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Byron Shire
June 14, 2026

Culture for the Byron Shire and Beyond from December 13-19, 2018

Latest News

Man charged with murder in Tweed

A man and woman have been charged over their alleged involvement in the death of a man in Tweed Heads this morning, say NSW Police.

Other News

Do you want the rail trail completed? Sign the petition

The local Byron and Mullumbimby chambers of commerce, and the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters (NRRTS) are asking everyone who supports making the rail trail happen to get on board and sign up to support the rail trail at www.northernriversrailtrail.com.au/support.

Bangalow Film Festival opens

The Bangalow Film Festival opening night is this Thursday, 11 June and has already sold out.

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.

Missing man

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a 35-year-old man missing from Tugun on the southern Gold Coast since 9 June.

Cinema: The Christophers

From acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh, The Christophers is a sharp, darkly comic exploration of art, legacy and deception, led by Golden Globe winner Ian McKellen and Emmy winner Michaela Coel.

Cartoon of the week – 10 June, 2026

The Echo loves your letters 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, send us your epistles.

Happy African Christmas Party with Gabriel Otou is at the Mullumbimby Community Gardens this Saturday.

A Happy African Christmas

Mullumbimby Community Gardens | Saturday 15 Dec | 1pm | FREE 

A Happy African Christmas party will be held at the Mullum Community Gardens on Saturday from 1pm.

Co-organiser Gabriel Otou is encouraging musos to come along to jam, and to bring a plate to share. There will be African food, followed by drumming and dancing at 2.30pm and the the Go Happy Africa band will perform at 5.30pm. 

This free event is at Mullum Community Gardens on Saturday from 1pm. All welcome.


The Great White Shark of Australian Comedy, Austen Tayshus, returns for 3 shows.

Austen Tayshus returns!

Multiple Venues | Monday 7 Jan –  Thursday 10 Jan | $30

Austen Tayshus is one of the most iconic comedians on the Australian scene. If you’re after middle-of-the-road safe unconfrontational comedy, then don’t go see an Austen show. If you want a political download, a pop-culture explosion, then the razor-sharp wit of Austen is for you. How can one comic be politically incorrect and politically correct all at the same time? He’s larger than life, fearless, passionate, provocative, and goes down pathways few comics dare to go, finding something darkly funny at every turn.

He is joined by the femme fatale of funny Mandy Nolan in three fabulous local shows:

Monday 7 January at the Byron Services Club 8pm
Wednesday 9 January at the Currumbin RSL 7.30pm
Thursday 10 January at the Lennox Bowlo at 8pm.

All tix are $30 at the clubs or on mandynolan.com.au.


Enlighten Up! at the Rainbow Centre, Mullumbimby on Sunday at 11am

Enlighten Up! every Sunday

Rainbow Centre, Mullumbimby | Sunday Dec 16 | 11am-12.30pm | FREE

Enlighten-Up! is a weekly session of spiritual buffoonery, Sundays from 11am till 12.30pm at the Rainbow Centre in Mullumbimby hosted by celestial jester and master of silly ceremonies ‘Hanuman’ aka Robert Grayson, who curates from his cosmic bag of tricks including random rants and raves, silly singalongs, mindlessness meditations, comedy songs, special guests and surprises. Special guest this Sunday is none other than Mandy Nolan!

Rainbow Centre Mullumbimby every Sunday at 11am.


Learn how to sing kirtan based on the foundations of Indian Devotional Music this Saturday.

Devotional Music Workshop with Menaka

Venue on request | Saturday December 15 | 10am-4pm | $85

Tuning in to the foundations of Indian devotional music with her patient, interactive, and clear style of teaching, Menaka Thomas brings her passion for sharing the traditional roots of Indian devotional music to the Byron Shire. Menaka herself comes from an Indian classical musical lineage, but having been born and brought up in Australia she has a unique and charming way of conveying the intricacies of Indian music to the Australian ear.

The Indian devotional music forms of kirtan and bhajan are unifying and accessible forms of devotional song that can involve whole communities, regardless of musical and cultural background. However, even the simplest of traditional pieces are based on basic principles of Indian classical music. 

Join Menaka in her one-day workshop on Saturday and walk away with unique vocal skills and a deeper knowledge of how to sing kirtan based on the foundations of Indian music. $85. To attend email [email protected] or call 0421 345 699 for private location. 10am–4pm


Public Act Theatre present Men. S. Table at Byron Theatre on Monday.

On being a man-being…

Byron Theatre | Monday December 17 | 7.30pm | $15

MEN… What are they up to? Where are they at? A group of 14 men has been meeting weekly at The Byron Theatre to improvise, sing, write, and play. What do they think – ACT – DO? This one-night-only performance is the culmination of their 9-week process: in an open space, vulnerable, liberated and all things in between! A vibrant and varied ensemble lay their personal and collective worlds on the table in true theatrical style to delight and challenge our thoughts of being a man-being. A show not to be missed!

Public Act Theatre present Men . S . Table at The Byron Theatre on Monday at 7.30pm. Tickets are $15 and are available through the box office 6685 6807 and online from byroncentre.com.au.


Byron All Shorts call for entries – EXTENDED til 29 December.

Byron All Shorts call for entries extended 

Mulled Civic Hall | entries by Dec 29 | Screenings: Sat Jan 27 4pm & Sun Jan 28 7pm

Byron All Shorts celebrates the filmmaking talent of the northern rivers region and encourages audiences to experience the many amazing films and local stories that are produced here each year.

Byron All Shorts finalists screening will be on 26 January at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall; alongside the best of short films in Australia and the world on 25–27 January at Mullum Flickerfest 2019 – Australia’s leading Academy®-accredited international short film festival.

Filmmakers from across the region are invited to submit their short films of up to 30min in length, from all genres.

So if you live in the northern rivers, or have produced a film in the northern rivers, or have made a film about the northern rivers you can enter Byron All Shorts.

Entries close Friday 21 December 2018.
Entry forms & info: iQ.org.au or call 0414 779 881.



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Up to 550 homes pegged for Byron Shire’s newest suburb

Community feedback is now sought on three planning documents that will shape the future of Gulgan Village, a new residential suburb proposed on the elevated slopes of Saddle Road. 

Load limit increased for Byron Creek Bridge

The load limit for Byron Creek Bridge has been increased to 24 tonnes, say Byron Shire Council, following structural analysis of the bridge.

Festival and event grants on offer

Community organisations are encouraged to apply for NSW government grants to bring cultural festivals and events to life across the state over the coming year.

Dr Bronwyn Bancroft wins prestigious Ochre Award

Bundjalung woman and artist Dr Bronwyn Bancroft AM has received the Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence.