Locals from Goonellabah and Lindendale have called out the proposed Goonellabah industrial precinct at 1055A Bruxner Hwy and 245 Oliver Ave as being the wrong use of the site.
This year’s Mullum Laneways Festival, to be held on May 4 and 5, promises to be a feast for the senses, set to captivate visitors of all ages. On Sunday, May 5 everyone is encouraged to immerse themselves in the heart of the Festival, as Burringbar Street is transformed into a vibrant tapestry of music, dance, art, and more.This is a free event, funded by local sponsorship and a gala fundraising event on Saturday, May 4.
The Invasive Species Council has expressed serious concern following the detection of multiple new fire ant nests at Oakey, 29 km west of Toowoomba in Queensland.
At around midnight last night, a fire started which engulfed the old Mullumbimby railway station. It's been twenty years since the last train came through, but the building has been an important community hub, providing office space for a number of organisations, including COREM, Mullum Music Festival and Social Futures.
All smiles after 2023 NAIDOC Celebration Walk in Ballina. Photo David Lowe.
Yesterday morning saw the temporary closure of River Street in Ballina for the annual NAIDOC Week Celebration Walk. The theme of NAIDOC this year is ‘For Our Elders’.
Despite the rain, which grew heavier, hundreds of people walked from the park near the RSL Club to the Visitors Centre, for a flag-raising and short ceremony, before morning tea and a BBQ. The route took the reverse direction of the ANZAC March, and had some parallels with that event, including the mixture of joy and sorrow and a minute’s silence before the raising of the flags.
Many jarjums joined the march this year, along with their elders, some of whom travelled in buses at the front, led by a police escort.
MC Les Moran speaking after the NAIDOC Celebration Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Reninya Roberts used her megaphone to call for people to vote No in the voice referendum, saying it was a threat to sovereignty, while MC Les Moran later said it was up to individuals to decide how they wanted to vote, and the day was not about the Voice.
‘NAIDOC to me is always special,’ said Mr Moran. ‘It allows us to showcase our culture, our history, our language; and to teach our young ones so that they have something in the future.
‘Culture is very important to us as Aboriginal people. It’s who we are, how we identify ourselves.’
The Celebration Walk was accompanied by beautiful beats provided by a portable PA, making a change to the usual River Street vibe, with the whole event bringing flags, energy and strength to downtown Ballina.
NAIDOC celebrations continue in Ballina Shire all this week. Details are here.
Check out a mega photo gallery of the NAIDOC Celebration Walk in Ballina below (click in for full size pics):
Families gathered after the NAIDOC Celebration Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Elders raise the flag following NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Daniel Roberts doing a great job on traffic control for the NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Thanks for lending me the rain jacket Daniel! Photo David Lowe.
Jarjum up a tree just before the NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
MC Les Moran and Police Inspector Grant Erickson spoke after the NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Lyn Roberts brought some beautiful colour to the NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Ballina Community Health joined the NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
For our elders. NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Reninya Roberts speaking at the NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Bringing the beats to the NAIDOC Celebration Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina 2023 was all about the elders. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Getting ready for the NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader listening to the speeches following the NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Onlooker enjoying the NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Jarjum with flag at NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Down River Street for the NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Reninya Roberts speaks after the NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Speaking about elders after the NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Jarjum on the mat after NAIDOC Walk in Ballina, 2023. Photo David Lowe.
Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.
Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.
Lismore and Ballina child protection caseworkers stopped work to protest outside the defunct Community Services Centre in Lismore yesterday after two years of working without an office. They have been joined by Ballina child protection caseworkers who had their office shut in January.
After an emotional deputation from the owner of the dog involved, Ballina Shire Council has this morning revoked a menacing dog declaration for the kelpie Lilo, which was brought into effect following a bite in July 2022.
Around Australia people will come together this Thursday to pay their respects and remember those who have served, and continue to serve, the nation during times of conflict. Listed are details for Tweed, Ballina, Lismore, Byron, Kyogle, and Richmond Valley Council areas.
This morning Ballina Shire Council will hear a motion from Cr Steve McCarthy to remove the native macaranga tree from the list of approved species for planting by Ballina Council and local community groups.
