July 1, 2025
Backlash over ‘quiet cut’ to train passes The six-month Discovery Pass, previously available for $420, offered unlimited travel across NSW TrainLink’s regional train and coach network.
Local News

Backlash over ‘quiet cut’ to train passes

LIBERAL MLC Aileen MacDonald has called for the NSW Government to immediately reinstate three-month and six-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes, describing the removal as a “quiet cut” that disproportionately hurts regional communities. Speaking in the Legislative Council last week, Ms MacDonald moved a motion highlighting the significant impact of the removal of the passes on […]

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Macksville preschool saved from the brink of closure Councillor Tamara McWilliam and Nambucca Valley Council GM Bede Spannagle, the new president of the Macksville Pre-School Childcare Centre.
Local News

Macksville preschool saved from the brink of closure

THE Macksville Pre-School Childcare Centre is celebrating 50 years of service as a not-for-profit community preschool this year. The half century landmark was almost not reached however, after the preschool fell on hard times that threatened the closure of the centre earlier this year. With the challenge of fixing a severely damaged roof, removal of […]

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Humpback whale migration begins with prime viewing from Nambucca coast A humpback whale breaching off the east coast. Photo: Jonas Liebschner, NPWS.
Local News

Humpback whale migration begins with prime viewing from Nambucca coast

A humpback whale breaching off the east coast. Photo: Jonas Liebschner, NPWS. A playful humpback close to the shoreline. Photo: Jonas Liebschner, NPWS. HUMPBACK whales are passing the Nambucca Valley on their annual migration. Each year, approximately 40,000 humpback whales leave their Antarctic feeding grounds and travel north to the warmer waters off NSW and […]

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Recovery effort dedicated to fallen Bellingen soldier Volunteers are assisting with recovery tasks such as damage assessments, debris removal, chainsaw operations, and property clean-ups.
Local News

Recovery effort dedicated to fallen Bellingen soldier

Volunteers are assisting with recovery tasks such as damage assessments, debris removal, chainsaw operations, and property clean-ups. DISASTER Relief Australia (RDA) volunteers have been hard at work across Nambucca, Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Taree helping residents with flood recovery. Volunteers are assisting with recovery tasks such as damage assessments, debris removal, chainsaw operations, and property […]

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Recovery continues at Macksville Memorial Aquatic and Fitness Centre Macksville Memorial Aquatic and Fitness Centre was heavily impacted by floodwaters. Photo: Taylor Bradshaw.
Local News

Recovery continues at Macksville Memorial Aquatic and Fitness Centre

RECOVERY work continues at the Macksville Memorial Aquatic and Fitness Centre, which sustained significant damage in the recent floods. The Centre has been closed for the safety of the community while assessments take place. Council’s insurer conducted an assessment on the centre on Tuesday 3 June. Initial electrical safety work is now underway, with a […]

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Mary Gibson’s remarkable recovery – part one
Local News

Mary Gibson’s remarkable recovery – part one

MARY Gibson has lived on a hilltop property in Talarm for more than 40 years. A dedicated gardener, conservationist and active member of the community, Mary also has a remarkable tale of recovery to share. Her pleasant and fruitful daily existence took a shocking turn on the morning of December 9, 2022, when she took […]

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Fijian students graduate with aged care qualifications
Local News

Fijian students graduate with aged care qualifications

TWENTY-FIVE Fijian students celebrated their graduation from NV College this week, each earning a Certificate III in Individual Support. A graduation ceremony recognised the hard work and dedication of the students, who have completed their training under the Australian Government’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, as part of the Aged Care Expansion (ACE) program. […]

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Winners announced for 19th Nambucca Valley Writers Group competition Lisa Milner, Robyn Dyer, Roby Aiken and Ross Pascoe. Photo: Diane Curran.
Local News

Winners announced for 19th Nambucca Valley Writers Group competition

THE Nambucca Valley Writers Group have announced the winners of their annual writing competition, a tradition for the past 19 years. The 2025 theme was ‘performance piece’ and was judged by Lisa Milner, a Coffs Harbour writer who was once a long-term member of the group. “There was a very high standard of performance pieces, […]

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Tourism, hospitality businesses declare GKNP support Steve Hill, owner of Coffs Skydiving, hands the group’s letter to Premier Chris Minns.
Local News

Tourism, hospitality businesses declare GKNP support

MORE than 100 local businesses from the Mid North Coast have put their case to the NSW Premier for the creation of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) as a “game-changing tourism destination” to rival the Blue Mountains and the Great Barrier Reef”. The business coalition submitted a signed letter to Mr Minns at State […]

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Farewell to a surf film pioneer: Jack McCoy dies at 76 Surfers at Scotts Head last week celebrated the life and marked the passing of Jack McCoy with a traditional paddle-out in his honour.
Local News

Farewell to a surf film pioneer: Jack McCoy dies at 76

Surfers at Scotts Head last week celebrated the life and marked the passing of Jack McCoy with a traditional paddle-out in his honour. Surf cinematographer Jack McCoy after being injured at Teahupoo in 2003. Photo: AAP Image/ASP/Pierre Tostee. THE world of surf filmmaking has lost one of its most influential figures, with the passing of […]

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