Mid North News

A simple trip to a South Grafton op-shop has uncovered some of Australia’s most significant heritage paintings. The artworks from descendants of Indigenous artist Albert Namatjira will now be returned to his family.

The Sydney Children’s Hospital’s Gold Appeal Campaign has ventured to regional New South Wales for the first time. Today, it stopped at Port Macquarie, visiting a special patient.  

A private forestry consultant, a logging contractor and two landholders have been fined a total of $33,000 for unauthorised and illegal native vegetation clearing near Mount Seaview. The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority issued the fines following investigations into private native forestry operations on three adjoining properties at Forbes River. It was discovered the logging, which took place between July and October 20-16, occurred well after the expiry of approvals and without a valid Forest Operation Plan. One property was logged without the knowledge of the landholder. (VISION ONLY)

Manning Valley butchers and wholesalers took to the ring at Wingham Beef Week today for the all important Charity Steer Auction. The donation of a 20-month-old Galloway Steer raising thousands of dollars for a vital community service.  

A group of Indian tourists have cheated death on the mid north coast this morning, when their minibus sideswiped a B-Double truck near Macksville. Five passengers in the van were taken to hospital suffering minor cuts and abrasions.

The state’s largest Rural Fire Service conference is set to get underway in Coffs Harbour tomorrow with more than 450 delegates taking part. The impact of fires on rural communities, like the Pappinbarra disaster last year, will be part of discussions.

A 35-year-old man was lucky to escape alive last night as a rapid fire broke out in his kitchen while he was sleeping. Neighbours raised the alarm, but couldn’t wake the resident. “We started banging on the walls, windows you name it, so we ended up braking the window to get inside and by this stage he was replying to us so he came to the back of the house but we couldn’t get him out of the window.” Police rescued the man while fire fighters worked to bring the blaze under control. Fire and Rescue say there were no working smoke detectors fitted in the house. (AUDIO IN PARTS)  

The Mid North Coast has once again attracted record numbers to its 20-18 Wingham Beef Week. Hundreds of students from across the state put their cattle’s best hoof forward in day three of parading competition.  

Two women have been charged after allegedly robbing and assaulting a man at a licensed premises on the Oxley Highway at Wauchope. Police say a group of people entered Coopers Bar and Grill just before six o’clock last Wednesday night and allegedly threatened a 28-year-old man before assaulting him. Following investigations officers arrested two 18-year-old women on Monday afternoon at Port Macquarie Police station. The owner took to social media claiming the duo got away with a mobile phone, CCTV cameras, work keys and nearly $3-thousand cash. The pair were charged with robbery in company and are due to appear in court on June 6. (VISION ONLY)

It’s nearly that time of year again where people are asked to dig deep and give to those less fortunate in our community. Next weekend thousands of people across the country will be door knocking homes as part of The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal. It’s hoped this years efforts will raise more than $7-million nationwide. “The money is used for the Salvation Army’s social programs. Locally that means help for people who are desperately in need with food and shelter as well as different accounts they can’t pay” – Major Kevin Unicomb. The Salvation Army is still calling on members of the Hastings community to help take to the streets. (AUDIO IN PARTS)