7.1 C
Byron Shire
July 15, 2026

Coordinators General appointed to lead community support in wake of Bondi terrorist attack

Latest News

The numbers behind Byron’s proposed rate rise

Byron Shire ratepayers are staring down the barrel of a proposed 33–35 per cent rate increase over three years, with Council arguing the extra revenue is needed to secure its long-term financial future.

Other News

Emergency 000

When I worked for Telecom, I often manned the 000 position when it was still a cord and plug...

Alleged native tree removal continues in Lennox, says councillor

With a government agency now investigating the alleged clear felling of natives on a large private block in Lennox Head, Ballina Greens councillor Kiri Dicker has told The Echo that contractors were felling trees all morning, ‘trying to get the job done’.

Myocum Road road patching starts soon

Byron Council say they are about to start a major program of heavy patching on Myocum Road later this month.

Clarence, Richmond, Kyogle get essential worker boost

A program called The Welcome Experience, which aims to ensure essential workers who move to the Northern Rivers establish meaningful connections and navigate their new communities has been boosted with a new 'Local Connector' position.

$30,419 for Byron’s Fletcher Street Cottage

The Festival of Stone sold out in June with over 2,000 people enjoying good music, great food, and the festival’s namesake Stone Brew Beer.

Anarchy in the UK?

After going through six prime ministers in the last ten years, the not-so United Kingdom is likely to soon notch up its seventh.

Premier Chris Minns. Photo Facebook.

The NSW government has appointed two Co-Coordinators General to lead ongoing community support and ensure people continue to receive coordinated assistance in the wake of the antisemitic terror attack that took place at Bondi Beach one month ago.

The government says Multicultural NSW CEO Joseph La Posta and NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Michele Goldman are highly respected leaders who bring extensive experience and capability to these critical roles, which will involve coordinating support across government, not-government organisations, charities and the private sector to those affected.

Mr La Posta will lead whole-of-government coordination, ensuring services and programs are delivered seamlessly and effectively. Ms Goldman will provide dedicated community leadership, drawing on close engagement with affected communities to inform support efforts.

The Co-Coordinators General will jointly oversee the delivery of programs supporting victims’ families, survivors, eastern suburbs and Jewish communities.

The government says a key priority will be active engagement with community leaders and organisations to help rebuild wellbeing, strengthen social cohesion and support long-term recovery.

The appointments are for an initial period of at least three months, with the co-coordinators general reporting directly to the premier.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said, ‘Our message to everyone effected by the horrific antisemitic terror attack at Bondi one month ago is clear – we are with you for the long haul. The appointment of these Coordinators General is a key way that we’ll ensure the support efforts for the Bondi community are organised, appropriate and effective.

‘The Bondi Beach terrorist attack tore apart the Bondi and local Jewish community in a number of minutes on December 14, but we know the support effort will take months and the impacts will be felt for years to come and our government will be there every step of the way.’

Janelle Saffin. Photo Tree Faerie.

Standing with communities

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said, ‘This terrorist attack was unlike anything our state has faced before, and our focus is firmly on standing with the Bondi and Jewish communities and walking alongside them for the long term.

‘Meeting this moment requires a coordinated, culturally informed approach, and that responsibility has been entrusted to these highly capable Coordinators General.’

Coordinator General Joseph La Posta said, ‘We are honoured to step into these important roles at such a critical time.

‘Our focus will be on ensuring that government efforts are coordinated, support is delivered quickly and effectively, and every impacted individual as well as the broader Jewish and eastern suburbs community is heard and cared for.’

Coordinator General Michele Goldman said, ‘We will be bringing together government, non-government, and community efforts, with community voices at the very heart of everything we do. This is a shared journey, and we’ll walk it together toward recovery.

‘I care deeply about serving the NSW Jewish community, and that commitment will guide our work in the weeks and months ahead.’



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Organic produce sharing

I would like to thank all the kind people putting their excess citrus out the front of their houses. This is community sharing at...

Gulgan Village meeting

I attended the Brunswick Progress Associations (BPA) meeting on 6/07/2026 at the CWA for a discussion on the impact the proposed Gulgan Village development...

Blow up the pokies

It’s pleasing to see further action on predatory poker machine reform being attempted by some intelligent politicians. It may – by some miracle – encourage...

Mandy’s column

John Heaton (Letters 8 July) is correct in stating that allowing Mandy Nolan a weekly column is no longer appropriate now that she is...