The passing of David Lovejoy reminds us all of how very fortunate the Byron Shire community is to have a local journal such as The Echo. The Echo has always stood for democracy, it has remained independent and maintained remarkable and insightful integrity and social representation.
David’s skills exist in his editor son Hans Lovejoy. In the same manner the remarkable sensitivity and social consciousness exist in Aslan Shand, the daughter of Nick Shand who instigated The Echo decades ago. Nick was a friend who was always encouraging when I discussed the need for environmental campaigns.
David and Nick and The Echo were the real force behind the manifestation of opposition to the proposed Club Med development and its final demise in the Land and Environment Court. Those were the days of ‘telephone trees’ sitting on the sand dunes with our French resistance berets placed over our heads convincing the French representatives that a community chant ‘No Club Med’ would resonate until victory.
The community was alive and rich in passion for the rights of nature. How lucky we were! Now we have to fight for the rights of nature and freedom of speech and for journalism as ‘the political powers’ attack freedom of speech with a proposed communications legislation amendment. Should this succeed journalism will become embedded with authoritarian governments and democratic freedoms lost.
Thus I suggest, if we believe in freedom of expression in democracy, the independence of journalism and the rights of nature we have a delightful obligation to continue supporting The Echo and the legacy of David Lovejoy and Nick Shand. Blessing to all ‘drudges’ past and present at The Echo. We love you… even the grumpy folk who have a need to spit their chips somewhere.
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. 
