FOLLOWING a magnificently successful Mayoral Ball benefiting the charity Coffs Kids, the City’s Mayor, Cr Nikki Williams, is sharing the committee’s plans for where the fundraising total of more than $70,000 will go.
The 2026 Mayoral Ball was held on Saturday 15 August at Pacific Bay Resort. It was the second such occasion, having been inaugurated in 2025.
The money has a very clear purpose, Cr Williams told News Of The Area.
“Coffs Kids has established the Transition to Secondary School Assistance Fund, with applications opening in Term 4, 2026,” she said.
“The aim is pretty simple: we want every Coffs kid to have the opportunity to start Year 7 on a level playing field.”
Ms Williams said the move from primary school to high school was a really important point in a child’s life.
“It’s a time when connection, participation and belonging matter enormously,” she said.
“Keeping our kids engaged through these years can have a lasting impact on whether they stay at school and where they go next – university, TAFE, an apprenticeship, a trade or into the workforce.”
Research, Cr Williams said, showed that sometimes relatively simple things could make a very big difference.
“Having what you need; being able to participate alongside your mates; walking through those gates on day one feeling confident and like you belong, rather than already feeling a step behind,” Cr Williams said.
Coffs Harbour Principals Network’s relieving Director Simone Hughes, said: “The fund is about ensuring children can begin Year 7 with confidence, dignity, and equal access to educational opportunities.”
For Cr Williams, that sums up exactly what the committee is trying to achieve.
“This isn’t about a handout.
“It’s a hand up at a really important moment in a young person’s life,” she said.
Coffs Kids will work directly with the city’s local public school principals to make sure the fund is practical, fair, and reaches the children who genuinely need that hand up.
“Our principals will also have the opportunity to help shape how the application process works and what support will make the biggest difference,” Cr Williams said.
“And the support for Coffs Kids extends beyond the Ball.”
This is the second Mayor Ball, inaugurated in 2025, and it came up trumps for Cr Williams.
“Saturday night was exactly what the Mayoral Ball was created to be – Coffs celebrating Coffs.
“A packed room, a full dance floor, plenty of laughs and, together with the support of Welcome Hospitality’s Charity Golf Day the week before, just over $70,000 raised for Coffs Kids.”
In thanking all those who played a part in bringing the ball together the Mayor noted everyone who bought a ticket, sponsored the Ball, donated an auction item, entered the raffle, kept putting their hand up to bid, or supported the golf day.
You made what comes next possible.”
A week before the ball, Welcome Hospitality raised $6,000 towards bringing the overall total to just over $70,000 through its annual charity golf day.
“Another local business, another group of people opening their wallets and choosing to invest back into the community they are part of.
“That’s really what Coffs Kids is about – locals backing locals and investing in our own kids.”
Cr Williams also wanted to acknowledge something that is not always seen.
“As Mayor, I often get to be the face of events like the Mayoral Ball.
“I get to stand on the stage, hold the microphone and talk about the result.
“But there is a whole group of people working incredibly hard behind the scenes to make nights like Saturday happen.
“To our entire committee – thank you.”
She also noted the work of Cr Cath Fowler, who went above and beyond pulling this year’s Ball together.
“Cath, the hours, energy and heart you put into making Saturday night what it was did not go unnoticed.
“I am incredibly grateful.”
After the fun of the night, when the lights went on, together our community had raised just over $70,000 to invest back into our kids, she said.
“That’s Coffs celebrating Coffs.
“But more importantly, it’s Coffs backing its future.
“Because a bright future for Coffs starts with our kids – and every one of them deserves the chance to start on a level playing field.”
By Andrea FERRARI
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