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Byron Shire
November 9, 2026

Ballina Rotary gives back to community

Latest News

Green Heroes among 2026 NSW Environment Award winners

The NSW Environment Awards, hosted by the state’s leading environmental advocacy organisation, Nature Conservation Council NSW, was recently held at Customs House in Sydney.

Other News

Cartoon of the week – 4 November, 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.

What does the US blue tsunami mean for us?

In a stunning repudiation of Donald Trump and the Republican Party he remade in his image, US voters have chosen alternative candidates across the country in midterm elections.

Racehorses shot for pet food by NSW breeder

Thirteen thoroughbred horses deemed no longer useful, have been destroyed with eight horses destroyed by firearm at Berkeley Park Stud.

Graffiti vandals strike Norries Head and Cabarita Beach

Repeated acts of graffiti vandalism at Norries Head and throughout Cabarita Beach, are drawing interest from the police and Tweed Shire Council.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Don’t scrape

The arts are an essential industry. We need artists as much as we need accountants. We need dancers as much as we need doctors. We need comedians as much as we need civil engineers. We need filmmakers as much as we need financial planners. We need musicians as much as we need ministers.

Byron’s Sunday Golden Hour

From Sunday, 1 November, Three Blue Ducks is launching Golden Hour at The Farm Byron Bay, with freshly shucked oysters, live music and happy hour drinks every Sunday afternoon.

Local emergency volunteers at Rotary BBQ. Photo supplied.

The Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond did something special on Australia Day.

On the same day the club was named Ballina Shire Volunteer Organisation of the Year (shared with Ballina Jet Boat Rescue), members of the Rotary Cub cooked a thank you BBQ for local emergency services volunteers.

Jodie Shelley from Ballina Rotary said it was great to see these busy volunteers from the Ballina SES, Rural Fire Service and Marine Rescue relax and take a bit of time out to catch up with friends.

‘It was an opportunity to come together for the first time with a COVID-safe event to celebrate the volunteers in our community,’ she said, ‘and a chance for the club to take time to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of these wonderful first responders.’

Thanks for dedication

Ballina Rotary President Dave Harmon with representatives of local first response groups. Photo supplied.

At the event, Ballina Mayor David Wright thanked the Emergency Services for all their dedication and hard work over what has been a difficult year.

Meanwhile Ballina Rotary has been busy planning for the year ahead with community projects, fundraisers and the ‘Healing Hearts’ domestic violence awareness campaign.

If you are interested in engaging in the community, taking action and making an impact by getting involved with Ballina Rotary, you can contact Dave Harmon 0401 956 996.



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