Twenty-twenty was fertile ground for drama of biblical proportions - fires, floods and a flamin' pandemic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While these stories dominated newsfeeds around the country - including in the Nambucca - Guardian News readers seemed more drawn to rare moments of joy, and the celebration of progress.
We've been busy trawling through our annual stats this week. And we've compiled a list of stories that resonated the most with our readers.
Here's what you clicked on in 2020.
1. Confirmation of COVID-19 in Nambucca Valley (March 26)
After days of public pressure, NSW Health released new data showing positive cases of coronavirus in each local government area.
And Nambucca Valley residents' worst fears were confirmed. It was here too.
Thankfully, since April the Nambucca Valley has been completely COVID-free. READ STORY HERE
2. Storm relocates school roof (February 3)
It was a hairy night in the Valley for many. The violence of the previous night's storms brought down trees and phone lines in multiple locations west of the highway.
There were even reports on social media that the force of the wind managed to relocate someone's garden shed near the Macksville Cemetery.
On Wallace St, the strong gusts succeeded in relocating something a lot larger. READ STORY HERE
3. Harley's rare encounter at Shelly Beach (September 1)
Local fisherman Harley Robinson has caught bull sharks in the river before, but never anything like the size nor the type of catch he reeled in that Monday night. READ STORY HERE
4. A new lease on life for Macksville's historic buildings, and its community (July 22)
The glory of Macksville past - a bustling river port - is slowly reemerging from the mid-twentieth century architectural 'decisions' of a nation which was looking to the skies.
The Macksville revitalisation project was set in motion to uncover, reimagine and celebrate all that glimmered from the town's golden days, with local architect Alan Rudge at the helm. READ STORY HERE
5. The pace of progress in Nambucca (October 27)
After the Federal Government dared to utter the 'R' word earlier this year, the focus became set on economic recovery. With bushfire and coronavirus stimulus packages coming our way, the Nambucca Valley Council was able to expedite some major projects for the Nambucca. But others have a way of cropping up just as quickly. READ STORY HERE
6. Pub With No Beer now safe in local hands (March 10)
After a tumultuous end to 2019, Taylors Arm locals had something to smile about again. Their hallowed haunt - The Pub With No Beer - had been saved from demise and is now in safe (and local) hands. READ STORY HERE
7. Taylors Arm student stands out from the crowd (April 6)
Taylors Arm student Elizabeth Argue was announced as one of 14 recipients of the annual 2020 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship, a program designed to kick start the next generation's careers in agriculture. READ STORY HERE
8. Tourism expert names Nambucca Heads as one of the seven wonders of NSW (June 19)
Our little coastal gem was included on a list crafted by seven tourism experts naming their top seven inspiring wonders to visit in NSW. READ STORY HERE
9. Robyn forges a new future after Black Summer Bushfires (October 30)
South Arm resident Robyn Melvaine lost her idyllic bush retreat in the Kian Rd bushfire. One year on we caught up with her to find out how she was faring. It was a wonderful conversation, and it was very refreshing to find a positive story after so much heartache. READ STORY HERE
10. Sculpture By The Sea, done Nambucca-style (February 7)
Nambucca Heads High trade school teacher and all-round legend Gary Cattanach was excited after being given the green light to host the Maagunda Gaagal - Festival of the Ocean - at Nambucca's Main Beach at the end of February. READ STORY HERE
11. Matt and Joe's epic tale of survival (September 4)
On August 5, a distress call came through that a boat was going under about eight nautical miles off Nambucca.
It's the kind of news that instantly makes one's stomach drop, and there was a nervous wait until the next piece of correspondence came through.
Mercifully, the two locals on board that day - Macksville's Matt Barber and Bowra's 'Joe' Mitchell - lived to tell the tale of their rescue from the open sea. This is their story, as told by Matt. READ STORY HERE
12. Dog's Best Friend: Why being impounded is no longer a death sentence in Nambucca (August 24)
In the first two months of 2017, eight of the 20 dogs which entered council's pound never got the chance to walk out again.
While these statistics might be shocking to animal lovers, they're not necessarily out of kilter with the national average.
But when Libby Owen answered council's callout for a new pound attendant at the end of 2017, there was no way she could stand by and let things continue the way they had been. This is how she transformed our pound into a no-kill facility. READ MORE HERE
13. Defying trauma and tragedy: Melea's ambition could never be tamed (November 17)
This is the face of tenacity.
Bowra girl Melea Castle has not had the easiest path in life; there have been more obstacles in her 21 years than most people have in their entire existence.
But as the old adage goes: 'what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger'. All the pain and suffering she's experienced has just made her a more determined and resilient person. You won't believe what she's had to overcome. READ STORY HERE
14. Cheers to that: Trend-setting street parklet arrives in Macksville (August 4)
It's the addition to Macksville's streetscape that people love to talk about. And not always in the most positive light. But love it or hate it, this council initiative sure did make a splash. READ STORY HERE
15. Remembering Evelyn Greenup 30 years on (October 2)
Evelyn Greenup would be 34-years-old today.
The gentle and nature-loving four-year-old who was stuck like glue to her younger brother, Aaron, would have been a loving big sister. She could have been a nurse, or a social worker - she certainly had the disposition for it, even at the tender age of four, say her family. She might have been a wife, and a mother today.
"I'll always wonder what her mark would have been on the world," Evelyn's aunt, Michelle Jarrett said.
But the world will never know, because her life was stolen 30 years ago, and with it, all her future happiness and potential.
This is the story of how her family continue their fight for justice to this day. READ STORY HERE
16. Flattening the curves: Making a meal out of the old Maccas site (August 17)
It took less than a week for demolition crews to flatten the golden curves of the old McDonalds site at Nambucca Heads. The pace of change knocked more than a few locals for six, with many left scratching their heads at the perceived wastefulness of building a brand new building instead of repurposing the old one. READ STORY HERE
17. Peace of mind as new drive-thru COVID site opens at old hospital (July 23)
Eleven people took advantage of the new drive-through COVID testing clinic at the old Macksville Hospital within its first hours of operation
After witnessing the process, Guardian News was able to report that it's as simple as ordering a drive-thru burger. READ STORY HERE
18. Theirs is a love for all ages (February 12)
Last year this pair of lovebirds decided to make things official. Eddie was over the moon when Enid accepted his proposal.
"I got down on one knee. I didn't even have a cheezel or a pull-top to propose with, but she didn't take long to decide. I couldn't believe my luck. I wanted to shout it from the mountain tops that I've got the best looking girl around," he said.
He wasn't kidding - at the Ulmarra Muster a few days later, he did just that, as town crier. READ STORY HERE
Mel Leigh Dee
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
