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Byron Shire
June 12, 2026

Cartoon of the week – May 7, 2020

Latest News

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.

Other News

Two arrested after man dies

A man and woman have been arrested after a man died in Tweed Heads on Saturday morning.

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.

Avoiding ‘great reset’

Energy is the lifeblood of civilisation. When the energy powering our civilisation is disrupted for an extended time, it...

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.

Historic Native Title determination honoured with artwork purchase by Byron Council

Byron Shire Council says it has bought the artwork, Holding Strong, in honour of historic 2019 Arakwal Native Title determination.

Interview with Peter O’Doherty

Australia’s legendary band Mental As Anything made an historic comeback in 2026 – the first in 25 years – as original founding members Peter O’Doherty and brother Reg Mombassa reunited, leading an exciting new lineup to perform once again under the iconic banner Mental As Anything.

Cartoon by Nic Cobcroft

Letters to the editor

We love to receive letters, but not every letter will be published; the publication of letters is at the discretion of the online and print letters editors.

The deadline for the Byron Echo newspaper is noon Friday and letters longer than 200 words may be cut for the paper. However, longer letters are often published online before or after being published in the paper.

Send to Letters Editor Aslan Shand, email: [email protected], fax: 6684 1719 or mail to The Letters Editor, The Byron Shire Echo, 6 Village Way, Mullumbimby, 2482, NSW, Australia.

Letters already published in other papers will not be considered.

Please include your full name, address and phone number for verification purposes.



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Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments 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, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

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.

The Pocket Winter Festival bringing you music, food and fun

The Pocket Winter Festival is set to return on Sunday, 21 June, from 10am to 2pm, bringing together the community for a day of music, food, entertainment and family fun at The Pocket Public School.

Cudgen Lifesaver among King’s Birthday honourees

Far North Coast Director of Lifesaving, David Rope, was awarded an Emergency Services Medal as part of the King's Birthday honourees this week – acknowledging his significant and sustained service to the movement.

More hands up for the seat of Ballina in 2027

More candidates are putting up their hands to run for the seat of Ballina at next year’s state election.