THE Federal Government has announced it will deliver 20,000 Home Care Packages in the next eight weeks. A further 20,000 packages are set to be released between November and the end of the year, with the remainder of the promised 43,000 to be delivered by mid-2026. The Australian Government subsidises organisations to provide home care […]
Council considers options for bridge repairs at Tiri and Wingham
WORK is continuing to progress the repair of The Bight Bridge at Wingham and Tiri Bridge following their destruction in the May 2025 floods. Both bridges were severely damaged during the record flood event. MidCoast Council has investigated a number of options and are working with the Disaster Recovery Authority and other government agencies to […]
Life without laundry: How astronauts survive in space
SPARE a thought for the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). They may float 400 kilometres above Earth at 28,000 km/h, eating their dinner out of pouches while gazing down at the swirling blue planet below – but they have one very down-to-earth problem: laundry. Or rather, the complete lack of it. That’s right. […]
Call for volunteers to join Rural Aid’s Farm Recovery Event in Wingham
THE charity Rural Aid has put the call out for volunteers willing to lend a hand at this coming week’s Farm Recovery Event in Wingham. Like many on the Mid North Coast and hinterland, the town is still reeling from May’s record-breaking floods. From 7-13 September, teams will be on the ground helping local farmers […]
Consultation to begin on illegal tobacco offences for landlords
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 […]
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has released a new Model Code of Meeting Practice for local councils.
New 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 […]
Members to vote on Regional Australia Bank and Summerland Bank merger
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 […]
The joy in sharing a patchwork life
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 […]
Sunday stroll in Crowdy Bay National Park
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.
Top Tip: How to get media attention and land your story in the paper
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 […]
