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Byron Shire
June 17, 2026

A Day of Artful Actions

Latest News

Vale William ‘Bill’ Ewen

The funeral service for Marine Rescue Ballina volunteer William ‘Bill’ Ewen was held on Monday at Ballina RSL Club.

Other News

Questions remain over future of Bangalow Bowlo

The Save Bangalow Bowlo Steering Committee (SBBSC) are seeking clarification on a number of issues in relation to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formed the basis of the amalgamation between the Bangalow Bowlo and Norths Collective.

Investigation launched into assaults, torture of flotilla humanitarians

The Australian Labor government has committed to undertaking an independent investigation into the assaults, sexual assaults and torture of humanitarians aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, according to a flotilla media spokesperson.

Israel’s assault on Global Sumud Flotilla – a first-hand account

It hit me like a lightning strike. It was the latex gloves that did it. Those pale blue five fingered clinical sheaths made me want to vomit. Last Tuesday, having just been repatriated from my time on the Global Sumud Flotilla, I was at Tweed Valley Hospital getting a forensic medical examination for my sexual assault at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces.

Call to end damaging native logging agreements

North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) is calling on the NSW state government to reassess the Wood Supply Agreements (WSA) that facilitate native forest in NSW’s state forests.

Vale William ‘Bill’ Ewen

The funeral service for Marine Rescue Ballina volunteer William ‘Bill’ Ewen was held on Monday at Ballina RSL Club.

Echo Love Awards

Last Saturday night, Yuti and I had the privilege of attending the 40th anniversary celebration of The Echo. The trip...

The panel Rhoda Roberts, S Sorrensen, Leonie Lane, Brett Adlington and Paul Joseph. Photo Eve Jeffery.
The Art Over Apathy: Art and a Better World discussion panel Rhoda Roberts, S Sorrensen, Leonie Lane, Brett Adlington and Paul Joseph. Photo Eve Jeffery.

The region’s rich history of activism was celebrated and explored at the Lismore City Hall on Saturday with an Afternoon of Artful Action.

Following on from the enormous community response to the threat of CSG mining at Bentley, guests and performers turned out to explore the role that art, music and performance have in modern day politics.

They also asked: Do art and activism have a unique relationship in the Northern Rivers?

Matthew Sutherland reads from S Sorrensen's 'Dragon Dreaming'. Photo Eve Jeffery.
Matthew Sutherland reads from S Sorrensen’s ‘Dragon Dreaming’. Photo Eve Jeffery.

The Afternoon of Artful Action featured live music from the Con’s Youth Jazz Orchestra; a lively panel with Brett Adlington, Leonie Lane, Rhoda Roberts, S Sorrensen and Paul Joseph discussing the relationship of art and activism as well as short story readings from a new NORPA Generator work in development called Dreamer; and a collection of artworks curated by Lismore Regional Gallery as an extension of their current Protest Songs – Artful Actions exhibition.

Rhoda Roberts reads Melissa Lucashenko's 'Crabbes Creek'. Photo Eve Jeffery.
Rhoda Roberts reads Melissa Lucashenko’s ‘Crabbes Creek’. Photo Eve Jeffery.

The Afternoon of Artful Actions, also heralded the launch of local arts alliance Creative Lismore whose role is to support and strengthen the arts and cultural sector in Lismore and Nimbin.

An Afternoon of Artful Actions is an extension of Lismore Regional Gallery’s Protest Songs exhibition’, says Julian Louis, NORPA’s Artistic Director. ‘It’s a collaborative effort by three creative organisations to put the theme in action.’

The Echo crew Mandy Nolan and S Sorrensen. Photo Eve Jeffery.
The Echo crew: Mandy Nolan and S Sorrensen at the Afternoon of Artful Action. Photo Eve Jeffery.

 

 

 



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Empowering women and girls

Applications are now open for Northern Rivers Community Foundation's (NRCF) 2026 Empowering Women & Girls Grant, offering local not-for-profit organisations the opportunity to secure funding for projects that empower women and girls across the Northern Rivers.

Big things are happening at The Paddock — and one of them has a flush

There are two milestones worth celebrating at The Paddock this season as they push ahead with their innovative project.

Byron Writers Festival reveals 30th anniversary program

As August draws near and authors gear up for a big weekend in Byron Bay, Byron Writers Festival has revealed its complete program for its 30th anniversary edition

Are retirement villages what Byron Bay needs?

Developer DD Resort Living is seeking community feedback until June 18 on its proposed retirement living development in Byron Bay.