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Byron Shire
June 11, 2026

A joyful and happy life

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

Byron local Stephan Schnierer receives the Order Australia

Stephan Schnierer, a Byron local, has been awarded an Order Australia (OA) from the Kings Birthday honours list.

Lismore City Council recognised for environmental leadership at LG awards

Lismore City Council has been recognised for outstanding achievement in environmental leadership, resilience and community infrastructure at the 2026 LG Professionals NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.

Earth to stars

Is the world we live in, more than what we understand? Theories challenge the known facts, so does any...

North Coast Safe Haven closure

Safe Haven North Coast has provided effective mental health supports for people across the region since it was established in 2022, but is now running out of funding.

Eclectic Selection for the week beginning 10 June 2026

Eclectic Selection: What’s on this week is a taste of some of the events that can be found in the Byron Shire and beyond this coming week.

Interview with Peter O’Doherty

Australia’s legendary band Mental As Anything made an historic comeback in 2026 – the first in 25 years – as original founding members Peter O’Doherty and brother Reg Mombassa reunited, leading an exciting new lineup to perform once again under the iconic banner Mental As Anything.

Soul Alchemy at Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival

Your wellbeing is the key to living a joyful and happy life. In support of this notion, Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival has curated a powerhouse lineup of wellness facilitators for a morning exploring the practices that support a wealth of wellness.

Hosted at Bende Studios at Habitat Byron Bay this Friday 11 November, 8–11.30am, special guest Shelley Craft will lead a conversation on inside-out wellness with experts in their field: Tiffany Jackson (meditation teacher); Mukti (Founder Mukti Organics); Emma Maidment (Yoga & meditation teacher), and Penny Loughnan (co-owner Vagabond).

In addition to the panel discussion the event includes a Bende Vinyasa yoga class, Immersive Sound Healing with April Swift (Soul Alchemy), breakfast by Vagabond and a gift bag with health-filled goodies.

If you find yourself wondering the why, what, and what-not-to of how you can alter your daily life to be more joyful, healthful and conscious of providing support to your overall wellbeing, then book into this unique event before it sells out. Capacity is limited to keep the event intimate. 

To find out more about Caper Byron or to book your tickets, visit: caperbyronbay.com.



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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...