August 20, 2025
Dry July fundraiser now in full swing Cheers to Dry July.
Health

Dry July fundraiser now in full swing

TUESDAY 1 July saw the annual Dry July fundraiser kick-off with individuals and teams committing to going alcohol-free for the month to raise funds for people affected by cancer. The funds provide services for cancer patients, their families and carers, whether it’s a lift to a life-saving appointment, guidance from a specialist nurse, connection to […]

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Community unites to support Bellinger River District Hospital Bellinger Health Action Group president Pauline Murphy, C.ex Club's Barb Piggot, Urunga Lions President Louise Pope, Wal Tyson from Lions Club of Bellingen, Peter Kemp from Bellingen Lions, Bellingen Rotary's Phil Kennedy, BRDH Acting Director of Nursing Chantel Baker, Sebastian Corridore from Urunga Lions, Bellingen Lions Treasurer Jim Forbes, Tricia Helyar from Bellingen Showground and Graziella Reeson and Peggy Beehurst from Urunga Lions.
Community, Health

Community unites to support Bellinger River District Hospital

A DONATION of $123,086.72 has been handed to the Bellinger River District Hospital (BRDH) for the purchase of medical equipment, thanks to a community fundraising collaboration led by the Lions Club of Bellingen. With the goal of raising enough funds to buy an ultrasound machine and an electric wheelchair, the local Lions set about rallying […]

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Coffs Colon Care support group spreading bowel cancer awareness Coffs Colon Care (CCC) support group members Sharen Hackfath, Donna Harper and Julie Williams with colorectal surgeon Wilson Petrushnko and Baringa Private Hospital CEO Jo Brown.
Community, Health

Coffs Colon Care support group spreading bowel cancer awareness

Coffs Colon Care (CCC) support group members Sharen Hackfath, Donna Harper and Julie Williams with colorectal surgeon Wilson Petrushnko and Baringa Private Hospital CEO Jo Brown. Cancer survivor Julie Williams. COFFS Harbour’s Coffs Colon Care (CCC) support group is raising awareness of bowel cancer and Red Apple Day. Organised by Bowel Cancer Australia, Red Apple […]

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Cheaper complementary health treatments are on the way Private insurers will soon cover some complementary treatments. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
Government, Health

Cheaper complementary health treatments are on the way

WHEN Peter Hill walked into his first pilates class, he had to warm-up for the warm-up. With a feeble lower back and taut hamstrings, the then 63-year-old was hoping the therapy could aid his pain. Six years later, he can dart and dash with little-to-no trouble. “Occasionally I might have a bit of a twinge […]

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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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One step at a time: Brooke’s run to heal a nation’s silent pain Brooke McIntosh arrived in Coffs Harbour last week as one of her stops on her marathon campaign to reduce the stigma of mental illness. Photo: Belle Verdiglione Photography.
Community, Health

One step at a time: Brooke’s run to heal a nation’s silent pain

BROOKE McIntosh is midway through a mission to run two marathons a day for six months straight, aiming to raise $1million for mental health charity The Blue Tree Project. She also hopes to become the fastest female to run around Australia. Brooke’s journey is about more than endurance however, she’s meeting everyday Australians, having honest […]

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Mosquito numbers set to soar after long rains Aedes aegypti mosquito ready for a meal, followed by laying eggs in your birdbath. Photo: Dr Cameron Webb.
Health, Regional

Mosquito numbers set to soar after long rains

Aedes aegypti mosquito ready for a meal, followed by laying eggs in your birdbath. Photo: Dr Cameron Webb. This backyard birdbath, filled by the recent rains, contains dozens of mosquito larvae that can mature within a week. The black spots are mosquito eggs or pupae, ready to hatch. MOSQUITO numbers are set to soar due […]

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Beanie for Brain Cancer’s Coffs Harbour stopover Mark Hughes visiting the Coffs Harbour Cancer Institute in 2023, with Nicole Allen and Professor Mike Fay.
Community, Health

Beanie for Brain Cancer’s Coffs Harbour stopover

FORMER Newcastle Knights player Mark Hughes and Professor Mike Fay are returning to Coffs Harbour on 7 June for Beanie for Brain Cancer. The co-founder of the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) and Director of the MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research, will stopover as part of a regional road trip. The pair are hitting the […]

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Residents urged to be aware of mould impacts after floods This roof leak went unnoticed until the heaviest rains fell, again using wood as transmission to the lowest point.
Health, Regional

Residents urged to be aware of mould impacts after floods

AS the flood clean-up begins across the Mid North Coast, residents are urged to be aware of the impacts of mould. Mould loves moisture and poorly-lit areas that lack decent ventilation, such as walls or wallpaper, ceilings, bathroom tiles, carpets, insulation material and wood. NSW Health states that most health problems caused by mould are […]

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Radiotherapy kidney cancer treatment soon available in Coffs Harbour Representatives from Shearwater Lodge, Tour de Rocks and the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour with the project lead of the SABR technique Sarah Edwards (front right) at Mid North Coast Cancer Institute.
Health, Regional

Radiotherapy kidney cancer treatment soon available in Coffs Harbour

KIDNEY cancer patients on the Mid North Coast will soon have a new treatment option – Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR). It is due to the combined generosity of Coffs Harbour’s Shearwater Lodge, Tour de Rocks Limited and the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour. The SABR technique delivers a high dose of radiotherapy with extreme […]

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