Charles Rushforth

Coffs Harbour

Staff Writer at Junkee

Reporter working on Gumbaynggirr land for ABC Coffs Harbour 🍌 music with @flowertruck_ bylines at @junkee @backchatFBI views are my own etc

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Articles

Man's hand cut off in early morning Coffs Harbour assault

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Charles Rushforth

An investigation is underway after a man's hand was cut off during an assault on the NSW Mid North Coast. Police were called to a home in Toormina Place at Coffs Harbour just before 7am on Wednesday following reports a man's left hand had been severed in an alleged attack by two men. Police believed one of the men was known to the 59-year-old victim, but said both men had left by the time officers arrived.
Residents outraged after Coffs Harbour Sleepbus redirected to another community

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Charles Rushforth

Residents who donated $100,000 for a custom-built bus to provide overnight accommodation for rough sleepers are outraged after being told it would be delivered to a different community. Not-for-profit Sleepbus received the funds from Coffs Harbour residents in 2023, pledging to deliver a bus designed to give homeless people a safe place to sleep within 20 weeks.
Vehicles recovered in search for camper swept away by floodwaters near Gloucester

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Courtney Yeandle |Charles Rushforth

Emergency crews are searching for a camper swept away by "raging" floodwaters on the NSW mid-north coast. Police have recovered a caravan and SUV belonging to an elderly camper at Bretti Reserve near Gloucester. Crews will continue searching the banks of the Lachlan River for the missing man over the next three days. Emergency services are holding out hope for a man swept away by "raging" floodwaters at a camping site on the New South Wales mid-north coast.
Search underway for missing camper swept away by floodwater near Gloucester

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Charles Rushforth

A search is underway for a man missing in floodwaters near Gloucester in the NSW Mid North Coast. Police said the male driver was towing a caravan while trying to cross a flooded causeway before he was swept away. The NSW state emergency service has carried out 18 flood rescues and received more than 1,700 calls. A search is underway for a man feared dead in floodwaters near a campground on the New South Wales Mid North Coast.
Search underway for missing camper swept away by floodwater near Gloucester

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Charles Rushforth

A search is underway for a man feared missing in floodwaters near a campground on the New South Wales Mid North Coast. Emergency services were called to Bretti Reserve near Gloucester at around 10pm yesterday, and were told an elderly man had been swept into floodwaters while crossing a causeway. Witnesses said he was driving an SUV and towing a caravan that were swept away moments earlier. NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Deb Platz said a search was continuing this morning.
NSW police offer $500,000 reward for information over murder of grandfather

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Charles Rushforth |Fiona Poole

New South Wales Police have opened a murder investigation and announced a $500,000 reward for information over the death of a "loving grandfather" on the state's Mid North Coast. Homicide detectives with Strike Force Belinda are investigating the death of 58 year-old Duncan Campbell, whose body was recovered from bushland in Coffs Harbour in Feburary last year.
NSW SES call-outs double amid storm season of 'mass devastation'

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Charles Rushforth

State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers are being run off their feet as they try to keep pace with a wild storm season in New South Wales. The SES logged 19,176 storm-related incidents across the state between the start of October 2024 and February 11, 2025. That equates to an average of more than 140 jobs a day. NSW SES Commissioner Michael Wassing said the weather conditions had led to a dramatic increase in storm damage compared with the previous year.
Nambucca Leagues and Sports Club destroyed by fire, 70 years of history lost

Jan 21, 2025 | abc.net.au | Charles Rushforth |Fiona Poole

A New South Wales Mid North Coast community is lamenting the loss of more than 70 years of history after a leagues club was destroyed by fire. Emergency crews were called to Nambucca Leagues and Sports Club at Nambucca Heads at 5:50am today. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said there was little first responders could do to stop the destruction. "When they arrived there was already large amounts of smoke and flame coming from the full length of the roof," he said.
Choir teaches locals to sing in ancient Indigenous language Gumbaynggirr

Jan 18, 2025 | abc.net.au | Charles Rushforth

Every week, Wiradjuri woman Monique Hill travels two hours to attend rehearsals for a special choir on the New South Wales mid-north coast. The Girrwaa Duguula (People Together) choir invites Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to learn a mix of traditional and contemporary songs in the language of the traditional owners.
Charges dismissed against former Nambucca Heads police officer Travis Pocock

Jan 13, 2025 | abc.net.au | Charles Rushforth

A former police officer has avoided a criminal conviction, despite pleading guilty to covering up an assault he committed while on duty. Travis Paul Pocock pleaded guilty last April to one charge of assault and another of making an omission intending to pervert the course of justice. During sentencing today at Coffs Harbour Local Court, defence solicitor Brent Haverfield argued for the charges to be dropped in favour of a mental health order.