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Byron Shire
November 9, 2026

Flaming guitars not on band’s playlist

Latest News

Green Heroes among 2026 NSW Environment Award winners

The NSW Environment Awards, hosted by the state’s leading environmental advocacy organisation, Nature Conservation Council NSW, was recently held at Customs House in Sydney.

Other News

‘Dancing against violence’ in Lismore

A sold-out gala in Lismore has raised more than $200,000 for Women Up North (WUN) and its Bugalma Bihyn Aboriginal Women’s Refuge, which can accommodate up to five families.

Blacks Drain crossing fully reopens after $2.56 million rebuild

The Blacks Drain crossing on Tweed Valley Way at South Murwillumbah has fully reopened after a $2.56 million rebuild designed to reduce the risk of another washout.

Green Heroes among 2026 NSW Environment Award winners

The NSW Environment Awards, hosted by the state’s leading environmental advocacy organisation, Nature Conservation Council NSW, was recently held at Customs House in Sydney.

Bus politics: more public transport for Northern Rivers

The state government has announced more than 670 additional weekly bus services to run across Northern Rivers bus networks starting from 6 December, 2026.

I’m not a robot

In the microseconds it takes AI agents to tick the ‘I’m not a robot’ checkbox, do they have a...

Cinema: 500 Miles

Is it even possible to not love a film with Bill Nighy? Well, no! In this beautiful, sweeping and life-affirming adventure that celebrates the human spirit, 500 Miles follows a broken family that must come together when two young boys, Charlie and Finn, run away from home in England to reach their beloved but estranged grandfather (Nighy) on the west coast of Ireland.

Thousands of dollars of musical equipment went up in flames when this ute caught on fire last Sunday. Photo contributed
Thousands of dollars of musical equipment went up in flames when this ute caught on fire last Sunday. Photo contributed

While driving back from a gig in Stanthorpe last Sunday, and en route to their next gig in Billinudgel, Heartworn Highway band members Diego Zaragoza and Trent McNamara suddenly felt an intense heat on their backs. They turned around to see the tray of Trent’s ute engulfed in flames.

Quickly pulling off the highway, the boys jumped out of the ute, rang triple zero, and frantically began pulling flaming guitar cases from the tray. Within seconds the flames hit the fuel tank, and minutes later the ute was gone.

Local business owners Diego (Valiant Music, Brunswick Heads) and Trent (Little Pocket Vintage, Mullumbimby) were travelling with thousands of dollars worth of stock for their respective businesses, which the fire claimed, including extremely rare and treasured musical instruments and equipment.

A fundraiser gig will be held this Sunday September 25 at the Brunswick Picture House 1–4pm featuring a one-off reunion show by the Starboard Cannons as well as performances by Andrew Morris and Heartworn Highway. Tickets $20, available at the door or through Valiant Music, 33 Fingal Street, ­Brunswick Heads.



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Love books? Join Friends of the Library

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