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October 20, 2026

Fostering community through food security

Latest News

Cinema: NAZA

A must-see, award-winning documentary investigating AI warfare in Gaza. Fresh from winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, NAZA, the latest documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (No Other Land), examines artificial intelligence and surveillance in Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Other News

Dear Brunswick

After 11 wonderful years, the time has come for our family to say farewell as owners of the Brunswick...

Courtney Act puts Gerwyn Davies’ colourful world in the spotlight

Sequins, spandex and seaside souvenirs will be up for discussion when Courtney Act takes the interviewer’s chair in Murwillumbah next month.

Coorabell Hall Spring Fever

Spring Fever Fashion Parade celebrates a stream of flower-powered, funky, upcycled, reloved and new fashion for gals, guys and some kidswear along with jewellery, hats and reloved accessories twirling on the Coorabell Hall runway on Friday, 16 October at 7pm. Music from DJ MLC and co MC Dr Baz.

New koala strategy leaves local priorities to later implementation plan

Northern Rivers residents are being invited to help shape a new NSW koala conservation strategy, with specific local actions and investment priorities to be detailed in a separate implementation plan.

Reef-building corals face elevated risk of extinction

A new paper from Dr C. Isabel Núñez Lendo shows nearly half of reef-building corals face elevated relative risk of extinction.

Big meeting for Ballina Council this week

The agenda for Thursday's meeting includes six notices of motion from four councillors, with issues including missing persons, volunteer recognition, and arts funding.

President of Mullum SEED Joel Orchard. Photo Jeff ‘Be Folate’ Dawson.
President of Mullum SEED Joel Orchard. Photo Jeff ‘Be Folate’ Dawson.

Growing out of the award-winning Mullumbimby Community Gardens, the Mullum Sustainability Education and Enterprise Development (aka Mullum SEED) is encouraging members of the community, that’s right – you, to join up and get involved.

Mullum SEED is bringing together a wide range of community organisations that have core environmental and sustainability principles to share their expertise with  the broader community.

President Joel Orchard said Mullum SEED is creating partnerships with groups like COREM (Community Owned Renewable Energy Mullumbimby), while other groups like Future Feeders, Mullum Cares and Plastic Free Byron are under the same organisational umbrella.

‘That’s so they can assist with the provision of insurance, and allow financial donors to make tax-deductible donations through their Deductible Gift Recipient status.’

The gardens occupy five acres within walking distance of Mullum’s CBD, providing a children’s garden, allotments and dedicated ‘food for all’ gardens where you can volunteer and take produce home.

Men’s shed

‘Mullum’s men’s shed has just signed a lease for an area in the gardens and are applying to build a structure where they will build nest boxes, bee boxes and possibly even have a repair shop,’ said Joel with enthusiasm.

SEED are currently developing an aquaponics setup and have received $8,000 from the Santos staff charity fund to pay for the solar panels that will provide the energy to run the project.

Develop and learn skills

The Future Feeders project that Mullum SEED auspices provides an opportunity for young farmers to develop and learn skills.

‘It’s about growing food that will enhance the environment,’ says Joel.

To get involved, you can join up as a member, an individual, family or organisation.

If you join before August 31 then you also go into the draw for a $500 voucher from Santos Organics.

Even if you don’t get the grand prize you will get a ten per cent discount on gardening accessories at Mitre 10, discounts on courses and workshops with Byron Community College, membership of Mullum Gardens along with lots of other benefits.



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Interview with Genevieve Clay-Smith, director of Boss Cat showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival

When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure. Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.

Something for everyone at the Picture House

From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.

Thirty-six unmissable films

The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival features an unmissable line up 36 films, including five retrospectives which will screen from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Cinemas.

A timeless story of self-discovery

A husband with a promotion, two adorable children and a lovely new house. Nora thought she had it all. But did she? What was the discontent that was whispering to her in the shadows?