A FIRST birthday is always an occasion for celebration, and this week your Coffs Coast News Of The Area is celebrating just that.

From the first edition, which hit newsstands on 31 July 2020, the Coffs Coast community welcomed News Of The Area with open arms.

A year on, News Of The Area Director Mick Wright is delighted with his decision to expand News Of The Area’s coverage into the Coffs Coast.

“What a year it’s been,” Mr Wright said.

“We have been incredibly humbled by the community response to the paper and one year later are still super excited each week to produce a paper for our Coffs Coast readers.”

When the Coffs Coast Advocate published its last printed edition in June 2020, Mr Wright saw a unique opportunity to bring a key community service back to the region.

“Here at News Of The Area, we really believe in the power and the importance of independent, printed media.

“We know how important a newspaper can be for regional communities and we are very excited to keep bringing the Coffs Coast its source of independent, community news for a long time to come.”

Client Account Manager Gaye Conway said she joined the News Of The Area team “determined to give back the community its voice”.

“What an exhilarating, exciting and rewarding year it has been,” she said.

Mrs Conway expressed her gratitude for the ongoing support of the Coffs Coast business community.

“It would not have been possible with the support of our loyal and dedicated clients.

“I personally want to sincerely thank you for your loyalty, professionalism and faith in a product we can all be truly proud of.

“We will continue to offer you our best services and I look forward to working with you in the future,” Mrs Conway said.

News Of The Area Group Editor Douglas Connor said he was proud of the strides the paper had made in the past 12 months.

“When we set out to bring a printed newspaper back to Coffs, it was immediately apparent that the need and the appetite was there.

“I remember setting up news stands from Woolgoolga to Urunga and everywhere in between, and people were crossing the street to come to chat about the need for local news.

“We are constantly working to improve the paper and do the best job we can for the people of the Coffs Coast, covering the issues that matter and being a voice for local people.”

Mr Connor also paid tribute to the hardworking team of local reporters who make producing the paper possible each week.

“It’s been an absolute privilege to work with the tremendously talented team of local reporters on the Coffs Coast.

“Their passion for their local community is unrivalled and I have loved reading their stories each week, and I know our readership does too.”

Reporter David Tune, who has been covering local issues for News Of The Area since the first edition, said, “As a late newcomer to journalism, I have loved the connection it provides to our community.

“Talking to and writing stories about local people and groups has been a highlight, covering groups that support our seniors like Probus and the Computer Club to Rotary, the Soup Kitchen, Pete’s Place and local authors and many other success stories.”

Andrew Vivian, another NOTA original, said, “The privilege of writing for NOTA for the past year has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people who live and work on the Coffs Coast. “There are those who help others, those who are creative and innovative and those who fight to protect the environment.

“There are so many inspiring stories still to tell.”

Andrea Ferrari, who joined NOTA as a reporter in March 2021, said, “I absolutely love my role reporting on the news and especially connecting with the people of the beautiful Coffs Coast.

“I have met so many kind, generous, interesting, and community-focussed individuals in my work, it heartens me to be able to share their voices, good works and fun events in the paper.”

Reporter Sandra Moon said, “Over the course of the year NOTA has grown from a print run of ten thousand to sixteen thousand, the team has seen a few changes yet with most of the original writers on board, and the latest development being the establishment of the Nambucca Valley News of The Area.

“We have listened to your tip offs and story ideas and even got the much requested TV Guide in our weekly editions.

“Looking forward to the next twelve months!

Reporter Emma Darbin said, “I have loved being able to tell the stories of the Coffs Harbour public over the past year and have enjoyed reviving my love of writing after having an extended break from newspaper journalism.

“It has been lovely to see the excitement from the local community who have embraced having a local print newspaper once again, jam packed with local news stories.

“Our newspaper reporters all live in different areas of the Coffs Harbour region and possess various interests which has enabled us to produce a weekly newspaper full of so much variety week in and week out.

“It’s so rewarding to receive positive feedback from the local community about our stories, and an even better feeling when you learn that your news story has made a difference to a local community group. “Thank you to all the community who have supported us along the way!”

Sports Reporter Aiden Burgess said, “I joined News of the Area in December and it’s been an absolute pleasure to cover sport in a region in which I grew up in and have spent most of my life.”

Testimonials from our loyal local supporters!

Congratulations to News of the Area on your 1st Anniversary.

A year ago you measured the pulse of the community and understood our need.

Bursting onto the stands, you galvanised the Coffs Coast by delivering content that really matters locally.

Informing and enlightening, focusing on issues close to our hearts.

And for us, your advertisers, you have empowered your readers to support local businesses and embrace local opportunities.

Congratulations and heartfelt thanks, from the team at All Clean Septic, your Advertisers and all of your readers.

Beatties Quality Furniture appreciates the vital role that the Coffs Coast NOTA fills in the community with local news and stories and the opportunity for reaching out to our region.

Congratulations on the first of many birthdays to come.

Congratulations on your 1st Birthday from all our staff at NuEra Kitchens and Bathrooms, we are so happy to be part of your loyal business advertisers.

You have all worked so hard to get this local paper up and running and you have achieved your goals.

Thank you for your professionalism and easy to work with attitudes, best wishes for many more years to come.

Mega Watt Power has been advertising in Coffs Coast News Of The Area from the beginning.

We believe that printed advertising is where we can better explain the features and benefits we offer, as opposed to the brief message in our television and radio ads currently on the air.

Happy Birthday, CCNOTA!

Congratulations on an amazing first year.

Publishing a physical local paper is an invaluable service to the community.

Everyone I have spoken to about the initiative is extremely grateful.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute.

The positive feedback that I receive has made me ensure that I submit my column religiously, each and every week.

Keep up the good work.

Manny Wood,

TicliBlaxlandLawyers.

Happy 1st Birthday to the team at Coffs Coast News Of the Area.

We’re glad that we could be a part of the early years of this paper.

It’s great to see that our locals can still be informed of what is happening in the area via traditional media.

Keep up the good work.

We wish you all the best for the next year and beyond.

Cheers from all the team at Coffs Harbour Hardwoods

Congratulations to Mick, Gaye and all the crew at Coffs Coast News Of The Area on your 1st Birthday.

Tons of hard work have created an excellent and very successful local paper in such a short time for
our community.

For your helpfulness, professionalism, and utmost pride in your product, we and our families are extremely grateful at KEITH LOGUE & SONS.