ABC Central West

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Islamic school faces de-registration over comments about Zionism

A NSW Islamic school could face de-registration if it does not provide evidence its principal is "fit and proper".

Sheik Abdulghani Albaf infront of a sign

Published: YesterdayWed 24 Dec 2025 at 10:35amSource: ABC RiverinaTopic: Religious Schoolsby Rachel Holdsworth

Green thumb goes from a backyard business to 40,000 Christmas trees

From a backyard in Wollongong to a booming farm in the NSW Central West, Christmas trees are big business for Lawrence Ranson.

Man standing among christmas trees, looking up

Published: TueTue 23 Dec 2025 at 1:36amSource: ABC Central WestTopic: Christmasby Emily Middleton

Gold mine pays $330,000 after two dust incidents

One of the country's largest gold mines in the NSW Central West will buy five new dust monitors after incidents at its tailings dam.

Sunset picture of gold mine operations with mountain range in background

Published: TueTue 23 Dec 2025 at 12:39amSource: ABC Central WestTopic: Goldby Lani Oataway

Driver charged after car hits patrons at NSW pub

A man has been charged after seven people were injured when a car crashed into a pub on the New South Wales central tablelands.

Published: SunSun 21 Dec 2025 at 11:58pmSource: ABC Central WestTopic: Road Accidents and Incidentsby Hamish Cole

Pickers 'living in squalor' claim their end-of-season bonus was unfairly withheld

Ten pickers who worked at Hallmark Cherries' orchard in NSW complain about poorly maintained accommodation and failure to pay an end-of-season bonus.

A close-up image of a bunch of ripe cherries, still on the tree.

Published: SunSun 21 Dec 2025 at 10:04pmSource: NSW Country HourTopic: Fruit Growingby David Claughton

Hunting club member says there is 'no need' for anyone to own 100 guns

In the wake of the Bondi terror attack and upcoming government firearms restrictions, some people are asking why anyone would need to own 100 guns.

Published: FriFri 19 Dec 2025 at 5:56amSource: ABC Mid North CoastTopic: Gun Controlby Sophia McCaughan

Child abuse falsely detected in bakery's social media

The Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman says he's seen a rise in small businesses disputes with digital platforms.

Published: FriFri 19 Dec 2025 at 1:43amSource: ABC Western PlainsTopic: Social Mediaby Lily Plass

Listen back

ABC Central West Local News

Local news, updated weekdays at 6:30am.

Duration: 4 minutes 58 seconds

Source: Listen

Country Hour celebrates 80 years of continuous broadcasting

Listen to how the Country Hour reported on agriculture over 80 years.

Illustration of 80 with the 0 in the shape of a windmill. Below: The Country Hour; celebrating 80 years of telling rural stories

Duration: 50 minutes 56 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Agricultureby Michael Condon

Accidental artist transforms his hometown

Callum Hotham spent his childhood roaming the streets of Bathurst. Little did he know that he would one day transform his hometown. Story by Lani Oataway with additional production by Josie Sargent.

Man stands in front of large mural painted on wall.

Duration: 2 minutes 57 seconds

Source: ABC New EnglandTopic: Street Artby Lani Oataway

Blueberry concerns

If you're wondering whether to buy blueberries for your kids to eat, you're probably not alone.

Duration: 9 minutes 28 seconds

Source: ABC Ruralby David Claughton

ABC Radio CENTRAL WEST

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Parma Wallabies

Peter Pigott has been caring for his population of the rare Parma Wallaby for more than half a century.

A group of wallabies eating nuts or seeds.

Duration: 57 seconds

Source: ABC News

A helicopter conducts its first night-time water-bombing operation.

The NSW rural Fire Service has carried out its first night-time water bombing operations at the bushfire near Lithgow.

Night vision of a helicopter dropping water on fires

Duration: 46 seconds

Source: ABC Central West

King of the Mountains trailer

William Corlett, 21, raised money for Lifeline while climbing 20,000m in elevation of the Blue Mountains in June 2024. A documentary of the journey 'King of the Mountains' has premiered in Katoomba.

A video graphic shows an aerial view of the terrain and the route

Duration: 1 minute 43 seconds

Source: ABC Central West

Three years since an ‘inland tsunami’ hit the town of Eugowra

It's been almost three years since a 'wall of water' smashed the small town of Eugowra in western New South Wales. Xanthe Gregory reports.

Duration: 8 minutes 18 seconds

Source: ABC News

Features

How The Dish reintroduced Australia to the Moon landing

The film The Dish helped reintroduce a new generation of Australians to the critical role the Parkes Observatory played in the Moon landing. Twenty-five years after its release, the film has had a lasting impact.

Sam Neill and three actors in front of the Dish

Source: ABC Central WestTopic: Moviesby Hamish Cole

Old fashioned farming with heavy horses

Aleks Berzins is farming the land in the same way his grandfather did, using draught horses for jobs now widely done by machines.

A man sits on an old plough with horses in the foreground

Source: LandlineTopic: Horse Farmingby Emily Doak

Abattoir worker who lost part of leg in accident recalls how he was blamed

Almost four years after his leg was partially severed in a workplace accident, Dean Spencer's recovery is ongoing.

A man wearing a red t-shirt, with shoulder-length, straight brown hair, looks straight ahead.

Source: ABC RiverinaTopic: Workplace Accidents and Incidentsby Andrew Mangelsdorf

Farmers find fresh PFOS foam in central-west NSW river

An Australian-first scientific paper published on the bubble bath effect has established what is causing the phenomenon, as its author calls for more warnings along the Belubula River.

White foam bobs on the surface of a river.

Source: ABC Central WestTopic: Water Pollutionby Micaela Hambrett

What's happening

Know your ABCs in an emergency

This summer know your ABCs; action plan, be safe, connect with us. The ABC has a host of useful resources and tips on how to best prepare yourself for emergency weather so you can keep you and your household safe.

Letters A, B and C in pink, yellow and blue with small infographics of people completing emergency safety tasks

Published: 17 Dec 2025Wed 17 Dec 2025 at 5:08amSource: ABC EmergencyTopic: Bushfires

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The ABC listen app connects you to the best podcasts and live radio from the presenters you know and love. Download it today and hear the world differently.

Published: 27 Aug 2024Tue 27 Aug 2024 at 4:23amSource: ABC BRISBANE

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Want informative, educational and entertaining stories straight to your inbox? Subscribe to a wide range of newsletters from around the ABC including local and national content.

Published: 17 Jun 2024Mon 17 Jun 2024 at 1:53amSource: ABC BRISBANE

Tell us what you think about our programs

You can help shape what we do by joining our online feedback community, YourSpace. Plus, you'll have a chance to win 1 of 5 $100 gift cards monthly!

Photoshopped YourSpace Header which reads: 'How are we doing? ABC Your Space'

Published: 11 Jul 2023Tue 11 Jul 2023 at 12:02amSource: Radio

NSW Sport

'We push it to the max': She ready to add to Sydney to Hobart history

A fellowship of sailors will embark on She's 23rd Sydney to Hobart campaign. As they do they will honour one of the most resilient boats in the race's history and remember late owner Peter Rodgers.

A crew of eight sailors seated or crouching on board a boat, posing before the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Sailing

Sydney to Hobart set for strong starting winds, but nothing like 2024

The Sydney to Hobart fleet is in for milder conditions this year than in 2024, when two people died on the first night of racing, although sailors have been warned to expect strong winds.

Master Lock Comanche, LawConnect and Celestial V70 with Sydney in the background.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Sailing

feel good

Why 83-year-old Nancy is training to run her next marathon at 90

Nancy Dickman has run marathons in London, New York, Rome and Sydney, and at 83 shows no signs of slowing down.

A smiling Nancy Dickmann in a hat and glasses, fluro top smiling with her thumb up.

Source: ABC NewcastleTopic: Ageing

Re-Spin: Mark Schwarzer on Australian football's past glories and future challenges

The Socceroos' 2005 World Cup qualifier win over Uruguay is arguably Australia's greatest sports moment. Mark Schwarzer was at the centre of it and has just been named to Sports Australia's Hall of Fame.

Mark Schwarzer lifts his arms in the air wearing a grey goalkeeper's outfit with several Australian soccer players behind.

Duration: 14 minutes

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

NSW News

Charity, church services and cheer as Australians give back on Christmas Day

Australians have marked another Christmas Day with solemnity and celebration, with churches full and beaches packed.

A man dressed as Santa giving out presents

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Christmas

Public assemblies banned for 14 days across Sydney as police enact new laws

The NSW Police Commissioner, Mal Lanyon, has activated new powers prescribed under changes to NSW protest laws sparked by the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on December 14.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Policeby Jamie McKinnell

White Christmas in Tasmania as heat climbs in other states

Snow has arrived in the island state on Christmas morning, but hotter conditions are expected around the country, including a scorcher in the west.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Weatherby Gian De Poloni, Scout Wallen, Rebecca Trigger and Kelsey Reid

How a nursing home tackled racism by celebrating culture

In 2024 a nurse reported racist abuse from some residents and family members. A year later, instances of abuse have plummeted and staff say it is because of a new program promoting respect.

Source: ABC IllawarraTopic: Aged Careby Penny Burfitt

National News

King pays homage to acts of 'spontaneous bravery' in Christmas message

King Charles III pays homage to those who confronted terror at the Bondi Beach massacre, acknowledging their "spontaneous acts of bravery" in his annual Christmas message.

Britain's King Charles III during the recording of his Christmas message

Published: 1h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 3:02pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Royalty

Pope Leo asks people to think about Gaza during Christmas Day speech

During his Urbi et Orbi (city and world) speech on Christmas Day, Pope Leo XIV has called for an end to all wars and for people to think about the conditions in Gaza.

Pope Leo stands on a balcony flanked by two cardinals.

Published: 2h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 1:06pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Christmas

Crane collapse, thousands without power after Christmas Day storms in SEQ

Storms hit south-east Queensland on Christmas Day afternoon, knocking out power to thousands of homes.

Duration: 14 seconds

Published: 7h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 8:51amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Construction (Assembling)by Lottie Twyford

Boddington locals urged to 'leave immediately' as bushfire fast approaching

Several bushfires burning north and south of Perth have caused major power blackouts, including the entire town of Margaret River.

Duration: 10 seconds

Published: 5h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 10:21amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Bushfiresby Bridget McArthur, Madigan Landry and Gian De Poloni

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