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Byron Shire
June 10, 2026

Behind the propaganda of war in the Middle East

Latest News

Myall Creek walk starts conversations and opens eyes to difficult history

The Walk 4 Stolen Children, Land & Lives has successfully concluded in Myall Creek, having completed 474km on foot from Ballina and visited a number of massacre sites along the way.

Other News

Lismore leaders meet in parliament for industry briefing

More than 50 business, investment and community leaders gathered at NSW Parliament House this week for the "Lismore 60,000 Industry Briefing", which was described as an "important conversation about the city's future growth, investment opportunities and long-term prosperity".

Matthew Laverty recognised with OAM

Recognising his  passion for golf and long-term commitment to community service, Mullumbimby’s Matthew Laverty received the Medal of the...

Agency over AI

Albert Einstein said, ‘I don’t know what World War III will be fought with… but World War IV will...

Flood-free land and houses hit the market for Lismore buyback residents

In what the government has described as a step forward for the region’s housing recovery, flood-affected homeowners will get the first opportunity to buy into Goonellabah’s Mount Pleasant estate.

Latest chuckle of stand ups stake to the stage

After stepping away from the role for 12 months, Mandy Nolan returned to Byron Adult Education to teach what Mandy believes is the best, and possibly most successful stand up comedy course in the country. 

What lies beneath – AUKUS grows murkier

Senate Estimates descended into 'Yes Minister' territory last week when the vexed subject of AUKUS came up, following the revelation from deputy PM and defence minister Richard Marles that Australia's best case scenario was now that we would receive three second-hand submarines from the USA during the transition stage of this very expensive project, possibly between 2032 and 2038.

Richard Hil will be joined by co-author Ros Caputi to launch The Sacking of Fallujah: A People’s History.

Richard Hil joins forces with a former US marine and journalist to examine the human cost.

The Sacking of Fallujah: A People’s History confronts the dominant military accounts of the war in Iraq and the devastation wrought on the city of Fallujah from the siege in 2014 till when American and coalition forces moved on the city to defeat ISIS in 2016.

Former US marine Ross Caputi, Australian journalist Donna Mulhearn, and adjunct professor Richard Hil have brought together this critical analysis of the idea that the US ‘liberated’ Fallujah.

They look at the outcomes of repeated sieges of the city and its destruction in 2016 that left in its wake a public health crisis, civilian casualties, and political instability.

The book places these events within the larger context of the US policy in the Middle East with a particular focus on the testimony of civilians.

Book launch

Richard Hil will be joined by co-author Ros Caputi to launch the book at the Bookroom at Byron, 27 Fletcher Street on Thursday, August 22 at 5.30pm.

‘The book aims to expose the US propaganda that justified a murderous assault on a once-beautiful city and its people,’ said Mr Hil.

‘Our intention was to not let this be forgotten.’

Everyone is welcome. To RSVP call 6685 8183 or go online to find out more about The Sacking of Fallujah.



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Emergency departments buckling under pressure

Nurses working at emergency departments (ED) across the state are continuing to feel the effects of increased presentations and very unwell people coming through their doors, with the latest health snapshot painting a worrying picture of NSW public hospitals.

New exhibitions opening at Lismore Regional Gallery

All are welcome to the official opening of four new exhibitions at Lismore Regional gallery this Friday evening, with live music and a talk from Melbourne artist Sarah Ujmaia.

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.

North Coast Safe Haven closure

Safe Haven North Coast has provided effective mental health supports for people across the region since it was established in 2022, but is now running out of funding.