Coffs Harbour girls Bella Farrah and Sal Bree reunited with parents

Two teenagers grew up not knowing about one of their parents, until recently meeting them through a chance encounter and a reach out on Facebook. See the touching stories.

Living through their entire youths - schooling, maturing and growing as women, two Coffs Harbour teenagers remarkably reunited with their parents after 18 years of wonder.

Bella Farrah, 19, from Coffs Harbour grew up in Coffs Harbour with her father, having never known or met her mother.

Little did she know, her mother was living just down the road - in the same city as her - her entire life.

Sal Bree, 18, grew up with her mother and step-father until reaching out through a Facebook group.

Farrah’s story began last year, when she spotted a lady working at the Coffs Harbour Plaza that looked “familiar”.

“I walked past her everyday for a month until I finally built up the confidence to ask her,” Ms Farrah said.

Her instincts were rewarded – the lady turned out to be her aunty, allowing Bella to connect with her mother.

Bella Farrah, 19, from Coffs Harbour reunited with her mother after recognising a lady who turned out to be her aunty at Coffs Harbour Plaza. Picture: Matt Gazy

Ms Farrah visited her mother - just one street down - where the two embraced.

She said it felt “awkward” - a description not many would associate with a motherly hug.

“We were really overwhelmed but it was special,” she said.
Hearing her mother’s voice for the first time last year, she learned of her roots and was told of how she loved fairies as a baby.

For personal reasons, the two still maintain a degree of separation, however Ms Farrah has visited her several times since and feels as if a part of her life has been solved.

“I spent my whole life wondering and it feels so much better now that I know,” she said.

Recently, Police announced their plan to resume the familial DNA program and Ms Farrah said she would have “definitely” used it had she known about the program.

Sal Bree, 18, used the Facebook group “Toormina neighbourhood watch” to track down her long-lost dad.

Her father, Alan Tyrell, 69, had also lived his life unaware he had a loving young daughter who was thriving with two jobs.

Ms Bree had drafted a message in her phone for months, until one day she wondered “what’s the worst that could happen?”.

With just her father’s name and the “talented musician” description, she asked the community and received an “amazing” reception.

“Everyone was so sweet and genuine,” Ms Bree said.

Mr Tyrell received over five calls that day informing him a young lady was claiming to be his daughter.

Ms Bree found out her father had been visiting Coffs Harbour yearly to play shows at pubs as a fill-in for bands.

“It‘s really crazy and surreal to think about,” Ms Bree said.

The two organised to meet at a pub and Mr Tyrell brought her a succulent as a gift.

“He didn’t know but succulents are my favourite things,” she said.

Mr Tyrell informed her he was Indigenous and Ms Bree’s grandmother is a respected elder.

“I’ve only grown up knowing one part of who I am but I grew up with many Indigenous friends so it was an amazing coincidence,” Ms Bree said.

Her father sang songs to her and the pair shared laughs - forging new memories together.

Having stayed in touch since, Ms Bree said “it feels great to know I can call him,” and Mr Tyrell told her he was “so happy to know her”.

Ms Bree also connected with sisters she didn’t know she had in Queensland.