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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

FEDERAL Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan says it’s time for the Coalition to “get on with the job” after a leadership spill saw Angus Taylor oust Sussan Ley from the role of Opposition Leader.  Mr Taylor defeated Ms Ley by 34 votes to 17 in a ballot held last Friday morning, making him the third […]

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 […]

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. […]

EXPRESSIONS of interest for submitting artworks to the Arts Mid North Coast exhibition “Balance the Scales,” in recognition of International Women’s Day, close on Monday 16 February. The exhibition opens on 22 February showing until 8 March at Coffs Harbour MAKE/SPACE gallery on Level 2 of Coffs Central Shopping Centre. Bringing together artists from across […]

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 […]

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 […]