A rainbow over Barrington Community Hall ahead of Grace and Hugh’s September 6 concert, continuing the hall’s long tradition as a place for music and community. Photo: Sonja Duncan. Grace Hickey and Hugh Scott Murray with their well-travelled upright piano. Photo: Supplied. SMALL community halls have long been places where country communities meet, celebrate, dance, […]
From left: Rich Shaw (judge), Kylie Clare, Eli Fenning, Alan Waldon, Sarah-Jane Eggins, Roger Pengelly, Silas Keighran, Christopher Russell, Rachel Saunders, and Mayor Claire Pontin. Photo: Wendy Buswell.
Arts Gloucester’s annual photographic competition winners announced
WINNERS of Arts Gloucester’s annual photographic competition, Pix From The Stix, were announced on Saturday 15 August at the Gloucester Gallery. Wildlife photographer and educator Rich Shaw, based in Port Macquarie, was this year’s judge. Having had success in photography competitions, Rich understands what makes an image stand out to judges, and why those images […]
Christmas in July draws crowds to a vibrant Gloucester
The U3A ukulele band strumming tunes. Excited children in their Christmas outfits. Horse and cart rides down the main street. THE number joining the festivities for Gloucester’s first Christmas exceeded all expectations. From 9am on Saturday 11 July, the main street was packed with both locals and visitors, who were able to enjoy music from […]
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 wins Silver in NSW Top Tourism Town Awards
GLOUCESTER has been recognised as an outstanding tourist destination. On 27 May, NSW Tourism Association announced the winners of the 2026 NSW Top Tourism Town Awards and Gloucester was awarded Silver in the small tourism town category. The small town category is for towns with a population of between 1,500 and 5,000. The 2026 awards […]
Special year for Stroud’s brick and rolling pin competition
IT’S time to start practising for the 2026 Stroud Brick and Rolling Pin Throwing Competition. This unique celebration of the town’s heritage and community spirit will be held at the Stroud Showground on 11 July. Started by the brick-making towns of Stroud in the US and UK in 1961, the competition spread to Canada and […]
An endangered Manning River Turtle being released into the Barrington River by Aussie Ark in February. Photo: Aussie Ark.
Turtles, fish bounce back after devastating Mid North Coast floods
NEW research indicates Manning River turtles are being recorded at pre-flood numbers, 12 months after one of the region’s worst floods on record. Gloucester and its nearby waterways were battered in the floods of May 2025, with serious concerns held about the long-term effects on fish and animals living in the rivers, particularly on the […]
Crash fears realised at Bucketts Way-Pacific Highway intersection
A SERIOUS accident on Friday 15 May has brought safety issues at the Bucketts Way/Pacific Highway intersection into sharp focus once more. In April, News Of The Area reported on the strong concerns held by former Roads and Traffic Authority senior engineer Gordon Chirgwin about the dangerous state of the intersection. “I believe that the […]
Sydney Writer’s Festival ‘Live and Local’
THE Sydney Writers’ Festival is a celebration of books, writing, and ideas that sparks conversation across Australia. Through the Live and Local program, the festival reaches far beyond Sydney. It invites communities to experience the diverse program in libraries and community centres, offering regional Australia the opportunity to hear new ideas, stories and voices. Since […]
Thunderbolts riders battle mud and mountains in gruelling 173km epic
Olivia Gollan and Margaret Hemsley celebrate finishing the Women’s Monument in equal 3rd place. Photo: Outer Limit Collective Lone Rider making good progress on Barrington Tops Forest Rd. Photo: Outer Limit Collective. The numerous creek crossings along the course challenge both the body and the bike. Photo: Outer Limit Collective. WHILE the Anzac Day weekend […]
