BERRY farming is a huge contributor to the Mid North Coast economy but it is under scrutiny over several areas. One of those areas is modern slavery, and the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner, Dr James Cockayne, has written a submission to the NSW Government detailing systemic labour exploitation in the berry industry in and around Coffs […]
EVERY 10 days, Australia loses a farmer to suicide. Behind that number are families, communities and generations forever impacted. As many farming families continue recovering from drought, floods, bushfires and other natural disasters while navigating increasing financial pressures, the need for support has never been greater. This August, Australians are being urged to register, donate […]
THE Nambucca Valley community is mourning the passing of much-loved Scottish Country Dance teacher Marjorie “Marj” Trotter, whose passion for dance, friendship and lifelong learning enriched the lives of countless local people. Marj passed away recently at the age of 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that continues through the Scottish Country Dance class she […]
The fire behind the Nambucca Heads Surf Club Photo: Madeline Pearce.
FIREFIGHTERS extinguished a bushfire near the Lions Lookout in Nambucca Heads after multiple triple-zero calls from the community on Monday evening. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) were called to the blaze at about 7:40pm. Two fire trucks and up to 12 firefighters from the Nambucca Heads Fire Station […]
Sawtell Dunecare volunteers on their Boambee Headland site. Photo: Rob Cleary SeenAustralia.
LANDCARE Week runs from 3-9 August and this year the goal is to encourage people to get involved and see first-hand the many benefits Landcare offers. This may be by attending a Landcare activity or working bee, meeting volunteers, or seeing first-hand the impact community action is having across the Coast. By visiting a working […]
Seven confirmed cases of bird flu have been detected in greater crested terns, a common coastal species in Australia. Photo: AAP Image/Andrew Stafford.
THE poultry industry is on alert after seven cases of bird flu found in native species, marking a new phase for the outbreak. Five were collected from Southend in what is the outbreak’s first known cluster of cases in Australia. “This is the announcement conservationists have been dreading,” the Invasive Species Council said. Australia has […]
FRIENDS of Pine Creek and other locals have been saddened by the death of a koala found during logging operations in Pine Creek State Forest. Forestry Corporation NSW (FCNSW) released a statement saying it was notified by its timber harvesting contractor that an unwell and injured koala had been found within an active plantation harvesting […]
A NEW national warning system, AusAlert, is being rolled out and a test message will be sent next Monday, 27 July, at 2pm. The AusAlert website spells out what people should expect. “At the time of the test, a single Critical AusAlert test will be sent to every mobile device in Australia,” the site says. […]
A MAJOR expansion of shark-spotting drones across the NSW coastline has been welcomed by local surf organisations, with the State Government announcing a $120 million investment aimed at improving safety for swimmers, surfers and other beach users. The government will invest an additional $34 million to significantly increase drone surveillance, making it the largest expansion […]
Happy punters Michael Broome, Brett Groundwater, Drew Mitchell and Jake Jeffries. Photo: Jen Hetherington.
Happy punters Michael Broome, Brett Groundwater, Drew Mitchell and Jake Jeffries. Photo: Jen Hetherington. Anyone for golf? Photo: Jen Hetherington. The crew ready for the auction. Photo: Jen Hetherington. Though most of the muddy racers were destined for the pot, it was rumoured that a few made it home to the river. Photo: Jen Hetherington. […]
