15.4 C
Byron Shire
June 22, 2026

Beer at the heart of retirement village

Latest News

The NT intervention laws that shape lives

This Sunday marks 19 years since the then Howard Government announced the Northern Territory Intervention laws – ‘The Intervention’ began with a media release by Mal Brough, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, on June 21, 2007.

Other News

Early childhood educators to receive 15pc pay rise

The federal Labor government says it is investing a further $3.6 billion over the next two years to lock in the historic 15 cent pay rise for early childhood educators.

Douglas Dickie retires after 51 years as firefighter

As the bagpipes let out their mournful melody approaching Wandana Brewing, Douglas Dickie was celebrated for his 51 years of service in fire brigades from Scotland to Australia.

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.

Will council support community participation in MHS development?

This Thursday (today), Byron Shire Council (BSC) will be discussing the establishment of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Byron Shire Council and Homes NSW (HNSW) as well as the potential for a Community Assessment Panel for the old Mullumbimby Hospital site.

Byron Writers Festival reveals 30th anniversary program

As August draws near and authors gear up for a big weekend in Byron Bay, Byron Writers Festival has revealed its complete program for its 30th anniversary edition

Trumpism

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

When Byron’s Stone & Wood crew heard that residents from Uniting Caroona, an aged-care home in Yamba, had started their very own home-brew club, they jumped at the opportunity to invite a few of those passionate souls to visit their brewery in Byron.

Jasmin Daly from Stone & Wood told The Echo that The Caroona brew club was founded by a few of the residents who had previously enjoyed home brewing before moving into care, had worked as publicans in their younger years, or who had thoroughly adored the fifty-plus years of beer drinking they could account for.

‘Late last year the club cracked the lids off their very first Pale Ale and have brewed two more of the Residents Homebrew since,’ she said, ‘with members assuring us of its quality and taste! However, the success of the club is not solely attributed to the brews it produces, but its ability to bring residents closer together, engage them in a tasty project and inspire their creativity!

‘We were lucky enough to enjoy a barbecue lunch and exchange brewing stories with a few of the residents, together appreciating the simple things that sharing a beer can bring.’

Caroona_4

Stone & Wood fundraising success

Stone & Wood have also been active in fundraising recently. They raised more than $25,000 from their Open Day for Wedgetail Retreat and Tweed Palliative Support.

Managing director Ben Summons from Stone & Wood said, ‘I am really proud that from generous donations made at the gate by the community and at the stall managed by Wedgetail Retreat and Tweed Palliative Care, along with the beer sold throughout the day, we collectively raised $25,375 for this incredible community organisation.’



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.

Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.

Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.