Fewer than one in 10 pregnant women in Australia have access to what is considered to be the 'gold standard' of maternity care, but one outback Queensland town has adopted the model in a bold move to empower local women and midwives.

A kit, designed by a researcher and nurse, aims to take the taboo out of poo and help children identify what a perfect poo looks like and how to make one.

The Queensland Government is expected to pass a bill today to introduce new mandatory farm run-off regulations to protect the reef, despite opposition from agricultural groups.

Drum lines used to kill sharks in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park will be removed after the Queensland Government lost a challenge in the Federal Court to continue its culling program in the protectedarea.

Tour operators at a Queensland national park fear it will not be long until someone is killed or seriously injured in the quest for the perfect social media photo.

A team of homeschooled students will this week travel overseas, most of them for the first time, to compete in an international Lego robotics competition in Denmark.

Regional communities are being touted as winners in this year's New South Wales budget, crowned by a Regional Growth Fund of more than $1 billion for projects to promote economic advancement outside of cities.

Natural disasters can have devastating effects on communities, with the ensuing financial and psychological pain taking years to ease, but being prepared can reduce the impact.

The Central Coast Mariners get their first win of the season and hand Sydney FC their first loss, to get round six underway in Gosford on Friday night.

Check your public transport timetable before leaving the house this week in Sydney and NSW as more than 9,000 new weekly train, bus and ferry services launch for the Greater Sydney network.

Neither side really looked like scoring in a dour New Year's Eve contest leaving the Wellington Phoenix last and the Central Coast Mariners in eighth.

In what's being described as an "extraordinary" move, train workers in New South Wales plan to strike for 24 hours later in the month, potentially plunging the struggling Sydney rail network into further chaos.

Footage of the man punching a 21-year-old woman in the face was viewed thousands of times on social media and led to the motorist being handed a good behaviour bond and a $900 fine.

Drawing on her own experience growing up in rural Queensland's Ilfracombe, Dame Quentin Bryce says the role of women in agriculture has come a long way.

Penrith brings down competition leaders St George Illawarra to the tune of 28-2, while the Sydney Roosters and Rabbitohs both record convincing wins.

A fast train network connecting greater Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle as a "mega region" could create more than 10,000 new jobs, according to a new report.

A 19-year-old university student from the New South Wales Central Coast dies from meningococcal disease, the region's second death from the illness in as many months, prompting authorities to issue a warning.

Usain Bolt has turned down a two-year deal to play in Europe, but that won't make Mike Mulvey and the Central Coast Mariners rush into offering the eight-time Olympic champion a deal.

Best known for his provocative signs, Father Rod Bower from the NSW Central Coast announces plans to run for the Senate as an independent candidate.

She's been described as "the friendliest dog in the world", but Lucy was rejected by three families before she found her forever home. The affectionate labrador is now helping others face their own stressful situations.

Perth Glory ends 2018 three points clear at the A-League summit after beating the Mariners 4-1 following a 40-minute mid-match delay over snapped goalposts.

Central coast residents have launched a scathing attack on the NSW Government after recent works let tonnes of silt, clay and rocks wash into Bangalow Creek, renowned for its wildlife.

In 2009 we were promised a fast National Broadband Network with optical fibre cables direct to most homes and businesses. Instead, we've ended up with a mix of technologies including optical fibre, copper wires, Hybrid Fibre Coaxial, fixed wireless and satellite.

The Raiders outclass the Dragons in Wollongong, as the Eels beat the Tigers to spoil Benji Marshall's 300th NRL match, and the Cowboys enjoy a narrow triumph over the Roosters.

Teenagers were seen atop the roof of the Kariong detention centre after reports of an escape attempt.

Teenagers were seen atop the roof of the Kariong detention centre after reports of an escape attempt.

George Blackwood of Adelaide (right) celebrates scoring a second half goal with Ryan Strain during the FFA Cup Semi Final match between Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide United at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, Wednesday, October 2, 2019.

The Melbourne derby ends in a scoreless draw as the Victory host City at Docklands in the opening round of the A-League, while the Wanderers celebrate a 2-1 triumph over the Mariners at their new home ground.

A Victorian dairy lobby group calls for the New South Wales Government to stop subsidising the cost of transporting fodder.

Bathurst's resident golf pro, Matt Barratt, centre, works with schools to recruit juniors to the sport.

Golf clubs around the country are failing to meet the needs of modern consumers and as a result memberships are at an all-time low.

As the drought continues, water is being carted by train for the first time in decades to keep production on track at a NSW coal mine and secure 140 full-time jobs.