20.3 C
Byron Shire
October 20, 2026

Lismore Base Hospital turns purple for World Prematurity Day

Latest News

Cinema: NAZA

A must-see, award-winning documentary investigating AI warfare in Gaza. Fresh from winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, NAZA, the latest documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (No Other Land), examines artificial intelligence and surveillance in Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Other News

Editorial – Time for a little respect

In 2020 unpaid care was estimated at three million unpaid carers in Australia that provide approximately $80 billion of unpaid care a year, that is $1.5 billion a week.

Address from national refugee leader

Anyone interested in helping settle refugees in our region is invited to hear an address on November 7 by Romy Vitalien, director of the national program for refugee sponsorship in Australia.

Why bribe government when you can just buy it?

Say what you like about Clive Palmer – although given how notoriously litigious he is, maybe don’t.

Old Ways New Ways exhibition open in Lismore

A group exhibition, Old Ways <> New Ways, is now open at Elevator ARI, 3 Rural Street, Lismore as part of The Returning’s Indigenous Artist Residency.

Wanderlust come to Mullum

Wanderlust invites the community to a magical evening celebrating connection and conscious living at the Wanderlust Night Market.

New koala strategy leaves local priorities to later implementation plan

Northern Rivers residents are being invited to help shape a new NSW koala conservation strategy, with specific local actions and investment priorities to be detailed in a separate implementation plan.

The Wade triplets. Photo supplied.

Lismore Base Hospital is lit up in purple all this week in recognition of World Prematurity Day, yesterday, Thursday 17 November, to acknowledge the babies born too early and the health challenges they can face as they grow.

World Prematurity Day was created in 2011 to help shine a light on the risk and hardships created by premature births, and to show support and compassion for the families who have experienced premature babies throughout the world. 27,000 babies are born prematurely in Australia each year.

Lismore Base Hospital in purple this week. Photo supplied.

Lismore Base Hospital’s Special Care Nursery is a much loved unit of so many local families. The Special Care Nursery team is led by Jo Ezzy.

‘Premature babies do have a rough start, but due to medical science, technology and equipment they do well,’ explained Ms Ezzy.

‘The wonderful equipment in the unit in Lismore has been purchased by the community through Our Kids, giving babies who arrive early a great start,’ she said. ‘Celebrating World Prematurity Day and turning the hospital purple is a way to acknowledge our premi babies and say thanks.’

Jonathon and Jessica Wade and triplets. Photo supplied.

Local parents, Jessica and Jonathon Wade, had their triplets stay in the Special Care Nursery in Lismore. Babies Everley, Alexia and Oliver were born at 28 weeks.

Under the care of the medical team in Special Care Nurseries both at Lismore and the Gold Coast, all are doing well.

The Lismore Base Hospital will stay purple all this week.

For more information, call Our Kids on (02) 6620 2705.



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.

Interview with Genevieve Clay-Smith, director of Boss Cat showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival

When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure. Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.

Something for everyone at the Picture House

From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.

Thirty-six unmissable films

The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival features an unmissable line up 36 films, including five retrospectives which will screen from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Cinemas.

A timeless story of self-discovery

A husband with a promotion, two adorable children and a lovely new house. Nora thought she had it all. But did she? What was the discontent that was whispering to her in the shadows?