20.4 C
Byron Shire
July 12, 2026

Lismore’s provocative new Thursday Night Live!

Latest News

Deadly weaving at Lismore gallery

Eighteen months ago, a group of First Nations artists from the Northern Rivers came together at the Lismore Regional Gallery as part of the Gathering Space project.

Other News

Mammalian meat allergy and my heart valve replacement

Increasingly, people living in bush areas of the Shire are becoming aware of Mammalian Meat Allergy (MMA). Also known as alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), the disease is caused when a tick bites you and transfers a sugar called alpha-gal into your bloodstream.

NSW confirms first case of H5 avian influenza

A giant petrel found near Hawks Nest, north of Newcastle, was confirmed positive on the weekend for H5 high pathogenicity (H5 bird flu) avian influenza in laboratory tests by the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.

Backup plans

We carry a spare tyre in the car in case the unexpected and unpredictable happens. Byron Council needs to consider...

Protecting the marathon globetrotters, the terns

Sunlight sparkles on the sea, where lazy swells gather momentum to form perfect waves before playing out onto the deserted shore.

First Nations voices at the opening and heart of writers festival

Byron Writers Festival opens on Bundjalung Country on August 14 with a Calling to Country led by local Arakwal Bundjalung custodian, Delta Kay, and this year will feature the inaugural Rhoda Roberts Oration, honouring the late, beloved Rhoda Roberts AO.

It’s not just you, it’s Telstra

Across Australia, Telstra mobile and mobile data customers have been dealing with widespread outages this morning, from cities to the regions, including the Northern Rivers.

The first Thursday Night Live! provocation will be: Do we need art to create meaning in public space? Photo supplied.

What do you think? Do we need art to create meaning in public space? This is the first provocation of the Thursday Night Live! series that will be being run on the in a series of monthly talk programs that will  take place on the second Thursday of each month.

Thursday Night Live! is a new ongoing talks program that puts thought-provoking and big ideas in the spotlight. Presented by the Lismore Regional Gallery and Southern Cross University, it will be held at the gallery’s event space.

‘Delve into the latest, sometimes dangerous, ideas in art, culture, science, politics and the lives behind those driving the scene,’ quadrangle placemaking officer Marisa Snow said.

Commencing at 6pm next Thursday, 8 February, the first provocation panel will showcase public artist Craig Walsh and renowned curator and festival director Rhoda Roberts AO. The discussion will be facilitated by Southern Cross University’s vice chancellor, Professor Adam Shoemaker.

Marisa said the context for discussion will be ‘around the role of participatory art in the public realm to connect and create inclusiveness within a community.’

‘This is a thought-provoking and exciting program that will make you think, learn and sometimes squirm,’ continued Ms Snow.

‘Join us for a drink with friends, and immerse yourself in a world of new ideas. Every event will pose a provocation for speakers and audiences to respond to.’

Following the conversation will be an open Q&A session with audience members.

Thursday Night Live! events are free with doors opening at 5.30pm for a 6pm start. Slate Café will be serving food and drinks from 5pm.

To register for this free event go to Event Brite.



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.

Plastic not so fantastic

There is nothing healthier than drinking some water – or so I’ve always told my kids. It doesn’t contain sugar or colour additives – as one person used to tell us as children, ‘it’s sky juice’! What could be better?

Ballina courthouse windows smashed, man charged

Police say a man will face court today, charged after 12 windows were allegedly smashed in Ballina last night.   Police say, 'About 10.35pm (Thursday 9 July 2026), police were called to Martin Street following reports of a man smashing windows'.

Alleged native tree removal continues in Lennox, says councillor

With a government agency now investigating the alleged clear felling of natives on a large private block in Lennox Head, Ballina Greens councillor Kiri Dicker has told The Echo that contractors were felling trees all morning, ‘trying to get the job done’.

Ocean Shores man charged with advocating terrorism online

Police say a 20-year-old Ocean Shores man is behind bars (refused bail) and will face court in Tweed Heads Local Court on 18 September, charged with advocating terrorism.