22.1 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Áine Tyrrell for Falls

Latest News

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Other News

Cinema: Wicked Little Letters

Based on a true scandal that stunned 1920s England, Wicked Little Letters centres on neighbours Edith Swan and Rose Gooding in the seaside town of Littlehampton.

Floodplains

We need a serious talk about development on floodplains with more creativity and sophistication. The recent discussion about development...

Records galore!

Byron Bay Easter Record Fair returns again to Ewingsdale Hall. Now in its 15th year, the Byron Bay Easter Record Fair is one of the biggest and best in this country. Matt the Vinyl Junkie has spent years on buying trips to the US and Japan scouring dusty warehouses, shops, flea markets and private collections. He can offer an astounding 30,000 records in one place covering most genres.

Save Wallum finalist in NSW 2024 environment awards

The Save Wallum campaign has been named as a finalist in the Nature Conservation Council of NSW Environment Awards 2024. The award ceremony will be held in Sydney tonight, and Save Wallum spokesperson and ecologist James Barrie will be attending with Tegan Kitt, another founding member of the group.

Byron Council staff baulk at councillors’ promise of free parking for locals

Will Byron Council deliver on its pledge to make parking permits free for locals across the Shire when paid parking comes into force in Brunswick Heads?

Queer family visibility

Did you know that, statistically, if you’ve met a redhead, you’ve also met a trans person? Over 800 trans and gender diverse people live in the Byron Shire, which includes at least 200 children. They’re often a bit hidden though, so come on down and celebrate with them this Trans Day of Visibility!

The Echo’s Falls Festival Nominee

Áine, why did you move to Mullumbimby and why do you now find this place home?

On my first tour through the northern rivers I felt a deep sense of place and respect for the land in this area that I hadn’t felt in many other parts of Australia. The diversity of the area, the activism of the community to protect everything that is special about this area, and the forward thinking of so many in this area are even reflected in the everyday conversations in coffee shops.

That sense of connection to land is something I had really missed when I moved from Ireland. The land and culture of my home in the Burren in County Clare is so very much part of my identity and being welcomed into a community where the traditional landowners are respected and where the traditional landowners also welcome newcomers to make this place home was something I was drawn to. Australia made more sense when I moved here.

I just released a song on this very thought called In This House. The song was partly inspired by a conversation I had with my dear friend and Arakwal custodian, Delta Kay, where we discussed the deeper layers of a Welcome to Country. The conversation touched me deeply me as another woman from a country that suffered so much at the hands of colonialism. I don’t even feel like the song is mine. It feels like it came through me as a message from my ancestors and hers, which is why I asked Delta and The Bunyarra Dancers to dance in the video for the song. The song wrote itself likening a Welcome to Country to a knocking on a door, a waiting for an invitation into someone’s house. The video evolved in the same way and naturally just became this ceremony where we created a beautiful piece of art from different colour dirts from the northern rivers. Other parts of Australia I have lived in never felt like a knock was acknowledged, the land not celebrated, whereas in the northern rivers community it feels like a community that would knock first and that is a community I want to raise my children in.

https://fallsfestival.com/byron-bay/goings-on/foster-a-band/


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Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.