MyLink is an online community information hub. It's purpose is to inform and connect community groups, service providers and members of the community.
This webpage provides information to local community service providers and community groups. This page is designed to provide an online noticeboard to share initiatives, training and community information that are of interest to you, your clients and stakeholders.
Information that you would like to be shared can be sent to us at mylink@portstephens.nsw.gov.au
If you can please include a brief description of your program or event, key information and contact details. Preferably please share a picture file if you would like to share an image.
Please allow one week for the noticeboard to be updated. All news stories can then be forwarded on with a click of the mouse button, via either email, Facebook, twitter or LinkedIn.
GENERAL INFORMATION & EVENTS
Please join us for an important community based day, where we try to connect our services with yours!
Learn more HERE
You’re invited to attend a FREE community workshop delivered by Australian Red Cross.
This workshop will help you to prepare for emergencies. It provides you with an introduction to emergency preparedness, helps you start your own emergency RediPlan and gives you the information and tools to continue preparing yourself, and those you care about, for emergencies. As part of Help Nation, an NRMA Insurance initiative, this workshop will also help you learn about your local risks.
Learn more HERE
The 2025 Housing Crisis Survey, by Everybody's Home, is closing soon, and more voices are needed to show the true scale of Australia’s housing emergency.
It takes just 5 minutes to complete - but your response could make a huge difference.
Take the survey HERE
As part of the Mental Health Month, the Wellness Walk is a family-friendly walk promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma.
For over ten years, this event has raised more than $500,000 for essential mental health supports for Australians facing mental health challenges.
Walk with us to show your support for the hundreds of thousands of people experiencing mental health challenges who aren’t getting the help they need in their community.
Click below to Register
https://give.onedoor.org.au/event/wellness-walk-newcastle/homeThe show will feature a 30-minute set from one of Australia’s favourite comedians, along with three supporting comedians—one of whom will also act as the MC. The night will also include a brief mental health presentation, highlighting local services and support resources.
Register HERE
One Training and Gadhungal Marring would like to welcome you to their highly regarded Digital Walkabout program. Culturally centred education tailored to develop and connect you with your culture and enhance your digital literacy skills, this program purpose is to build your confidence, self-worth and a sense of belonging.
Thursday 23 October 2025
9:30-2:30pm
Verto, 6-8/42 Williams Street, Raymond Terrace
Learn more HERE
Child Restraint Training Days
Four Child Restraint Training sessions will be held over two days in Lake Macquarie and on the Central Coast on November 11 and 12 respectively.
These free sessions are facilitated by Kidsafe and are brought to you by Transport for NSW. They are open to employees and volunteers of organisations that require them to transport children for their work and as such, are required to utilise/install/remove child car seats.
There will be a morning (9.30am) and afternoon (1pm) session on each date which will include a theory and practical component:
The theory component will run for one hour and will incorporate the following information:
1. Laws for transporting children
2. Types and features of child car seats including ISOFIX
3. Common misuse issues
4. Use of Accessories
For the practical component participants will install three types of child car seats:
1. Rear facing child car seat or capsule
2. Forward facing child car seat
3. Booster seat
Each session in total (theory + practical) will run for around 2.5 hours.
Morning or afternoon tea will be provided as well as a take home pack for each attendee.
Please see below for the details of each session including date, times, location and booking link.
Newcastle/Lake Macquarie
Date: Tuesday 11 November
Times: 9.30am and 1pm
Location: Landcare & Sustainable Living Centre Booragul – 80 Toronto Rd Booragul NSW 2284
Booking Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MR8KS2B
Central Coast
Date: Wednesday 12 November
Times: 9.30am and 1pm sessions
Location: Central Coast Lifetime Learning Centre (Old CARES Facility) – 13 Palmdale Rd Palmdale NSW 2258
Booking Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MR8KS2B
You may contact Priscilla on 0401 566 728 for more information.
GIVIT has partnered with the New South Wales Government to manage donations of essential goods, services, and funds for people affected by the recent flooding across the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions.
GIVIT is a national not-for-profit that partners directly with councils, recovery outreach teams, charities and community groups to connect needs with generous donors, ensuring that Australians experiencing hardship receive the essential goods and services they need, when they need them most.
To find out how GIVIT works and how your organisation can participate, click here
Workforce Australia is launching the First Nations Digital Walkabout Program, delivered by One Training and Gadhungal Marring, to Raymond Terrace in October!
We are working with the local Workforce Australia Providers to place their participants into the program; however we have secured funding to cover 5 spots for any local Aboriginal community members who do not have access to Workforce Australia services.
Program Dates:
Thursday 23rd October: Nanima Project + Induction Day
Monday 27th October to Friday 7th November: Digital Walkabout Program
Friday 14th November: Graduation + Employer Connect Event
Learn more HERE
Jupiter are excited to invite you to A Magical Night to Support Young Minds – Mask Up for Mental Health Masquerade Gala Dinner, now taking place on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 at Sirena Seaside, Nelson Bay, from 6:30PM.
To learn more and book tickets click HERE
Join New Life Community Relief at the Terrace, for a free meal!
Starts on Friday 28th February 2025!
Here is the flyer for more information.
6:30 - 8pm
Located under the Raymond Terrace Council Carpark (undercover area)
Bungree Aboriginal Association is here to support families with family dispute resolution/ Mediation, while navigating parenting and property issues that arise as part of separation.
This is a relatively new service to Bungree and there is no current waiting list and under our current funding we are:
- Able to provide fee free mediation services.
- While the program is funded to service Aboriginal community, they can support non-Aboriginal people as long as there is an Aboriginal person within the family dynamics.
- The program services the Cessnock, Maitland, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, and Central Coast areas with offices in both Cessnock and Gosford.
See NovaCares calendar of events HERE
Bushfire is an unfortunate part of life in some areas of Port Stephens. With summer just around the corner and the temperatures increasing those that are living in areas susceptible to bushfires, you need to live bushfire-ready.
That means knowing your risk and having a plan for what to do during a fire. You can make your plan online in as little as five minutes by clicking here
Or you can sit down with your family and discuss what you will do using the NSW Rural Fire Service guide to making a bushfire survival plan.
To ensure your home is bushfire prepared follow the tips from NSWRFS by clicking here
Even if you plan to leave early, the more you prepare your home, the more likely it will survive a bushfire or ember attack. A well-prepared home can also be easier for you or firefighters to defend, and is less likely to put your neighbours' homes at risk. A well-prepared home will also give you more protection if a fire threatens suddenly and you cannot leave.
Join the team at the Yacaaba Centre for a refreshing morning of conversation, connection, and empowerment. Whether you're looking to meet new people, share ideas, or just take a break from the daily grind, this is your time to socialise, network, and be inspired!
10-11:30am every Thursday morning. See flyer HERE for more information.
Council has developed a flyer that outlines where the community can seek assistance for food and crisis relief.
Click HERE
The ELDAC project, funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care, has developed a free Home Care Search Filter. This tool simplifies the process of finding evidence to support your home care programs. (Link: https://www.eldac.com.au/Technology-and-Innovation/Home-care-search-filter).
STARS plan to enhance the wellbeing of seniors through musical theatre and recreation.
For more information click HERE
Atwae offer members of the public, discounts in beauty treatments and massage which are performed by students.
Opening Hours
For Appointments call 0401 095 481
THURSDAY & FRIDAY (during NSW school Terms)
9.30AM - 2.00PM
Click here for the beauty menu
Our service is here to support families with Mediations while navigating parenting and property issues that arise as part of separation or with any other issues that may need meditation within family relationships.
As we are a new service to Bungree there is no current waiting list for and under our current funding we are:
-Able to provide fee free mediation services.
-While our program is funded to service Aboriginal community, we can support non-Aboriginal people as long as there is an Aboriginal person within the family dynamics.
-Our program services the Cessnock/ Upper Hunter, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, and Central Coast areas with offices in both Cessnock and Gosford.
Please see attached the Bungree Service Aboriginal Family Dispute Resolution Services.
Please see attached referral form
YOUTH SERVICES
Click HERE to view the minutes
The Inclusion in Sport project aimed to bring awareness to organisations around the barriers and gaps currently being faced by children and their families. The project also aimed to provide clubs/organisations with FREE training around inclusion for coaches, managers, volunteers and staff as well support for staff in school environments.
If you have not had the opportunity to complete the free training, please feel free to register and complete this wondering training program>> Join Our Disability Inclusive Sports Program - Sport4All
Black Dog Institute has new free resources called Teens and Screens to support parents and carers with children in years 7-9. Please feel free to share this information with parents and carers in your team:
- Nine strategies to help you support your teen in an online world: Handbook of strategies parents can use to support their teens
- Screen Time and Teen Mental Health: Insights & Tips for Parents: Short webinar for parents and carers
- Free apps to support teens: Learn about free apps for teens like Sleep Ninja and ClearlyMe
To read the March edition click here
Join Black Dog for an insightful and empowering webinar focused on providing strategies and resources to help you in supporting your teen.
Delivered by a Clinical Psychologist facilitator, and Black Dog Institute lived experience presenter, we will explore:
- How to make sense of adolescence
- Identify signs of mental health struggles.
- Understand how to support your teen.
- Know where you and your teen can get support.
This webinar is free and open to all parents, caregivers, and anyone interested in supporting the mental health of teens in their care. Reserve your spot today and embark on a journey towards greater well-being for you and your family!
See upcoming dates and register here: For Parents - Black Dog Institute | Better Mental Health
Contact: schools@blackdog.org.au
Bringing Up Great Kids focuses on building positive and nurturing relationships between parents/carers and their children. The program gives you a chance to think about children, parenting and how you can provide children with the experiences you want for them as they grow up.
Learn more HERE
Mission Australia has launched a youth survey aimed at 14-19 year old living in and around the Raymond Terrace, Tilligerry peninsula, Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest and Karuah areas.
This survey is largest annual survey of young people in the country and plays an important role in helping to inform local and other priorities.
For more information including information for parents, youth and consents click HERE
To complete the survey click HERE
NEWSLETTERS AND GROUP CATCH UP'S
MyTime is a peer support program for parents and carers of a child with a disability, chronic medical condition or other additional needs including developmental delays.
Groups run every Thursday 12:30-2pm at Anna Bay Family Centre.
Learn more HERE
Check out artist residency opportunities, upcoming events & more.
Click HERE
Healthy strong Aboriginal men often find value in sharing stories with each other, as it fosters a sense of brother-ship and mutual understanding.
Click HERE to find out more information about the fortnightly catch ups and for upcoming dates.
Click here to read the newsletter
Click here to view One Door's Newsletter.
This edition of TEI Inform includes:
- Apology and correction to Reconciliation Week theme in previous newsletter
- New webpage for parenting programs and supported playgroups
- Next steps following TEI and FCS evaluations
To read more on each topic click HERE
Click here to read the March updates
Click HERE to view news from FAMS
Check out the latest update from the team, click HERE
SEMINARS, TRAINING AND RESOURCES
Blue Knot Foundation offers professional development training focused on complex trauma and trauma informed practice. Our training programs are focused on building skill and capacity in staff, leaders, practitioners and organisations.
Learn more HERE
To find out more information and resources on inclusion in play and sport, check out the links below.
LAB Learning Clinic provides evidence-based therapy supports to help individuals develop functional skills, enhancing participation and independence in daily activities such as language and communication.
They provide support in the following areas:
- Therapy services across the lifespan to enhance functional skills, supporting greater participation and independence in areas such as written and oral communication in everyday tasks.
- Early intervention for children aged 0-9 with developmental delays, written communication difficulties or disabilities to achieve better long-term outcomes
To learn more click HERE
The NSW Government is continuing its campaign to raise awareness of coercive control among multicultural communities. In-language information is now available in 18 languages with the addition of Korean, Assyrian, Farsi, Punjabi and Filipino/Tagalog. To view the resources click HERE
Workplace Mental Health: Current realities, future impact: recent panel discussion available just for our workplace clients (not shared publicly), you can access it here
Teen Mental Health Matters: free upcoming webinars focused on providing strategies and resources to help parents and caregivers support their teens, RSVP here (scroll to the bottom of the page)
Empowering recovery from complex trauma.
Check out Blueknot's bi-yearly public training calendar HERE
Check out CHSP's upcoming webinars and event HERE and how to register.
For information and how to best prepare for a heatwave, check out Port Stephens Councils and NSW Health, heatwave awareness resources.
For public releases of data and dashboards on early intervention, child protection, out-of-home care, social housing, homelessness and other key statistics on community support, click HERE
The Lifeline Training Support Team hosts Lifeline's community training and dedicated workplace delivery.
View their range of training options available HERE
The Gambling Impact Society (GIS) continues to provide Free Education about Gambling Harm through the Consumer Voice Project - Raising Awareness of the impact of gambling harm, owing to funding from the State Government. We have provided a number of these in your area to the PS Interagency, planning meetings, community groups, TAFE and University students and they have been well received.
For more information Click HERE
Yfoundations is excited to announce the launch of a newlearning platform: ‘Working with children and young people who use violence’.
This series of online learning which will take participants approximately 5 hours to complete.
This course will include:
- Research and resources
- Digital stories with frontline workers
- 12 training modules with Ken McMaster
- 5 training modules with Shayne Hood
Learn more and register HERE
COMPETITIONS, GRANTS & EOI
Applications for the At-Home Caravans Program, Renters Bond and Advanced Rent Grant, and Home Repair Grant open today (Monday 25 August 2025) through the Housing Recovery Service. The Housing Recovery Service connects homeowners, renters, and landlords with housing assistance such as grants for repairs, grants to help with rent and relocation, temporary housing programs and disaster relief grants and can be contacted on 1800 695 043. All the program pages can be accessed as sub pages from this master page https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery/storm-recovery-updates/housing-support-package-for-nsw-mid-north-coast-and-hunter-floods, but they are linked below as well:
