Robyn Dever – President

Founder & President – Rainbow Coffs Harbour Incorporated

I am the Founder and President of Rainbow Coffs Harbour, an LGBTQIA+ inclusive community organisation established in 2014.

After moving to Coffs Harbour in 2012 with my partner, now my wife, we recognised the need for a welcoming space where LGBTQIA+ people and their allies could connect, make friends and feel a genuine sense of community.

What began as a vision has grown into a thriving community organisation. Over the years, I have put a lot of work into establishing and developing Rainbow Coffs Harbour.

I like to think that I have provided opportunities for the community to come together through social events, education, community awareness initiatives, talks and podcasts.

My proudest achievement is establishing and growing the Rainbow Coffs Harbour Pride Walk, bringing the LGBTQIA+ community, families, friends and allies together each year to celebrate diversity, equality, identity and inclusion.

I also maintain the organisation’s website (after Chai did the initial creation), LGBTQIA+ community directory with Jamie, social media presence, mailing list, community resources and education, whilst building relationships with local businesses, organisations and community members.

In 2026, Rainbow Coffs Harbour became an incorporated not-for-profit association, an important milestone in my vision to create a sustainable organisation that can continue supporting the community well into the future.

I am passionate about creating a community where people feel safe, accepted, respected and wanted.

I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to be themselves without fear of judgement or discrimination.

My vision for Rainbow Coffs Harbour has always been bigger than simply organising events.

It is about creating connection, reducing isolation, supporting wellbeing and building a stronger, more inclusive community across Coffs Harbour and the surrounding region.

Outside of Rainbow Coffs Harbour, I am a Registered Nurse at Coffs Harbour Health Campus, AirMed, SkyMed and NVC. I enjoy gardening, fishing, pickleball and bike riding.

“Everyone is welcome at Rainbow Coffs Harbour Inc.”

Sasha Andrews – Treasurer

Former Dykes On Bikes Committee Member and Mardi Gras Board member.

I have recently retired from the workforce and I wanted to utilise my skills, experience and time to give back to the Coffs LGBTQI+SB community.

I have followed Rainbow Coffs Harbour (RCH) for a few years now, and I look forward to helping take RCH to its next stage and continue its great work in creating a safe, inclusive environment for our local, beautiful rainbow community.

Celeste Howden – Secretary

Group info

Originally from Melbourne I lived about 30 years in Sydney.

My first career was as a musician then I became involved in women’s services in the 1980s.

We set up the first single women’s refuge in Sydney and a supported housing program.

I’ve managed small not for profits and run my own consultancy business in vocational education and training.

I’m semi-retired but still ‘technical writing’ in the national training system.

Based in Nambucca Heads since 2016, I am keen to help build RCH to support visibility, connection and inclusivity for LGBTQIA+SB community across the mid north coast.

Recently I’ve been a Committee member and Secretary for 2NVR community radio.

I love the mid north coast – sunshine, beaches, bird life, frogs in my pond and walking my 2 polar opposite (binary?) dogs.

Doug Bowen – Vice President

I have had a long career in supporting the rights and community perception of the LGBTQIA+ community starting way back during my university life (in WA) in the early 90’s, where I joined the university lobby group to lobby for the legal age of gay and lesbian sex be reduced from 21 years old to 16.

I have been involved in the community as a committee member of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras through 1990’s & 2000’s, Sydney gay games as a sporting participant and volunteer organiser and marching proudly in the Mardi Gras parade more time than I can count.

I have been involved for more than 15 years of executive leadership in education and workforce development prior to my role as Vice President of Rainbow Coffs Harbour.

As a Registered Training Organisation CEO and senior training executive, I’ve spent my career building compliant, high-performing organisations — from national workforce programs across mining, transport and logistics to CRICOS-registered international education operations — with a consistent focus on governance,
sustainability and genuinely lifting the people around me.

That same combination of steady leadership and community-mindedness is what I bring to the committee table at Rainbow Coffs Harbour.

I am a strong believer in the power of local organisations to create visible, welcoming spaces for the region’s LGBTQIA+ community, and I am proud to support events and partnerships that bring people together — including recently opening up his own
college’s facilities to host a Rainbow Coffs harbour community movie fundraiser.

Outside of governance meetings and compliance frameworks, my idea idea of a good weekend involves the car packed, a kayak strapped to the roof, and a road trip with my two main men – my husband Mal and my loyal side kick and best mate, Kookie, the toy poodle.

Belinda Dowling – Committee member

My name is Belinda.

I am still in the workforce but am seriously looking at retirement.

Have enjoyed being part of Rainbow Coffs Harbour since moving to the area nearly 3 years ago with my wife and pooch.

I have been on a few committees at different times but not as a founding committee member.

This is exciting times for Rainbow Coffs Harbour and it has such a wonderful foundation of inclusiveness which is something I really admire and keen to see continue.

I think it would be great to have stronger connections with the younger generations – it has been so heart warming to see them during our Pride Walk.

Did I mention I love fishing but am not very good at it – enjoy being part of Rainbo Fishos!!

Neeta Fardell – Committee Member

Hi there, I’ve been a Coffs Harbour local for around 35 years now.

The Rainbow Coffs Harbour (RCH) group was one of my earliest introductions to our local queer community around 15 years ago.

I love the way Robyn has grown and expanded the group over the years.

RCH has allowed me to feel connected to like-minded people, helped me make new friends and encouraged me to be more sociable than I otherwise might.  

I work with students so it’s wonderful to see more teenagers and young adults actively engaging with the group- especially for the annual Pride Walk.

And as an ‘older’ lesbian myself I love the broad range of ages within the group.

The regular lunches are a great opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

One day I’ll get along to some of the other activities!

I’m excited to join the committee and be part of the expansion of Robyn’s’ wonderful Rainbow group.

Monique Bookbach – Committee Member

My name is Monique

I am still in the workforce.

Have enjoyed being part of Rainbow Coffs Harbour since growing up in the area.

These are exciting times for Rainbow Coffs Harbour and it has such a wonderful foundation of inclusiveness which is something I really admire and keen to see continue.

I have created a Rainbow Coffs Crafty Queers as a subsidiary of Rainbow Coffs Harbour and we get together at random times and discuss our art and bring our art and crafts with us. It is a great little group and anyone is welcome to attend. Outside of that, I enjoyed Pickleball. I am looking forward to see where being a part of this group takes me.