News Just In

ST Mary’s school teachers have spent the last two afternoons in a car convoy driving by all of the students homes to view their Easter Hats and throw out some Easter cheer in the form of chocolate. They have travelled to all ends of the Shire driving past each home and this afternoon after driving […]

THE Prime Minister addressed Parliament this morning reporting on the government’s progress with managing the coronavirus as the national death toll reaches 50, currently 5,956 Australians are infected and 2,547 have recovered. “Together we have established the key baseline supports and measures that have brought us much needed time during this crisis to get us […]

PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian has said the isolation measures are working as new cases of coronavirus have declined, but warned relaxing restrictions was a risk to lives. The Premier said the current restrictions would be reviewed on a monthly basis and weighed carefully. “Every time you relax a restriction more people will get sick and more […]

FROM tomorrow only 100 customers will be allowed into the supermarket at any one time, to ensure the staff and customers can observe social distancing and reduce the risk of infection for everyone.  See below for opening times during Easter. While the local supermarket is often where we bump into people we have been meaning […]

INSPECTOR Jo Schultz, from Hunter Valley Local Area Command said police are encouraging people to really think about how they can reduce the risk of the spread of the virus and stressed the importance of parents talking to their children about staying at home. “We really want to encourage parents to have a conversation with […]

THE government has stressed the importance of not travelling for Easter saying it’s especially important people not visit regional areas. Dr Richard Abbott explained why it is important Sconeites stay at home and forgo visitors this Easter. “Fortunately, we only have one confirmed case of the virus in the Scone area at the moment and […]

THIS morning the Premier said people will not be permitted to travel for Easter and expressed concern about community transmissions from unknown sources. “We are still increasingly concerned about the community to community transmissions,” said Premier Gladys Berejiklian. “That for us is a huge danger point for us in New South Wales and it’s causing […]

ASPEN Medical have developed an online training programme for Federal Health on the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19 and everyone in the community can take the test. The training was designed for workers across a range of health care settings and for a range of workers such as people involved in food […]

THE Country Women’s Association raise more than $150,000 at their iconic East Show tearoom, but with the cancellation of the Show, they have moved their tea room online. On Friday, the CWA began serving up virtual scones for $5, a Devonshire Tea for $10, a dozen virtual scones for $20 and a whole batch of […]

ON Saturday the Pages River near Murrurundi was flowing and is slowly making its way towards Blandford. Murrurundi Gap received 28mm by 9am on Saturday, Scone had 13mm and Merriwa 26mm. The rain was welcomed across the district, but unfortunately the Bureau of Meteorology does not predict follow up rain this week, although there is […]

ANOTHER four cases of covid-19 have been confirmed in the Hunter New England Health area, bring the total number of cases to 245. UPDATE: This afternoon the Hunter New England Health area said there are an additional three confirmed cases, bringing the total to 248 in the area health service. There are currently 10 people […]

SHANE Fitzsimmons has stepped down as Commissioner of the Rural Fire Service and taken on the role of Commissioner for NSW Resilience, a new agency to prepare, respond and recover from disaster, effective in one month and will be Deputy Secretary for Emergency Management. Covid-19 Statistics in NSW: 2,637 cases confirmed in NSW. 57 cases […]

BRAD Hazard, NSW Minister for Health said young people are not immune to covid-19 with four people in their 30s currently in intensive care and stressed the importance of social distancing. “This virus…is an extremely dangerous virus but it isn’t a high jumper, it isn’t a long jumper, if you keep your distance you’re much […]

THE Prime Minister has said patience must become the virtue of all Australians during the next six months and Easter will need to be spent at home this year. While the rate of viral spread in Australia had decreased the Prime Minister warned “this virus writes its own rules” and we can’t be complacent. “Had […]

AT this morning’s media conference the Premier said our focus needs to turn to the number of locally acquired cases, with no known source. “We’ve seen the number of cases go up every day and Dr Kerry Chant will talk about that today, but the number of new cases we’ve managed to stabilise at this […]

THIS morning the Premier announced the government has made postcode data publicly available, so that people can search a database to check the number of coronavirus cases in their community. “…New South Wales is the first jurisdiction to have postcode data available, publicly available,” said the Premier. “Whenever we have publicly available information please be […]

WHY aren’t the experts telling us to wear gloves during a pandemic? Wearing gloves may seem like a simple process, but using them in the wrong way can cause more contamination and since 30 percent of infections in health workers is due to taking off personal protective equipment incorrectly, untrained people can also infect themselves […]

THERE are 234 people who have been diagnosed with covid-19 in the Hunter New England Area Health Service. Overnight another 16 cases were confirmed, 11 people have required hospitalisation, five are in intensive care and 33 people have recovered.

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison said for the next six months there is a “new normal” as we respond to the pandemic. “We are slowing the spread…and it is saving lives and livelihoods,” said Mr Morrison. To help parents stay in work, childcare will be free, effective from Sunday night. Child care centres will prioritise children, […]

THE Premier said more than 500 businesses have registered to help provide medical equipment need during the next few months she thanked them for responding to the “call to arms” and people who are adhering to the health orders. “The reason we have these restrictions is to make sure our health system can cope when […]

THERE are still 1 to 4 cases of coronavirus in the Upper Hunter Shire Council area, as well as Muswellbrook, Singleton and Liverpool Plains Shire Council areas. Hunter New England Health have confirmed there were an additional 10 cases identified have been confirmed bringing the total number to 218 cases, six have required intensive care […]

THE Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre can help our community during self-isolation. If you need support or you can volunteer, phone them: 02 6545 2562. A message from Lee, manager of the Centre:  

By Janie Jordan LOCAL businesses have welcomed the Federal Government’s JobKeeper payment plan, announced on March 30, with many relieved that they can keep their staff and keep their doors open. Steve Guihot, Scone Chamber of Commerce President, said that it was “a great initiative” that he hoped would help the many, small, family-owned business […]

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has called on local businesses and manufacturers to produce key medical supplies, personal protective equipment and hand sanitiser to help supply the state through “We also appreciate that given what’s occurred around the world that the supply of medical equipment isn’t what it used to be,” said the Premier. “New South […]

THE University of Arizona did a study which found the average mobile phone has up to 10 times the amount of bacteria as most toilet seats. So how can we break the chain of infection from our mobile phone? Watch the video, or read the full story below: When you think about it our hands […]

By Sue Abbott WE are ill prepared for covid-19 yet we should not be in this position when you consider that our state and federal governments have known this was coming since January this year. The message from China could not have been clearer. Early on in the covid-19 crisis, the federal government called the […]

THE NSW Premier has warned the numbers of people in the community who may have the virus and have not been tested represents an “unknown threat” in community transmission.  Due to clusters of outbreaks for backpackers in Bondi showing community transmission, more testing will be done in these areas.  The Premier also said while the […]

So why do the experts keep telling us to use soap and water and detergents and that they’re better than the disinfectants and hand sanitisers? Watch the video, or continue reading below: It’s because soap and water works in two ways: It removes the grime, bacteria and viruses from your hands, washing them down the […]

THE Bureau of Meteorology said we can predict some thunderstorms coming through the area, following some showers this morning. There is a possibility that a warning may be issued later this afternoon associated with the thunderstorms.  Tomorrow morning will be foggy, but clearing to a warm 28 degrees. Rain is predicted again on Thursday as […]

THE Board of the Scone RSL have made a $25,000 donation to buy groceries for the most vulnerable in our community, with the Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre will be coordinating the deliveries. Michael Hollingsworth, chief executive officer of Scone RSL said it is important to help people in our local community stay home. “Even before […]

NSW will be enforcing the new law of public gatherings being limited to two people. Police will have the power to issue $1,000 on the spot fines and people may be arrested and brought before the court, where they may face a six month gaol sentence. The NSW Police Commissioner, Mick Fuller, said, “we don’t […]

THIS evening the Prime Minister has announced further restrictions to help contain the spread of coronavirus including social gatherings now consist of two people, not ten, which will be enforceable in states and territories. He has said people should only leave their home for shopping, medical reasons, exercise, work or education. There is strong advice […]

THE Westpac Rescue Helicopter is transporting a 10 year old boy suffering a serious medical condition in Scone. The boy is being transferred from the Scott Memorial Hospital to the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, with a critical care medical team providing expert support.

TODAY the Prime Minister announced $1.1billion of funding for mental health, telehealth and domestic violence support through the pandemic. Prime Minister Morrison said while Australia is still seeing a strong increase in the rates of Coronavirus cases, percentage has fallen. “This time last week the rate of increase on cases was up around 25 to […]

BRAD Hazzard, New South Wales Minister for Health said we need to take extreme caution as the number of people infected with coronavirus in New South Wales continues to climb. Minister Hazard said there are now 1,791 confirmed cases in the state, which is an increase of 174 new cases over the last 24 hours, […]

ON Thursday, NSW Health released the number of total of coronavirus within each Local Government Area, but only indicated 1-4 cases in the Upper Hunter Shire Council area. The Hunter New England Health Service has since further clarified the is one case within the Upper Hunter Shire Council area. The number of patients within the […]

By Janie Jordan THE local livestock saleyard industry has welcomed today’s announcement from the Minister for Agriculture and Emergency Management, David Littleproud, who confirmed that livestock saleyards and wool auctions are able to continue.   The Federal Government has deemed saleyards are an essential part of the broader agriculture supply chain because of their importance […]

FROM midnight on Saturday all Australian’s returning home will be taken into quarantine accommodation in the cities where they land, to ensure compliance with the 14 day measures. The Prime Minister said more than two-thirds of all cases of coronavirus in Australia are from Australian’s returning home and a significant number are from those travellers […]

THE Premier has again flagged, further measures may be taken to limit the spread of pandemic and implored people not to leave their homes unless they “absolutely have to.” Premier Gladys Berejiklian, pled to senior and vulnerable people “please don’t leave your home.” She further called for calm, assuring residents that they will always have […]

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the time for police cautioning people who are not self-isolating, is over.  There have been 600 calls to CrimeStoppers in the last two days, reporting people breaching the new laws: 1800 333 000. Two days ago the state introduced on the spot fines of $1,000 for individuals and $5,000 […]

NSW Health have confirmed this afternoon that there are 1 to 4 cases of coronavirus in the Upper Hunter Shire area. UPDATE: Health Service Confirms One Case There are also 1 to 4 cases in the following surrounding Shires: Liverpool Plains, Narrabri, Mid-Western, Dungog and Singleton. There are 7 cases in Tamworth and 9 in […]

“HELLO” neighbour flyers are being distributed by volunteers in Scone and Aberdeen to help the community during the pandemic. How to use the flyer: Fill out your details on the flyer, including your name, phone number and tick the boxes for how you can help your neighbour. Drop the flyer to your neighbour. If you […]

THE matters heard at Scone Local Court this month were limited due to the new pandemic measures in place. All adjourned matters will be reported on when they are heard in court.

As part of broader pandemic measures within the judicial and correctional system, more court matters will be adjourned, managed remotely and many people on remand in correctional facilities may be released into the community. Read more…

ON Tuesday the Prime Minister said hairdressers and barbers could continue to operate, observing the premises rule of one person per four square meters and a limit of 30 minutes on premises for each customer, however the 30 minute time frame has now been abolished. The messaging is confusing, changing and often not consistent with […]

THERE were another 190 positive coronavirus cases confirmed in the last 24 hours making a total of 1,219 cases in New South Wales. There are 16 people in intensive care and there have been seven deaths. The Premier said if the numbers continue to climb more measures will be put in place to reduce the […]

THERE are currently 103 confirmed cases of conronavirus in the Hunter New England Area Health Service, 71 acquired from overseas, 15 locally acquired from a known contact and 4 locally acquired with no known contact and 13 under investigation. UPDATE Thursday, March 26: NSW Health have begun publishing a map with ALL confirmed cases of […]

IF YOU SUSPECT SOMEONE MAY HAVE BREACHED SELF-ISOLATION YOU MUST REPORT IT!!! Phone CrimeStoppers immediately: 1800 333 000 – it is anonymous.  People in OUR community have lost their jobs, closed their businesses and are at significant health risk because of this disease. People breaching the current laws are placing EVERYONE in our community at […]

OVERNIGHT Australia has confirmed more than 2,000 cases, New South Wales has more than 1,000, with an additional 200 cases since yesterday representing the largest 24 hour increase. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was “heartening” to see the number of calls to CrimeStoppers increasing daily of “people rightly dobbing people in” for breaching isolation laws. […]

THE Prime Minister has announced further restrictions this evening, effective from midnight tomorrow night, to slow the rate of the virus. The principle of the new restrictions is to prevent large gatherings, organised events and for people to stay at home, only leaving for essential activities such as grocery shopping or work, if working from […]

Scone was well ahead of the curve in implementing social distancing best practice during the Scone Literary Festival. While, gatherings like this have now been banned and the number of people allowed in a room has changed, president of the Festival Janie Jordan was kind enough to share how they adapted to the guidelines at […]