Trusted Since 1888
Trusted Since 1888
World Braille Day: Celebrating the Power of Touch and Inclusion in the Hawkesbury Every year on January 4, the world marks World Braille Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of Braille, an essential communication tool for blind and partially sighted people. This year, as we celebrate
Making things easier for the volunteers who step up to provide hot meals, groceries, and a friendly face for a chat has been a focus of the Volunteer Grants program, according to Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman. Across the Hawkesbury there are 21 not-for-profit groups who have been supported
Every month, around 9 a.m., the men trickle into the Park Mall Café on Richmond’s main street. These men are all former employees of Prospect County Council (PCC), once responsible for the electricity distribution west of the Hawkesbury River.
By Phil Burkitt Hidden deep within rugged sandstone gorges northwest of Sydney, the Wollemi pine stands as one of Australia’s most remarkable botanical discoveries, a living link to the age of the dinosaurs. Discovered only in 1994 by a bushwalker David Noble in Wollemi National Park, just north of
Colo High School is celebrating a moment of immense pride, with 2024 Year 12 graduate Evangeline Cruz-Tabua (Evie) achieving recognition at the very highest level of HSC Visual Arts. Evie’s HSC major work has been selected for ARTEXPRESS 2025, the annual showcase of exemplary student artworks from across New
Honouring the Men Who Strengthen the Hawkesbury this International Men's Day 19 November
Australia's modern history was made here in the Hawkesbury
Windsor Ten Pin marks 40 years as Hawkesbury’s retro bowling hub—keeping free-fall pins, league spirit, and local memories rolling.
Reclaim the Night: Standing Together for Women’s Safety Thursday 30 October.
By Mark McDonnell On September 24 seven representatives of NSW Ambulance came to Bilpin District Hall to speak to locals about setting up a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) service. They wanted to see whether locals would be willing to act as unpaid volunteers to be medical first responders, for
As the Hawkesbury heads into another fire season, it’s more important than ever for our community to stand together. Guided by facts, trust, and respect for those who protect us. False claims and political spin only serve to divide us at a time when unity matters most.
Tenders are called for the licence of the school canteen for the school year commencing on 9 February 2026 for a term of 1 year with an option to renew for 2 additional years.
There was something for everyone. The range of food stalls showcased the incredible diversity of local and regional producers.
Windsor Golf Club will host a special Pink Ribbon Brunch on Thursday, 30th October from 10am to 12pm, inviting locals to come together for conversation, connection, and a meaningful cause — supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The event, hosted by Deputy Mayor Sarah McMahon, promises an uplifting morning featuring a
Frustrated drivers across the Hawkesbury say local roads are worse than ever, with deepening potholes stretching from Bilpin to St Albans making even short trips nerve-wracking. After years of floods and relentless wet weather, the damage is widespread — and residents say their patience has run out. Community advocate Warren Doyle
For Hawkesbury physiotherapist Arron Devine, volunteering with Deaf Football Australia has become more than just a professional contribution — it’s a journey rooted in community, inclusion and giving back. For over seven years, Devine has volunteered his skills to support the organisation, attending more than a dozen week-long training camps
This Saturday, tomorrow, MacKillop Family Services is sharing in the colour, connection, and community spirit of the annual Parramatta Pride Picnic — a vibrant celebration of inclusion. MacKillop invites LGBTIQA+ individuals, families, and allies from across Greater Western Sydney and the Hawkesbury to come together in support of children in care.
Partnership connects older residents with community stories
Falling behind our neighbours in disaster infrastructure
“It keeps me out of the pub. The atmosphere’s friendly. Some blokes come in really uptight at first, but after a while they relax, they talk. It makes a difference.”
Dementia is now the second leading cause of death in Australia
Why are Hawkesbury specific issues barely mentioned at our local political party meetings?
The National Climate Risk Assessment warns the Hawkesbury faces escalating flood, bushfire, and heatwave threats - locals are calling for urgent investment in infrastructure and emergency planning.
Since taking over on July 1st, Joanne Sepping is determined to uphold this Ebenezer café’s country charm and tasty menu that keep local faces returning.
Hawkesbury residents now have easier access to urgent health care without leaving home, thanks to a new NSW Labor Government initiative that delivers free virtual health services across the state. The service, available through Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, connects people with qualified clinicians between 8am and 10pm, seven days
Since 2014, Science for Wildlife has been documenting koalas across landscapes from Wollemi National Park to the leafy streets of Kurrajong. Their research has uncovered an encouraging story of survival, showing that local habitats still hold the key to the species’ future.
Hawkesbury City Council has voted to increase rents on community-based early childhood education centres operating from Council-owned buildings, phasing them up to 80 per cent of commercial rates over the next four years. Under the decision, centres will face a 20 per cent rise this year, with annual increases continuing
A new chapter now open in North Richmond with specialty stores and amenities.
Fire chiefs, residents, business and community leaders renew call for roadside water tanks to stop bushfires from entering Western Sydney
"Daniel’s warm heart, energy, and trademark cackling laugh brighten even the toughest day".
Blooming with Pride: Wattle Day Marks the First Day of Spring
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is back in the headlines—too often for the wrong reasons.
We love having families and the wider community come along,” Franks said. “It’s a great day out, it supports a good cause, and it keeps our rural heritage alive
At North Richmond Vet Hospital, we regularly treat cats and dogs that have been poisoned by rodenticides and heartbreakingly, not all survive.
The skies above the Hawkesbury will roar to life this spring when the RAAF Richmond Airshow returns on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September 2025, marking 100 years since RAAF Base Richmond was established. Billed as one of the largest aviation events in the region’s history, the weekend will
“Although the weather was against us this year, with storms, constant rain and freezing temperatures, it only further demonstrated the reality that members of our community — and people right across the country — have to contend with each and every day.”
“I had to stop watching the images of what’s happening in Gaza — it felt like a modern-day holocaust, and I felt powerless,”
Equipping Hawkesbury residents, young and old, with the ability to recognise fake news is an essential first step in fighting back.
Cattai Public School students swapped classrooms for creek banks on Thursday, 24 July, joining a special environmental education day designed to inspire the next generation of platypus protectors. The event formed part of the Resilient Rivers for Resilient Hawkesbury Platypus Populations project (RRRP), led by the Hawkesbury Environment Network and
Under a bright winter sky, more than a hundred guests gathered last Thursday at St John of God Richmond Hospital for the annual Veterans’ Day Commemoration Service—a moving tribute to those who have served and continue to serve our nation. Among the attendees were Hawkesbury Mayor Les Sheather, Councillor
A world-first step in the right direction for Hawkesbury and Australian children’s online safety, mental health and wellbeing.
Sometimes, big changes—like floods, fires, or long dry spells—can affect how we live. But instead of only reacting to problems, we can prepare in advance by strengthening what already works
By Sarah Langston In July 2025, sweeping changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) quietly came into force. These changes are reshaping the scheme’s reach and effectiveness, especially for those in regional and rural communities like ours here in the Macquarie electorate, which includes the Hawkesbury and the
Nurse Next Door is an Australian government approved home care packaged provider.
Everyone from school-aged musicians to seasoned professionals can find their place in the ensemble, and the orchestra is also welcoming new players.
“Too many people are suffering in silence. This is about starting honest conversations, breaking stigma and reminding people they’re not alone."
In the heart of the Hawkesbury lives a man whose greatest love story isn't with a person — it's with a pocket-sized instrument that changed his life - the humble harmonica. James, a familiar face at the Kurrajong Bowling Club and a dedicated member of the Macquarie
Fire is just one of the natural disasters pushing up insurance premiums. Homeowners in the Hawkesbury region are facing significant increases in home insurance premiums, driven by escalating climate-related risks and wider industry trends. Despite not being the most expensive area to insure in the Sydney basin, residential insurance in
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, one Hawkesbury regular is taking action to make a real difference — one family at a time. Jacki Spinoza, who regularly visits our area and is a passionate advocate for social justice and community wellbeing, has stepped forward to provide direct support to Palestinian
A key oversight in the newly exhibited Hawkesbury Bush Fire Risk Management Plan has sparked concern among residents and rural landholders across the district, particularly in high-risk areas like Bilpin, Colo and St Albans Districts. Despite being a legislative requirement under the Rural Fires Act 1997, the plan appears to
Foxes are highly adaptive. They scavenge, hunt efficiently, and are active mostly at night. They thrive around farms, bins, and roadsides — and their growing numbers are making life even harder for local wildlife.
Cricket in the Hawkesbury region is more than just a summer pastime — it’s a sporting tradition that stretches back well over a century. From dusty paddocks to well-manicured ovals, generations of cricketers have picked up bat and ball in the Hawkesbury, forging not just a strong sporting culture, but
Dozens of car lovers gathered to admire the collection, swap stories, and celebrate the artistry and history behind each ride.
From July 1, Hawkesbury residents can take advantage of a major new federal initiative aimed at slashing energy bills and boosting the region’s transition to renewable energy.
If you’ve taken the scenic drive through Mountain Lagoon lately, you may have noticed a curious figure watching the horizon — lips pursed, camera around his neck, head tilted skyward in a moment of quiet, joyful whistle. Meet The Whistling Tourist, a whimsical roadside sculpture that’s fast becoming a
From the dusty paddocks of the Hawkesbury to the rugged terrain of East Africa, 36-year-old amateur rally driver and mechanic Timothy Wilkins is preparing to take on the challenge of a lifetime - the legendary East African Safari Classic Rally.
A grassroots initiative in North Richmond is helping locals put one foot in front of the other—not just for physical health, but for mental well-being too. The North Richmond Walk It Off group, part of the nationwide Walk It Off Australia charity, invites locals to come together for weekly
A chilly winter day was forecast but it turned into a picture-perfect Sunday on June 22, as members of the Bentley Drivers Club gathered for the much-anticipated Kurrajong Run. The destination was the Archibald Hotel in Kurrajong Heights, where manager Tom extended a warm welcome to drivers and guests. The