Mayor Nikki Williams, Coffs’ Citizen of the Year Keelan Birch and Gurmesh Singh MP. Young Citizen of the Year, Mayada Oso. Senior Citizen of the Year, Lorraine Kaempfel. Aussie Spirit Individual award winner, David Cole. Aussie Spirit Organisation winner, LifeHouse Care Pantries. RUNNING advocate and meticulous major event organiser Keelan Birch has been named Coffs […]
Bellingen honours local heroes and achievements
Bellingen’s Citizen Of the Year, Susan Lumsdaine. Young Citizen of the Year Myra Sibanda. Recipients of the group Arts and Culture Award, Budaabung Bari Dance. THE Bellingen Shire’s 2026 Community Awards were marked by a night of celebration, connection and recognition. Held on Friday in the Bellingen Memorial Hall, the event was hosted by Mayor […]
Quick thinking by driver saves the life of another at Coffs Harbour
AUSTRALIA Day 2026 marked the first time Mid North Coast resident Lesley McDonald met the man who saved her life. Inspired to nominate her rescuer, David Cole from Coffs Harbour, for Senior Citizen of the Year, Mrs McDonald was delighted when he was selected as a final nominee and invited to attend the awards ceremony. […]
Ashley Love showing Swedish journalist Johan Augustin around Bongil Bongil National Park. Photo: Ashley Love.
Government GKNP proposal falls short according to Ashley Love
ASHLEY Love is considered by many to be the ‘father’ of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP), and while he was delighted with the initial announcement confirming its creation, as time progresses he is becoming less enthused. He says a recent environmental report, prepared on behalf of and with input from local environmentalists, indicates the […]
A Unique Return to School for MGG Students
SEVERAL Maam Giingana Gumbaynggirr (MGG) students began their school year in Aotearoa New Zealand on Wednesday, 28 January. MGG students were joined by the local Gumbaynggirr Giingan Yiiliwiyay Girrwaa Dance Troupe in an immersion language field trip overseas. Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC) staff members, dancers, MGG students and parents previously travelled to Akerama […]
Coffs strata agent disqualified after $2m taken from customers
Media Release: NSW Fair Trading has cancelled the licence of Coffs Harbour strata manager Jessica Marrie Carah and permanently disqualified her from the property and strata industry. The regulator made the decision after finding Ms Carah had fraudulently converted over $2 million from dozens of strata schemes accounts into her own personal account. Due to […]
Family says current to blame for river deaths of two men near Bellingen
A FUNDRAISER has been launched to repatriate the bodies of the two men who drowned in the Never Never River near Bellingen on Sunday. Launched on GoFundMe by Sunita Kalkal of Melton West in Victoria, the stated aim is to cover the cost of repatriation to India and funeral expenses, and to support family members […]
$4.2m to improve shark detection
NEW research, real-time tracking and expanded drone surveillance lead a $4.2 million NSW Government initiative to keep people safer in the water this summer. The investment follows an unprecedented number of attacks in recent weeks and the need for better education and community messaging on shark behaviour – particularly before and after weather events. Surf […]
Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong launched the ‘Name and Shame’ list on 25 January. Photo: minister’s website.
Government launches “Name and Shame’ list of property agents
THE State Government has launched a “Name and Shame” list of real estate agents, property managers and strata managing agents who have faced enforcement action. Available through the NSW Fair Trading website, it allows homeowners, buyers and renters to check if an agent has been fined, suspended or had their licence cancelled. It also includes […]
Mrs Yorky’s love for Christmas, leaves a legacy for Mid North Coast Cancer Institute
TREASURED Glenreagh resident, the late Mrs Nola York, inspired a long-standing tradition that brought the village together each Christmas to raise funds for the Mid North Coast Cancer Institute. Mrs York, affectionately known as “Mrs Yorky” and who passed away in early November, was renowned for her love of Christmas and her generosity in supporting […]
