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Byron Shire
June 18, 2026

Shitbox MKII heads to Perth in 2024

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In loving memory of Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD (1929 – 2026)

Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD, one of Australia’s most visionary conservation leaders and a pioneering force in ecological restoration, passed away last Thursday at the age of 96. He spent his final months at Honey Bee Homes in Ewingsdale.

Other News

A bit of fun to raise some funds

Bobby Conn and Molly O’Neil, from Drover (either end) Paul Tansley from Stone & Wood (back) with Damian Farrell from Fletcher St Cottage pulling out his best Ray Charles moves. Join them and plenty of other performers at the 12th Festival of The Stone on Saturday, 20 June

Lismore rallies to save homes from demolition

Around hundred residents met at the Lismore Quad on Saturday to demand the demolitions of heritage homes cease, the flood recovery promised is delivered, and that every person be housed.

Caring for community

The Rotary Club of Mullumbimby presented a cheque for $10,000 to the Brunswick Surf Life Saving Club (BSLSC) in support of its ongoing operations.

Festival and event grants on offer

Community organisations are encouraged to apply for NSW government grants to bring cultural festivals and events to life across the state over the coming year.

Tradie ladies graduate civil construction TAFE program

Twelve Northern Rivers residents are celebrating the completion of a groundbreaking program designed to build essential skills and unlock employment pathways for women in civil construction.

Byron Shire Rebels gutsy efforts

A day of contrasting rugby fortunes for the Rebels at Ballina, with the Men’s XV putting in a gutsy...

A couple that drives together, thrives together? Russell and Alison, with the 2024 Shitbox, are having a garage sale this Sunday to raise funds for the Cancer Council. (Note, oil-drum bass NOT for sale). Photo Tree Faerie.

Dunoon mechanic Russell Wilson had so much fun at the Shitbox Rally last year, he has asked his wife Alison to join him and head out to the back blocks of Uluru next April for another go at making a $1,500 car attempt the almost impossible. 

Russell and Alison will drive for approximately 46 hours (depending on the Shitbox) over 3,842 km from Adelaide to Perth via Uluru to raise money for the Cancer Council.

Russell and Alison will drive for approximately 46 hours (depending on the Shitbox) over 3,842 km from Adelaide to Perth via Uluru to raise money for the Cancer Council.

The Shitbox rally is a challenge to achieve the unthinkable – to drive cars worth up to just $1,500 across Australia via some of its most formidable roads, all in the name of charity.

Last year Russell and co-driver Ulf Steinvorth drove from Rockhampton to Tassy and raised around $10,000 for the Cancer Council.

An ’83, ’84, ’85-ish Toyota Hiace

This year the Wilsons would like to double that amount for a good cause, and they even have a new ‘car’ for the event. Gone is last year’s 1989 Red Roadrunner and taking up space in the Wilsons’ workshop is an ’83, ’84, ’85-ish Toyota Hiace complete with a mattress and rust spots.

Neither of the couple have been to this part of Australia before so they have no idea what to expect. ‘But, we’ve got solar panels, a bed, a deep-cycle battery. This will be our house on wheels.’

The Wilsons are hoping to attract some sponsors – someone with $20k would be perfect – with all of the funds raised going to the Cancer Council, as the couple fund the car and the trip themselves.

Russell with last year’s Shitbox, which will be raffled off to raise money for this year’s event. Photo Tree Faerie

Garage sale on Sunday

To help things along there will be a garage sale at the Dunoon workshop on Sunday with lots of bits and pieces ready to be offloaded in the name of cancer research, including raffle tickets – the winning prize being last year’s Shitbox.

The garage sale is at the Dunoon Automotive workshop at 111 James Street (the main drag), Dunoon.

You can follow the adventure in Instagram at: @rustymotorhead or on the Shitbox Rally website.



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Caring for community

The Rotary Club of Mullumbimby presented a cheque for $10,000 to the Brunswick Surf Life Saving Club (BSLSC) in support of its ongoing operations.

Lismore shops enchanted for Lantern Parade

Winners of Lismore’s Enchanted Windows comp have been announced, with The Two Ravens taking top spot. The comp is part of the city's Lantern Parade, to be held this Saturday, 20 June.

AI: Artificial Intelligence, or Artificial Inflation?

It feels as if AI is everywhere – whether it’s those intrusive bots on every website or every headline about how it’s either going to be a boon for humanity, or end us.

Flood gauges installed in Ballina and Wardell 

Residents in Ballina and Wardell will have more more localised flood warnings, giving them time to prepare before floodwaters arrives, thanks to new flood forecast services along the Richmond River.