19.3 C
Byron Shire
June 8, 2026

Brunswick Valley rescue squad turns 40

Latest News

Man seriously assaulted in Byron Bay

NSW Police say detectives have commenced an investigation after a man was seriously assaulted in the local area overnight.

Other News

Evans Head STP: kicking the environmental can down the road

For decades the Evans Head Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) has been dumping effluent into Salty Lagoon in Broadwater National Park. Rich in nutrients and other contaminants, the lake succumbed to these pollutants with a massive fish and bird kill in 2005.

Interview with Pacific Avenue

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.

Bungawalbin Levee repair to improve flood resilience

A critical section of Bungawalbin Levee is proposed to be partially relocated to build its long-term resilience, benefitting the community, environment and agricultural industries in the Richmond Valley.

Murwillumbah biz networking breakfast cancelled

Join the Murwillumbah business community for their June Business Murwillumbah Networking Breakfast, to be held at at Crystal Creek Estate.

Remembering the Peacekeepers

Last Friday a small group gathered at the Cenotaph in Mullumbimby to commemorate International UN Peacekeeper Day.

Temporary home for Queer Family after heated debate

Byron Shire Council has voted to provide struggling local LGBTQIA+ support service Queer Family Inc with temporary access to a Council-owned property at peppercorn rent, following an impassioned plea from the organisation and a lengthy debate over governance and fairness.

Rescue crew: road captain Sue Biggar with Chris Foster, Penny Greenhalgh, Grant Simmons, Kane Ridley, Saxon Ryan and Phill Walsh. They are pictured beside the Squad’s newly commissioned quick-response 4wd, which will be soon stationed in Byron Bay.  Photo Jeff ‘In Need Of Rescue’ Dawson
Rescue crew: road captain Sue Biggar with Chris Foster, Penny Greenhalgh, Grant Simmons, Kane Ridley, Saxon Ryan and Phill Walsh. They are pictured beside the Squad’s newly commissioned quick-response 4wd, which will be soon stationed in Byron Bay.
Photo Jeff ‘In Need Of Rescue’ Dawson

The Brunswick Valley and District Volunteer Rescue Association celebrates 40 years of service this year.

It was formed in 1977 as a community- owned and supported road-rescue organisation, following a serious motor vehicle accident on the highway bridge over the Brunswick River. The squad has around 16 highly trained and accredited road-rescue volunteers, who train regularly to the standards required by the NSW State Rescue Board. These members come from all over Byron Shire.

Member Chris Foster told The Echo he has been involved for around 20 years.

‘We are always looking for new members,’ he says, ‘and much of the equipment and vehicles we use has been modernised.’

The rescue squad receives no direct government aid and relies on the generosity of donations. The organisation says it is ‘extremely grateful to the Byron Shire Council, all the registered clubs, hotels, businesses and sporting bodies who support all the fundraising activities.’

Its HQ is on Byron Street in Brunswick Heads. For more info visit www.vrabrunz.org or call 6685 1999. 



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.

Tour de Cure pays tribute to Professor Richard Scolyer AO

Renowned Australian pathologist Richard Anthony Scolyer AO, died yesterday after living for three years with a grade 4 glioblastoma IDH wild-type brain tumour.

Evans Head STP: kicking the environmental can down the road

For decades the Evans Head Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) has been dumping effluent into Salty Lagoon in Broadwater National Park. Rich in nutrients and other contaminants, the lake succumbed to these pollutants with a massive fish and bird kill in 2005.

The Echo has way too much fun at 40th birthday bash

Without an inch or even a centimetre to spare, the Byron Bowling club was dressed up to the nines and packed with funsters on Saturday evening for The Echo's 40th Anniversary & Awards Celebration.

Appeal to locate teen missing near Lismore

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from The Channon, north of Lismore.