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Byron Shire
July 12, 2026

V-Day in Byron Bay for 1,000,000,000 rising

Latest News

Deadly weaving at Lismore gallery

Eighteen months ago, a group of First Nations artists from the Northern Rivers came together at the Lismore Regional Gallery as part of the Gathering Space project.

Other News

Response to the Special Rate Variation

Why spend $120,000 on a community engagement plan to find out if residents will be happy to see their...

For your wellbeing

On Saturday, in Byron, they are holding a Psychic Health and Wellbeing Expo, at the Cavanbah Centre, Ewingsdale Road – this is a community-based event and all are welcome.

Screen industry leaders to converge in Lennox Head

Film-maker advocacy group, Screenworks, has revealed the first speaker line-up for Regional to Global Screen Forum 2026, which will be held in Lennox Head on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 September.

Making the S.H.I.F.T. in women’s lives

Older women are disproportionately affected by the housing crisis and financial insecurity. They are the fastest-growing group of people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

Eclectic Selection for the week beginning 8 July 2026

Eclectic Selection: What’s on this week is a taste of some of the events that can be found in the Byron Shire and beyond this coming week.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Why I Love Being Dry

On 13 July I am four years sober. I am one of a growing number of people who decided to quit alcohol. It’s one of the best decisions of my life. My only regret is I didn’t do it sooner.

One of the V-Day Byron Bay dance leaders, Julie Bartley. Photo Tree Faerie.

Over 200 women gathered at Main Beach in Byron Bay today to greet the dawn to greet each other, and to add their numbers to 1,000,000,000 women rising for the annual V-Day celebrations.

V-Day Byron Bay organiser Zenith Virago. Photo Tree Faerie.

The mass global action, One Billion Rising, aims to highlight and end violence against women and children – to date eight women have died at the hands of an intimate partner this year.

Lissie and Danni were up with the sparrows to dance at V-Day Byron Bay. Photo Tree Faerie.

Organiser and MC, Zenith Virago asked those gathered to remember women all around the world who are suffering because of their gender.

Dressed in red everyone was led through a rehearsal of the dance before performing it for each other and themselves in the open sky.

V-Day Byron Bay. Photo Tree Faerie.

No War – this photo first appeared on the cover of The Echo 21 years ago this month.

Once the dancing was done, the fun began, and many took off to the water for an early morning swim.

The last thing before the swim was a commemoration of an event that took place 21 years ago in Federal when hundreds of women took off their clothes and made a giant heart with the words no war.

V-Day Byron Bay. Photo Tree Faerie.

The only sad note of the day was that Some men on the beach took the opportunity to photograph and film the women in the ocean, the reason that women were protesting, was to highlight that this sort of thing happens.

Photos Tree Faerie



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Plastic not so fantastic

There is nothing healthier than drinking some water – or so I’ve always told my kids. It doesn’t contain sugar or colour additives – as one person used to tell us as children, ‘it’s sky juice’! What could be better?

Ballina courthouse windows smashed, man charged

Police say a man will face court today, charged after 12 windows were allegedly smashed in Ballina last night.   Police say, 'About 10.35pm (Thursday 9 July 2026), police were called to Martin Street following reports of a man smashing windows'.

Alleged native tree removal continues in Lennox, says councillor

With a government agency now investigating the alleged clear felling of natives on a large private block in Lennox Head, Ballina Greens councillor Kiri Dicker has told The Echo that contractors were felling trees all morning, ‘trying to get the job done’.

Ocean Shores man charged with advocating terrorism online

Police say a 20-year-old Ocean Shores man is behind bars (refused bail) and will face court in Tweed Heads Local Court on 18 September, charged with advocating terrorism.