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Byron Shire
June 12, 2026

Onwards and upwards

Latest News

School is the beating heart of Bruns

From floods to festivals, Brunswick Heads Public School has long the been the anchor of village life.

Other News

What lies beneath – AUKUS grows murkier

Senate Estimates descended into 'Yes Minister' territory last week when the vexed subject of AUKUS came up, following the revelation from deputy PM and defence minister Richard Marles that Australia's best case scenario was now that we would receive three second-hand submarines from the USA during the transition stage of this very expensive project, possibly between 2032 and 2038.

Avoiding ‘great reset’

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

Taxing labour vs capital

Catherine Cusack (Echo, 27 May) says she believes ‘Australians are fine with fairness for housing. The issue is messy...

Byron Youth Service continues to invest in young people and community spaces

Byron Youth Service is celebrating another year of supporting young people across the Byron Shire through a diverse range of creative, educational, and wellbeing initiatives, while continuing significant improvements to The YAC.

Echo Love Awards

Last Saturday night, Yuti and I had the privilege of attending the 40th anniversary celebration of The Echo. The trip...

Myall Creek walk starts conversations and opens eyes to difficult history

The Walk 4 Stolen Children, Land & Lives has successfully concluded in Myall Creek, having completed 474km on foot from Ballina and visited a number of massacre sites along the way.

I enjoyed Simon Haslam’s groundbreaking report in last week’s Echo on Dave Osborn’s remarkable achievement; that of parking in all the parking spots in Mullum’s Woolies. That he also impressed a teenage daughter is even more amazing.

For a moment I was inspired to attempt the challenge at Bairnsdale’s Woolies; the car park of which must be three times the capacity of Mullum’s. Then I realised it would involve me getting in my car and going somewhere.

I hope Simon will be commissioned to report on the annual Lewis Carroll Awards, which requires competitors to believe as many impossible things as possible before breakfast. I understand the world record is 28 and is held by Rainbow Tamari Moonbeam of Palmwoods Upper.

Michael McDonald, Bairnsdale VIC



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Israel’s assault on Global Sumud Flotilla – a first-hand account

It hit me like a lightning strike. It was the latex gloves that did it. Those pale blue five fingered clinical sheaths made me want to vomit. Last Tuesday, having just been repatriated from my time on the Global Sumud Flotilla, I was at Tweed Valley Hospital getting a forensic medical examination for my sexual assault at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces.

Voters are not ‘always right’

The mantra ‘voters always get it right’ is repeated after every election by winners and losers. The decision of voters must be respected, blah, blah.

Lismore councillor pay rise divides chamber at June meeting

The sharpest debate from Lismore City Council's 9 June ordinary meeting saw a majority vote to increase councillor and mayoral fees, following a 3.7 per cent rise determined by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal (LGRT) – a figure tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12 months to February 2026.

Here’s to the Flotilla

The Global Sumud Flotilla is about brave people doing exceptional things with skill, compassion, colour, spirit and gruff chutzpah. Would I leave my comfy chair...