13.2 C
Byron Shire
June 23, 2026

Northern Rivers schools help break Guinness record

Latest News

Handcrafted delicious French pastries at Mullum Farmers Markets

Allie Godfrey A taste of France has arrived at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market, with local pastry chef Dan introducing his...

Other News

Mullum Hospital site

I would like to acknowledge the letter printed in The Echo dated 3 June from Gary Opit and Carmel...

Wyuna 1 freed from Belongil Beach

There's been a happy ending to the saga of Jeff Sutton's yacht Wyuna 1, which has been beached near Elements at North Belongil since early May, after being damaged in heavy weather.

Pool tenders

A final word on the Mullum and Byron pool tenders. The five councillors who voted for Belgravia obviously care deeply...

Flood gauges installed in Ballina and Wardell 

Residents in Ballina and Wardell will have more more localised flood warnings, giving them time to prepare before floodwaters arrives, thanks to new flood forecast services along the Richmond River.

Highwayman’s Winter Whisky Feast

Highwayman’s Dan Woolley has been working with whisky for over 20 years, and started to fill his own barrels...

Tweed keeps rate increase below rate of inflation

Tweed Shire Council says it has adopted one of the lowest rate increases in the cross-border region for 2026/27, with the average household bill rising around 3.6 per cent once all charges are counted. This is below the current annual rate of inflation of 4.2 per cent.

 The biggest-ever Schools Spectacular cast erupted into cheers and applause as Guinness Records representative Solvej Malouf (right) told Schools Spectacular compere, John Foreman that the record had been attained by the cast. Photo Supplied.
The biggest-ever Schools Spectacular cast erupted into cheers and applause as Guinness Records representative Solvej Malouf (right) told Schools Spectacular compere, John Foreman that the record had been attained by the cast. Photo Supplied.

A whopping 5,500 New South Wales school students today took part in a historic moment when they set a Guinness World Records title last Friday, November 25, in Sydney.

The student group, who were performing in the Department of Education’s 33rd annual Schools Spectacular, has been certified by the global authority on record breaking as achieving the title for the Largest Amateur Variety Act.   

The Schools Spectacular showcases the talent in NSW public schools and features a variety of acts including a choir, symphony orchestra, stage band and solo performers.

Sydney's Schools Spectacular 2016. Photo Supplied.
Sydney’s Schools Spectacular 2016. Photo Supplied.

A large contingent of Northern Rivers schools were represented at the event, including students from Alstonville Public School, Byron Bay High School, Casino Public School, Kingscliff High School, Kingscliff Public School, Maclean High School, Murwillumbah High School, South Grafton High School, Terranora Public School, Tweed Heads Public School, Tweed River High School and Wyrallah Road Public School.

The 2016 event, which was held at the Oudos Bank Arena at Sydney’s Olympic Park, had the largest troupe yet with 5,500 students performing, and to mark the occasion, the Department of Education arranged the Official Guinness World Records attempt.

Guinness World Records adjudicator, Solvej Malouf was on hand to verify the title.

‘It was a pleasure to award this Guinness World Records title to such a talented group of students,’ said Ms Malouf. ‘There was a great energy in the room throughout the entire event and everyone was so excited when the certificate was awarded.

‘Congratulations to the Department of Education and all involved in the Schools Spectacular.

The cast of the Schools Spectacular is comprised over 5000 of the state’s most talented singers, dancers and musicians. An extensive audition process is carried out across the state to bring together the 2700-voice choir, 2300 dancers, 80 piece orchestra, and talented soloists from ages 5 to 18 who will feature in this dazzling display of music, dance and pageantry.

Students from more than 500 public schools across NSW rehearse for months in preparation for four fantastic shows over two days and nights.

There show will be aired 7pm this Saturday night, December 3, on Prime7.



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Local farming legend retires after 23 years

Thursday, 25 June marks the end of an era for local farmer Kenrick Riley who is retiring from Byron Farmers Market after 23 years. Kenrick...

Highwayman’s Winter Whisky Feast

Highwayman’s Dan Woolley has been working with whisky for over 20 years, and started to fill his own barrels here in Byron Bay over...

Men’s XV: Byron Shire Rebels vs Lismore

The Rebels Men’s XV put in a dominant attacking display of rugby to see off Lismore 42-17, racking up six tries in a performance...

Byron’s Winter Whales raise $43,000

The Byron Bay Winter Whales (BBWW) took to the ocean for the 39th time this year on the first Sunday of May and raised $43,000 for local organisations and charities.