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Byron Shire
June 18, 2026

Et tu, Mandy?

Latest News

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 rainforest table

If you’ve driven the stretch out to Suffolk Park, you may have passed it without quite knowing it was...

Vale William ‘Bill’ Ewen

The funeral service for Marine Rescue Ballina volunteer William ‘Bill’ Ewen was held on Monday at Ballina RSL Club.

Fisherman dies at Evans Head

NSW Police have reported that a fisherman has died after being swept off the rocks yesterday at Evans Head.

Fear and ignorance should not drive abortion debate

I did not think I would need to defend the right to safe abortions again. Abortion is no longer a criminal offence in Australia. There are well-reasoned and effective legal structures around abortions based on healthcare and women’s choice. It is broadly accepted that if you’re pregnant, it’s your decision to have children, or not.

Difficult times

We live in difficult times: so it’s good to know some things are certain; the sun will rise in...

Long serving drudges

One category overlooked for an award at The Echo’s 40th birthday party was for the long-serving drudges. Jenny Dalimore, Steve...

Russell Brand has yet to be charged with anything. Four anonymous women have apparently told their stories.

Over the past few weeks there have been numerous stories, speculations and historical incidents smeared all over social media. Perhaps you should switch your column from Soapbox to Bandwagon? What happened to the presumption of innocence? This man’s life, love him or hate him, is in total upheaval.

Are we just accepting ‘trial by media’ now?

Rachael Terry, South Golden Beach



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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.