Our Story
Rod Bruem
My passion for local news began in childhood and led me into journalism straight out of school. So it was deeply disappointing to witness the closure of the daily Northern Star and Ballina’s own dedicated newspaper, the Advocate, in mid-2020— ending over a century of consistent print coverage.
While other regional titles have emerged since then, none are truly based here, and that’s reflected in the depth and quality of their reporting. During my time as a Ballina Shire Councillor (2021-2024), I saw firsthand the consequences of inadequate local journalism— particularly when it came to public awareness and accountability in civic affairs.
That experience inspired me to create something better. I was fortunate to connect with Lara Leahy, whose skills and vision perfectly complemented my own. After many months of planning, Ballina News Daily was born— a truly local, independent voice for our community.
We are proud members of LINA, Australia’s network of Local and Independent News publishers, and part of a growing movement working to build a sustainable future for regional journalism.
Lara Leahy
Words have always been a part of my life. My first taste of the written world was at six years old, shadowing my librarian grandmother at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. Throughout my schooling, that spanned multiple continents and career paths, I was led into design drafting, but writing called me back.
When I began writing professionally – producing content, blogs, and interviews — it reignited that early passion. It inspired a degree in journalism, and for over a decade, l’ve worked in both print and digital media. The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point, bringing me into the Northern Rivers media landscape.
After working with local platforms, including the Lismore App, a long-held idea to create a truly local news service for Ballina finally found its time. Together with the journalistically talented Rod Bruem, we launched Ballina News Daily—a publication rooted in the community it serves.
Our Aspiration
We’re proud to be doing this in one of the most beautiful regions in the world. We look forward to telling the stories that matter, giving voice to local issues, and celebrating the Ballina Shire together.
(And yes-we’re running this whole operation without coffee. Wish us luck!)
