Hands-on lesson: students dive into the five zones of the ocean

New skate park and permanent library locked in for Medowie masterplan

Welcome to the Port Stephens Examiner's noticeboard, your regularly updated source for the latest community news and events.. Port Stephens Council has locked in a 20-year masterplan to reshape Medowie into a connected, eco-friendly destination.. Councillors have unanimously backed the Medowie Town Centre Masterplan, creating a development framework to support a population expected to exceed 20,000 by 2041..

Developed alongside Moir Landscape Architecture, the plan marks the fastest-growing suburb in the region and one that holds Port Stephens' youngest demographic.. The final plan was shaped by the community following an 80-day public exhibition period that brought in 242 survey responses.. While residents showed overwhelming support for a permanent library, more retail options, and inclusive parks, they also raised concerns regarding traffic flow, housing density, and potential noise from a new skate park..

Council planners tweaked the design to directly address those local concerns.. Revisions include shifting the playground location to maximise its usability, adding more mixed-use shopping buildings, and upgrading the loop road and pathway network to significantly boost traffic safety.. Central ward councillor Jason Wells said that the endorsement officially locks in several highly anticipated local projects..

"Our community wanted to know if highly anticipated projects like a new library and skate park were locked in, and this endorsement confirms they are," he said.. The planned permanent library will serve as a modern educational hub featuring books, digital tools, and study spaces for all ages.. Additionally, a new town centre skate park will be built as part of a larger Kids Active Zone, with the council promising further community consultation to ensure the final design meets the specific needs of youth..

Central ward councillor Ben Niland said that having a formalised, staged blueprint is mandatory for unlocking significant state and federal funding.. "It sets up a clear framework to secure state and federal grants for big civil projects, road safety upgrades, and improved pedestrian links," he said.. Initial stages of the rollout will focus on essential road and footpath upgrades..

The new-look town centre will also feature a personal touch for deputy mayor and veteran Chris Doohan, who championed the inclusion of a dedicated war memorial.. The space is designed to host major civic services, including Anzac Day, providing a permanent place of reflection for the growing community.. "This space will serve as a lasting place for reflection and commemoration, ensuring our community can always come together to show their respects," Cr Doohan said..

About 700 students and teachers from schools across the Hunter took part in a special program to release seahorses and install custom-made sanctuaries for them in waters off Port Stephens.. The project on Tuesday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 6, was the largest single Seahorse Saviour deployment delivered to date.. The Seahorse Saviour program is part of the Humble Life Collective's Project Humble which started three years ago and aims to engage students in learning through hands-on activities like building seahorse hotels and underwater playgrounds..

Ben Durie, a former school principal and beekeeper, developed the program to provide high-engagement, curriculum-aligned learning experiences for students.. The program has involved around 50 different classrooms and schools, and it includes excursions to enhance the learning experience.. "Over the two days, students deployed 25 seahorse hotels into local waters, purpose built habitat structures designed to support White's seahorse populations and broader marine biodiversity," Mr Durie said..

"What makes this especially meaningful is that these hotels were designed, built and refined by students back at school over recent weeks as part of a hands on environmental learning challenge to create the ultimate seahorse hotel.. "Their work will now become part of a genuine habitat restoration project in Port Stephens." Working alongside renowned marine scientist Dr Dave Harasti, hundreds of captively-bred seahorse fry were released onto previously rehabilitated areas featuring earlier student built-hotel deployments, helping continue the recovery of the local marine habitat.. "The scale of student impact this year is extraordinary..

Twenty-five new hotels across two days represents the biggest deployment in the history of the project and a dramatic boost for habitat restoration in Port Stephens," Mr Durie said.. Irrawang High School received a high-profile visit from Australia's most famous mathematics teacher, Eddie Woo on May 13.. The visit was part of a regional push to boost student engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)..

Known globally for his viral Wootube lessons and his knack for making complex equations relatable, Mr Woo visited the school to run interactive workshops for students, partner primary schools, and educators from across the Hunter region.. Beyond his public profile, Mr Woo leads the NSW Department of Education's Teacher Growth Team, a network of educators embedded in public schools to modernise mathematics instruction.. Teacher Growth Team trainer at Irrawang High School Ben McCartney said hosting the 2018 Australia's Local Hero winner was a massive win for the Raymond Terrace community..

"Eddie Woo is recognised nationally for his ability to engage students and make mathematics meaningful and enjoyable," he said.. "Having him work alongside our teachers and students is a fantastic opportunity that will further strengthen the excellent mathematics programs already taking place." For the Year 1 students of Medowie Christian School, a recent science lesson involved much more than textbooks and diagrams.. The young explorers traded their desks for a hands-on excursion to Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters..

The trip served as the grand finale to their classroom studies on the five zones of the ocean and the importance of marine conservation.. The students were introduced to a variety of marine life, from tiny baby sharks to estuary rays and even an elusive green sea turtle.. Beyond the sights, the children learnt about the industry names for these creatures, such as flake and skate and why they are often referred to as boneless fish due to their unique skeletons..

The highlight of the day was the interactive encounter, where students went into the water to feed and pat the resident sharks and rays.. "I loved it when I was brave enough to pat the shark," said Year 1 student Kingsley.. For classmate Harper, the experience was even simpler..

"My favourite part of the shark and ray centre was everything," she said.. By fostering this early connection with marine life, the school hopes to inspire the next generation of ocean protectors right here in Port Stephens.. The Sail Port Stephens Street Party has once again proven to be a standout highlight of the region's social calendar, drawing thousands to the foreshore for a night of celebration..

As a key fixture of Australia's largest sailing regatta, the event transformed the streets of Nelson Bay into a bustling festival hub filled with energy and community spirit.. Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson said the event was yet another success.. "The atmosphere was electric," she said..

"With the streets closed, thousands of people enjoyed delicious food and wine, late-night shopping, live music and even a red-carpet catwalk." Residents across Port Stephens will gather on Saturday, April 25 to honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans.. From coastal dawn services to traditional marches through historic townships, here is your guide to the 2026 Anzac Day commemorations across the region.. In Nelson Bay, the day begins with a dawn service at 5.30am at the Apex Park Cenotaph..

Later in the morning, a march will depart from the Nelson Bay Bowling Club at 10.15am, heading towards Apex Park for the main service at 10.45am.. Stockton Street will be closed between Dowling Street and Victoria Parade to accommodate the proceedings.. For those in the Tilligerry area, the dawn service begins at 5.45am at the RSL Sports Club grounds..

The community march will start at 9.15am from the Avenue of Allies, leading into a 10am main service.. Road closures will be in effect on Lemon Tree Passage between Avenue of the Allies and Reliance Boulevard.. Raymond Terrace will host a dawn march at 5.45am via Jacaranda Avenue, followed immediately by a service at the Anzac Park War Memorial at 5.50am..

The town's main march is scheduled for 10.35am, before the main service begins at 10.55am.. In Medowie, participants should gather at the Bull and Bush car park for a 5.45am march to Medowie Social, where the dawn service will be held at 6am.. Ferodale Road will be closed during this time to ensure the safety of those marching..

Karuah residents can attend a 5.30am dawn service at Memorial Park, with a march scheduled for 9.30am.. This leads into the main service at the Karuah RSL Memorial Wall at 9.45am.. In Seaham, a march is scheduled for 8.50am followed by the main service at 9.05am at the Knitting Circle Memorial, with road closures planned from East Seaham Road to Newline Road..

Wallalong's main service is at the cenotaph at 9am, with the community invited for morning tea from 9.30am at the corner of High Street and McClymonts Swamp Road.. The Taylors Beach community is invited to gather for an Anzac Day ceremony to honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans.. The service will commence at 11.15am at the Campbell Walsh Reserve, located on the corner of Albert Street and Taylor Road..

In a special tribute, the Newcastle Army Band will support the ceremony, providing a piper and a bugler to perform the traditional musical honours.. All members of the community are welcome to attend and pay their respects.. The Tomaree Ladies Probus Club recently celebrated its 33rd changeover at the Nelson Bay Bowling Club..

The event saw the induction of a new committee, signalling the start of what promises to be a productive and engaging year for the local organisation.. The club provides a vibrant social outlet for local women, with a calendar filled with diverse activities.. Current members are enjoying regular lunches at various venues and hosting a range of interesting guest speakers..

The social agenda is set to expand in the coming months, with plans underway for regional outings, wine tastings and community barbecues.. While the club is specifically for women, husbands and partners are encouraged to join in on the many activities and excursions planned throughout the year.. The Tomaree Ladies Probus Club is always eager to welcome new faces..

Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month at the Nelson Bay Bowling Club, starting at 10.30am.. If you are interested in making new connections, the next gathering is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20.. All women are invited to attend the meeting and stay afterwards for coffee or lunch to meet the members..

For more information, contact president Chris Humphreys on 0412 157 867 or secretary Daphne Smith on 0407 787 299.. A sustainable future is being built one 10-cent container at a time, thanks to the vision of year six student Layla Mickelson.. Layla has officially launched a 'Return and Earn' recycling campaign that is already delivering major results..

To date, her dedication to collecting and recycling bottles and cans has raised an impressive $400 for Shoal Bay Public School.. The initiative received a significant boost following Layla's recent success in the Young Business Minds competition.. Proving her business instincts early, Layla chose to invest her prize money directly back into the school's sustainability goals..

The funds were used to purchase specialised recycling bins, which have now been introduced across the school grounds to streamline the collection of eligible containers.. For Layla, the project is about much more than the financial aspect.. She is quick to point out the significant environmental benefits of the Return and Earn system..

"By recycling, we're not only raising money but also saving water, reducing pollution, and even creating enough energy to power a TV for 248 hours," Layla said.. The new bins make it easier for the entire school community to contribute to these goals, turning a daily habit into a collective environmental win.. The school is now calling on families to get involved by bringing in eligible cans and bottles from home..

Every container added to the new bins directly supports school projects while promoting a culture of sustainability.. "Layla has already shown incredible initiative and dedication," classroom teacher Rechell Parker said.. "A big thank you to Layla and her family for supporting our school and helping promote sustainability within our community." What started as a classroom investigation into missing recyclables has ended on the most prestigious stage in NSW filmmaking for a group of creative students from Anna Bay Public School..

The young filmmakers recently won the top prize at the Film By Invitation festival, the final and most competitive stage of the statewide Film By initiative.. The award-winning short film, titled "What's Bin Happening?", was inspired by the school's nearby coastal environment.. Classroom teacher Jennie Herbertson said it was a rewarding experience for the students to see their creativity come to life on the big screen..

"To be recognised at this level has been a significant achievement for our students," she said.. "It is something they are immensely proud of." The short film plot followed a series of mysterious disappearances of recyclable items around the school grounds.. Blending humour with suspense, the story follows a group of student detectives who set traps and work together to uncover the culprit, leading to a final "unexpected twist" that captivated judges..

The project was made possible through the Department of Education's High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) initiative.. Designed to support students with standout creative thinking skills, the program allowed the Anna Bay cohort to extend and enrich their learning by trading textbooks for director's chairs.. Filming took advantage of the region's natural beauty, with scenes captured around the waterways of Port Stephens, providing a professional-grade backdrop for the student-led production..

The journey from Anna Bay to the winners' podium included several high-profile screenings, including a red carpet event at Scotty's Cinemas, and screenings at The Seymour Centre and Sydney Olympic Park.. A group of high school students traded their textbooks for tools, diving into a day of high-stakes problem-solving at the annual Science and Engineering Challenge.. Held at the University of Newcastle, the event saw year 10 students from Medowie Christian School turn classroom theory into hands-on action..

The school finished in third place against a field of Hunter schools.. From structural engineering to environmental logic, the challenge pushed eight teams of Medowie students through eight rigorous activities.. While the competition was fierce, Medowie Christian School claimed top honours in two categories..

Students designed and built a balsa glider that didn't just fly;. it hit the bullseye in a specific landing zone, securing first place.. In a test of modern physics, students used coloured lights to send coded messages through optical fibres, again taking first place..

The true value of the day, however, lies in the failed attempts.. Students were forced to problem-solve under pressure, working through the frustration of collapsing bridges or short-circuited grids to find solutions that worked.. "We had to use everyone's individual strengths and what we've learned in class to figure out the best solutions," said year 10 student Lydia..

Fellow classmate Dylan agreed, noting that the ElectroCity challenge, which tasked students with distributing power across a city with limited resources, was a highlight.. "It was a great experience because the activities were different from what we usually do in class," he said.. Port Stephens Council is handing the steering wheel to residents as it launches a major new strategy to reshape the future of Raymond Terrace..

The move marks a significant update to the Raymond Terrace-Heatherbrae Strategy, which has guided the area since 2015.. With the town poised for a period of rapid growth, Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson said it is time for a fresh vision that reflects the modern needs of the community.. At the heart of the new Place Plan is a push for smarter housing..

Data from the Local Housing Strategy suggests Raymond Terrace has the capacity to support 2,500 new dwellings, but Cr Anderson is adamant that these shouldn't just be standard subdivisions.. "It's vital that these are the right kind of homes," Cr Anderson said.. "We want our young people to be able to afford to live here, and our seniors to have the option to downsize without needing to leave their friends and family." The plan aims to diversify the local market by encouraging townhouses and smaller units, accessible downsizing options and affordable living..

Beyond housing, the council is targeting "real fixes" for long-standing community concerns.. Preliminary feedback has already highlighted a desire for better public safety, more frequent maintenance of parks, and improved infrastructure for walking and cycling.. The Place Plan is designed to be a practical roadmap, identifying specific actions to boost investment while celebrating the unique character of Raymond Terrace..

"We're looking at real fixes with your input to make sure this plan reflects what matters most," Cr Anderson said.. The public consultation period remains open until April 7..