Port Stephens News, sport and weather | Port Stephens Examiner

Lions prop Luke Higgins stretches out to score a try for Souths.

Sports shorts

Peter Arnold

CHALLENGE: Soldiers Point bowls director Terry Antram invites bowlers of all levels to take part in the Thursday evening challenge.

The bowl challenge for all ages

Charlie Elias

The annual Mattara Hillclimb will return to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex for a third year at the end on September 29-30.

Dates set for Mattara Hillclimb challenge

Lions prop Luke Higgins stretches out to score a try for Souths.

Sports shorts

SELECTION: Raymond Terrace rugby representative Logan Badger, aged 15, (right) with CrossFit trainer Mitchell Cox.

Rugby recruit dreams of playing on the big stage

Charlie Elias

HEY DAY: John Peard in the 1976 rugby league grand-final for Parramatta.

‘Bomber’ Peard to guest speak at MOL charity day

The annual Mattara Hillclimb will return to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex for a third year at the end on September 29-30.

Dates set for Mattara Hillclimb challenge

Port Stephens Community Arts Centre bonsai experts Liz and Mel. The Bonsai Show returns to the centre during the October long weekend.

Learn the art of bonsai at arts centre during October long weekend

NEW ROLE: Port Stephens actor Harold Phipps tries his hand at directing for the first time with Young People Theatre's new production, Elf the Musical JR.

Phipps swaps stage for director’s chair

Melinda McMillan

The annual Mattara Hillclimb will return to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex for a third year at the end on September 29-30.

Dates set for Mattara Hillclimb challenge

In2Adventure brings athletes into the wilds for the TreX Cross Triathlon and Tomaree Trail Run Festival. Picture: Supplied

Port to become off road action hot spot this weekend

Ellie-Marie Watts

CARING: Oakvale Wildlife Park keeper Angus Hobbs-Haigh with Yilli and Paluk, two of the Salt Ash park's four joeys. Koalas will be a topic of talks during the park's Threatened Species Weekend. Picture: Ellie-Marie Watts

Oakvale’s weekend for threatened wildlife

Ellie-Marie Watts

Picturesque: Set on the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik's old town has served as the backdrop for many films and television shows and is full of history and adventure.

Cruise the Mediterranean’s medieval cities

Picturesque: Set on the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik's old town has served as the backdrop for many films and television shows and is full of history and adventure.

Cruise the Mediterranean’s medieval cities

Sitting pretty: Maker&Son is bringing their comfy, natural products to Australia. Photo: Maker&Son.

Time to get comfy, Australia

Sitting pretty: Maker&Son is bringing their comfy, natural products to Australia. Photo: Maker&Son.

Time to get comfy, Australia

Man of the moment: Santa reassures the children of the world that they have the power within themselves to stay on the Good List.

Santa believes in you too

Man of the moment: Santa reassures the children of the world that they have the power within themselves to stay on the Good List.

Santa believes in you too

SUCCESSFUL TACTIC: Gabrielle Lyth and Mitchell Cook slept in their car to ensure they secured the block they wanted when the fifth and final stage of Wirraway at Thornton was released. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

Overnight stay in car pays off for first home buyers

Renee Valentine

Hartland has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a separate garage-studio. Inset: Peter Garrett

Peter Garrett makes $1.2 million return to Southern Highlands

Lucy Macken

Australians over 55 also need to consider access to services they might need more as they age such as public transport, hospitals, health clubs or community centres.

Planning for your retirement property

Kate Stanton

Port artists painting the mural in Salamander Bay Square.

Artists paint mural for shopping centre’s community library

Laying flowers at the grave of former mayor and MP John Bartlett, from left: Yugawara town councillor Seiichi Tsuchiya, Yugawara International Exchange Association president Yoshinori Hayatoh, Superintendent of the Yugawara Board of Education Tadashi Takahashi and interpreter Moto Utashiro.

Community notices

RESTORED: AIF soldier William Kearsey in the 1920s. Picture: AWM E03092

Road to Remembrance

Port artists painting the mural in Salamander Bay Square.

Artists paint mural for shopping centre’s community library

HIGHER POWER: 20th Battalion chaplain Captain Robert Crawford, from Toowong, Queensland, conducting a burial service near Péronne on August 31, 1918. Picture: AWM E03092

Road to Remembrance

Michael Grealy

Port Stephens Community Arts Centre bonsai experts Liz and Mel. The Bonsai Show returns to the centre during the October long weekend.

Learn the art of bonsai at arts centre during October long weekend

Tom Mitchell awarded the 2018 Brownlow Medal

Karuah Public School fete on Saturday, September 22. Picture: Jack Drake

Photos from the Karuah Public School fete

SEEN FROM THE AIR: A 2.5 metre bull shark, filmed 50 metres from Redhead beach. Picture: Hover UAV

Shark-spotting drones return to beaches this summer

The annual Mattara Hillclimb will return to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex for a third year at the end on September 29-30.

Dates set for Mattara Hillclimb challenge

In2Adventure brings athletes into the wilds for the TreX Cross Triathlon and Tomaree Trail Run Festival. Picture: Supplied

Port to become off road action hot spot this weekend

Ellie-Marie Watts

CARING: Oakvale Wildlife Park keeper Angus Hobbs-Haigh with Yilli and Paluk, two of the Salt Ash park's four joeys. Koalas will be a topic of talks during the park's Threatened Species Weekend. Picture: Ellie-Marie Watts

Oakvale’s weekend for threatened wildlife

Ellie-Marie Watts

Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer, Liberal candidate Jaimie Abbott and the Minister, Andrew Constance, walking down William Street, Raymond Terrace.

Minister takes a stroll down William Street

HAT TRICK: Port Stephens Hornets Hockey Club’s senior men’s team clinched their third Newcastle Men's Hockey premiership on Sunday.

Hornets make it hockey premierships three in a row

ACCESS FOR ALL: Anna Bay resident Adolfo Pozzi believes the council should use existing rates to improve cycleways.

Letters to the Editor

RATE RISE: Port Stephens Council is hosting a series of information sessions and discussions so residents can learn more about its Special Rate Variation proposal.

Letters to the Editor

ACTION: Residents unsure about a proposed rate rise by Port Stephens Council (councillors pictured) are urged to attend planned community meetings.

Letters to the Editor

ACCESS FOR ALL: Anna Bay resident Adolfo Pozzi believes the council should use existing rates to improve cycleways.

Letters to the Editor

OPPOSED: Cr Giacomo Arnott voted against raising rates in Port Stephens.

Letters to the Editor

ALTERNATIVE: The extension of Austral Street to Government Road, Shoal Bay would negate the need for a Fingal Bay link road according to Gerry Mohan.

Letters to the Editor

SPOTLIGHT: Failings of the aged care industry will come under scrutiny from a Royal Commission.

Advocacy groups applaud aged care Royal Commission news

Eileen Wood

Simply stunned: Michael Palin said he feels "incredibly lucky" to have had such a diverse career, from Monty Python to travelling the world. Photo: John Swannell

Michael Palin: Always look on the bright side of life

Samara Ross

COMMONPLACE: Close to one million colonoscopies are carried out each year.

Colonoscopy stories wanted

Samara Ross

More than a million teenagers are expected to get the meningococcal vaccine in the next four years.

Teens to get free meningococcal vaccine

2hrs ago

Dilemma over whale carcass on Sydney beach

Wildlife Park welcomes a devilish addition to the family

Rescued Indian sailor 'conscious, talking'

Labor would ban childcare enrolment gifts

Marnie Banger

SA man found not guilty of terror offences

Kathryn Bermingham

May Allah keep you steadfast: husband told

Margaret Scheikowski

Qld govt stands by shark cull decision

Sonia Kohlbacher

Hamilton Island’s Qualia … a taste of what’s available through A&K.

Six highlights in your travel week | 21 Sept

John Rozentals

Why high fashion and travel make perfect bedfellows

Burma Lane … a place to dazzle your tastebuds.

Undiscovered Melbourne still surprises and delights

John Rozentals

Create a budget-friendly garden by striking cuttings. Dip the ends in honey to encourage growth and give them plenty of sun and water.

Plenty to do this weekend

Jennifer Birchall

The Makers & Technology Festival brings people and ideas together for the workforce of the future. Image Shutterstock.

Skills steaming forward

EARLY SHIFT: Breakfast radio announcer Richard King talks with Scott Bevan at Momo Wholefood cafe. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

Breakfast radio King’s wake-up call

Scott Bevan