Who are we?
Gazette is a startup media company building a growing network of local newsrooms across Australia. We exist to make high quality local news freely available in the formats and on the channels where people already spend their time.
Our aim is simple: help communities understand and navigate the issues shaping their lives.
We are independent, non-partisan, and funded by a mix of philanthropy and advertising. Our newsroom is digital-first, fast-moving, and audience-focused, with high editorial standards and a culture built on trust, autonomy and kindness. Our reporters have the space to try new things, take creative risks, and shape the voice of their mastheads.
About the role
The Mid North Coaster covers from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour, stretching across well-loved areas in both coastal and hinterland communities.
Some of the areas we cover include: Bellingen, Bonny Hills, Coffs Harbour, Crescent Head, Frederickton, Gladstone, Kempsey, Lake Cathie, Laurieton, Macksville, Nambucca Heads, Port Macquarie, Sawtell, Scotts Head, South West Rocks, Stuarts Point, Taree, Urunga, Wauchope, Woolgoolga.
It’s a big area, with lots of great stories to tell. You won’t run out of interesting people or issues – from small-town characters to big questions shaping the future of the Mid North Coast.
As we grow, our reporters are pivotal in shaping a voice that is energetic, collaborative and deeply connected to the communities we serve.
Our reporting spans news, lifestyle and culture, delivered across newsletters, social media, video and web. We focus on useful, engaging stories, including underreported issues like climate, cost of living, housing and essential services.
You can see what it looks like here https://www.instagram.com/midnorthcoaster/
What we offer
- A full time role with competitive salary, aligned with experience
- Training in reporting, video and digital storytelling from industry leaders and veterans with a track record of success
- An ambitious team that values feedback, experimentation and learning
- A genuinely supportive culture – low ego, high trust, collaborative and kind
- The chance to help define what news can look like in 2026 and beyond.
- The role will include some travel within the region – and we offer a general reimbursement for fuel expenses etc.
Why join us?
We are hiring a full time reporter to join the Mid North Coaster. You will:
- Find and report local stories that matter, across news, lifestyle and culture
- Cover both daily community issues and deeper public interest stories
- Work across formats, including newsletters, social, short explainers and video
- Spend time in the community building strong local relationships
- Collaborate with editorial and audience teams to shape coverage and grow our reach
- Edit and produce your own short videos, with training and support from the team
- Help shape the editorial voice and direction of a young and growing masthead
- Experiment with new formats and ideas – we value creativity, initiative and trying new things
How to apply
Email Brad Esposito, Editorial Director, at editor@gazettenews.au with:
- Subject line: Reporter – Mid North Coaster
- Attach your resume
- Include any links to your work (this can include published stories, social accounts, newsletters, video or other creative work)
- Answer these questions:
- Do you live in the Mid North Coast? What is your connection to the area?
- What 2–3 stories should we cover in the next three months, and why?
- How do you feel about working across multiple formats (newsletters, social)?
- How do you feel about learning video (ideation, on-camera, editing)
We will review applications as they come in.