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Byron Shire
July 12, 2026

The class of ’79 (and ’81) ready to reunite

Latest News

Deadly weaving at Lismore gallery

Eighteen months ago, a group of First Nations artists from the Northern Rivers came together at the Lismore Regional Gallery as part of the Gathering Space project.

Other News

Music comes to Mullum this weekend!

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Manna Haven Cafe – loving Byron for 20 years

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Deadly weaving at Lismore gallery

Eighteen months ago, a group of First Nations artists from the Northern Rivers came together at the Lismore Regional Gallery as part of the Gathering Space project.

1,000 voices raised to end rough sleeping by 2034

Ending rough sleeping is no small challenge for Byron Shire and the Northern Rivers but that is the aim of the Ending Rough Sleeping Collaboration and the release of the 1,000 Voices Byron Shire report just released.

Where do I start. Where does it end?

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Mammalian meat allergy and my heart valve replacement

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Does my adulthood look big in this? Some of the inaugural intake from Kadina High try out 2016 jumpers in the name of reuniting for a bit of fun – ready to party like it's 1981 are Sue Palmer, Debbie Elliott, Scott Whitby, Sherrie Viney, and Louise Somerville. Photo Tree Faerie.
Does my adulthood look big in this? Some of the inaugural intake from Kadina High try out 2016 jumpers in the name of reuniting for a bit of fun – ready to party like it’s 1981 are Sue Palmer, Debbie Elliott, Scott Whitby, Sherrie Viney, and Louise Somerville. Photo Tree Faerie.

Thirty-nine years ago Kadina High School in Goonellabah opened it’s doors to a year 8 cohort, a group of teens who were always the “big kids” as the school grew when each new year 7 class enrolled behind them.

It was always going to be big when those students hit leaving in 1979 and did their HSC in 1981. Not a group for going quietly, the kids managed all the mayhem they could including storming the 2LM radio station control room and holding Nora Vidler hostage live on air for their muck up day.

Ready to relive those halcyon days and have a much needed catch up of toilet block gossip, this tightly-knit group will reunite in October and have a look at what the last 35 years has done to everyone.

Ex-students Scott, Barry and Dan will play in their band The Tesla Coil and plans are busily being made with much secret note passing and pencil case pinching…

If you were one of that first group at Kadina who did year 10 in ’79 or the HSC in 1981, please email with the word REUNION in the subject line: Ruth McMullan (nee Swalwell) – [email protected]; Louise Somerville (nee Goldsmith) – [email protected]; Richard Howard (always Howard) – [email protected]; or Karen McCosker (nee Silcock) – [email protected] for more info.

Spread the word so no one misses out on this very special gathering.



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Plastic not so fantastic

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Ballina courthouse windows smashed, man charged

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Alleged native tree removal continues in Lennox, says councillor

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Ocean Shores man charged with advocating terrorism online

Police say a 20-year-old Ocean Shores man is behind bars (refused bail) and will face court in Tweed Heads Local Court on 18 September, charged with advocating terrorism.