A 48-year-old man, Raymond James Dungay, is accused of spraying petrol on three patients at Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital and trying to ignite it. Police guard him after he did not apply for bail at a bedside court hearing. One patient, Randovan Banic, suffered minor burns and has been moved to intensive care. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park has ordered an immediate investigation and says he wants the man removed from the hospital. The incident occurred late on Tuesday but was not made public until about 24 hours later, which Shadow Health Minister Sarah Mitchell criticised.
A patient at Prince of Wales hospital in Randwick has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after allegedly setting a fellow patient on fire. Police allege Raymond James Dungay, 48, poured petrol on three patients on Tuesday evening before igniting one of them. Hospital staff quickly put out the fire. The 54-year-old victim suffered minor burns, while two others were treated for minor injuries and are in a stable condition. Dungay is expected to face a bail hearing. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park apologised and ordered a departmental review.
NSW Health has shut down Joey's Mini Mart & Drive Thru in Campbelltown, which authorities say was selling illicit tobacco and vapes through a laneway service window. The business had been promoted as an international grocer. Over two days last week, inspectors closed 10 retailers and seized 420,000 illicit cigarettes, 60kg of loose-leaf tobacco and more than 4,000 illicit vapes, worth around $600,000. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said illegal businesses keep reopening under new names while the federal tobacco excise stays high. Health experts have opposed cutting the excise, which has raised legal cigarette prices.
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Multicultural Health Week 2026 in NSW encouraged physical activity for mental health, with a focus on accessible health information for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The campaign, themed “Improving our mental health and wellbeing through physical activity”, was launched at the State Library of NSW by Health Minister Ryan Park and Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson. Resources, including factsheets in 41 languages and a new online portal for vaccination information, remain available year-round to support community health and vaccination efforts.
Construction has finished on the Warrawong Community Health Centre, built on the former Port Kembla Hospital grounds in the Illawarra. Once it opens in the coming weeks, residents will be able to reach antenatal care, child health checks, sexual health testing, mental health counselling and drug and alcohol support in one place. The building includes landscaped spaces, an outdoor play area for children and local artwork chosen from submissions by regional creatives and students. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park described the milestone as important for community-based care, while local members of parliament highlighted the wider investment in regional facilities.
Hackers raised temperatures on fridges and freezers at hundreds of French supermarkets, spoiling food worth millions of euros. Les Mousquetaires said fridges at about 150 of its stores were heated to 50 degrees Celsius overnight. French authorities are investigating, and a software vulnerability linked to Danish company Danfoss has been identified. Australian cyber security experts say supermarkets using similar centralised systems could face similar attacks, though the exact method remains unconfirmed.
Wildlife carers across New South Wales say they have never seen so many flying foxes give birth to premature pups. Since late September, rescue groups have responded to more than 460 reports of malnourished grey-headed flying foxes. One volunteer group estimates about 95 per cent of premature pups will die in care. Volunteers say the cause of the starvation event is unknown, and an government department says temporary food shortages may be a factor but no cause is confirmed. Rescue groups have only about 40 volunteers available, and carers are feeding pups every two hours.
The NSW government is investing $7.2 million in an early intervention allied health pilot to help older patients recover at home and reduce hospital stays. The program will support up to 330 people annually with chronic and complex health needs, offering services like mobility assistance, home safety checks, and carer training. The pilot will involve various health professionals and aim to improve care planning and rehabilitation for older people transitioning from hospital or receiving care at home.
Health professionals and policymakers gathered in Parramatta to explore strategies for enhancing preventive healthcare in NSW. With the state's elderly population set to grow significantly, the summit addressed expanding chronic disease prevention, mental health support, and equitable healthcare access. The NSW Government released a comprehensive health report to guide discussions on practical approaches to improving population health. Recent initiatives, including a new health hub in Campbelltown and an early intervention pilot program, aim to reduce hospital pressures and support community healthcare. Health Minister Ryan Park emphasised the importance of early intervention to prevent serious illness and hospitalisation.
Health experts, government officials, and academics have gathered in Parramatta for the 2026 NSW Preventive Health Summit. The two-day event aims to strengthen preventive health approaches as the state's ageing population and chronic disease rates rise. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the summit would challenge assumptions and identify practical actions to boost health outcomes and empower healthcare professionals. The NSW Government will also release a report on the state's health, with discussions focusing on preventing chronic disease and supporting healthy ageing.
Molong’s hospital will receive a solar electricity system upgrade as part of a $850,000 investment in five Western NSW health facilities. The funding comes from the Regional Health Minor Works Program, with the government stating the upgrades will improve infrastructure and health services. The project is expected to take up to 24 months to complete, with local MPs welcoming the investment.
WIRED linked 149 of Ikea's $10 Kallsup Bluetooth speakers into a single chain that played music from one smartphone. Ikea had said up to 150 could be linked, and WIRED received 150 units, but one arrived damaged from shipping. The chaining process took about 30 minutes, and the stack stayed stable at maximum volume. The combined sound was very loud but lacked fidelity, and the reviewers said a $500 LG party speaker offered fuller bass. They concluded that the Kallsup is simple to use and good value at its price.
Copeton Dam has marked 50 years since its official opening. Inverell Mayor Kate Dight says the dam supports the town's domestic water supply, major industries and flood protection. She said the local economy, including the abattoir, Boss Engineering and a pet food factory, depends on the water security it provides. The dam is 54 per cent full, and the council holds a high security licence with WaterNSW, which owns the dam. Council did not plan any celebrations because it does not own the dam.
Parramatta Lanes recorded its biggest year yet, attracting more than 386,000 visitors over four nights from 21 to 24 October. The free festival used the city centre's streets, laneways and car parks for more than 400 performers, 70 food vendors and 10 stages. Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean said the event showcased the city's cultural diversity and its growing appeal in Western Sydney. The City of Parramatta said the festival was funded by the council and the NSW Government, with a $350,000 Open Streets grant to help deliver the event over three years.
Brendon and Emma Reynolds have put the historic Junee Hotel on the market so they can move closer to family. The couple took over the lease in 2023 and later bought the property, restoring its rooms, bathrooms and bar. They have added community events, including a singles night that Emma says led to five relationships. Emma criticised government taxes on regional pubs and staffing rules that limit backpacker workers. The couple plan to live in the hotel while a sale progresses, which they say can take six to 12 months.
Blacktown pilot Aglaya Papadokokolakis flew the first commercial aircraft out of Western Sydney International Airport on Sunday. She said the milestone was a career highlight, launching operations in her home region. Her father is also a pilot, and she encouraged young women to pursue aviation despite its male-dominated reputation. The airport opened after about eight years of construction and is set to run around the clock. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially opened it at a Sunday morning ceremony, and its first international flight arrived on Monday.
As part of Small Business Month in October, three New England and North Coast businesses are being highlighted. Steve Shaw runs GH Innovations in Thrumster, helping local firms attract customers through online search and sales improvement. Di Wade runs Rawspice Boutique in South West Rocks, offering independent fashion and lifestyle products. Meagan Hudson and Rory Taylor run Beardy Downs in Emmaville, making small-batch tallow and beeswax products through BD Collection.
Drivers travelling between Armidale and the coast on Waterfall Way should allow extra time from Monday, 26 October, to Sunday, 8 November. Transport for NSW says a string of maintenance jobs and projects may cause cumulative delays, with some sections of up to 10 minutes. Vehicles wider than 3 metres face restrictions on parts of the route, and a permit is needed. Motorists can follow signs and directions from traffic controllers, or use alternative routes including the Oxley Highway, Gwydir Highway or New England Highway.
A black-and-white cat named Max has been reunited with his family in Cherrybrook after two anxious weeks. His owner, Katy, put up 200 missing posters and searched local streets, reaching out to schools, daycares and students. After Max was sighted, animal rescue volunteer Jen safely captured him and returned him to Katy within 24 hours. Katy then posted Found posters to thank the community for its kindness and teamwork.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has taken up a part-time professor of practice role at the University of Sydney. She will guest-lecture, run masterclasses and mentor students and researchers in the school of public health. Her work will focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust. Ardern, who led New Zealand from 2017 to 2023, said she has been focused on leadership since leaving office. University vice-chancellor Mark Scott said her leadership showed that empathy and resolve can strengthen each other.
A 28-year-old man has been charged after an alleged fight on Banna Avenue in Griffith. Police allege he threw punches at another man in the middle of the street at about 2 am on Sunday, October 25, after being refused entry to pubs. Officers had earlier told him to leave, and police say he later swore at them and kept approaching despite being directed to leave. He was arrested, charged with behaving in an offensive manner in a public place, and granted bail. He is due to appear before Griffith Local Court on November 18.
Sydney will host the 2027 Super Netball Grand Final for the first time since the competition began. The event is expected to attract more than 8,000 visitors and inject more than $4 million into the NSW visitor economy. The match will be played on Saturday 31 July at Afterpay Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, and is proposed rather than confirmed. Netball Australia chair Liz Ellis said the event would celebrate the sport's passion across New South Wales. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the state would invest more in netball, one of its biggest participation sports.
New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley has defended the state's gun buyback scheme after 150 applications were lodged in its first hours. Bookings opened on Monday, and the government plans to remove up to 274,000 firearms from the community. Catley said fewer guns in circulation would make the community safer, pointing to firearms stolen across the state. Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has criticised the scheme, arguing it focuses too heavily on licensed owners rather than illegal guns used by organised criminals.
An 88-year-old woman has died in hospital after she was struck by a car in Pyree, in the NSW Shoalhaven region. Police were called to Pyree Lane at about 1:45 pm on Saturday, 24 October, after reports of a pedestrian being hit. Paramedics treated the woman at the scene before she was flown to St George Hospital in a critical condition. Police were told on Sunday, 25 October, that she had died. The 43-year-old driver returned a negative result on a roadside breath test and was taken to Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital for mandatory testing.
