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Byron Shire
June 21, 2026

Girl groms go all the way in Sydney

Latest News

The NT intervention laws that shape lives

This Sunday marks 19 years since the then Howard Government announced the Northern Territory Intervention laws – ‘The Intervention’ began with a media release by Mal Brough, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, on June 21, 2007.

Other News

Call to end damaging native logging agreements

North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) is calling on the NSW state government to reassess the Wood Supply Agreements (WSA) that facilitate native forest in NSW’s state forests.

The NT intervention laws that shape lives

This Sunday marks 19 years since the then Howard Government announced the Northern Territory Intervention laws – ‘The Intervention’ began with a media release by Mal Brough, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, on June 21, 2007.

Marine Rescue volunteers assist disabled dive boat

Volunteers and two vessels from Marine Rescue Point Danger safely assisted thirteen people to shore on Saturday afternoon after a commercial dive vessel experienced engine issues and was unable to safely cross the Tweed Bar.

What are we going to *DO* about it?

Israel is expediting legislation to plan and legalise 69 outposts, allocating over 100-million shekels (about US$34-million). Israel’s Defence Ministry is...

Cartoons of the week – 17 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.

AI: Artificial Intelligence, or Artificial Inflation?

It feels as if AI is everywhere – whether it’s those intrusive bots on every website or every headline about how it’s either going to be a boon for humanity, or end us.

Blast Off champion Leihani Zoric. Photo Jack Barripp

Our local super groms had outstanding success down in Sydney at the 14th annual BL’s Blast Off with Byron Bay’s Leihani Zoric and Lennox Head’s Keke Brain winning their six-girls and eight-girls divisions respectively.

Byron Bay’s Henley Smith was runner-up to Brain in the eight-girls.

Ocea Curtis of Lennox Head was runner-up in the 10-girls.

The competition was held over four days with early rounds at Avalon Beach and finals day at Whale beach. 

Kennedy

Stu Kennedy from Lennox Head has turned his season around with a huge result in Portugal and has now leaped up the WSL QS ratings ladder after his runner-up finish at the QS10,000 EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira.

Kennedy was back to his best with fast, smooth and electric performances over the event.

The runner-up result and 8,000 points could turn his year around as he jumped 35 spots into 15th place on the rankings, with a good shot at cracking the top 10 with a big finish in Hawaii.

‘I can’t give up now if I’m making finals,’ Kennedy said.

‘Mono’

Byron Bay’s Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart has struck gold again with a win at the US Open Adaptive Surfing Championships held at Oceanside Pier in California.

Stewart has won the event three years in a row. 



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Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.

Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.