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Byron Shire
March 27, 2024

Home on the Plantation

Latest News

Splendour 2024 cancelled

It's official, Splendour in the Grass 2024 has been cancelled.

Other News

Mullum pods

They look so uninviting and dismal. It would not cost a lot to change the name to ‘tiny homes’...

Protecting nature and naturism from prejudice in Byron Shire

A new regime of social repression is imposing itself over the Byron Shire. Supported by local conservatives, the NSW National Parks Wildlife Service is attacking diversity and a particular minority group in Byron Shire – naturists.

Mullum and Byron locals lock on at Ewingar State Forest

Byron Bay and Mullumbimby locals Emma Briggs and Bassi Brown locked onto machinery at Ewingar State Forest, in the Upper Clarence area, yesterday as they called for an end to native forest logging. 

State of confusion

If any of you watched Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, you would know that it was a...

Youth crime increase across Ballina, Tweed and Byron needs community engagement

Ballina has seen two meetings this month on the increase of youth crime and there has also been increasing reports of youth crime in some areas of the Tweed and Byron Shires. 

Queer family visibility

Did you know that, statistically, if you’ve met a redhead, you’ve also met a trans person? Over 800 trans and gender diverse people live in the Byron Shire, which includes at least 200 children. They’re often a bit hidden though, so come on down and celebrate with them this Trans Day of Visibility!


Blues Plantation, Hotel Brunswick, Sunday

Ladies and gentlemen, an exciting new blues band has emerged from the northern rivers area.

Comprising some of Australia’s most accomplished and seasoned musicians, the aptly named Blues Plantation play a variety of early American, British and Australian blues grooves with raw authenticity.

The group joins Canned Heat’s James T and Bourbon Street/Feramones front man, Colin Germano (aka Col Meredith), both on guitar, vocals and harmonica, with Radiators/Hi Home I’m Honey drummer and pianist Mick Buckley. Completing the lineup is Tokyo Joe legend and local solo artist Craig Scott (aka Toke) on bass.

Richly inspired by such blues greats as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Robert Johnson, Bo Diddley and the like, Blues Plantation also draw from the first-generation white blues of Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Rolling Stones, George Thorogood, Eric Clapton and, of course, Canned Heat.

James T is widely known for his 10-plus years in the legendary American blues band that played at the original Woodstock in 1969. His open-tuned guitar style, gritty blues vocals and wailing harmonica provided Canned Heat its trademark sound though the 80s and 90s.

Although Colin Germano is widely remembered as the dynamic rock vocalist and songwriter for 80s/90s rockers Bourbon Street, he is more recently known for his role as lead singer in the Byron-based supergroup, The Feramones. As a solo artist, he plays as Col Meredith, under which name an LP entitled Fine and 27 is to be released later this year.

On drums is Mick Buckley who, at the age of seven, was drawn to the Jerry-Lee Lewis style of piano playing. In the 80s he broke into the live circuit as the hard-rocking drummer for Australian stalwarts The Radiators. After touring the USA Mick returned home to Australia and called on some old mates from Noiseworks, The Radiators and Ted Mulry to form The Yeehaa Boys, playing honky-tonk piano. Now settled in the northern rivers area, Mick is back on the drums with Blues Plantation.

Craig Scott, better known as Toke, came across the pond from Rotorua, NZ in 1989 and quickly formed the Lennox-based rock band Tokyo Joe. The group went on to become a northern rivers favourite for many years, during which time he also played in popular 70s covers duo Two in a Groove with Col Germano. Since then, Toke has earned the reputation as a gifted songwriter, vocal harmony specialist and an outstanding bass player.

The common thread running through Blues Plantation is the broad appeal of their soulful, rhythmic sound. People of all ages dig the grooves and the band and audience often become one. Whatever direction the group takes on any given night, all roads lead to the dance floor.

See Blues Plantation at Hotel Brunswick on Sunday.


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We just love him!

If you’re over 50 you might not be a fan of Tom Jones, but you can bet your mum is. If you’re under 40 you might not even know who he is, but your grandmother probably wet her pants at the mere mention of his name.

Peter Garrett gives Bluesfest the nod

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Save Wallum finalist in NSW 2024 environment awards

The Save Wallum campaign has been named as a finalist in the Nature Conservation Council of NSW Environment Awards 2024. The award ceremony will be held in Sydney tonight, and Save Wallum spokesperson and ecologist James Barrie will be attending with Tegan Kitt, another founding member of the group.

New report highlights gaps in rural and remote health

The second annual Royal Flying Doctor Service ‘Best for the Bush, Rural and remote Health Base Line’ report has just been released. Presenting the latest data on the health of rural and remote Australians and evidence on service gaps, it identifies issues in urgent need of attention from service providers, funders, partners and policy makers.