September 2026

It's that time again for our annual Glitz and Glamour event, and this year we've changed things up a little!

The Glitz and Glamour Disco is a fun and inclusive social event for people living with disability across the Macleay Valley. It provides an opportunity for participants, support workers, families and friends to come together, socialise, dance and enjoy a memorable evening in a welcoming and accessible environment.

We've reimagined the evening by taking away the formalities and getting straight into the fun with Terry's DJ and Karaoke, dancing, music, and plenty of opportunities to connect with community members in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

Another exciting change this year is that tickets are only $10 per person. While we won't be hosting a formal sit-down dinner, attendees will be able to purchase delicious food from Hungry Puku and sweet treats and milkshakes from Luna & Sol throughout the evening.

We hope you can join us for what is sure to be a fun, memorable and inclusive night.

Please see the attached flyer for more information, including details on how to purchase tickets. Tickets can be purchased via the link or QR code on the flyer.

Glitz and Glamour Disco 2026 Tickets | EventBookings

When: Friday 18th September 2026

Time: 5.30pm - 9.30pm

Where: Slim Dusty Centre Kempsey

Cost: $10 per person (Support Workers FREE entry)

For those who need to get their Learner’s Licence and/or some driving lessons to support Provisional Licence goals, this is a game-changer. Join one of the Ace Community College programs and make this the year you get your licence. 
ACE offers a face-to-face program to assist you to prepare for this test and gain your learner’s permit. You will learn the NSW road rules and why they apply in fun and interactive ways. This will help you not just pass the test but also make you a safer driver. You will be given opportunities to practise the online test with the support of your trainer.

Nambucca Heads Program
When: Read the Sign-up Information flyer here
Learner Program: Mon 7^th, Tues 8^th, Wed 9^th September 10am to 3pm
Where: Nambucca Valley Youth Services 48 Ridge Street, NSW 2448
Cost: $200 or free for eligible participants - Read the Course Information & Eligibility flyer here

Opening conversations around suicide is vital to increase awareness and help prevent suicide in our communities – but knowing exactly how to do that can be daunting. Over 10 million Australian adults are estimated to know someone who has died by suicide. One in two young people are impacted by suicide by the time they turn 25 and 9 lives are lost by suicide every day.

The Wesley Lifeforce Suicide Prevention training educates people about suicide, challenging attitudes, teaching basic engagement and suicide intervention skills.

Event flyer

You will gain increased confidence in your ability to identify people who may be at risk of suicide, communicate appropriately, ask a person if they are considering suicide and conduct a suicide intervention.

Based in NSW, Australia near Gondwana Rainforests, the DF&BF is an acoustic weekend of concerts, workshops, jamming, dancing and more. Focused primarily on Old-Time, Bluegrass and Folk traditions, it is a family friendly Festival with something for everyone. We encourage participation from all ages and are dedicated to sharing our love of music. The Festival begins at 5:30pm on Friday and runs through to 5:30pm on Sunday. It is held on the last full weekend of October every year

The Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival embraces the diverse origins of folk, bluegrass, old-time and old-time country music and we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to the well-being and continued growth of these genres and the Festival.

At the Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival we encourage, embrace and celebrate the participation and involvement by people of all abilities, genders, orientations, identities, faiths, cultures, and backgrounds. We seek to practice inclusion and aim to be proactive about educating ourselves and others.

Event flyer

Volunteer, Stall & Billet applications now open!

Where: Dorrigo Showground

When: 23-25 October 2026

More info: Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival – Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival

The Rotary Club of Dorrigo hosted their inaugural LIFT THE LID WALK in 2023 and they are now preparing for their second Walk!

These walks are a great way to spread awareness of the 1 in 5 Australians who are suffering from a mental illness.

Help us Lift the Lid on Mental Illness this summer by walking with us!

​Where: Starts at Dangar Falls, Dorrigo

When: Sunday 18 October,

Time: 9am start

All proceeds go into mental health research through Australian Rotary Health.

What: A WALK not a race - 8km - 12,000 steps and will take a leisurely 2 hours to complete (probably less). Crosses one road which will be marshalled to control pedestrians - NO road closures. Track - pedestrian, pedal, walker, mobility scooter and stroller friendly.

Who: Anyone who has been impacted by or cares about Mental Health – Dogs on leashes are welcome and encouraged.

Entry fee: $30 for adults which includes an event t-shirt. Kids 15 and under walk for free. You can purchase t-shirts for kids via the ticket site. Early bird adult ticket sales before Sept 29th will receive a FREE t-shirt!

Registration: Online, with t-shirts available for collection on the day of the walk. Late registrations can be made on the day with credit card facilities, but

t-shirts may not be available.

To register visit: DORRIOGO | LIFT THE LID WALK

Keen to bake a Threatened Species inspired cake?

The National threatened species bake off has been running annually since 2017 and is organized by the Office of the Threatened Species Commissioner. Hundreds of Australians have participated, testing out their baking skills whether they are novice or expert, and learnt more about threatened species and their habitats along the way.

Bakers can choose to make a cake in the shape of any threatened species or threatened ecosystem that occurs in Australia or take inspiration from a threatened species that occurs locally in Bellingen Shire.

Entrance categories:

• Under 15s
• Open community
• Volunteer groups, local businesses, schools or organisations

Amazing ecology-based prizes will be up for grabs and a free native plant from Boggy creek will be given to each baker

We ask that all bakers follow Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, and can list ingredients or notify or any allergens when dropping off the cake for the event. An ingredient and entry form will be available on the day of the event.

The bake-off is scheduled for Monday, 7th September (also National Threatened Species Day)

Participants will need to drop their cakes to the Memorial Hall studio between 8am and 9.30am on the day

Register here: Compete in the Threatened Species Bake Off

ONLY complete this form if you are registering to enter the competition.

Where: Bellingen Memorial Hall Studio

When: Monday 7 September, from 10am

All community members are invited to attend the event, not just those baking a cake.

Please follow the link below if you are looking to attend the event without baking a cake:

Attend the Threatened Species Bake Off

Australian Red Cross is currently recruiting Casual Recovery Volunteers across the Mid North Coast and North Coast to strengthen local recovery capability and ensure we have a trained volunteer workforce ready to support communities impacted by disasters.

Casual Recovery Volunteers play an important role in supporting individuals and communities during the disaster recovery phase, primarily through activities within recovery centres during the early stages of recovery.

This flexible volunteering opportunity is well suited to people who may not be able to commit to regular volunteering but are keen to assist their community when disasters occur.

To register your interest and to find out more information about this volunteering opportunity, visit: NSW Casual Recovery Team - Emergency Services Volunteer | Dayforce Jobs and download this flyer.

Unable to volunteer regularly but want to help your community after disasters?
Register to undertake a free full day training so you can provide Psychological First Aid and practical supports with Red Cross after disaster. Once checks and training is completed, you can volunteer in your local region when a recovery centre opens.

We are recruiting casual recovery volunteers in Byron Shire, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey Shire, Kyogle, Lismore, Mid-Coast, Nambucca Valley Shire, Richmond Valley Council areas.
Upcoming in person training (Free Psychological First Aid Training):
- Friday 18 September 2026 - Port Macquarie
- Saturday 19 September 2026 - Coffs Harbour
- Saturday 26 September 2026 - Lismore
- Sunday 27 September 2026 - Byron Bay
- Friday 23 October 2026 - Yamba
- Saturday 24 October 2026 - Forster
- Monday 26 October 2026- Nambucca Heads

If you are unable to attend an in-person training session, online options are available.

You MUST register as a Casual Recovery Volunteer to attend this training. Register by scanning the QR code on the training flyer and complete the form,
or you can email nswrscg_project@redcross.org.au or call 0475 096 371

Kickback Club, begins on Monday, 7 September and will run every Monday from 3pm - 5pm.

They'll have food and snacks available for those hungry after-school bellies, along with a range of activities and games.

When: Every Monday from 7th September 2026

Time: 3pm-5pm

Where: Nambucca Youthie, 48 Ridge Street Nambucca Heads

Contact: 02 6568 7777

For more details, please see this event flyer or call the Youthie on the above contact number.

It’s OK on the Macleay

This event is about community — standing together, supporting one another, and creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

We look forward to bringing people together to strengthen connections and celebrate the power of community.

There will be plenty of fun on the day including a Runway Parade and a Pooch Pawrade!

When: Sunday, 20th September 2026

Where: Riverside Park, Kempsey

Time: 10am - 3pm