February 25, 2026
Childcare workers on ‘ick’ alert after abuse scandals Goodstart Early Learning CEO Dr Ros Baxter says nothing is more critical than children's safety. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
Local News

Childcare workers on ‘ick’ alert after abuse scandals

AUSTRALIA’S childcare workers are on “ick” alert as they scramble to rebuild public trust after the sector was engulfed in sexual abuse scandals and widespread safety concerns. A Senate inquiry into the troubled industry moved to Brisbane on Monday as it probes quality and safety in the nation’s early childhood education and care system. It […]

Read More
Varroa mite showing resistance to chemical treatments L925I significantly reduces the efficacy of pyrethroid miticides in managing affected mite populations.
Local News

Varroa mite showing resistance to chemical treatments

THE NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has confirmed the first case of Varroa mite pyrethroid resistance in the state. Laboratory testing at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute identified a known genetic mutation, L925I, which causes pyrethroid resistance in Varroa mites. DPIRD Honey Bee Technical Specialist, Elizabeth Frost, said L925I significantly reduces […]

Read More
Forestry organisations promote sustainable management in new report Disagreements about what should be included in the GKNP continue. Photo: Tim Cadman.
Local News

Forestry organisations promote sustainable management in new report

FORESTRY Australia, a not‑for‑profit, independent professional association representing more than 1,100 scientists, practitioners, and farm forest growers, has released information showing well-managed forests are “critical to Australia meeting its emissions reduction targets”. The organisation says its Forest Carbon Balance Evidence Review brings together the latest science on forest carbon dynamics and demonstrates that sustainable forest […]

Read More
Rain fails to dampen spirits at Open Streets Festival Dante from Hoorai Balloons created enormous fleeting artwork along the riverbank. Photo: Mick Birtles.
Local News

Rain fails to dampen spirits at Open Streets Festival

Dante from Hoorai Balloons created enormous fleeting artwork along the riverbank. Photo: Mick Birtles. Zenzi Grace and Zella Young, creators of The Great Fashion Stitch Up, are pictured with Cole Tucker, Elise McCabe and Sophia Luxton. Photo: Mick Birtles. Anne Sutton, Michelle Walker and Linda Jerrison from the Nambucca Macksville Evening View Club. Photo: Mick […]

Read More
Blueberry opposition meeting draws a crowd in Macksville
Local News

Blueberry opposition meeting draws a crowd in Macksville

MORE than 130 people attended a public meeting hosted by the Nambucca Environment Network (NEN) at the Macksville Ex-Services Club on Monday night. NEN has spent the last several years lobbying against intensive blueberry farming in the region. Speakers at the event included Greens Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) Cate Faehrmann and Nambucca Valley […]

Read More
Six inspiring love stories celebrated on Valentine’s Day
Local News

Six inspiring love stories celebrated on Valentine’s Day

Elaine and Mervyn. Elaine and Warwick. Jeanette and Robert. Errol and Jeannette. Ellie and Ray. Bev and Brian. THIS Valentine’s Day, Autumn Lodge in Macksville is celebrating six long‑lasting love stories. Together, these couples share more than 340 years of marriage and partnership – a testament to the strength of their devotion to one another. […]

Read More
Forestry firefighters deployed to South Australia Firefighters have been deployed to both Victoria and South Australia. Photos: supplied.
Local News

Forestry firefighters deployed to South Australia

Firefighters have been deployed to both Victoria and South Australia. Photos: supplied. Smoke fills the air on the Victorian firefront. FORESTRY Corporation of NSW last week deployed 10 firefighters to South Australia to support firefighting operations following several weeks of assistance in Victoria.  Forestry Corporation, one of NSW’s four firefighting agencies, has more than 500 […]

Read More
Local talks energy solutions at Nambucca Valley Council The City of Kwinana’s ‘Waste to Energy’ facility, owned by Acciona, opened in 2025. Photo: Acciona.
Local News

Local talks energy solutions at Nambucca Valley Council

LOCAL resident Richard Simshauser addressed last month’s Nambucca Valley Council meeting to “educate and inspire”, presenting options for creating and storing energy that may apply to the region. Calling upon his 50 years of electrical industry experience, Mr Simshauser explained that this field is undergoing changes and urged the Council to consider now what choices […]

Read More