15.3 C
Byron Shire
June 18, 2026

Talking in Waves

Latest News

In loving memory of Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD (1929 – 2026)

Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD, one of Australia’s most visionary conservation leaders and a pioneering force in ecological restoration, passed away last Thursday at the age of 96. He spent his final months at Honey Bee Homes in Ewingsdale.

Other News

Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens – where health grows

The Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens is a calm, quiet, soothing place to stroll, relax, and recharge. Be still and some of the one hundred species of birds will shyly share their beautiful haven with you.

WAVE – I Have Friends Everywhere

The closing date for entries is in October, so this is a callout for all design artists, fashion innovators, culture initiators and wearable inventors.

Free bike track ‘waste of money’

Byron Shire business people who think that spending eye-watering amounts of taxpayers’ money ripping up a multi-billion-dollar train line...

Man charged with murder in Tweed

A man and woman have been charged over their alleged involvement in the death of a man in Tweed Heads this morning, say NSW Police.

Trumpism

Is it naïve to think of a promise in the political context as no more than intention to do...

Raising funds for BYS

Byron Youth Service (BYS) supports young people across the Byron Shire through a diverse range of creative, educational, and wellbeing initiatives, while continuing significant improvements to The YAC (Youth Activity Centre).

ByronBaySurfFestival

The Byron Bay Surf Festival has partnered with Patagonia again this year and has just announced its two flagship events they will be presenting to 2017’s surf-culture-loving crowds. These events have been packed out in previous years so get in quickly to secure a ticket via the Byron Bay Community Centre booking page.

Meet and hear personal anecdotes from surfing champions, environmental activists and industry pioneers and engage with a passionate community by being a part of thought-provoking discussions.

The first is ‘Reimagining the Surf Industry’. To many, the simple act of going surfing and the multi-billion-dollar surf industry that has sprung up around it are fundamentally at odds. With the surf industry in a time of change, a panel of surfers and entrepreneurs will discuss how the industry can better reflect what surfing is all about. The second panel is titled ‘Grassroots Activists’ and  is an afternoon spent with some of Australia’s leading global and grassroots activists, who will discuss what being an activist today means, and the skills and tools needed to run successful campaigns both big and small. All attendees will receive the Tools for Grassroots Activists book in which Patagonia has distilled the best wisdom and advice for any organisation or individual looking to run a campaign.

It’s the ethical drive of Patagonia that delighted Byron Bay Surf Festival when they became event partners. ‘These guys take initiative in their workplace to make changes in the real world by donating their time, energy and one per cent of sales annually to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. Since 1985, the ‘Double Down’ campaign has totalled $78 million in cash and kind to small, grassroots environmental groups all over the world.
Isn’t that amazing?!

Their ‘Worn Wear’ campaign raises awareness about the life cycle of clothing items, how they push for humane working conditions through the supply chain, or how they give their employees the chance to do activism work all around the world.’

For more info go to www.byronbaysurffestival.com.au.



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.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments 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, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Caring for community

The Rotary Club of Mullumbimby presented a cheque for $10,000 to the Brunswick Surf Life Saving Club (BSLSC) in support of its ongoing operations.

Lismore shops enchanted for Lantern Parade

Winners of Lismore’s Enchanted Windows comp have been announced, with The Two Ravens taking top spot. The comp is part of the city's Lantern Parade, to be held this Saturday, 20 June.

AI: Artificial Intelligence, or Artificial Inflation?

It feels as if AI is everywhere – whether it’s those intrusive bots on every website or every headline about how it’s either going to be a boon for humanity, or end us.

Flood gauges installed in Ballina and Wardell 

Residents in Ballina and Wardell will have more more localised flood warnings, giving them time to prepare before floodwaters arrives, thanks to new flood forecast services along the Richmond River.