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Byron Shire
June 3, 2026

Culture Wrap March 25

Latest News

TweedCAN makes it easy for locals to make a difference on climate change

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Rail Master’s Cottage

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Eclectic Selection for the week beginning 3 June 2026

Eclectic Selection: What’s on this week is a taste of some of the events that can be found in the Byron Shire and beyond this coming week.

National minimum wage increases to $26.44p/h

With the Fair Work Commission’s decision to increase the national minimum wage by 4.75%, Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is calling for further action to support people doing it tough, as well as the frontline community services helping them. “People are under severe pressure from interest rate rises, rent increases, higher fuel costs, and growing economic uncertainty due to the conflict in the Middle East,” said ACOSS Acting CEO Edwina MacDonald.

Sandhills Wetlands

I am fortunate to live near the new Sandhills Wetlands, and really appreciate going for walks in a protected...

Reconstruction Authority rolls out info sessions

The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) say they are rolling out a new series of targeted information and industry sessions to help flood-impacted residents in the Northern Rivers and Central West move from the planning phase into active construction and relocation.

Shop local and support your local businesses

Local Mullumbimby businesses say they have been facing a challenging time and are encouraging locals and visitors to shop local.

Showcase-image-easter-2015
Circus of the Roaring Twenties!

Circus Arts presents an evening of aerial gold as the advanced students, adults and coaches create a cabaret befitting the roaring 20s. Audiences are invited to feast their eyes on acts never before seen on the Circus Arts stage.

With international guest performers on the swinging pole and stylish silks, doubles trapeze, lyra, hoops and a flying trapeze finale complete this classy cabaret suitable for the whole family with the ever-effervescent Mae Wilde as the evening’s host.

Prizes for the best dressed, raffle, $5 trapeze swings. Doors open from 6pm. Friday 7pm.

Adults $5, kids $3, under 3 FREE. Tickets on the door.

Byron Entertainment Centre ­
17 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay Arts & Industry Park

Art out Loud

Loud in the Gallery is a dynamic exhibition celebrating National Youth Week, with final-year works showcased from secondary schools in the Ballina shire.

Students from Alstonville High, Ballina High, Southern Cross K–12 School, Xavier Catholic College and the Emmanuel Anglican College will experience their artwork being exhibited in a professional gallery while giving the community a valuable insight into the processes, skills and concepts the students explore in art making.

Loud in the Gallery is an annual exhibition, proudly presented by Northern Rivers Community Gallery and Ballina Shire Council as part of the National Youth Week celebrations in April 2015.

Loud in the Gallery will be open from Wednesday 1 April to Sunday 26 April 2015, with the launch event to be held in the Gallery from 5.30pm to 7pm on Thursday 2 April 2015.

LIQUID-GOLD---ASHLEY-LOPEZOne Night of Liquid Gold

Get your glitter on for a tasty, potent mix of live gypsy jazz music from Portland’s Underscore Orkestra and tribal fusion bellydancer Ashley Lopez from the USA, a regular guest with cutting-edge band Beats Antique, whose graceful flexibility and depth of artistry will blow open your mind.

The night also features a cast of shining stars from all over Australia, including local diva Carola Apsara, The Barefoot Gypsies and Silk Road Rebellion, who will take you on a beguiling journey with swords, silk fans, zills and exotic contemporary sounds. ­

A decadent night of alchemical sights and sounds not to be missed!

Saturday at the Brewery. Earlybird tix $22 +bf available at www.wildhoneyevents.com or $25 at the door.

Starlight Festival Connects the Ancient with the Modern

Twice a year the Bangalow A&I Hall plays host to the Starlight Festival – a festival of conscious living, awakening and connection to humanity’s true potential through workshops, talks and ceremonies with national and international presenters.

The Easter long weekend sees a diverse and eclectic mix of cross-cultural and traditional healers such as Kyle Lazich, a herbalist and chocolate wizard! His love and appreciation of divine vibrations and sacred music has been a foundation from which the Sound Journeys have grown.

He will be facilitating the Aum Healing Circle, a powerful group meditation and Cacao Sound Ceremony with raw cacao and singing bowls at the Starlight Festival. There is Sunder Devi, a spiritual motivator who works around USA, Holland, India and Australia. She will be offering a Despacho ceremony in which she calls forth the ancient Incan goddess Pachamama and offers re-alignment and healing with Mother Nature.

Sean Sullivan is a musician, composer, healer and qualified educator. Sean was drawn to the sacred shamanic self-healing journey – the Medicine Wheel – and is recognised as a gifted healer and educator, blending the wisdom teachings of the Inca shamanic tradition with those of traditional Chinese philosophy and the energies of Indigenous Australia.

Steven Strong brings together ancient sites, archaeology, artefacts, and wisdom from the elders; the Strongs present ample evidence of an ancient technology used in Australia that is still beyond present-day capacities, and a depth and intimacy with esoteric wisdom that shames us today.

And Deva Nandan shares her 20 years of 5Rhythms dance experience and uses dance to uplift, empower and to bring us back to a grounded connected self. Her dance work, Dance to Connect, is devoted to explorations of self in relation to others and nature. With a more gentle and meditative use of the 5Rhythms dance, she has been giving more importance to the rhythm of flowing and stillness.

From Friday to Monday, every day at the A&I Hall for just $20.

Here comes the bride!

Are you about to get married and haven’t got the faintest about what is on offer in the region? Come to the 14th annual Ballina Bridal Expo for fashion parades, demonstrations and a diverse range of stalls. With more than 80 exhibitors and more than $5,000 worth of lucky door prizes. Mandy Nolan joins in on the fun as a guest MC and hair model! A wonderful day of dress-ups at the Ballina RSL on Sunday, 9.30am–3pm. Just $5 and lots of activities for kids!

virgin-sacComedy Virgins in Mullum!

The latest crop of new standup comedians are ready. This time it’s a smaller yield, with only six people stepping up on the night, but Mandy Nolan believes they are six pretty amazing new comics.

‘These guys have really raised the bar with their routines,’ says Nolan, who has been teaching standup comedy with Byron Shire Adult Education for 18 years.

‘We have had a hoot each week, which to me is always a sign about what is in store on the night!’ The comedy hopefuls get to graduate from their six-week standup comedy course by sharing their five-minute routines of comedy genius at the

Mullumbimby Ex-Services on Sunday night from 7pm. Tix are $10 at the door!

Jenny-Wynter-Headshot1Big Girls’ Gig

It was International Women’s Day on 8 March so it seems only fitting that some of the mouthiest mamas should take to the stage for the March edition of Ballina’s long-running comedy sensation The Big Gig.

Jenny Wynter is a force of nature. Comedian, MC and cabaret performer, this energetic mother of three is known for her spontaneous and often very interactive style of comedy.

Jenny doesn’t like to pick on her audience; when she chats it’s about making them feel like a star – with this very clever musical improviser making up comedy songs on the spot based on their input. From a love song to a tribute to their occupation, no two shows are ever the same, leaving the audience united and excited by their one-off special performance.

Jenny honed her skills in the US, where she toured her standup, and throughout Canada, and was invited to be a MainStage cast member with the world-renowned improv company Loose Moose Theatre.

In 2011 she was supported by the Ian Potter Cultural Trust to train in solo and musical improv in LA with renowned experts Gary Austin and Michael Pollock.

Jenny’s award-winning solo varied show was directed by Austin, who is an LA comedy legend known for launching comedy greats such as Will Ferrell and Lisa Kudrow.

Jenny is joined by support act Ellen Briggs. This mother of twins has made a name for herself on the comedy circuit as the woman Trevor Hendy refers to as ‘the funniest comedian I have ever seen’. A natural, born storyteller Ellen has the knack of weaving a twisted tale, always delivered with a surprising sting in its tail!

The biggest blond breeder of them all, Mandy Nolan, heads up as the regular MC.

Big Gig – with 10 kids between them, a vat of peroxide and a few ex-husbands, these girls know how to rock your boat!

Thursday, 8pm, Ballina RSL. Free.

 

SNIPPETS

Book fair

Thousands of fiction and non-fiction books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and games at Friends of the Library’s Book Fair, Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club, Saturday 11 April 9am–5pm and Sunday 12 April 10am–1pm.

Flag Painting

Flag Painting Workshop 10 April, Mullumbimby Community Gardens. To book: 0428 222 525.

Archibald Prize

As a satellite venue to Lismore Regional Gallery, the selected Archibald Prize artworks for Lone Goat Gallery include winner of the People’s Choice Award, Vincent Fantauzzo. Runs until Sunday 12 April. Gallery open every day 10am–4pm.

Bay Singers

The Bay Singers (BB Community Choir) meets Mondays 10.30–11.30 at the Community Centre each week. More info: [email protected].

 

 

 



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Ballina Council wrap

With local government meeting practice across the state returning to confusion following the NSW Legislative Council's recent decision, Ballina Shire Council's last meeting included a lot of unanimous decisions and an argument about the remnants of the Big Scrub, in which Mayor Cadwallader used her casting vote to squash Cr Simon Chate's motion.

Conversations in the Pub starts with Janelle Saffin

Conversations in the Pub – Lismore’s new civic meet-up – kicks off on Friday 19 June with its inaugural special guest, the NSW Minister for Small Business, Minister for Recovery, Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin MP.

Bungawalbin Levee repair to improve flood resilience

A critical section of Bungawalbin Levee is proposed to be partially relocated to build its long-term resilience, benefitting the community, environment and agricultural industries in the Richmond Valley.

Aussie MPs celebrate World Bicycle Day

The leaders of the Parliamentary Friends of Cycling have joined in front of Parliament House in Canberra to celebrate the United Nations’ World Bicycle Day.