12.1 C
Byron Shire
June 4, 2026

Rainbow Dragons training kicks off

Latest News

TweedCAN makes it easy for locals to make a difference on climate change

TweedCAN members Sally Evans, Conal Hanna, Isabela Keski-Frantti and Gerard Bisshop Do you believe in climate action, but struggle to...

Other News

Ballina Shire Council’s special rate variation approved

Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has approved Ballina Shire Council's application to increase its general income through a permanent special variation (SV) of 26.25% [in rates] over four years, from 2026-27 to 2029-30.

Small businesses can’t ‘pass costs on’

The government announced $2 billion in small business support in this year’s federal Budget. For those of us actually...

Hamas war crimes allegations

Gazans accuse Hamas of war crimes against Gazans. Lawyers for the Gazan residents have submitted a 40-page application to...

Council says potholes on Wilsons Creek Rd will be fixed

Frustration has been expressed by locals at the potholes already appearing in the recent $10.7 million upgrade to Wilsons Creek Road.

Damning report on project delivery as RA expands

As the damning NSW Auditor-Generals report into the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s (RA) handling of its two key programs, the Resilient Homes (RHP) and Resilient Lands Programs (RLP) came out RA announced that Kate Fitzgerald has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer.

Gathering in the beauty of community

Community garden committees and volunteers from across the Northern Rivers and into South East Queensland gathered at Shara Community...

Rainbow Dragons team members. Photo supplied

Get a feel for dragon boating with Rainbow Dragons’ four week intro program, starting Sunday September 1, in Ballina, and it’s free.

Organisers say, ‘At these weekly training sessions, you will have the opportunity to work as a team, learn new skills, build paddling confidence and track your own progress’.

‘Not to mention you’ll make new friends and paddle our beautiful Ballina waterways’.

‘You’ll benefit from the wealth knowledge and experience of our Rainbow Dragons qualified coaches, Brooke and Carmel, who both have national and international racing experience.

‘Their enthusiasm is infectious and you can expect both group and one-to-one feedback during each session.

Social side

‘Another key part of a good dragon boat training session is the social side.

‘So if you want to debrief, have a chat and a bit of banter after the session you have the option to head off with the rest of the team for coffee nearby. Overall, it’s an excellent way to spend a Sunday morning.

All ages and fitness levels welcome

‘On the practical side – all ages and fitness levels are welcome; all the equipment will be provided; and the sessions are on Sundays from 7.45am–9am, from September 1 to 22 at Endeavour Close, Ballina’.

For further enquiries and/or to sign up – phone Carmel 0402 235 602 or visit www.rainbowdragons.com.au.



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Ballina Council wrap

With local government meeting practice across the state returning to confusion following the NSW Legislative Council's recent decision, Ballina Shire Council's last meeting included a lot of unanimous decisions and an argument about the remnants of the Big Scrub, in which Mayor Cadwallader used her casting vote to squash Cr Simon Chate's motion.

Conversations in the Pub starts with Janelle Saffin

Conversations in the Pub – Lismore’s new civic meet-up – kicks off on Friday 19 June with its inaugural special guest, the NSW Minister for Small Business, Minister for Recovery, Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin MP.

Bungawalbin Levee repair to improve flood resilience

A critical section of Bungawalbin Levee is proposed to be partially relocated to build its long-term resilience, benefitting the community, environment and agricultural industries in the Richmond Valley.

Aussie MPs celebrate World Bicycle Day

The leaders of the Parliamentary Friends of Cycling have joined in front of Parliament House in Canberra to celebrate the United Nations’ World Bicycle Day.