Toby Hemmings

6 days ago | abc.net.au | Toby Hemmings

A 31-year-old deputy mayor and mother of three has resigned from her regional council claiming it was costing her money to represent her community. Ellie Tree announced she was stepping down from Bellingen Shire Council on the New South Wales Mid North Coast after a three-month leave of absence. She said she was unable to balance the workload between family, full-time employment and postgraduate study. "Unfortunately council pays the least and takes up the most of my time," Cr Tree said.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Claire Simmonds |Toby Hemmings

Like many Australians, Brooke Bottrell has been fairly tuned out of this federal election. The Coffs Harbour mother has had little capacity for politics as she tries to find medical specialists and support for her stepdaughter and son.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Toby Hemmings

Luke Parsons never had the chance to meet his dad. The 25-year-old Wiradjuri man's father died two months before he was born. "Hearing all of his stories growing up, it pushed me to be a better person and show his story," said Mr Parsons, who lives in Cowra in the NSW Central West. Recently, he has been able to honour his dad's final resting place with a headstone he has made himself.

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Toby Hemmings

SafeWork NSW has brought criminal charges against a regional NDIS provider over the death of a 28-year-old Indigenous woman. The woman died after suffering burns while being bathed by LiveBetter staff. The case will return to the District Court in April. Criminal charges have been brought against a New South Wales disability services provider over the death of an Indigenous woman who suffered burns to up to 40 per cent of her body during a bath.

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Toby Hemmings

The NSW Inspector of Custodial Services has called for the permanent closure of the medium security wings of Bathurst Correctional Centre. Continuously running since 1888, the inspector has found the main jail is no longer fit for purpose and presents a risk to staff and inmates. Corrective Services NSW is considering the recommendations. A NSW jail that has been operating continuously for more than 130 years should be partially closed, according to a new report by the state's prison inspector.