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Byron Shire
June 18, 2026

Do gin and art mix?

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

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...

Local boxing legend visits Byron Boxing

Kyogle heavyweight, Athol McQueen, who represented Australia at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and famously floored a then-unknown Joe Frazier,...

Tipping point

It is noted in the last edition of The Echo that six new dwellings with swimming pools are to...

AI roll-out

My dad bought a quarter-acre block overlooking Sydney’s Northern Beaches for 400 pounds. That was about eight week’s salary. Mum...

Cudgen Lifesaver among King’s Birthday honourees

Far North Coast Director of Lifesaving, David Rope, was awarded an Emergency Services Medal as part of the King's Birthday honourees this week – acknowledging his significant and sustained service to the movement.

Will council support community participation in MHS development?

This Thursday (today), Byron Shire Council (BSC) will be discussing the establishment of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Byron Shire Council and Homes NSW (HNSW) as well as the potential for a Community Assessment Panel for the old Mullumbimby Hospital site.

 

If you’re an artist, and want to win $5,000 for having your art and your name featured on a limited-edition bottle of gin, plus six bottles of Ink Art Gin, then the Ink Art Gin bottle design competition might be worth entering.
In fact, it’s probably uniquely suited to you, as I’m not sure there are many other art competitions which offer exactly six bottles of Ink Art Gin as a prize.

Plus, if you win there are a number of other opportunities to increase your exposure, and if you get second prize, you still win six bottles of gin, but only $500 cash. Entries close on 20 August. This year the theme is FUSION, and all the details you need to enter are on the website inkgin.com.



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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.