New Coffs Harbour sheriffs Jason Clarke and Jane Donovan

The life of a sheriff at Coffs Harbour is as varied as it is challenging. Two new recruits take you behind the scenes.

Two new sheriffs are in town at Coffs Harbour, having left their careers in the education and emergency response sectors.

Jane Donovan and Jason Clarke said experience from their previous jobs provided an easy transition into the sensitive and often stressful nature of sheriff duty.

Ms Donovan, 49, from Valla, left her life as a teacher behind to become a sheriff.

Seeking a fresh change, she said it hasn’t been a jarring departure from working with high-needs kids.

“People often come in to court scared, angry or sad,” Ms Donovan said.

She said her time working in a highly stressful teaching environment allowed her to do her job with more understanding and perspective.

Sheriff Jason Clarke, Inspector Andrew Jones and Sheriff Jane Donovan at Coffs Harbour courthouse. Picture: Matt Gazy

“If I can bring compassion and understanding to the job then that’s a bonus,” she said.

With strong ties to the Indigenous community, Ms Donovan hopes to act as a familiar, friendly face for First Nations People who interact with the courthouse.

“It’s good for Indigenous people to feel that level of trust,” she said.

The in-the-field security training was something Ms Donovan took in her stride having trained in karate, but she was challenged by the need to understand a raft of laws by which sheriffs must abide.

“We have to follow very strict laws that are separate from general court laws. You have to understand what rights you have when you go to someone’s house, for example,” she said.

Ms Donovan said the role of sheriff offers daily variety and travel across the region.

“I’m loving it, it’s different every day,” she said.

Jason Clarke, Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh, Andrew Jones and Jane Donovan at the announcement today (August 30) in Coffs Harbour. Picture: Matt Gazy

Also new to the ranks is Jason Clarke, 48, who recently moved to Coffs Harbour from Lismore where he worked with Fire and Rescue NSW.

In search of a lifestyle change, Mr Clarke said being a sheriff in a regional town provided plenty of scope for variety, with everything from court duties to serving writs.

He said his time working as a firefighter trained him to “stay at a level playing field” when meeting people coming to the courthouse.

“We realise that it usually isn’t the best day for people when they have to come to court,” he said.

Dealing with safety and lives on the front line, Mr Clarke believed his time with Fire and Rescue would hold him in good stead.

“People come in (to court) nervous or really upset – unsure of the process, and we want to provide an easy and simple process for them,” Mr Clarke said.

Inspector Andrew Jones, who heads court security, said staffing shortages were an issue, with only 10 sheriffs available to cover Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Maclean and Macksville.