ABOUT

As a community-owned publication, it exists to serve Bangalow and the surrounding hinterland rather than generate profit for private individuals or shareholders.

Editorial independence is central to the Herald’s integrity. The Editor is responsible for editorial direction, content decisions and adherence to published editorial standards. The Management Committee does not direct or influence individual stories but provides governance oversight and ensures appropriate processes are in place.

As a not-for-profit organisation, any surplus generated through advertising, donations or grants is reinvested into the publication. This includes printing costs, website development, contributor honorariums, commissioned photography and initiatives that strengthen regional journalism.

In 2025, The Bangalow Herald Inc. secured a Regional Media Grant, supporting the commissioning of new writers and photographers and enabling development of an enhanced website to extend Hinterland coverage.

The Herald operates through a combination of volunteer effort, community support and responsible financial management. Its incorporated structure ensures decisions are made in the interests of readers, contributors and the wider Bangalow community.

Governed locally and sustained collectively, The Bangalow Herald Inc. remains committed to telling the stories of this place with clarity, care and integrity.

Incorporation provides a formal governance structure, ensuring the Herald operates with transparency, financial accountability and clear responsibilities under NSW legislation. As an incorporated association, the organisation is overseen by a volunteer Management Committee elected by members.

The Committee is responsible for governance, financial oversight and long-term sustainability. It ensures that the Herald remains independent, viable and aligned with its community purpose.

THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE INCLUDES:

• President 
• Treasurer 
• Secretary 
• Committee Members 

Committee members bring experience across journalism, publishing, finance, community leadership and local engagement. All serve in a voluntary capacity.

The Bangalow Herald began as something modest, heartfelt and authentic. In its earliest form, it was known as Bangalow’s Heartbeat – a small, community-driven publication created to keep locals informed and connected. As Colin Cook recounts in his reflections on those early days, it was never about glossy presentation or grand ambition. It was about neighbours sharing news, recording events and making sure the town had a voice of its own.

When the publication evolved, it adopted the name The Bangalow Herald – a deliberate nod to the original broadsheet newspaper of the early twentieth century that carried the same name. The choice reflected both continuity and respect for local history, linking the modern publication to Bangalow’s earlier print tradition.

What began as a simple newsletter gradually gathered momentum. More contributors stepped forward. Stories expanded beyond notices and announcements into features, profiles and reporting that captured the character of Bangalow and its hinterland. The publication evolved in step with the community it served.

Over time, the Herald grew into a substantial monthly publication – now a quality 32-plus page, full colour print edition packed with feature stories, local news, arts coverage, sport, council reporting and community updates. While the format has become more polished, the original intention remains intact: to reflect Bangalow as it is lived.

In 2025, a Regional Media Grant strengthened that commitment. The funding supported a pool of new writers and photographers and enabled the development of an enhanced website. This expansion allowed the Herald to extend its Hinterland coverage and create space for emerging and diverse contributors to reflect the life and times of the wider region.

From Bangalow’s Heartbeat to today’s full colour edition, the Herald remains grounded in place – part record, part conversation, and wholly local.

Published monthly in print and now growing online, the Herald exists to reflect the life of this place — its people, its history, its debates and its everyday moments.

As a community newspaper based in Bangalow, the Herald focuses on local news, council matters, arts and culture, sport, events and personal stories from across the Byron Shire. Our reporting is grounded and accessible, written with care and clarity. We write with the community, not at it.

Founded and sustained by volunteers, the Herald is independent and community-led. Editorial decisions are made locally, with a commitment to fairness and transparency. News reporting remains balanced and neutral, while features allow space for reflection and insight. Arts and cultural work are treated as serious contributions to local life. Volunteer effort is recognised. Local initiatives are given context rather than hype.

As Bangalow grows and changes, so does the Herald. Our online presence complements the print edition, ensuring local stories remain accessible and searchable while preserving the monthly paper as a tangible record of community life.

At its heart, The Bangalow Herald exists to tell the stories of Bangalow with clarity, care and integrity.