ST MARY’S Primary School Bowraville students have finished runner-up in a national songwriting contest. The Harmony Day Songwriting Competition was open to school students in all schools across Australia. It was organised by social initiative Moving Forward Together, which has a focus on improving and empowering cultural and racial harmony within Australia. School students were […]
Joel Easson’s art lights up Phoenix Gallery in June
Easson’s works move between the abstract and more formal landscape representation. ARTIST Joel Easson will unveil a new body of solo work, titled “Inner Landscapes”, on Saturday, 7 June at the Phoenix Gallery, Bowraville. Having grown up in Kempsey, Easson plays doom metal guitar in his spare time and began painting in 2015 during a […]
Musical versatility at Valla Beach markets
THE musical entertainment at the Valla Beach community market on Saturday, 7 June will be led by Mid North Coast musician Julie Kovendy. Julie began her singing-songwriting journey locally over fifteen years ago, her musical versatility shining through as she effortlessly transitioned from intimate duos to captivating solos and dynamic trios. Her performances are a […]

From the Valley to the world: Local voices shine in new podcast series
Titled ‘Life Worth Listening’, the podcast features heartfelt, insightful, and often surprising conversations with locals who are living with passion, purpose, and a dash of adventure. Nambucca Heads’ Mick Birtles uses his podcast to highlight grassroots people doing extraordinary things. MICK Birtles, a regular reporter for News Of The Area and a familiar voice on […]

Bowraville Theatre Singers set the stage alight with ‘Fire and Rain’
The Bowraville Theatre Singers, under the direction of renowned composer and musician Paul Jarman, performed two sold out performances on the weekend. In addition to conducting, Paul Jarman accompanied the singers on a range of instruments, including Irish whistle, tárogató, saxophone and piano. THE Bowraville Theatre came alive over the weekend as the Bowraville Theatre […]
Sam Neill and Bryan Brown join Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival lineup
HIGH profile Australian actors Sam Neill and Bryan Brown will appear live on stage at the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival in a conversation style event. The last-minute addition to the program was coordinated by festival patron Brown, who emerged from his appearance last year committed to securing high profile guest speakers. The 2025 Festival, […]
Bellingen’s Nexus Art Gallery unveils silk art exhibition
Stay a While My Lovelies by Robyn Jackson. Robyn Jackson’s Morning Song. Wild Flowers by Robyn Jackson. Robyn Jackson’s Follow the Sun. MID North Coast silk artist Robyn Jackson is exhibiting “A Work of H’art” at Bellingen’s Nexus Art Gallery from 25 May to 19 June. With a Bachelor of Education in Textiles and Design, […]
Another strong showing for Macksville Show’s art exhibition
THE ART Exhibition at the Macksville Show was once again of a high standard, with visitors commenting on the colour, varied subject matter, quality and presentation of submitted works. Much of the organising of the exhibition was undertaken by the Bowraville Racecourse Art Group (BRAG), and in particular Elwin Butler who donated many hours before, […]

Bowraville Theatre Singers set to stir hearts with powerful new concert
THE Bowraville Theatre Singers (BTS) are set to present two moving and musically rich concerts to the theme of Fire and Rain. The theme was first proposed by longtime choir member Gary Rumble in 2023, inspired by the tumultuous years of bushfires and floods that left lasting impressions across the region. “We thought there was […]

Women in Art exhibition opens in Macksville
FOR the third year running, the Nambucca Valley Women’s Business Network (NVWBN) Women in Art exhibition opened to popular acclaim at Macksville’s Matilda Street Art Gallery. This year 44 local women artists exhibited a variety of works, ranging from ceramics, textiles, pastels, oils, acrylics, etchings, photography and lino printing. Libby Foster, President of the NVWBN, […]