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Byron Shire
July 5, 2026

Entertainment in the Byron Shire for the week beginning April 22, 2020

Latest News

Vale Eve Sinton 20/11/52–30/06/26

In February this year, Eve Sinton was admitted to Tamworth Hospital. All tests and biopsies were taken. Before announcing the diagnosis to Eve, the doctor asked ‘First Please tell me what was your occupation?’ Eve replied, ‘I am a journalist’.

Other News

Top female player shares tips in Byron

Croquet players from across the Northern Rivers area were privileged to spend time recently with Australia’s top female golf...

Deadly Weavers exhibition celebrates NAIDOC week

Lismore Regional Gallery will celebrate NAIDOC Week with Deadly Weavers, a vibrant four-day exhibition and pop-up sale showcasing the work of local First Nations weavers and fibre artists working on Bundjalung Land.

Interview with Bill Chambers

Bill Chambers decided early that he would be a musician one day – in the course of making his dreams come true, Tyler Chambers has grown up in a musical family. He has sat side-stage, either at his sister Kasey’s or his father Bill Chambers’ shows, since he was born.

Eclectic Selection for the week beginning 1 July 2026

Eclectic Selection: What’s on this week is a taste of some of the events that can be found in the Byron Shire and beyond this coming week.

The ghosts of generations – Siang Lu at Byron Writers Festival 2026

The Byron Writers Festival talks to author Siang Lu about his book, Ghost Cities, which won the Miles Franklin Award in 2025.

Mandy Nolan confirmed as Greens candidate for Ballina

Following the Ballina-Byron Greens preselection ballot, Mandy Nolan has been selected as the party's candidate to contest the state seat of Ballina in the 2027 election, currently held by Tamara Smith.

The Buckleys are going to be taking their virtual tour to you straight from their living room!

Byron Buckleys take on the world! 

Hailing from Byron Bay, The Buckleys launched their first North American Virtual Tour, on Saturday, 4 April, reaching over 370,000 fans over four ‘virtual tour dates.’ The Buckleys are going to be taking their virtual tour to South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, criss-crossing the globe with their final show streaming across Australia and New Zealand… all done from their living room in Byron Bay!

Adapting his long-time experience launching tours, albums, and films, Petrol Records head, CM Murphy worked in conjunction with their U.S. label, UMe, and Live Nation. The Buckleys recreate the personalised ‘live’ experience during this time of social distancing.

Catch The Buckleys,  Live From Home,  at 6pm AEST on Thursday, 30 April. For more info, and to watch the virtual concert, visit  facebook.com/livenationoznz


Together Alone at The Quad

Together/Alone

With the current coronavirus outbreak forcing all public gatherings to halt, and galleries and public arts spaces to close,  we have witnessed the cancellation of all art fairs, festivals, gatherings, markets and community celebrations. The Quad, and Lismore Regional Gallery, have launched a project called Together//Alone exploring ways to creatively respond to adversity while supporting Northern Rivers artists, many of whom are facing serious income loss.

They are offering paid opportunities for Northern Rivers’ artists – across all art forms – to develop a creative concept over a two-week at-home ‘residency’, which must includes a component that can be communicated via a digital platform. Applying artists do not need to present fully formed and completed works, the emphasis is on the creative process and ‘connection’. 

A minimum of five artists will be selected to participate in the first project. Works will be shared via The Quad and Lismore Regional Gallery’s websites, and social media channels. 


Happy Place

George still calls Cuba home

Being separated from your significant other during the COVID-19 lockdown presents particular emotional challenges, but for comedian George Smilovici – his significant other isn’t a person, it’s a country: Cuba. Going back to the country of his birth has been transformative for George, who calls it his happy place.

It was this sense of belonging that saw George –  a nationally recognised, and lauded comedian – take a completely different direction; one more in line with his pianist father. He stopped telling jokes and started playing music.

His first album, Cuban Takeout can be heard on Spotify and other music platforms.


Barefoot Law is keeping people informed about laws and regulations during COVID-19

Barefoot on Covid

In these quickly changing times, Barefoot Law is keeping people informed about the legal implications of laws and regulations brought in during COVID-19.

‘There’s plenty of landlords who are being great and negotiating reduced rent – and some have issued eviction notices and panicked. The other issues we are seeing are around JobKeeper – some employers are using it to do what they shouldn’t. JobKeeper assumes everyone keeps working. We have had a few casuals ask about the legality of moving from 10 hours per week to 25 for example. That’s not a reasonable change. There are also issues with family law in the lockdown, with co-parenting becoming tricky in some cases. ‘Consent orders still apply’, says Mark.  

If people have legal questions they can go to the website: barefootlaw.net.au or barefoot law on Facebook.



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Positive future for Byron’s visitor economy

Last Thursday saw Destination Byron bring together over 150 attendees looking at the future of Byron and its visitor economy.

Pet adoption day – 4 July in Ballina

Northern Rivers Animal Services Inc (NRAS) are hoping the sun will be out for their monthly adoption day on Saturday, 4 July from 10am until 1pm at the NRAS Rescue Shelter at 61 Piper Drive, Ballina.

Artists sought to transform factory space into multi-artform event

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for artists to transform a former factory in Lismore – The Joinery – through performance, installation and site-responsive art.

What’s on in Tweed for NAIDOC Week?

NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held from Sunday 5 July to Sunday 12 July 2026, under the national theme 50 Years of Deadly.