April 3, 2026
BDC students training for Brisbane Kokoda Endurance Event
School

BDC students training for Brisbane Kokoda Endurance Event

Bishop Druitt College students and teachers preparing for the Brisbane Kokoda Endurance Event. SIXTY students from Year 6 to Year 11 at Bishop Druitt College (BDC) Coffs Harbour are preparing to take on the 2025 Brisbane Kokoda Challenge on 7 June. Far more than a physical test, the Kokoda Challenge is a journey of endurance, […]

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Community meeting calls for mining ban within water catchment Dr Lian Sinclair, Janet Walk, Aunty Alison Buchanan, Mark Graham, Dr Jaqueline Williams, Julian McKinlay King, Cate Faehrmann MLC, Shae Fleming and Dean Kelly. Photo: BEC.
Community, Health

Community meeting calls for mining ban within water catchment

MORE than 200 people have gathered to express concern over antimony mining and exploration within the Coffs-Clarence regional water supply catchment. The Bellingen Environment Centre (BEC), the Blicks River Guardians and Lock the Nambucca Valley hosted the information and community planning event at the Never Never Mind community centre in Dorrigo on Saturday, 31 May, […]

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‘Adopt a Street’ to connect businesses with flood-affected neighbourhoods ‘Adopt a Street – Flood relief’ - by locals, for locals. Image: supplied.
Community

‘Adopt a Street’ to connect businesses with flood-affected neighbourhoods

Founder Dr Jake Little donating items and helping out with the clean-up, which sparked his idea for Adopt a Street. Photo: supplied. ‘Adopt a Street – Flood relief’ – by locals, for locals. Image: supplied. A NEW community-driven initiative is bringing together local businesses and residents from flood-impacted streets, in a demonstration of support and […]

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First-ever DNA mapping of NSW river mouths and estuaries Dr Maarten De Brauwer of SCU and Fisheries Technician Kait Harris conduct estuarine monitoring in Yamba.
Regional

First-ever DNA mapping of NSW river mouths and estuaries

Dr Maarten De Brauwer and Kait Harris collect samples to send to Wilderlab for processing. Dr Maarten De Brauwer of SCU and Fisheries Technician Kait Harris conduct estuarine monitoring in Yamba. Dr Maarten De Brauwer and Kait Harris collect samples to send to Wilderlab for processing. A MAJOR study of NSW estuaries using a novel […]

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Direct Newcastle to Bali flights to launch in October Minister Steve Kamper at Newcastle Airport for the announcement.
National

Direct Newcastle to Bali flights to launch in October

JETSTAR will launch a direct route between Newcastle and Denpasar (Bali) from 21 October. Denpasar is a major international aviation hub offering connections to over 40 countries. The service is set to be run three times a week, and will be the first international route offered from Newcastle’s new international terminal. Minister for Jobs and […]

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Ocean swimmer Richie Goddard takes on Sydney’s South Head Roughwater Richie Goddard, just left of the buoy.
Sport

Ocean swimmer Richie Goddard takes on Sydney’s South Head Roughwater

Counting down the lighthouses. Goddard coming into Watsons Bay. The post-race celebration, Richie and his wife Emily. Richie Goddard, just left of the buoy. COFFS Harbour ocean swimmer Richie Goddard competed in the 10km South Head Roughwater 2025 Bondi to Watson’s Bay Sydney swim, coming in first for males without a wetsuit. His time of […]

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Legal Hypothetical: Probate sought over smartphone ‘note’
Hypothetical

Legal Hypothetical: Probate sought over smartphone ‘note’

PETER Smith’s health had been failing over the past few months and after paramedics are called due to complications regarding his blood sugar levels, he composes a “Note” on his smartphone, entitled “Last Will of Peter Smith”. The document appoints his friend, Ben as his executor and leaves him the bulk of his estate. The […]

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Letter to the Editor: Loss of XPT service
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Loss of XPT service

DEAR News Of The Area, THE XPT service from Grafton to Sydney has been taken off the rails and replaced with coaches for twelve months. Pensioners, seniors, students without a car and children all rely on this daylight service. The majority of these people would prefer to travel by train for the comfort it provides […]

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