20.9 C
Byron Shire
June 15, 2026

Eclectic selection: What’s on this week (March 5–12, 2025)

Latest News

Men’s Health Week: simple conversations

This National Men’s Health Week experts from Triple P – Positive Parenting Program are encouraging dads, granddads and father figures to embrace something simple but powerful: everyday conversations that support their own wellbeing and their family’s wellbeing.

Other News

Interview with Peter O’Doherty

Australia’s legendary band Mental As Anything made an historic comeback in 2026 – the first in 25 years – as original founding members Peter O’Doherty and brother Reg Mombassa reunited, leading an exciting new lineup to perform once again under the iconic banner Mental As Anything.

Tropical soda apple eradication project spans 130km of the Richmond River

A major regional effort to manage a highly invasive weed has been completed across the Far North Coast, says Rous County Council (Rous), "marking an important step forward in protecting local agriculture and the environment".  

The Pocket Winter Festival bringing you music, food and fun

The Pocket Winter Festival is set to return on Sunday, 21 June, from 10am to 2pm, bringing together the community for a day of music, food, entertainment and family fun at The Pocket Public School.

Past and present collide at Byron Theatre

A classic Australian novel is getting a contemporary makeover at the Byron Theatre this week, with Tirra Lirra by the River brought to the stage using cutting-edge audio-visual effects.

Echo Love Awards

Last Saturday night, Yuti and I had the privilege of attending the 40th anniversary celebration of The Echo. The trip...

Social homes completed in Casino – what else is in the pipeline?

With 17 new ‘social housing’ dwellings being announced for Casino, what other similar projects are underway in the Northern Rivers?

Indie folk and roots singer-songwriter Josh Lee Hamilton has a smooth and warm sound that will endear you with his honest and heartfelt songs that tell stories of love, struggle and faith. There is a sense of optimism as you listen to his music, while his songs authentically navigate troubles and challenges from his own story.

Wednesday from 5pm at the Treehouse, Belongil. Free show.


Designed to mesmerise and enthral, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour showcases a three-hour celebration of our oceans, comprised of sublime footage taken above and below the water’s surface.

Thursday and Friday at 7pm at the Brunswick Picture House, Brunswick Heads. Tickets from $24 at brunswickpicturehouse.com.


Hashimoto’s Cactus is just three guys – Stephen Lovelight, Michael DiCecco, and Hans Lovejoy, who have nothing better to do on a Saturday night, than bedazzle you with their slick riffs, sick, hip drifts, and thick grits.

Saturday from 7pm at The Billinudgel Hotel. Free show


Cass Eager is a Soul/R&B singer with a sound that embodies old-school cool with bold, sexy optimism. Her sound takes its cue from a vintage sonic swagger à la Amy Winehouse and Sharon Jones, and when you press play you’ll want to be sipping cocktails at your favourite lounge bar in LA, or at The Rails, with best friends and lovers alike.

Friday at The Rails, Byron Bay. Free show.


Raised on brown snake venom and moonshine, Burning Hands, the legends from Byron Bay perform traditional Delta and Chicago-influenced roots and dance music from a forgotten time.

With guest Sam Buckley they feature raw harmonica, virtuoso guitar, and a cooking rhythm section with double bass and drums – these musicians are deeply rooted in the blues tradition.

Sunday from 2.30pm at the Ballina RSL Boardwalk. Free show.


A singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Chris Aronsten plays guitar, mandolin, fiddle, harmonica, and spoons. There is no shortage of energy in his show with original songs and selected covers from his extensive folk and blues repertoire. He blends the songs with fiddle tunes, American-style bluegrass flat-picking on guitar, and instrumentals on mandolin.

Monday at The Rails, Byron Bay. Free show.


Ziggy Alberts has built his career on unwavering independence, resilience, and a deep commitment to his craft. From busking on Byron Bay’s streets to sold-out world stages – all as a solo act – his journey has always been about direct connection with his audience.

Tuesday from 7pm at the Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads. Tickets $92.90 from moshtix.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.

Peace in our time?

While details remain scant, there are claims from multiple sources that a peace deal has finally been reached in the war between Iran and the United States, after nearly four months of fighting.

How to stop the erosion of our human rights

Let’s celebrate Refugee Week, 15–21 June, which was initiated in Australia 40 years ago and now observed worldwide.

Appeal to locate wanted man Adam Richards

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a man wanted on outstanding warrants in the Casino area.

Marine Rescue volunteers assist disabled dive boat

Volunteers and two vessels from Marine Rescue Point Danger safely assisted thirteen people to shore on Saturday afternoon after a commercial dive vessel experienced engine issues and was unable to safely cross the Tweed Bar.