The Echo loves your letters and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, send us your epistles.
Since 2011, 15 years, Dawn and Robert Sword have been entrusted by the Wardell Knit n’ Knat Group with the privilege of distributing the beautiful handcrafted rugs, scarves, beanies and other knitted and crocheted items they have made to people in need throughout the Ballina Shire.
South Coast rockers, Pacific Avenue, have left an indelible mark on the music industry, their debut studio album Flowers secured a spot as a number one Australian album earning two ARIA nominations. Now, their recently released second studio album, Lovesick Sentimental, looks to be heading in the same direction.
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.
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.
Pushing out music that makes you feel like you’re the lead actor in your very own feature, Jez Mead’s Golden Mile create some instrumental magic at two upcoming local events. Jez spoke with The Echo.
When you’re writing a song, what do you look for?
At the moment I’m just writing instrumentals for The Golden Mile so it’s more about melody. I don’t really think about it much. If I remember it then it usually gets a look in; if it works with the band and works live it stays. I think melody and dynamics are the go.
What’s your genre? Do you think it even means anything any more? If you could make one up what would it be?
The Golden Mile is an instrumental band. I think that’s important if people are looking for that sort of music. When I did my solo thing I seemed to get put in the ‘roots’ category. It’s always going to be tough describing original music unless you’re playing straight-up trad jazz or blues etc. I have trouble with it myself, explaining what The Golden Mile sounds like. Maybe we need a ‘hard to describe’ genre.
What’s the story of Jez Mead?
I was born with just a head and learnt to play the guitar using my ears and lips. That was my story if I ever went on The Voice. But no, it’s white, middle-class, middle-aged musician. I don’t think we need to bore anyone with that story.
How much do landscape and the places where you live or are affected by come into your music?
I feel like years of driving round this country has had an influence on my playing. A lot of the songs have been conceived while driving. Being out in the middle of nowhere is my happy place, as is the meditative space I get into when playing an instrument. I think those two things have a bit of a relationship and have joined forces. Paris, Texas has long been my favourite soundtrack; it captures that sense of place, that wide-open, big-sky country that reflects the inner space.
I love driving with loud music on. Somehow it seems the best way to listen to music. On my own. Inside the album… If I were playing Golden Mile where should I be driving? Five hundred km north of Perth on the Great Northern Highway at dusk.
What are your five favourite tracks of all time?
Everything’s Fucked by the Dirty Three; Paris, Texas by Ry Cooder; Loco Girl by Chris Whitley; Pyramid Song by Radiohead; Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush.
What is the song that makes you dance?
Witness by Roots Manuva.
Makes you cry?
Svefn-g-englar by Sigor Ros. Especially with the video, if you want to cry feeling about ten different emotions all at once.
What is the weirdest thing that’s happened at a gig?
I did smash my guitar one night at The Rails in the last song of a Boneyard gig.
It took about 10 hits on the bricks to snap the neck off because it was quite a tough old 70s Japanese guitar. Even then it was still making a noise and the strings were still attached.
It flew off into the crowd and hit a lady in the shin. She was such a legend that she picked it up and started playing it. I had people coming up to me asking me if I was alright because they thought I had smashed it in anger, but I had actually done it because I was so happy we had done such a great gig and it just seemed like the right thing to do at the time.
What is in store for you musically next year?
We’re recording The Golden Mile in December then hopefully doing lots more festivals.
What should we expect for your upcoming gigs at MMF and Popcrimes?
A road trip for the ears and mind. Mullum Fest is always fun; it’s such a cool little festival. The Pop Crimes one is going to be great too; it’s such a classic town and pub, not many like that left around here, and it’s free entry too so there’re no excuses for not coming.
Mullum Music Festival, Saturday, at St Martin’s Hall at 7.45pm and Sunday at the Bowlo at 4.15pm.
Jez & The Golden Mile also feature at Popcrimes Festival at Billinudgel on Saturday 26th. Joined by Brisbane’s Sacred Shrines and Black Sun, The Delicates, Rhyece O’Neill Band, Donny Love and JIm & Bob plus rock’n’roll DJs Stevie STarz and Nick Taylor, this event starts at 2pm and runs through till 11pm and it’s FREE! Courtesy bus available!
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Tickets are selling fast! Come join a fun-filled night of community celebration – This Saturday (tomorrow) The Echo is set to mark its 40th year in style with a ’30s swing-era style party and community awards night featuring the dynamic sounds of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.
Lismore City Council has been recognised for outstanding achievement in environmental leadership, resilience and community infrastructure at the 2026 LG Professionals NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.
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For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.
