ABC Mid North Coast

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Mixed bag for NSW oyster growers as peak Christmas demand looms

The Christmas oyster harvest is flourishing on the NSW south coast, but further north it is a very different story as growers face the fallout of this year's record-breaking floods.

Published: TueTue 23 Dec 2025 at 4:42amSource: ABC South East NSWTopic: Fishing and Aquaculture Industryby Lauren Bohane, Jacinta Counihan and Romy Gilbert

Seasonal worker sentenced after pleading guilty to rape

A Samoan seasonal worker has been sentenced to eight years after pleading guilty to the rape of a teenage girl.

A picture of the sign welcoming locals to Arrawarra Headland

Duration: 6 minutes 53 seconds

Published: MonMon 22 Dec 2025 at 1:34amSource: ABC PacificTopic: Sexual Offencesby Jordan Fennell

Small regional charity stops thousands of Nepali girls being trafficked

After hearing harrowing stories of abuse against young Nepalese women and girls, Port Macquarie man Ross Nancarrow wanted to help.

Girl in a uniform standing beside on the side of the road beside a tuktuk (three wheeled taxi in Asia).

Published: SunSun 21 Dec 2025 at 12:00amSource: ABC Mid North CoastTopic: Human Traffickingby Wiriya Sati

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

Samoan farm worker sentenced to eight years' jail for rape of teenage girl

Samoan national Agaalofa Agaalofa, 27, is jailed for raping a 17-year-old girl on a beach on the NSW mid north coast in 2023.

Published: 18 Dec 2025Thu 18 Dec 2025 at 7:25amSource: ABC Coffs CoastTopic: Courtsby Claire Simmonds

Firefighters deem 'ferocious' 30m tall blaze at oyster farm suspicious

A NSW oyster grower is left reeling after tens of thousands of dollars' worth of equipment went up in flames just a week away from Christmas.

Firefighters worked to contain the blaze for around three hours at the Little Street site.

Published: 18 Dec 2025Thu 18 Dec 2025 at 5:04amSource: ABC Mid North CoastTopic: Firesby Marina Trajkovich

NSW inquest told how exploding lithium-ion batteries turned deadly

A NSW inquest has been told exploding lithium-ion batteries caused volatile fires killing three people in separate blazes within minutes.

Image of an incinerated bedroom, including a bed, in Guildford.

Published: 15 Dec 2025Mon 15 Dec 2025 at 4:44amSource: ABC NewcastleTopic: Lithiumby Giselle Wakatama

Listen back

ABC Mid North Coast Local News

Local news, updated weekdays at 6:30am

Duration: 4 minutes 59 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

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

'Few For Shoe' surf comp encouraging conversations in the waves

Now in its second year, the annual 'Few For Shoe' event at Dixon Beach in Newcastle brings some of the best single-fin surfers from across NSW together for two days of sunshine, offshore winds and pumping swell.

A man is looking off into the distance. He is standing in front of an ocean.

Duration: 5 minutes 44 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Surfingby Laurise Dickson

ABC Radio MID NORTH COAST

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Watch

Dolphin calf rescued after weeks entangled in fishing line

The Sea World Foundation with the help of ORRCA and the Forster Dive Centre have freed a dolphin calf from fishing line after it became entangled on New South Wales Mid North Coast.

Duration: 1 minute 20 seconds

Source: ABC News

Male whales race in pursuit of female in east coast migration

A Port Macquarie drone photographer captures vision of tight pod of eleven humpbacks speeding south in a race to mate off the NSW mid north coast.

Duration: 48 seconds

Source: ABC Mid North Coast

CCTV footage of Dee Annear

Dee Annear was last seen alive visiting the Comboyne Takeaway supermarket with Rohen Hanson on September 17, 2021.

Duration: 32 seconds

Source: ABC News

NSW RFS provides tips on preparing your home for bushfires

A free service is helping the most at-risk members of the community better prepare for bushfire season.

Duration: 3 minutes 21 seconds

Source: ABC News

Features

Former rough sleeper's coffee sacrifice planted seeds for his charity

Graham Lee is behind a charity raising thousands of dollars through people sacrificing one takeaway coffee a week.

A man in a broad hat and a shirt sitting at a table having coffee with friends.

Source: ABC Mid North CoastTopic: Regional Communitiesby Emma Siossian

Farmer returns after bushfire to find secured sheep chased and injured

Farmers and businesses on the Mid North Coast are reeling after a fire tore through the region, destroying homes and forcing families to evacuate.

A silver-haired woman takes a selfie while standing on bush-fringed farmland.

Source: ABC Mid North CoastTopic: Bushfiresby Emma Siossian

Rare orchids and wattles thrive in old cemeteries

Australian cemeteries have become a safe haven for flora and fauna affected by urban expansion, including a rare orchid unique to a small patch of the NSW Mid North Coast.

A delicate yellow orchid flower, on the end of its green stem.

Source: ABC Mid North CoastTopic: Plantsby Meredith Kirton and Emma Siossian

Long COVID patients seeking help 'let down by the system'

Patients are calling for better access to long COVID care after the closure of one of the country's last public clinics.

A woman sits at her desk with her laptop.

Source: ABC Mid North CoastTopic: COVID-19by Marina Trajkovich

What's happening

Download our free ABC listen app

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

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

Download our free ABC listen app

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

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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ABC Mid North Coast

Mixed bag for NSW oyster growers as peak Christmas demand looms

Seasonal worker sentenced after pleading guilty to rape

Small regional charity stops thousands of Nepali girls being trafficked

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

Samoan farm worker sentenced to eight years' jail for rape of teenage girl

Firefighters deem 'ferocious' 30m tall blaze at oyster farm suspicious

NSW inquest told how exploding lithium-ion batteries turned deadly

ABC Mid North Coast Local News

Country Hour celebrates 80 years of continuous broadcasting

Blueberry concerns

'Few For Shoe' surf comp encouraging conversations in the waves

ABC Radio MID NORTH COAST

Live. Overnights

Connect with ABC Mid North Coast

Dolphin calf rescued after weeks entangled in fishing line

Male whales race in pursuit of female in east coast migration

CCTV footage of Dee Annear

NSW RFS provides tips on preparing your home for bushfires

Former rough sleeper's coffee sacrifice planted seeds for his charity

Farmer returns after bushfire to find secured sheep chased and injured

Rare orchids and wattles thrive in old cemeteries

Long COVID patients seeking help 'let down by the system'

Download our free ABC listen app

Know your ABCs in an emergency

Download our free ABC listen app

Sign up for an ABC newsletter

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

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

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

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

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

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

White Christmas in Tasmania as heat climbs in other states

How a nursing home tackled racism by celebrating culture

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

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

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

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

Other ways to listen

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