Lessons from the Quakers Hill nursing home fire
Today (18 November) marks the 10th anniversary of the tragedy that was the Quakers Hill Nursing Home fire. Shockingly, 21…
Month: November 2021
$155k tech upgrade for Richmond TAFE
Richmond TAFE is receiving $155,000 of the latest, state-of-the-art computers as part of the NSW Government’s $10 million investment for…
Unlicensed tradie charged over defrauding Hills homeowners
A 55-year-old Moorebank man was granted conditional bail this week and will reappear in Parramatta Local Court on 1 December…
Turning point in cervical screening tests
Cervical screening tests will be made easier and less invasive with the introduction of self-collection tests for younger ages from…
Do you know this man?
Police have released CCTV vision as they continue to investigate the alleged murder of a teenage boy in Blacktown on…
Man shot dead by police in Seven Hills
About 11.20am today (Tuesday 9 November), officers attached to Blacktown Police Area Command attended a home on Bulah Way, Seven…
Upper Macdonald emergency
A woman aged in her 70s has been airlifted to hospital in a stable condition after she suffered a serious…
Hawkesbury Art Fair is on, buy unique pieces
The 8th annual Hawkesbury Art Fair is being held at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery from Monday, 8 November, through to Sunday,…
HSC students free crisis drop-in centre
Western Sydney Local Health District has opened a youth-friendly drop-in centre for HSC students and young people in suicidal distress…
St Matt’s, Hawkesbury Cathedral exhibition
You have until Sunday, 15 November, to catch ‘The Cathedral of the Hawkesbury’: 200 years of St Matthew’s Anglican Church…
Balcombe Heights Estate’s online Remembrance Day service
To honour all those who have served and continue to serve in our Defence Forces this Remembrance Day (11 November)…
Join DIY Daisy for garage sale trail fashion
This weekend, learn sustainable tips from some of the biggest names in fashion and finance as part of the Hills’…
Two OMCG members charged over Blacktown tattoo parlour fire
Raptor Squad detectives charged two high-ranking members of the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) following an investigation into a fire…
$4000 in prizes to win in Blacktown City Christmas Lights comp
Entries are now being taken for the annual Blacktown City Christmas Lights Competition. Residents are encouraged to decorate their home,…
East vs West: arts funding lacking in western Sydney
WSROC president Barry Calvert is calling on the Premier to properly resource and invest in western Sydney’s arts sector which…
Eleventh person charged over alleged murder of Doonside teen
Police have charged an eleventh person as investigations continue into the alleged murder of Doonside teenager, Jason Galleghan, on 4…
Fatal crashes: Llandilo, Mt Tomah, dashcam footage sought
A crime scene has been established following a fatal two-vehicle crash near Penrith this morning. About 7.30am today (Tuesday 2…
$550,000 COVID-19 relief, bushfire disaster payment fraud charges
A man, 36, was arrested and faces charges at St Marys Police Station this morning, allegedly claiming over $550,000 in…
Mountain bike crash rescue
It took rescuers over an hour to move a critically injured mountain bike rider to safety after he crashed on…
Extension to Livvi’s Place playground
Popular Livvi’s Place playground is set to get a new play tower, flying fox and accessible amenities as part of…
High marks for 11 school upgrades
Eleven local schools will receive infrastructure upgrades – bolstering children’s education as well as boosting work opportunities for tradies. Works…
Up to $20k on offer in community grants
Hawkesbury community groups can apply for grants of up to $20,000 at the end of October, as a new round…
Great River Walk, free lunch and yarns for all veterans
Veterans are invited ‘pull up a bit of grass’ and join other vets for a riverside walk, a free lunch…
$400k black spot funding for Old Pitt Town Road intersection
A well known accident site in Scheyville will receive $400,000 of safety improvements thanks to a federal government Black Spot…
Join today’s 11am Emergency Service Volunteers memorial service
Join the community online this morning (Sunday) in honouring and paying respects to emergency service volunteers who have paid the…
50th reunion calling all ’72 Greenies
by Maryann Jenkins It’s been almost 50 years since the very first Evans High School students donned their brand-new green…
Book now: Art therapy for mental health
It’s Mental Health month and The Hills Shire is offering young people opportunities to join an online Art Therapy Workshop…
Changes to reopening NSW announced
At this morning’s 9am press conference, Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the freedoms fully vaccinated adults will enjoy from Monday, 11…
Whalan doctor, 80, retires
Whalan GP, Dr Anselm Kuok, has retired after 36 years of medical service to the community. Saying he wanted to…
Woman charged after teenage girl assaulted
A 24-year-old woman was arrested at Berkshire Park on Sunday (3 October) and faces Bankstown court today (Tuesday) on kidnapping…
Lower Portland man injured in backburn
A Lower Portland man was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital last night after being injured while backburning on his…
‘Our Hawkesbury River’ photo comp
Our Hawkesbury River photo competition Prizes: three NSW National Parks and Wildlife annual All-Parks Passes each worth $190 Entries close:…
Mt Druitt man faces court over driving offences after NRL grand final street gathering
A 22-year-old Mount Druitt man is on conditional bail and will face court over numerous driving offences following a 400-strong…
Dragway signs with ANDRA
Described as a “watershed moment” by its chairman, Western Sydney International Dragway Ltd (WSID) has just signed a new multi-year…
Man charged over child abuse material
A 30-year-old Glenwood man appeared at Blacktown Local Court today (Wednesday, 22 September) to face child abuse-related charges following an…
Do we have enough GPs? Have your say now
Fixing doctor shortages and increasing incentives for them to stay in our region are two of the focuses of a…
Help eliminate dementia discrimination
With some 157,000 people in NSW currently living with dementia, and the likelihood this figure will double within a generation…
Emergency ready week: download Get Prepared app
It’s Emergency Ready Week – Monday, 20 September to Sunday, 27 September – and Hawkesbury Mayor Patrick Conolly wants to…
‘Smart Greenway’ at 91% vaccination rate
by Maryann Jenkins Our Greenway electorate is the best in Australia for COVID-19 vaccination uptake, leading all others with a…
Gold standard council reports
For the fourth year in a row, The Hills Shire Council has won a Gold Award at the Australasian Reporting…
Ask experts about COVID-19 lockdown “face to face”
Five top professionals will be live online tomorrow (Thursday) night to answer questions about the COVID-19 lockdown thanks to Healthy…
Whalan vaccination hub open for Aboriginal community
The new vaccination centre at Kimberwalli, the Aboriginal Centre for Excellence in Whalan, will provide culturally sensitive healthcare to the…
Hey mate RU OK? today
It’s national R U OK? Day (9 September), so have you asked your family, mates or friends how they’re going?…
Have you seen Shyleeah?
It’s been one week since a 14-year-old Quakers Hill girl was last seen, with police holding concerns for the welfare…
Marsden Park girl, 11, found
Mount Druitt Police Area Command today (Thursday) confirmed an 11-year-old Marsden Park girl has been located safe and well after…
Peats Bite fire destroyed “renowned local institution”
Hornsby Shire Mayor, Philip Ruddock, has expressed his sadness on hearing news of the fire which destroyed the popular local…
Keeping “our mob” safe at Mt Druitt health hub
More than 250 Aboriginal people, including children aged 12 to 15, have received their first COVID-19 vaccination at Mount Druitt…
Moran Kellyville leads The Hills in top vaccination rates
Moran Health Care Group has been working closely with the team at Moran Kellyville to protect its staff and residents…
Five charged over brawl, fatal stabbing enquires continue
Five people have been charged over a brawl as police investigations continue into the fatal stabbing of an 18-year-old at…
Orange Blossom festival cancelled
Hills Shire Council announced today (Wednesday) the Orange Blossom Festival’s (OBF) main ‘Lights, Beats and Eats’ event for 2021 has…
Local anti-lockdown protestors arrested, fined
North West Region Police made a number of local arrests and issued 37 penalty infringement notices (PINs) following unauthorised protest…
Extra time for bushfire recovery grants
A request by Macquarie MP Susan Templeman to extend the deadline for major bushfire recovery grant funding has been approved.…
Police pay for milk, bread, essentials during welfare and compliance checks
NSW Police operation Stay-At-Home hasn’t just resulted in police issuing fines against people not following Public Health orders, it’s also…
Thirty-one fines issued for Blacktown church gathering
A total of 31 penalty infringement notices (PIN) were issued by police following a church gathering of approximately 60 people…
MP intimidated, arrest in Baulkham Hills
A man has been charged over the alleged intimidation of a senior government official in Baulkham Hills yesterday (Friday). The…
Got no mobile signal? Tell council now
If you live in, or travel through, areas with no mobile signal, Hawkesbury City Council wants to know about it.…
A little thanks from Westpoint
Westpoint Shopping Centre has been quietly spreading positivity and happiness throughout the district. Hampers packed with goodies the whole family…
Handgun concealed in backpack: Riverstone
A man faced court yesterday (Sunday) charged with firearms offences after police were alerted to suspicious activity at a Riverstone…
$40 million of illicit drugs seized
The Drug and Firearms Squad detectives charged seven people after $40 million of illicit drugs were seized across multiple districts,…
Council’s childcare, rent and fee relief for ratepayers
Childcare gap fee relief, deferred rental payments and writing-off interest charges, are some of the measures The Hills Shire Council…
Keep Connected with Hills’ online workshops
Artisan bread making, composting, small space gardening, kids cooking lessons, natural skincare, jam making and more are online “lockdown” classes…
Blacktown’s Year 12s start getting the jab
“It’s a bit of a light at the end of the tunnel,” is how a Ponds High School student described…
Two Cranebrook house fires
Police are treating as suspicious a house fire in Martley Way, Cranebrook, on Friday (6 August). The unoccupied house was…
Bidwill teen found safe
Mount Druitt Police thank the community for their assistance in locating a teenage boy reported missing in Bidwill on Saturday…
Infant falls 2.5m out of window, Baulkham Hills
An infant boy fell two-and-a-half metres from a window at a home in Baulkham Hills onto concrete and sustained a…
Bushfire & flood grant fraud charges
Strike Force police searches of homes in North Richmond, Wilberforce, Seven Hills, Shalvey, Werrington County and Beecroft, resulted in seven…
Concealment of child sex offences charges
A local church leader has been charged over the alleged concealment of child sex offences. In 2019, an investigation commenced…
Blacktown City family events cancelled or postponed
The extended stay-at-home Health Orders have forced the cancellation or postponement of many popular community events right across Blacktown City.…
Kellyville Ridge man arrested in Windsor over pistol and Health Order breaches
A man has been charged with possession of an unauthorised pistol while also breaching health orders in the Hawkesbury. Officers…
Blacktown Hospital has plenty of AZ vaccine appointments
Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has bolstered access to AstraZeneca vaccinations with walk-in pop up clinics across several suburbs…
Council gets $1.52m to fund Hawkesbury bushfire recovery projects
Four Hawkesbury City Council bushfire recovery projects will be realised thanks to approximately $1.52 million in Federal and State government…
Inmates charged over Parklea prison riot
Four inmates of Parklea correctional facility appeared in court yesterday (Saturday) charged as part of an ongoing investigation into a…
Witnesses sought: fatal motorcycle crash St Marys
Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward following the death of a motorcyclist in St…
Graffiti or street art?
Comparing graffiti removal spends of Blacktown City with inner west and northern Sydney councils is like comparing chalk and cheese,…
Kurrajong Heights and Bilpin projects get $25,400 grant
Kurrajong Heights Bowlo and Bilpin Shed are among the latest local community venues to benefit from federal government grants. The…
Pack a jacket, toss in socks, donate a blanket: Westpoint Blacktown appeal
Give Warmth to the Homeless Appeal 12 July - 22 August. Donate through Westpoint Blacktown Clean out your wardrobes and…
$20,000-plus bushfire recovery grants open 22 July
ABN registered businesses, organisations and charities in the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains local government areas have been allocated $4.5 million…
Shalvey house razed
A single-level house in Dent Place, Shalvey, was destroyed by fire this morning. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews arrived…
States clashed in aerial championships
Thrilling barrel rolls and aerial combat played out in the skies above Whalan Reserve at the Control Line Aircraft Society’s…
Smash down brekkie at Marayong Heights PS
Marayong Heights Public School began its own Breakfast Club on 9 June, after identifying a large number of its students…
Intersection works complete: Richmond CBD
Upgrades to Richmond’s March and Bosworth streets intersection have reduced congestion, boosted safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, and improved…
Richmond TAFE’s virtual State-wide expansion
Richmond TAFE is ‘virtually’ expanding its teaching and learning spaces intra-State to offer more local training opportunities. Richmond is one…
Join Kangaroo Dreaming colouring challenge to mark NAIDOC Week
We’re midway through NAIDOC Week (4-11 July), but current NSW lockdown restrictions don’t mean we can’t continue to celebrate. Hills…
Calls for Emergency Ward to be included in new Rouse Hill Hospital
Sign the petition if you want public emergency facilities available at the new Rouse Hill Hospital There are currently no…
Doonside Village Festival plans going ahead
Plans to stage the return of the Doonside Village Festival are still underway for a Saturday, 24 July, event. Blacktown…
Man falls 4m from awning
A man sustained serious head injuries after he fell four metres onto his head from an awning in front of…
Clothes dryer catches fire in Kellyville
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has warned of the dangers operating household clothes dryers following a small fire in a…
Hills Shire: temporary council facility closures
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, has announced the following temporary local facility closures following Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s…
Hawkesbury’s newest Aussies
Thirty-three Hawkesbury residents, hailing from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific, have officially become Australian citizens. Hawkesbury’s Deputy Mayor Mary…
Western Sydney Filipino Forum: NDSS
Filipinos are at high risk of developing diabetes, contributed partly by a traditional diet and lifestyle, says endocrinologist and Filipino…
Blacktown City take on Sutherland Sharks
Blacktown City FC vs Sutherland Sharks Sunday, 20 June, Lily Homes Stadium, 3pm Blacktown City returns home this Sunday to…
Model Top Gun dogfights and aerobatics at Whalan Reserve
Thrilling barrel rolls and aerial combat will play out in the skies above Whalan Reserve, as the NSW Aeromodelling Championships…
It’s a food donation record for Kings Langley
Thanks Kings Langley. You’ve donated tens-of-thousands of dollars worth of food in just four days to the Lions’ Feeding the…
What’s that Skippy? Yes it’s a cold snap
With a ‘Polar Blast’ hitting our districts this week, WIRES is asking us to watch out for wildlife that may…
Pauline’s rapt by Japanese fabric
Pauline Berry’s unique collection of Japanese textile ‘art’ has inspired the latest exhibition at Hawkesbury Gallery this weekend. A selection…
New Rouse Hill COVID-19 drive through clinic open today
Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) today (Monday, 7 June) opened a COVID-19 clinic in Rouse Hill to support increased…
CareFlight treats trapped truck driver: Dural
A man, aged in his 60s, has sustained pelvic and leg injuries when the truck he was driving on Old…
$500 million bypass: New Richmond bridge project
Second Richmond bridge | Richmond-North Richmond bypass | 21 land acquisitions | 6 major intersection upgrades A new two-lane bridge…
Have you signed the Headspace petition?
Interested in improving access to mental health help for young people in the Hawkesbury? Then join with hundreds of other…
We all need to do better: standing against domestic violence in Blacktown City
“Let us know so we can do something about it,” is the simple message Blacktown Police Area Commander, Supt Steve…
New business lands first auction success
A NEW BUSINESS WELCOME TO STAVROS, EVGENIA, ANAND & TORI It was auction success straight up for Century 21 Davelis…
Blacktown City FC flying high atop the ladder
By Tom Sargeant Blacktown City FC are leading the NSW National Premier League Division 1 after 12 rounds. The season…
The Name Blacktown
by John Horne The City of Blacktown is one of the largest Local Government Areas in Australia and the largest…
Telecommunications a win for Berowra
Thank you for all your support for our Telstra campaign to improve telecommunications in our community. As a result of…
Kings Langley Lions feeding the hungry
While you’re out shopping this weekend, you can help feed hungry children and adults doing it tough this winter, just…
Mt Druitt Police seek dashcam footage
A man has been seriously injured after a four-vehicle collision in Rooty Hill yesterday (Thursday) about 4.30pm. Emergency services responded…
Teen sexual assault charges
A man will face Penrith court today charged over the alleged sexual assault and sexual touching of two teenagers in the…
$1.3m boost for Hawkesbury roads
A number of Hawkesbury roads east of the river will benefit from vital road safety works thanks to a $1.3…
Jean Turnbull – Hawkesbury Finest
by Greg Martin The Royal Australian Air Force this year celebrated the centenary of its formation on 21 March 1921.…
Paint, palette and prizes
By Greg Martin Artists across the nation are brushing up on their brushwork as they prepare to put paint to…
Glenn Watson/Miranda Fair My Other Life
By Greg Martin A mild-mannered reporter, Clark Kent, would nip into the nearest ‘phone box (which, uncannily, was always vacant)…
Hills Bulls Flying in Ron Massey Cup
Marschke was promoted through the ranks in the space of four games The Hills Bulls Ron Massey side have started…
New Community Garden in the Hills
After nearly 2 years of planning, The Rotary Club of The Hills-Kellyville has proudly established a Community Garden at Conie…
Growing up in Blacktown
By Maryann Jenkins Beautiful, poignant, compelling, honest, inspiring. Some of Blacktown’s greatest writers spoke candidly on their experiences of growing…
Hills Finest – Gary Jack
By Lorna Gordon Many of you will know Garry Jack from his time with Balmain Tigers in the eighties, his…
Blacktown Finest – Julie Griffiths
by Greg Martin During my long career at this writing caper I’ve had the absolute pleasure in penning words about…
Club Builds Hub for Elite Swimmers
By Maryann Jenkins The volunteer-led and family-established Chifley Swimming Club is evidence of what happens when a love of sport,…
Blacktown Festival is back!
Blacktown City Festival is back and there will be something for everyone to enjoy! The festival will run for 10…
Remain vigilant to increased animal disease risks
Greater Sydney landholders are being warned to remain vigilant for increased animal disease risks, recognising that a number of these…
Hawkesbury’s Finest – Allyson Adams
The word “mud” is well known to your writer. Muddying the waters, mudlark, mudguard, your name’s mud, muddle-headed, mud-throwing, here’s…
2021 Flood Recovery – where can you find help or give assistance?
Disaster affects thousands At least 4,000 properties in the Hawkesbury are flood affected, with the impact of this natural disaster…
Government extends relief for flood affected businesses
The Morrison Government will extend the SME Recovery Loan Scheme in order to provide further support to flood-affected businesses. The…
Public reminded to donate responsibly
The NSW Government is urging people not to donate unwanted goods to communities affected by the floods. Minister for Police…
Hills Rugby kick off 2021 campaign by appointing Mitchell as Colts Coach
Hills Senior Rugby will be looking to improve on the disrupted 2020 season, as pre-season training is in full swing.…
One of the Hill’s Finest: James Brice
James Brice is a man who wears many hats. He is a teacher, a conductor, a husband and father and…
Down came the rain
When the rain came down, it came in millions of bucket loads. And it continued without stopping – for days.…
Cycling for a cure to start in Castle Hill
MPN-MATE Research Foundation, was commenced by a small group of MPN self-advocating patients, who came to realise that very little…
Boxing’s Sister Act
Your writer has had a love of boxing all his life. As a kid I devoured stories about old-time luminaries…
One of Blacktown’s Finest : Rob “Jacko” Jackson
So, way back in late 1983, Robert “Jacko” Jackson and a couple of friends decided to head over to Sunny…
Angela Gauci celebrates 90th birthday
Life is but a series of memories. Bad and sad. Good and glad. During her 90 years in this place,…
Students celebrate official opening of ACU Blacktown
Hundreds of students are now being equipped with the skills for a bright future right in the heart of Blacktown…