AT 61-years-old, most people might be slowing down. But for Congarinni man Martin Russel, life is still moving full throttle, literally. This June, Martin will take on Australia’s most gruelling motor endurance event, the Tatts Finke Desert Race. Held annually on the King’s Birthday long weekend, the Finke is a world renowned off-road, multi-terrain race […]

Advocacy on the agenda as Nambucca Valley Evening CWA branch attend state conference
NEWS Of The Area joined more than 600 delegates and another 200 observers at the Country Women’s Association’s 103rd State Conference in Wagga Wagga last week. In a statement to media ahead of the conference, CWA of NSW president Joy Beames said, “The high number of motions delegates will be asked to vote on this […]

Mosquito numbers set to soar after long rains
Aedes aegypti mosquito ready for a meal, followed by laying eggs in your birdbath. Photo: Dr Cameron Webb. This backyard birdbath, filled by the recent rains, contains dozens of mosquito larvae that can mature within a week. The black spots are mosquito eggs or pupae, ready to hatch. MOSQUITO numbers are set to soar due […]

Residents urged to be aware of mould impacts after floods
AS the flood clean-up begins across the Mid North Coast, residents are urged to be aware of the impacts of mould. Mould loves moisture and poorly-lit areas that lack decent ventilation, such as walls or wallpaper, ceilings, bathroom tiles, carpets, insulation material and wood. NSW Health states that most health problems caused by mould are […]
Kempsey Mayor welcomes Ministers to witness flood devastation
KEMPSEY Shire Council Mayor Kinne Ring welcomed a delegation of state and federal Ministers to the region on Monday, 26 May to witness firsthand the widespread devastation caused by recent flooding and to advocate for urgent recovery support. Since November 2009 there have been 26 natural disaster declarations for the Kempsey Shire with multiple floods, […]

Radiotherapy kidney cancer treatment soon available in Coffs Harbour
KIDNEY cancer patients on the Mid North Coast will soon have a new treatment option – Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR). It is due to the combined generosity of Coffs Harbour’s Shearwater Lodge, Tour de Rocks Limited and the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour. The SABR technique delivers a high dose of radiotherapy with extreme […]

Billboard truck promotes the Great Koala National Park
A DIFFERENT approach to campaigning for forests has appeared on the streets of Coffs Harbour. A Streetfight Media truck is touring the region throughout May, promoting the establishment of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). A spokesperson for Friends of Orara East State Forest said the large mobile billboard is to remind locals and visitors […]
Tiered fee system proposed for National Park camping
CONCERNS have been raised that tiered pricing for camping in National Parks could leave the pursuit beyond the reach of struggling families. A consultation paper was released last month by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, which sets out proposed changes to the camping fee system for national parks and reserves in NSW. The […]
‘Volunteers make everything we do possible’, says Lifeline North Coast
Lifeline North Coast volunteers. THIS National Volunteer Week, May 19-25, Lifeline North Coast is recognising the individual and collective contributions of all the volunteers who ensure that every Australian has access to hope and connection all day, every day. Lifeline North Coast General Manager Angela Martin, said that demand for services continues to be high, […]
State awards to recognise emergency services volunteers
EMERGENCY services volunteers will be recognised for the first time in the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards. The Centre for Volunteering added this seventh category to its annual celebration, following the announcement in March of the Premier’s Flood Emergency Citation. The citation ensures that the unique and vital contributions of emergency responders and […]