Life
Sleepless in the Hawkesbury
Sleepless nights are becoming an increasingly common struggle for residents across the Hawkesbury, particularly as the population ages. Health experts say insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early is affecting more than one in 10 Australians at any given time, with rates rising significantly among older adults.
Ancient cravings: Why our love of alcohol may go back millions of years
Researchers believe our interest in alcohol has an evolutionary link to common primate behaviour. Drinking and pub culture are not a recent invention. We know our ancestors “invented” alcohol thousands of years ago, but now it seems that our drinking habits could be related to human evolution. Research from the
Garden Stinkers
Does something smell off in your garden? This deceptive fungus is actually nourishing your soil.
Governor Macquarie’s Hawkesbury Towns
Governor Lachlan Macquarie left a profound mark on the Hawkesbury. He laid out flood-resilient towns, championed the region as New South Wales’ early food bowl, and dealt with the Hawkesbury’s Aboriginal peoples in ways both collaborative and violent, leaving a complex legacy that still resonates in local landscapes and
Protecting the Hawkesbury: The Fight Against Invasive Weeds
The Hawkesbury is known for its fertile floodplains, productive farms and extraordinary natural beauty. But beneath the surface, a quieter battle is underway the fight against invasive weeds threatening our river systems, bushland and agricultural land. This invasion has been exacerbated by fire and flood disasters. Leading that charge is
Plucky Platypus defying the odds
Local landholders are playing a vital role in restoring riverbanks, reconnecting habitats, and helping one of Australia’s most iconic animals thrive in the Hawkesbury‑Nepean.
Local Author Shares Powerful Journey Through Rare Illness in New Memoir
When life changed in an instant, Hawkesbury mother Mary Anne Allen faced a future she never imagined sudden paralysis that stripped her of independence, identity, and certainty. Yet through hardship, grief, and loss, she found a voice not just for herself but for many others, culminating in her deeply moving
Swallow Launches Down Under
‘If you knew where you were, you could control where you were going.’ Captain William Swallow.
How “Nature Heals” Celebrates Healing Through Country, Coast, Community
In a world that moves fast and city-scapes dominate, a quiet but powerful movement is growing one rooted in soil, green shoots and the quiet whisper of leaves. The book Nature Heals offers a heartfelt invitation to reconnect with nature, and reminds us that healing doesn’t always come from
Human Composting as Sustainable End-of-Life Option
Research shows cremation pollutes our air and burial also takes a heavy toll when you consider cemetery maintenance. Consider Earthy Remains?
Colo High School Marks RUOK? Day with Bake Sale and Soccer Showdown
The spirit of connection was alive at Colo High School for RUOK Day, where students and staff came together to celebrate the day with food, fun, and sport.
Music for Peace: Eklektika Moves and Inspires
In a time when the world is wracked with sorrow and conflict, music can feel like one of the few bridges left between people. At Bilpin Hall the touring vocal group Eklektika proved just how powerful that bridge can be. The ensemble returned to the Hawkesbury with a solemn yet
You are not entitled to your opinion!
The real value of an opinion lies in the reasons and evidence behind it.
The Hard Talks of Life: From the Sex Talk to the Death Talk
Now, decades later, the roles have reversed. As our parents age, it’s up to us—often their adult children—to initiate another essential, uncomfortable conversation: the death talk.
Hawkesbury Art Prize 2025 Finalists Announced
The Hawkesbury’s reputation as a cultural hub will once again be in the spotlight with the announcement of the Hawkesbury Art Prize 2025 finalists, ahead of the awards night on Saturday, August 30, 2025. A biennial award, the Hawkesbury Art Prize is open to Australian artists for a painting,
Facing Death with Openness: Hawkesbury’s Death Cafés and the Role of a Death Doula
Unlike hospice workers or medical staff, death doulas are not there to treat or diagnose. Their work is about being rather than doing—offering deep presence, attention, and reverence for the mystery of dying, working alongside medical/palliative staff
National Science Week Inspires Future Hawkesbury Environmentalists
By Brady Jones Last week, Western Sydney University (WSU) welcomed primary and high school students to their Hawkesbury campus for Re-Gen Z National Science Week. From Year 3 to HSC students, The Hawkesbury is starting sustainability education young, and for the locals we’ve got some interesting insights for your
Burnt into Memory – A Community Still Smouldering
Burnt into Memory is a powerful anniversary exhibition that honours the impact of the Black Summer bushfires, while quietly stirring debate over whose voices are included in telling the story.
From Wilberforce to the Waves of ‘Evelyn Bay’ - rising local star Ned Morgan makes a splash
The Survivors, directed by Tony Ayres and based on Jane Harper’s novel, opens with a chilling storm sequence that tested both Morgan’s physical and emotional limits.
Why mushrooms should be the star of your next dinner party
Looking to elevate your next dinner party? Forget the fussy foie gras or overdone cheese platters — mushrooms are having their moment. These humble fungi, often overlooked as a side dish or soup ingredient, are now stepping into the spotlight for good reason. Not only are mushrooms incredibly versatile in the
Local photographer gains national recognition and inspires next generation
“I’ve always seen photography as a way to tell a story — to freeze a moment in time and give it meaning.”
The Whistling Tourist at Mountain Lagoon
If you've driven through Mount Lagoon recently, chances are you’ve caught a glimpse of a curious, cheerful figure standing tall by the roadside ─ camera slung around his neck, head tilted back, and lips pursed in an eternal whistle. This artwork is a playful sculpture, the work of