26.1 C
Byron Shire
October 27, 2026

Oh, how we will miss Mungo’s column!

Latest News

Where’s the funding for critical community help?

Neighbourhood and community centres are struggling to keep their doors open and are cutting services because they don’t have ongoing core funding to cover staffing and operating costs.

Other News

Igniting young minds at Coorabell with STEM

Robotics sparked the imagination of students at Coorabell Public School when a team of robotics experts brought a fantastic array of robotics kits for students to explore and enjoy.

Byron High teachers and students rally together for Livi

Byron High School students and staff have stood up to raise funds to support Livi Eddington, who has brain cancer, with both the Principal and Deputy Principal shaving their locks to raise funds for Livi’s treatment.

Data centres

I have just read a report from National Public Radio in the US that huge tech companies are aggressively...

Historic win for koalas as Great Koala National Park legislation passes

After a long and bitter fight, conservationists have hailed the passing of legislation to create the Great Koala National Park as a historic win for koalas, forests and the communities that fought to protect them.

Bangalow Bowlo fight goes to Supreme Court

When Norths Collective decided to breach the memorandum of understanding with the Bangalow Bowlo and the community, and closed the Bangalow Bowlo with no warning, they may not have realised how prepared the community is to fight for the return of their beloved Bowlo.

The plan to reduce floods by flooding our local communities

The CSIRO report on flood mitigation in the Richmond River was released in June to enthusiastic proclamations from Lismore business leaders. ‘We must act without delay!’ they urged. ‘The science has spoken!’

Carole Gamble, Mullumbimby Creek

One of the unexpected joys of moving to Mullumbimby fifteen years ago was to discover the treasures in our midst. Certainly to have Mungo MacCallum living and working here was a gift.

In my opinion, he is one of Australia’s most learned, erudite, incisive political writers of our time, and writing each week in our own local independent newspaper! Woohoo!

Of course, even if your political persuasion was not in line with his, you absolutely had to admire his writing, didn’t you?

To see the footnote in last week’s edition that it was probably to be the last of his insightful, often hilarious commentary on our world and the state we are all in, was very sad.

We all know that Mungo’s health has looked a bit precarious for a few years, and following life saving surgery he lost his wonderful, resonating voice – but not his intellect or penmanship.

Now I wish that I had saved all his articles that really resonated (I did cut out several) but of course we have his books, which in themselves provide great insight into the era when Mungo was mostly working in Canberra.

Perhaps he will find the time and strength to continue producing his diabolical crosswords? How did he manage to roll these out every week?

So Mungo, all the best for whatever lies ahead and best wishes too, to Jenny, his devoted wife and partner in all things.

We will miss your wonderful column, Mungo.



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

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.

A year in review

Byron Shire Council has published its Annual Report for 2025 to 2026, highlighting a year of what it describes as significant achievements in delivering infrastructure flood recovery works, environmental protection, and community programs.

Celebration of culture and Country

Almost 100 First Nations artists, musicians, performers, makers and cultural practitioners will come together on the banks of the Clarence River this November for Art on Bundjalung; a free celebration of creativity, culture and Country.

Ballina students dive into water science

Local Ballina Shire primary school students rolled up their sleeves and put water science into action as part of Rous County Council’s inaugural Young Water Leaders event.

Grim numbers from horse racing industry

The annual DeathWatch Report by the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) reveals that the home state of the upcoming Melbourne Cup, Victoria, was responsible for 30 percent of the at least 160 racehorses who were killed from racing across the country in the 2025/26 Australian racing season.