International seafarers pose little risk to the public and port access restrictions imposed by some states are not in line with national recommendations, an industry lobby claims.

Queensland mother Nina Hensley says the jumping castle has helped her daughter with Angelman syndrome cope with coronavirus restrictions.

Mount Isa's Nev Power said fixing windmills and tractors prepared him to chair the COVID-19 Coordination Commission.

A survey conducted by the Gladstone Chamber of Commerce finds 35 per cent of respondents fear they won't be solvent by the end of June, due to the coronavirus crisis.

A 14-week coronavirus drug trial involving volunteer military personnel has resumed despite previous concerns from doctors and veterans about its ethics.

The Mount Isa Medical Centre is taking over the testing service to ensure people with respiratory symptoms are checked, despite no cases being recorded in the city.

A classic debut album of grown-up country swing and rollicking good times from The Junes

The second solo album from the guitarist of Australia's premier funk outfit sees him team up with Megan Washington and create hints of Mark Ronson's work.

ABC North Coast resident arts reviewer, Jeanti St Clair looks at the latest music and theatre to hit the region.

ABC North Coast resident arts reviewer, Jeanti St Clair looks at the latest music and theatre to hit the region.

Sam Neill says he's in the "cheering-up" business. Acting is his profession, winemaking is his passion and now in times of COVID-19, the 72-year-old is delighting the masses on social media.

MORNING BRIEFING: Photos shared on social media appear to show two NRL players defying coronavirus restrictions on a camping trip on the NSW Mid-North Coast, while aged care homes say the PM's advice on visitors is "cavalier and careless".

NSW has recorded two new coronavirus infections with 4,400 tests conducted. It is the lowest number of new cases recorded in the state since March 8.

A Mid North Coast school is bucking the state trend planning to have all its students on campus by May 11 and says a previous COVID-19 case has adequately prepared it for any future outbreaks.

Australia's COVID-19 death toll rises to 88 after four more fatalities at a western Sydney aged care facility, bringing the total number of coronavirus fatalities at the centre to 11.

There have been five new cases from over 4,112 people tested in the last 24 hours in NSW.

Coronavirus survivor, Jayson O'Brien has thanked medical staff at Western New South Wales Local Health District for saving his life.

NSW Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant has declared Lithgow to be a COVID-19 hotspot after an untraceable case emerged over the weekend.

Police charge Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr with firearms offences after a weekend getaway as the NRL fines the pair and two other players for "putting the game and community at risk".

Anglicare Sydney, which operates the facility, says the past 24 hours had been "tragic", following the announcement of four deaths yesterday.

Mr Millard says all residents have been provided mobile phones but it's not always possible to assist with calls.

Jeered in more conservative times for ordering a swimmer "wearing nothing but a smile" to cover up, lifesaving legend Warren Young now looks to call it a day.

Given only weeks or months to live, Gail Baker's dying wish is for her sister to travel from New Zealand to care for her toward the end of her life. But red tape is preventing her from doing so.

The number of coronavirus fatalities at the Newmarch House aged care home in Western Sydney continues to climb, as the NSW Premier asks the Federal Government to intervene in the "horrific" situation.

The Illawarra union movement pays tribute to a Dapto man who has not missed a May Day march in 88 years.

The number of positive coronavirus diagnoses have fallen dramatically since the end of March.

While no Australian state or territory has made the call to release inmates early because of the coronavirus, COVID-19 is being considered in bail applications, including in the case of Chantelle Baker.

Newmarch House records another death as cases there continue to climb, while more than 7,200 people were tested in NSW yesterday, the highest testing on a Saturday so far.

Last week the ABC published the story behind a tiny 66-year-old handprint found in a garden shed. After seeing the story, family and friends have now filled in the details about the life, and tragic death of Ian Redman.

A 76-year-old woman died in Nepean hospital yesterday after contracting the virus.

Another resident dies from coronavirus at Newmarch House in Western Sydney, bringing the aged care facility's death toll to 16.

Businesses in the Mudgee and surrounding region say they'll bounce back from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, using resilience built during years spent in drought and recent and devastating bushfires.

Jim Hamilton from Lake Macquarie was a passenger aboard the Ruby Princess, now the subject of a special commission of inquiry led by Brett Walker SC. A NSW Health epidemiologist Kelly-Anne Ressler agreed it was unsatisfactory that more people on the ship were tested for influenza than for COVID-19.

A court hears the NSW Rural Fire Service may ask the state's Attorney-General to relax restrictions so it can distribute the $51.3 million raised by comedian Celeste Barber to help victims of the Black Summer bushfires.

As retail stores across Australia gradually start reopening their doors, a New South Wales economist is warning consumers to be cautious about their return.

The Idea of North

Deckchair Reviewer John Gilby reviews one of the year's most acclaimed films, 12 Years a Slave.

Steve McQueen's third feature is a powerful and uncompromising look at the horrors of African American slavery and features strong performances and first rate production values

Geoff Hutchison reviews the most talked about film of the year - 12 Years a Slave.

Last Friday, NORPA unveiled its 2014 season to a packed house at Lismore City Hall. The company's Artistic Director Julian Louis has stuck to a programming formula he's had success with over the years. The mix is one NORPA hopes will represent another year of strong houses. There are a couple of reinvented classics, some edgy new material, some drama, comedy, dance, circus, Indigenous and kid-friendly productions along with something homemade. Several shows use video technology extensively, while others ask you to just bring your imagination. In essence, there's something for everyone.

TaikOz

NORPA's 2015 season was announced earlier this month with the aim of drawing a broader audience to the performing arts.

An 11-bed regional aged care facility is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary as a community-owned organisation, which has kept jobs and residents in town while proving the viability of an innovative new model for aged care.

The gruesome remains of a shark caught on the NSW South Coast have sparked a debate about how the animal met its fate and highlighted the 'amazing healing powers' of the predators.

The Broncos answer a number of their critics by ending a four-match losing streak with a convincing victory over the Sharks, while the Tigers snare a win against the Titans in Tamworth.

Having retained all 16 of their seats, welcomed a record number of women to the party and consolidated under leader Michael McCormack, there could be a renewed sense of stability for the country-based party.

The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses has collated data from official stewards' documents and found 122 horses died in the past year.

MORNING BRIEFING: The Rural Fire Service says it will begin assessing the full extent of the bushfire damage in northern New South Wales today, and a man is charged after a robbery in 2003.