A STACK of famous faces from the sport and entertainment world is preparing to gather in Coffs Harbour for a very special conference.

Opal Cove will be in the thick of the action on October 16-18 for the Real People Real Choices Real Solutions Conference, brainchild of Mid North Coast Community Care Options.

The conference will explore themes of choice, cooperation, collaboration and co-production to promote the importance of community care in maintaining people's quality of life and enabling independence.

Master of Ceremonies for the three-day gathering is comedian Paul McDermott of Good News Week fame.

Actress and author Noeline Brown will address delegates on day one as an official Ambassador for Ageing joining with experts on aged care reform and the new Disability Care Australia program.

The following days include sessions from Peter Kenyon, Paul Higgins, Danielle Buckley and Toby O'Conner from St Laurence Community Services.

The wrap-up includes the inspirational story of Port Macquarie Rugby Paralympian Ryley Batt and a session with the founder of Clown Doctors in Australia, Jean Paul Bell.

Award-winning journalist Ray Martin will be the special guest at a gala dinner.

Acting general manager of Mid North Coast Community Care Options, Liz Anscombe, said 2013 is an incredibly exciting time for care provides across all sectors.

"It's a time of change but also an opportunity to better support people within the community to achieve independence and quality of life," she said.

"The calibre of presenters is a real achievement for a regional area."

NSW Minister for Disability Services, John Ajaka, will address delegates and be joined by Coffs Coast resident and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health, Melinda Pavey MLC.

"NSW was proud to be the first state to sign up to a fully-funded NDIS with the Commonwealth," Minister Ajaka said.

"Together we are committed to ensure people with disability get the individualised care and support they need to live the lives they want."