21 C
Byron Shire
July 12, 2026

Lennox Head Trojans maintain their winning ways

Latest News

Deadly weaving at Lismore gallery

Eighteen months ago, a group of First Nations artists from the Northern Rivers came together at the Lismore Regional Gallery as part of the Gathering Space project.

Other News

Deadly stories: powerful First Nations voices at Byron Writers Festival 2026

This year’s festival celebrates some of the most vital and impactful storytelling in Australian literature, with a dedicated program of First Nations writers whose work spans historical fiction, picture books and Indigenous knowledge and whose voices are reshaping how this country understands itself.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Why I Love Being Dry

On 13 July I am four years sober. I am one of a growing number of people who decided to quit alcohol. It’s one of the best decisions of my life. My only regret is I didn’t do it sooner.

Alleged native tree removal continues in Lennox, says councillor

With a government agency now investigating the alleged clear felling of natives on a large private block in Lennox Head, Ballina Greens councillor Kiri Dicker has told The Echo that contractors were felling trees all morning, ‘trying to get the job done’.

1,000 voices raised to end rough sleeping by 2034

Ending rough sleeping is no small challenge for Byron Shire and the Northern Rivers but that is the aim of the Ending Rough Sleeping Collaboration and the release of the 1,000 Voices Byron Shire report just released.

Beyond Blue charity rugby day returns to Bruns this weekend

Brunswick Heads rugby team the Mullumbimby Moonshiners will gather at Alby Lofts Oval on Saturday, July 11, for their annual Beyond Blue Charity Day, with the club’s senior women’s team reforming after a 30-year playing hiatus to run onto the field.   

Evelyn Araluen on coming home to Country

Byron Writers Festival interviews prize-winning poet Evelyn Araluen who will present her new poetry collection, 'The Rot', at the 2026 Byron Writers Festival.

Right round the boot laces: Trojans captain Berrick Barnes stifles an attack down the wing by Ballina. Photo: Ross Kendall

Ross Kendall

The Lennox Head Trojans have confirmed themselves as this year’s favourite for the Far North Coast Rugby Union premiership with solid wins over their major rivals over the last two weeks.

Last Saturday they powered home in the second half to beat Ballina 34–12 playing at home at the mostly firm, but wet, Lake Ainsworth Recreation Ground.

Despite the conditions the game was played at pace with plenty of running rugby.

At half-time the visitors were in the game at one try apiece, but down on the score board 10–5.

The second half become an all Lennox Head show as they ran in three tries to nil, taking advantage of solid possession, dominant field position, and good attacking pressure across the park.

The week before the Lennox Trojans pulled off another good win against Bangalow playing at home on Williams Reserve where they triumphed 34–29. Lennox showed plenty of grit to hold on in the last 20 minutes despite enduring a run of yellow cards, and facing a super-determined Bangalow.

It was a tough result for Bangalow, but a big improvement on their 49–7 loss to Lennox in their previous encounter.

Bangalow are third on the table with 32 points, one behind Ballina (33), while the reigning premiers, Lennox Head (40), are on top with a single loss inflicted by Wollongbar Alstonville Rugby.

WAR (23) are a chance for the top four but have to see off Casuarina (20), with Lismore (11) and Casino (6) filling out the rest of competition ladder.

Mullumbimby Moonshiners Beyond Blue

The Mullumbimby Moonshines will be holding their fifth annual Beyond Blue charity day at their homeground – the Alby Lofts Oval at Brunswick Heads from 1.15pm.

The Moonshiners will be taking on Lismore in a must-win reserve grade game, followed by the Bangalow Rebels v Lismore in first grade.

Both the local teams will be rocking limited-edition Beyond Blue jerseys that will be auctioned on the day with all proceeds going to Beyond Blue to support the great work they do for mental health.



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.

Plastic not so fantastic

There is nothing healthier than drinking some water – or so I’ve always told my kids. It doesn’t contain sugar or colour additives – as one person used to tell us as children, ‘it’s sky juice’! What could be better?

Ballina courthouse windows smashed, man charged

Police say a man will face court today, charged after 12 windows were allegedly smashed in Ballina last night.   Police say, 'About 10.35pm (Thursday 9 July 2026), police were called to Martin Street following reports of a man smashing windows'.

Alleged native tree removal continues in Lennox, says councillor

With a government agency now investigating the alleged clear felling of natives on a large private block in Lennox Head, Ballina Greens councillor Kiri Dicker has told The Echo that contractors were felling trees all morning, ‘trying to get the job done’.

Ocean Shores man charged with advocating terrorism online

Police say a 20-year-old Ocean Shores man is behind bars (refused bail) and will face court in Tweed Heads Local Court on 18 September, charged with advocating terrorism.