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Byron Shire
June 21, 2026

Oceans 15 triumphant return


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

More comes out on Byron and Mullum pools saga

The problem with Byron Shire councillors making decisions in confidential sessions ‘behind closed doors’ is that no-one knows what really happened apart from those in the room.

Investigation launched into assaults, torture of flotilla humanitarians

The Australian Labor government has committed to undertaking an independent investigation into the assaults, sexual assaults and torture of humanitarians aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, according to a flotilla media spokesperson.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Plastic Is Forever

Our family has been trying to give up plastic. And I’m not just talking single-use straws or takeaway cups or bottled water. Like most people we did that years ago. I’m talking about all the other plastic that we ingest either directly or through chemical leaching. In the period of time since I was a child, to a child born now, the fossil fuel industry has become implicated in nearly every part of our daily routine.

Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens – where health grows

The Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens is a calm, quiet, soothing place to stroll, relax, and recharge. Be still and some of the one hundred species of birds will shyly share their beautiful haven with you.

Dancing and fundraising for our children’s future

The recent premeditated killings of several children in Australia by their fathers has raised the issue of filicide (the deliberate act of a parent killing their own child) alongside the issue of domestic violence (DV) and femicide (the intentional murder of women or girls) as key areas that need research to help understand why these things happen.

Tipping point, climate change

Please do not think me didactic. There is a sense of urgency that communities including Byron Bay must prepare for. ...

The Ocean Shores Aquatics team have returned home with some great results after a month-long stint at various State School Swimming competitions.

‘They have all performed well, while enjoying the experience immensely,’ coach Adrian Filipic said.

‘Every swimmer was inspired and challenged to swim their best to establish a ranking amongst the states finest’.

The primary school swimmers, most of them on debut, produced some great personal bests with the chart toppers being Mali Stewart, Teo Martin and Jack Matkevich.

The Byron Bay junior girls relay team excelled with the combination of Delilah Warton, Andie Gilbert, Lily Purtell and Henly Smith together dropping over nine seconds from their time to finish fifth in the final.

The secondary school swimmers showed that there is no substitute for experience as most secured top ten placings to make finals.

Lawson King had a debut in the Boys 11yrs 50m backstroke and swam his best.Other great swimmers were Ivy Gilbert, Phoebe Pockley and Zara Morris in their respective relays.

Other results:

Sashi Wills; Girls 17-19yrs: 8th 400m Freestyle, 6th 200m Freestyle, 9th 200m medley, 10th 50m backstroke. Tiggi Groves; Girls 13yrs: 10th 100m back, 9th 50m freestyle, 7th 50m backstroke. Eve Porter; Girls 16yrs: 10th 200m Freestyle, 10th 50m Freestyle. Tom Cheek; Boys 16yrs: 8th 100m breaststroke. Meg Porter; Girls 17-19yrs: 7th 400m medley. Maddison Oliss placed 11th in the Girls 13yrs 50m breaststroke. Montannah Archibald swam in the Girls 14yrs 100m breastroke and Jay Dunbar-Ried swam in the Boys 16yrs 100m breastroke.



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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'.