THE Department of the House of Representatives has announced that entries are now open for the 2026 Yarning Competition. ‘Yarning’ is an Australia-wide storytelling competition that invites Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students from across Australia to share their perspectives and stories with the Australian Parliament. “The Yarning Competition is a wonderful new […]
The Alfab Services team high-pressure blast cleaning the inside of the Valla Beach Reservoir. Photo supplied.
LAST week News Of The Area reported that significant works had begun at Valla Beach with the intent of increasing the lifespan of the Valla Beach Reservoir. Council has advised NOTA that work is progressing well on the refurbishment of the reservoir, with specialist contractors Alfab Services making a strong start on the complex internal […]
MACKSVILLE Public School has been a leader in education for 150 years. Known as ‘The Family School’ and embracing the school motto ‘Play the Game’, the school can account for generations of successful life stories from the thousands of students who have passed through its gates. Last year, Macksville Public celebrated its Sesqui-centenary, with celebrations […]
IN the lead-up to this weekend’s Open Streets Festival, one of its youngest performers, Violette Hyland, and her puppy Muse, met with News Of The Area to talk about her achievements and plans. Despite being just 15-years-old, the down-to-earth Nambucca High School student already has an impressive string of achievements and memorable performances under her […]
CONSTRUCTION is now underway on the first internal road within the Valla Urban Growth Area (VUGA), marking a major milestone for the long-planned mixed-use precinct. Works began in late January on the 260 metre east–west road, which will link 14 large-scale Stage One industrial lots to Red Ash Road, Valla and provide direct access to […]
Under 16 boys finalists Hugo Spierings (1st), Brynn Spierings (3rd), Harry Stephens (4th) and Sandon Vowels (2nd) with Reflections CMO Peter Chapman, Uncle Tony Clark, and professional surfer Julian Wilson.
YARRAHAPINNI charger Sandon Vowels did the region proud at the Surf Reflections Junior Series last weekend at Rainbow Beach in Bonny Hills, earning second place in the U16s boys division. In small and prevailing onshore conditions, Sandon made it through four rounds on the way to the final before securing second spot. The Series is […]
Macksville High School.
MACKSVILLE High School is proud to announce its exceptional team of school captains for 2026, each bringing their own unique talents and aspirations to the role. Amelia Keen, an avid netball player and passionate reader, enjoys everything from mystery and fantasy to romance and thrillers. With plans to study a double bachelor’s degree in Criminology […]
Ian Napier was slugged with five years' worth of land taxes after diversifying his winery business. Photo: Peter Stoop/AAP PHOTOS.
UNDER the shade of a weeping willow on the banks of a sparkling dam, wine lovers can look out across a sprawling national park while sipping chilled Chardonnay. Members of the Wombat Crossing Vineyard, in the heart of the NSW Hunter Valley wine region, can also stay in a cosy lodge with a fireplace, aptly […]
A paddock to the north-east of Kyogle, which is claimed to have a koala density higher than the best habitat in the GKNP. Photo: NEFA.
THE North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) has questioned the NSW Government’s Koala baseline assessments, saying that a review has found the Government’s models of koala densities broad and inaccurate. This includes claims that cleared paddocks near Kyogle have higher densities of koalas than the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). NEFA says the survey results, often […]
