Coffs Harbour news photographer Frank Redward mourned after tragic death

The Coffs Harbour community has been shocked by the sudden death of Frank Redward, who captured the life and times of the city through the lens of his camera.

Frank Redward adored his grandchildren. He is seen here with granddaughter Evangeline. Picture: Supplied

In his longtime adopted home of Coffs Harbour, grandfather and freelance photographer Frank Redward was seemingly larger than life.

If something big was going down, Mr Redward had the knack of knowing what it was and the will to be there.

Over the years, he took images and videos of natural disasters like floods and fires, the tragedy of car crashes and crime, and the joyousness of weddings and community celebrations.

Frank and Kaylene Redward. Picture: Supplied

Despite the often confronting nature of capturing the news, Mr Redward never lost his sense of compassion for others, nor his quirky sense of humour.

It was no surprise then that his sudden death at age 64 after an out-of-the-blue aortic aneurysm saw the phone lines run hot.

“Mel Pavey (the former Oxley MP), firefighters, police and ambos all called,” Mr Redward’s daughter Mel Baker said.

“I was just so amazed at how many lives he had touched.”

Frank Redward had a nose for news, and took his job of serving the community of Coffs Harbour seriously. Picture: Supplied

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Mr Redward moved to Australia at age 10.

“His dad was running from the law and moved him over to Australia – but that’s another story,” Ms Baker said.

Always on the spot, Frank Redward captured this moment when a B-double truck came to grief in the main street of Sawtell late at night.

Mr Redward’s first job was as an inter-office courier in Sydney, and in 1983 he married Kaylene.

Together they lived in Wellington, NSW and Mr Redward managed the Fletchers Fotographics Dubbo store.

Kaylene and Frank Redward at their photography store at Coffs Harbour. Picture: Supplied

In 1995, the Redwards moved to Coffs Harbour and bought a Fletchers franchise in what was then the Palm Centre.

“In that first year they had the ’96 floods which completely flooded out the store,” Ms Baker said.

Was there anyone he didn’t know in Coffs Harbour? Frank Redward poses with famous local and superstar actor Russell Crowe. Picture: Supplied

They ran the business for six years, after which Mr Redward turned his hand to freelance photography, providing news shots to the Coffs Coast Advocate and other media organisations.

“Dad just loved the community and he knew everyone and everyone knew him, including Russell Crowe,” Ms Baker said.

Another cracking news photograph taken by Frank Redward, this one of a massive fire at a car wrecking yard near Grafton in 2022.

Throughout, photography remained a passion.

“As kids as soon as we heard our name called we knew to turn around and smile for a photo,” Ms Baker said.

Frank Redward was a consummate media professional. Picture: Supplied

Mr Redward’s humour and more recently love of wacky memes was infamous.

“He was the king of the dad jokes – we’d hear at least a couple a day,” Ms Baker said.

Another memorable shot captured by Frank Redward – this one showing former NRL great Sam Burgess (right) who coached the Orara Valley Axemen to a Group 2 grand final.

“He had a very quirky sense of humour – he was a bit left of centre like all of us.”

Just weeks before his death, Mr Redward moved to Ipswich near Brisbane to be near his grandchildren.

Thanks for the memories, Frank. Dearly missed. Picture: Supplied

“He lived for his grandbabies,” Ms Baker said.

Mr Redward dabbled in photography since age 15, and after getting serious about the art focused on photos he could sell.

Some 200 people followed the funeral service while there were 400 live-streaming on Zoom.

“Zoom actually maxed out,” Ms Baker said.

“He was just such a lively person and he’ll be so missed.”

Mr Redward is survived by wife Kaylene, children Luke, Elliot, Melinda and Nathan, daughter-in-law Simone, and grandchildren Jake, Jacinta and Evangeline.