Living Well Expo
The Living Well Expo is on again this year, on Wednesday, 6th August 2025 at the Coffs Harbour Showground .
The Living Well Expo is a free community event with a focus on engaging older persons, and people with disability and their carers, with the aim of improving health outcomes and social connections. The Expo aims to inform and support the local community through expert speakers, and provide access to relevant services and community organisations that can enable everyone to live their best life.
Date: Wednesday, 6th August
Time: 10am - 3pm
Location: Coffs Harbour Showground Exhibition Pavilion and Norm Jordan Pavilion
Stallholder registrations are still open! For more information and/or to secure your spot visit the Stallholder Registration webpage on the Blue Sky Community Services website.
Aged Care Answers at Port Macquarie Library
Do you have any questions regarding the rights of seniors? Struggling to navigate aged care? Join us for a concise session on understanding services, negotiating care plans, and making confident decisions.
Former Aged Care Advocate Jill McDonnell believes in making Aged Care as easy as possible, ensuring everyone is treated fairly.
This session simplifies the process, covering services, funding, and how to advocate for the best care. Get the guidance you need to make informed decisions.
You may have questions such as:Â Â
- What are my rights when receiving services?
- How do I access aged care services I’ve heard about?
- Can you tell me more about 'My Aged Care'?
- What fees do I have to pay for my aged care services?
Date: Wednesday, 23 July 2025
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Location: Port Macquarie Library
Afternoon tea will be provided.
Register here via the library's Aged Care Answers webpage. Â
Cafe Connect in Urunga
Cafe Connect is an opportunity for people living with dementia, and their family members, to enjoy time together, with some refreshments, in the company of people in a similar situation to themselves. Â
A Dementia Support Specialist is present to provide information and support. Â
The group meets once a month at the Anchor’s Wharf Cafe in Urunga.
For more information, please contact Martine Diss – 0419 805 200.
Expression of Interest – Certificate 3 Individual Support Ageing and Disability
The Atwea College is currently taking Expressions of Interest for Certificate 3 in Individual Support Ageing and Disability.
The course will run from 7th August for 28 weeks, on a Thursday and Friday from 9.30am to 3pm, at the Atwea College in Tuncurry. Â
For more information or to register your interest contact the college on (02) 4925 4200. Â
If your service has training needs, please reach out and the staff at Atwea to see what may benefit your organisation.
To learn more about the college visit the Atwea College website.
Aged Care Answers at Wauchope Library
Do you have any questions regarding the rights of seniors? Struggling to navigate aged care? Join us for a concise session on understanding services, negotiating care plans, and making confident decisions. Â
Former Aged Care Advocate Jill McDonnell believes in making Aged Care as easy as possible, ensuring everyone is treated fairly.
This session simplifies the process, covering services, funding, and how to advocate for the best care. Get the guidance you need to make informed decisions.
You may have questions such as:Â Â
- What are my rights when receiving services? Â
- How do I access aged care services I’ve heard about?
- Can you tell me more about 'My Aged Care'?
- What fees do I have to pay for my aged care services? Â
Date: 14 August 2025Â
Time: 11am to 1pmÂ
Location: Wauchope Library, 51 High St. Wauchope, NSW 2446
Morning Tea will be provided.
Register here via the library's Aged Care Answers webpage.
Free Information Bingo Event
Seniors Rights Service is excited to host a free bingo event in Coffs Harbour. Â
The day will provide the opportunity for seniors to socialise over a meal, learn about their aged care rights, and receive valuable information through a fun day out.
There will be several lucky door prizes and plenty of chances to win fun prizes throughout the day.
Date: Tuesday, 9 September 2025Â
Time: 10am to 2pmÂ
Location: Coffs Harbour Golf Club on Earl Street, Coffs HarbourÂ
Bookings are essential. Call Anni De Kaste or Julia Vize on 0482 180 806 to secure a spot. Â
Free Games Morning at the Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Come together and game on!
Enjoy a friendly and casual morning of games at Harry Bailey Memorial Library. The free sessions are on the second Wednesday of each month, and offer a chance to connect with others over a cup of tea, learn new games and enjoy old favourites, in a relaxed environment. Â
Games morning is for everyone aged 16+, all skill levels, from beginners up. Don’t know how to play? The games are selected where games rules are easy to pick up, and teach you the rules in a fun, supportive environment. Â
Time: 10.30am to 12pmÂ
Date: Second Wednesday, every month. The next date is 13 August 2025. Â
Location: Learning Lab, Level 2, Harry Bailey Memorial Library, Yarrila Place.
Secure your spot via the Coffs Libraries website.
DIY Book Club at MidCoast Libraries
Want to start a Book Club? It's easy! You’ll need:
- a book club name
- a coordinator (the Main contact for the group)
- a valid email address
The coordinator will be responsible for managing borrowing sets, paying the annual membership fee, and sharing updates with the group.
How does it work?
- Each kit includes 10 copies of the book.
- Book club sets are issues for 8 weeks.
- Extensions are available if the book isn’t reserved by another book club.
- If a copy is lost or damaged, the cost of the full kit may be charged – alternatively, you can replace the lost title.
The annual fee is $130 per club (for 2024-25 financial year, 2025-26 to be confirmed). An invoice is sent to the coordinators each July. Â
Need more information? Pop into your local MidCoast Library to chat with the friendly library staff or check out the web page here - DIY Book Club - MidCoast Libraries
Monthly Movies at the MidCoast Libraries
Monthly movies are a great way to discover new films, enjoy classics, or explore genres you might not typically watch.
Call your local MidCoast library on (02) 7955 7001 to find out what movies are showing and reserve your spot.
- Forster Library: third Thursday of the month, 2pm start. Â
- Hallidays Point Library: fourth Friday of the month, 2pm start. Â
- Harrington Library: second Monday of the month, 10am start. Â
- Tea Gardens Library: first Friday of the month, 2pm start. Â
Activities at Home
Dementia Australia is hosting an online session, to assist carers looking after someone at home, to plan engaging activities. It promotes independence and wellbeing by focusing on what the person with dementia can still do.
You will gain knowledge in:
- how dementia can impact a person's ability to participate in activities
- effective communication and the importance of a supportive environment
- suitable activities to engage someone living with dementia at home
This session is suitable for family carers and family members of people living with dementia.
Date: 21 August 2025
Time: 10am to 11.30am
Location: Online
For more information visit the Activities at Home page on the Dementia Australia website.
Staying Safe Online – A Practical Guide for Carers
Join Carers NSW for a free 45-minute webinar with helpful advice and practical tips for staying safe online, delivered in partnership with YourLink. YourLink helps people and organisations build their digital confidence with practical tips that help daily life.
Whether you are caring for someone else or trying to protect yourself, this practical session offers realistic advice that helps makes sense of online safety.
In this webinar CarersNSW will cover:
- Staying Safe on public Wi-Fi
- What not to share online
- Helpful Tips about AI tools and scams
- Social Media privacy: a quick check-up
Date: Wednesday, 13 August 2025
Time: 12pm to 12:45pm
Location: Online
New Support at Home Fact Sheets
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has created new fact sheets to help you understand the Support at Home Program. Â
The Support at Home Program will replace the Home Care Packages Program from 1st November 2025. Â
The Fact sheets include information on:
- Service types and budgets to access care
- The list of services you can get under Support at Home
- How care management helps you use your aged care services well Â
- Getting assistive technology and home changes to live at home safely
- Help to stay independent with restorative careÂ
- Managing your own services for more choice and control
- Participants contributionsÂ
- Extra funding for end-of-life support Â
Take a look at the Support at Home program Fact Sheet on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
New Aged Care Act Deferred to November 2025
The start date for the new Aged Care Act has been deferred from 1st July 2025, to 1st November 2025. This change provides the government and Aged Care providers with more time to prepare for the new legislation and ensure a smooth transition.
The delay allows more time to finalise operational details, produce implementation guidance and training, and help older people prepare for the changes.
The start of the Support at Home Program has also been deferred to 1st November 2025, aligning with the New Act.
For more information visit the Aged Care Act webpage on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Updates
Stay current with the Department Updates.
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Service NSW Mobile Service Centre – Dorrigo
The Service NSW Mobile Service is coming to Dorrigo on 12 August 2025 from 12.30pm to 3pm.
You'll be able to access information and services such as:
- Driver Knowledge TestsÂ
- Photo Card applications and mobility parkingÂ
- Working with Children Checks and NDIS Worker ChecksÂ
- Birth, death and marriage certificates Â
- Cost of living support and more.
The bus will be located at 51 Hickory Street, Dorrigo. Â
Severe weather may mean the timetable for the bus needs to change at short notice. It is strongly recommended you check on the day. Call 13 77 88 or visit the Home | Service NSW to check the latest timetable. Â
Aged Care Answers at Wauchope Library
Do you have any questions regarding the rights of seniors? Struggling to navigate aged care? Join us for a concise session on understanding services, negotiating care plans, and making confident decisions. Â
Former Aged Care Advocate Jill McDonnell believes in making Aged Care as easy as possible, ensuring everyone is treated fairly.
This session simplifies the process, covering services, funding, and how to advocate for the best care. Get the guidance you need to make informed decisions.
You may have questions such as:Â Â
- What are my rights when receiving services? Â
- How do I access aged care services I’ve heard about?
- Can you tell me more about 'My Aged Care'?
- What fees do I have to pay for my aged care services? Â
Date: 14 August 2025Â
Time: 11am to 1pmÂ
Location: Wauchope Library, 51 High St. Wauchope, NSW 2446
Morning Tea will be provided.
Register here via the library's Aged Care Answers webpage.
Free Community Information Day at Forster
If you provide support to a family member or friend who needs your assistance there is support for you through Carer Gateway.
Not sure whether the support you provide a family member or friend makes you a carer? Come and have a chat to our staff to learn more about your individual circumstances.
Date: Monday, 11 August 2025
Time: 8.30am to 11.30am.
Location: Forster Tuncurry Church of Christ, Douglas Avenue, Tuncurry NSW.
Service NSW Mobile Service Centre – Bellingen
The Service NSW Mobile Service is coming to Bellingen on 13th and 14th August 2025 from 9am to 3.30pm.
You'll be able to access information and services such as:
- Driver Knowledge Tests
- Photo Card applications and mobility parking
- Working with Children Checks and NDIS Worker ChecksÂ
- Birth, death and marriage certificates
- Cost of living support and more.
The bus will be located at the Corner of Hyde and Ford Streets, Bellingen.
Severe weather may mean the timetable for the bus needs to change at short notice. It is strongly recommended you check on the day. Call 13 77 88 or visit the Service NSW Website to check the latest timetable.
Preparing to Apply for the Age Pension
You can prepare and submit your claim for Age Pension up to 13 weeks before your 67th birthday. Â
Before you start a claim for Age Pension, check if you meet the rules. You can get your documents ready, like proof of identity or details about income and assets. Â
If you’re currently getting an eligible payment, you may be able to transfer to Age Pension instead of doing a full claim. Service NSW will contact you 13 weeks before you reach Age Pension age to tell you how to apply to transfer. Â
For more information check out the Services Australia, How to prepare to claim Age Pension fact page.
Financial Information Service Live Webinars
Services Australia has free webinars to help you understand your finances.
Choose from the range of webinars and start increasing your confidence with financial matters with the team from the Financial Information Services.
Join live webinars or watch recorded webinars - you can book via the Financial Information Service Website.
Health Connect Update
North Coast Health Connect has transitioned to Healthdirect, so as of 1st July 2025, when you call North Coast Health Connect, your call goes to Healthdirect.
You will speak to a nurse who can give you free confidential health advice any time, day or night. This change will assist you in getting the right care, when and where you need it.
This service is available on 1800 022 222.
In an emergency, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
Washing Machine Exchange Program
The NSW Government’s Washing Machine Exchange Program is subsidising eligible low-income households to upgrade their inefficient top-loading washing machine to a water- and energy-efficient front-loading model – saving water and easing the cost of living.  Â
The NSW Government initiative targets water savings at the household level, a priority of the NSW Water Strategy. By upgrading, your household can expect to save up to $250 (incl. GST) per year on water, energy and detergent costs with water savings anticipated to be around 20 kilolitres of water per year.
Round 1 of the program will launch on 1st July 2025 and will close when all washing machine have been allocated for that round. Subsequent rounds will likely take place, sign up to the newsletter to stay updated. Â
Successful applicants will pay $250 (incl. GST) for the front load washing machine, delivery, installation, and 2-year warranty. Successful applicants will have 5 days to make payment.
To see if you are eligible or for more information take a look at the Washing Machine Exchange program on the NSW Govt. website.
