Kristi Knowles is the owner of Pansabella Providores, and she is also a dedicated collector of autographed cookbooks – a habit that formed as a child and has continued to grow over the years. Kristi’s inspiration for cooking and preparing food ranges from Jamie Oliver and Donna Hay to Marco Pierre White …   We all know that you are the wonderful owner of Pansabella Providores at Coffs... [Read more]

Connecting people throughout the region from the coast through the valleys is the one of the key objectives for the Women of Regional Development Australia. We find out more …       What is Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast? Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a partnership between the Australian, State and Local Governments to develop and strengthen the regional... [Read more]

Stacey Piggot’s new book, Blow Your Own Trumpet, A Musician’s Guide to Publicity & Airplay is a book for self-managed artists, budding music managers and music industry students. It was written to dispel myths and provide a collection of tools to help the reader promote their own music or that of the bands they are representing, without handing over cash to a third party. It’s a book... [Read more]

The Bellingen Readers and Writers festival will be amazing! There is no town quite like Bellingen, and with a program of workshops, talks and forums, there’s no literary festival quite like this one – March 22 – 24, 2013.     Introduce yourself … when and why did you move to the Coffs Coast? Not until my early 20s, after having grown up in leafy suburban Sydney, did I discover... [Read more]

Tell us about the motivation behind this trip? I suppose its always been one of those ‘bucket list’ items, and when the opportunity came up, I jumped at it. The amount of history surrounding this 96 km stretch of track is amazing and from an Australian point of view, probably the closest we have ever come to war being on our doorstep. Whilst there were attacks on and around Darwin and the East... [Read more]

Woolgoolga’s premier event, ‘Curryfest’, is big, colourful and spicy, and it is on again in 2013! Curryfest is a signature event which celebrates the cultural diversity of our area. Woolgoolga Curryfest showcases multicultural cuisine, traditional and modern dances, music, comedy, arts and crafts and fun activities for the kids.   Preparations for the event are in full swing, with a dedicated... [Read more]

Teams of surf boat crews will contest Round 10 of the North Coast Surf Boat Series (NCSBS) at Coffs Harbour on February 16. Deane Crockett, Boat Captain from the Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club, shares some history about the Series, which promises a day of action on our local waves …   How long have you been involved with the club, and what is your role there? I started with Coffs Harbour... [Read more]

Cancer Council’s Dancing With Coffs Coast Stars is set to be another huge success. With nearly all the tables sold, the seven high profile dance couples are perfecting their dance routines and busily fundraising.     For the third year in a row we have our two wonderful MCs for the night, Michael Crossland and Cheryl Duroux. Long term supporter Emma Rhoades Photography will also be there... [Read more]

At Casuarina, the buildings and classrooms look different and students aren’t required to wear a uniform. Principal Toni Wright-Turner talks us through community stigmas and helps us bust some myths!       A myth in the community is that Casuarina Steiner is a hippy school where the students are given too much freedom and they don’t actually do anything? Certainly our buildings... [Read more]

Phil Jacobson, Police Officer, single father, community all-rounder, 2012 Sawtellian of the Year winner and just a great bloke. Here we find out what motivates a man to continue giving to his community.       You’ve had a huge career, a rugby career with the Roosters, joining the Police Force in the early ‘70s, hitting the pavement in King Cross, before being transferred to Coffs... [Read more]

Recently elected to Coffs Harbour Council, Dr. Sally Townley is a passionate, forward-thinking environmental scientist who plans to work with local community members to improve our lifestyle – not just environmentally, but also economically and socially.   Hi, my name is Sally Townley. I am an environmental scientist. I specialise in the ecology of native animals. For the past twenty years,... [Read more]

How did you come to be living in Coffs Harbour?  I was born and raised in Sydney and married my wife, Alana, there some 33 years ago. When we decided that we needed a lifestyle change, our daughter, Alice, was just 5 years old and our second daughter, Lucy, was just born. We had a successful business employing 35 people, but we were over the demanding city life. We wanted to get away and have a more... [Read more]

Raymond Munro is 65 years of age; he has been a paraplegic for sixty of those years. It was 1972 when he moved to Coffs Harbour, and he has been volunteering since then. He sits on numerous boards and committees and volunteers to this day because he “likes to help people grow – especially people with a disability”.   How does December 3, International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD),... [Read more]

The whispers have begun … European luxury cars, designer jewels, pampered luxury, French champagne, ball gowns and masks … whatever is set to happen on the eve of the New Year at the opulent beachfront Opal Cove?       With the day of celebration fast approaching and the invitations hot off the press, you will want to cross your fingers and hope one is heading your way. Bellbowrie... [Read more]

When and why did you first decide to become a doctor? My brother, Paul, is a doctor. I used to go with him to hospitals when I was about 10, and I saw how rewarding his work was. After that, I really did not want to do anything else; it is a decision I have never regretted. What do you recall as being some of the most important things you’ve learned since launching your career in medicine? Always... [Read more]

Holidays can be hard work these days. But just 90 minutes from Coffs is a place that lets you truly unwind and relive those blissful laid-back holidays of the past. Living in Coffs Harbour, our holidays usually go via busy Sydney Airport. They involve check-in procedures, long waits, laptop and WiFi hassles, taxi queues or car rental forms, and a full schedule of activities. Once arrived, it can take... [Read more]

Heidi Brett is the owner of Vast Interior Coffs Harbour, and her passion for unique homewares and furnishings is evident in her own fantasy like property. We take a stroll through her humble abode …       What inspired you to build a castle? My husband and I have always loved everything medieval, and then we fell in love with the idea of having our own castle after returning from... [Read more]

A fascination for electrical items as a boy grew into a lifetime spent in electronics for Barry, who became a collector of radios and other sound equipment.       What do you collect? My main interest is valve radios, but I am also very interested in real Hi-Fi sound equipment. I also have on display transistor radios, telephones and paraphernalia connected with my hobby. How long have... [Read more]

A two time Grammy winning singer songwriter who has sold over 25 million albums worldwide, P!nk is one of the biggest artists on the music scene at the moment. Nicole Mcintyre, the girl behind the Australian P!nk Show, tells us more … So tell us … who is the lady ‘wearing the Pink mask’, so to speak? What’s your background? I grew up in rural NSW and recently moved to Sydney. It was... [Read more]

As Camp Quality prepares for the launch of their newest local fundraiser, Twilight Tables, Karmen Fraser shares the story of her daughter Kari, a Camp Quality child since the age of 2 years.       Karmen tells of her family’s involvement with Camp Quality and the upcoming Twilight Tables event. In 2005 you welcomed your beautiful daughter, Kari, into the family. I suppose you were... [Read more]

Find out how A move from the bush to the coast has led to some exciting news for this rising rugby league star …       Please introduce yourself to our readers …  Well, I’m 17 years old, soon to be 18 (in December), and I’m the second youngest in a family of four boys … poor Mum! I’ve been living in Coffs for a couple of years now, and at the moment... [Read more]

Ten years after a sporting injury that changed life forever for their entire family, Allan and Julie McCabe have a chance to reflect on their journey.     The McCabes are eternally grateful to the Coffs community, and say that their home, the ‘house that Coffs built’, has had a wonderful positive impact on their lives. For those who aren’t familiar with the story, please tell us what... [Read more]

This month’s guest is local lady Joanne Farmer, who has a keen interest in mermaids and an impressive collection of items inspired by these mystic creatures. Joanne gives us a sneak peek at her collection …   What do you collect? I like to collect mermaids of all kinds, shapes and sizes. Since I was a young girl, I have always fantasized about being a mermaid in a cave with lots of beautiful... [Read more]

How long have you been in the hospitality industry, and where did you start out?           Aanuka’s Executive Chef – Tim McClay-Talivai – started his culinary adventure 25 years ago in Taupo, New Zealand, working under the the guidance of “Hini Silimen”, then Executive Chef of the New Zealand culinary Olympic team. After being trained in the classic French style... [Read more]

Helen Young’s beautiful watercolours bring to life the many sights that capture this artist’s imagination. Helen says painting has changed her life, and her love for her craft is evident in her work. Visit the Nexus Gallery in Bellingen from October 14 until November 9 to view an amazing exhibition of Helen’s work, titled Inspiration Everywhere. Where are you and your studio based, and how long... [Read more]

You’ve seen her on The Project, now you can see her at C.ex Coffs. For a night of stand-up comedy, high jinks and fun, don’t miss Kitty Flanagan on October 11.       You’ve been in showbiz for a while. Were you always a performer as a child? I don’t know if I was a performer, but I would say that I was definitely an attention seeker! I guess that’s kind of the same thing …... [Read more]

Finding two old brass vases at a car boot sale, then seeing them polished and returned to their former glory has led Barry on a hunt far and wide for more brass objects to work his magic on.       What do you collect? I collect articles made of brass – in all shapes and sizes. How long have you been collecting? I lived in Coffs Harbour for twenty years up until 1959, when I married... [Read more]

Karen Wright, Publicity Officer for the North Coast Performing Arts Association, explains why our region is very fortunate to be home to this special not-for-profit organisation, as it brings young and old together to perform orchestral, choral and dance pieces of a calibre not usually seen outside the major cities … What exactly is the North Coast Performing Arts Association?  The talented,... [Read more]

Living the dream has become a reality for the Mihelffy family, as they pursue a fresh and wholesome lifestyle in their own little piece of paradise. The Mihelffys open their property to the public every Sunday from 10am – 2pm, so you, too, can experience quality locally grown produce … How long have you lived on your property at Karangi? Our family moved to the property just over 3 years... [Read more]

Passionate about 4WDing and camping, Kev Smith has ventured to many locales in Australia. Kev keeps a written and photographic record of his adventures, maintaining a comprehensive blog site – as well as arranging 4WDing and camping treks for those who love the outdoors as much as he does … Hi Kev. Tell us about yourself and your family – have you always called the Coffs Coast home? My parents... [Read more]