Gambling Recovery Group
Join the new Gambling Recovery Group at Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre. They’re here for people who want to take control of their gambling habits and make lasting changes.
The facilitators provide support with respect, free of judgement. Whether your goal is complete abstinence or moderation, they are there for you - even if you slip up.
When: Every Tuesday
Time: 10.30am -12pm
For more information read the Gambling Support Flyer.
The group is FREE, with no registration required. Just show up or call Leigh at (02) 6648 3663.
Dementia Education & Prevention Workshops
Dr Tyagi is a well-known Coffs Harbour Geriatrician specialising in Dementia and Alzheimers, offering free education strategies for the community, carers and Aged Care workers.
Learn about risk factors, signs, treatment, prevention and diet. Practical education to lead a healthy life.
Education sessions are held weekly at 60 Bray St, Coffs Harbour
Session Times: 9am - 10.30am and 11am - 12.30pm
Free session, just call: (02) 6650 0921 or 0434 863 701 to register or find out more.
To see more details, read the workshop flyer.
Youth Warhammer Painting and Gaming Sessions
Curious about Warhammer? Join our free introductory sessions! Dive into the world of epic battles, strategy, and creativity with no commitment needed. Meet fellow enthusiasts, learn the basics, and experience the thrill of Warhammer firsthand. Whether you’re new to tabletop games or a seasoned gamer looking for a new adventure, our welcoming community is here to guide you. Grab your spot and discover the world of Warhammer today!
Please see the Warhammer flyer for info.
Contact Alex on his email alexandermiteff@bluesky.org.au or number on 0437353245 to make a booking.
When: First Wednesday of every month
Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm
Where: Groundworks Youth & Family Hub
Adulting on the Spectrum- Neurodiverse Adults Social Group
Are you someone who has been diagnosed as an adult with autism or neurodivergence? If so, we warmly invite you to join our supportive community. Here, you'll find others who understand your unique experiences and challenges. Whether you're looking for advice, friendship or simply a place to share your story, our group is here for you. Let's connect, support each other and celebrate our neurodiversity together.
- Meet up fortnightly.
- Make a safe and inclusive environment.
- Share tips on managing daily life.
- Create social connections.
When: Every second Thursday of the month
Time: 10.30am - 11.30am
Where: 2D Coffeehouse, Yarilla Place ( Library), 27 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour.
To see the next date for catch up please see our Facebook Event Page.
For more information and any requests, please contact:
Lynda Warwick - 0417 878 391 - lynda.warwick@ndis.gov.au or Julie Ferguson - 0421 430 175 - coffsact@gmail.com
What’s On at the Bellingen Memorial Hall
Bellingen Memorial Hall hosts a wide variety of events and workshops throughout the year - from arts to films to music and everything in between.
Check out their website to see what is coming up: Home | Bellingen Memorial Hall website
They have some fantastic new facilities that are for hire too - it might be just what you are looking for in hosting an event - including accessible facilities! Venue Hire | Bellingen Memorial Hall
Funkya at Unkya Community Market
Funkya at Unkya is a grassroots bi-monthly community market for ‘make it, bake it, sew it, grow it’ producers and creatives as well as the environmentally sustainable concept to reuse, recycle and re-invent.
The market is held at Unkya Reserve, Eungai Creek on the last Sunday of February, April, June, August and October and on the second Sunday in December for the Christmas market. Live music by local musicians headlines every market.
The market is open between 8am and 1pm.
Visit the website for more information: Funkya at Unkya Markets - Eungai NSW
Arts Mid North Coast – Activities in the Nambucca Valley
Are you looking to find some connections to art in the Valley? Some theatre, workshops or some fun activities? The Arts Mid North Coast website is a great place to find what you are looking for!
Visit the website below to see what is coming up this month in the Nambucca Valley.
Aboriginal Women’s Group
Location: West Kempsey Community Hub
Address: 34 Gordon Nixon Avenue
Time: Monday 10am - 2pm
Activity: Arts & Craft & Welcome Back
For more information and contact details, please view this information flyer.
Tuning Into Teens Program
Kempsey Families Inc and headspace Kempsey will be running Tuning into Teens every Tuesday, from 9.30am to 12pms starting 18th February, through to 25th March. We have had great feedback from parents, carers and organisations who have participated in the program.
The program is open to all families, and/or staff working with teens.
When: 18th February to March 25th 2025 (Every Tuesday)
Time: 9.30am -12pm
Where: headspace Kempsey
Register: Call 6539 3459 - Kempsey headspace.
**Morning Tea provided**
More information can be found in the Tuning into Teens information flyer.
New Program Supporting People across Hastings-Macleay
Hastings Neighbourhood Services are delivering a new program across the Hastings-Macleay, supporting people with disability, their families and carers with information, linkages and capacity building supports.
The program is located at Hastings Neighbourhood Services centres in Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Lake Cathie, and outreaches to Kempsey and Laurieton.
For more information visit the Hastings-Macleay website.
New Support Group – Spinal Injuries and Neurological Conditions
We are starting up a peer support group for people with spinal injuries and neurological conditions in Port Macquarie and would love to get as many people as we can.
When: Monday 3rd February 2025
Time: 10.30am -1pm
Where: McInherney Park, McInherney Close Port Macquarie
Family members and carers are welcome.
For more information, read the SCIA information flyer.
North Coast Youth Vaping Taskforce Mini Forum
Addressing the issue of youth vaping in our community, this event aims to bring together stakeholders and community members to deepen understanding of this critical topic and collaboratively explore solutions that address local needs and concerns.
Event Details:
- Date: Tuesday, 4th March 2025
- Time: 9am – 12Ppm
- Venue: Port Macquarie PCYC, 12 Owen Street
The forum will include:
- learning about the latest youth vaping trends and impacts
- sharing your experiences and perspectives
- working with others to create community-based solutions to reduce youth vaping in your region.
Your voice is crucial in shaping a well-informed and effective approach to supporting the health and wellbeing of our youth. We encourage you to join us and contribute your perspectives to this vital conversation.
Please RSVP by COB on 17th February 2025 by scanning the QR code on the mini forum flyer or linking to the online form here.
Feel free to circulate to local youth organisations who you feel would find value in attending this session, we also aim to hold future sessions in Kempsey and Coffs Harbour later in the year.
Fun Sport Mondays – Wauchope RSL Sub-Branch
Join Wauchope RSL sub-Branch for Fun Sport Mondays. Each sessions is a non-competitive sport session open to all ex-serving Defence members and their families. Each week has a new sport option led by Sports and Spinal Physiotherapy Clinics. Join in for a bit of fun!
DATE: Recommenced 17 February 2025
TIME: 9.30am - 10.45am
LOCATION: Andrews Park - Cameron St, Wauchope
For more information visit the RSL website.
Street Feast – Wauchope
Wauchope . . . Street Feast is coming to you with a big one!
Join in for a night of food trucks, dessert stalls, boutique retail stalls & music.
Full line up to be announced shortly so watch this space!.... Street Feast Wauchope
DATE: 8 March 2025
TIME: 4pm until late
LOCATION: Wauchope Showground - 93A High St, Wauchope
COST: $3 Entry Per Person
Bridge Lessons for Beginners
Port Macquarie Hastings Bridge Club will be conducting a series of lessons, offered using a successful method which has guided many new players through their bridge journey. Once the series is completed, we continue to offer supervised and mentored play.
Join our beginners class, as bridge is great for mental agility, having fun and making new friends. It's an affordable hobby which is easily accessed and not weather dependent. You may have played previously and want to join for a refresher course before participating in regular play.
DATE: Commenced Friday, 7th March
TIME: 10am - 12pm
LOCATION: The Bridge Club's purpose-built premises at 176 Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie (on the left just past the Harvey Norman store).
COST: First lesson is free, then the cost is $5 per lesson + $15 student membership, which is payable after Lesson 2.
For bookings or enquiries contact Carolyn 0404 989 895 or Tom 0439 198 751.
Hastings Valley Archery Club Open Day
Have you ever wanted to try archery? Hastings Valley Archery Club Open Day shoots are the perfect opportunity! Whether you're 8 or 80, archery is a sport for everyone - if you can pull a bow, you’re welcome to attend!
Open Day Dates for 2025:
- 18th May 2025
- 20th July 2025
- 21st September 2025
- 16th November 2025
Each Open Day features two sessions:
- First Session: 8:30am – 10:30am
- Second Session: 10:30am – 12:30pm
All open day events are held at the Hasting Valley Archery Club - corner Burrawan Forest Dr & Cowarra Access Rd, Lake Innes
What’s Included?
For just $30 per person, you'll receive:
- all necessary equipment
- personalised instruction
- a variety of targets to shoot at
- a drink and a small snack.
For more information and to secure your spot, visit the Council's event webpage.
Blue Sky Community Services – Positions Vacant
Work with us… to make a difference in people’s lives.
A career at Blue Sky is rewarding and fulfilling. Our work environment is supportive and flexible, and our culture is positive and values based.
We have organisational values that are lived workplace practices. At Blue Sky Community Services we value optimism and innovation, integrity and respect, inclusion and diversity, and connection and kindness.
We believe that the make-up of our workplace should reflect the diversity of the communities we work with.
We strongly encourage people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and people who have lived experience of disability, to apply to work with us.
The following positions are currently available:
- Aged Care Assessor, part time in Tweed Heads
- Aged Care Assessor, part time in the New England region
For more information on the available roles, please visit our Positions Vacant page.
Pocket Speechie: Text-based Information for Preschool-aged Children is back for 2025
Pocket Speechie is a health promotion project developed by the HNEkids community-based Speech Pathology team in the Hunter New England Local Health District. Written by speech pathologists, Pocket Speechie delivers helpful information and activities to parents, carers, and educators via SMS. The messages are aimed at improving health and literacy outcomes, and to provide tips to help children get ready for kindergarten. The strategies may be new, or simply offer a different way of doing something.
Topics covered in the text message service include:
- Typical speech sound development
- Vocabulary and language development
- Book sharing
- Hearing and the links with speech and language
- Transition to school and school readiness
Register at any time using the QR code below, or visit: https://qars.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/Survey?p=1EC24201
Mindframe Quick Guides for Communication around Mental Health
The words we use are so important, especially when we talk about mental health.
Mindframe supports safe media reporting, portrayal and communication about suicide, mental health concerns, alcohol and other drugs.
Mindframe's quick reference guides provide amazing support to people and organisations about respectful and supportive communication relating to mental health.
Check them out on the Mindframe website..
Subscribe to Blue Sky’s YouTube Channel!
Have you subscribed to Blue Sky's YouTube channel yet? If not, do it now!
You can watch educational videos to build your disability awareness and confidence, learn sign language, learn about sensory awareness and sensory tools, find out about Blue Sky projects, and don't miss the Ask Away video series starring people with lived experience of disability sharing important information.
So much great stuff is available, so check out the Blue Sky YouTube channel here!
Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Inclusion Boards within the MNC!
Keep an eye out for these colourful inclusion boards in hospitals and community health centres across the Mid North Coast Local Health District! The boards have been developed as part of Blue Sky Community Services' Enhancing Inclusion in the Health System project, with the QR code taking the scanner to important information and resources that support inclusion in the health system for people with disability. You can check out these important resources on the Blue Sky Community Services website.
5 Ss Housing Assistance Flowchart Resource for Community Service Workers
Local housing support workers and the Child and Family Interagency groups across the Mid North Coast, recently formed working groups to create localised resources. These flowcharts help guide community service workers and volunteers through the process required to support families experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless.
The flowcharts break the process into five steps - Safety and Services, Shelter, Situation, Support and Self-Care (5 Ss). Local support services are highlighted throughout.
There is a version available for each of the following regions: Coffs Harbour, Nambucca Valley, Bellingen, Kempsey, Port Macquarie Hastings and Mid Coast (Taree/Forster/Gloucester).
The resources are beneficial for workers in organisations where housing support is not their core business, however, they support customers who may also be experiencing challenges with securing or maintaining housing. This assists the worker to maintain a holistic and supportive approach to families and foster relationships and trust.
Head to the Blue Sky Community Services website to learn more about the 5 Ss and to download the latest versions for each region.
Concessions, Rebates and Assistance – Service NSW
Support is available across a wide range of household bills and activities. Find out what you could be eligible for! It could be a Companion Card, assistance with cost of living or simply how to navigate services.
Visit the Service NSW website
