Standing alone has not been a bad thing – we have a great community spirit and community facilities. Unlike some larger centres Dungog has its own hospital with clinics attached, a library, swimming pool, high school and the historic James Theatre. 

We have neighbour-care services, a wonderful neighbourhood centre, active service clubs and various volunteer organisations and cultural groups.

Dungog has suffered  recent misfortunes – especially the hand dealt by Mother Nature with the storm that resulted in unprecedented flooding and now our current lack of rainfall. 

Some disadvantages have resulted from political decisions including changes to the train timetables, which lost some local business.  The cutting of the rail services direct to Newcastle was another blow. 

We can have a say in trying to overcome these by working on ways to achieve improvements to replace lost services, otherwise we could lose other town amenities.

Save Our Rail is still actively working for the community. We realise that though the Newcastle line has been removed, there is still a need for direct transport into the centre of Newcastle, where the new court house is located and where the University of Newcastle additions are being built – and of course to the beach. 

There is an obvious need now, with a new Premier, to come up with an alternative, creative way to achieve some form of rail transport to our major regional city. That could be an underground line, a raised rail line or buildings that allow rails to run under them.  

If you have an idea, come to our meetings – third Wednesday of the month, Newcastle Leagues Club at 5.30pm.

Save Our Rail is also pursuing the need for more frequency of service and improved timetables for Hunter communities. People have moved here because Dungog is on the rail line. We need to ensure this asset is retained.