July 3, 2026
Shout-out to Scott for his fabulous service
Opinion

Shout-out to Scott for his fabulous service

DEAR News Of The Area, In this age of poor customer service, there is hope out there that some people still believe in the principle that good service means returning customer business. Last week the panel blind in my bedroom collapsed due to a broken plastic lug, which held the blind in place in the […]

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Criticism prompts correspondent clarification
Letter to the Editor

Criticism prompts correspondent clarification

DEAR News Of The Area, HAVING had two previous letters published in NOTA recently regarding Jetty Dunecare (JDC), I have been criticised for having a conflict of interest in attempting to defend the work and integrity of the group. In the interest of full transparency, I wish to clearly state my interest in this matter. […]

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Foreshores deal  worth fighting for
Opinion

Foreshores deal worth fighting for

DEAR News Of The Area, THE recently released draft Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) for the proposed ‘Revitalisation of the Foreshores’ should be a source of concern for every member of our community. While the document was only a draft and released for public comment, it is deeply disappointing that Council staff were prepared to put […]

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Coffs youth locked out of the Olympic dream
Opinion

Coffs youth locked out of the Olympic dream

DEAR News Of The Area, WITH the Brisbane 2032 Olympics approaching, Australia is heading toward a major jobs and economic boom. Thousands of roles in events, tourism, and logistics will be created – and young people should be preparing now. In Coffs Harbour, they can’t. Students wanting to study event management through TAFE NSW have […]

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Tourists staying in homes and locals staying in motels
Letter to the Editor

Tourists staying in homes and locals staying in motels

DEAR News Of The Area, IN all the housing crisis talk by Federal or State governments, the biggest elephant in the room is unhosted Airbnbs, entire home Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA). Homes that should be available for first-home buyers, normal buyers and long-term renters are instead being bought up for Airbnb during the worst […]

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Swamp wallaby sighted on Muttonbird Island The female swamp wallaby. Photo: Marcus Baynes-Rock
Opinion

Swamp wallaby sighted on Muttonbird Island

DEAR News Of The Area, I am writing to share this photo, which was taken on Sunday, 14 June, while taking a walk to the back of Muttonbird Island. We just happened to see this swamp wallaby among the muttonbird burrows. She wasn’t at all disturbed. She just stood there and looked at us as […]

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Imagine the chaos if refugees and immigrants went on strike
Opinion

Imagine the chaos if refugees and immigrants went on strike

DEAR News Of The Area, Musing on the state of things in Australia it occurs to me that a strike might help put things into perspective. I mean a strike by all the refugees and immigrants who keep the economy ticking over, our health system functioning, our trains and taxis running, our university doors open […]

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Beware of dodgy second-hand nuclear subs
Opinion

Beware of dodgy second-hand nuclear subs

DEAR News Of The Area, WHAT could be more dodgy than our Navy squandering $368 billion dollars on ageing, second-hand American nuclear-powered submarines? Firstly, nuclear-propulsion is complex and dangerous technology, relying on nuclear reactors fuelled with weapons-grade uranium – highly enriched to more than 90 per cent U-235. Secondly, after years of operation, submarine nuclear […]

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Tribute to Gumbaynggirr Elder Sue Hoskins Gumbaynggirr Elder Sue Hoskins and her daughter Marie Hoskins celebrating 50 years on from the opening of the new Wongala housing with Nancy and Tom Strickland.
Opinion

Tribute to Gumbaynggirr Elder Sue Hoskins

DEAR News Of The Area, THE city’s flags flew at half-mast and St John’s Anglican Church overflowed as mourners respectfully gathered to celebrate Sue Hoskins’ journey to The Dream Time. The legend of Sue’s many achievements as a Gumbaynggirr Elder warmed the hearts of many. This story pays tribute to Sue’s community service since 1967 […]

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OPINION: Great to see Win Howard recognised
Opinion

OPINION: Great to see Win Howard recognised

DEAR News Of The Area, IT was great to see Win Howard recognised in the Kings Birthday Honours List. Back in the early 1950s Win used to catch the same School Special bus as I did that took us from Gladesville’s Terminus bus stop to Fort Street Boys High School on Parramatta Road, Petersham, (which […]

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