20.3 C
Byron Shire
October 20, 2026

Stone & Wood is helping you find your new best mate

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.

Other News

Found – Missing Robert Craig, last seen at South Golden Beach

Police are searching for 72yo, Robert Craig, last seen on a bush track at Helen Street, South Golden Beach, about 7.30am this morning.

Courtney Act puts Gerwyn Davies’ colourful world in the spotlight

Sequins, spandex and seaside souvenirs will be up for discussion when Courtney Act takes the interviewer’s chair in Murwillumbah next month.

People’s Choice Awards announced for Lismore sculpture show

Over 500 visitors came to see the wonderful recycled and natural sculptural works at the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens, in the ReCreate Sculpture Exhibition.

Fish kill follows Belongil Creek opening as Council reviews protocols

A fish kill at Belongil Creek has prompted warnings to avoid the affected area, with Byron Shire Council and government agencies investigating the incident following an artificial opening of the creek.

Let’s not sell the only CBD carpark

The ongoing logistics disaster that is the ‘affordable’ housing proposed to be built on the public carpark at 57...

Old Ways New Ways exhibition open in Lismore

A group exhibition, Old Ways <> New Ways, is now open at Elevator ARI, 3 Rural Street, Lismore as part of The Returning’s Indigenous Artist Residency.

Getting ready for the Stone & Wood Dog Adoption Day are Stone & Wood’s Jessie with ‘Minty’, foster carer Timothy Hanley with ‘Onyx’ and Michelle Popple from Willow Tree Sanctuary with the gorgeous ‘Sunday’. Photo Tree Faerie.

In a partnership between Stone & Wood and Willow Tree Sanctuary, you just might meet your new best friend at a very special collaboration event on Saturday.

Willow Tree Sanctuary rescue, rehabilitate and rehome neglected, abused, or unwanted animals and if you love dogs and don’t mind a brew or two, head to Stone & Wood in Byron Bay for their Dog Adoption Day.

Foster carer Tim Hanley really loves ‘Onyx’ and says he is always tempted to keep the dogs he fosters. Photo Tree Faerie.

Adopting or fostering

Whether you’re looking to adopt, thinking about fostering, or just want to come down for a furry cuddle and chat, everyone is welcome. 

From 11am to 2pm on Saturday, Stone & Wood’s tasting room will be filled with the bestest boys and goodest girls when Willow Tree Sanctuary brings along a bunch of their gorgeous rescue doggos looking for forever homes or foster families.

Stone & Wood’s Jess Flynn says the brewery thrilled to support Willow Tree Sanctuary with another Dog Adoption Day. ‘The Willow Tree team contributes so much to the community with animal rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming and education. If you’ve been thinking about getting a new best friend and can offer one of these doggos a good home, we hope to see you on Saturday.’

Papillon ‘Sunday’ loves a good snuggle and Michelle loves to receive them. Photo Tree Faerie.

Foster carers are the life blood

Co-Founder of Willow Tree Santuary, Kate Morris, says if you’ve been thinking about adopting or providing foster care for animals please come along to the adoption and information day. ‘Willow Tree Sanctuary’s foster carers are our life blood. Each one is a treasured and valued member of our team.’

Timothy Hanley and his partner Michelle Popple from Mullumbimby are committed dog foster parents. They currently have their 16th, 17th and 18th fosters and one of them, a total sweety called ‘Minty’ (see what we did there?) has just had puppies. 

Tim says he feels he is able to give back to the community and help the dogs in need. ‘We adopted “Onyx” after the floods and he brought us so much joy’

‘We started fostering so we can help dogs find people like us and they’ll change their lives – in the last two years we have fosterd 18 dogs including eight puppies. 

Stone and Wood’s Jessie took some time out from pouring brews kisses and coos with ‘Minty’. Photo Tree Faerie.

Hard to say goodbye…

Are he and Michelle ever tempted to keep the pooches? ‘I would have kept nearly every one,’ he said. It is hard to say goodbye to them, but it’s, it’s the pain lessens when you know how happy they’re going to make a family, and how happy the dog’s going to be to have somewhere new to live, and to live their best life for the rest of their life.’

And in addition to Dog Adoption Day, throughout April, $1 from every litre of beer sold at the Stone & Wood bar will go directly to Willow Tree Sanctuary.

100 Mile Table will be whipping up some tasty pup-cakes for the four-legged visitors, while the humans can kick back with a cold beer and a delicious lunch in the courtyard.
And here’s something extra special—throughout April, $1 from every litre of beer sold at the Stone & Wood bar will go directly to Willow Tree Sanctuary and the legends work tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome both farmed and domestic animals in need.

The Stone & Wood and Willow Tree Sanctuary, Dog Adoption Day is on Saturday at the Tasting Room at 96-100 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay, from 11am to 2pm.



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.

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.

Thirty-six unmissable films

The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival features an unmissable line up 36 films, including five retrospectives which will screen from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Cinemas.

A timeless story of self-discovery

A husband with a promotion, two adorable children and a lovely new house. Nora thought she had it all. But did she? What was the discontent that was whispering to her in the shadows?