The NSW government has announced a new $3 million fund to assist regional communities to have access to trusted news sources covering the stories that matter.
Controversial founder and director of the pro-euthanasia group Exit International, Dr Philip Nitschke will hold a free public meeting on NSW’s new Voluntary Assisted Dying Act at the Lismore Workers Club on Saturday.
Following the Cheeky season is some incredible live music, including Ella Hooper: Small Town Temple tour, Libby O’Donovan – cabaret singer extraordinaire, Stella Donnelly: Flood Australian tour, Liz Stringer and William Crighton co-headlining in a powerhouse performance, and the house is thrilled to announce the fabulous Tim Rogers & The Twin Set coming in April.
From COVID-19, to floods and from elections to festivals, 2022 was a MASSIVE year and The Echo photographers and photo shooting staff and other contributors were kept busy from day one to day 365 (and a quarter).
The Knitting Nannas Against Gas wanted us to choose carefully. Photo Tree Faerie.
The excitement of a Scott Morrison announcement was too much for local Councillors and staff who were snapped napping. Photo Jeff ‘Not Sleeping, Praying’ Dawson.
We can’t decide what took up more of our emotional space this year – COVID… (Photo Tree Faerie)
…or the floods? (Floodwater surges over the levee at Browns Creek Pumping Station, Lismore, 30 March 2022). Photo David Lowe.
Some were able to see the silver lining of the mud. Splendour 2022. Photo Jeff Dawson.
Photos by
Jeff ‘JD’ Dawson Tree Faerie (a.k.a. Eve Jeffery) David Lowe Simon Haslam Hans Lovejoy
2022 flooding aftermath in Mullumbimby
Ballina Byron Gateway Airport. Photo David Lowe.
Tuntable Creek Road was damaged by a landslip in the early 2022 floods. Photo David Lowe.
Local resident Eldon Wright. Photo David Lowe.
Vivienne Gorec with a photo of recent flood impacts around her house in West Ballina. Photo David Lowe.
Jacqui Sosnowski and Suvira McDonald at Ignite Studios in Ballina for the 10th anniversary Mud Trail launch. Photo David Lowe.
Looking from edge of DA area towards Norton Street and North Creek. Photo David Lowe.
Doug Luke and Jan Barham. Photo Tree Faerie.
Simon Greaves and Gyan Evans. Photo Tree Faerie.
Alison Waters. Photo Tree Faerie.
Catherine Cusack. Photo Tree Faerie
Cr Steve Krieg, Kevin Hogan MP, Marie Gale, John Barnes OAM, Gary Goldberg, Janelle Saffin MP and Jim Barnes. Photo Tree Faerie.
The Mullum Cares crew Celine Massa, Sasha Mainsbridge and Bec Talbot at their new office in the Railway Shed Yard. Photo Tree Faerie.
Byron Hospital Auxiliary’s Margot Coggan, President Mollie Strong and Kay Sandon sizing up their clubs for the charity golf day. Photo Tree Faerie.
Susie Russell. Photo Tree Faerie.
CWA member and handicraft creator, Ruth Kirby, with CWA President, Rebecca Dickson. Photo Tree Faerie.
Byron Bay headland. Photo David Lowe.
Lennox Head Photo David Lowe.
NSW Nationals candidate for Ballina, Joshua Booyens. Photo David Lowe.
Venetia Scott and Joel Orchard outside Wardell CORE’s new premises in the old bank building at 3 Sinclair Street, Wardell. Photo David Lowe.
Everyone’s favourite sign. Photo David Lowe.
Dave Carter, President Ballina Jetboat Surf rescue. Photo David Lowe.
Graham Gooding, Francoise Sauvere, Keith Williams and Judy Dean at Ballina pre-poll yesterday. Photo David Lowe.
Part of the audience and stage for ‘One From The Heart’ concert at Lismore Showground, 15 May 2022. Photo David Lowe.
Robyn Hargrave at the Lennox Shed. Photo David Lowe.
The most famous prawn in Australia. Photo David Lowe.
Bins floating in flooded Lake Ainsworth. Photo David Lowe.
Lismore Presbyterian Church sign, 30 March 2022. Photo David Lowe.
Flood gauge at Lismore Rowing Club with water still rising, 30 March 2022. Photo David Lowe.
Section of levee wall behind Spinks Park damaged in previous flood, with flood lapping behind. Lismore, 30 March 2022. Photo David Lowe.
Flood rubbish around You Are Here sign in Lismore, 7 March 2022. Photo David Lowe.
Sikh volunteers Manpreet Singh and Lakhwinder Singh from Melbourne handing out free food in Lismore, 7 March 2022. Photo David Lowe.
All who knew and loved Jack Paris Kingdom Lambert-Crittle joined in a celebration of his life on Monday, December 12 at the park opposite New Brighton’s Yum Yum Tree Cafe. Photo Jeff Dawson
Yantra de Vilder tinkles the keys, while Nathan Groves provides the muscle for the move from the Central Coast. The piano recipients here are the Quirke family: Steve, Dominique, Astariah, Zaia, and Tiani. Photo Jeff ‘Tinkled Pink’ Dawson.
Pictured are Brian Kelly, NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway (Nationals), Mayor Michael Lyon, Byron Historical Society President, Donald Maughan, and Brian Parks, son of the Frogs last driver, Len Parks. Photo Jeff ‘Croaked’ Dawson
Young locals getting in on the act with Shorty Brown the Caper Festival. Image: Jeff “this ain’t know act people” Dawson.
Splendour in the Mud 2022. Photo Jeff Dawson.
DJ and Delta with some of the Weaving for Reconciliation exhibits. Photo Jeff Dawson.
Giving it all he’s got, Jimmy Barnes on Easter Sunday. Photo Jeff Dawson.
PETA’s Angela with a feline friend. Photo Jeff Dawson
John Dawson. Photo Jeff “First Born Son” Dawson.
Suzu with a flower from the bush tucker shrub, Melastoma affine, or blue tongue tree. It’s known for its sweet berries, which stain your tongue blue. This is one of the many treats growing in Federal’s Mandala Garden. Photo Jeff ‘Blue Tongue Press Reptile’ Dawson
‘Darrrrrrrrling – there is no roaming for this feline fella .Photo Tree Faerie.
With a bucket full of wool, co-founder, Nanna Clare has been knitting this ‘scarf’ since the dawn of the Nanna – now it about a Nannametre long (close to 50 earth metres). Photo Tree Faerie.
Grafton Nannas including Nanna Sarah and Nanna Helen came up for the celebration. Photo Tree Faerie
Steve, Liam and Hiep at home in Alstonville. Photo Tree Faerie.
Mayor Steve Krieg was looking forward to seeing Jon Stevens. Photo Tree Faerie.
Mehreen Faruqi and Mandy Nolan during the lead-up to the election. Photo Tree Faerie.
Piper Scott Cameron played during the ceremony. Photo Tree Faerie.
Mandy Nolan. Photo Tree Faerie.
Green leader Adam Bandt. Photo Tree Faerie.
Kashmir Miller. Photo Tree Faerie.
The warrior women of The Channon rescue and recovery opps. Photo Tree Faerie.
Part of The Channon recovery team Helen, Jo, Annie and Robyn, with some moral support from Charlie Wuff. Photo Tree Faerie.
False Idols is choreographed, but again not in the traditional sense of steps and the audience are in for some surprises. Photo Tree Faerie.
Hanabeth Luke. Photo Tree Faerie.
Uncle Goongie John Roberts and Aunty Leonee Nowta say it is upon them to protect Country. Photo Tree Faerie
The Knitting Nannas Against Gas wanted u to choose carefully. Photo Tree Faerie.
Mullumbimby in flood during February March 2022. Photo Simon Haslam
The epitome of cuteness. Nina feeding a baby lama at the Mullun Show. Image: Jeff ‘Make Mine a Double’ Dawson.
Local author Sarah Armstrong with a copy of her newly released children’s book ‘Big Magic’. Image Jeff Dawson
Scott Sledge President of Northern Rivers Guardian . Photo Jeff Dawson
Committee member and stall holder Andy McOscar and Robyn Kelly were VERY excited to be back in the village. Photo Tree Faerie.
The Tree Faerie bought this citrus from Tangelo Tony at the Lone Pine Nursery stall. Photo Tree Faerie.
President of the Liberation Larder, Liz Jackson. Photo Tree Faerie.
All for the love of Lismore. Photo Tree Faerie.
Nimbin Neighbourhood & Information Centre manager Natalie Meyer says Council has alreay voted to give them the land and now they might take it back. Photo Tree Faerie.
Like a loose tooth, one of the massive pylons at Wardell was pushed aside was floowaters and debris. Photo Tree Faerie.
Miila Bijou and her mum Jazuli are doing their best to raise funds for flood-affected people. Photo Tree Faerie.
Bronwyn Morris says Clean-up Australia Day events help engender community. Photo Tree Faerie.
Skye Roberts before speaking at Public Access Rous County Council meeting. Photo Tree Faerie.
Lismore’s new Mayor Steve Krieg, will Chair his first meeting on Tuesday, January 11. Photo Tree Faerie.
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A mass global action, One Billion Rising, which aims to end violence against women and children, is planned for V-Day on February 14, Main Beach, Byron Bay from 7am.
Yesterday evening, Ballina paused to remember the first woman allegedly murdered in 2023 by her partner. In a moving vigil beside the river at sunset, around a mandala of flowers, those present pledged to do whatever is necessary to stop the scourge of domestic violence.
According to data from the most recent census, as reported on local ABC radio, 50 per cent of the people who live in Byron Bay moved there within the last five years.
A rally organised by Mandy Nolan and Cr Cate Coorey on Christmas Eve in Byron Bay, saw hundreds gather in misty rain at Apex Park to oppose the NSW government’s backflip on Council’s push to cap short-term holiday accommodation to 90 days in some residential zones.
A group behind a protest rally to be held on Christs Eve say that it's not good enough that a week before Christmas, the State government stripped the Byron Shire of their authority to bring housing back onto the market by regulating short-term holiday lets with a 90-day cap.
