hospitals across the state that have started operating with safe staffing levels as a result of […]
