August 20, 2026
Stargazing: that big ball of nuclear fire Image: supplied.
Local News

Stargazing: that big ball of nuclear fire

THE next time you see the sunrise, take a moment. That big ball of nuclear fire lighting up your morning sky is not just sitting there politely waiting for you to make coffee. It’s racing around the Milky Way at an eye-watering 828,000 km/h, dragging Earth and the rest of the solar system along for […]

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The fascinating life of Penny Drake-Brockman
Local News

The fascinating life of Penny Drake-Brockman

Penny getting ready to do some planting. Penny tickling the ivories. MOST people enjoying Gloucester District Park are likely to be unaware that they have 90-year-old Penny Drake-Brockman to thank for many of the trees and shrubs that give the park its beauty. Until a recent hip replacement temporarily curtailed her activities, Penny could often […]

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No plans to improve Barrington’s mobile phone service Locals say mobile reception in the village of Barrington is inconsistent at best.
Local News

No plans to improve Barrington’s mobile phone service

LOCAL resident Shelley Faull has described the Telstra mobile phone service to the village of Barrington and its surrounds as being “woeful”. According to Telstra’s Network Coverage Map the whole village of Barrington is covered by its mobile service, and there is nothing to indicate that Barrington residents are likely to experience issues using their […]

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Housing package announced in response to floods Homes across the Hunter and Mid North Coast suffered damage due to the flooding event in May.
Local News

Housing package announced in response to floods

THE State and Federal Governments have announced a $50 million Housing Support Package to assist eligible homeowners, renters and primary producers impacted by recent severe flooding. Caravans and self-contained pod homes will be deployed for eligible flood-hit residents and primary producers whose homes were uninsured and uninhabitable so they can stay on their property during […]

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Cops transfer from other jurisdictions to strengthen NSW Police Force Police have been warned about the practice of entering property to check on bail compliance. Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS.
Local News

Cops transfer from other jurisdictions to strengthen NSW Police Force

TWENTY-ONE officers joined the ranks of the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) last week after graduating from the Professional Mobility Program (PMP). A State Government initiative, the PMP allows current serving police officers from other jurisdictions within Australia and New Zealand to train and become police officers in NSW, while keeping their equivalent rank (up to […]

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Female pilots won’t let gendered headwinds divert them Amelia Johnson made a mid-career switch to become an aviator and now mentors young female pilots. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Female pilots won’t let gendered headwinds divert them

A GROWING number of female pilots are making their mark in one of the most male-dominated industries in Australia, saying more women should fly planes. “The aircraft doesn’t care what gender you are. It responds to skill and judgment,” pilot Amelia Johnson tells AAP. “The feeling of flying yourself for the first time is unlike […]

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Quad bike standards saving lives as crackdown urged Enforcement of safety standards could lower farming deaths involving quad bikes, research indicates. Photo: Mark Tadic/AAP PHOTOS.
Local News

Quad bike standards saving lives as crackdown urged

FARMERS, their families and workers are returning home safely after a day on the land due to stronger quad bike safety standards, but tougher enforcement could save even more lives. Quad bikes have long been a leading cause of deaths on farms, with 10 fatalities in 2024 and 46 reports of injuries, according to Farmsafe […]

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$500k to boost community road safety across NSW
Local News

$500k to boost community road safety across NSW

TRANSPORT for NSW has announced $500,000 in funding for the latest round of its Community Road Safety Grants program. Chadi Chalhoub, Executive Director for Transport Safety at Transport for NSW, said this funding matches the significant investment made in 2024 and reflects the importance of community-led efforts to help make roads safer. “Local communities know […]

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