Paige Johnson says affirming her gender gave her the confidence to advocate for her community — on everything from better roads to equal rights.

Peter Smith tossed a silky bantam chicken, part of a threatened species breeding program, into an alligator enclosure at a wildlife park in February where it was killed.

The federal government says the extensions will secure the jobs of more than 1,800 workers, but the move has angered environmentalists who have described the decision as "the opposite of climate action".

An offshore gas project slated for the New South Wales coast has been dealt another blow after Industry Minister Ed Husic issued a preliminary rejection.

Climate Change Authority head Matt Kean says expert advice differs to what Peter Dutton says about nuclear and renewables being companions not competitors.

The NSW Supreme Court hears the 27-year-old accused believed the 61-year-old father was armed when he fatally kicked and punched him.

Go behind the scenes at the biennial Cultural Spectacular at Muswellbrook Showground, which featured headliner Dan Sultan, with Jem Cassar-Daley supporting. 

Owners Mark and Jane McPherson have created a formal look out the front and a virtual zoo in the backyard.

Brisbane has one hand on a record fifth NRLW minor premiership after coming from behind to thump St George Illawarra 44-14 in Townsville.

Preparing your property ahead of bushfire season can seem daunting, but getting these important preparation tasks out of the way early means you'll be ready if there's a fire in your community. Over the next four weeks, ABC Emergency will break down the list of jobs you can tick off week-by-week.

Grand final drought over: The Central Newcastle Butcher Boys have qualified for their first Newcastle Rugby League premiership decider in more than six decades. The Butcher Boys won a preliminary final against The Entrance Tigers at the weekend, 30 points to 20, earning a slot in this weekend's grand final. The club's last first-grade grand final appearance was in 1963, while the club's last first-grade premiership win was in 1949. Central Newcastle will face Maitland in the decider.
 

Image credit: ABC News/Bridget Murphy
 

Rise in some offences in the Hunter: The latest crime statistics show a sharp increase in retail theft in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie in the past two years. The quarterly update from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics shows sexual touching offences jumped by 35 per cent in the Hunter Valley, while car thefts increased by 18 per cent in the two years to June. In Newcastle and Lake Macquarie stealing from retail stores rose by about 50 per cent. The bureau says the most commonly stolen item is high-end alcohol, not necessity items.
 

New DV intervention trial: Newcastle has been named as one of 12 locations to host an early intervention program which aims to reduce domestic and sexual violence. The federal government has announced a national trial targeting teenage boys who are at risk of becoming violent. The government will spend $23 million over three years on the project. Assistant Minister for Social Security, Ageing and Women Kate Thwaites says it's important to act now to prevent vulnerable teens becoming perpetrators in the future. People needing confidential information, counselling or support around domestic family and sexual violence issues can visit the 1800RESPECT website or phone 1800 737 732. 
 

Planning continues for high-speed rail: The High Speed Rail Authority says fast rail will be transformative for the Hunter region. The high-speed rail project would connect Newcastle to Sydney in one hour, and the Central Coast to both cities in 30 minutes. A meeting hosted by the Property Council of Australia last week in Newcastle updated business leaders on how the project could benefit the region. The authority says it's met with hundreds of stakeholders as it finalises its business case due at the end of the year.
 

New owner for closed aged care home: A Bulahdelah nursing home has been sold to a local care provider, two years after shutting its doors. Cedar Wharf Lodge began operating in 1991, opening under the name Great Lakes Nursing Home as a community-owned facility, with 57 beds. There was community backlash when Anglican Care announced its closure in 2022. Last week it was announced the facility had been sold to Stroud Community Lodge — a community-based not-for-profit company specialising in care and independent living.
 

Another Maitland council building closed: Termite problems have forced the temporary closure of the Maitland Visitor Information Centre building. Maitland City Council Mayor Philip Penfold says the full extent of the issue is yet to be determined, but adds council is working quickly to address it. It comes after several other buildings were temporarily closed to the public, including the Maitland Gaol for safety upgrades and Walka Water Works for asbestos contamination. Cr Penfold says the council is making sure buildings across the local government area are fit for the future.
 

Koala hospital expands: The Port Stephens Koala Hospital has opened a new multi-million-dollar wing to help cater for the growing number of injured native animals taken to the facility each year. It includes a new operating theatre, multi-purpose triage and a specialised CT scanner, funded by a $3 million federal government grant. Hospital board president Ron Land says the new equipment will help veterinarians identify animal injuries much faster.
 

Koala project: Landowners are being asked to help monitor koala interactions.The Upper Hunter Local Landcare group's Tops 2 Tops project aims to link vegetation from the Barrington Tops to the Coolah Tops national parks in a bid to protect local koalas. Landcare coordinator Paul Melehan says there are several phone apps where landowners can upload photos of koalas, which sends Landcare the GPS co-ordinates. This allows authorities to gather information.

This sausage and onion tray bake is made in the oven, no barbecue needed. With only a few ingredients and minimal prep time, it's a satisfying meal best served in a buttered roll.