MARY Gibson has lived on a hilltop property in Talarm for more than 40 years. A dedicated gardener, conservationist and active member of the community, Mary also has a remarkable tale of recovery to share. Her pleasant and fruitful daily existence took a shocking turn on the morning of December 9, 2022, when she took […]
Freedom Feast helps raise awareness and funds for refugee-led education
Ryley Schultz from Freedom Feast supporters Ventoux Cycles and former Hazara refugee Muzafar Ali. The Freedom Feast in Cavanbah Hall. A FREEDOM Feast was held on 6 June at Cavanbah Hall to welcome former refugee and advocate Muzafar Ali from Cisaru Education and Ride for Education, as he pedals from Maleny in Queensland to Adelaide. […]
Foreshore protestors link hands and vow to continue the fight
Cr Tony Judge addresses the crowd. Jeff Holmes, Cr Paul Amos, Cr Tony Judge, Sue Higginson MLC, Sally Townley and Cr Jonathan Cassell. Photo: Foreshore For All. SEVERAL hundred people gathered at the Coffs Harbour foreshore on the chilly Saturday morning of 14 June to protest State Government plans to rezone public […]
Don’t chuck your lithium-ion batteries in the bin, says Coffs FRNSW
Coles Coffs Harbour provides a battery recycling bin in the carpark pedestrian entrance. The battery recycling bin in Woolworths Coffs City. Coffs Harbour’s FRNSW Acting Station Officer Tim George. LITHIUM-ION batteries are the fastest growing fire risk in NSW They power phones, laptops, e-bikes, e-scooters, power tools and even vacuum cleaners. “Lithium batteries make life […]

Coffs Botanic Garden opens Nature Discovery Centre
The new architect-designed Nature Discovery Centre with yarning circle in forest surrounds at the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden. The new architect-designed Nature Discovery Centre with yarning circle in forest surrounds at the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden. A koala in the central forest area of the Botanic Garden, Coffs Harbour. THE launch of the […]
Linda Coomber fills empty spot on Bellingen Shire Council
LINDA Coomber has joined Bellingen Shire Council as a councillor, following the completion of a countback election administered by the NSW Electoral Commission. The appointment fills the vacancy created by the recent resignation of former councillor Ellie Tree, who stepped down from her official duties due to personal reasons in May 2025. In line with […]

Digital creators added to line-up at Australian Children’s Content Summit
DIGITAL creators and gaming industry representatives will join the conversation for the first time at the Australian Children’s Content Summit in Coffs Harbour between 25-28 August. The digital, YouTube and games sectors have been added to the four-day program with industry sessions and collaborative meetups to be held. The addition of these new voices to […]

Backlash over ‘quiet cut’ to train passes
LIBERAL MLC Aileen MacDonald has called for the NSW Government to immediately reinstate three-month and six-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes, describing the removal as a “quiet cut” that disproportionately hurts regional communities. Speaking in the Legislative Council last week, Ms MacDonald moved a motion highlighting the significant impact of the removal of the passes on […]
City centre revitalisation kick-started with CODA
James Boyd, Cowper MP Pat Conaghan, David Doyle, Mayor Nikki Williams and John Rafferty. The CODA apartments. Photo: C.ex Group. THE official opening of the CODA Apartments, a modern, high-quality residential development on Harbour Drive, is a major milestone in the revitalisation of Coffs Harbour’s city centre. Saturday 14 June saw community members gather in […]

Animal advocates shoot down bill for enabling ‘yahoos’
ENVIRONMENTALISTS have opened fire on a bill which could pay recreational hunters for killing invasive pests, describing the plan as enabling a “fringe minority of men” to let loose. A bill before NSW parliament aims to establish a Conservation Hunting Authority, with debate in the upper house taking place on Wednesday. It would better enable […]