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Byron Shire
June 21, 2026

Wilko keeps the lead after the great waves of J-Bay

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

Fisherman dies at Evans Head

NSW Police have reported that a fisherman has died after being swept off the rocks yesterday at Evans Head.

Seas the Day in Kingscliff this weekend

This weekend the fourth NRMA Insurance Seas The Day women’s surf festival is back at Kingscliff Beach with Surfing...

Appeal to locate wanted man Adam Richards

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a man wanted on outstanding warrants in the Casino area.

Northern Rivers clubs shine at Clubs & Community Awards

Club Lennox and Twin Towns were among Northern Rivers clubs recognised at the Clubs & Community Awards, held last Thursday in Sydney.

Community housing industry call for major expansion in upcoming NSW budget

The community housing industry are calling on the NSW government to use next week's State Budget to unlock a major expansion of community housing.

Long serving drudges

One category overlooked for an award at The Echo’s 40th birthday party was for the long-serving drudges. Jenny Dalimore, Steve...

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Matt Wilkinson on the wall at J-Bay. Photo WSL

The Corona J-Bay Open in South Africa was blessed with amazing waves and groundbreaking performances with Filipe Toledo taking the win and setting new standards of performance on the legendary walls of Jeffreys Bay.

Byron Bay’s Matt Wilkinson has retained the Jeep Leaders Yellow jersey with a quarterfinal finish that sees him keep his slender 250- point lead over his rivals.

As if the day hadn’t been crazy enough, the opening quarterfinal between Mick Fanning and Gabriel Medina had to be paused as a large Great White shark invited himself into the lineup.

When the surfers returned to the water, 1977 World Champion surfer Shaun Tomson predicted there would be four ten-point rides for the day.

He was right.

The day boasted some of the best waves ever seen in competition, and it also had a very good claim to be one of the standout days in professional surfing history.

Local groms

Our local junior and grommet surfers continue to shine with excellent performances and some great results at the NSW Junior Surfing Titles incorporating the NSW School Surfing Titles and the NSW Grommet Titles.

Nyxie Ryan won the U/16 Girls Allstars competition representing Byron Bay High School and also came fourth in the U/16 Girls NSW State Junior Surfing Titles then teamed up with Kobi Curtis to win the U/16 Girls NSW State High School Mark Richards Shield representing Byron Bay High School.

Touma Cameron and Duke Wrencher claimed third in the U/16 Boys Mark Richards Shield for Byron Bay High School.

The event was run in good waves at Bonny Hills and determined the qualifiers for the NSW Junior Team for the 2017 Surf Dive N Ski Australian Junior Titles.



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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'.