KING Charles III has expressed his admiration for emergency services and volunteers who responded to deadly flooding in Australia’s most populous state. Five people died and more than 1200 buildings were made uninhabitable after the record-breaking deluge across the NSW mid-north coast and surrounding regions. The flooding, which has now mostly ended, “greatly concerned” himself […]

MORE than half a billion dollars will go towards dealing with domestic violence in a bid to undo years of “neglect” in Australia’s most populous state. The funding will go towards supporting victim-survivors and keeping alleged abusers behind bars to “build a safer NSW”. The government announced the funding pledges on Monday before the state […]

JETSTAR will launch a direct route between Newcastle and Denpasar (Bali) from 21 October. Denpasar is a major international aviation hub offering connections to over 40 countries. The service is set to be run three times a week, and will be the first international route offered from Newcastle’s new international terminal. Minister for Jobs and […]

FROM the door of Mel Connell’s gift shop, in shin-deep water, the only things still recognisable were a few hanging festoon and fairy lights. After 14 years as a small retailer, she had to refashion her premises after floods ripped through the northern NSW town of Lismore in February 2022. By September, Ms Connell had […]

POLICE are pouring resources into Australia’s flood-ravaged towns to prevent a breakdown in law and order after two men were arrested for alleged looting. NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell said extra officers were on the beat in NSW’s mid-north coast and Hunter regions after the men, both aged 20, were arrested for allegedly stealing […]

MORE than 100 Disaster Relief Australia volunteers have deployed to assist communities of the Hunter and Mid North Coast with flood recovery. The veteran-led volunteer organisation has mobilised its volunteers into communities including Taree, Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Nambucca to begin clean-up efforts after the recent devastating weather event that has hit the region. Tasked […]

SOUTHERN Cross University (SCU) researchers Dr Emily Howells and Dr David Abrego have recently taken the reins at the Lizard Island Research Station (LIRS) in the northern Great Barrier Reef. Both were previously based at the University’s National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour. Dr Howells said the partners in life and marine science have […]

NUCLEAR energy has blown up a political agreement between the Nationals and the Liberals after leaders failed to reach common ground, but left the door open for a reconciliation. The traditional political marriage couldn’t be consecrated following a disastrous result for the coalition at the federal election with the Nationals standing firm on wanting to […]