June 23, 2026
Fernmount athlete wins gold at Surf Life Saving championships Peter Allison [centre] flanked by Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club team mates James Callaghan and Joe Alaimo at the National Surf Life Saving Pool Rescue Championships in Adelaide.
Sport

Fernmount athlete wins gold at Surf Life Saving championships

PETER Allison has returned home with a swag of medals from the Surf Life Saving Australian Pool Rescue Championships in Adelaide. The Fernmount resident won five gold medals, and broke two Australian records and one world record in an outstanding meet. The 78-year-old proved once again to be one of the best of his age […]

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Sawtell Panthers prepare for long-awaited grand final Sawtell Panthers president Colin Fogarty and treasurer Rob Collins welcome captain-coach Sam Johnstone for another season, as the club prepares to play in this year’s grand final.
Sport

Sawtell Panthers prepare for long-awaited grand final

THE SAWTELL Panthers are preparing for a game that’s been 14 years in the making. The Panthers are set to play in their first Group 2 First Grade grand final since 2011, which was also their last premiership win. They are due to meet a familiar foe in the Nambucca Roosters, who they played in […]

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AFL North Coast juniors win premierships The Northern Beaches Blues Youth Girls 13s celebrate their premiership win.
Sport

AFL North Coast juniors win premierships

AFL North Coast’s best junior teams have been crowned after winning premierships during their grand final day at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium. The Bellingen Bulldogs Youth Girls 17s capped off a tremendous undefeated season with a premiership win, accounting for the Northern Beaches Blues by 3.20 (38) to 2.0 (12). The premiership win was […]

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Saints and Magpies win AFL North Coast premierships Sawtell/Toormina Saints reserves side celebrate their premiership win. Photo: AFL North Coast.
Sport

Saints and Magpies win AFL North Coast premierships

THE SAWTELL/Toormina Saints and Port Macquarie Magpies have both won premierships during the AFL North Coast’s grand final day at C.ex Coffs International Stadium. The Saints took out this year’s reserves premiership with a 5.11 (41) to 3.2 (20) grand final victory against the Port Macquarie Magpies. The Saints added another premiership to the club’s […]

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Letter to the Editor: Net zero at any cost?
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Net zero at any cost?

DEAR News Of The Area, UNSEEN by city and suburban eyes, much of the forests and farmland of our country, from far-north Queensland to Tasmania, are being devastated by uncaring multi-national renewable-energy companies, at the invitation of an ignorant Australian government. Approval of the Robbins Island wind project is the latest and greatest in the […]

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Letter to the Editor: Needless suffering
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Needless suffering

DEAR News Of The Area, In response to “EPA investigates more Brush Turkey deaths”, p2, 29 August edition. I get it… Brush Turkeys are not the best looking birds and have some annoying habits, like digging. But, we do have laws, which we hope will deter the malicious killing of our indigenous species. Brush Turkeys […]

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Yazidis to be officially recognised in 2026 Australia Census Coffs Harbour Yazidi community leader, Sami Sheebo.
Local News

Yazidis to be officially recognised in 2026 Australia Census

YAZIDI community members in Coffs Harbour, who have been petitioning the government for official recognition of their language, religion and ethnicity in the 2026 Australian Census, have received a mixed response. Sami Sheebo, principal petitioner, said the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has decided not to include Yazidi as a language category, but Kurmanji (Northern […]

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Council to prepare vegetation plan for foreshores
Coffs Coast

Council to prepare vegetation plan for foreshores

CITY of Coffs Harbour will prepare a Vegetation Management Plan for the Jetty Foreshores precinct to inform all future revegetation works to be funded by Council’s Environmental Levy Reserve in 2025/26. The decision was made at Council’s 28 August meeting, during a motion which outlined the successful applicants of Environmental Levy Grants Program funding. As […]

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Consultation to begin on illegal tobacco offences for landlords
Local News

Consultation to begin on illegal tobacco offences for landlords

THE NSW Government has begun consultation on potential offences for landlords who knowingly lease premises to retailers selling illicit tobacco and illegal vapes. The consultation includes engagement with landlord representatives, retailers, health advocates, partner government agencies and other key stakeholders. The outcomes of the consultation will be reviewed by the Government’s cross-agency NSW Illicit Tobacco […]

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Human remains located in search for missing man
Local News

Human remains located in search for missing man

HUMAN remains, believed to be those of a senior last seen at Halfway Creek in the Clarence Valley earlier this year, have been located. The 81-year-old man, David Johnston from North Rocks in Sydney’s northwest, was reported missing on Wednesday 19 March 2025 to officers attached to Parramatta Police Area Command. Following inquiries, the matter […]

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