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Byron Shire
October 20, 2026

Ballina Bombers on top and gaining altitude in senior women’s AFL

Latest News

Cinema: NAZA

A must-see, award-winning documentary investigating AI warfare in Gaza. Fresh from winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, NAZA, the latest documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (No Other Land), examines artificial intelligence and surveillance in Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

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Free Musicland talk in Byron

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Bombers on the charge: Ballina’s senior AFL side is setting the pace in local women’s AFL. Photo supplied

The Ballina Bombers women’s senior AFL team posted another win last Saturday as they continue their undefeated run in the Queensland Football Association’s division two (south).

Playing away against one of the competition’s second placed sides, the Bombers were able to post an assured 4.4.28–1.1.7 victory.

‘It was a very fiery and heated game. Palm Beach Currumbin are rough opponents. But we stood strong and ran over the top of them,’ Bombers captain Ellie McFadden said.

The Bombers are now on 28 competition points and pulling away from the rest of the pack, where the next three best teams are all on 20 points.

The side faced another big challenge last month when they had a top-of the-table-clash with Burleigh and came away with the points.

‘Lightning struck in the last quarter and the game was stopped. But we were ahead the whole game so we were awarded the win,’ she said.

Ellie is confident the side can go all the way this year after losing last year’s grand final.

‘We are ready to go again,’ she said. ‘A few key players are back and in Abe Gibson, we have a really good coach’.

After Saturday’s game Kaia Shearer was named player’s player, and the coaches award went to Eliza O’Toole. Ellie was named best on ground.

The side has a bye this weekend before taking on Pacific Pines at Fripp Oval at 4.45pm on Saturday, June 15.

Magpies

The Byron Bay Magpies  womemn collected their second win of the season last Saturday beating Jimboomba 5.6.36–0.7.7 playing at home on Cavanbah Oval.

Jada Lampard (2), captain Lillian Hutchins (1) and Maddy Jensen (2) all scored goals in the win against the competition’s wooden spooners.



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Interview with Genevieve Clay-Smith, director of Boss Cat showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival

When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure. Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.

Something for everyone at the Picture House

From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.

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A timeless story of self-discovery

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