The Jacaranda Festival opens in Grafton on Friday, 23 October, with thousands of jacaranda trees in bloom. The celebration runs until Sunday, 8 November, and this year's theme is Shining Bright. Opening weekend events include Illuminate at See Park, the Jaca Children's Party and the Jacaranda Ball. Later events include River Dreaming, the Parade of Youth, Retrofest and the Venetian Carnival. The festival closes with the opening of a 2001 time capsule and a fun run over Bendy Bridge.
John Rayner PSM has started work as Interim Administrator of Clarence Valley Council, replacing the councillors for three months. NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig suspended the council after councillors requested an inquiry into governance, administration, operations and financial management. The crisis followed a mayoral ballot tie in September and the termination of General Manager Laura Black's contract. Mr Rayner, who grew up in Coraki and began his career in Grafton, will report to the Minister in December. His priorities include appointing a new General Manager and reviewing governance.
Members of Coffs Harbour Baptist Church spent a week transforming the children's play area at Grafton Baptist Church. The volunteers, including tradespeople, landscaped the grounds, built a sandstone wall, repainted the climbing frame, installed a new slide and added lights. Some stayed at the church, praying and eating breakfast together each day. Pastor Jeff Andrews said the group wanted to bless the local community. Grafton Baptist Church marks its 150th anniversary with a service on Sunday 25 October, open to everyone.
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Police are continuing their investigation into the death of a five-year-old boy found unresponsive at a home in Grafton. Emergency services were called to the property about 6:40am on Monday, 12 October. Officers began CPR before NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived, but the boy died at the scene. Specialist forensic officers examined the crime scene, and a post-mortem examination will be carried out. The investigation is being run by Strike Force Milona, with help from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Lismore, Banora Point and Gwandalan have each topped NSW storm hotspot rankings in recent years, according to new insurance data. AAMI analysed more than 97,000 severe-weather home claims over five years and found the worst-hit area changes almost every year. Some communities, including Gwandalan, Erina and Bateau Bay, appear repeatedly. Forecasters expect spring to be less active than normal, but still warn of damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain. Residents are urged to secure loose items, trim trees, clear gutters and prepare emergency kits.
Homicide detectives are leading a major police investigation after a five-year-old boy died suddenly in Grafton, on the New South Wales north coast. Emergency services were called to a home in the town at about 6.40am on Monday after a report that a child was unresponsive. Police performed CPR until an ambulance crew took over, but the boy could not be saved. It is understood his parents are being questioned by police. A post mortem examination is due to establish the circumstances of his death. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a five-year-old boy in Grafton, New South Wales. Emergency services were called around 6.40am on Monday after the child was found unresponsive at his home. Police officers performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but attempts to revive him failed and he was declared dead. A crime scene has been established and forensically examined. The cause of death has not been revealed. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police homicide detectives are assisting Grafton officers after the death of a five-year-old boy at a home in Grafton on Monday. The boy's parents have not been arrested but are being questioned, the ABC understands, over their treatment of the child and his siblings. Police are investigating allegations that the boy and at least one other child were duct-taped into sleeping bags at night. Specialist officers forensically examined the home, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted. The Department of Communities and Justice says it is working with police, and the matter has been referred to the coroner.
A team of pain researchers, health professionals and people living with chronic pain will cycle more than 780km from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie in October. The 2026 Pain Revolution Rural Outreach Tour will stop at nine North Coast towns between 15 and 23 October, with free community events sharing evidence-based information on managing persistent pain. The tour is supported by a $50,000 grant from Healthy North Coast. Pain Revolution CEO Professor Lorimer Moseley said chronic pain is often misunderstood and undertreated. Events are free, with full details available at the tour website.
Two teenagers have been charged after a British tourist was allegedly stabbed during a fight between two groups in central Cairns. Police allege the brawl broke out on Spence Street near Grafton Street about 9.40pm on Monday. The 25-year-old woman was stabbed in the leg and taken to Cairns Base Hospital, where she has since been discharged. A 15-year-old boy was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, while a 16-year-old girl faces three counts of common assault. Both are due to face a children's court on October 21.
Police allege a 15-year-old girl stabbed a 25-year-old British woman in the leg during a fight in Cairns on Monday night. The fight, between two groups on Spence Street, also left a man with a hand injury. The girl has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and committing an act intended to cause grievous bodily harm. A 16-year-old girl faces three counts of common assault. Both are due to face a children's court later this month. Police say investigations into what sparked the fight are continuing.
Two Clarence Valley Council projects have been named finalists in the 2026 Planning Institute of Australia Awards for Planning Excellence. The Accelerated Development Application Service has cut approval times for eligible applications to eight to nine days, below the council's 20-day target. The Clarenza Urban Release Area Structure Plan provides a framework for about 1,000 new homes and a future community of around 3,000 residents on flood-free land near Grafton. Council says the projects will support housing growth across the Clarence Valley.
Bonny Hills dancer Christie Rogers won first place in four disciplines at Grafton's annual Highland dancing competition. The event is held each September as part of the Jacaranda Festival, drawing competitors from across the region. Rogers, who is relatively new to the sport, said she is now only four marks away from moving up to novice level. With no local schools on the Mid North Coast, she takes lessons over Zoom and practises for hours each week. She said she hopes to encourage more women to learn and compete.
An 88-year-old woman has died in hospital after she was struck by a car in Pyree, in the NSW Shoalhaven region. Police were called to Pyree Lane at about 1:45 pm on Saturday, 24 October, after reports of a pedestrian being hit. Paramedics treated the woman at the scene before she was flown to St George Hospital in a critical condition. Police were told on Sunday, 25 October, that she had died. The 43-year-old driver returned a negative result on a roadside breath test and was taken to Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital for mandatory testing.
A whale calf carcass has washed ashore at Malabar Beach in Sydney, the third landing spot for the same animal. Randwick Council workers moved the remains up the sand, roped off the area and closed the beach on Tuesday. Council said strong currents moved the carcass from Lurline Bay and that it will be removed and disposed of on Tuesday 27 October. Earlier, Coogee and Maroubra beaches were shut after the carcass became stuck against rocks at Lurline Bay.
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The NSW Government has committed $6.8 billion to electrify the South Coast rail line between Kiama and Bomaderry and to double tracks at key bottlenecks. Construction is expected to be complete by the mid-to-late 2030s, with detailed planning starting in 2027. The announcement follows the government scrapping timetable changes that were due to take effect in November after community concerns. Premier Chris Minns said the upgrade would deliver faster, more reliable trains. An immediate $621 million will fund upgrades to power, signalling and flood protection ahead of the main works.
Kiama Community Radio is hosting Blues in the Night, a fundraising event on Saturday 7 November at Kiama Leagues Club. The station, run by volunteers, is seeking support to fund its equipment, technology and facilities. Headliner Frank Sultana will perform alongside Shane Flew and Matt Ross, and Jr and the Jewel-Tones, which includes Kiama musician Dave Shaw. Doors open at 5 pm. Tickets cost $50, or $40 for station members, plus a booking fee. Every ticket sold supports the station, which has operated since 2020.
Police are searching for a man in a balaclava after a suspected arson attack on a house in Abbotsford, in Sydney's inner west. Four people were taken to hospital. An 88-year-old woman was rescued by a 49-year-old man who climbed a ladder. A neighbour confronted the man while he was allegedly setting the house alight. Police believe he fled in a red Holden Astra and had suffered burns. About 40 firefighters attended the blaze, which spread to an adjoining house.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has been hired as a professor of practice at the University of Sydney. The 46-year-old joins the faculty of medicine and health, where the role will focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust. Ardern will explore ways to address global health challenges, inclusion and wellbeing, and will lead guest lectures and masterclasses. The university says the position is not a full-time teaching role. Ardern and her family moved to Australia in February, reportedly buying a $5.3 million home on Sydney's northern beaches.
Mini has unveiled the Lucky 13 Edition, an Australian-exclusive limited-run model based on the John Cooper Works three-door hatch. It honours the 1966 Bathurst 500 victory by Rauno Aaltonen and Bob Holden in a factory-backed Morris Mini Cooper S. The special edition's name comes from Mr Holden drawing number 13 from a hat and adopting it as his lucky number. Design cues include white bonnet stripes, a white roof and circular 13 decals. Just 26 cars will be built for Australia, with arrival expected in the first quarter of 2027. Pricing starts at $71,990 before on-road costs.
Will Lee has served 56 years with the NSW Rural Fire Service, which he began after helping fight a major fire in the northern Illawarra in 1968. He joined the Austinmer Bushfire Brigade in 1970 and went on to hold several leadership roles, including Group Captain. He was recognised with a National Medal with a fourth clasp at a recent ceremony, where his daughter Belinda Lee also received a 40-year Long Service Medal. Will now focuses on training young firefighters. He says the job of an old firefighter is to teach young firefighters to become old firefighters.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern will lecture and mentor at the University of Sydney, beginning this month. Her work will focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust. Based in the school of public health, she will host guest lectures and masterclasses, although the university says it is not a full-time teaching role. Vice-chancellor Mark Scott praised Ardern's leadership, saying empathy and resolve can strengthen each other. Ardern moved to Australia earlier this year.
Sexual assault complainants could face less distressing questioning in court under proposed changes. Wollongong District Court is one of three NSW courts chosen to trial new rules on how long questioning can last and what topics can be covered. The trial would run from 2027 to 2030 if passed by NSW Parliament. The Illawarra Women's Trauma Recovery Centre has welcomed the reforms, backed by $4.8 million in government funding. Attorney General Michael Daley said the changes would minimise trauma for complainants.
Local Government NSW is calling for a $5 billion interest-free loan scheme to help councils build roads, drainage and other infrastructure needed for housing. Councils would repay the loans through developer contributions as development progresses. The peak body says thousands of homes are being delayed by inadequate infrastructure, particularly in outer metropolitan Sydney and regional areas. LGNSW president Darcy Byrne urged all political parties to back the proposal ahead of the state election. The plan also includes $3 billion in upfront state and regional infrastructure funding and allows developer contributions to fund community facilities.
