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Byron Shire
June 23, 2026

Local girl surfers earn podium finishes at the Gromsearch in Newcastle

Latest News

Lismore wants a a safe, accessible and long-term home for the Hannah Cabinet

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Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

Shark culls not the answer

It has been a confronting and devastating year with a 12-year-old killed by a shark in Sydney and another shark attack in Coogee over the weekend. The NSW government has said there is nothing off the table in response to the latest shark incident. But it is vital that we don’t just start going out there and randomly culling sharks.

Ocea Curtis at Merewether surfing her way to the finals of this year’s Ripcurl Gromsearch series. Photo Surfing NSW

Le-Ba surfer Ocea Curtis and Byron’s Halo Blanchfield both reached the finals of the second round of the Gromsearch series held at Merewether Beach in Newcastle earlier this month.

In the U/16 girls division Ocea Curtis made it through to the final after winning her semi-final. She was pitted against Ava Arghyros, who dominated her own semi-final, but ended up penalised for an interference.

While Ocea did pick up the top ride of the final, she couldn’t find good waves consistently and had to settle for third place behind Alice Hodgson.

The U/14 girls also had a big weekend of competition. The four finalists are no strangers to competing against each other.

They seemingly take the win on rotations from comp-to-comp, but this time it was Talia Tebb (Kincumber) who managed to come out on top against the other three athletes Lani Cairncross (Kiama Downs), Halo Blanchfield (Byron Bay), and Mali Adam (Crescent Head).

Halo got plenty of waves in the final but couldn’t get the scores she needed to challenge the frontrunners.

A top-three finish for both local girls guarantees them automatic entry into the national final that is scheduled to be held in Melbourne at the URBNSurf wave pool later this month.



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Facing the River in chapters

Tweed Shire Council is telling the full story of how the Tweed community has rebuilt since the 2022 floods, and further damage from the 2024 floods and Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Putting their money where their mouth and conscience is

Climate action group Rising Tide say they will disrupt business at Tweed City ANZ today, as local long-term customers withdraw their life savings from the bank.

Bird flu reaches Western Australia

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Momentum hosts free skate workshop for girls and women

Whether you are stepping on a skateboard for the first time, sharpening your skills or getting ready to compete, a free school holiday workshop is being offered to all female skaters up to 25 years.