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Get ready for a fantastic day out as Hawkesbury Fest returns on Sunday, August 9, from 10am to 3pm at Governor Phillip Park, Windsor. Held annually during Local Government Week, Hawkesbury Fest is a free community event celebrating everything that makes the Hawkesbury special. The festival showcases the work of Hawkesbury City Council and its […]

Fans of classic British television comedy are in for a treat when Richmond Players present the much-loved stage adaptation of Are You Being Served? Based on the iconic sitcom, the production follows the quirky staff of the fictional Grace Brothers department store as they navigate workplace dramas, interpersonal relationships and the daily challenges of retail […]

There are so many wonderful reasons to join your local library, but Hawkesbury Library Service is here with one more just for you! During July, the Library is back with its annual Membership Drive, celebrating all new and existing members with a range of prizes for all ages. All new Hawkesbury Library members who join […]

As Urban Real Estate continues expanding across north-west Sydney, the independently owned business says its long-term success has been built on strong internal culture, local knowledge and investing in people for the future. With offices located throughout some of Sydney’s fastest-growing communities, Urban Real Estate has continued strengthening its presence across the region by focusing […]

The Hawkesbury community has welcomed an impressive new early childhood education and care option, with Explore & Develop North Richmond officially opening its doors to local families. The centre has been established by experienced early childhood professionals Diane and Rachael, who together bring more than 30 years of experience to the sector. While the new […]

by Greg Martin We were returning to home base after interviewing multi award-winning Munro’s Quality Meats proprietor Craig Munro when I quipped to our ace photographer, Kathryn Johnston, that Craig was certainly the “Baron of Beef”. That sparked a rapid-fire swapping of nicknames for Craig Tsar of Sausages, King of Kransky, Prince of Pork, Baron […]

by Michelle Nichols & Jonathan Auld Woolworths is an iconic name in Australian retail and has been operating in Australia for over 100 years. The first Woolworths store was established in Sydney in 1924 and opened in the old Imperial Arcade in Pitt Street. There is no connection to the American retail firm, instead the […]

On my way home after interviewing Jill Reardon, my thoughts turned to Leo Tolstoy and his huge and hugely successful novel, War and Peace. You would nearly have to have been a weightlifter to pick up the book which, depending on the publisher, runs anywhere between 1,200 and 1,400 pages! Such was the wealth of […]

Families across The Hills are set to benefit from the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the region’s history, with the Minns Labor Government announcing a series of new schools and major upgrades as part of the 2026-27 NSW Budget. The funding package includes two new schools in Bella Vista, a new public preschool […]

Hills Shire residents are invited to celebrate NAIDOC Week and First Nations culture at the third annual Yarn at the Farm event, featuring a diverse range of fun and interactive cultural experiences for the whole family. Council’s Yarn at the Farm event is delivered in partnership with local First Nations enterprise Muru Mittigar. The day […]

Community groups, environmental organisations and local councils across Australia are being encouraged to apply for funding through the 2026 Healthy Cities Landcare Grants Program, which has officially opened for applications. Following another successful year in 2025, the program, delivered by Landcare Australia in partnership with Bupa Australia, will provide grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 […]

As Urban Real Estate continues expanding across north-west Sydney, the independently owned business says its long-term success has been built on strong internal culture, local knowledge and investing in people for the future. With offices located throughout some of Sydney’s fastest-growing communities, Urban Real Estate has continued strengthening its presence across the region by focusing […]

Rotary Honour for Hills Community Champion by Greg Martin To Rotarians around the world, being named a Paul Harris Fellow is one of the highest honours a member can receive comparable to a Victoria Cross for valour, an Academy Award, a Nobel Peace Prize or soccer’s Ballon d’Or. Paul Harris was the American lawyer who […]

Young people looking to make a difference in their community are being encouraged to apply for The Hills Shire’s Sydney Hills Youth Ambassador Program. Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, said the 12-month program offers young residents a valuable opportunity to develop leadership skills while helping shape the future of the community. “The […]

By Pam Wilson The historic Box Hill Inn on Windsor Road, opposite the Rouse Hill House Estate, has a rich history dating back to the early colonial period. The land was originally granted by Governor Macquarie on 8 May 1810 as a wedding gift to Lieutenant Maurice O’Connell and Mary Putland, daughter of Governor Bligh. […]

By Matt Austin The Hills Shire will be represented on the world stage this year, with local open water swimmer Daniel Carter and coach Josh Stapley from Waves Fitness and Aquatic Centre earning Australian team honours following standout performances at the national level. Carter has been selected in the Australian Junior Dolphins team to compete […]

Young people in Mount Druitt who are at risk of entering the justice system will receive additional support through community-led programs aimed at improving outcomes and strengthening community safety. The NSW Government has announced almost $5 million in funding through its Community Safety Investment Fund, with more than 25 projects across the state set to […]

For five decades, NAIDOC Week has celebrated the voices of our communities — steady, unapologetic, and proud. Each year, its themes have called for truth, celebrated culture, honoured resistance, and reminded the nation of who we are. Fifty Years of Deadly marks a milestone. It’s a tribute to the people who built this movement. the […]

If Patrick Beach was applying for a job, he could do a lot worse than asking Jim Fraser for a reference. “He’s a really good kid. He takes advice, is eager to learn, very receptive to change and highly intuitive,” Fraser says. The now 22-year-old goalkeeper may well say he owes Fraser a lot, but […]

By Janakan Seemampillai GWS GIANTS Academy youngster Ethan Matthews has confirmed his credentials as a potential first round draft pick in this year’s AFL National Draft, with a scintillating performance for the Allies against a strong Vic Country outfit in the opening game of the U-18 Boys National Championships at Blacktown Sports Park yesterday. Despite […]

As Urban Real Estate continues expanding across north-west Sydney, the independently owned business says its long-term success has been built on strong internal culture, local knowledge and investing in people for the future. With offices located throughout some of Sydney’s fastest-growing communities, Urban Real Estate has continued strengthening its presence across the region by focusing […]

Blacktown City writers are being invited to go ‘all out’ as part of the 2026 Blacktown Mayoral Creative Writing Prize. The annual competition is open to adults, and to children (aged 8 to 17 years) who live in Blacktown City, with entrants invited to submit a fictional short story or poem inspired by the idea […]

A massive new multi-use park set to become a recreation hub for Sydney’s booming north-west is nearing completion, with residents eagerly awaiting its official opening later this year. Blacktown City Council is putting the finishing touches on the 20-hectare Ken Birdsey Park at Schofields, a major community project designed to cater for sport, fitness, family […]

Emma Hoskins has been a busy young woman — so busy, in fact, that by the time she turns 16 in September, she will already have made a remarkable contribution to her community and culture. That contribution has now been recognised with Emma being nominated for the 2026 NSW Women of the Year Awards in […]